So we were back to school.
Olivia was able to convince her mom she wasn't interested in staying in the same room with us and as expected, Jenny left with her.

We had new roomies, two church girls!
Anu and Rona.
It wasn't bad that we had these type of girls as roomies but it felt uncomfortable in a way.

The second week in school, I decided to make a twerk video, so I placed my phone on the mirror stand and played Cardi B's Money.
Just while I started dancing and my friends were cheering, Rona played the popular gospel 'Ekueme' and both Anu and Rona sang the song along.

I didn't mind at first but some minutes later, I started feeling guilty and my friends felt the same awkward feeling I had as they stopped cheering me and stole glances at these new girls.
I stopped my dance, saved the short video and went to sit in my bed watching these girls read their handout and at the same time singing that church song.

You are the living God oh! Eze no one like you!

Not like I didn't like the song or something, it just felt off.

"God is great you know! " Rona started, smiling at us all.

" Yes, he is " Anu answered.

" um girls, which of the school churches do you attend? Aisha it's fine, I know you're a Muslim " Rona asked.

" Redeem"

"winners "

Debra and I answered at the same time.
Rona looked confused.

" Sorry Winners "

" I meant Redeem "

Debra and I said again.
" Em, we attend both " Deb finally said.

" no, y'all go to more than 5 churches here " Aisha blurted out laughing.
Rona looked surprised, I didn't like this at all.

" okay um, would you like to come to our church this Sunday? We attend MFM... " Anu offered.

" they don't share malt there " Deb grumbled.

" Sorry, what was that? " Anu asked.

" Nothing "

" okay, so you two would be coming right? " Rona asked with a wide smile. We nodded and I wondered if these girls can ever go to a club with us.
Since they joined us, I haven't seen them on short skirts, ripped jean or something revealing. They dressed to cover themselves properly. Even their hair, they were on natural hair, I was also on natural hair too but theirs looked 'naturally churchy'.
They were friendly and at least better than Olivia and Jenny.

Class was stressful as expected, I didn't see Olivia or hear from her. Though her posts on Facebook and WhatsApp made me know a bit of what was going on in her life like where she went or who she went to meet.
My mom had earlier called to ask if I had anything against Olivia that made her not to stay in the same room with us and I partially told her the truth, the girls and I were not in good terms with Olivia and where I lied was when I said we were settling the conflict already.

NK, the girl who once gave me a ride from class was trying to my friend by all means. I had to admit she had a cool personality but I just didn't want many people in my life.
She had tried offering me rides to my different classes and I wasn't in any way tired of reminding her I owned a car too.

One afternoon, after a frustrating lecture, I decided to go out of campus to go grab a meal. Nk chose to go with me so I reluctantly asked her to get in the car and drove off to eat.

"God, their fried rice is delicious " she said as she put salad in her mouth.

" mhmm" I didn't want to say much, I just wanted to eat.

"I'm definitely going to skip the next class, I like to sleep after eating " she giggled

Please, shut up!

I fake laughed.

" do you have a boyfriend? " she asked waving her fork at me.
The question was just so off, it wasn't in anyway related to skipping classes after meal.
My rice went in the wrong way and I had to drink a reasonable amount of water before I could get myself. When I was okay, she said .

"wow, sorry... So, do you have a boyfriend? "

" Nkechi!! " I groaned.

" what? It's just an ordinary question just answer, you're not 12"

"well.....

"oh God, Benita, so you don't have? you need to have one,as soon as possible what are you? A secondary school student or what? " she spilled.

Hanging with her made me feel like I was the quiet type because I wasn't in any way like her, she talked a lot and what was that she called me? A secondary school student!

Timi!

" I have a boyfriend" I answered rolling my eyes.
She squealed in delight.

"when can I see him? Is he here in our school? "
I laughed shaking my head "Whenever he shows up, I'll let you see him and no he's not in our school".

Looking at Nk, I was so sure she was specialised in gossiping. I didn't know why I was acting friendly with her, maybe because she was always being silly in a way and also because the vibe around her was lively.

"well, I have a boyfriend too but he also isn't in our school because he works, I mean, he graduated long ago so yeah " she says.

I don't care!

" ohhh, cool "

" do you mind skipping classes? I want to show you to my boyfriend" she says a bit too loud.
It wasn't a nice idea, I really didn't know much about Nk and I also did not want to skip classes or see her boyfriend.

"why don't we go like on Saturday or Sunday, I don't like the idea of skipping class " I reasoned.

