"Aren't you going for dinner?” Munachi who has just walked into the restroom asks, meanwhile Geraldine who is unclad uses the medium to clean her wet body. 

it was obvious she didn't want to go for dinner, because if she had wanted to, she should have gotten prepared a long time ago.

The dormitory seemed to be almost empty. Her thoughts had driven to Jewel, she had wanted to talk to her, but didn't get the opportunity in class, and after that, she didn't know how she scaled through without her notice.

It wasn't something to deny anymore, she had stopped seating with them during lunch, she won't be shocked if she actually stops sitting with them in class.

She really missed her, Jewel's usual banter, and complains, she was never satisfied with anything, her babyish behaviour. Jewel was a big baby, she won't blame her, it was obvious, she was brought up that way.

So she acted that way. She could be very annoying, but Jewel could never hurt a fly, she could only talk, and provoke you, threaten you, but would forget about what she said, after some time.

"You can go, I am not feeling too well.” Geraldine suddenly says, she wasn't lying. That was how she was feeling.

"Okay, I will just eat from my provisions then." Munachi doesn't take a minute to respond, making Jewel turn her head to her direction slowly.

"You don't have to stay behind," Geraldine says in a soft tone.

"You aren't feeling well. You shouldn't be alone, besides who will | seat with there?" Munachi smiles.

"Nengi!" Geraldine responds without thinking, meanwhile Munachi chuckles.

"Abeg be fast, let's go inside." Munachi who seemed like she wasn't giving in any time suddenly says.

Meanwhile, Geraldine releases a weak smile, headache slowly engulfing her.

"What's wrong?” Munachi asks, immediately she notices her body language.

"It's..." She hesitates, which Munachi didn't miss.

In all honesty, she didn't want to bring up Jewel up.

Jewel wasn't a fan of her, so talking about Jewel with her, won't be right. So she thought.

"Jewel." She finally blurts out. It bothered her. She didn't miss the mixed reaction made from Munachi, which suddenly seemed straight.

"You should talk to her." There was something about the way she said this, although Geraldine seemed rather too lost to notice it. "Not like | have any ill-feeling towards her, but if she wants to stay away, it's her business, you can't be the only one trying to talk to her, what kind of friendship Is that?” Munachi asks, looking serious. Meanwhile, Geraldine swallows the imaginary lump in her throat.

Geraldine who suddenly felt tongued tied, stared back at Munachi.

Apparently, she looked dazed. While Munachi stares back at her silently, now giving her a strange look.

"Jewel isn't like..., " She pauses. She clearly had nothing to say. "She could be difficult most times, but..., "

Geraldine takes a deep breath, before facing Munachi properly. Deep down she wanted her to know Jewel wasn't a bad person.

She had come to like Munachi's company. The girl was really something, fun, easy-going and smart, she also loved Jewel too.

It wasn't a bad thing to have more than one friend or was it?

Even a naive person could tell, Jewel didn't like Munachi, as always she had issues with everyone. But Geraldine did like her, and she wanted to have both friends, how bad was that?

lf there was one thing she wanted, it was to make both friends tolerate each other.

She had just met Munachi, but there where these kinds of person, no matter if you just met them, it seems like you have known them for a long time, you feel there vibe and want them around.

Munachi was a perfect definition of the above description.

"I will be on my bunk." Munachi doesn't hesitate, she heads straight to the room. Meanwhile, Geraldine who stood all by herself, stares into the space.

                         ______________________🖊️

   Jayden who seemed so engrossed with struggling with his blazers, which had gotten stuck with the door, suddenly looks towards his right, into the classroom.

Shocked by what he had just seen, he swallows hard.

It was a room, which wasn't used for anything at all. It was almost empty with just a few chairs, littered around.

It was his safe space. A place he felt relaxed in.

Currently, they were expecting a teacher in an hour time, for a test. With how rowdy the class always was, he had decided to leave it, to go read somewhere else, and that place, was the empty Classroom, he considered his safe space.

Also seeing Leo so engrossed in whatever he was doing was something. He was very sure, Leo hadn't noticed him yet.

He didn't know what sent chills into his body, was it the fact he had never viewed him in such manner, or was it the fact he seemed so engrossed in the cigarette? It was so difficult, even to him, he found himself trying to comprehend what he had just seen.

It wasn't him being judgemental. That wasn't the issue, because he wasn't a Saint either, it was just the fact, he didn't see through that facade.

