AddictiveRose I love you🌹❤✨

Happy New Month🌹

Part one of the paragon collab with Iyanuoluwa-Temi✨

⊱𝙹𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚊⊰

"I won't be available for your competition, son."

While telling my Dad about the paragon, I had it at the back of my mind that he might say this. Even if he did agree to come, he wouldn't stay till half of the first game. Nevertheless, I was a bit disappointed.

"What about mum?"

He said nothing but signaled to the household butler to carry his suitcase to the car. The butler did as instructed and left the dining room. Dad picked up his phone and began swiping and tapping away, like I didn't just ask a question or like I wasn't in the same space with him.

"Dad."

"Yes?"

"I asked about mum. Would she be able to come?"

He continued on his phone, and for a second I thought he was just going to ignore me again.  Until he spoke.

"Jidenna, I don't know your mother's daily schedule. But if she's free and willing, then she can go."

Disappointed?  A little. What was I expecting? A happy hug and an assuring answer that the entire family is going to be present?

"Call me Nonso."

As usual, always with Nonso and never has the time to even attend a single parent-teacher conference. I was quite surprised that dad didn't insist on sending Mr. Okoli, one of his P.As to my school the day Mr. Johnson requested the presence of I and Idera's parents.

Mr. Okoli has always been his representative right from my primary school days. His presence in my school was a once in a while thing. And my mum? Hers was once in a blue moon.

I don't know what made him come that day, but I was glad he decided to make it.

Leaving the study to call my brother, I met Mum hurrying up the stairs and she sighted me before I could turn back to avoid her.

Just great.

"Jidenna," She began, placing her hands on my shoulders and giving me that look. "I'm so sorry I won't be able to make it to your game today."

"I thought as much," I muttered. Lately, mum seemed to have an excuse for everything.

"I would have loved to see you play, but I have a tight schedule today. Kelechi and Nonso should be able to make it."

I let out a sigh and slowly took her hands off my shoulders. "Okay. So none of my family want to take time out of their busy schedules to see their son and brother play a sport he's passionate about."

"Ji-"

"It's okay, mum. I'm leaving now." I walked past, leaving her to stare at my retreating figure, and headed straight to my brother's room. Ever since Dad opened her decorative and event planning business for her, she has been nothing but busy.

As a matter of fact, everyone in this house has been nothing but busy. Nonso has been stuck with Dad who has been stuck in with work, Kelechi had gone MIA for weeks which is kind of a relief. And not that I didn't like any of it, but it seems as though they suddenly become busier when I have an event or competition that I want them to be present for.

I got to Nonso's room and knocked on his door.

"Nonso, Dad is calling you,"

I waited for a response but got none which is weird because Nonso always answers his door on the first knock. Except he's asleep and he has never brought in a girl to the house before. That's if he even has a girl.

"Nonso." I knocked again and still no response. As I decided to turn the doorknob, the door opened and Nonso poked his head out. His hair looked slightly disheveled, eyes were red, and...is that what I'm smelling?

"What?" He asked groggily.

"Are you..." I forced my way into his room and I was not prepared for the strong smell of weed that hit me. I scrunched up my nose in irritation at the nasty smell.

Jesus Christ!

"Have you been smoking?" I queried with wide eyes as I beheld the burnt-out, used wraps on his dressing table. But my dear brother acted like I didn't just ask him anything and I turned back to him.

"I thought you quit."

Nonso had sort of an addiction to weed a few years back which led to him completing his last year of university education here in Nigeria. Dad couldn't afford his first son and heir to his company to go into rehab, so he made up a story about his return to Nigeria, and Nonso promised to quit after a series of threats from Dad.

"Nonso, this can kill you."

He just shrugged, closed the door, and walked further into the room. "Well, it's better this than dying by his hands." He chuckled as he sat down on his king-size bed and I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"What are you here for?"

"Nonso—"

"You said Dad sent for me?" He questioned as he got up from his bed and walked towards the mirror mounted on his wall over his dressing table.

"I did."

