ZARA

We hadn't seen him, I hadn't seen him. He just left. And for some unknown reason I felt down, I felt guilty and useless. I never got the chance to at least talk to him or tell him that I'd miss him. I never had the chance to tell him that I was not happy he was leaving. I hadn't even cried like everyone. Worse was that we hadn't spoken. He must have thought the worst of me. Ene stood by the corridor, beside me. Her hands rubbing nervously on her skirt. She was scared and so was I. Jerome had told her he wanted to tell her something concerning Toby. I had no idea what it was, but I was scared too.

"He's coming." Ene murmured.

I looked towards where her eyes was fixed. Jerome sauntered towards her direction, his hair had grown out and his head was no longer the spot light. He offered a smile to Ene as he approached us and a nod to me.

"What did Toby tell you?" Ene attacked immediately.

"He didn't tell me anything per say, I only over heard his dad saying he'd leave this school if they weren't called back in two weeks."

Ene hit her thigh angrily. "I knew uncle Kiisha would suggest such a thing!"

I stared at her. At least she still got a chance to see him. I wonder why she was so, so angry and sad - I didn't know how to explain that perhaps she was reacting too much.

Jerome sighed. "And only God knows when this indefinite suspension would end. They could call them back after a month or so."

Ene shook her head. "That's too much."

"It's still indefinite. Anything can happen." I blurted.

Ene sighed. "I just pray this doesn't happen. I don't know.. It's just so sad."

We stood there in silence, watching people walk past the corridor. The SS3 block was dry for the most part. It had only been twenty six hours since the nineteen boys left and everything was so dull. Couples weren't talking at the school clinic area after night food and before night prep. It was as though all the boys in relationships were dragged home. Everything was different. I don't know how long we stood there, but I was only pulled out of my reverie upon seeing Kelvin walk up to Ene.

"Hey," he waved at me.

"Hey." I nodded.

He exchanged pleasantries with Jerome before he launched into his talk with Ene. "I'm sorry about your cousin."

"Yeah. Thank you."

"I heard you've been balling your eyes out since..."

I tuned out of their conversation soon enough. Nothing interesting came out of it. My hands subconsciously grazed the Rolex on my left wrist. I stared down at it's glittering stones. I hadn't told him goodbye! I wondered why it really made me feel guilty.

"You miss him."

I creased my brows upon hearing his voice and understanding his statement. "I guess so."

"You like him."

"I like everybody."

"You have feelings for him."

I groaned loudly. What was with the statements. He wasn't even asking questions, he was simply stating out thoughts as though they were obvious and then waiting for me to affirm his suspicions. "What is this now. Twenty questions?"

"I'm just saying." He stated calmly, slipping both his hands into the pocket of his trousers. " everyone knows he's been trying to woo you since the beginning of the term. And everyone knows you guys act like an item yet you haven't confirmed if you like him. We aren't sure if you do."

I laughed humorlessly. We aren't if you do. We? What was he trying to say. That I was leading Toby on? She didn't understand why all of a sudden he was interested in my relationship with Toby. I also didn't underground why he was acting so cold. The last time we spoke, he seemed nice.

"We? Oh so you all have meetings at intervals and deliberate my matter."

He snorted. "I asked a simply question."

"You were stating things. That's not how to ask a question. It seemed you already had your answers."

"Whether or not I was stating or asking questions, you know my aim was for you to confirm it. What I don't understand is why you're getting angry." He turned to me, his eyes locked with mine.

I clenched my jaws and glared at him.

"I never said anything offensive. Why are you offended?" He queried.

I opened my mouth to respond to his question However, I was short of words. Why was I angry. All he required was an answer. Had he said anything offensive? I breathed in sharply.

"I -"

"Babe!" A hand slung rapidly over my shoulders. I sighed lowly in relief. The familiar smell of Olay body cream filled my nostrils as Jacqueline smiled down at me.

"J.J." I laughed.

She let to of me and stood in front of Jerome and I. "Jerome, how far?"

