Who missed me??

Had to make sure this got ready for y'all today! Hopefully, I'll finish the next chapter soon and publish even sooner, someone say amen oo!

And before you start the chapter, I want to ask how you all are? Tell me about your day!

I will announce the winners of the Last Chapter's challenge after updating the second part of this chapter, that's okay with you guys, ba???♥️♥️

Oh, and shout out to Rihanna_Adedeji, she just finished her book 'Perfectly Imperfect' and I feel so accomplished for her!😫😫✨✨✨✨

~ACHA~

"Hey, JJ! Yes, you! Oya, pick that gum wrap up. Yes, JJ, it's you I'm talking to, don't act like you can't hear me. Yes, you. Pick it up and God bless you. There's a dust bin there at the door, it's for discarding waste. I want to watch you throw it. God bless you. Yes. Throw it in the bin. You're blessed."

I watched JJ grumble like a five year old kid as he kicked the stray wrap on the floor, grudgingly, shuffling his feet so noisily as he trailed his way towards the doorway that led downstairs from the roof top where we all were.

Chido who had issued his instructions sternly didn't stop watching the boy who was stubbornly adhering until he had disappeared completely from sight. And neither did I. 

Funny how JJ had been doing everything in his power to ignore me just as much as I was ignoring him. He had even completely refused to make a single eye contact since we had all met up at Nana's place, and the whole thing was just a mystery to me.

"That boy doesn't listen." Chido randomly complained.

I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or not. However, the bulky kid didn't even wait for a response from me. Seated quite uncomfortably on the upholstered bench by the wall, the guy just plugged in his earpiece, looked away from my direction, and casually started to scroll down his phone like I wasn't even there with him at the roof top at all.

Or maybe he didn't just give a fuck.

I did not quite understand the guy. Sometimes, I'd think he was cool with us, and other times, I'd just be plain confused.

Maybe he just had bigger issues to deal with. Asides the fact that JJ had been testing his patience all evening by littering the place, his other half Kelechi Uwa had decided to make him miserable by being the most clingy to  I had ever seen her in my life.

But to think of it, the were the same ones who had wholeheartedly, and even kindly agreed to come with us.

I mean, we had all moved from Nana's place to Gomery - on Sean's very pressuring demand- to grab some food and just chill for the evening, and afterwards, we found ourselves - also on Sean's more pressuring, and persistent demands - that we tried eating on Gomery's terrace for a change.

Don't even get me started on what we had to go through before Sir Chido even let us try this.

Especially since I heard that people weren't even allowed up here in the first place.

It's funny how the owners restrict people from coming to the terrace of the building, and then go on to make the whole place look like a mini outside ballroom. It was so pretty in here, like they didn't want an ordinary terrace, but wanted to add some touch ups to the place with some plush upholstered couches and benches around the corners, fancy protectors that held candle lamps - ones that lightened the whole place and gave it this form of cool, yet dim, aesthetic, pretty night time vibe.

The boy, Chiedozie Ihenna, currently had Kelechi stuck to his body. Literally. Since we got to the terrace, the girl had been wrapping her whole self around Chido like thread to needle; she was on his laps, with her hands wrapped all around his body and waist, so desperately and tightly, and despite all the intense pleading to be left alone, the girl was adamant that Chido's body was her warm haven.

And while the two bickered like a married couple, I sat back, relaxed on the arm chair that Sean and I were sharing some minutes,  having a cupcake to myself, and occasionally checking my phone, from second to second...

 I was hoping that Dabeluchi would respond to my texts anytime soon.

Anytime soon. Hopefully.

I really wondered if she was okay. After everything that had happened today in class, my honest prayer was that she was doing alright.

I tried so many times to wrap my head around what happened with her today in class, but it wasn't working. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't understand why she acted so out of control like that the moment Mr. Harry pulled her into class.

I understood she was nervous. Scared. Terrified at the least, it was obvious. Dabeluchi seemed to be suffering an intense and unhealthy amount of Social Anxiety, any one who had eyes could clearly see that. Anyone who had empathy would understand. 

But what she did today in class.... It was way past just Social Anxiety.

Wayyy past it.

