Zara.

Toby kept smiling, his set of white teeth, neatly arranged and extremely attractive was sent towards my direction. My hand consciously wandered to the Rolex on my left wrist. Some how I refused to return it to him.

"I think you're blushing." He stated.

I laughed. He got closer. I moved towards him as well. We both stopped when we were close enough.

"Hi," I laughed.

He smirked. "This your laughter sha."

I shrugged, smiling. "Been long."

"I know right? I was so excited when I saw you from afar. I'm sorry we haven't spoken for so long." He apologized.

I waved it off. "It's no worries."

"So, since it's Saturday and we are bored teenagers, let's stroll and talk and gist and gossip, like you girls do."

I looked at him and laughed. "Gossip?"

He smirked. "You, Ene and the rest of the gang. You all gossip na."

I shook my head. "We gist."

"Right." He rolled his eyes.

I laughed.

"So, tell me about you."

I raised a brow. I had no idea what to actually say.

"Ehm.. well, I'm me." I answered.

We were in the school park, a lot of people hung out there on weekends. We took a sit beside a red flowered tall tree.

"About yourself, your family, your likes."

"Oh."

He chuckled. "Yeah."

"Ok, so I like Chocolate a lot, I'm the second child out of three, I hope to study law in the nearest future,"

"Law?" He questioned. His brows shot up to his hairline.

I nodded.

He didn't seem to excited. He moved his hands together and rubbed them. "Oh. Good."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You don't like lawyers?"

He shrugged. "Well, no. Don't ask me why."

I was taken aback by his response. However, I let it slip. "Ok."

It suddenly became awkward. It was as though me mentioning that i wanted to be a lawyer had pissed him off or sent him into nostalgia. I looked around, looking for a way to avert our discussion.

My eyes drifted to the other end. I sighted Afam, Jerome, Lala and some other guys. They were laughing and talking. Afam and Jerome being Igbo boys and still blending with the Yoruba guys was no surprise. They always had this aura, that everyone could easily blend with. They talked to everyone and anyone. I liked it when they were best friends. Afam was so close to me, Jerome did look for my trouble then, but it was always playful, not that he did it often though. He just suddenly turned cold towards me, it was also the same time he fought with Afam.

"Why does Jerome hate you?" Toby asked.

I turned to him. "I don't know o. You should know, isn't he your best friend?"

Toby smirked. "He is. He isn't all that bad you know."

I shrugged. "I don't care anyways. I have better things to worry about than some petty teenage boy hating me."

Toby chuckled. "Petty teenage boy."

I nodded in affirmation. "Yes. He needs to- i don't know, grow up."

Toby nodded. "So, I'm an only child."

His attempt at averting the discussion worked because i was actually interested in knowing about him.

"Really?"

"Hm hmm. My mom couldn't have anymore children. She removed her ovaries after giving birth to me."

My heart melted. "What happened?"

He shrugged. "She had issues, some infection and all."

"I'm so sorry." I shook my head sympathetically.

He shrugged. "It's all good. She is so protective of me, i don't work, I don't do anything. She sends me cash every week. She was even skeptical about me going to a boarding school. But my dad was insistent so she had no choice."

I smiled. "She must miss you an awful lot."

He smiled proudly. "She does."

I hit him lightly. "Let's grab ice cream. I'm craving chocolate flavour."

He laughed. We stood up and walked over to the ice cream stand. He ordered a vanilla flavor and I chocolate.

"I remember one time when Jerome and I went to cold stone. They asked us what we wanted, as usual, i ordered Vanilla." He laughed. "Jerome asked that they mix vanilla, chocolate and strawberry for him."

I scrunched my nose. "Was it nice?"

"You'll have to ask him." He chuckled.

I did too.

"You look beautiful when you smile." He stated, looking at my face, never making eye contact. I wondered if he was shy.

"Thank you." I nodded.

"The space between your teeth makes it all the more attractive."

I stared at him. "Really?"

I never liked my open teeth, never. Not even when i look at my mom's own. Hers was beautiful and people often said i was a replica of her but it still didn't change that i hated my gap tooth.

