Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know
I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you - Rick Astley.

•°•=•°•

Cover Design by Donaldprince Thank you so much.😩😊

This chapter is dedicated to Purple_Deeza 😗😗😗 😂😂 She helped a lot with this chapter. Thanks, Lydia.😗💕

Okay, I have no excuse but I apologise — again — for how late this chapter is coming. 🥲🥲 Please bear with me.💕😗

This chapter is also full of sporty stuff so, get ready. Remember that it's for a reason oh.🌚🌚 Pay attention my people.🌚

If you see any typo, abeg no vex, I go correct am.😂😂🤲🏽

That said, y'all can go ahead and read.😗😗😂😂

   • BOLU•

I wiped off the sweat that trickled down my forehead with the back of my hand. One of my teammates passed the ball to me, I bounced it twice and dribbled my White House opponent.

Yes, we were playing against White House now. Which meant we had a very high chance of winning. . . and losing.

Currently, they were two points ahead of us. Like I earlier said, we had the best players but White House had the Star Player — Ayo Balogun. And he's gotten even better.

White House and Blue House were the two finalists after we played against Red House — they seriously lacked the necessary skills — and they against Purple — who were actually good, but not good enough. It was a very short game. Because both White and Blue house were fast to beat their opponents.

And in case you're wondering, yes, it was a mixed game. As in, Boys and Girls played together in one team. That's the way we did it at RBA.

I  successfully dribbled my opponent — who was an SS2 student — and passed the ball to one of my teammates who, in turn, passed it to Kathy. Kathy also dribbled and from where she stood, threw the ball into the net. She scored with an assist.

Blue House went wild with cheers. We were now neck-to-neck with White House. I took a quick glance at the Marks Board and saw we had about twenty minutes to go.

Twenty minutes to either win or lose.

I exhaled.

The game resumed and White House had the ball. It wasn't long until the person holding it passed it to Ayo. I watched as a smirk, very similar to Ore's cocky one, played on his lips. A memory of Ore's lips and the day he first kissed me flashed through my mind. My legs started feeling like jelly.

I quickly cautioned myself.

THIS WAS NOT THE TIME TO ENTERTAIN THOUGHTS OF ORE!

Anyway, the blue team had a very strong defense, it was hard for anyone to break us apart. But Ayo made it look easy, dribbling past us like we were breeze. He didn't take long before he, with a three-pointer, made a basket, scoring for White House.

They were mad with cheers.

Coach called us for a time-out and gave this whole motivational speech that I — that we — had already heard times without number. So, we just nodded and promised to do our best.

The game continued. Fifteen minutes to the end of the game, Kathy scored for Blue House and again, we were tied with our opponent. The game was tough. Nobody was ready to back out.

The game went on like that, without any of us scoring, until when it was five minutes to.

I had the ball in possession once more. An opponent tried to grab the ball from me but I dodged him. I was surprised at how swiftly I moved. I didn't have much time to feel myself for that because the person I saw next in front of me was Ayo Balogun.

My heart beat increased its pace.

It was funny how we'd been playing against each other but had not exactly 'battled' face-to-face. Plus, this was the first time we were against ourselves because we were in the school's official basketball team. We always worked together.

Not gonna lie though, I was a bit scared. I wanted to let my guard down and just give up because Ayo was obviously better than me. Imagine, he scored easily with a three-pointer.  And again, he was my friend. Even if I lost and he won, it was still a win-win for all of us. We would still celebrate.

But then, I had a team.  My team. And I wasn't gonna let them down. Even if we were gonna lose, I was going to make it very hard for the White House team to win.

So when he smirked at me, a friendly kind though, I smirked back and started bouncing the ball real quick.

I watched as his eyes went wide for a second before he figured what was going on. His cocky smirk returned. He was ready for me. I exhaled mentally and kept doing what I was doing.

Mind you though, I didn't know what I was doing.

My teammates called out to me, I heard coach yell, "Jayeola! What are you doing?" I didn't even turn or  make it feel like I actually heard them.