She almost seemed to be even partly unaware of what she was doing, she seemed lost in thoughts completely.

As soon as Mr. Harry had left, before Charlie Ba could even utter a word to her, she had walked out of the class, walked back in again, walked out, and in, and out, and in, basically repeated those actions about five or six times, like she was losing screws in the head. It took about a few more back and forth, before she seemed to have the guts to stand and face the entire class, who were already either confused or amused by her behaviour.

The teacher had asked her to take a seat and by that time, everyone was already laughing at her, and even I felt the humiliation for her.

To make matters worse, Dabeluchi just stood there like a robot after being instructed to find a seat, and the next second, the girl was screaming for her life, crying out for help, and raising an alarm that the class was on fire.

By the time, the entire class was a terrible, laughing mess. I didn't even have it in me to got to Dabeluchi.

The laughter in the class irritated the shit out of me though. I mean, yes, she put up a show for everyone, but I didn't think it was anything to laugh about. It was not funny at all. Confusing? Maybe. Alarming? Most definitely. But it clearly looked like that girl was in a lot of distress.... Like, something was really wrong with her, and instead of trying to help, all those girls in class were all just laughing at her like that.

Ironic and disgusting how it was these same set of girls who had been bragging about how Dabeluchi had been following them on Social Media just before the Physics teacher came in.

Like they felt it was such an honour to be followed by her.

All it took was for girls like Winnie and Funmi to laugh at Dabeluchi in her misfortune, and since both girls were a lot relevant in our set, and thereby termed to be 'worthy', if they were laughing at Dabeluchi, then maybe she should be laughed at. 

Castron High.

The students of that school may or may not know it, but they were all highly controlled by this small sect of people that they had crowned 'worthy'.

And as much as I was relieved to be counted amongst that sect, as much as I would dread being excluded from that sect, the truth remained that low-key, I wished I didn't have to succumb to it.

Castron High was a small kingdom, and the worthy class was the monarchy - A dreaded, yet praised, POWERFUL group of Elites, who practically called the shots.

And just like in a monarchy, the Queen, as well as the other very significant members of the royal board had a lot of power, power that was obviously differentiated according to their rank, but the fact still remained that the power was there and it was dominant. And sadly, whether the other members of the Kingdom liked it or not, they were all subject to the monarchy.

Almost like slaves.

In Castron High, the worthy people - the self crowned monarchy - made up about 20% to 30% of every set, and factually speaking, Ss3; being the highest, most powerful, and most significant set, thereby, overthrew the other 'monarchies' below them.

Where am I getting to with all these? You'll see.

Being a person who had always been of this worthy class for the longest time, I had noticed that we had power. Too much power. Excessive power. Especially against those outside our sect, and even those in the sect, but beneath us in the social ladder.

The things we said, the thing we did, everything that had to do with us, affected the rest of the entire kingdom - The whole School. 

The students of CH reacted to things according to the weight of relevancy that the worthy class placed on them - whether good or bad. The entire school's reactions to various things, rumours and situations, were dependent on how the majority of the worthy class perceived this news.

No matter how insignificant the piece of information may seem, if a majority of the worthy class were sparked with interest by it, then maybe it was worth giving attention to.

And if a majority of the 20% were indifferent about it, then maybe it wasn't just relevant enough.

And god forbid they were hating on something, then it must be damned.

That was probably why everyone else was careful around the worthy class. Maybe part reason had to do with the fact that they had the power and leverage to make your life as miserable as hell, if they wanted to.

Being 'worthy' wasn't even a 100% immunity clause to Social Suicide, because they were still rules. Invisible rules. Even the worthy ones were still careful of those above them in the ladder. Of course, one; because losing that 'privilege' was scary as hell. And two; the invisible rule prompted everyone to know their class. I mean, if we are talking monarchy-wise, the Queen alone was powerful enough to single-handedly, without help from other members tagging along,  to easily fuck anyone up. Even the most immediate members, closest to the Queen's rank also didn't need an entourage to have someone damned.

You should grab the gist by now.

It really was a scary place in CH.

And even more scary was that mechanism of validation.

Dabeluchi had been going through the different phases of this twisted mechanism since the beginning of Ss3.