Leo, quiet, book worm, or was it his ability to actually get him to make a conversation.

Totally forgetting he was stuck, he tries to take a step, but gets drawn back roughly, making a sound, and also, his head colliding with the metal.

He groans involuntarily. He heard a noise immediately.

"Jayden!"

He couldn't make out what his facial expression was, due to the fact he was lost in his own pains. Although he wanted nothing more than to see the look on Leo's face. Maybe he could get a hint, or understand him better.

Because this made him feel, he had lost an ability to detect things, which was funny if you think of it. But to him, it wasn't.

"What were you struggling with. Sounded like an earthquake." Leo laughs. Meanwhile, Jayden takes his head up slowly.

Leo didn't look shocked or surprised, what marvelled Jayden was the fact, he didn't panic, he still had the cigarette. With the smell, he could tell whatever Leo had taken was very strong.

The fact he was smiling like a fool proved it. His eyes seemed very red.

Jayden wondered why he hadn't noticed Leo smoked, his lips weren't darkened, he found himself staring at his lips, which was a very funny sight.

His eyes where never like someone who smoked.

Wonders would never seize.

It wasn't a big deal to him, what marvelled him, was he never suspected.

"You smoke." Jayden blurts out. It was something which came out of his mouth without him thinking.

Leo's facial expression, giving mixed feelings and vibes.

Funny enough, he doesn't put the cigarette away.

"I don't smoke," Leo responds. Meanwhile, Jayden stares back at him. He really took his time to answer the question. Although the answer was just as stupid as he looked.

Someone he met smoking, who is currently holding a cigarette, saying he doesn't smoke.

"I stopped. I swear i did, but I couldn't control myself this time. But this would be the last." Leo tries to explain to a very confused Jayden. That was when it dawned on him. He had little or no idea, who Leo really was.

Who was Leo?

He subconscious suddenly nudged him.

It was a big question. Leo was someone who managed to make him talk, a very friendly person if he wanted to be. Because he noticed Leo hardly mingled with people.

The real question was. What was going on in that head of his? Who was Leo?

Was he the way he portrayed himself to be? Who was Leo?

Now he believed that saying. "Fear quiet people”

He was quiet, but Leo was somehow mysterious.

"Jayden!"

He recognised the voice immediately. A third person had joined them. He didn't miss the speed which Leo used in throwing the cigarette away, it was shocking.

"Why does this place smell like..., " Jewel who didn't even know what to say, suddenly pauses.

Jayden faces her fully. Wondering what she

Was doing there, and also making a mental note, of changing his hang out, he couldn't have people trooping in and out, disrupting his privacy, an example of that was Jewel.

The room is suddenly quiet, no one utter's a word to each other.

He didn't miss the confused look on Jewel's face. And the fact he had snubbed her silly, worsened the whole thing.

It was a bad habit, which could be done without him been knowledgeable of it, or done on purpose.

And this was done on purpose. He notice her face suddenly turn pale, he didnt miss the fact she gave both of them a look, before walking out.

Jayden stares at the door, till he was sure, she had gotten to a distance.

"I can't just think straight when | am around her." Leo suddenly says.

This sudden statement makes Jayden turn to him properly, it was clear he heard what he just said, but wanted to be sure, he didn't mean what he was thinking.

"She drives me crazy, I just want her in my arms," Leo confesses.

Now you could see the look on Jayden's face was priceless.

"Who?" He found himself asking, even though he wasn't the type to pry.

"Jewel. Isn't she a goddess? God I have been crazy about her for more than I can remember, but she is always hostile, I would be content with just being her friend. | just always want her around. Do you know the feeling of watching a girl you feel you love almost every day, at the same time, she is just interested in someone else and..., "

"Jewel?" Jayden found himself asking again to be really sure if he was hearing fine. He couldn't help but wonder if Leo knew the jewel in question was his sister, that was ridiculous, who didn't know that?

"I just want to hold her In my arms, and kiss her senselessly. She drives me crazy." Leo says.

It had been confirmed even by Jayden. Leo wasn't in his right frame of mind. The Leo he knew would never open his mouth to say all this. if he wasn't under the influence of something.

Also hearing all this from him, sent mixed feelings into his spine, hearing Leo talk about kissing his sister. Even the thought of it.

Not his own Jewel. To him Jewel was a baby, she couldn't afford such toxicity.

He was toxic, but Leo was way worse.

