~•FISAYO•~

I wake up to a thin ray of light on my face. Groaning, I turn my face to the pillow but then I hear noises. I groan once again and pull the duvet over my head in frustration. The noises increase. Disgruntled, I bring the duvet down my head and the lights turn on immediately.

"Happy three hundred and fifty!!"

I look around to see the whole family and Mark in my room. I detect a big poster saying "Three hundred and fifty!"

I smile. I'm guessing I got three hundred and fifty in JAMB. Honestly, I expected more. I studied hard for it. Dad launches towards me and grabs me in a big warm hug. I revel the moment.

"We're so proud of you, dear!" he says happily and I smile. "This calls for a party!" he adds. We're throwing one tonight," he says and everyone cheers. I smile as they throw confetti all around my room and sing my name in happiness. I very awkwardly hug everyone in the room.

I'm glad I was able to make them proud with my score. I can't wait to ask the rest what they got. I text Wale immediately. Seems he texted first.

Hey! Miss three-fifty. I got 341. Never been so proud of my stupid-ass crazy brilliant best friend! Lol.

I chuckle loudly and text back with my fastest fingers.

Hey! Mister three forty-one. Thanks for your message and I'm so proud of your stupid self for finally doing something that actually matters. Lol.

I smile as I send the text. It reads seen and I drop my phone. We continue with the banter and repartee. It's so much fun and I enjoy myself while at it.

•••

The next day...

I hop down from the car and head inside the school. It's all happiness and cheers as everyone, including teachers, keep congratulating me as I head upstairs to my class. It's noisy, as expected.

I head to Ka'isha immediately and she possesses a smile on her face. "Three hundred and twenty is a good score," I tell her and hug her tightly.

"I know," she replies with a smile. "But what isn't is being a traitor," she adds and it feels like a rock is dropped in my chest so much it weighs it down.

"I finally dared to ask Daniel to prom and he told me he already asked you. And do you know what's worse than that?" she asks and I gulp, praying the question was completely rhetorical. "You said yes! You spoke so horribly about him!" she says, her eyes looking dreadful.

"I'm sorry," I say in a doleful tone, although my sorry would do nothing to ease her.

"I know," she replies. "And I won't blame you. It's not your fault you're actually really attractive - "

"Ka'isha - "

"It's fine," she smiles. "I'm fine. I swear I am," she continues and Daniel walks in. I'm guessing he's waiting for me as he leans by the door and stares at me.

"Give me a minute," I say to Ka'isha and walk to Daniel. He grabs my hand and leads me out of the class. We stand by the corner of SS1 class in the corridor, where it's a little less noisy.

"Hey," I say with a smile, still feeling guilty about Ka'isha. I pierce my eyes to his and he looks damn attractive today. He has dark blue contacts on and the slit makes everything look upmarket. His pink lips look a little pumped and it's the second center of attraction in his face.

"You really pulled that JAMB off," he says and I chuckle lightly. "Well, I guess three thirty-five isn't a bad score," he continues and I nod in agreement.

"It's a good one," I say. "My family is throwing a party tonight for the JAMB. You should come," I tell and he stares for a moment.

"Will Caedon be there?" he asks.

"Not sure. Maybe," I reply. "But he's not gonna be a problem," I add and he smiles. He leans closer to me and places a peck on my cheek. It makes goosebumps come up on my skin. I'm not gonna dispute the fact that Daniel makes me horny even in broad daylight. He's that attractive.

"Thanks for last night," he says.

"Thanks for embarrassing myself on the dance floor?" I ask and we burst out laughing. Daniel's company feels like actual company. When I'm with Wale, I just think of smacking my lips against his even just for a second.

But I'd rather kiss Wale for a second than talk to Daniel for eternity. And that's the difference between Wale and Daniel.

8 pm.

The music is loud and I have the best people in my life in my living room with the speakers at the highest volume despite the estate rules and policies.

It's fun dancing with people who won't judge you, knowing that even if your butterfly legwork or happy feet looks like a limping cockroach, they still think it's funny and all the more they love you.

Daniel, Wale, Ka'isha, Korede and Nini are all at my house, having the best of fun with my family. It's a really unusual day for me. I smile through it all, hoping that's how all the other days are gonna be. Sadly, WAEC is just next week.

The party soon comes to an end, having eaten to stupor and danced our lives out. The family goes upstairs while my friends and I talk a while before one by one, they are picked by their siblings or taken by an Uber home.

Wale is the last one to go. We stand at the gates, waiting for an estate taxi to pass by. I crave his words but he isn't saying anything. My hunger seems to be satiated as he finally speaks up.

"So, how are you and Daniel?" he asks like he didn't just see us like five minutes ago, exchange pecks.

"Pretty good," I reply with a smile, yearning for more words. I want him to tell me what's going on with him and Nifemi. What they keep laughing about. What I'm missing out on.

"I want to be honest," he says to me and I stare at him. "I know it's pretty hard to say this but I'm fucking jealous," he says bluntly to me. My heart races as I realize where this is coming from.

Wale is jealous? That definitely makes me feel good but...

"Jealous?" I ask.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You know exactly what I'm talking about," he says and I stay quiet.

"I really don't - "

"Wearing a body con for his party? A tongue war by his poolside? Turning me down because of him? A peck right in front of the school corridor? Talking to him late at night? Inviting him to your house? Come on, don't tell me you didn't notice that a lot has changed," he says and I am quite satisfied he's been tailing me like I always did to him.

"Oh," I say, having no idea what else to say.

"That's all you can say? Don't you realize what's really going on?" he cries out and I shake my head, left to right, with a pout.

"I've fallen head over hills for you," he says in a mumble but I can hear it like it's from a speaker. His face contorts to a frown as he bites his lower lip and fixes his gaze on me. His features look dazzling under the moonlight with both hands in his pockets.

The butterflies flutter happily in my tummy, I can even feel them in my mouth. My heartbeat races as I notice myself breathing hard. My lips quiver as I search for words to tell him. In all, just staring at his pink bottom lip being held up by his piano white incisors is just enough to make my coochie tingle.

And those golden-brown eyes... They are always so tempting. They look sad and I want them not just admiring any bodycon dress, but seeing what's beneath it too.

My cheeks redden as I hear "Aww's" from upstairs. Those girls. I snap back to reality, having an internal controversy with myself whether to tell him or not.

"And, sadly, you don't feel the same," he mumbles with gritted teeth, looking away. My eyes drown in sadness and guilt.

Just tell him.

Don't forget to vote and comment❤💨