I kept bouncing, changing hands as swiftly as I could, since we couldn't bounce with both hands — my eyes simultaneously focused on the ball and on Ayo. His eyes didn't leave me for a second either. He knew what I was doing so he paid close attention. I tried my luck and moved right, he blocked me. Moved left. He blocked me again.

In spite of how much I was able to block out the voice of the crowd, MJ's scream (or shout) pierced through my walls. That boy gets louder every day.

Surprisingly too, no one on either of the teams tried to stop us. Maybe they were also curious to know who was going to win this battle. We kept going back and forth for a couple of seconds, me trying to get past him and him blocking me.

Time was running out. I was getting exhausted, my breaths coming out in huffs and puffs, sweat coming out of me in what could be streams. A drop entered my eye, its sting was peppery . I blinked to reduce the effect of the sting, not letting it distract me one bit.

I looked at Ayo, he wasn't even sweating. Heck, I was the one doing most of the work here. I didn't know how much I could keep this up. If only Ayo would get distracted just a little bit and I would take advantage of that.

If only...

Ayo saw that I was already getting tired, so, he smirked and it said something like, 'just give up already. I own this game.'

Not sure that's how he would say it but that's what it sounded like in my head. My hands were burning, I could feel the muscles in my leg burning too. Few more minutes and I would start seeing double. Or triple.

Just as I was about to give up, Ayo suddenly got distracted. I didn't know what distracted him and frankly, at the moment, I didn't care. I just took advantage of it.

In one swift movement, I bounced the ball away from him, dribbled all other people from the White team that tried to defend. It was easy because they had also lost focus.

I got close to the net. An opponent who had regained focus tried to grab the ball from me again but I jumped and with a slam dunk, the ball went right through the net.

Time was up.

Blue house team won.

I was dizzy, about to collapse on the ground when my teammates rushed to me and lifted me up on their shoulders, singing our song, "na so we carry first oh! Na so we carry first oh."

Exhaustion clouded my vision, made me see blurry stuff, but I saw the whole Blue House go mad with cheers. They dropped me down and a lot of people came to hug me. I didn't know most of them but I figured they were my teammates. Coach patted me on the back and said something like, "welldone, Jayeola! For a minute or more, I thought you were going to make us lose. But I'm glad you didn't. Glad I didn't stop you."

I can't remember what my response was but I responded. I got engulfed in another hug again but this time, I knew it was none other than Nina. No one hugged with so much energy like she did.

I regained some of my strength and was able to walk into the locker room where the shouting and celebration continued. I wasn't really following all the songs they were singing but I know I kept nodding my head. Nina came through and gave me glucose and a bottle of water.

I heard distant voices hype me. Or maybe they were close, but I couldn't tell because of the noise and my current exhausted state.

"Bolu, that was mad oh!"

"Girl, you play fire!"

"Abeg, cut soap for me nau!"

I didn't even have the strength to laugh.

All my friends, except Ore, came around to hype me. MJ joined them to sing and his voice, as usual, was the loudest. Even Ayo wasn't left out. He smiled at me. Everywhere was rowdy and I couldn't even tell whether it was the boys' or girls' locker we were.

It took a while before the celebration was finally over. I went into the bathroom — it was surprisingly clean — and washed up. I changed my  clothes into a  sweatshirt I stole from Joba and a black-and-white jogger.

The events for today were over. As expected, they moved the football match and swimming to tomorrow. It was almost five o' clock. They couldn't keep the students any longer when parents already started coming.

All my friends had left. I was surprised that they left early. . .or maybe it was because I was staying late.

Anyway, only few other students were left in the locker room. I was in the girls' locker room this time, no more confusion. After I'd finished with my business, I took my phone from my backpack, zipped it up and threw it around my shoulders.

A couple of girls waved at me and I waved back awkwardly as I walked out. I'd waved awkwardly because I didn't even know those girls were in my school until now.

