DONT FORGET TO READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER, VERY IMPORTANT

Dedicated to

Emewata

&

don_chizzy

They are new readers, I kind of noticed they started this week, but they haven't stopped to make their appearances unnoticed and also show their love for this book, I am really grateful girls

Especially
don_chizzy

I haven't had the time to reply to your comments but, baby girl it really brought a smile to my face, and gave me the vibes to write this.

Dedicated to
Stardust_Wendy

Her characters did show some face here, NIB readers, guess their names when you get to the point, especially the first person mentioned, let see how well you know your favs.

You will be meeting them full time in the next chapter, which is the competition.

Also, I asked two questions at the end of the story, don't forget to participate, dedicating a chapter to those who got it correctly.

Every one of you who took his or her time to comment and vote in the last chapter, thank you so much, it means a lot, but my b3 is low, can't tag everyone now, know you are loved.

Don't forget to vote and spam my comment section babies

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Jayden is stunned by the sight he meets, in as much as he wanted to laugh, it wasn't just coming out. He was used to this situation already.

Also, Leo wasn't going to cease to amaze him. He slowly lets out a chuckle, meanwhile Leo had a smile on his face, as usual. Most times he wondered if he always felt as happy as he looked.

There was no problem if Leo decided to put on glasses, but suddenly and not just any glass, but the tiny looking ones, which made him very funny looking, made Jayden wondered if he was really seeing things. Leo had complained to him about, not always seeing from far, but he never mentioned getting a medicated glasses.

"Hey!" Leo calls out, immediately he got closer to Jayden smiling sheepishly. Shey, it looks good on me?" Leo asks making a face, like he was going to burst into laughter that moment. Jayden on the other hand, who wanted to gladly tell him, how ridiculous he looked, couldn't help but finally burst into laughter, meanwhile Leo joins him.

They were currently in the cafeteria and weren't the only ones in there, Jayden quietly drops his head on the desk, immediately he noticed some person were already stealing glances at them. He just couldn't stop himself from laughing, this has been the hardest he had laughed in a very long time.

He wasn't supposed to laugh, but couldn't help it, the way Leo kept his face also, wasn't helping matters. After succeeding in trying to die the laughter down, he doesn't raise his head up, but sits still. He could hear Leo's small chuckles.

"Omg! You look cute, look at his face."

Even without looking up, he knew whose voice that was, but couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't saying the truth. He looked absolutely ridiculous with those.

Taking his eyes up, only to meet another shocking review. This was the height of it. Like they would always say, births of the same feathers, flock together.

Why won't Ekanem tell him he looks cute, when she looked just like him, both looking like lost puppies in glasses. Now he couldn't help but wonder whose idea it was, although there was high tendency, of it been Ekanem's. They looked like a cartoon character from Disney Junoir.

"I thought you won't wear it!" Ekanem says, dramatically, giving him all these adorable sounds and looks, while she touches the glasses. He realized he was damn right, it was Ekanem's idea.

Jayden look from Leo down to Ekanem, then to Leo. More like he was trying to figure out what and how to approach them.

"Jayden, I have two more glasses. Don't you want?" Ekanem says, in a carefree manner. Too excited to notice the sudden glare Jayden gave her.

He couldn't imagine looking the same way she and Leo did, wondering if they didn't look at themselves in the mirror, before dashing out.

"Medicated?" Jayden suddenly blurts out, directing his gaze to Ekanem.

"No, also not belong I got them, just using one today, you are welcome to have one," Ekanem says innocently.

Jayden only nods his head in response, deep down he wanted to say, he was okay the way he was looking, he didn't want to look like an alien so badly.

"But who on earth, recommended this to you both?" Jayden finally blurts out amused, meanwhile Leo turns to Ekanem slowly, Jayden understood what that meant.

"Is it not Ekanem? That will not leave me alone. Saying she wants to intimidate the opposing school with her glasses." Leo says and burst into laughter.

"This is the final competition, I want to look very serious, when I walk into that hall. When we walk in there with these mighty glasses eh, only our glasses will intimidate not Just our opponent, but the crowd." Ekanem laughs.

