(015 - ...Makes you stronger)

I can't count the number of people that want to murder Tekena in the previous chapter. Trust me, there is a long line of killers for the dude.

And mehn, Sochima's fan base is just going up. As per, y'all are feeling this guy! Me sef I dey feel am. He's so Dope🔥. Don't worry, he'll be showing himself on a constant🌚.

Dawn in the Media🔥.

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𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍

(Dawn Damipe Dayo)

"So sorry I'm late," I said immediately I entered the room, calling everyone's attention to me.

After what happened in the hallway, which I don't want to remember ever again, I went to the restroom to change from my uniform to mufti... and mostly to calm myself down before coming to talk to my teammates. It took a few deep breaths and pushing the bastard to the deepest, darkest pit in my mind, never to be remembered, to get me to calm down.

And I felt better. Way better.

"A true leader should be here on time, Dawn." I scoffed to myself when I heard that, shaking my head as I dropped my bag on one of the chairs there.

I knew who had said it, but I knew the best reply for someone like her was silence. Mostly, because I was sure one of the guys would help me reply to her.

"Tomilola, she apologized." I heard Collins reply her and smiled to myself. "And it's not like you didn't come late yourself. Most of us were here before you came." He added and Tomilola snorted but didn't say anything in return.

"It's fine, Collins," I told him, looking directly at Tomilola who couldn't even meet my eyes. "I apologize once again for coming late. I have no excuse, given that I was the one who called the meeting." I stated, settling on the floor with the rest of the team.

The Dance Team has been existing way before I got into Crestview. It was the first extracurricular club I joined when I came to JSS2, joining the media team after in JSS3. Last session, I was asked to head the team by the previous team leader in the set that just graduated. It was a huge responsibility, but I knew I'd be able to wing it.

Every class had, at least, three students on the team, though the juniors only danced whenever we have performances on school's ground. The team comprised majorly of the senior students, SS1 and SS2 precisely because they have more freedom than juniors and whenever we have performances outside school, like parties, they'd be able to make it. We were just five in SS3 on the team, the remaining two - George and Lase, not available.

Collins will give them an update on the group chat later. I noted to myself.

I loved Dancing, more than anything in the world. Apart from it being very popular, it personally serves as a method of expression for me. Given that I was... and still am, a very shy person, Dance was my only method of expression just like singing is a means of expression for some people. Dance carries a whole of emotion that people can't easily comprehend.

Dance is Art.

"The reason why I called for this meeting is that we'd be having our first performance of the session Friday night," I told them and murmurs of confusion sprang up in the circle.

"This Friday?" One of the guys in SS1, Temisan asked in confusion and I nodded.

"But this is Wednesday." Another girl, Amarachi lamented, "How do we want to form a choreography in just less than two days? That's a lot of pressure." She whined and I sighed.

"I know, and I'm sorry this information is coming late. I just got the information a few minutes ago. We'd be dancing in TK's Party that is slated after the Paragon." I explained to them.

"So how do we wing it?" Collins asked me. "I suggest we start bringing song ideas so that we know what songs we are mixing and then tomorrow when everyone is on the field, we are here choreographing." He said and everyone hummed in agreement, nodding to his suggestion.

Collins has always been the one helping me lead the team. He made it very easy for me, especially when Tomilola tries to act funny. The babe in question wasn't even paying attention, tapping away on her phone like everything we were saying wasn't her business. At the end of the day, she'll want to dance lead.

"That's a very good idea, Collins. Thank you." I said, then faced the rest. "We'll agree on songs to use, then I'll go and mix them at home."

"Why do you have to be the one to mix them?" Tomilola suddenly shot at me, snapping her head up from her phone to look at me. I frowned, looking back at her with my eyebrows raised in question.

"Do you have a problem with me mixing the songs?" I asked and she didn't say anything, just stared back at me.

"I have the right equipment to do professional editing and mixing, but if you want to do it then be my guest, Tomilola," I told her calmly. When she didn't say anything back to me, I sighed and turned to look at the others.

"I'll mix the song and send it on the group chat this evening so that you can start rehearsing at home and choreographing steps. If there are any adjustments to be done, I'll get one of the media guys to help us." I said and they all nodded in understanding. Tomilola only rolled her eyes and went back to tapping away on her phone.