One look at Leo, he could tell he had failed the test, because him going to the class like this. He wasn't even going to let him.

"I need to talk to her." Leo suddenly says heading to the door. "I won't be scared of rejections anymore."

If not for the condition of things, for the first time, Jayden felt like laughing wholeheartedly.

lf only Leo could see himself, like a baby who wanted mummy's attention.

"Jewel?" Jayden found himself asking again.

On a normal day, hearing a guy say this about his sister, he would have It bad, but this was different Leo looked pathetic. With the look of things, something was eating deep into him. And he only had one thing in mind, even though it wasn't good, but it was the right thing to do.

He did the most ridiculous thing he had ever done in his life, he ran past Leo, taking him unawares. Immediately he gets out, he bangs the door, now locking him from the outside.

That was best for the both of them. Seeing the hold of the door move furiously, and hearing some echoes, it dawned on him, he had forgotten his note inside.

But he couldn't also open the door, he could tell what Leo took wasn't just cigarette, it could be tolerable, this was something bigger, also locking him up, wasn't the best idea.

Instead of walking away, he moves to a corner, and leans on the wall, now bringing out the other subject they had later.

         
                     _____________________🖊️

    She could feel him settle beside her. Currently, and surprisingly they were the only ones in the classroom. Everyone had gone for lunch break.

She wasn't hungry, and sitting alone, which was what she was doing to, would only create unnecessary gossips from her classmates.

It was obvious, everyone had noticed she has stopped sitting with Geraldine, they hardly walked together, just eye contacts and formal talks.

It wasn't like she didnt want to spend time or talk to her, but Munachi seemed to always be In her company.

And that was what always made her relent. In other to avoid problems with Munachi, she had to avoid her, funny as it is, avoiding her meant, avoiding Geraldine.

Because Munachi was always clung to Geraldine like a leach.

To Jewel, they seemed like the perfect friends, which pierced her heart. Even if she wanted to lose her best friend to someone, it wasn't someone she detested so much.

Feeling Nathan's hands on her hair, she swallows hard. She felt like things were moving too fast between them.

She wasn't a baby, she could tell when a boy was making moves, and Nathan was making moves on her.

"I just love hair!" Nathan comments now picking her braid, meanwhile Jewel smiles out.

She could feel him settle beside her. Currently, and surprisingly they were the only ones in the classroom. Everyone had gone for lunch break.

She wasn't hungry, and sitting alone, which was what she was doing to, would only create unnecessary gossips from her classmates.

It was obvious, everyone had noticed she has stopped sitting with Geraldine, they hardly walked together, just eye contacts and formal talks.

It wasn't like she didnt want to spend time or talk to her, but Munachi seemed to always be In her company.

And that was what always made her relent. In other to avoid problems with Munachi, she had to avoid her, funny as it is, avoiding her meant, avoiding Geraldine.

Because Munachi was always clung to Geraldine like a leach.

To Jewel, they seemed like the perfect friends, which pierced her heart. Even if she wanted to lose her best friend to someone, it wasn't someone she detested so much.

Feeling Nathan's hands on her hair, she swallows hard. She felt like things were moving too fast between them.

She wasn't a baby, she could tell when a boy was making moves, and Nathan was making moves on her.

"You love longer braids." He comments, making Jewel take her face up, making an eye contact with him, which was shocking. What she couldn't believe she could do.

"You love hair so much." Jewel couldn't help but say, it was also something she noticed.

"Yeah." He chuckles. The sound of that, gave her body a funny reaction, she found herself, taking her eyes down to his lips.

Discovering what she had just done, she takes her eyes up immediately, hoping he hadn't noticed it.

"What's wrong with you? I have been watching you!" He says suddenly seeming serious. "You look worried or would I  rather say sad," Nathan concludes.

Jewel couldn't help but let out a small smile.

He was right, she wasn't in a good mood. What made her feel some tingling feelings inwards was the fact, he had noticed.

Jayden ignoring her that way almost made her cry, she wanted to talk to him about something important to her, she needed someone to talk to, and he acted like she didn't exist at all.

"l am fine." She says, her voice very low and tiny.

She finally picks her bottle of water and starts trying to open it, which was rather a struggle.

That was the real Jewel. Someone who couldn't open a bottle of water herself. Trying to feel confident, she struggles again and finally drops it on the table. You could see the frustration in her eyes.

"Let me help." Nathan suddenly says, he couldn't hide how amused he looked. She doesn't bother to look his way, she only stretches the bottle down to him.