Jayden on the other hand wanted to respond "Indeed" but just chuckles, Ekanem was a real drama queen. And if she wanted to drag you into her drama, you aren't getting off the hook, just like poor Leo, looking like a lost puppy.

"We should have even started wearing it, right from the very beginning!" Leo jokes, meanwhile Ekanem shakes her body playfully.

Now, Jayden concluded that Leo's case was over. Imagine him playing along with her. Seriously?

"I swear, especially with those Greenhood Academy kids, not just them, Dem Rianat thinks, they are the only serious-looking on..., " Ekanem suddenly stop talking, totally giving her full attention to someone or something.

Jayden who had been paying attention to the whatever rubbish she had been saying, although as funny as it sounded, he was interested. He follows her gaze, which lands on a boy. A fair looking boy, who looked around their age, he was putting on glasses too, wondering what it was with people and glasses today. He could tell he was a student of ROYAL CREST ACADEMY, by the school uniform.

He had been seeing more of them, since they got in yesterday, although he hadn't taken his time, to observe them properly. Their uniform was maroon, Typical Korean style uniforms. White shirt with maroon blazer and maroon pleated skirt for girls, same for the boys, apart from the skirt, being replaced with trousers.

And the fact remained, Ekanem was staring at him like a lost puppy.

"Really? You don't have to make it look obvious now."

That was Leo's voice, even with how calm it was, it sounded annoying.

Ekanem slowly turns to Leo, lets out a small smile, before saying something else. "He is dope!" With this at she sashay's her way out, without waiting to hear their thoughts, or sparing them a glance, neither did she tell them where she was off to. Both boys simply watches her till she was out of sight.

Immediately she was out of sight Leo removes the glasses and faces Jayden properly.

"If only you knew what you looked like on it," Jayden comments slowly. Sounding very slow and calm, yet it managed to bring a smile unto Leo's face.

"That's why I have been avoiding it, almost all my life," Leo says and chuckles, also reminding Jayden of his disability.

"You could try it, might suit you," Leo says to Jayden who doesn't even spare him a glance. "You don't like her?" Leo suddenly asks, too calm and slow.

"Who?" Jayden asks, not getting his point.

"Ekanem." Leo pronounces slowly. "It's obvious, "

"I don't hate her, really?" Jayden says suddenly being too defensive. "She is just too loud, I don't like it, but it's not something I am not used to, every other girl in my life is, ranging from my younger sister." He stops talking immediately he noticed something, there was no time, she gave him a normal look, she was either frowning or glaring. Besides he couldn't remember doing anything wrong to her. Their eyes never met, without him seeing anger in them.

Now he was wondering what he did wrong.

"Jayd!" Leo says, bringing him back to reality, he slowly turns to her direction, to notice she wasn't looking his way again. But her second who he had come to know as Munachi was, he doesn't take his gaze away, keeping an intimidating look on his face, in no time he she looked away.

"You and Ekanem?" Jayden suddenly asks what had been going on in his mind, he wasn't looking at Leo, so he couldn't tell his facial expression.

"It won't work," Leo says calmly, meanwhile Jayden takes his eyes slowly turning in his direction.

"Apart from the fact, I don't want to be like other guys to her, she is too damaged. I don't like her that way, I wouldn't want to start something I know won't end well, or do something to harm her. She needs a friend, the same way I do." Leo says, he looked very honest with his words.

"The other day?" Jayden asks in a carefree manner.

"The other day I was high, she initiated it, she isn't into me like that. There is someone, although it's messed up." Leo confirms.

All this while Jayden just nodded while he spoke. The next person that got into his mind was Ivy, and how he damaged their healthy friendship. He knew it wasn't going to end well. He did care about her so much, but the other things she wanted him to feel, he just couldn't, was he just abnormal or it was normal not to feel a strong connection to a girl who had being very close to him, like Ivy?

"Can you be with someone you don't love?" Jayden suddenly asks, making Leo turn to him fully. "I mean, if someone you consider your best friend is into you, and you don't feel that way too, and she wants more than just sex from you, then..., "

"Having sex with your best friend," Leo says casually.

"It was bound to happen, we almost spent the whole day together behind close doors, she is a girl and I am a boy," Jayden explains sounding more ridiculous.