Tomilola Akin-fasae was known as the gossip girl of our set, or the entire senior school even. Anytime there is a rumor about someone, she is the one woman army that carried it on her head like a crown.

I can remember when the news of Hilary's brother first came out. Day after day, she was the one that kept bringing the news back to the group chat constantly, telling the story from a whole new angle every single day.

The same thing happened when the breakup rumor started. She had new stories to tell about how she had seen Hilary with one guy somewhere. She just wouldn't stop fuelling the story, adding more and more petrol to the fire.

It was the same thing she did with me too in SS2 second term.

That's why I can never like her.

I try to tolerate her at least because we were on the same team. But I'd never like her.

Girls like her are the ones who bring other girls down for self-validation. To make themselves feel relevant. To make people know that they exist.

And that 𝑠𝒉𝑖𝑡 irritates me.

The song that started playing got me out of my reveries and I looked up to see that I was still the only one seated on the floor. Everyone had gathered in a big circle, one SS2 boy, Godson, and an SS1 girl, Tina in the middle, getting ready to dance to Look Like You Afro Remix by DJ Tjaey. I got up in excitement and walked over to the circle.

"Someone should please make a video of this dance. We'll send it to the group chat and let every one that isn't here know what they missed." I called out in excitement and I got hoots of agreement as a response. Temisan quickly brought out his phone, standing a little distance from them so that he could get a clear shot of them.

The song started in full force, captivating everyone with their moves. I couldn't get my eyes off them. The hypes from the rest of the team just kept getting louder and louder, shouts of Ohs and Heys coming at intervals when they made really impressive moves.

Most of the dancers on the team were vast in different types of dance but majored in some specifics. Godson was a breakdancer like most of the guys on the team and Tina was into ballet but they could both pull off afro. Everyone on the team could dance afro. I majored in contemporary dance, but Kizito told me one day that I was a better afro pop dancer.

Soon the song ended, cheers and applause ringing out around the circle.

"That was great work, you guys!" I commended. "Seems like y'all practiced at home."

"Did you practice at home yourself?" Collins fired at me teasingly and I let out a dramatic gasp.

"Are you saying I'm slacking?" I asked him and he shrugged, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

"I'm just saying, you probably can't dance as well as you used to." He answered and I quirked my brows, folding my hands across my chest.

"Collins, you of all people should know that I'll beat you hands down in any dance challenge." I shot back and everyone made a sound of awe. Collins looked shocked for a few seconds but then he was back to his usual demeanor.

"We'll see about that." He answered, the smirk not gone from his lips. I laughed, but accepted his unsaid challenge, moving to the middle of the circle amidst the cheers and hoots of excitement coming from the others.

The same song started.

And I gave it my all, whopping Collin's ass hands down.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(Imagine this as Dawn and Collins Dancing)

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With smiles stretched at every corner of my lips, I jumped out of the car, thanking the driver, and began to bounce on my feet, making my way into the house. I stopped outside the door when I heard a lot of ruckus going on in the house. Loud noises coming from my brothers and my mum yelling at them to calm down in. Rolling my eyes, I opened the door and walked in...

Only to see a ball flying towards me.

"Jesus!" I screamed, ducking so that it would not hit me. Thankfully, it didn't. I straightened up and glared at the culprit, or rather culprits, who didn't even pay me any heed, jumping from one chair to the other, screaming on top of their voices.

I introduce to you, my youngest brother. The Twins. The Kings of Mischief - Damien and Daniel Dayo.

Mum walked out of the kitchen, briskly, hands messy with what looked like batter. It was just a matter of time before she blows up and snaps.

"Damien, Daniel... descends de la chaise!" She snapped in french. The twins understood perfectly what she was saying, but neither of them acted like she was speaking. Mum looked at both of them, clearly exhausted. I, on the other hand, tried my best not to laugh.

The Twins' world only revolved around them. They hardly pay attention to anyone, even mum... well, except they are hungry. The two of them were still in primary school, which excused their misbehavior most times. Sometimes, mum would have to spank them to get at least five minutes of peace.

"Don't waste your energy on those two," I heard my immediate younger brother, Dean's voice and looked up to see him descending the stairs and walking towards the kitchen. "They will just tire you out." He added, shrugging as he entered the kitchen fully.

"As if you are any better." Mum fired back. "You gave me even more problems when you were their age." She called after him. All this while, none of them have acknowledged that I was around.