"Of course." He rolled his eyes. I hit him lightly, he chuckled. I smiled too. Maybe, just maybe I'd end up falling for him before the term runs out. I could already see signs.

***********

I was beyond pissed. Jerome smirked at his doing, all though it was unintentional, he took advantage of the fact that it was me he'd spilled the water on and decided not to apologize.

"Jerome, apologize." I gritted.

He smirked.

"Line up, it's time for assembly." The year head screamed. "Acting prefects, take position!"

"Zara, you're staying with the JSS3 students along with Afam." Karen said as she walked past me.

I glared furiously at Jerome. I angrily stumped on his feet, grinding the non existence heel of my school shoe into his leg. He winced loudly. Smiling proudly, not bothering with the fact that our position might be well embarrassing, i walked over to the Jss3 class and stood still for the attention.

The principal walked in. Behind her were the vice principals following humbly behind her. Her dark skinned glowed as the sun shone on her. Once they had all settled, the national anthem was played.

"Arise oh comp...."

The voices sang simultaneously and the i was so sure the president would be proud of this. Once we'd sang the anthem and said the pledge, and said a quick prayer, the principal stood up to address us.

"Good morning students." She called, adjusting her glasses.

"Good morning ma." the students responded.

"Its so good to see you all this morning, I hope your weekend was great." She shifted slightly. "It has come to my notice that boys jump the fence and leave to town. A warning goes out to all, if you are caught, I'll have you expelled, no turning back."

Loud bass noise interrupted her. The Ss3 boys would care less of her threat. Perhaps they thought she wasn't serious.

"Now that has been said. Moving on is the girls hostel, health and labor prefect should ensure cleanliness as well as the boys. You don't do your morning chores. Be warned..."

I blocked out the rest of her speech. The vice principals spoke after her. Once they were all done, we said the school anthem and we dispersed orderly. The day ran by slowly. All the classes seemed jammed. Teachers trooped in immediately after the other.

"Zara, give us the themes of Richard Wright's Native son." Mr John asked out of the blue.

I snapped my gaze away from the window. Everyone turned to look at me. I stood up reluctantly. "Ehm... betrayal, anger ehm-"

"Why did Bigger kill Mary?" He questioned again.

I hadn't even read the book. My eyes darted around. Micheal mouthed something to me. Sharply, i caught on to it and said it out loud.

"Mistake, it was a mistake. He didn't mean it."

Mr John didn't seem satisfied by my answer. "Who was Jon?"

I groaned internally. Before I could look around and seek an answer, the man threw me another ridiculous question. I felt like I was on a hot seat for who wants to be a millionaire.

"What was the last thing I said?"

I shrugged. "What was the last thing i said."

He growled at me. "I mean the last thing i said."

"That was the last thing you said." I deadpanned.

He eyed me then asked me to get out of his class. I looked around, seeking for an answer as to why he was sending me out of his class.

"Get out!" He bellowed.

I sighed and hurried out of class with my some of my books and my Harlequin novel in between. Ss3 B was so quiet you'd think there was a teacher there. Ss3C was so noisy. I scanned the class, in search of Toby but he was no where in sight. I walked past Ss3D and the class was also noisy. I settled for the abandoned music class at the corner. As I walked closer to it, I could hear sounds of cloth against bench, perhaps the person in there was dusting. On getting to the door, I pushed it open. Sitted in the room were both Toby and Jerome at opposite ends, with their books in front of them. I was shocked to say the least, I never imagined Jerome sitting infront of a book, reading and even jotting. It was acceptable seeing Toby, after all, he did make first five list in his class two times.

They both looked up instantly. One had a scowl on his face and the other smiled sweetly.

I rolled my eyes at Jerome and went to sit beside Toby. I kept my government textbook on the desk and started reading. The silence in the room was enough for me to concentrate properly.

Tap.

The sound of a sharp nail coming in contact with the wooden desk caught my attention. It continued. The next thing that followed was a soft hum.

Baby we found love.