The very first time the rumours stated, it was in her favour. And that was only because a majority of the worthy class took the decision to be particular and interested in the supposed 'union' between the both of us. Maybe because it was a lot to talk about.... Dabeluchi and I have always been two very different people, a 'union' was bound to cause a lot of commotion, as well as controversy.

Even if it was clear, even at that time, that a lot of people - especially girls- didn't support the union, there was nothing they could do but pretend to, and smile in Dabeluchi's face. All because the 'worthy class' had already proclaimed that the 'union' was of approval.

However, all that was needed for everyone to turn on Dabeluchi, and show their true colours was an anonymous post of shade.

And since a LOT of bratty, worthy girls of our set stanned the anonymous poster, that equivalent to Social Suicide for Dabeluchi. That gave everyone else, the entire school at large, the boldness and confidence to come up and show their true selves, their true hate to her face.

And then, with what had happened in class today...

Dabeluchi had been on the advantaged side of the mechanism once again, this morning, having the entire school was already exploding with noises of excitement the moment she stepped into the Assembly Hall.

Like she was a celebrity of some sort.

The girl clearly was not comfortable with this upgrade. It was obvious.

Only God knows what was running through her mind.

Yet, once again, all that was needed for the girls in our combined class to turn against her once more and show their true colours yet again, was Winnie and Funmi who laughed at Dabeluchi and her strange behaviour with their little snotty girl group.

Indirectly, giving the other girls in the class a reason to also laugh at Dabeluchi.

It was so annoying.

I couldn't help, but put a smile on my face when it all backfired.

Thanks to Aaron and Casper.

It almost seemed to be a battle of the 'worthys' because the moment that both boys voluntarily stood up to defend Dabeluchi, and even have all us - the Ballers- join in the process, they completely and utterly overruled Winnie and her friends.

Thereby, giving Dabeluchi back her crown.

Still, the few times I had glanced back at the girl, she still didn't look so comfortable. 

And It killed me that I couldn't talk to her then, to make sure she was okay.

If only she would respond to my messages.

"Kelechi, please leave me be!" Chido wailed as the slim, tall girl wrapped herself more tightly around his body.

"But I like you!" Kelechi cried, a sweet sounding accented tone rolling off her tongue as she held onto Chido even more dearly, hugging him to herself.

Chido actually blushed, and a small flattered laugh left him as he responded to the girl on him, "Kels, I like you too, but I'm just really uncomfortable."

"Hm mm." Kelechi adamantly shook her head and refused to let go.

Seeing Kelechi act this way was very entertaining. Especially since most of the time, she was more quiet and conservative. Saying a few words, doing a few actions, and basically being as lowly, prim and proper as a girl could get.

Honestly, I wouldn't have even know there were other sides to her if I hadn't particularly known she and Chido through Nana. She wouldn't be caught dead, playing like this in public.

Nana and Chido called it 'Transitioning'.

Kelechi Uwa had one personality every where else, and that was that side of her that acted like the royalty that she was; Prim, proper, and gracious. One that commanded natural respect automatically. Especially in School.

And then, in the presence of people like Chido and Nana, she 'transitioned' from that, and to various forms of crack heads that she had all named one by one.

"She's transitioned into Baby Kels," Chido told me. "And that's the one I'm most horrified of 'cause she doesn't leave me alone when she's Baby Kels."

Kelechi mumbled something cute and inaudible as she adjusted her hold on the bulky kid.

I laughed. "You don't say."

"I'm most scared of Mummy Kay Kay." A calm, deep voice added into our conversation.

There Nana was, leaning quietly on the protector and gazing into the air space with so much concentration. He had been there all evening, watching something there with so much solemn interest that I was actually surprised he was listening to us.

He gently whipped his head our direction, the side of his lips twitching in a subtle smile as he looked at us, his eyes were glinting in the hope and light they were known for.

"Somehow, Mummy Kay Kay believes with all her heart that I'm her child," He said. "And she can't pass on an opportunity to pull my cheeks, and that physically hurts a lot."

"Well, that's because Mummy Kay thinks you're so precious and immensely endearing," Kelechi blinked long lashes at Nana. "Like a kitten!"