"I'm fifteen now! I've grown up." Dean called back, his voice a little muffled like he was eating something.

"Are you stealing cookies right now!" Mum snapped, eyes widened in shock. "They are just out of the oven. They are still hot, Dean." She lamented and I heard Dean hum in response, sure that he was still stuffing his face with cookies that were still hot. I chuckled out loud, and that was when Mum finally noticed me.

"Oh Dawn, tu es là." (You are here.) She breathed, face-palming herself and letting out an exhausted sigh. "I had absolutely no idea." She added, and I laughed, shaking my head.

"You were pretty busy," I answered, scanning the rather disorganized house. The toys of the twins were littered all over the large living room. On the floor, on the chairs, on the table, everywhere. They have been back from school longer than I have been, so that gave them enough time to turn the house upside down, like always.

"These children are going to kill me one day." Mum groaned, resting her head on my shoulder. I laughed again, hugging her. "You are the only normal kid I have." She lamented and my laugh increased.

"Hey! I'm also a normal kid! That's not fair!" Dean screamed from the kitchen.

This was just another regular day in the Dayo household.

Fun with a little bit of chaos.

Mum, Debbie Dayo was an entrepreneur who majorly worked from home. She was a very popular online food vendor, known as Dee_Foodies. She knew how to cook anything and everything, from continental dishes to local dishes. Traveling around the world in her youth made her expose like that, that was why she could speak a lot of languages.

While I was growing up, she made sure to teach me everything she knew about cooking. She also thought me some of the languages she knew. French was still the easiest for me to speak and understand because Mum spoke it most times. She also bakes, explaining why her hands were covered in batter earlier... batter that was now messing up my dress because she was hugging me.

"Dean, stop eating mum's cookies," I told my brother as I walked into the kitchen behind mum. "You know she's going to sell those, right?" I slapped his hand off when they reached over to take more of the chocolate-chipped cookie. He winced, glaring at me as he rubbed the spot I hit him.

"You see why I said Dawn is the only normal kid I have," Mum said in a sing-song voice, walking over to the oven to remove the next batch of cookies. I used that opportunity to stuff one piece in my mouth. Dean gasped.

"Mum! Your normal kid is stealing cookies too." He reported, pointing over to me as I quickly chewed and swallowed the cookie. Mum looked back and scanned between the both of us. I had my hands raised in mock surrender, denying Dean's allegations.

They are not allegations if you actually did it. I smiled to myself.

"I didn't see her do anything," Mum answered with a shrug, going back to mixing the batter. I stuck my tongue out to Dean, whose mouth hung open.

"The favoritism in this house is getting out of hand," Dean muttered with a shake of his head and I smirked.

Dean was my youngest brother, also a student of Crestview, SS1 class. We didn't come back home together today because I spent more time with the dance team than I bargained for and asked him to go home without me. After clamoring severally in junior school, he finally made it on the basketball team, though he told me he was still on probation.

I was the firstborn and the only girl in the midst of all this chaos. It was a crazy thing, but also the most fun. My mum did say that on my third birthday, I wished for three brothers.

Well, God answered my prayer.

"If Dad comes back now, you won't say that." I shot back and he stuck his tongue out to me too. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the fridge, bringing out a bowl of Chocolate ice cream and two packs of Maryland cookies.

Yes, I'm going to finish all of it.

As I made my way out of the kitchen, I called out to everyone within earshot. "I'll be in my studio, nobody should disturb me o."

"Dawn," Dean called after me and I turned around to look at him, my brows raised in question.

"He's giving me a hard time." He said, and my face contorted into a frown. He didn't have to tell me who it was before I knew who.

Tekena Joshua Tamuno.

"He is giving you a hard time," I repeated, trying to confirm what he had told me and he nodded. When Dean had initially told me that he was on probation on the basketball team, I knew it was all Tekena's doing.

"During practice today, he just came in angry and punished me for absolutely no reason. If not for Senior Chima that jumped in as the captain, he probably would have beaten me too." Dean complained, the frustration in his tone very obvious. I sighed, feeling immense anger course through my veins.

I was the reason he transferred aggression on Dean. Because of what had gone down in the hallway.

Such an Asshole!

"I'll handle it," I told Dean who looked unsure. "I promise, I will handle it. Don't worry." I repeated, trying to assure him.

