Ese paced around his room furiously, unable to think straight. The rumours got to him like a bad joke and he didn't want to believe it. It felt like someone had poured ale in his ears. He wanted to laugh and pretend the rumours weren't true but he couldn't, not when it involved Wale, so he called Selah to his house.

When she got the call, she knew Ese had heard the rumours. She was so scared to face him, seeing that he warned her against being friends with Wale. She dressed up and headed toward Ese's apartment, counting her steps and thinking of possible explanations to give.

As she got there, he was by the gate, waiting for her. She quietly greeted him and walked past, heading to his room with Ese behind her.

'I want you to tell me the truth Selah. Did you sleep with Wale?' Ese asked, anger in his voice and rage in his eyes. Selah was speechless. She tried defending herself by acting tough.

'What's that supposed to mean? Why would you think that?' she asked and walked up to Ese.

'Did you sleep with Wale, yes or no? Tell me the truth.'

'I didn't sleep with him. I only went to his house after he asked several times and he meant no harm. He is a nice person, not what you're painting him to be. I don't even know where this rumour started from and I'm not entertaining it at all.'

'It doesn't matter what he did or how he behaved, the rumour going round is that you slept with him.'

'And you believe them?' she asked.

'It's not about whether I believe or not....'

'It matters Ese. I thought you were my friend. Here I am telling you that I didn't do it and you are still interrogating me. Sorry I bothered to come here and explain myself,' she added and walked out of his self contained apartment, tears dropping from her eyes like rain falling without a button to tell it stop.

Things had really fallen apart for her in school. Here, she thought being friends with people and treating them nicely would give her the same leverage of friendship from them but she was wrong. It had just been a year in school and rumours were already spreading about her.

She laid on her bed and tears fell from the corners of her eyes, down her cheeks and into her hair.
At that point, Vanessa walked into her room and saw her crying.

'What's wrong with you? Who broke your heart? And what is the fire on the mountain?' she asked, climbing Selah's bed.

'It's not funny. And don't pretend like you don't know the latest rumour.'

'Which is?' she asked again, pressing her phone.

'If you haven't heard, then you don't need to hear.'

'What rumour? You know I'll keep asking until you tell me.'

'That I slept with Wale. Ese even confronted me today, asked me if the rumour was true. He was so angry and I have never seen him that way. The annoying part is that I don't owe anyone explanation for anything I do but this rumour has gotten on my nerves.

'Wawu!'

'That's the latest Vanessa. Welcome to the news at 'Round the Rumour', ' she added sarcastically as the tears dropped again, which she cleaned immediately.

Vanessa was quiet for a while before she looked up at her. 'Did you sleep with him?'

Selah looked at her in shock. Vanessa had been her best friend for a year. She of all people should believe that she didn't do it.

'Even you too Vanessa?'

'It's just a question. I'm not shouting at you. If you didn't do it, you won't be upset that I asked.'

'I didn't sleep with him. Besides, I'm not so stupid to do such when I know the kind of students we have in this school.'

Vanessa touched her hand and dragged her close, patting her head.
'I believe you. If I didn't hear any rumour, then it hasn't gotten to everyone yet. Just chilax iyeh.'
Selah nodded.

She wasn't sure she would ever relax until she confronted Wale to find out how the rumour started. The next day, she came down with a severe headache. Throughout the night, she had thought of how to face the entire school when walking to class or to buy food.

'Bunky are you okay?'

'I'm fine. It's just headache.'

Her bunky got up and touched her head. 'Your head is so hot and you are running temperature. You have to go to the health center.'

'Bunky I'm fine. There's no need to make a fuss out of this.'

Vanessa walked into the room and met her friend in a mess. 'What happened to you? You look like you've been to hell  and back.'

Her bunky cut in, 'She is sick, yet trying to form strong head.' She touched her and shouted.

'Babe wear clothe, make we dey go.' Vanessa said.

'I'm not going. I'm fine. It's just headache.'

'Should we do this the easy way or hard way?' she asked.

'Wich kind jamb question be that? You get time. Wear her clothe and carry her if you must to the health center. Let her prove stubborn there,' her bunky added.

She rolled her eyes and struggled to stand up. 'Don't carry me. I'll follow you.'