"Nana isn't your child, K," Chido took over, playfully reprimanding the girl holding him.

"Of course, not!" Kelechi agreed. "He's Mummy Kay Kay's child!"

Nana just smiled at the bickering two, shook his head, and just quietly disassociated himself to continue peering into the night.

While Chido and Kelechi went into this semi-argument concerning who was Nana's mother and who was not, I couldn't help but watch the two and smile in delight. Chido looked like the cranky and strict, but secretly sweet big brother, and Kelechi was the pest sibling who wouldn't let you be no matter what. Soon, Chido had stopped fighting to be left alone anyway, he had given in to Kelechi, and while busily, focusing on his phone, using it with one hand, the other hand was absent-mindedly, but gently patting Kelechi's head. 

I checked my phone once more, and there was still no text back from Dabeluchi.

I held the phone in my hands, looked at it for about three seconds, and went 'fuck it, I'm calling her', but before I had the chance to take action, darkness enveloped my side with a new presence, and I saw, through the corner of my eyes, a shadow of the person who joined me on the bench.

I already knew who it was.

"Sean." I turned to get a view of the boy who since he brought us here, had been running out and around the entire building, doing 'God knows what'.

Dull, lazy eyes stared back at me; a solemn, slightly wistful look glinted ever so slightly in those generally dead, stoner look they boldly had.

"Hey, bro..." He slowly drawled, a hesitant smile twitched on his face like he was trying to tame the awkwardness he was feeling. "It's just me, bro." 

"JJ." I tried my best to not say his name so dismissively, but I guess it was all reflex. 

The boy smiled like he was feeling shy, moved his broad shoulders a little to shake off more nervousness.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you." I said to him.

Especially since the both of us had been ignoring each other like it was a contest.

The younger boy only laughed to himself, a small nervous laugh that I knew was only - once again- to ease the awkwardness that only he was feeling.

"Well, yeah, I.." He fondled something in his hands and I saw that he brought along with him a Gomery Polythene bag. "I just.." He stuttered more as he dipped his hands into the bag and took out a plastic take away plate that scented of well prepared fried rice, to show me. "I brought you some food, bro."

I stared at him without blinking, waiting for him to explain why.

"Sean and I, we..." He scratched the back of his head like he was searching for ways to put his words. "We were downstairs, in the Alley, and I decided to just pick some food up for you.."

I looked at him, waited for him to go on so his explanation to make more sense.

"Oh, and also.." He jerked like he remembered something, dipped his hand into the bag again, and brought out a bottle of La Casera from it to also present to me. "I also noticed you really like La Casera, so I also..."

What the fuck is this boy really up to?

"I was thinking of getting Smirnoff instead, but something told you'd prefer this, so I got it for you instead, yunno?" He  was still talking, and I just cut him off short.

"But I told you and Sean I wasn't hungry." I said.

"Well, yeah, I.." JJ looked away, sighed, ran his hand through his hair, a gesture that communicated some form of frustration and edginess. Like he was about to take a huge test, but wanted to gather up enough courage to face it.

And again I ask; What on Earth is this boy up to?

"I remember you said that..." He found his strength to continue as he gently started to pack the food and drink back into the bag. "I'm just, yunno, in case you do get hungry eventually."

I raised a brow at him and decided to ask him straight up, "What are you doing, JJ?"

He paused, looked to me, eyes widened in a pathetically, fake facial gesture of innocence. "Hmm?"

"Why are you acting like this?" I asked him.

"How am I acting?" He asked back.

"Weird." I told him.

He shrugged like he wasn't sure what to say, scratched the back of his neck, and shrugged again.

"Well, it's just..." He couldn't particularly look at me as he talked. "You haven't really been talking to me since last week, so I thought I... I thought I did something and you were upset and..."

To say I was surprised actually was an understatement. With the way that JJ had been actively ignoring me, I wouldn't have even thought he even noticed I was not speaking to him.... Talk less of caring.

"So, I don't know, I... I brought you food.." JJ wasn't actually looking at me for real, like I had snakes for hair or something. He was actively avoiding my gaze as much as he could.