Even though he still looked unsure, he nodded. I ruffled his hair, even though he was pretty much taller than me, and smiled at him. He smiled back and went back to the kitchen, while I made my way up the stairs and to my studio.

My studio was an empty room in the house that my Dad converted into a two-in-one dance and recording studio for me when I officially started dancing. It was pretty big, almost as big as our screening room downstairs. It was majorly where I spent most of my day, especially when I'm not able to make it to Dance rehearsals at Coven Dance Studio.

As soon as I got in, I dropped my bag and put off my shoe before walking to the cubicle that was inside the room, which served as my recording studio. We all agreed to use Kendrick Lamar's Humble for the performance on Friday night. So, I got in and began to set everything up, opening my laptop, connected my headphones to it, and got to work.

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Someone abruptly removed the headphones from my heard and I turned around to see mum looking at me, hands akimbo.

"Mum, what-" I started but she cut me off.

"Do you know what time it is?" She asked me and I frowned, before picking my phone and checked the time. My eyes went huge.

6:30 pm!

I've been in the studio for three hours!

Mixing and editing the song didn't take anything less than 30 minutes. But I decided to watch YouTube videos for dance moves and began to rehearse with the song, being spontaneous with the moves, adding my style in between. I made a video and sent it and the mix to the dance team's group chat.

Since then, comments have been forthcoming, as well as more videos of my teammates doing their moves to the song. So, we were majorly rehearsing online - I don't know how that was possible but it was working - and that's what I've been cooked up with for two and a half hours.

I looked back to my mum, flashing her a nervous grin.

"I lost track of time, I'm sorry," I told her, apologizing. She rolled her eyes at me.

"You always lost track of time when you are in this room, Dawn." She stated in exasperation, sighing afterward. "There is a lot you are missing out in the real world because you are cooked up in this room every second of the day, it's not too good." She chided and I sighed.

"I haven't seen Hilary or Semeeha here in a very long while." She continued and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her melodramatics. "Are you guys fighting or something? Is there something I should know about or-" I quickly cut her off because she starts overthinking things.

"There is nothing mum!" I told her, gesturing for her to calm down. "Hilary is still... grieving and I'm trying to give her time. You and I know Semeeha is a very busy person, photoshoot here and there." I said, explaining to her. She sighed.

"I'm just worried about you." She said softly, "After what happened last session with that boy..."

"Mum," I stopped her from going further, not wanting to relive that moment of the nth time today. "I'm fine. I'm okay. The dance team has our first performance on Friday and that's what I'm working on." I explained to her and she sighed again.

"Besides, it's not like I'm always in here like that. I also go for Dance rehearsals occasionally." I added.

"Your dance instructor called me yesterday and told me you didn't come for the last rehearsal at the studio." Mum countered and I chuckled.

"Because I was busy with school work," I answered, but mum still looked unconvinced. Sighing, I picked her hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Nothing is wrong with me. I'm perfectly okay. You made sure of it." I told her, smiling to reassure her that I was okay and she smiled back.

I am okay.

I am determined to get rid of all the bad energy around me. I am determined to stand up for myself whenever anyone tries to put me down.

I AM Strong... and I'll always be Strong.

"I believe you," Mum said and I smiled, nodding. Trust Nigerian mothers to always be worried for absolutely nothing.

"Dunni is around sha." She suddenly said and my mouth hung open.

"Dunni is here?" I asked incredulously and Mum folded her hand, giving me a look.

"Of course," Mum answered. "She's been here for two hours now. She even came here to check up on you but she said you didn't even notice her. See what I said about you not noticing what's going on around you when you are in this place?"

"Don't tell me she is in my room right now." I drawled, hoping she'd say Dunni was in the screening room or helping her in the kitchen.

"Where else would she be?" Mum asked with a shrug.

Bloody Hell!

I picked my phone and dashed past my mum and out of the room, mum yelling after me to be careful and that she won't help me pack my used ice cream bowl and Maryland wrappers. I ignored her and raced to my room.

Hitting the door open, I came face to face to my already scattered room and groaned, throwing both my hands on my head. I know what I faced yesterday when I arranged this room after the twins turned it upside down. Now, Dunni was here with her craziness... clothes littered everywhere in the room.

Ironically, the clothes littered on the floor and the bed were all mine.