I looked up sharply to where the voice was coming from, Jerome had a headset over his head as he tapped continuously on the table and hummed to ed sheeran's thinking out loud.

He stopped, as though taking in the lyrics of the song. Suddenly his head shut up and he sang out loud.

Toby huffed beside me. My eyes remained trained on Jerome. It was no doubt he was deliberately taunting me, trying his possible best to get me all riled up. We often did that to each other. I ignored him and looked back down at my book.

This time, he screamed. "Is you somebody's baby, if you ain't girl what we gonna do?"

I looked up and glared at him.

He closed his eyes and sang out loud. His voice, no matter how nice it sounded irked me.

"Give it all up for you right now... we got the club going crazy." He sang.

I turned to Toby, hoping he would be furious too. Only to see him smiling foolishly at Jerome.

"Jerome sings ehn." He smiled.

I felt the need to slap his head. The idiot was disturbing people who wanted to read. I swallowed the need to scream. Packing up my books, I stood up and made to leave.

Toby suddenly gripped my arm. "Hey, are you leaving?"

I wanted to sass him, really but looking at him, i didn't have to. He was not Jerome. I sighed.

"I have to go." I smiled.

He nodded. "Ok, later?"

I nodded once.

                ________

It was afternoon prep. Ehis had arranged for everyone in the group to meet up in the old music department during prep. As i walked with Ene chattering beside me about Michael and how funny he was, my mind was far from it.

"Seriously, he -" She groaned. "Zara, are you listening?"

We stopped walking. I was about to reply her when I heard my name from a distance. We both turned abruptly.

I saw my guardian, Mrs Ibeh walking towards me with her phone in hand. I creased my brows and quickly started walking towards her. As soon as I got closer to her, she spoke.

"Your mother."

I nodded and collected the phone from her. I placed it on my ear and breathed. "Mommy."

I heard her cough. "Zara, kedu."

I was certain she knew I couldn't reply in our native tongue, as I didn't even know how to speak it but i did understand it.

"I'm fine, you?"

I was still partially angry with her for ripping my father's photo into pieces.

"I'm good." She paused. "Your visiting day is the coming sunday."

"Yes."

"Well, you have to pardon me. I won't be able to make it. The fuel scarcity is eating up many things here. I hope you'll understand if you don't see me."

I almost choked. Couldn't she at least take a public transport to see me?

"My night blindness, I need to see the doctor for it." I said instead.

I heard her sigh. "Hmm. We'll see if I'll make it for the next visit."

"That's in like two months time." I blurted.

"I'm sorry." She said. "Take care, I love you."

I removed the phone from my ear. I stretched out my arms and handed the phone to Mrs Ibeh who had been watching me too closely. I thanked her and walked back to where Ene stood, waiting for me.

"Let's go." I muttered.

My mind drifted to my mother. Surely she was keeping something. She'd been acting strange since mid week of summer and worse was that she'd ripped dad's picture into pieces. Something was up.

"Zara," Ene called.

I turned to her sharply. "Yeah?"

"Where are you heading. I thought you have a group meeting for biology?"

I face palmed. "I almost forgot. The meeting holds in that abandoned music class. Let me go there. Bye."

Ene waved and turned towards our  class direction. I turned left and headed to the music class as planned by our group members. As I stepped into the class, the only people present were Oge and Jaqc. They had a huge make up bag infront of them and a small tecno phone. These things were contraband but students had their ways of smuggling.

I sat next to Jacqueline, opposite Oge. They had just lipsticks on and were taking selfies.

Oge looked at me. "I learnt make up this summer. Can I advertise on your face?"

I creased my brow. "My face?"

She nodded. "Please."

This music class was only used by students, teachers had no idea about it. My fear of getting caught slipped and I shrugged.

"Ok."

Oge clapped in glee then headed towards me.

                         ________

My face seemed too busy. The amount of brown powder Oge had layered was something. I grabbed the mirror from her. The person staring back at me was transformed. The make up made me look different, more mature. I had to admit it was lovely.

"Babe," jacq gasped. "You look -"

"Like a doll." Another voice interrupted .