I unconsciously hummed the tune of Girls Like You as I climbed the stairs to the senior block. When I caught myself humming it, I gave me a mental slap and stopped. I sighed and kept walking.

When I got to the SSS2 block, I felt someone grab me from behind and into one of the classrooms which I figured was empty.

Because of my reflexes as usual, I turned around quickly, made a fist with my right hand and threw a punch at whoever it was that dragged me. But nah, I didn't punch nada. Because before I could, he caught my hand which was just a few inches away from his face.

And here comes deja vu.

How wonderful.

I glared at him before I released my hand from his grip. I turned to go but he got hold of my hand again and pulled me back.

"Bolu, wait!"

"Leave me alone!" I said firmly and tried to release my hand from his grip again. He didn't budge. I glared at him. "Let me go, Jumai."

"Boluwaji, please. We have to talk." I heard the plea in his voice.

"There is nothing to talk about. Let me go!" I forcefully pulled my hand from his grip with my second hand.

Big mistake.

When I did that, he loosened his grip and I staggered, fell with my butt to the ground. Hard.

"Ouch. . ." I winced.

"Whoa, mama," he said, ran to where I was and attempted to lift me up. I didn't let him. I moved away from him and stood myself up. Left his hands hanging in the air.

"Bolu I—"

"Stay away from me," I said sharply and winced as I walked past him towards the door of the class. I didn’t actually get to walk out of the door because, very swiftly, he pulled me back and closed the door, his back against it blocking me from going out.

I glared at him. I swear if looks could kill, he would be six feet under.

"Step away from the door!"

"No," he said firmly. "I won't. You have to listen to me."

"There is nothing to listen to." I tried to walk past him but he only held me. His grip, firm. Looked into my eyes and for a moment, I got lost in his. I felt my knees grow weak.

But I decided I was gonna be strong. So, I loosened myself from his grip and crossed my arms.

"I have only a few minutes," I said, which was obviously a lie, "what do you wanna say?"

"So, you actually wanna know. . ." He tried to joke but I glared daggers at him and he shut up.

Walking towards me, he massaged his neck. I stepped back, gave us space, because avoiding any physical contact between us right now was best. He sighed and dropped his head. My arms were still crossed as I tapped my feet impatiently.

Truth? I actually wanted to know what he had to say. Even if I didn't admit it before, it was stuck somewhere in me — the urge to know the truth. He looked up at me, opened his mouth to say something and closed it again.

Never did I ever know Ore could be like this. I almost laughed out loud.

"Talk na. Five minutes more," I said, staring at him as plain-faced as ever.

He exhaled. "Boluwaji, I'm sorry."

I scoffed. "Like heck, you are."

"What happened with Chidera on Monday, that. . . that wasn't how I planned it."

"Oh wow. Really?" I asked sarcastically.

"Bolu, hear me out!"

I rolled my eyes and signaled for him to continue speaking.

"I swear I was going to call things off with her on Monday. Until she surprised me — all of us — with that mini anniversary party. My hands were tied. I didn't know what to do."

I laughed humorlessly. "Oh wow. What a believable story. So, you did not know you and Chidera have been together for three years? You didn’t know or you forgot?”

“A little bit of both?” He raised his shoulders slowly and tilted his head to the side, a gesture that showed uncertainty.

“Jeez!” I massaged my temples. As much as I did not want to believe him, I just knew he was telling the truth. I mean, all the signs had been there from the start.

He'd never really liked Chidera.

Relief washed over me and I suddenly felt guilty for it. It took over the anger and envy I was feeling towards them.

I mean, what right did I have to be angry? This made me feel really sorry for Chidera. If I were in Ore's shoes, I'd have pretended too. And if I were in her shoes, I would have done what she did, whatever she did, I guess.

She surprised him with that party, and must have spent a lot. If she found out her boyfriend was about to break up with her just before that time, she would be heart broken.

Looking at this whole situation sef, I really had no right. Ore and I just liked each other. As far as the situation was concerned, we were cheating. I was his side-chick. No doubt.