And as I watched him in that very bothered state he was in, like a child who was about to face punishment from a parent for something the did; avoiding gazes and looking downcast to the ground, occasionally rubbing the back of their necks and awkwardly scratching their heads, and also coyly playing with their fingers when the silence was becoming too awkward or unnerving.... As I watched JJ that way, a part of me felt some sort of sympathy for him.

JJ was just a kid.

Regardless, he was.

His big, semi-built frame did nothing much to hide that fact, because inside this giant, nearly hulk sized human being, who tried to do big things,  get himself into the worst kind of trouble, and mingle with the most dangerous niches..... was just a big baby.

A big baby who had no single idea what on Earth he was doing with himself or his life.

The  idiot didn't even know what he did, and yet, he was trying to make up for whatever it was he felt he may have done.

And as much as I had made up my mind to slowly cut this guy off, that fact alone, plus this little gesture of bringing me food - even if I didn't need it - made me understand how much he wasn't actually willing to have me out of his life.

And yes, I shouldn't care. I know I shouldn't.

But, I can't help it, I do care. 

JJ was an asshole, but I cared about him. I always have.

"I'm not upset with you, JJ, but-"

I couldn't even complete what I was saying, the next thing I heard was a loud smacking sound and JJ's head was trotting forward with so much force and it took me a split second to understand that someone had joined us and announced their presence with a hard slap on JJ's head.

"Mumu! What did you do now? You're always doing something!"

Sean threw himself onto the bench with us, grin on his face, as he looked between me and JJ who he had just smacked.

"Why is your face all sad like you did shit?" He asked JJ who was still massaging the back of his head in pain. "Acha, what did this mumu do?"

"Nothing, it's just-"

"You won't even believe where I caught him today before the Morning Assembly, I even forgot to tell you o!" Sean cut me off as he sat up from the bench, resting his elbows on his thighs and bending his back to get a better view of me as he spoke.

"You don't have to tell him," JJ muttered in frustration.

"This negro was planning on ditching the Assembly with those bastard boys again!" Sean told me anyway. "If I hadn't stepped in. Even after Harry went all ballistic on us, he was aiming for even more trouble. Tell me JJ is not a mad man, brah!"

"You wanted to ditch the morning Assembly with Kaniru and his boys?" I asked JJ. "Even after the whole Harry saga?"

"We had a sich. It was really important," JJ told me. Sounded like he wanted to redeem himself, but that statement bothered me a lot more than he was.

Why had he seem so involved with those boys now than ever? I hope he wasn't getting himself into shit he couldn't handle, I could only but imagine.

"Man, I pulled the m'fucker out of there," Sean said. "And those boys wanted to beat me o, see me see wahala!" 

"You didn't get into a fight with them, now did you?" I cautiously asked Sean.

JJ cleared his throat. "He did."

I mentally face palmed.

"What did you say to them, Sean?" I asked again.

"Me, I don't know what I said oo, but all of them were just frowning as I was talking," Sean answered. "Before I knew what was happening, Affah and Jagun started rushing to give me spear. Me sef, I was confused."

"If not for Kaniru, those boys would have beaten Sean to a pulp and I wouldn't have been able to do anything about it." JJ told me.

"Lemme hear something, abeg!" Sean dismissed what JJ said. So fast and easily, like it didn't mean shit to him.

Something about how Sean tested those boys just did not sit right with me. Not at all.

"It's getting late," Chido announced to us from where he sat with Kelechi. "I don't know if you guys plan to stay here till midnight, but I have to get going any time from now if I want to be up early for School tomorrow."

The fuck? He sounds like he's in Primary School.

"Be up early for School? Brah, it's literally just a few minutes past 7pm, are you in Kindergarten?" Sean took the words right out of my mouth.

Chido half looked Sean over as he started to take out the ear piece from his ears, seemingly unbothered by his words, and also smoothly ignoring the fuck out of him.

"Chiedozie has taken it upon himself as a matter of course to be in School as early as 7am everyday," Kelechi answered instead. She had finally let go of Chido to be on her own, and I somewhat felt relief for him. She sat cordially on the bench with him, in a calm and feminine position; Her back, straight, her shoulders, firm, her legs and knees kept together, crossing at the ankle, and her hands, gently and softly resting on her thighs.  "And yes, I mean sharp 7. That simply means he has to be up prior to the time, say 5am, in order to properly get set for the day."

