"This breath, and this moment, and this life is a gift and we are all in this together. We all have countless choices every day to close down or stand up straight and open up, and take a big breath and say yes to the gift.” – Rob Bell

Dedicated to _naa_mah

•BOLU•

Two days after Christmas, I found myself walking reluctantly to Wonder Park after my sister dropped me off.

The weather was cold even though the sun was shining. I wrapped myself in my hoodie as I tried to locate the spot my group members had chosen to discuss the project.

Couldn't it wait until after the New Year?

Of course not, 'cause apparently, our research sister - Gift Eniola - said we needed to meet up. Gave so many lame reasons as to why we had to: it would make us fast, we'd be the best...plus;

*coughs* she gets to see Ore Jumai again *coughs*

Okay that last part was added by me.

But seriously, would you wanna come out for school work after church on Sunday? Would you?

I kept walking. The grass was not littered, the cement and wooden chairs all arranged and neat. The trees danced to the rhythm of the wind. The air smelled clean even though it was cold and kinda hurt my nose. Silence filled the environment and it was really unusual for a park but I guess people didn't really show up on Sundays.

After two or three minutes, I found the spot where all my group members were. Apparently, I was the last to arrive, even Ore beat me to come this time.

They'd gathered in one of the few shady areas in the park. The seats were made of cement and a tree was in its middle. A cement pavement was also built around the tree to serve as a table.

Everyone turned to look at me as I arrived. We greeted and smiled and all then as I locked eyes with Ore, the words he'd told me the other day came back to me.

"It's all in your head."

Still hadn't figured what to do with that advice.

"Hey, mama." His eyes had this light that made me smile.

"Hey," I replied. I was about to sit somewhere else but he pulled me beside him.

"Seat mates stick together," he said, holding on to my hand and winked at me.

I smiled. "Okay..."

Nonso cleared his throat. "So...since um...Bolu has come, can we start?"

"Sure." Ore nodded at him then turned to Gift. "So, tell us what you got, research lady." He winked at her.

Flirt oshi

Gift blushed and removed the fringe covering her eye, adjusted her jacket and cleared her throat. "Okay, um...I was the one who called you guys here today because we need to know what and what we'd do and who'd do what, you grab?"

We all nodded in sync.

I released my hand from Ore's hold gently.

It made me uncomfortable and left tingling effects...that I would not like to accentuate on.

"So, I figured we'd split the things we had to do among ourselves today, like; who'd wear the costume, who'd handle the tech stuff, who'd show the proof for every theory and stuffs and who'd be the speaker..." Gift continued.

We nodded again.

"So, any volunteers? At least, before the group leader decides who he wants and whatever sha..." She finished.

"I'll handle the tech stuff," Alvin said. "Me and Nonso should be able to handle that." He nodded at Nonso.

Nonso looked displeased but said, "that should be okay."

I nodded. All I've been doing since I got here.

"I'll be good in the costume, demonstrate whatever. I'm a good actress," Ini suggested.

Gift nodded. "Good that you guys volunteered...so I was thinking I would do the talking__"

"Bolu can handle it," Ore said and I jumped, almost fell off my seat.

"Ehn?" That was me.

"What?" That was Gift.

"What?" And that was Ini.

Alvin and Nonso looked up and had shocked facial expressions.

Ore shook his head and laughed. "I said, Bolu will talk for us." He took my hand gently. "Won't you, Bolu?" He locked eyes with me and my face felt hot. My hands felt sweaty, in fact, my whole body felt sweaty like the weather suddenly became hot.

"Uh..." Why was Ore embarrassing me like this?

A little bit of anger exploded in my chest. What was he trying to do?

"Bolu, really?" Gift asked, her brows knitted together. "Can she..."

"She can!" Ore said firmly.

"But... I've never seen or heard her speak before, like public speaking, can she handle it?" Ini asked and gave me a look of serious disapproval like that of a mother who didn't like a particular girl for her son.

"I said she can and she would!" He said with a tone of finality. "Last time I checked, I am the leader of this group, I mean, y'all made me so I think my decision should be final, right?"

He wasn't harsh but the way he said it, I knew he was serious. I see the reason they made him head boy and that's one thing I actually admire about him - he had that ability to be in control, even though he was flexible.

But wait...Did Ore know exactly what he was getting us into? Me? Speak? You might as well throw me off a cliff. Apart from the fact, that I sucked at Physics, speaking in public wasn't just my thing.

Me that I planned to be a background group member, as in, push the group and hype them up from behind so that we can get our scores, then gerrout!

Everyone nodded even though they still looked doubtful. They didn't believe in me. How could I ever do what I was asked if they didn't even trust me?

"But he believes in you."

A voice said.

"No, he does not! He wants to embarrass you!"

Another said.

They kept going back and forth like devil and angel in Tom and Jerry.

Shut up! I told them.

They shut up.

This time, it wasn't just one Negative voice in my head anymore. They were two - one soft and tender hopeful voice then the aggressive and haughty negative voice. And I wasn't sure if it was a good thing. Geez. Again, God, I need help.

Gift exhaled. "That means... I'll handle the report writing part and Ore will handle the theory proving." She glanced at Ore who nodded in approval. "Great. Then I guess we are done here." She looked at me. "Bolu, please make sure you read up, we can't afford to lose marks."

"Yeah, the whole group is counting on you, babe," Ini said. "You got this, right?"

Got kini?

All eyes were on me. I almost decided to run away because of the intense stares I got from my group members. Their eyes burned through mine, I was almost seeing blurry images. I shook my head and looked at Ore. His eyes were different from the rest. They held this softness and genuine faith in me.

On top of that, he gave my hand a squeeze, making me remember that he was still holding it. I looked at our hands intertwined and then back at the other faces waiting for my answer.

That alone melted any burning anger I had towards him.

I nodded. "I got this."

They didn't look convinced but they nodded anyway.

I wasn't sure of my answer or of myself but one thing I was sure of...

I don't got it.

I do got anyhing at all.

Heyyo!

Happy Sunday!

How are y'all???

Miss me???

Yeah, I missed you too!

So, how'd you see this chapter??

Yeah, yeah I know it's kinda short and I wanted to write more, something in Ayo's P.O.V but I figured that Ayo is a very delicate character and that I had to settle down to write in his own perspective.

So please guys, bear with me. I'll update soon.

Anywho, what do you think is gonna happen?

Will Bolu be able to face her fears and shut those voices?

And what's up with Nina?

Any suspicions??

Vote. Comment. Share. Repeat!

Love ya❤️

~Ife.