“God, Ore," I  massaged my temples, "look what you've roped me in."

"I. . ." He started and sighed.

I sighed deeply, took off my backpack and dropped it on one of the tables. Easing myself in-between two desks and their chairs, I slid down the wall and placed my back against it.

This thing was really stressing me out. I didn’t think it through well enough.

Ore crouched in front of me. Hesitant at first, he raised a shaky hand and touched my face. I wanted to remove his hand but I just felt too tired to do so. "I. . .I wanna fix this."

He raised his second hand to my face. I didn't stop him.

I also didn’t stop him when he leaned forward — putting us in an awkward position — and closed the distance between us, connecting his lips with mine.

I didn’t know when I ran my hands up the sides of his face and through his very full hair. He pulled me closer, deepening the kiss as he cupped his hands around my face and played with my braids, twirling it around his fingers. I didn't see him do it but I knew he did because I felt the tug on my scalp.

He was in control because I let him, but he took it easy with me. He didn’t rush me. Didn’t overdo it. Although, I’d never kissed anyone apart from him, I liked that he always followed my pace.

As we kissed, I seemed to forget whatever guilty feeling I had earlier. And as usual, I focused on the fireworks that erupted in my whole body. I decided to, at that moment, just live in the moment.

We broke the kiss after what felt like forever. My face heated up as he stared at me, a smirk — one I knew too well — tugged his lips.

"Don't even think about it," I said, giving him a look. I knew he was just about to tease me.

"Fine, fine." He chuckled. "I won't say it. But I'll say this though; a few more minutes into that and your lips would have been red."

"Shut up." I smacked his arm as my face heated up more.

He laughed.

I don't know what kind of human being loved to tease someone after they just kissed.

Of course, it could only be Ore Jumai. He did this the first time we kissed too.

I rolled my eyes at him.

“Chidera is a good person,” I spoke up after a few seconds of silence. “I mean, she’s not my favorite person to be around and I don’t like her much, no offence, but she kinda doesn’t deserve this.”

“I know, right,” Ore said. He moved to sit beside me, his back against the wall. “I know.” He ran his hands over his face. “I already texted her that morning because, apart from promising you, I’d promised J— uh, myself that I would come clean with her.” He sighed. “Swears, I had it all rehearsed in my head. Even though I imagined her punching me for most of it.”

I chuckled. “Well, if she actually did that, would you blame her?”

“C’mon, Waji,” he nudged me, “you’re supposed to be on my side na.”

“Eeyah, pele. I’ll always support the female gender.” I feigned remorse with my tone.

“Oshey, feminist.”

I giggled. "Yes, of course."

He shook his head, smiling. Then he sighed.

“I’ll fix this, tell her everything.” His tone was soft. “I promise and this time, I’ll fulfill it.”

I stared, really stared at him. Searched his eyes for traces of deceit. I didn’t see any. Plus, he looked tired. I was tired too. Exhausted from today’s sports activities.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Does this mean you forgive me?”

I hid my smile and glared at him playfully. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“How? I didn’t say yes na.”

He shrugged again. “Well, you gave me an indefinite answer and I picked a definite answer from it, what more could it be?”

And he’s back to being cocky.

“Shut up, you’re not making any sense,” I said and rolled my eyes again.

“That’s a lie and we both know it.”

“Yen yen,” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“So cute.” He laughed. “And by the way, you were amazing at basketball today.”

“You were there?” I was surprised because I didn’t see him anywhere at all.

“Well, partially.” He shrugged. “I was worn out from the One-thousand-five-hundred metre race and my vison was a little bit blurry but I saw you. I walked in at the middle of the game though.”

“Oh. Thanks." I furrowedy brows. "That’s true sef. I was wondering why you took part in the race.”

He shrugged again. “Had to do it because we didn’t have enough representatives for my house. The housemasters figured it out late and of course, I’m the guy they can always count on. So, when they asked me to do it, I couldn’t refuse because why the heck would I ruin my perfect reputation by doing that?”