" please Benita, please, I like you so much, I already consider you as a close friend and I would really want you to meet my boyfriend " she begged.

Close friend? In your wildest dream!

A lady brought our bills and I brought out my card to pay for our meals.

" please Benny " Nk begged again.
I rolled my eyes, okay maybe skipping classes was part of wild life and hey, I love wild life.

" okay fine but I won't spend more than an hour there " I said as I picked up my purse to leave. Nk was glad and she kept on talking about random things as we walked to the car.

Driving, she still talked about the latest gossip on campus, the sex tape that was leaked, this and that.
I considered driving to the edge of the bridge just to end both our lives and her non stop ranting.

My neck felt itchy from the turtle neck I wore. I tried adjusting it and Nk noticed my necklace.

"that's pure gold "

" Yeah, my boyfriend got it for me " I said smiling and touching it.
Fisayo got it for me two days after we went to that concert. He was also returning back to school so he gave me the necklace as a gift and then we spent the whole day driving around the beach like we usually did when we just started dating.
It was a very romantic day for me as Fisayo was being nice and sweet.
We had gone from KFC to Domino Pizza then we went to play the virtual reality game then go to watch a movie at the cinema before spending the rest of the day in the beach.

He had continuously told me that he loved me and that made me face reality. Fisayo is mine and not Timi.
Timi couldn't work, I was just crushing on him and obviously crushing on somebody doesn't last long, it's temporary.

I loved Fisayo, anger issues or not.

"are you day dreaming? Better don't .. Turn to your left " Nk ordered.

Wait, left?
Left! Left!

Why are we driving towards Timi's street, his house is just around the corner... Well Emeka's house.

" Sorry, what's your boyfriend's name "I asked, trying not to sound unreasonable.

" Michael "

" Michael ? Are you sure? " I asked, I know I sounded foolish.

" Yes, I'm sure my boyfriend's name is Michael " she answered laughing at me making me look foolish which clearly I was.

I had not heard from Timi, well he sends a 'good morning pumpkin' text to me all the time and also a good night text too.
We had no issues against ourselves just that we had nothing to talk about.
Also on messenger we did send some few messages and that was all.

"that's his house " Nk squealed for the 99th time. She had been squealing since and if she squeals again, I would choke her to death.

I parked my car at the front of the gate.
Smiling at life, I got down with Nk, I walked ahead of her to push the gate open.

" slow down girl, you're acting like you've been here before "she teased.

" Yeah, I've been here couple of times " I said more to myself.
So it was a coincident that her boyfriend happened to stay in the same compound with my.... With Timi.
Walking into the compound, I waited for Nk to lead me upstairs, her boyfriend should be staying in the apartment upstairs.

" aren't we going upstairs? " I asked when Nk wasn't making moves to go up.

" God, Benny! Michael stays downstairs, why are you acting so weird? "

" Downstairs, like here " I was freaking out already, I had to breathe, breathe and breathe.

" are you okay? " she asked with concern.

" I'm sorry, I'm fine " I assured her. She smiled at me as she moved to knock the door.
I was just bothering myself over unnecessary matters, Timi was back at home, not here, he told me he wouldn't be visiting Emeka for a very long time, there was no need freaking out.

Why was I even freaking out?
It was probably Emeka she had come to see, who knows his English name might be Emeka.

"heyyyy " It was Emeka.

" hii, good afternoon " Nk said smiling at him.
He had this wide grin on but immediately he saw me, it dropped then he tried to bring up his smile again.

" wow, Benita, how.. are you? He asked.

"I'm fine " I answered as I followed Nk in.
He closed the door behind us.

" wow, Emeka, it's so surprising, you know Benita " Nk started as she sat down.

" Yeah um, we are friends " he answered quickly. I wasn't friends with him but okay?

I smiled at him and he asked us to make ourselves comfortable, with that, he walked away.

See, it was Emeka she came to see.

Some seconds later, Nk's boyfriend came out.
" babyyyyyy " she cried as she stood up to hug her Michael.

Hold on a sec.

Michael was happy to see her as he opened his arms to receive her, he didn't look a bit surprised to see me, Emeka obviously told him I was here.

Why was life being so cruel?
Why does the dramas all revolve around me?

"meet my friend Benita, Benita this is Michael " Nk introduced. What was the point?

" Hello Benny... Benita " Michael smiled at me.

" Hey " I managed to say for Nk's sake.