"Most best friends are male and female, you don't see them fucking." Leo says and chuckles. He noticed how Jayden was struggling to keep up with the conversation.

"It was more like a friends with benefit something, now..., "

"She wants more." Leo smiles. "It's normal," Leo concludes now staring into the space, it was evident Jayden wanted more from him. "Just tell her how you feel about her, than let her build her hopes up. Although she won't take it well, I know how the feeling of rejection works sha." Leo says calmly. "You are lucky, a girl actually likes you, as for me, approaching a girl my age is very tedious, if only they could approach me instead." Leo jokes.

"You don't look that innocent," Jayden concludes, pushing the bottle water close to him, and sparing Leo a glance.

"I haven't had a girlfriend before." Leo chuckles. This was the second time he was saying this. "Don't mind how experienced I act, But I have been doing more of friends with benefit." He concludes in a carefree manner.

"Like Ekanem." Jayden blurts out. He never hid what he genuinely thought.

"I thought I just explained. " Leo turns to him.

"But, this is how it seems like. Since you have an issue approaching a girl, do they approach you, or do you?" Jayden asks, this sounded more like a mock question to Leo, who just laughed it off.

"I can talk to any girl. So long as I don't have romantic feelings for you." Leo blurts out truthfully.

"That's a waste of skill." Jayden chuckles. He noticed Leo was suddenly quiet.

"Not a total waste though, I can try to talk to her, but when she is the difficult type, I start feeling tense. Maybe because the only girl I have liked genuinely, is way out of my league. You know the painful part?" Leo suddenly asks, picking Jayden's attention. "She being into your..., "

"Shalewa!, " Someone calls out loudly, cutting Leo off, also earning both boys attention. They slowly spared a glance on one of the students who was putting on Royal Crest Academy's uniform, before looking away.

______________________🖊

"My Dad bought it for me, my sixteenth birthday," Geraldine confirms slowly while she puts away the diamond earrings, which Munachi had been staring at for a while, and couldn't help but acknowledge.

"It looks very expensive, never had something like this," Munachi says calmly, staring at the piece so dreamily, meanwhile Geraldine watches her admire the earrings. Apart from the fact it was giving by her Daddy, she didn't find anything special about it. She always treated everything given by her Dad with so much care. It always meant a lot to her.

"If you like it, you can keep it." Geraldine blurts out, looking at the earrings, she also didn't miss the shocked look on Munachi's face. It was obvious she wasn't expecting it.

"Really?" Munachi asks with a raised eyebrow, clearly waiting for an assurance, which Geraldine gives to her.

"Although, I love it so much, but won't mind you having it," Geraldine says truthfully.

"Thank you. Really I didn't mean to ask for it." Munachi says giving Geraldine a guilty look, which makes her chuckle.

"Never said so, " She smiles. "A gift from a friend. Let's say your very first friend in Hilton." Geraldine chuckles. "Wait, am I your very first friend in Hilton?" She asked funnily, yet with a raised eyebrow.

"Like she has seen me, talking to someone else." Munachi chuckles. "I noticed that almost every kid in Hilton College is full of themselves, for one reason or the other, just wonder why you are different," Munachi says casually, meanwhile Geraldine gives her a warm smile.

"You dont treat people like trash, they have all got feelings, that's what I have always believed," Geraldine says honestly.

"That's why I wonder how you and Jewel, could actually be friends." Munachi suddenly says. "You both are like words and opposite."

Munachi didnt miss how Geraldine's countenance changed. More like she didn't seat well with the conversation.

"Really, I didn't mean to bring her discussion up. Her behaviours to you lately has been unfair, that's what I honestly think." Munachi says.

"Can we just not talk about Jewel." Geraldine suddenly says, very uncomfortable with the topic. She didn't want to gossip about her ex-best friend with a new friend, because that was how the situation seemed to her. "Jewel isn't as bad as she seems. We didn't really start off with the right foot too, she can be annoying but she is a good friend. Anyone who she loves will be very lucky to have her, Someone you could trust to have your back at anything." Geraldine assures, honestly, I wanted you both to be put up with one another, I really wanted us to be friends." Geraldine says truthfully.

"I never saw her as such, that's not what her behaviour tells me," Munachi says, clearly not hiding her thoughts on the issue.