I turned to look at him. He had that once-in-a-while-vulnerable-look in his eyes. I mean, I'd only seen that look once.

Was he being sarcastic or what was that? Was he…complaining? At that moment, it felt like he was getting tired of being who he was. But maybe I’m overthinking.

“Okayyy,” I dragged, narrowing my eyes.

He nudged me and ran his hands over his face. “Stop looking at me like that. I’m stressed out jare.”

I chuckled. “Okay oh. But you won sha?”

“Came third.” He sighed. “Long distance really isn’t for me. I for don die, I swear.”

I giggled. “You tried na. If it were me, I’d be comatose before the race even starts.”

He burst out laughing too. “You’re just exaggerating.”

“Okay, okay. Maybe I am but mehn, I can’t able. Abeg.”

He took one look at me and in the next moment, we went hysterical. Leaning on and away from each other, his shoulders quaking and tears coming from my eyes. It reminded me of the time we laughed together in a classroom, when our second almost-kiss happened. Wasn’t today a sweet day of déjà vu?

Anyway, the sound of our laughter resonated in the whole classroom. It had this sweet feeling. You know, when you’re laughing and it feels like your stomach gives this tickling sensation, fueling your laughter more and more? That’s exactly what it felt like.

It took a while before our laughter died down.

“You’re a whole vibe, Ore,” I said, looking at him.

“So, you finally admit that I am a spec?” He wiggled his brows.

“You don’t have sense.” I smiled and simultaneously shook my head.

“Yes, I do.”

“No. You don’t.”

“It’s an obvious yes.”

“It’s a definite no.” I smiled smugly.

“That’s not—”

The sound of the door opening cut him off. My eyes widened as both of us slowly looked towards the direction of the door. It was halfway opened. Didn’t Ore close it?

We turned to look at each other and stood up quickly, running to check if anyone was at the door. My heart was banging against my chest.

Omo, if anyone had actually seen us. . .

Getting to the door, I hid behind Ore as he stared outside. I held my breath and peeked over his shoulders, praying seriously to God that no one saw us. This was one of the reasons I didn’t like hidden relationships or in this case, situation-ship — or whatever we were. In the movies, someone always catches them in the end. This may not be a movie, but I really don’t want that to happen.

We were well hidden and the windows of this particular classroom were high. So, it would be difficult for anyone to spot us easily. Except they looked through the door.

“I can’t see anybody,” Ore said. He moved us both inside. “Maybe it was the wind?”

“But you closed, scratch that, jammed the door, didn’t you?” I gestured to the door and raised a brow.

“Yeah. . .wait.” He moved the door forward and looked where the handle was. “The handle of the door is spoiled actually.” I looked at it too. He was right, the door’s original lock was spoiled and was replaced with a fixed-on lock. I exhaled.

“So, it was probably the wind.” He chuckled. “Relax.”

“I’ll relax when we get out of here,” I said and started walking, no running, out the door.

“Wait for me!” I heard him whisper-shout.

Waiter than the waitest ni.

I didn't stop running until I was out of the senior block and outside the school gate.

Okayyy.

That's a wrap — For Now.🌚😩😩

Finallyyyyyy, I spent dayssss, dayssss, I tell ya, writing this chapter that most of y'all will read it under two minutes.🥲 Issokay oh. Such is life.

🥲😂

Anyway, thoughts on this chapter?

I'm not even satisfied with it. . . kinda but I hope I tried.😩🥲🥲

But wait, who opened the door? Was it the wind, or was it. . . me?🌚🌚🌚

Lmao, figure it out by yourself. Hehehe.

That said, I wanna thank y'all for 7k+ reads!😭😭😭😭😭 Omoo, you guys are amazing.😭😭😭😭 Despite all my stalling, you're still reading my book.😩❤️ Thank youuu. God bless you.

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See y'all when next I update.🙂🙂🙂

Love always.💕

~Ife.❤️