Why does he have to act cool about this? It isn't fair! Besides, when did he name himself Michael!!!

He left to get us water and Nk asked me how cute I thought he was.
I couldn't think straight, this shit isn't funny.
Ifeoma, Eunice, Esther and my supposed new friend Nk.
I shook my head in disgust, it shouldn't be my business whatsoever, I had Fisayo to think of not Timi.

He came back and handed each bottle to us before sitting beside Nk who looked like she'll melt beside him.

"your friend looks familiar " he said to his supposed girlfriend.

Are you being serious Timi?

" does she? Benny have you seen him before? " she asked me.
I would have said yes but since he was playing the 'I don't know you' game again, I decided to play along.

" no, I haven't " I quietly answered.

Nkechi was not like 'Timi 's' other chick Esther who was kind enough not to make me feel left out while she was talking to Timi. Nk here totally forgot I was right in front of her as she kept on talking with her 'boyfriend'. He'd kiss her on the tip of her nose making her giggle and run her hand all around his hair.

Timi was such a player! I wondered why I ever thought I had feelings for him, I took him to be the most disgusting man on earth and Nk was just so foolish but I didn't dare tell her what was going on, it wasn't my business.
If it were Aisha or Debra, I'll definitely tell them but Nk was not really my friend, as a matter of fact this so called 'Michael' here was my actual friend not Nk.

He just said something to her that sent her laughing and rubbing herself in his neck.

"I love you darl" she mumbled

"I love you more angel "

Thank goodness he didn't call her pumpkin, pumpkin is for me only.

They were both being foolish. I felt sorry for Nk because I didn't want to imagine how painful it was to be in love not knowing your boyfriend is just playing you.
Nk kept giving me looks, I finally got the hint, she wanted privacy or so with Timi/Michael.

"I need to make a call, I'll be in the car " I finally said standing up to leave.
Immediately I got out, it was like I could finally breathe.
I sat in my car wondering if it was the best time to cry but there was no reason to do that.

I would only decide to cry because I had feelings for Timi but it wasn't there anymore. My feelings were for Fisayo and no one else.

I was really glad to be away from them, I was so sure they'll be doing some things by now.

I felt the urge to gossip, I couldn't tell this to Aisha or Deb, I didn't want them to have a bad impression of Timi, so I texted my brother instead.

*Hey Ben, you won't believe what happened!

A minute later, my phone was ringing. I smiled as I picked it, it was so nice speaking with my other half.

"I know you want to gossip, I have a class in the next 5 minutes but hit me anyway " he said.
The ache in my heart dropped as I told him everything.
He was up to date about the issues in my life because I made it a duty to always text any drama that happened to him.
He knew of Fisayo and Olivia, my crush on Timi, how Olivia is a bitch, Aisha's different boyfriends and every other thing.

"you know, this doesn't concern me..... Well just be careful with this Timi guy okay? "

" Yes mommy " I teased.

He laughed and called me crazy. He told me he had to go for his next class and that made me regret skipping my own class.
After he dropped the call, I felt lonely and kept on hitting my head on my steering wheel, someone would see me and think I was running mad.

Nkechi was doing God knows what with Timi, she believed I do not know him or haven't seen him before, she just doesn't know warriz going on.
Well, I had to admit Timi is my friend and there shouldn't be any funny feelings towards him. I can decide to talk to him later as a friend and ask him why he chooses to hang out with all females he can get his hands on.

There was no point sulking over the matter, I also have a boyfriend I can do things with, I'll call Fisayo and spend the remaining time talking with him till Nk decides to pity me and come outside.

"my baby "

" Fisayooo "

" you miss me, I know " he teased. Well, yeah, I did miss him, he earlier called me this morning but I wasn't satisfied with that, I needed more of him.

" Yes, maybe I miss you a little, don't feel so special, what are you doing now? "

" I skipped school babe, school's useless.... I went playing snookers with my guys"

I could imagine him talking with his brow arched when he spoke about something he didn't like, school for example.

"Let's drop out from school and elope together, what do you think? " I joked.
Dropping out of school is actually a nice idea but my mom skinning me alive because of that isn't nice.

He laughed and I wished I was with him when he laughed, I loved seeing him smile, I liked to trace my fingers round his chest. He was actually an okay guy and way nicer than Timi.... Why was I even comparing?

His anger issues isn't okay!!!!