Meanwhile, Geraldine keeps mute, while she sorts her school uniform, tomorrow was the big day. They weren't only representing their school but their state, they didn't only have to go in there with their brains functioning properly, their appearance mattered a lot.

"I noticed Ekanem didn't take it well, when Mr John said, she wasn't participating tomorrow." Munachi begins this topic. A name which Geraldine didn't like hearing about. She didn't want to talk about anything related to her, although she knew Munachi was right. Surprisingly Ekanem didn't even say anything to Mr John, which no one saw coming. Especially after her recent behaviours where he had been picking Munachi consistently.

"That girl is another person, I can't understand why she hates me," Munachi says, meanwhile Geraldine stops arranging her uniform and turns to Munachi.

"It shouldn't bother you, because we don't see eye to eye too," Geraldine says now bouncing on the bed.

"It feels like we are the only ones she doesn't talk to here. And it's kind of awkward like..., "

"All those things don't bother me, and it shouldn't bother you too. I don't know how difficult it is to people, but to me, I can wipe anyone's entire existence from my mind, I only see you if I want to see you." Geraldine says slowly, also it came from her mind.

The sudden push on the door, make a huge impact on their communication, because they both turn to the door, with the expectations of seeing the third parties, only to meet Rianat, Ekanem and a girl who Geraldine wouldn't say she didn't know the name, but couldn't pronounce it.

"This Royal Crest girls sha, be walking like everything revolves around them, look at how they are feeling too important," Rianat says, sitting on a couch, meanwhile Ekanem seemed busy, doing something Geraldine couldn't tell, also wasn't interested in.

"Can't wait to whip their asses tomorrow." Ekanem laughs.

"As for the boys. Especially that dark one, I don't know what he is feeling like." Rianat says, looking pissed.

"Fine boy now!" The girl whose name Geraldine couldn't pronounce says.

Geraldine had no idea of what RCA students looked like, because she hadn't really taking interest in them, since they got it. She had ran into few, but hadn't really spared them a glance.

Now the Queen mother of analyzing people, and gossip management had tabled their matter.

"Look at the way he responded when I just asked him a simple question," Rianat says, she seemed quite provoked. Which made Geraldine realise she had made an encounter. "

"Sha, the boy is fine. Seems like his name is Ehi or something..., "

"Who cares about his name?" Rianat attacks Ekanem immediately. "My dear try to upgrade and leave all these small secondary school boys alone." Rianat says in a sassy manner."

"Riri!" The other girl calls out and laughs.

Although Geraldine seemed very engrossed with her clothes, she couldn't help but listen to their conversation. Also, Munachi eyes were on them too.

"I don't do peanut dicks, and small boys, Jason was my last experiment." She says and laughs mockingly, meanwhile the other girl join her. This picked Geraldine's interest. She looks up, only to meet Ekanem's heated gaze on Rianat. It was clear her mind was on something serious because she looked serious.

"Swear, that's the worst guy I have dated, nothing to show. Imagine someone you can't feel at all." Rianat says and laughs.

"Or you are too wide to feel a thing." Ekanem says and burst into laughter too. Meanwhile, everyone is quiet.

Geraldine who paused by Ekanem's comment, also with the look on Rianat face, no one was laughing, that statement was more like a shade, but Ekanem was laughing, but it suddenly died down, when she noticed no one was laughing too.

"What?" Ekanem asks calmly, looking obvious of what she had just said.

"You just called me a hoe," Rianat says, meanwhile Ekanem pauses a while. "Thought we were all just making funny jokes." Even if no one hard it, Geraldine could hear the sass in Ekanem voice, knowing the way Ekanem behaved, Geraldine was sure, she was bearing grudges. But she didn't remember, Rianat saying anything to tick Ekanem off. Becare Ekanem wouldn't just make such an offensive comment.

______________________🖊

Tieing a towel on his short, Jayden walks down to the bathroom, everyone of the boys were done, the guys in Art class, he didn't relate a lot with them, but they had casual talks.

"Leo isn't out yet." Favour says, meanwhile Jayden who thought he had spent a lot of time, made a mental note of going to mount pressure on him, to make him get out. He knew what Leo was doing in there, he did tend to spend most time In there.