                         ______________________🖊️

    Immediately he opens the door, he pushes it immediately, he doesn't miss peeping in, which seemed very funny.

Jayden had counted this as the second silly thing he had done in a day. He didn't fail to notice, some spice has started being added to his life, which was never like before.

He was always on his own, doing his thing. Reading or meditating.

No friends, apart from Ivy, who he had a special kind relationship with.

So writing both tests for Leo was very dangerous, but he did it anyway, even though he knew getting caught would a serious offence, attracting a clean punishment.

Getting into the room, also making some noise with the door, he could Leo take his head up immediately.

He looked sobber than before, but his eyes still red.

"Hey." He calls out slowly, trying to take a proper view of Jayden, you could tell he had just woken up from sleep. Also the confusion on his face.

"The door was locked."

"I locked you indoors," Jayden says without thinking it through. He seemed very curious, he hadn't gotten over the incident.

“What's the time?" Leo asks calmly, his voice down, probably remembering he had a test to write.

"Don't bother. We are done with the test." Jayden says studying Leo's body language. "You were wasted.” Immediately he said this, he didn't miss how fast, Leo raised his eyebrows.

"Also, I wrote the test for two," Jayden explains. There is a sudden silence, which lasted for few seconds.

"Thanks. I really appreciate.” Leo raps without wasting any time. It was obvious he had other things in his mind.

"Did I  do anything stupid?" Leo suddenly asks. Making Jayden's mind run immediately, to the about Jewel, we he decided to shrug off. Although he knew there was some truth to that, he wasn't in his right senses, also he didn't want to bring up such, It would be embarrassing to him, as a person. Even though other normal person saw it as nothing. He wasn't normal, and he knew it.

But heck, the boy was fantasising about his own sister.

Kiss her senselessly!

He knew he wasn't forgetting those words anytime soon.

"What you took was too strong. It was an ordinary cigarette." Jayden asks with a raised eyebrow, it was obvious he wanted Leo to respond.

Leo stares into the space without uttering a word. Jayden found himself wanting to get into that head, which was weird, it was unlike him. Wonders keeps on happening.

"No;" Leo responds.

“You smuggled it in without being caught?" Jayden found himself asking.

"No;" Leo respond, meanwhile Jayden suddenly keeps silent. " I didn't smuggle it in. Besides I have stopped purchasing such, I got it from somewhere.” Leo says looking honest, when he noticed the funny look Jayden was giving him, he concludes the chat. "I stole it." He says. "Please don't ask me were, dude!" Leo suddenly says.

Meanwhile, Jayden nods his head.

"I never knew you smoked." Jayden suddenly pushes the topic. "It doesn't seem like a one-time thing.” He says.

He didn't miss the hesitation from Leo’s part.

"I stopped. I was tempted, and I  also saw it, besides I  needed it." Leo says, making Jayden wonder what someone of his age needed cigarettes for.

"You haven't tried it before?" Leo suddenly asks taking Jayden aback.

Jayden hesitates a while, probably thinking about what he asked properly.

"Once. But not like the real cigarette." Jayden says, now remembering crazy Ivy, they both tried such, but it was just paper for fun, he hadn't tried taking real cigarette. 

Although he would love to know what it feels like for research purposes.

He could see a small smile creep up on Leo's face, which turned into chuckles.

"Not that kind of cigarette." Jayden tries to defend.

"Just felt like smiling, it isn't something to be proud of. I am trying my best to stop it.” Leo says.

"My aunt is a therapist! She helps."

“Hope you don't do drugs, that is deadly!" Jayden suddenly says, looking grim, you could tell he treated such as important.

"No," Leo responds after hesitating. Jayden watches him for a while, before talking.

"Are you depressed?" It sounded stupid, because Leo didn't look like someone with emotional issues, although he had mentioned something about his sister's death, but he didn't act on that, he kind of poured out his heart, he didn't press on it, and he didn't look depressed.

But that was the only thing he could think of, or else Leo did it for fun.

"When did you..., "

"Honestly, it's not something to be proud of, I  am very hungry," Leo confesses.

Jayden who felt tempted to reply his last statement, keeps mute. Leo had turned him into a blubber mouth in just one day.

When was the last time he spoke this much?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Leo suddenly asks.

Kiss her senselessly!

"When was the last time you had sex?"

This question came out of the blues, making Jayden turn to Leo immediately.

