•FISAYO•

It's the day for JAMB. For Wale and I to write ours. We aren't fixed in the same centre but it's the same time. I've read profusely. I slept just an hour last night and this morning, I have my shower reciting formulas and definitions.

My JAMB is to start by 9am. Wale asked to meet before that time and I get ready. The whole family has breakfast together in my honour and Dad offers to drop me to see Wale before going to my JAMB centre.

We meet up at a restaurant. It's empty and I see Wale sitting at a table. I walk to him and hug him tightly. "I am so scared. I'm anxious," I say as we drift.

His curls look extra creamy this morning and just his scent makes my head go hysterical. He has a black T shirt and sweat pants on and I could feel his abs through the shirt. He looks perfect.

"Deep breath," he says and I do it. "We are going to nail it," he says with a smile. "You covered everything, right?"

"Yeah, I could hardly sleep. I wonder how it's gonna be," I say in anxiety. "I pray we make it, Wale!" I add anxiously, my hands sweating up again. I cleaned them five times before leaving the house.

"We are!" he says and I nod.

"We should be on our way," I say and give him a last hug before running out of the restaurant. I hope into Dad's 2021 G Wagon and he drives off.

•••

Monday, 3pm.

I place the sun tan in my bag and put my robe on. I grab my phone and head out of the room. SS3's organized a pool party as a payoff for our JAMB exam. Everyone is done and alll I want to do is relax and enjoy today.

The bus shows up at my house and I get in, already seeing a couple of my class mates. Ka'isha has an empty spot so I sit beside her while we talk of what's been going on since our JAMB started.

"I wonder who Daniel is going to ask to prom," Ka'isha says and bursts out laughing. I join her laughing hard with our hands to our tummies.

"He's gonna ask Nifemi," I say and she dramatically shifts from her seat. I chuckle. "What? I mean, she's dead attractive and we all know Nifemi is definitely Daniel's type," I say expertly.

"I thought you hate Daniel. Why do you know him so well? And you're hurting my feelings, you know. I have a crush on him," she says and fakes a sniff. "I want him to ask me to prom," she says with a pout.

"I'm sorry but that cow isn't worth you one bit," I say and pat her shoulder.

"Who do you think Wale will ask?" I ask her with an expectant smile.

"Knowing Wale, it's either he goes alone, or he goes with his boys. Jamal and the rest," she says and I sigh. Inwardly, I die in loneliness.

"Do you think he'll ask me?" I ask with a hopeful but depressed voice.

"He doesn't even know how you feel," she whispers. "That's why you should ask him first," she says. "Before Nifemi asks!" she adds with a smile and takes a gulp of her chilled Chapman drink.

"Whatever," I sigh.

Soon, we get everyone in the bus. Wale is sitting with Nifemi. Well, she moved to his seat. I can't help but look back at them anytime I hear laughing or whispers.

I'm regretting not choosing the back seat. Ka'isha hates crowds and back seats but right now, I'd do anything just to be beside Wale, exactly where Nifemi is.

"You're getting obvious," Ka'isha whispers to me and I face my front. "You really want to be beside him?" she asks. I nod slowly. She grabs her phone and I watch her type to Nini. What is she doing?

Fisayo is coming over.

"What are you doing?" I ask through gritted teeth. I slowly glance back and watch silently.

"Um, Nifemi, can we trade seats?" Nini asks Nifemi. "Come on," she adds.

"Nah I'm okay here - "

"Chill. You're acting way too desperate. Wale isn't going anywhere. Can you chill the heck out?" Nini says in a way Nife is way too embarrassed and she quietly trades seats. "See, did he disappear?" Nini asks and I can't help but chuckle.

"Um, Fisayo!" she calls out to me. I stand up and walk down to the second compartment of the bus. "Check this out!" she yelps and hands me the phone. She just shows me a random text of her and Korede. "I'll go show Ka'isha too," she says. "Keep my seat," she adds and collects her phone. Just like that, I'm sitting beside Wale, yet feeling so awkward about it.

It feels uneasy until Daniel decides to peeve me. "Is it just me or is Fisayo looking like a fish today?" he asks and laughs. I sigh in annoyance. I have to answer him with violence.

"If I'm a fish then I'm clearly the hottest one in the river!" I say and everyone reacts with loud noises or screams showing Daniel's burn. I chuckle at how dramatic my classmates could be.