What kind of life is that?

"I understand why Kelechi has to be in School that Early," I said.

She was the Disciplinary Prefect, so it was part of her job.

"But, you're the Sanitary Prefect," I said to Chido. "And you're in Ss3 for that matter, you can come to School any time close to Assembly, so why stress yourself like that?"

Chido wasn't even talking to us, lol. It was all Kelechi.

"First of all," She started, "That's not the right thing to do, Marcus Acha."

 "Thank you, Princess." Chido said to her.

"Secondly," She went on. "Asides the fact that nothing pays off like being punctual and prompt in life, Dozie also has some serious work to do in School, so he has to be early enough."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get that and all, but Winnie doesn't even come to School that early," I said.

"Winnie Ezra?" Sean broke down in laughter, right after me. "That babe is a gangster prefect, my guy!"

"Look." Chido finally spoke to us, just as soon as Kelechi had held onto his arm, softly.

They almost looked like a couple.

"Winnie may not be the nicest person to work with," He said, Kelechi nodded in agreement. "But she does her job efficiently, and that's enough for me."

After what happened that day in class, I wasn't even much of a Winnie fan anymore. In all honesty, she wasn't just a nice person, I wondered why guys adored her so much in our set. But who was I to judge? Once upon a time, that girl's big breasts were also attractive to me.

"Besides," Chido continued. "I have a personal relationship with the Ss2s'."

I chuckled at how funny that sounded. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kelechi actually laughed a little, but was the one who went on to explain.

"Well, brethren," She started with a straight, serious face. "Since the unfortunate day that Dozie walked into the Ss2 block and caught them wasting resources-"

I remember that.... And tried not to laugh.

"It's been quite a blue experience for them since them, albeit it is worth it," She said. "Dozie has made it a stringent duty to keep up with them for them for the longest time now. He started by organizing an educational, environmental Friday Seminar for them, and the cleaner who left the tap running, and he makes sure to keep up with that Activity, every week."

Jesus Christ.

"He also makes sure to conduct a sanitation inspection for the Ss2 Students every morning," She continued. "He checks their uniforms to ensure they aren't dressed inappropriately or against the school rules and regulations. He also checks their hair, their nails, and generally inspects the neatness of the whole block. Albeit, he punishes all who were on duty for cleaning if there is even a minute spot left, of course, he made the rooster himself. Thereby, to ensure he does his job well, at exactly 7am sharp, he is already seated on his usual chair, right in front of the Block where he gets a perfect, stunning view of every one who walks in and out."

I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"Those kids must hate your guts and I don't even blame them, brah." Sean said.

Yeah, no joke.

"No one has to hate me if they're doing the right thing," Chido simply said. "Rules are easy to follow, I don't get the whole obsession with bending them."

"You sound like Harry," Sean said. Scoffed. "That asshole."

"Mr. Harry is an asshole, though." Kelechi promptly stated it.

"Oh my God, Kelechi, language." Chido muttered with an embarrassed, frustrated face palm.

The girl who had been holding onto his arm just gave a mock gesture of surrender.

"Now, before you utter more 'blunders', please let's be on our way," He started to walk with Kelechi on her arm, heading towards the exit that led to the stairway.

"Wait, wait, wait, one last thing!" Kelechi stopped him, turning back to us on the bench. Chido had stopped, even though it seemed like he didn't want to.

"Mr. Harry is going to come again tomorrow, so be warned. Am I understood?" She said to us.

"Sure, but how do you know?" I asked.

For a moment, she looked unsure of how to answer.

"I don't know, I just feel it," She finally said. "Since what happened with that Simon kid, there has been too many meetings held by the School Board and Prefects, and they've even been more biased towards the Basketball court now more than ever-"

I didn't even understand why being reminded about that whole Simon thing was a blow.

And then, the Court too. Kaniru and his boys had turned that court into a torture zone for Junior boys, of course the School would react.

The whole case had still been pending for a very long time, and I had no idea what my fate would be at the end of the day.