"Hey coz!" An overly chirpy voice rang out, piercing my eardrums. I folded my hand as I watched Dunni walk out of my mini walk-in closet.

Is that one of my blouse she's wearing?

"Can you come to this house and not scatter my closet for once!" I snapped, throwing my hands out in frustration. Dunni only laughed in response, going to stand in front of my large mirror to check herself out... in my blouse!

"How else will I be able to leave my mark?" She asked rhetorically, winking at me through the mirror. "I'm going to school soon and you won't be seeing me for another five months, so I want to make sure you miss me." She answered blowing me a kiss and I groaned, falling to my bed.

"Nobody in our family is normal except me," I mumbled to myself, deciding there and then that everyone in my family, nuclear and extended were not normal at all.

You shouldn't even meet my grandparents from both sides. Clowns! All of them!

"Keep quiet! I'm very much normal, thank you very much." She shot back at me, the tease in her voice very evident. Then, she began to walk towards me. "Admit that you miss me or I'll smolder you." She threatened and I scoffed.

"Why would I do that? Your house is just a few blocks away from here and you practically come here every day." I rolled my eyes. The next thing I knew, a body was descending on mine. I screamed, trying to get away from her but she landed on me before I could, trapping me beneath her.

"Jesus, Dunni! What have you been eating!" I yelled, trying to push her off me but she didn't budge. "You are so heavy! Get off me!" I screamed but she still didn't budge.

God! What kind of family members do I have?

"Tell me you missed me and I'll get off you," Dunni said, putting her entire weight on me. I groaned, still trying to push her off, but boy... she was heavy. "Admit that you missed me!" She screamed into my ears.

"Fine! Fine! I missed you so much!" I lied. "Can you please get off me now!" I pleaded desperately. The older girl laughed heartily before she finally got off me, stretching her hands to hold me up.

"That wasn't so hard now, was it?" She asked rhetorically, wiggling her well-drawn brows. I couldn't help but chuckle at my cousin's antics, pushing her away from me completely.

Dunni Gentry was my hyperactive, photography enthusiast, drop-dead gorgeous cousin from my mum's side. A cousin that lived in the same estate as me and wouldn't stop torturing my life at every chance she got.

Like now.

"You'll still arrange my clothes back sha," I told her as I pulled away from the hug. She snorted, smirking.

"That's if I don't take all these clothes home." She said like she was talking about taking cookies from the fridge, then plopped down on my bed. I looked at her incredulously, folding my hands across my chest.

"Dunni, you took almost one-quarter of my closet last time you were here. Now, you want to take another batch?!"

"Dawn!" She called me, hitting my hand repeatedly like she was calling my attention to her as if my attention wasn't already on her. Her hands were so tiny, yet so painful.

"Do you even know you have one of the best sets of outfits I've ever seen?" Now, she was hyping my dresses. She does this every time so that I can give her my clothes.

Blackmail!

What was she even calling "best outfits" sef? The only clothes I had stacked in my closet were mostly crop sweatshirts, normal sweaters and sweat pants. Some gowns, skirts, some random tops, and jeans, then sneakers and few heels for shoes.

What's so special about that?

"Like! You set the bar so high up in fashion, I kinda look up to you. So, there is absolutely no way you are slaying those clothes alone. That's why you have me to wear them." She stated matter-of-factly like she was trying to justify why she should be taking my clothes. I stared at her, wondering where they got this person from.

What is this girl?

"You are older than me, Dunni," I said and she rolled her eyes. Yes, my cousin was three good years older than me but acted like a kid most of the time.

"You should be giving me your clothes," I told her and she scoffed.

"This rag?" She gestured to the flowery chiffon jumpsuit that made her figure more prominent.

That jumpsuit was from 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔, a very popular fashion house owned by Mayowa Afolabi, a well-known fashion designer in all of Lagos. She made quality dresses, which meant clothes she made were very expensive, including Dunni's jumpsuit. That was the same jumpsuit that Dunni opened her mouth to call rag.

When you have too much money, even good clothes that make you look like a snack are rags.

"I know they look so good for me..." She was hyping herself now, which wasn't new. "But, not as good as your clothes look on me." I rolled my eyes, letting out a breath from my lips.