It was something he considered personal, or wasn't it personal?

Do friends actually talk about intimate stuff, normal guys always do that, like Jewel would always say, he wasn't normal, there was some sense in that.

Wow, he just called Leo a friend, actually the first person he had thought of in that manner.

"Because you look like someone in dear need of that."

Jayden gives him a funny look. He wasn't horny, he couldn't remember the last time he felt like screwing someone, so what was he talking about?

Or was he trying to make a point about himself?

"Have you ever had two girls at a goal?"

The funny part of this was Leo seemed very serious.

"No!" Jayden responds honestly. How does it feel? The naughty, side of him wanted to ask.

"Does sex help you, | mean do you use it as a remedy or something?" Leo suddenly asks.

"Leo, why all these questions?” Jayden asks looking confused.

Leo let's out a small smile.

"Can't we have a normal guys conversation which doesn't relate to books?" Leo says and laughs. "It's always about books or serious matters, swears you should see your face right now." Leo laughs, meanwhile Jayden let's out a small smile, trying to arrange his bag pack.

"Have you ever had two girls at a goal?" Jayden suddenly blurts out, Leo doesn't miss the naughty glint in his eyes.

"I always knew you aren't as innocent as you seem." Leo laughs getting up from his seat. "I won't say two girls at a goal, let's say at a day. I only hear it from my elder bro, " Leo says looking grim. Meanwhile, Jayden let's out a small smile.

"I haven't tried such. Besides, it's just always been one girl." Jayden says truthfully.

With the look on Leo's face, it was clear he wanted to know more. Jayden didn't also miss the look on his face.

"Your girlfriend?" Leo asks, making Jayden chuckle.

"I have never had a girlfriend," Jayden says looking funny, also Leo next statement makes him burst into laughter.

"I'm just picturing you trying to approach a girl. What would you tell her? Graham's... ”

"God, Leo don't underestimate me," Jayden says with all honesty. "I'm a lot that you don't know. "

"I know, that's why I still want to know," Leo chuckles. "Bestie or FWB?" Leo asks.

"Friends," Jayden responds.

"That's FWB," Leo says with a raised eyebrow.

"We aren't friends with benefits. God! I just want my peace." Jayden says meanwhile Leo burst into laughter.

"Friends uhmm," Leo jokes meanwhile Jayden let's out a small smile, he hadn't seen this side of Leo, neither had he seen this part of himself. He wasn't a talkative, everything he felt was in his heart, he hadn't had a cause to talk about it but how Leo brought out this part of him did surprise him.

"Do you have someone?" He suddenly felt like asking this courtesy to.

Kiss her senselessly

He wasn't forgetting that anytime
soon. She was his sister and he cared about issues that concerned her. He felt the need to know more, about that statement.

Was something going on between
them?

Had something happened between
them?
This thoughts kept gushing into his head.

Although that was impossible if he
remembered his statement vividly,
or was it, him wanting to know
more about Leo. Besides Jewel told
him everything. She had never
mentioned Leo to him.

He had never pictured him as a bad person, even after this smoke ordeal, his views still remained the same, just that he added naughty and wild to his personality.

He noticed Leo didn't hesitate to
give him an answer.

"Not really. Just FWB." Leo chuckles.

"In school?" Jayden suddenly asks,
meanwhile Leo lets out a small
smile.

"How many girls have you seen me
talking to?" Leo smiles. "She is a
neighbour, stays around the estate,
although older, " Leo says, making
Jayden nods his head.

"You like her?" Jayden suddenly
asks.

Meanwhile, Leo chuckles.

"Apart from the fact she is very
much older, she screws my older
brother too." Leo laughs.

"Six years difference," Leo
confirms.

"Twenty three." Jayden couldn't
help but do the math in his head.
He couldn't help but wonder why
most women loved younger boys.

"Your older brother?" Jayden suddenly asks, more like he
was interested in the topic.

"She isn't his girl. I know what
you are thinking." Leo laughs.
"Keshinro is only eighteen, and is a
big hoe."

"Yoruba boy's what do you expect?"
Jayden blurts out, making Leo
laugh.

"You are one of them." Leo smiles.

"Was referring to you and your
br," Jayden says.

"I am an Ikwerrian," Leo says and
burst into laughter.

"Oh. I remember." Jayden says
remembering they had this conversation before. "Was confused, with the name."

4369 words🌹

Shocking right? Leo smokes. There are more shocks, do expect.