Moyo woke up in a better mood. She slept without worries for the first time since she arrived at the mansion. Maybe it was due to the previous day's exhaustion, or she was in a good mood. Knowing there was a way to get in touch with her mother had automatically put her in a good mood.

When she got to the dining table for breakfast – she was amazed by the smiles that welcomed her. It seemed everyone in the house was in a good mood, which was great.

As usual, Moyo finished her meal before anyone else, not leaving a drop on her plate. She had never been the type to waste food.

After breakfast, their father had volunteered to take them to school. Cassie perked up at the idea. "Really, dad!"

He nodded, "I figured I should take my girls to school once in a while since I am always busy."

Florence nodded, "I am glad you're doing that for our girls, honey. I needed to see a client early this morning, so it worked well for me."

Unlike the ride with their mother, this was silent. Cassie didn't speak with their father, reminiscing as she did with their mother; instead, she focused on her phone, making Moyo focus on hers until she heard their father's voice.

"So, how's school so far?"

Cassie shrugged, "It's fine. It's just like how we got drilled in junior high, but this is more intense."

He nodded, "I trust you'll make us proud like always. What about you, Moyosore?"

Moyo smiled, "I am getting more familiar with it."

He smiled. "If there is anything difficult or awkward for you at school, call me."

Moyo smiled. What was he going to do? Beat a teacher or what? But she didn't say that; she only nodded at him. For some reason, she found it easier to talk to her father than her mother when it had always been the opposite at home.

She was just glad that her father wasn't difficult.

When he got to the school park, he hugged the girls like he would never see them again, drawing laughter from Moyo. Her father was extra in everything.

As he drove off, they turned to see Bayo smiling at them, leaning on his car.

Cassie almost shrunk to the floor; she might have decided to help Moyo, but she didn't want anyone to know they were related. If she thought about it well, they weren't related.

Bayo pulled away from his car, "Wow. I never knew you were related to Cassandra. Are you guys cousins?"

Moyo scrunched her nose up; she had no idea how to explain her relationship with Cassie.

Cassie had forbidden her from saying a word and because she preferred peace. She wouldn't out them.

She moved forward, "How's that any of your business, Bayo?"

A lingering smirk appeared on his lips, "I love how you call my name. Bayo." He repeated, trying to mimic her voice. Then he went back to speaking normally, "I've to know, so I can know how to start treating my in-laws."

Cassie scoffed, "Well, I'm not your in-law. And please, I don't want people knowing I came to school in the same ride as Moyo."

Bayo, ready to give her a response, stared at her retreating back when she hissed and moved away. He turned to Moyo, confused. "What's wrong with your cousin?"

Moyo frowned, rubbing her temple lightly. "She just told you we're not cousins."

Bayo looked more confused than before, "But you're both Adeleke's, and her father just dropped you both hugging you like he would never see you guys again. If you're not cousins, then what are you?"

Moyo stared at him in astonishment. She never expected him to be smart. She thought he was one of those rich brats that could hardly use their brains, although she knew it was unfair to judge someone before getting to know them, but that was the vibe Bayo had always given her.

"What we are is none of your business?"

She started moving to her class, but Bayo followed beside her. As they moved, people kept greeting him as if he was some kind of celebrity.

Bayo followed her to her class before going towards him.

Unlike everything that had changed, Moyo didn't expect the students in her class to change suddenly. They were just as uninterested in her as they had always been, but she didn't mind that as long as they weren't trying to bully her.

She got to her seat and brought out her new phone. If there was nothing to keep her busy, she planned to be busy on her phone until their teacher walked in or Aaron decided to come to school.  He was always late to school.

As she brought out her phone, Shewa's eyes zeroed on it. She faced Moyo fully, "What's that?"

Moyo furrowed her eyebrows, "What's what?"

She pointed at her phone, "Which kin phone be this? You no fit afford better phone."

Her voice was so loud that most of the class heard her. Moyo smiled - the evil kind of smile that looked frozen on the lips, ready to give her a response, but was surprised when Cassie responded.

"Leave the poor girl, Shewa."

They turned to Cassie. Most of the students believed Cassie hated Moyo, so it was a surprise that she was supporting it. Yet, no one wanted to make an enemy of Cassie Adeleke, as her father was one of the top five in the country.

Instead, Shewa turned away Moyo just when Aaron came into the class.

As Aaron settled on his seat beside her, he asked, "Is everything fine? Why is everyone looking strange?"

Moyo almost laughed. To her, the students of this school were always looking strange, so it wasn't strange to her.

"Why are you always late to school?" She asked instead, deciding to ignore the little stunt Shewa pulled earlier.

Aaron sighed, "I was expecting a call from this beautiful friend after giving her my number, but can you believe she didn't call. I couldn't sleep because of her and ended up waking late."

Moyo's cheeks reddened, and she rolled her eyes, "I see. That beautiful friend is at fault. How dare she not call you?" Her eyes were smiling. Aaron is starting to grow on her.