Nonso did nothing but stare at his reflection in the mirror. Something had to be terribly wrong for him to go break his promise and pick up this dirty habit again.

My brother is not okay.

"Okay. Tell him I'll be with him when I'm ready."

When he's ready? Has the weed eaten deep into his brain?  Has he gone nuts? Does he even know what he's telling me to tell our father?

"You want me to tell Dad that?"

He slowly turned back to face me.

"Did I stutter?"

I wasted not another second and left his room to the living room.

"Please tell my Dad Nonso said he's on his way," I said to one of the house staff passing by, before picking up my sports bag and leaving the house. If he wants to go on a suicide mission, then I won't be part of it.

I felt a brief vibration in my pocket and I guessed it must be Hugo dropping me a beep call which meant he was right outside the house.

As I stepped out, I caught sight of Hugo's car parked on the other side of the street. He came out of the car and opened the car trunk so I could put in my sports bag.

"How far?" He extended his hand for a handshake which I took.

"I'm good."

Hugo closed the trunk, we got into the car and he began driving. There was silence but I knew it wasn't going to be long before Hugo figured out what was up with me.

"They aren't coming, are they?" He asked, not taking his eyes off the road as he took the right turn out of the estate.

"No."

He simply nodded and drummed his fingers against the steering.

I wondered how Hugo coped every day of his life knowing that his parents are no more. Knowing that they were never going to come to support him for any competition whatsoever or even celebrate with him on his graduation day.

All I could say is that he's coping really well. I don't know what I'd do to myself if I were in his shoes.

"It's okay. You'll be fine."

And I hope you are friend. I hope you are.

"Thanks." 

A highway road and a few turns later, we arrived at school which was quite empty except for a few students loitering around the school's compound. We went straight to the gymnasium where everyone would be as instructed by the school's sports director. We could even hear the noise before we got into the hall.

"King Kalu in the building!" Came Ethan's loud voice as we stepped into the gymnasium. The hall was noisy as hell, so he must have been very loud for us to hear him.

He approached us smiling like he won a jackpot and threw both arms around me and Hugo as we walked to where most of my teammates were.

The atmosphere was charged with so much energy and excitement. The athletes were either with their teammates or mingling with other students who were selected to accompany and support us.

Everyone was super pumped for this competition, and I'm sure our tracksuits added to this ginger. Grey and deep blue, I have to give it to whoever picked the colors and design. It was really worth the twenty five thousand naira we were all asked to pay.

I had to pay extra cash for my customized one and I'm glad to say that my money didn't go to waste.

"You are a fucking nuisance, guy." I tried to take Ethan's hand off me, then responded to the greetings of some of my teammates and sat down, dropping my bag on the chair beside me.

"And your fucking best friend."

Idiot.

I scanned the crowd for Sienna, but she was nowhere in sight. So she wasn't kidding when she said she wasn't going to be present today. The thought of calling her crossed my mind, but I decided not to and resorted to leaving her a WhatsApp message.

"What's up, pretty boy?" I heard Ethan say to Hugo, and from the corner of my vision, I could see him pick up my bag from the chair I placed it on and place it on another chair so he could sit beside me.

"Get your eyes off my girl for the record. I see the way you look at her." His words got my attention and I looked up from my phone, my eyes darting between both boys.

"What?" I chuckled.

"Are you listening to this one?" Hugo hissed dismissively not stopping his search.

"And who is your girl exactly?" I asked facing Ethan.

"Omasirichi Thalia Nelson-DaCosta." He let out a sound akin to a dreamy sigh which made him look like a complete idiot.

My eyes followed his to where Oma stood, talking with her clique. Then they landed Idera who was laughing at whatever Dami was saying to them and I suddenly remembered the not so convenient revenge plan.

Well, enjoy your damn sanity while it lasts, Idera Adeleke.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I took it out, expecting a reply from Sienna. It was just a message from MTN reminding me to renew my data plan for this month.

"You are delusional, Ethan Banjo."

"I'm in love, not delusional."

Hugo and I exchanged a look, then burst out in laughter. Our best friend's bullshiting was never going to end.

