We are all together in this, we are all together in this single living ecosystem called planet earth.” – Sylvia Earle

Dedicated to IfeoluwaJoan

                                   •BOLU•

I met Joy on the way to my class. She was holding my backpack. She asked me where I was and I told her I was called to Mr. Noah's office.  I left out the part of meeting Ore there and of us almost kissing. . . again.

We then walked to the cafe together after she told me how much she loved the way I spoke.

My friends were all gathered 'round a table-for-seven.

"Boluwaji Jayeola!" Nina squealed once she saw me. She hopped from her seat beside Ayo and squeezed me in her usual hugs. This time. . . I died. Mentally.

She legit squeezed my life out of me.

She went all; "Oh, my God! I'm so proud, like a proud mother hen, when you spoke, I was like; 'heck yeah, that's my babe! My bestie!' I'm so proud girl, I knew you could do it!"  Then squeezed me again.

I kept smiling as she and Joy walked me to our table, Nina's arm tucked in mine.

"You were amazing out there, babes!" Ninuola said, looking up from her phone.

"Thanks Ninu," I said, taking a seat between her and Nina. Ayo was seated beside Nina on her left. She placed his arm around her.

Joy left a seat between her and Ninu, probably for Jeremy who wasn't here yet. Fred and MJ also hyped me, MJ yelling and getting attention of all the people in here which made the owners to come and warn us or we'd have to leave.

MJ didn't bother listening. He kept yelling and cussing at every interval and at any chance he could. The worse part? Fred joined him.

Ayo just simply bumped his fist with mine and smiled. Simple guy. I didn't understand why MJ and Fred could not just do that.

Not long after, the cafe door opened and Jeremy walked in. Ore followed with Chidera, who had her arm tucked in his with Ashley trailing quietly behind them.

Wow! More company.

Nina probably invited Chidera and Ashley. . . Ore picked them up on the way. No, scratch that. Chidera made herself come with him and since Ashley always followed Chidera around, she had to come too.

"Hey, guys!" Chidera chirped and waved cheerfully once she got to our table. We all mumbled greetings and then she said, ""It's so great that we get to hang out together!"

"How's my baby doing?" Jeremy said and went to sit beside Joy, wrapping his arms around her like she would be stolen from him any minute. "Did you miss me?"

"Miss who? I'd rather eat termites!" Although it sounded real serious, Joy was seriously blushing when she said that.

Jeremy just pulled  her closer the more. "Yeah, yeah. I Sha missed you. My baby."

"Wahala oh!" Fred yelled. "Wahala don go wear wedding gown, e come be like person wey dey find spouse."

All of us just looked at him and started laughing because what he said made no iota of sense. Ore exchanged greetings with everyone. Ashley nodded at us and we either waved or nodded back at her except MJ who shook her hand vigorously and it made her giggle.

It was weird but that was like the first time I ever heard Ashley giggle so I stared at her. Her face turned expressionless once more when she noticed I was staring. I looked away.

"Yunno, we should have just gone to Tammie's place, there's enough seats, they even have a table for fifteen," Chidera said, her arm still tucked into Ore's. "Maybe we should just. . ."

"You weren't forced to come here, you know. You could have gone to Tammie's all by yourself. You insisted that Ore take you here, didn't you?" Ashley said to Chidera, her face still stoic.

Whoa.

Childera's eyes went wide. Her mouth hung agape as she tried to say something but couldn't. Everyone was shocked too. I'd never heard Ashley speak like this to Chidera before. The other day in the basketball court on the bleachers, I'd thought I heard wrong and maybe she was whispering to herself about the book she was reading. Now I know that, that day, Ashley had really told Chidera to shut up.

"When are we getting the food?" Ayo whined from beside Nina, causing her to giggle and also making everyone forget what just happened.

"Nawa oh, Ayo you like food oh," Ninuola said.

"Like seriously," Joy added.

"Man's gotta eat," Ayo said and wiggled his brows making him look a lot like Ore.

"Abi oh, na talk all these babes just dey talk since," MJ said. "Men are hungry."