It finally goes silent after a while and Wale still hasn't said a word to me. Is he sleeping? Is he alright?

"Hey!" I finally say and turn to him.

"Hi," he replies and I don't know exactly where the weirdness is coming from. Why aren't we talking? Is it because we're in public or... Why is he this quiet?

I don't say anything. Daniel is just behind me and he's gonna make fun of every move I make. I sigh and rest on the chair, regretting even coming in the first place. They keep talking and vibing to the songs that boom through the speakers.

I like the fun and all, but the fact that Wale isn't talking to me, is just really irksome. I shrug it off. He's probably just thinking of whatever. I don't know.

But I'm really craving his words while coveting his lips, hidden away in a black face mask.

•••

"Fish,"

I turn back immediately to see the only person in the whole of Diane who thinks I'm nothing but a fish. Daniel Adenuga.

"I don't have your time," I counter and get my robe off, ready to probably sit somewhere and watch the others swim. Daniel checks me out. I notice. "What do you want!" I ask when I realize he isn't walking away.

"To ask you something very important," he replies and I notice his hands at his back. The only time his hands were at his back in anxiety was during the time of selection for prefectship. Why in the world is Daniel this anxious today?

"Yeah," I say and face him this time. It feels awkward to stand before Daniel with just a black bikini set. Trust me, his eyes wander a lot than I could imagine.

"Well, I was thinking," he starts in almost a whisper. "I realized no one has asked you to the dance, and I was wondering..."

"You're pranking me," I say and chuckle. "I'm not falling for this, Daniel. I just want to have fun," I say simply. "Don't ruin my mood," I add and attempt walking away.

"I'm serious," he says and I realize he isn't joking. Why is Daniel Adenuga of all people and species, asking me to prom. Daniel Adenuga asking Fisayo Maseso to prom? Quite absurd, I must say.

"Daniel, why are you asking me? I sure as helll know you don't have a crush on me and - "

"Really?" he asks and I look up in surprise. Biggest shock of the entire century. Did I get the wrong idea? Does Daniel really like me? Almost impossible. It sounds so foolish. Not him. The idea. In fact, him and the idea.

"There you are!"

I turn sharply to see Ka'isha and Nini walk up to us. "Been looking for you two. What's the conversation about?" Nini asks, licking a shiny red lollipop? It looks tempting.

"Nothing," I shrug, wanting to fade off all aura of awkwardness around us. I fail miserably at it.

"So?" Daniel looks up at me, probably waiting for a reply. Something I can't give.

"Later," I say and for the first time in my life, I flash a smile at Daniel. He nods and leaves. I turn to Ka'isha and Nini with a btrigter smile.

"We were looking for you. We want to swim already!" Nini chirps happily. "My body is itching to be swallowed by the chills of the water. I'm craving to be shrunk by that water," she adds dramatically and we chuckle.

"Let's go," I say and we take a little shower before getting into the pool.

The pool is cool and I just place my legs in it. I notice Wale hasn't said much and he is just talking with his friends. I sigh. I watch Nifemi walk up to him. Everyone automatically turns. Drama time.

"Um... Wale. I know this is awkward, but will you be my date to prom?" she blurts shamelessly and stuns everyone. Including me. My heart races as I anticipate Wale's response. He doesn't say anything at first.

Please say no.

Please say no.

Please say no.

"Guy answer na," his friends urge and i watch with tremor, my heart race going with the beat of bounce by Rema. Yeah, I can feel it that fast.

His eyes scan around for a second before he takes a deep aigh and replies, "I already have a date,"

"Who?" Nifemi glares in amazement.

"You don't need to know," he answers and she storms out angrily.

I release a breath I wasn't aware I haboured, holding my chest as I look downwards, trying to balance my stance. I turn to Ka'isha who chuckles loudly with Nini. Those two really know how to make jokes of every situation. I smile and feel eyes on my skin.

I turn and see Wale looking at me. He doesn't break the stare. I look away immediately, remembering how he turned Nifemi down. I smile, wriggling my legs in the water once again.

Korede swims towards me and I turn to face him. "I think Nini is - "

"I'm not looking for Nini," he says immediately and I keep my legs still in the water. "I need to talk to you," he continues. "Well, technically not me. Someone else," Korede says and looks behind him. I slowly trail my eyes to where he stares and see Wale.

"Um..." I trail off, wondering what the hell is going on.

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