I playfully jabbed his side with my elbow. "Enough with the fucking jokes abeg."

My phone vibrated again and I checked to see a new message from the class group chat and then one from KC which had been sent earlier this morning.

It would have been so much better if any of you were here.

"How goes it, Bello?" I heard Ethan say, and I gave an eye roll at the mention of that surname. I looked up in time to see Hugo hand something to Umar then zip his bag shut.

"It's Umar to you." He replied Ethan who crossed his legs and placed both arms over the chair i was sitting on and the one on his left.

"I like Bello better."

Typical Ethan.

Well, where's the team spirit in me if I don't wish my fellow teammate well. Even though I badly wanted him to break a leg or something.

"Good luck champ," I said with a smirk just as Umar was about to leave.

"Nah. You'll need it more." And he walked away. I tore my eyes away from his retreating figure and focused them on Hugo who was giving me that look which I very much knew what it meant.

"I'm going to do anything." I had to say for him to let me be. His lecture on being on my best behavior yesterday isn't going to repeat itself today cause I'm sick of it.

The noise ceased immediately and I caught sight of a frail-looking man walking to the center of the gymnasium. I quickly slipped my phone into my pocket and got up to join him. Umar, Regina, and Dija, the female sports prefect and assistant did the same too. It was a mandatory thing each time he addressed the school.

Dr. Yaya, our school's sports director, is one of the few strict school staff we have in LIC, and possibly the most strict. He never fails to tell us about being born into a military family, how his primary to university were all military academies and how he taught in several military schools. LIC is his first non-military school.

And for someone with that much military background, we all know he's not one to be messed with. Even at his age, he never fails to show us how ruthless he can be when his instructions are defied by any student.

"Good morning Eagles!" His loud authoritative voice resounded throughout the hall.

"Good Morning Dr. Yaya!"

With both hands behind him, he nodded and began his speech.

"As you all know, we have the honor of competing in the paragon for the second time and I will always say this, it is a privilege to be chosen out of many schools to be a part of any competition, sports or not. And it is also an honor to be chosen out of thousands of students to represent our school in any competition. So be grateful for this opportunity."

"I'm glad to have these for students as my prefects. Even though they aren't reaching up to my expectations, they are trying their absolute bests and I want you all to appreciate them. They have been running around since we got the letter of invitation for the paragon and made sure you all didn't miss practice and trained hard." Cheers and applauds resounded in the hall.

"A big kudos to Umar Bello especially. He took it upon himself to put aside his time to train a few members of the swim team."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as Dr. Yaya patted him and everyone applauded him. Like what's the big deal about that anyway?

"I'm a man of few words, so I have no other thing to say to you all than good luck." We applauded him again. He then led us in a few prayers and praise sessions. After that, it was announced that the buses were ready.

"Make this man go open church abeg,"  Ethan said as we made our way out of the gymnasium and I smacked his head.

"Ahut up."

Two coach buses were parked in the school's compound, one for the sports teams and the other for the students who were following us. The buses were donated to the school by my Dad for the sole purpose of excursions or outings like this one. The normal school buses were strictly for conveying the students from their various homes to school and back.

Ethan ran off into the bus with Ik and Ese Arthur, leaving I and Hugo behind. When we got in, he signaled us to the back of the bus where most of our teammates were seated but Hugo declined.

"I'm not joining you guys at that back."

"Why?"

"You guys are too loud." He said and proceeded to join Lawal who was seated a few seats away from the back. I let him be then joined Ethan who helped me put my sports bag under my seat which is beside the window.

Ethan brought his speaker out of his bag and with the corner of his lips turned up into a smirk, he waved the speaker at me.

"I brought my speaker."

Good thing Dr. Yaya wasn't going to be joining us on this bus so we could do whatever we want. The bus was fully occupied and as soon as we left the school gates, he began blasting music from his speaker.

After a while, Buju's finesse began playing and every single being on that bus went crazy. I couldn't help but sing along too.