We all looked up to see Jerome. He had his hands in his pocket and his eyes scanned me mischievously. We hadn't heard anyone entire the room and it made me wonder how long he stood there.

"Doll face." He smirked.

I was about to thank him for the compliment.

"You would have looked like a barbie doll if you weren't stupid. We have to study for biology not make up." He snapped, throwing his eyes away.

My hands balled into fists. I was eager to sass him.

A dark girl, with zigzag cornrows and a naturally carved eye brows ran into the class. I recognized her as Betty. A member of Ruby house and SS3C. She headed straight for Jerome and tapped his ass.

"For tapping mine earlier," she smirked.

Betty was one of his numerous girlfriends. She waved at us then headed for the door.

"Betty ehn." Jerome chuckled lowly. "It was a mistake."

She rolled her eyes and flipped him the bird before walking out.

I turned to Jerome. He was already settled and had retrieved his text book. I glared at him, although he was not looking towards my direction. I sat down angrily, short of words to retort him with.

Ehis suddenly walked in. "Hi guys. Let's start."

He dropped his essential biology on the table and turned to us.

                          _______

"I think Zara and Jerome should present while the rest of us stay on the side, pointing out parts of the amoeba." Oge suggested.

Honestly, it was the first brilliant thing she had said since. I turned right and caught Jerome staring at me. His eyes narrowed suddenly and his lips turned down.

"No, Zara and I can't work. Let someone else be with me." Jerome shook his head.

I saw red. "Zara and I can't work? Do you honestly think that I'd be more willing to work with you?"

Jerome scowled. "You're making a scene,"

"What foolish scene?" I snarled.

The guy couldn't go a day without infuriating me.

He groaned and relaxed his back on the wooden chair.  "Let Jacq present with me. She knows Biology very well."

"Ah. No oh. I have phobia, i can't stand in front of a crowd." Jacqueline countered.

Jerome groaned.

Ehis rolled his eyes. "Seriously You guys. Why can't you stay in the same place without trying to choke each other. I'm the group leader and the both of you are presenting. I've pilled the notes up, all you have to do is read it. Jacq and Oge will just be displaying samples."

The bell signalling the prep had ended rang out loudly.

"So, any objection?"

Ehis was tall and always had this leadership quality. It still surprised me that he wasn't chosen as an acting prefect.

"No." Oge and Jacqueline chimed.

"Well, settled." He turned to me and Jerome. "You guys should sort your shit out if you want to work together."

Jacq stood up and packed her books. "It's true oh. You guys sort yourselves out."

She winked at me as she stood up and headed towards the door.

"Jacq wait!" I called.

Beside me, Oge handed me a wipe for my face. I thanked her.

She turned. Ehis walked up to where she was after he'd dragged Oge up. He hooked his arms around her.

"You guys sort yourselves." He smiled tightly, " seriously!"

With that he pulled both girls out. I was left alone with Jerome. I turned and stared at him. His signature smirk danced on his lips. Taking up courage from the fact that he still sat with me, I asked him the question.

"Why do we always argue?"

He looked away, rubbing his chin. It was then i saw the little hair under. I quickly averted my gaze. Seeing that he was not willing to respond, I stood up.

"Well... you tell me." He suddenly said.

I turned and looked at him. "Me? You're the one who attacks first and always finds a reason to talk me down."

He rolled his eyes. "Doll face we've been arguing for as long as I've known you. Since JSS 1."

I made a mental note. Well that was true but in the beginning, it had always been playful.

"It wasn't always serious." I reasoned.

Jerome stood up. Packing his book in his bag, he spoke. "That time when it wasn't serious was when I had a crush on you."

I stared up at him. My mouth formed an 'o'.

Jerome swung his Gucci designed back pack over his shoulders. "Now is me realizing that you aren't even worth my crushing."

As his words registered in my head, I saw red. He still had the nerve to say something annoying. Well it was quite obvious the fate written for us both was to hate each other. Or probably go beyond. Kill each other.

                     ÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

Don't forget to say hello to d star below. 😪