He shrugged, his eyes locking with mine. "Never been better."

I glanced towards Ene and Kelvin who were now talking animatedly. Ene laughed lowly at something he said before responding easily.

"Does he like her?" Jacq whispered into my ear. "I remember him bugging her in D.H some time ago, I haven't seen them together since."

I shrugged, dragging my gaze away from them. "Me too oh. He just came around today. You think he likes her?"

"Maybe. Boys can be weird sha."

"Of course he does." Jerome cut in. "Don't you girls ever know when someone likes you?"

"Not all the time. You guys send too many mixed signals."

Jerome's lips parted. "And you girls don't? Y'all are the bosses when it comes to giving mixed signals. Guys are always straight forward. They approach you, they give gestures and some even tell you. But girls it's either you form for like two months, play hard to get first before you admit it. Thank God me I cannot be waiting for two months before you form finish. If you don't tell me how you feel within two weeks las, forget I asked you. My own would have faded."

While Jacqueline laughed openly, I concealed mine in snorts. "Seriously? What if she really didn't like you."

Jerome smirked. "Once she says I'll think about it.... Or she avoids the question and doesn't still tell you to 'fuck off' my guy there is hope."

I heard the bell ring while Jacqueline asked him something. It was break but still, I was interested in this discussion.

"And how are girls to be sure that the feelings are genuine?" I spoke again

Jerome stared at me smiling. "Some times it isn't always genuine and some times, some people act so well you might not tell but... You can take the risk if you really like the person."

I smiled too. My lips parted slightly as our eyes never moved from each others. Some how, I found his regular dark brown eyes alluring. His smile didn't die, he kept on staring at me intently. His next words however, broke something inside of me. "Jacqueline did you see that? That's how love struck people look."

I blinked rapidly as he and Jacqueline burst into laughter. I stared at them in confusion until I realized I was the joke. "Hey!"

"Ene bye bye." She didn't even hear me. She was busy laughing with Kelvin.

I huffed and dragged Jacqueline with me upon storming out on Jerome. He guffawed as I stomped down the corridor and towards the tuck shop with a laughing Jacqueline.

"Can you stop laughing?"

"It's so funny!" She guffawed, her fair face turning Scarlett.

"It's not. I was the joke." I crossed my arms beneath my bosom.

"He was just joking."

"Exactly my point. He had to use me."

"You know how Jerome is.. He plays too much." Jacqueline jagged me, still smiling.

I shook my head. "That's the thing. I don't know him like you do. What he did there was annoying.. Come on.."

Jacqueline raised a brow. "Ok.. Tell me why you're annoyed. I asked him to show me how he looks when he likes someone and he did. He was just giving an example. Besides why are you annoyed since you obviously know he flirts with almost all the girls and he has never flirted with you. I mean you knew it was an act right?"

I groaned. "I didn't know you guys would laugh like that."

Jacqueline let a small smile grace her lips. "Babe... Do you.. Like him?"

I scrunched my face in confusion. "I say that asshole just made me feel stupid.. Ya asking if I like him. I don't."

"Babe -"

"I'm serious ohh.. Jacquelin. I don't."

She laughed lightly. "Ok oh.. Cause it'd be very bad if you like him and you've been stringing Toby along."

What?!

"I'll buy Pineapple over there." I said hurriedly and walked past her. I didn't want her knowing her words kind of hit me. Shaking all Toby related matter off, I headed to the Lady who sold fruits, after buying pineapple, I turned to look for Jacqueline. I stepped on a banana peel and slipped in an unattractive manner: my hands flying in the air and my legs hustling to find balance. I groaned as my butt hit the sandy floor forcefully.

Mortification took the better part of her. She lay still for few seconds before she attempted to get up.

"Hmm.. One minute I look away and the next minute you're on the floor. Should I always watch over you? You're too clumsy."

Jerome. Nzerome.