I rolled my eyes at my subconscious, why was she spoiling the mood? Even if Fisayo had issues to deal with, as a good girlfriend, I should be able to stay with him all through these phases and that's exactly what I planned to do.
He was telling me how his friend tried to cook and ended up almost burning the whole house, I liked how he was laughing and my heart melted.
I looked out and saw that Nk and Timi... Michael were coming out.

I didn't end my call with Fisayo. I kept on laughing with him. Nk noticed I was talking and she used the opportunity to keep on chattering with Timi. He carried her and placed her on my car's bonnet.
It took the whole of me not to come out and push her off my car.
As Timi gave her this amazing French kiss, I looked away and laughed harder with Fisayo even though all he said was it looked like it'd rain where he was.

When Nk was done with her fake Michael, she got down and knocked at my window, I lowered it and gave her this quizzical look.

"Michael wants to say bye "

I pointed at my phone to remind her I was still talking to someone, she rolled her eyes and went back to Michael. I watched as she said something to him, then he came towards the window.

" Hey " he said.

" hun, I'll call you later, I need to do something " I quickly say to the phone.

" I guess that's your boyfriend " Timi says smiling at Nk and then looking back at me.

" who's talking about boyfriend there? "Fisayo asked over the phone, Timi's voice was loud so he heard him clearly.

" I'll talk to you later, I love you baby " I hurriedly say and cut the line.
Nk walked towards me, I was upset and angrily came out of the car slamming the door behind me and instantly regretted it.

" I at least deserve some privacy, I was on the phone talking to somebody and yet you still had to ask me a rude question " I spat out.

Nk looked sorry " Benny please I'm so sorry, he didn't mean to be rude "

" oh really? "

Timi was smirking where he stood. " babe you should get going, it's getting late ".

I wanted to spring up and hit him on the head, who was he calling babe after all these drama but then I realised he was referring to Nk.
She smiled then hugged him before walking towards the other door of the car.

As I was about getting in, Timi winked at me, I looked in Nk's direction to see if she had seen the wink but she didn't.
I rolled my eyes as I got in, slamming my door behind me, once again regretting it. I reversed without sparing a look at Timi and I was sure he did the same.

I drove in silence, Nk knew I was upset.

"I'm so sorry " she begged.

" mhmm"

"please na".
There was no point getting angry at her, I'd use the chance to ask how she got to know him.

"How long have you known him? " I asked turning the wheels.

" one month"

"one month " I repeated, I have known this guy for more than 6 months now.

" and believe me, he is the nicest guy ever " she added.

In my head, I was laughing at her, she has only known him for a month and she believes he is the nicest guy ever.

" have you guys had sex yet " I dared myself to ask.

She laughed " Yes, couple of time, you wouldn't believe if I tell you we even had sex the very first day we met, I loved the fact he just felt he could accept me so quick ".

I bit the inside of my cheeks to prevent myself from laughing. She was just so foolish, the first time she met him they had sex and that made her believe he already accepted her... So naive.
But giving it another thought, Timi had known me for months and yet hasn't made any attempt to have sex with me, interesting.

"do you think we look good together, do you think we'll last ? " she asked. A message popped in to my phone, I quickly picked it with one hand to check it, it was from Timi.

*you looked beautiful as always pumpkin.

I smirked devilishly at her "you both look perfect together, he doesn't look like an heart breaker at all.... He doesn't"

#######

Going to Rona and Anu's church was quite cool. Not like we had not gone there before, we had but it's either we go late or leave the church service earlier than expected.

Rona especially, prevented us from putting on short gowns or dresses that didn't cover up properly. We didn't have any that she liked so she ended up giving us some of her gowns that she felt were proper enough.

I didn't like the whole idea, I had never worn something belonging to an outsider apart from my friend's.

Aisha temper took the best part of her, she claimed the gown was too loose on her and the quality was not up to her taste because she didn't do cheap stuffs.
Debra who was enjoying the whole thing agreed to wear the gown like that.

I wasn't the type to complain so I later accepted the gown and had to beg Aisha to do the same.

The prayer sessions in the church made me feel uncomfortable.

"powers from my father's house, saying I will not succeed in life, I am not your candidate, therefore fall down and die, in the name of Jesus! "

Aisha found it funny and stood there watching how Deb and I hopelessly tried to imitate Rona and Anu's method of praying.
Their bodies shook as they used all their might shouting and praying. Their heads were also shaking in a funny way.
A man came to Aisha who was at my front "young girl, you're not praying very well".
She frowned and ignored the man.