Bad girl say she wan Netflix and chill
So I ja ticket give am warning
If you fall in love girl it's certain
You go chop breakfast I'm not capping
Can you see dribble Amokachi
I'm not faking this no Fugazzi
You see these feelings I'm not catching
Omo Ope stand fit I just wan dey

If everyone didn't sing along to that part, they sure yelled out the chorus which came next.

Ahhh finesse
If I broke na my business
Ama Shana e go bright o
Folake for the night o

And we sure didn't forget to shout gege ti in between each line of the lyrics.

It was only a 1-hour drive from LIC in Lekki to Crestview in Victoria Island, and Ethan made sure he gave us the latest jams from Fireboy's Peru to Adekunle Gold's High, Lojay's Monalisa, then Joeboy's Alcohol. Then Ese, our set's hype man did not fail to do what he knows how to do best. Some made videos and some went live on their Instagram accounts.

The entire drive to Crestview was nothing but pure vibes.

Then someone thought it a good idea to begin impersonating LIC staff. So far, Mrs. Nwimo, Principal, Miss Cherish, and two other staff had been impersonated and very well I might add.

"Okay okay, let me do mine." Tega Arthur, Ese's twin brother stood up, cleared his throat then stood erect and put both hands behind his back.

The typical Dr. Yaya stance.

"I am an elderly man, 65 years old and I can still do those activities most you find so difficult to do at your young age."

"Dr. Yaya!" Almost everyone yelled out laughing.

Ik did a very hilarious impersonation of our Vice Principal, Mrs. Kadiri, followed by Dami who did Miss Ann, a female corper and the English teacher to the junior classes and sometimes our class.

Amidst all the fun, I couldn't help but feel weighed down by the fact that no member of my family was going to be present to see me play.

I just dropped one more message in Sienna's dm, popped in my airpods and tried to ease my mind by listening to music and playing games.

I don't know how long I was engrossed in my phone because when I looked out of the window, we had arrived at our destination and one of the biggest schools in Lagos. Crestview International Academy.

If LIC is big, Crestview is bigger, probably where LIC would be in the next few years. From the school's wide landscape down to the large buildings, beautiful architecture and the designs of the interior. It all kind of reminded me of my brother's university back in the UK.

Although, I didn't get why some of my schoolmates were fawning over their fields when we had the same back in our school. It's just the standard field measurement and requirement and nothing more.

I paused my music as Ethan brought his head out of the open window beside me to admire the school's grand architecture, shoving his body in my face in the process. Although I was kind of annoyed, I let him be.

Ethan Banjo's love for architecture is something I can't describe. At first I felt it was just an obsession with buildings, designs and all that. A phase that he will get over, but he didn't and that was when I realized it wasn't an obsession. The boy just had a strong passion for it.

His father being an architect sure influenced him, and his designs were almost as good as his father's. Ethan was definitely going to become a hot shot architect in the future.

Finally, the bus stopped. I, Umar, Regina, and Dija stepped down from the bus first, then the rest of the students followed.

"This school is fucking rad Man!" Tega said as he came down from the bus.

"I know right?" His brother added.

"Crestview guys. They sure look tough." We turned towards their direction to see a few members of their football team gathered together.

A team I'm sure we could take down without any hassle.

"Kizito. What's good man?" I turned back at Tega's voice and saw the sports prefect and captain of Crestview's football team, Kizito Alade-Martins. He seemed to have gotten bigger than he was the last time I saw him.

"Doing good as you can see. It's nice to see you guys again."

I exchanged handshakes with him and then he did the same with Umar.

"Welcome to Crestview once again. And I hope you guys are ready for the competition, cause it's going to be tight, I won't lie."

"Okay. Bring it on!" Peter yelled and we all cheered.

"Dr. Yaya is here. Shouldn't we wait for him?" Someone asked which made Umar leave us to inquire from the man. He returned shortly.

"Dr Yaya said we should go in. He'll be with us soon."

And that was the cue for Kizito to lead us to the locker room prepared for us. It was all like last year, but I just hoped the wins and losses wouldn't in anyway be like last year's.