His hands stretched out towards me. I looked up, ignoring the amused glint in his eye, I took his aid and stood up. I could see juniors snickering. Some staring in pity, I simply stared at Jerome to block them out. He bent and picked up my now sand filled pineapple. He scrunched his face upon seeing it then he flung it aside.

"I'm the health prefect. That's against school rules."

He snorted. "Tell the last people you see here after break to pick."

I nodded. It was a good idea.

"By the way. I want pineapple. Come with me, I'd buy."

I stared at him. "I should come with you?"

"I don't bite. I'm Jerome not a dog. Come on."

I looked around for Jacqueline. Upon seeing her, my embarrassment returned. She stood, looking at me and laughing. I growled lowly and mouthed. 'Back stabber'

She looked away, her body shaking as she laughed. I began to laugh too. Lowly at first, then when she turned to look at me, still in laughter, I laughed even harder.

"Don't laugh please. If you start now, it won't end." Jerome groaned.

He was right.

He smirked as Jacquelin made her way over, still laughing. "Stop now."

I laughed harder. He suddenly slipped his hands around my waist and leaned close to my ear. My laughter almost stopped. But looking around and discovering we were in public and this comprising position could get me in trouble, I shoved him lightly and laughed on. "Baba shift... Let me laugh my laugh."

*****

"Where was the last place you saw it?"

I flung my hand angrily. "Today in class, this morning before break... I think.."

I pulled out all my note books from my bag pack and emptied it on my bed. I was in search of the Rolex I had on not so long ago.

"Maybe it's with Jerome." Jacqueline said. "I mean you said he saw you with it. Did you pull it and give it to him?"

I turned to her. "Why would I pull it and give it to him?"

With a bowl of Golden morn, Jacqueline sat on my locker and shrugged. "I'm just asking."

I shook my head. "That's not possible - or."

I stopped talking. It could be possible, very possible that Jerome might have seen it. I remember my fall at the tuck shop area. I snapped my fingers against each other.

"What is it? You know where it is?" Jacqueline asked.

"Well, not really but in a way, yes."

"Where?"

"I'd have to ask him tomorrow."

"Him?"

"Jerome." I packed my books into my bag. "He saw me fall, he was there when I fell at T-shop. Perhaps he saw the watch, I'd ask him."

"Hmm." Jacquelin moaned with her mouth full. "This Golden morn is mad.."

A loud noise filled with laughter and singing resonated in the room as T.Z.L , a trio consisting of Titi, Zainab and Lolade stormed in singing awfully. "Everything Wole... T.Z.L wole oh.."

I groaned and averted my attention back to a moaning Jacquelin. Mona and Grace soon stepped into my corner, each with bowls of cereal. "What is it? Cereal day? And why are you guys taking Golden morn cold!"

I took a spoon full from Mona's bowl.

"Well there is no hot water."

Mona sighed. "How are you coping na, with Toby gone."

I ridged my brows and swallowed the golden morn in my mouth forcefully. "I'm fine I guess.... Why does everyone keep asking that?"

Grace laughed. "Aren't you his babe?"

"Technically no. I'm not."

"But you like him." Mona pressed further.

I gaped at her. "I haven't said so. Besides I'm not sure if I do." I face palmed. "It's just that it's not really been long since he started wooing me.. I don't know, does it have to be so easy to fall for someone?"

"No.. Not at all but you seem to like him.. Or don't you? At least if you don't like him, you won't be giving him face at all." Grace interjected.

I turned to Jacq. She was nodding in agreement. "Wait.. So. You guys think I like him?"

"Well... You may still..like him. Since you listen to him talk, goes when he calls you, ask after him, smile when he's coming. It seems you do." Mona wriggled her brows.

"But let's face it. She doesn't." Jacqueline dead panned. She placed her bowl on the bed beside her and spoke. "To me oh. You seem to just keep up with him because of Ene. It's like you're trying because Ene is a best. I don't know how to explain this. I've never been in a relationship but I observe. I think you just keep up for reasons only known to you."