The other guys were dressed already, they had less than three hours before the competition began, and they knew Mr John, would be pounding on their door soon enough. Even though he wasn't participating. Since Geraldine had been tagged as having the same capacity as him, and she been one of Mr John's favourite and trusted person was picked instead. He knew it was because she was an older student. But most times, they should be practical. He knew she wasn't going to beat him if they were dropped one on one, but the teacher always knew best.

Leo was participating, and he knew whatever he was doing in that bathroom, wasn't going to be healthy for the competition or anyone.

He would have joined the other guys in there, but he loved doing his business alone funny but true.

"Leo!" Jayden calls out slowly.

On getting no response, he calls out to his again, still the same. He knocks on the door. Still the same response.

"Leo!" He calls out again. He was taking too long than necessary, he had been in there, for close to an hour, besides he was bound to hear him calling.

"Leo!" Jayden calls out and knocks.

"Open the door na! It's not locked." Favour suddenly says, making Jayden notice that fact. But he couldn't just barge in like that, this wasn't the Leo going into the bathroom with the aim of smoking, he knew when he did that and always did well to interrupt. He was in there to take his birth.

"Leo!" The door is pushed even before Jayden could talk, Favour who looked impatient had done it.

The sight Jayden met, made him pause, meanwhile Favour almost screams out his lungs.

The other boy, runs in too. Seeing Leo lay flat on the tiled floor, wasn't as terrifying as his whole body. Jayden now understood, why Leo hardly went shirtless even in the hostel. He would always go into the restroom. His body were filled with tattoos of different kind. He couldn't make out if it was the permanent one, but this was now looking more of self-harm than beautifying the body.

"Leo!" He calls out shaking him vehemently. He doesn't miss the syringes which was on his arm. He never knew it had gotten to this stage. Leo was using drugs too.

"It should be an overdose." Favour says adjusting his glasses, it was clear he had analysed the whole thing. He pulls out the syringe.

"Jesus! We should call Mr John! He isn't breathing oh." The other boy says panicking.

"Pull him over!" Favour orders, ignoring his classmate and talking to Jayden, who does as he is told, immediately he does so, he eyes meets with two tattoos, they were both different, but almost very close to each other.

He couldn't help but wonder why Leo who do this to himself, deep down he was very scared but also knew the trouble that Leo would be, if Mr John found out or anyone else. But he knew they couldn't handle this situation of their own.

Immediately Favour gets up, looking clearly confused. Jayden eyes meets something which made him look twice. The first name on by his arm didn't ring a bell. The name Diamond didn't. But the name Jewel with roses did.

"Is he still alive? We need to call Mr John!" Jayden suddenly panics.

3724 words🌹🌹🌹

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
This chapter, e get as e be.

Bam bam, we would find out what would happen to Leo in the next chapter, hope he doesn't die sha😏

Drug is dangerous.

Question 1
So the next chapter is the grand finale of the competition, which school would win, Hilton College or Royal Creat Academy.

Oya stake here.....
Will dedicate the next chapter to the top five first persons to guessed correctly.

Okay, who noticed Ekanem was throwing shades, according to Geraldine, who thinks it's true?

Question 2
Also, we all listened to there conversations, what do you think triggered that comment from Ekanem, if you get it right, you will be tagged in five chapters. First two persons.

Oya, we threw a quick light on NIB characters, what do you think about Hilton College view of them. Also, true readers of NIB, guess the name of the fair guy in glasses, Ekanem was staring at? Dedicating to the right guesser, Also Ekanem has started again😂

So Ekanem and Leo shippers, I am sorry to break your hearts, although I think they are adorable, they both don't feel that way to each other, abi do they? Who can't wait to get into Ekanem's head? I really want to know what she thinks, Maybe Leo doesn't like her that way, or he feels so, what about her, doesn't she like him, what do you think?

Hmmn, One advice for Jayden on Ivy?

Who likes Munachi and Gidi's friendship? More like its blossoming!

If there is something I have noticed, Geraldine is also stuck up, what do you think?

Who missed Jewel in this Chapter, because I did😂😂😂 even Ashley, Nathan, Cherish and co😂😂😂 don't worry you will be getting cool gist after the competition.

THE BETRAYAL SER🌹ES