It seemed Debra was taking everything as a joke because she seemed to be praying hard, but the smile on her face gave her away.

After service, we decided to get some ice cream before heading to hostel.
We were in Aisha's car but Debra did the driving, we headed to Frosty's.

While I and Anu bought the ice cream, Rona asked Debra and Aisha to come take pictures so she could post it online showing how she and her new roommates hanged out just after coming from church.
I smiled as Aisha strongly disagreed, she said it was unnecessary but knowing my childhood friend more than anything, I knew it was because she found Rona annoying and again she wouldn't be caught dead wearing that dress to take a picture.

Debra was laughing at something Aisha said , I smiled again as I watched how Debra helped Rona remove something from her eye, my best friends were turning normal, they were trying hard to become the friendly girls people thought we could never be.
Aisha frowned saying something and once again, Debra's laughter filled the air, almost immediately her laughter died down, I turned my attention from the ice cream guy back to my friends.
Someone had just walked in and it was Olivia with a guy and one other girl.

She looked over at the table my friend were on and smiled, she said something to her friends then walked over to Aisha and co.

As expected, she always liked a touch of corporate on herself, she liked it to be what I always called 'corporately revealing'.
She was on a long straight skirt, she had grown fond of it these days, the skirt had this cutting on the side which exposed her lap down to the ankle.
Her long sleeves shirt was unbuttoned good enough to show her tits but was neatly tucked in her shirt. Hard to admit, she looked hot.
Her hair still had the greenish blue.

Looking at my friends compared to her, we were like born again Christians, that was actually a nice thing to normal people but to unfortunate abnormal humans like my friends and I, it was really bad and suicidal.

She had started talking with them and the look on Debra's face wasn't good. I hurriedly paid for our ice cream, Anu could obviously not afford all, then walked over to the table so I could tell my friends to leave here.

"ohh! Here comes queen Bee " Olivia chuckled as she sat on the chair.

" Common girls, lets go " I growled.

" wait na, at least let me introduce myself to your new friends, I see you guys are quick to replace me " she smiled at Anu standing behind me and stretched out her hand to Rona.

" I'm Olivia and you are? "

Rona politely smiled back and reached out to shake her " I'm Rona and that's Anu over there , it's nice meeting you Olivia "

"same here and oh my God, I like your gown" Olivia grinned.

"really? Thank you, my tailor sews quite well, I can introduce you to her" she replied excitedly

Rona was just too innocent in a way that made me feel sorry for her,Olivia was teasing her because her gown was horrible, her fashion taste was really terrible and I had to do something about that.

"Yeah, I'll like to see this awesome tailor of yours, would you believe me if I say I like you already " Olivia said, high toned. Anu and Rona were smiling and it was really a sorry sight.

" look Olivia, we have important things doing, girls let's go " I fired.
Aisha pulled Rona's arm up, Debra was on her feet already.

" but I just got to meet your new friends, let me at least say......

"what na? What? Sebi Benita just said we have important things doing, didn't you hear, leave us alone " Debra barked earning us attention from other customers.
I pulled Anu behind me while Debra marched out in annoyance.

Just as we walked out, Olivia walked over to her friends and I could hear them laughing saying something like " born again idiots ".

"but she is a nice person " Anu argued in the car as Debra drove.

" Yes, I think she is and I'll like her to come for our church's manna water program this Wednesday " Rona answered.

" shut up! What's your problem sef? You just embarrassed yourself while Olivia was there and now you're talking about inviting her" Debra barked as she angrily honked continuously.

"wetin happen na" a thin looking hawker shouted.

Debra put down the window and parked the car, she was upset already " if dem born you well, talk that thing for my front".

"Debra lets go " I pleaded.
I was upset that Olivia has spoiled the mood, just some minutes ago, Debra was laughing with Rona and Anu, now she was about getting down to attack an innocent hawker.

" Debra, don't even open that door " Aisha yelled. The stubborn hawker placed her tray down and stood right beside the door of the car daring Debra to do her worst.

" I go kill person pikin today "the hawker screamed.
Debra was out "I go show you say I be confirm Warri pikin"

It took the whole of Aisha and I to pull Debra back into the car, I did the driving because Deb wouldn't do it.

Rona was about reminding Debra that the bible condemned fighting, I had to shut her up because Deb would take her anger out on her.

We were trying hard to be friendly with other people, letting new friends come into our lives and just when I thought we were making progress, Olivia came to mess it up.