Dunni was sexy, a slim-thick woman. Well, the Dayo and Gentry women were blessed with beauty and curves by God himself. My Maternal grandmother always say we were descendants of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Beauty. Dunni wasn't the thickest or curviest, but her curves were defined and in all the right places. She can't pass in front of a mirror without looking at herself twice. She was beautiful, hot, and sexy all in one and she knew it.

But I'm not allowing her take any of my cloths today.

"You are not taking anything this time. I swear you must not even go close to my wardrobe." I warned her and she laughed like I had just said the funniest joke of all time.

"We'll see." She winked at me and I rolled my eyes, bit couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

"What's up though?" I asked her, knowing that Dunni would love to gist about everything and anything going on in her life. "It's been a while since we had a correct gist. How are the girls?"

Dunni had two younger sisters, Dererah and Dara, who we all call Princess. They were the girls.

"Everyone is fine. The girls are fine. And don't worry, we still have time to catch up on things." She drawled, grinning from ear to ear. "You know that I'm on break now, I'll soon be resuming my final year and I can't wait to do my final year project." She chirped in excitement and I looked at her skeptically.

"I've never seen anyone excited to do school work like you," I said and she chuckled.

"It's not about the school work. It's about the friends I'd make during the time of the project." She clarified and I nodded, listening with rapt attention.

"You know at Coven, the final year project includes every final year student in all departments except the Law department. So, imagine different people coming together because of one project. It would be fun!" She chirped on, bouncing on the bed and I laughed, her positive energy so contagious.

Dunni was a 300 level photography student at Coven School Of Art, a renowned University for Arts in all of Africa. By Arts, I don't mean only educational Art courses like Law, History, English or linguistics. I mean Photography, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, Painting and decoration, Dancing, Music, Creative Arts, communication and language arts.

It was my dream University. That's why I was working my ass off to be the best dancer I know. Coven was a big deal in Lagos, having a lot of business set up in different sectors of the state. It was pretty much a shocker that I don't attend their high school because I stay in Coven Estate. Dererah and Princess attended the high school and were on the cheerleading squad - dancers like me.

And with the way Dunni keeps gushing about the Uni, it only made me want to go there even more.

Dunni and I went on to gist about the Coven Fireworks festival coming up in late January next year. It was an event hosted in Coven Castle every new year, where all the Coven investments; primary and high school, University, Estate - would come together to celebrate the new year. It was a very big event that made it on every social media platform and every blog's front page.

Every Coven Tradition was a big deal.

Like a whiplash, I suddenly remembered something I've been wanting to ask her but keeps skipping my mind

"Hey!" I called her attention as soon as she was done talking about Coven. "I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now, but it has been skipping my mind," I told her and she nodded, picking up her phone and using the screen as a mirror to check her glossed lips. I tried not to act surprised about that.

"Shoot," She said, her eyes still on her phone, her fingertips cleaning off the tiny smudge of lipgloss outside her lip line.

"Is there someone else now?" I asked and she chuckled, shaking her head.

"There is no one else, Dawn." She answered, still not looking at anything else but her reflection.

"So you are still hung up over Dave," I stated, watching to see her reaction.

Dunni's eyes shot up from her phone, every trace of excitement and radiance gone from her features. She held my gaze for a moment before going back to stare at her reflection on her phone screen.

"I'm not hung up over Dave." She answered, her tone nonchalant, even though I knew better than that. If there was anything Dunni was bad at doing, it was hiding her emotions. But I didn't push the topic any further.

Dave was Dunni's ex. I don't know what happened, why they broke up because Dunni wouldn't tell me. But it was pretty messy.

Before I could bring up a discussion to dissipate the tension and awkwardness in the air, I heard the sharp screaming of the twins and stood up abruptly. It wasn't because they screamed, but why they had screamed.

"Daddy!"

I heard them again and that was all it took for me to grab my phone and dash out of my room, racing down the stairs with Dunni hot on my tail.

"Daddy!" I screamed, literally skipping five steps at a time just to get down in a hurry. He was carrying Damien but when he saw me, Dad quickly dropped him because he knew I would lung at him.

And I didn't disappoint.

I jumped and threw myself on Dad's hefty body, my legs wrapping around his waist and my hands wrapping around his neck. He laughed heartily, trying to steady me so I won't tip the both of us over.

"Damipe, what have you been eating?!" He said between laughter. I leaned back to have a better look at him and scrunched my face up in a frown.

"Dad. You are seeing me for the first time in almost a week and that's the first question you are asking me." I queried, dropping from him.

