My eyes and mind were heavy, but I still had to go to school. The only reason not to go to school in my house, was if you were bedridden. I lazily flung my yellow backpack, over my shoulder as I dragged my feet to my dad's car. I was feeling extremely lost and mentally unstable. Only Tofunmi had noticed my unusual silence, others thought I was going through my usual morning anger.

I dragged my legs to the car. "You better lift those legs up, before I slap your senses back into you," my mom said angrily to me, lifting her right hands up, ready to dash me a hot resetting slap. I quickly started lifting my legs as I groaned. My mom gave me the 'are you complaining?' look. I didn't reply her, I hastened up instead.

Cinmisola, our neighbors daughter was already in the car, which meant I was the person delaying them. My dad didn't waste a sec, immediately I entered the car, he drove out of the compound.

In less than an hour, we got to school. I waved my dad bye, ignoring Cinmisola, who was trying to familiarize. I don't like that girl, she's an hypocrite and my mom won't stop comparing both of us. I sighed, adjusted my backpack and continued my walk to my class. I checked my wrist watch, it was still around to seven, so I had time to drop my bag in class and come back to the assembly ground.

The fact that my class was on the last floor, made my first day extremely stressful. I was met by Aisha, Alimah and Adijah, the most mischievous triplets I've met in my life, in class. "Fish aye!" Aisha shouted, immediately I stepped in.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. That girl likes trouble too much. "Ah! What happen to you?" Alimah asked, laughing slightly.

I sighed again. "I don't know what's wrong with me, my mind and heart is heavy," I answered, reluctantly.

"You went to a party last night fa? Without permission again abi? " Adijah asked, totally concerned.

For no just cause, I got offended. "Why won't I sneak out ehn? When my mom is always on my neck. Toyosi this, Toyosi that! I hate it. I hate control!" I shouted angrily, making everyone in the class stare at me. I looked round, frowning. "Mind your own damn businesses!" With that, I badged out of class and straight to the assembly ground.

My mind wasn't in the assembly at all, it was on my lingering feelings for Joseph. I didn't know what was up with me, but knowing that Joseph sincerely liked Esse, gave me the chills. I was hurt and I didn't know why, but I was pained. It was not like I liked him or something, I was only hurt. Guess it was because of the memories we shared. And he was still looking undeniably hand-.

Someone nudged me, making me jump a little. "I noticed your mind isn't here anymore, so I decided to do you a favor." I turned, only to see my best friend, Soma smiling sheepishly at me.

I rolled my eyes and pinched him hard. He opened his mouth wide as he silently groaned in pain. "I was doing you a favor also," I said, smiling.

He pouted.

"All SS3 students, wait," Mr. Akinwumi interrupted. "The principal want to talk to you all," he concluded, making all of us groan.

Our juniors were looking elegant in their grass green skirt and pinafore, light green blouse, and grass green beret as they matched away, singing 'Oh my home, oh my home'. It was the first day of school, so their elegancy was expected. We all involuntarily waited. After several minutes of waiting, my legs were sore already, our principal arrived. She stood before us with high shoulders, while me stood under the sun with fallen shoulders. How very inconsiderate of her. "I'm sure you are all aware of what this term is for," she said, in her extremely loud voice with a frown. "There is no time for joke this term. This term is reading, reading, reading and reading. Your external exams starts this term, you mustn't fall this school hand oh. We're known for good results and your set won't be the first to fail us. So read, no more card playing. If I see any card, I'll seize and tear it in the owner's presence." she sighed. "Dismissed!"

We all scattered. The stairs was rowdy, so I waited a little at the bottom. Me that I'm felefele, if they push me, it won't take me a sec to reach floor. "You look really tired, what's wrong?" Soma asked me, in a low voice.

I wanted to tell him 'nothing', but he was Soma and I can't hide anything from Soma. I sighed. "I think I still like Joseph." He gave me the 'are you mad?' eye. I sighed again. "Yes, I think I'm mad," I answered his unasked question. "I've not been able to sleep since yesterday, when I saw how much he truly likes Esse, I felt jealous. No, I feel jealous. I'm jealous, I don't even know why. I guess it's the memories I share with him, he was different from other guys I dated. He was perfect." I paused to look at Soma's expression. He looked uneasy, he was looking around. I was about to talk, when he coughed and started climbing the stairs, making me realize the stairs was free now. I followed him quietly. He didn't wave me bye like usual, he walked to his class without glancing back. I also did mine, and didn't call him. I walked to my class, knowing I was still going to go to his class, later that day.

When I got to my class, it was noisy. I didn't talk to anyone, I made my way to my seat and sat down quietly. "Good morning ma," Art, my seat mate greeted me.

I looked at her and smiled. She was one of the most lively persons I knew. She always had her smile on. "How are you my child?" I asked with a wide smile.

She snickered. "See your mouth like child," she beamed, smirking as she poked my right cheek, making my smile increase.

"Fish." I poked her back.

As she was about to poke me back, John the class captain announced, "Mr. Charlie is not around oh. So no class."

"Ah! Ope oh," Art said, happily as she stood up. "I'm going to Science's class." With that she left me and made her way to art class.

I smiled to myself, as I placed my head on the table. I closed my eyes and the noise around started fading away, my mind drifted off to Soma. I was scared that I had offended him, but I didn't know what my offense was.

A lot of people have the mentality, that a boy and girl can't be 'just' friends. But Soma and I, broke that mentality. Soma is the boy that I know, I can never like. I mean, I like him oh, but not in that way. He's my best friend and I never want to lose him. He'll be my best friend forever.

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GLOSSARY
Felefele - extremely light.
Fish Aye - Fish of life.

A/N
So, some people were offended that (or rather complained) that I wasted chapter 1 - 3. No, I didn't waste it entirely. I used 1 - 3 to show a different African family life and the friendship of the girls.
Am I making sense?