"The School Authority somehow also found out about Ss3s' bending laws, so they've been discussing ways to curb it. Of course, no ultimatum has been formally established concerning the issue, but teachers like Mr. Harry wouldn't stop at any opportunity to have Ss3s on a stake, so he will be more than ready to enforce compliance before it has even been ordered to him by the school to do so. Sort of like what happened today." Kelechi explained.

In order words, somehow, it was partly my fault all these are happening.

"And the Principal may be at the risk of getting deposed, because apparently, they say he gives our set the freedom to bend rules." Chido chipped in.

That isn't fair.

"It's just a probability," Kelechi said. "Nothing has been confirmed yet. The Principal may stay."

"And please make sure all you've heard does not leave this space, it's still a board secret. No one asides the Prefects and the School Authorities are aware of all these; the School finding out about Ss3s' attitude to the rules and regulations, and the Principal possibly at the risk of losing his job." Chido said.

I wasn't even sure how to feel.

One dipshit I got myself into somehow will be the reason all these things would occur?

"Don't get worried, Acha." Kelechi's warm accented tone of voice felt like a soft gentle caress from Heaven to me. She was looking at me with calm, pure eyes. "Everything will be fine."

"How do you know that?" I asked, unconvinced.

"I just know, Acha, I feel it." She said. "I just feel it so that everything will soon die down with time. The School will drop your case with Simon, and the general case with the whole set. And the principal will stay in the end, I feel it."

"If you say so." I muttered.

"So, at the end of the day, what y'all are implying is that I'll have to come super late to School in order to escape Harry, na." Sean chipped in from no where.

"Or you could just wear white socks to School tomorrow, Sean Ayomide." Kelechi responded.

"Exactly," Chido said. "Why look for the stressful way out, instead of just doing the right thing and having your peace of mind?"

"Believe me, it gives less anxiety," Kelechi said. "I personally feel everyone should obey rules wherever they are. In Castron High, for example, they say 'wear white socks', you do just that and stay out of trouble. I've never seen the point of breaking rules."

"Especially as a Prefect," Chido added. "That one is even hypocritical in my opinion. Imagine punishing people who are breaking the same rules you're breaking. What's the point of leading with example then?"

Sean didn't say anything as he just stared at them, and knowing the guy the way I knew him, I was certain that all they were talking was not even his business. He was still going to run away from the Morning Assembly tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, I made up my mind to dig in for those white socks I had probably thrown away a long time ago. I needed them for tomorrow. I had gotten into too much trouble already.

"Alright, let's go." A quiet voice was heard from the protector and I remembered that Nana was still here with us, despite the fact that he had been so quiet all evening, staring into the the space of the night, the whole entire time.

"I have a lot of work to do for the Media tomorrow and I haven't started work on my laptop, I need that rest too." He said as he made his way towards Chido and Kelechi.

"YOU GOT A NEW LAPTOP?!" JJ screamed out loud.

He had not even made a single sound since Chido and Kelechi were talking, and one sentence about Nana's laptop made him scream like a mad man.

Before Nana even had the chance to respond, JJ had sped off like a freight train, running downstairs with the speed of light, and I knew he was heading for Nana's new laptop in the car.

I had to admit it to myself, seeing Nana made me feel even more guilty about the whole thing that went down. Yes, I did nothing to the Ss2 boy that day in the Court, but for the fact I got myself into the mess and that my name would still be listed amongst the boys who caused the Basketball Court to be shut down, was still glaring.

That court was Nana's life. Nana's throne, as they called it. Castron High had never acknowledged Basketball as a sport because they believed the players weren't strong enough to recognised in the School. Talk less of outside the School, in Inter School Competitions and all that.

Since Jss2, Nana had been trying to prove them wrong.

And with one problem to the other, the end of all his efforts were threatening its possibilities.

No wonder he's been so quiet all evening.

I couldn't let him go without speaking up at least.

"Nana, about the Court-"

"No qualms, bro." He easily dismissed it, easily letting me know we had no hard feelings. 

The boy had already gotten to Chido and Kelechi and he stopped turned, softly tucked his hands into the pockets of his jacket sweater, and smiled genuinely at me, a full smile that showed forth his braces and lighted his eyes softly .