"In my defense, we face time every day. So, this is not the first time I'm seeing you." He defended with his hands raised in mock surrender. I let out a dramatic gasp, pressing my hand to my chest.

"I'm hurt." I faked a tear and he laughed, pulling me in for a bear hug.

"My baby girl." He cooed softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

"I'm your firstborn." I reminded him and he laughed again.

"Still my baby." He said and I chuckled, burying my face in his hard tummy.

"Well, your original baby girl is still waiting for her hug." Mum's voice came as she walked out of the kitchen, a radiant smile tugged at every corner of her lips. I looked as Dad pulled away from me, a smile of his own still playing on his lips as he walked across all of us to go and meet her.

"Hey..." He muttered, his voice barely audible as he took both of her hands in his.

"You are late." Mum chided, though the teasing tone behind her voice was very obvious.

"I know, I'm sorry. My flight got delayed." He apologized, his voice still very low. Mum nodded in understanding and Dad pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead before hanging his head low to kiss her on the lips.

Right in front of all of us.

My parents and PDA!

"Ew!" Dean guffawed, imitating an expression like he wanted to throw up and I chuckled looking back at my parents that wouldn't stop kissing like their children weren't watching.

My Dad, Deolu Chris Dayo was a businessman, mostly traveling for one business meeting or the other on the weekdays. But when he was around, he made it all worth it. My Dad was who you'd call a family man. Even with his busy schedule, he'd call us, face time with all of us, check up on us every single day that he isn't around.

He made it seem like he wasn't even gone at all.

In the past, I used to wonder how my mum was coping with Dad's absence, if she didn't feel lonely. But then, I realized that Dad made time for her as well, personal time. Just the both of them. Even when it wasn't a personal time, like times that included the whole family, he made it up to her with simple gestures like this.

It made me calm... and happy.

My family wasn't the perfect family, but we made it work so well. My parents was setting a standard that I knew I was going to follow.

I don't want anything less. Only more.

Soon, after all the pleasantries and Dad finally noticing Dunni when he was done with his wife, we began to set the table for dinner. Daddy had gone to freshen up and Dunni took the twins to change out of their already dirty cloth, leaving Dean and me to help mum set the table.

Dinner time in the Dayo Household was always something to look forward to, especially when Dad was around. Apart from Mum's exquisite dishes, It was a fun time, the one time in a day the entire family got together. I can never outgrow something like this. It was a legacy I'd like to pass over to my children.

After Dad said the prayers, Mum began to dish out the food on the plate and I helped her. Soon, everyone was served and we began to dig in, Dad gisting us about the trip he just got back from. It was a trip to South Africa and everyone listened to rapt attention as Dad spoke animatedly, exaggerating a business story for the twins to see it as fun. Even fifteen years old Dean was paying close attention.

And Dunni too.

I stand corrected. My family is not normal.

My phone vibrated beside me like someone sent a message. I picked it up and opened my WhatsApp. There were several messages from the Dance group chat, the class group chat, and the prefects' group chat, which was normal. I was about to drop the phone when a message came in from an unknown number. Frowning, I opened it.

+𝟐𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟏...𝟔𝟕𝟗𝟗
𝑯𝒊...

I was about to reply to the message, to ask who it was when another message dropped in at that moment.

A message that made my heart skip a thousand beats.

+𝟐𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟏...𝟔𝟕𝟗𝟗
𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒂.

𝐀/𝐍

He told her that he wouldn't give up, and he didn't 🤣.

Sochima is a pretty determined dude. Once he puts his mind on something, he follows through to the end. Maybe that's why he is a genius. Right now, his mind is on Dawn, meaning, He is definitely into her😫❤️.

I'm definitely onboard the #Dachima Ship. Are you? 🌚🤭.

This chapter was mainly to introduce you to Dawn's life and for you to get to meet the rest of the Dayo Family. They are a delight! Dawn is actually the only normal person in that Family, On G🤣.

P. S. Who loves Dunni?

FYI, She's not my character. I didn't create her 🌚. She's a character in Rihanna_Adedeji 's next book "BIRDS WITH BROKEN WINGS". That's where you'll fully meet her and get to know her. Trust me, You are in for a lot of gbas gbos! You know Riri doesn't disappoint.

I'll see you guys when I see you, hopefully this weekend ❤️.