"Yen yen yen, no be you dey yell like goat pikin since?" Ninuola asked, looking up from her phone at MJ.

Ore pulled out a seat for Chidera which she kissed him for - I rolled my eyes - then took a seat directly opposite me. My palms started sweating.

"That's not a goat yelling, it's a man yelling," MJ replied smugly.

"And like that, you think you have sense?" Ninu asked.

MJ grinned at her. She rolled her eyes and went back to her phone. I chuckled at their bickering.

Ayo complained about being hungry again.

"Okay fine, fine. We're getting food now. I'll call the waiteress," Nina said smiling and shaking her head at her boyfriend.

The waiteress came to our table after  Nina called her. Then we ordered our food.  While we waited for our food, we fell into conversations. Chidera yammered about fashion and shopping to Ore who was trying so much to show interest but still failed. He hadn't exactly glanced at me since he got here and it kinda hurt but I guess it was good that way.

Ashley was very quiet and picking at her nails. Ninuola - though she was on her phone - would occasionally glance at Joy and Jeremy.

We seriously needed to talk about this. I nudged Nina with my elbow. She smiled and turned to look at me. "Yeah, b?"

I nudged Ninuola, she looked up from her phone. "Hmmmm?"

"The three of us have something we gotta talk about. I think we've evaded it enough, " I said.

"Eh- ehn, what's that?" Nina asked, her attention all on me.

"Yeah, what's that?" Ninuola asked.

"It's about you, Ninu."

"Me?" She asked. "What happened to me?"

I looked at Nina, at Joy and Jeremy, at Ninu, then back at Nina. Her eyes widened and she smiled, nodding her head like she understood.

"Ohhh, I know what you're getting at, Bolu. In fact, I noticed it too but I don't think we should talk about it here. " She  smiled and shook her head. "Maybe when we have a girls night together or something, we can talk about it. . . "

"Talk about what exactly?" Ninu asked, looking confused.

"Don't worry, you'll find out soon," Nina said.

"Find out about what?"

"Relax girl, we'll talk about it," I said and grinned at her.

She eyed us both suspiciously before shrugging and going back to her phone.

"Omo, this food is taking long oh," I said out loud when my stomach rumbled and I remembered I was actually hungry. Funny how I hadn't thought about food because someone else occupied most of my thoughts.

"And she's back! She finally remembered food, the love of her her life," Nina said then turned to Ayo. "Ayo, see your food twinnie."

Ayo grinned and looked at me. Stretching out an arm, he said, "Nice to meet you, my name's Ayo."

Nina burst out laughing and so did I. "You're a goat, Ayo."

"Finally, someone else discovers you're a goat," MJ said, leaning forward on the table and smiling smugly. "At long last. Your secret has been exposed."

"Shut up, guy!"

"Never."

"As usual." Ayo rolled his eyes.

"Keep it down boys, they will tell us to get out of here if you don't," Nina said, holding on to Ayo's arm. She was grinning. Everyone's attention was focused on Ayo and MJ.

When Ayo realised that he was the center of attention,  he blushed and sank back in his seat, massaging his neck.

The food arrived and that made everybody look away from them. I guess they were all just surprised that Ayo could actually speak up and make jokes. I was surprised too. I got surprised each time he opened his mouth to talk because he could be so quiet sometimes that you'd actually forget he was there. Maybe he just decided to stop being so shy or Nina was really rubbing off on him.

It seemed more like the latter though because Nina had that effect on people, on anyone she met. I mean, she rubbed off on me too. That's one thing about my best friend that I really loved: anywhere she went, she always tried to fill that place with positive energy.

Two waiteresses served our food. One was the same lady that came before and the other was much younger, not much older than us, I could tell from the way she looked. She was dark, very dark in complexion - I began to wonder if  she was really Nigerian or a Ghanian - was a little on the short side, and was chubby. She had a pretty face too.

As she served our food, she nearly spilled some on Ninuola Adams because she screamed. It startled the whole cafe.