"I have to get to my guys now. If any of you need anything, just let me know." Kizito said to me and I nodded.

"Sure."

"Good luck guys."  He said to us and left the locker room.

Looking around, I decided it was time to say a few words to everyone.

"Okay!" I yelled out, clapping my hands to gain everyone's attention. "Gather around everyone!"

Once they all did, I began.

"I have nothing much to say because we have already been addressed by Dr. Yaya back in school. So just put in all you have, and remember that teamwork is key. I wish every one of us the best of luck."

"Thank you!"

As they settled down, I caught sight of a Crestview student speaking to Umar who gave him a nod then walked away from the door where they stood, while the latter left the locker room.

"Attention!" His voice resounded. "Everyone in two orderly lines. According to your teams preferably. Do that and let's make our way to the entrance of the hall. It's about to begin."

They all did as instructed and moved to the hall's entrance. The rest of our schoolmates were already seated in the hall and I could see a few of them from where I stood, but all of a sudden someone stood in front of me, blocking my view.

"As much as I want to punch you in the face for destroying the limited edition of my Victoria secrets lingerie yesterday, I won't."

I couldn't hold back the wide grin that spread across my face. She made it and before I could say a word, she grabbed my face and pressed a kiss to my lips.

"Good luck." She smiled and I just stared at her, a bit dazed by that unexpected action.

"But it isn't time for our game yet."

"I feel like I should have punched you in the face instead of kissing you." I laughed and pulled her by her waist close to me, taking in her scent of Jasmine and Roses.

Wow.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. And I am honored to be the guy who ripped off the limited edition of your Victoria secrets whatever you called it."

She rolled her eyes and smacked my arm. "It's a lingerie, you dumb ass."

Ethan suddenly appeared in front of us. "Can you two stop talking about lingerie? And you move your ass to the front to lead us in." I gave him the middle finger with my free arm then let go of Sienna.

"Later, Si." She waved and sashayed into the hall.

Feeling a presence beside me, I turned to see it was Ese and he had his shoulder pads and jersey on. Our game was going to be the last, so I wondered why he had them on.

"Quick question bro." He said and I nodded, rolling up the sleeves of my tracksuit and adjusting the gold wrist watch I had on.

"Are you two dating? Because it looks like it."

Seriously?

"No." Was my simple reply and I expected him to walk off after that, but he didn't.

"Oh, so it's a friend with benefits thing then?"

"Ese."

"Sorry."

He left my side and I sighed, moving forward to take my position with Umar, Regina, and Dija standing behind me. I took in a deep breath and exhaled as I brought to memory my Dad's frequent words to me and Nonso.

You both are my sons, my blood flows through your veins. Be confident and proud of it. No one is above you, and let there never be a day where you would ever lose that confidence no matter what.

My family wasn't going to be here, and I wasn't going to let that weigh me down anymore. My aim here is to win this paragon, so nothing and no one is going to stop me.

"Welcome to the inter-school annual paragon competition!"

Loud cheers erupted in the hall and that was enough to make me feel the confidence swell in me.

I am Jidenna Tyrone Kalu.

The sports captain of Laurel International College and best player on the American Football team.

No one is above me.

"So with no further adieu, let's welcome the Eagles of Laurels International College!"

───────•••───────

Gege: A slang that originated from a Nigerian song by a Nigerian artiste. Some people say it came from the word Agege, a popular locally made bread in Lagos, a city in Nigeria.

This bread no be agege.😎

Part one of the paragon chapters😌

I want your thoughts y'all!!😌

This is a big apology to Doodeelolaski😭 I was supposed to tag her in the previous chapter and I forgot to do so.🤧

Abiola Akinyemi who was mentioned in the previous chapter is a character from her book   When powers collide. You all should check it out!

Lots of love❤❤❤❤❤

I hope you guys watched the trailer on Instagram and I hope you loved it. If you haven't, go and watch now oh. vilalove_official is my Wattpad Instagram account, so follow and check it out.

Do what you have to do, and I'll see you soon❤🥂