Aaron smiled and nodded, "Of course, she is."

A shadow covered them, and when they looked up, they saw Cassie smiling at them. It was the first time Moyo saw Cassie smiling sincerely; it surprised her but made Cassie more beautiful. They didn't say a word as Cassie dropped a bar of chocolate on the table.

"I brought this for you, Aaron."

Every sign of amusement had left his face, "Thank you, but I don't need it."

He pushed it back to her. The smile of Cassie's lip fell, and she turned to look at Moyo. Moyo sighed. She had no idea what to do, but it seemed like Cassie was begging her to do something with her eyes. Since they were in some sort of truce, she decided to help.

"There is nothing bad about collecting a gift from a friend."

Aaron turned to her with wide eyes. They both knew what Cassie was implying, but Aaron closed his eyes briefly to open it. "Fine. I'll take care."

Cassie smiled and held his hand without permission, "Thank you, Aaron."

He slowly pulled her hand off his, "It's okay, Cassie."

She turned her smile to Moyo before skipping to her seat. As she left, Aaron turned back to Moyo. "Do you want the chocolate?"

He was ready to drop it on her leg, but a glare from Moyo stopped him.

"What are you doing? Don't you know it's bad to give a gift away?"

Aaron grumbled, "But you're the reason I collected it from her."

Moyo nodded, "Hmmm. Cassie might be like that, but she's not all that bad. She has some goodness in her. I'm sure of that."

Aaron shrugged as he didn't care. He knew most people wanted to befriend him because of his celebrity status and some because they knew his family. He tried hiding this from most people.

Yet, he knew Moyo didn't care for any of those things, which fascinated him.

"Fine. If she is your friend, I will get to know her, too."

Happy, Moyo flashed her teeth at him. At least, when she was gone, he would have a friend in the school.

She brought out her phone and flashed it at him. "Tada. Guess who bought a phone yesterday."

Aaron congratulated her before pouting, "I knew the beautiful friend was weird. She had a phone and didn't call."

Honestly, Moyo enjoyed the little bickering she was having with Aaron. Just as she wanted to respond, a teacher came into the class.

Everyone went silent, as it was one of those strict teachers who looked for a way to punish students for the smallest things. Yet, Moyo was amazed by his teaching skills.

She was going to miss those teachers after she went back home.

The classes dragged on and on, and soon, Moyo felt famished. Every teacher left them with an assignment to be submitted soon.

When Ms. William came into the class, the students were so happy.

"Good day, class."

"Good day, Ms William." The class chorused, but one of the students added, "We're so happy to see you, ma."

The class laughed.

She laughed, "I am happy to see you guys, too." She faced the board. "I'm sure most of us have gotten the literature books recommended for this class. And remember I said this class will be active. So, we will be acting one of the books."

She turned to see that she had their full attention.

"The school received an acting competition, but I won't be saying much about it for now. Just know this is more than a class work. It could be an opportunity for one of you to become a star."

Moyo sat upright. Her dream was to become an actress, and the opportunity was here. She could hardly think of anything else as she pictured herself acting onstage. She smiled.

Of course, rich kid school was always different. It would be difficult for her to have this opportunity in her school.

"And lucky for our school, Locked Dreams is the play to be acted. We have the author here; it will be easy to understand the characters and win. That said, Aaron is automatically on the project. He has the right to pick any character he wants to act, while the rest of you that are interested could audition."

Moyo turned to Aaron; she didn't know he was that big; if they were willing to use his book for a movie, he must be big. Just like her, most of the class's attention was drawn to Aaron while he groaned.

This was what he hated most.

After Ms. Williams explained more about the contest, she asked those interested to drop their name with Aaron because she put him in charge of the project.

Immediately, she left the class; their seats were filled with people. Everyone wanted to drop their names. Moyo smiled at that. She would drop hers after they left, but she felt someone tug her shirt.

Moyo saw Cassie calling her, and she excused herself.

Everyone was busy with Aaron, so they sat in one of the empty seats in the class.

"Are you also planning to apply for the audition?"

Moyo smiled, "Yes. I have always been passionate about this." She held Cassie's hand. "I think this will be a good experience for me."

Cassie smiled, "Yeah, but have you forgotten you're going home soon. How will you continue?"

Moyo's smile slipped. She had forgotten about that.

"How about I try for a bit until I leave?"

Cassie shrugged, "Do anything you like, but can you make sure I get the female lead. I know you're close with Aaron. Just put in good words for me."

Moyo glanced back at Aaron. "I don't know, Cassie. I'm not that close with Aaron."

Cassie frowned, "I know it was because of you he collected that chocolate from me. He's your friend. Help me."

She didn't think she had that much power over Aaron, and it wasn't as if Aaron would be the one picking the lead. Moyo nodded, "I can't promise, but I will help."

Author's Note:

Is it just me loving Bayo for some reason?