"Oh my freaking days!" She said. "You're Ninuola Adams, aren't you?" Ninu was still startled but she smiled and nodded at the girl who had her hands on her cheeks which looked like they would burst, out of excitement real soon. Then she turned to Ore and screamed but this time, it wasn't as loud. "You're zeem official, uh. . . Ore Jumai?" Ore grinned at her and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Oh my God, I'm gonna pass out," she held face dramatically. "I can't believe I'm seeing so many celebs today!"

Jeremy snickered when the girl mentioned Ore's name as a celeb and Ore gave him the middle finger. That was like the first time he'd reacted to Jeremy since he got here. He had been so mute. He kept zoning in and out. And again, he hadn't even looked my way.

"Maimunah! Will you keep it down!" The older waitress whisper-shouted at the girl.

"I'm sorry ma, but please can I take pics with them or at least get their autographs?"

"No! Get back to work!" The older waitress replied sternly. "In fact, you're dismissed off this table, serve the one at the other end." She gestured to a table-for-two are the far end of the restaurant which had only one occupant.

"Pretty please with cherry on top?" Maimunah pouted and batted her lashes at the lady. Honestly, she looked so cute, I wouldn't have the heart to refuse her.

Turns out the older lady didn't have the heart to refuse her too because her stern demanour broke and she said, "Fine." She sighed. "But don't waste any time with them. You don't want to get in trouble with the boss." She turned to us. "Enjoy your meal." Then she left.

Maimunah went crazy, taking selfies. It got to a point that she included everyone on the table in it saying that friends of celebs were celebs too and also because Chidera kept mentioning that she was his girlfriend.

Ashley rolled her eyes each time she mentioned that and it made me wonder what was going on in her mind. I didn't care about what was happening at the table, I started eating my food.

Me I cannot comman die. I didn't kuku send anybody.

As I ate, I felt someone's gaze on me. When I looked up, it was Ore and he quickly looked away. My cheeks were burning and this weird feeling took over my body when I went back to my food. He finally looked at me. As weird as it may sound, it made me happy. At least he wasn't ignoring me like I was, which I wasn't exactly doing.

Confused?

I am too!

I don't even know what I'm saying.

Maimunah wouldn't stop until the older lady called her name. She quickly tucked her phone in her pocket, gave Ore a kiss on his cheek - I was stunned and yeah, I'll admit, a little jealous. Chidera didn't look like she cared because she was still smiling and her arm was tucked in Ore's - and hugged Ninuola.

Such boldness.

One that I'd love to have someday.

One that I already had.

She finally left and everyone went back to their food.

"That girl's pretty," Ninu said. "She'd make a good model. Maybe my manger would take her if I recommend her."

"Really?" Chidera asked. "You'd recommend a fat girl?"

Ninu dropped her fork and glared at Chidera. "Come again?"

I kept eating my food

"I asked if you'd recommend a fat girl," Chidera replied.

"Wow," Ninu chuckled humorlessly. "I'd tongue lash you right now but your boyfriend is here and I respect him - don't feel yourself too much Ore - that's why I won't. But let me make this clear. There is NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING WRONG with having fat models! Nothing wrong. Aren't they humans too?"

I ate another potatoe chip.

"Yeah, they are. . .I just thought__"

"Don't 'thought' any freaking thing. Use your brain. Your stereotype is stupid." Ninu glared harder. This was the second time I'd seen Ninu like this. The first time was in Ashley's house - the Tammy and Kiki Legend. The legend of them being savaged by Ninu.

Lmaooo.

"Girls, girls please. . . It's okay," Nina said. "We don't wanna choke on our food now, do we?"

"Abi oh, I was just saying my own, I don't know why she's taking it so seriously," Chidera said with a look on her face. I wanted to laugh at how funny she looked right now. "Mtchewww."

Ninu glared and her once more before she sighed and said, "you're lucky Nina's here."

The boys just stared and Fred was smiling like he'd seen that happen a million times.

After that, nobody really talked again, except occasional whispers from the couple's on the table - Joy kept giggling. I finished my food first and started pressing my phone, trying to ignore the fact that someone was staring at me. I knew it was Ore. He was staring at me and my cheeks turned hot.

He was able to keep staring at me without his girlfriend knowing.