I furrowed my brows, trying to process what she had said. Grace spoke up almost immediately. "Yes. And although you might not see it this way oh. It seems like you're dragging him along."

What?!

"Dragging him.. Is he a goat?" Mona laughed at the Joke she'd heard out of the serious issue. I almost laughed with her. Let's face it there was a little humor in her statement.

"Be serious." Grace eyed her jocosely.

"So I'm not serious?" Mona blinked.

I groaned. "Guys... This is all confusing. It doesn't seem like that to me. Like in my mind."

Mona rolled her eyes. "If you don't like him, tell him. P.S, on a totally unrelated note, I wish it was Lanre who went home rather than Toby, would have saved me from an awkward kiss and break up today."

We all turned to her sharply. "You guys broke up?"

She snorted. "He says he doesn't want to break up. We can work it out. His words."

Grace shrugged. "If you can, try. But you guys don't even act like you're dating anymore and you don't seem to care."

"I don't like him anymore."

We were all silent for a brief moment before Grace changed the subject. "I really felt those boys absence today. See how B class was dry. No Baruwa to crack jokes or lighten up the mood."

"Ahh.. We too oh. Those two boys, Dandy and Larla! I miss them."

"I pray they call them back soon oh."

I pray so too.

***

Finding Jerome the next morning after my first class was easy. He was seated in his classroom, talking with Afam. I walked up to them in hopes that Jerome would have the watch.

"Heyy, baby baby!" Afam hailed.

I glared at him.

He placed his hands on his chest and cried dramatically. "She doesn't even love me anymore. I take it. No be me you find come."

I patted his head. "Of course it's not you."

Jerome leaned back on his seat, smirking at our exchange.

"Wow. I'm now second in role to the king of your heart."

I snorted. "Were you ever the first?!"

Afam stood up slowly, boring his eyes into mind. "This relationship is over. Bruh! Tell her."

With that, he sauntered out of the classroom. I chuckled as I watched him feign hurt. Then I turned to Jerome.

"Hi."

He nodded mutely at me.

"I wanted to ask you if by any means you saw a Rolex when I fell yesterday."

He raised a brow then sat up. Effortlessly, he slipped a silver object out of his pocket and raised it in the air. I nodded in glee and lounged for it. He pulled it back wards so it was out of my reach. "If you want it, you'd have to earn it."

Earn?

"Meaning..."

He stood up from the school locker and headed outside, I walked after him. "Jerome.."

He stopped at the corridor. "You have to help me get Betty."

My lips parted. Something inside of me flicked in confusion then slow understanding. "Get Betty as in woo her?"

He rubbed the side of his face and nodded. "Doll face you're smart."

It had been quite a while since I heard him call me that, and upon hearing it today, it made me laugh. It wasn't funny but still, I laughed. "Ok. Ok.. Why do you want me to help you?"

"I just want you."

Our gazes locked briefly before he snapped his away. "I want you to help me tell her I like her. Help me convince her that I'm not playing her, That I'm being sincere."

I snorted. "And are you being sincere?"

He raised a brow and picked his lips, an attempt to hide his smile. "Why? I don't look sincere?"

"Do you?" I fired.

He groaned lowly. "Gee, are you helping or not?"

There was something about the way he uttered his previous statement. I was no fool and words with double meanings always rang out. The look he'd held when he'd said it and the smooth urge in his tone. After the stunt he'd played the previous day, I concluded that mixed signals were his thing. I still wasn't sure if he liked me as a Human being or if he disliked me. There was a game he played. A game of understanding and seeing beyond the surface. There was something. The game was very big, and two could play. I snatched the wrist watch from his left hand and held on to both his hand and the wrist watch. Offering him a million watt smile, I gave my answer.
"Fine."

****

I know some people are dying to hear from Jerome, know his mind and blah. I'm sorry.. But his POV is not part of it all. The reason will be revealed as the ending comes. And maybe a POV from Afam wouldn't be so bad, he seems to be Jerome's wing man 😁