"I'm serious, really, we're cool," He said to me. "I mean, the School has always been looking for ways to scrap Basketball out of the way, it's cool."

Even if I knew we really were cool, I wasn't sure Nana was going to be totally okay with the idea that the Court would be no more in CH, and Basketball would be history.

"Sure?" Even someone like Sean could pick up the hint.

Meanwhile, Chido was quiet by him, the sadness as well as unconditional support was evident in his demeanour. Kelechi slowly rubbed his back and muttered something also in support.

Nana smiled at their gestures, nodded at Sean.

"Yeah, positive," He answered. "I'm thinking more about how I'm going to convince my Mum that I don't need a change of passion, and that somehow, through faith, I will still play Basketball."

How? Even I knew that if the school cancelled Basketball, that would be a clear dead end for him. To be eligible to play Basketball, you'd have to get drafted. Usually, every year, NBA Scouts from all around the world look out for the best players in Schools in order to get them drafted. So, if Castron High declares that they do not have a Basketball team, why would the scouts even waste their time coming here to find Nana then?

"Brah, just listen to your mum and find something else you want to do with your life, because it is clear enough that Basketball will never be for you. Quit now and let it be."

Everyone froze over on Sean's words.

He didn't even seem to notice.

"Don't get me wrong, you're talented. Possibly the best guy I know at the game. But let's be realistic, at the moment, CH doesn't even recognize Bball, what guarantee do you have that after what happened, they'd even consider it anymore. Stop with the utopia ambitions and delusional hopes. With the way things are going on, you'll never be a Basketball player."

I got a backlash.

Chido and Kelechi probably got two.

And Nana...

He looked like someone had just picked up glass and shattered it with brutal hard force on his face. I couldn't even begin to explain how destroyed he looked. 

Sean seemed to notice the tension in the atmosphere and he stopped, looked around us, a slight look of confusion hinting on his dark face.

"Why are all of you all looking at me like that? What did I say?" He dared to say.

I even felt the shame and guilt for him. Like I was the one that said all that, and not him. I felt what he should be feeling for him.

"Wow." Was all Kelechi could say, shock and disappointment in her now flat tone. I could have sworn I heard her mutter something that sounded like 'asshole', but Chido didn't react to it, so I felt it was all in my head.

Chido looked downright pissed. He looked away from us and pinched his nose slightly to look as 'normal' as he could, but I saw it all already. How his jaw bone clenched and unclenched, how his adam's apple bobbed up and down... It seemed like like he was trying to control a reaction that wanted to burst through him in anger.  Like he was controlling himself from saying something back to Sean.

"I'll be waiting in the car." 

Nana's calm voice actually sent chills running down my spine, and he wasn't even talking to us, but to Chido and Kelechi.

His real friends.

With that, he turned around, and stormed in a fit of clear rage, and I knew it in my heart that he was PISSED!

We are the assholes.

"Let's go, K," Chido muttered to Kelechi.

"No." Kelechi shocked me by responding, and with a firm, hard auto that took me aback.

And took Chido aback as well.

"You and Nana will have to wait for me in the car for a minute or two." She once again firmly declared. Said what she said like no one was going to be able to overrule her.

"I don't get it. Why?" Chido asked her.

Her eyes traced to me and Sean, particularly on me.

"I wish to have a word with Marcus Acha." She said, narrowed her eyes on me like whatever she was at was more serious than I could imagine.

Sean and Chido stared from her, to me, and kept looking between us, and I had no way of explaining it to them that I was just as confused. Kelechi who noticed the company we had, went on to make her statement clearer;

"I want to speak with Marcus Acha.... Alone." 

Well..... Thoughts?

And yikes, if someone said what Sean said to Nana to me, na fight oo! I won't be able to handle it, we have to fight abeg!😂😂 It's not funny though, but oh well. In a sad twisted way, Sean stated plain facts, but sometimes, it's not everything we tell someone, especially if we're going to be so harsh about it.

The next chapter may or may not make you understand the kind of person Sean is, I guess I'll just wait to see your reactions to it.

I'm tired of typing, I want to sleep.
Goodnight ♥️