He was able to do this because he was a pro at flirting. I guess y'all know that by now.

I couldn't take it anymore so I looked up and we locked eyes. My heart did backflips multiple times in just one second. He smirked a little and I think I smiled back?

After a while, I looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up more. I felt another fixed gaze on me and I saw Ayo staring too. His looked like he knew what was going on between Ore and I because he kept looking back and forth between us before smiling.

Wawu!

Welcome to the Staring Games 101!

Hope you're entertained?

He smiled and looked at Ore and it was like they did some kind of bro code communication that I would never understand.

Nobody else noticed our exchange on the table - whatever that was.

"Bolu, have you. . ." Nina started saying before her gaze shifted and she tensed all of a sudden. I followed her gaze but didn't find what she was looking at.

My brows furrowed in confusion and I had to tap her more than once before she blinked and said, "Huh?"

"What were you gonna ask me?" I gave her a look.

"Um. . .uh, yeah, never mind that, I need to use the toilet."

Ayo leaned towards her with a raised brow. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I am. I just need to use the toilet, that's all." She kissed his cheek and stood up. "I'll be right back."

I shrugged and went back to my phone. I didn't realize how long she'd stayed in the toilet until Ayo tapped me.

"Would you get Nina? She's stayed too long in there. It's more than ten minutes now." He sounded worried.

"Wow! Ten minutes? Okay, I'll get her." I made to stand up but we saw Nina coming already. "Oh, there she is."

She was smiling.

"Sorry, guys," she said as she got to us.

"Mehn, you took so long, I was coming to get you," I said.

"Yeah, are you sure you're fine?" Ayo asked and stared directly into her eyes.

"Of course, I'm fine. Relax boo." She placed her head on his shoulder.

"Okay then." I went back to my phone.

Not long after, Nina's phone beeped and the way she jereked her head away from Ayo's shoulder startled me. She was holding her phone and frowning at it.

"Babe," Ayo said. "Is anything wrong?"

She smiled sweetly at him, like she didn't just frown. "Nah, it's fine but oh, look at the time, it's really late. I need to go now."

"You're leaving?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's almost six thirty. I gotta go now. . . I'll call you both later," Nina replied. "I'll pay for our food before I do though. . ."

"Nah, leave that to me. I'll pay," Ore said. That's when I knew he was actually listening on our conversation. In fact, everyone was.

"It was my treat," Nina said. "I'll pay."

"Awww, my boyfriend is so nice," Chidera cooed at Ore and held him closer.

I rolled my eyes mentally. Ashley rolled her eyes for real. Again, I wondered what was going on in her mind.

"I'm paying, Nina. Don't sweat it. You go where you have to," Ore said.

For some reason, I expected this to affect Ayo but it didn't. Instead, he was focused on his girlfriend, staring at Nina Intently, like he was trying to figure something out.

"Okay. . . thanks," Nina said. "I really have to go." She turned to Ayo.

"Let me see you off. . ."

"No, no, no, no, no. . .no need." Nina rushed out.

"No need?" He asked, his voice sounding hurt.

"Yeah, I don't want. . .I mean um. . . I'll call you, okay?" She gave him an assuring look before she kissed him.

She hugged Ninu, Joy, me and Ore before she left, promising to call us later.

Ayo looked upset and he was quiet for the rest of the time we spent there.

I guess he found it weird that she would leave just like that. I didn't find it weird and I shrugged off my worries because Nina was always fine.

Well. . . again, at that time, I should have actually found it weird.

Hey!

How are you?

Again, I apologise for the late update. It's just I don't like to write when I lose the vibe to. You get?

Another chapter. . . finally!

What'd y'all think?

Share your thoughts by commenting 😁😁

So. . . I just published a new book, well it's more like a channel. . .XD and I'd like y'all to please add it to your library.🙂 It's for interviews  with wattpad Writers and wattpad book Reviews/recommendations. Some of you have already seen it and even voted on the book. I really appreciate that.❤️❤️❤️

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So. . .back to this chapter, what do you think is up with Ashley?

And do you think Ninuola's right for saying what she said to Chidera about fat people?

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