Patience is key❤️

•••

"So you guys, I heard boarding is going to be compulsory for our set." I say after we had settled in our Uber.

The four of us, Nonso, Eniola, Joy and I had left Beatrice's house some moments ago. It was already past seven and after literally dragging Nonso out of the party, Joy ordered an Uber for us to go home.

"Yeah, I heard that too." Nonso says while using his phone.

"It's obvious. They made it compulsory for the last set." Enny says, shrugging.

I pout. "But I don't want to be in the hostel."

"I think it'll be good sha." Joy says.

Good? There's nothing good about it!!

"Should I start the trip?" The driver asks and Nonso replies positive.

"You know we're going to start night lessons right?" Joy asks me after the car had started moving. "And we'd be closing around that eight at night." She continues without waiting for a reply.

Eight? What kind of exaggeration is that?

I was very familiar with the after school classes for the final year students as well as the Jss3 students. It was in preparation for the exams we would be taking, that is, the West African Examination Council(WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint Admission Matriculation Boards Examination (JAMB) exams.

It is honestly going to be a tiring year.

But that didn't mean we were going to have classes until eight at night na. That's madness.

"Stay there now." They reply, laughing after I had voiced out my thoughts.

"We're still in the first week of resumption so you have time to get yourself ready." Enny says and I grunt.

After close to thirty minutes of driving, we get to my house first. Nonso and I get down and bid the girls goodnight. Well I bid the girls goodnight, Nonso had his airpods on.

"Ahan you're back. You should have slept there now." Mum says from the living room immediately we enter. Nigerian mothers and their kind of sarcasm. It was almost eight o'clock so her tone was very much justified.

If not for Nonso being with me, she would have flogged me into the next day. One more reason I'm grateful he stays with us now.

"Mummy good evening." I greet once I'm fully inside.

"How was the party? Who is this birthday girl sef?" She asks.

"Beatrice." I sit on the couch opposite the one she was on and Nonso follows suit.

"Who is her mother?" Mum asks again.

"Mrs Adeshola. Do you know her? Adeshola is their surname sha." I tell her. Nonso nods. I don't know if it's to the music he's listening to or to what I said.

"Oh Adeshola. I know them o. Very rich family like that." Mum says
I simply shrug. "How was the visit?" I ask.

"You mean the lady that just gave birth?" I nod. "It was really nice o. If you see this baby ehn? Very beautiful girl. I felt like bringing her home." Mum says, laughing. I smile at that.
"Give birth to another baby now." I tease.

"You and who? Better mind yourself." She says and I laugh.

A loud thump averts my attention from our little chat.

"Did you guys see that? Nonso did you see what I did?" A very excited David says running into the sitting room.

I turn to Nonso and see he was already asleep on the couch, still fully dressed. David must have noticed too as he turned his attention to me.

"Amy did you see that?" He asks.

"See what?" I ask in a bored tone.

"I just jumped from the top of the staircase down." He says like it's a big achievement.

"Wow you must be so proud of yourself." I answer making my voice as dry as I could.

"You're just jealous because you can't do it." He says making me laugh.

"I can't do it?" I ask. "Yes, you can't." He replies.

In the mood for a challenge, I stand and make my way to the stairs. Pushing my little brother out of the way, I say, "step aside and watch how the boss does it."

Definitely excited that he got the attention he was looking for, he runs to watch me jump.

Finally at the top of the stairs, I jump down without thinking.

Crack

That doesn't sound well.

"What is wrong with these children? Amaka are you a baby? What type of play are you playing at this time of the night?" My mum scolds adding more pain to my new injury.

Maybe jumping down a flight of stairs in a tight skirt wasn't a very good idea.

I stand from the squatting position I was in as a sharp pain shoots through my leg. I'm forced to squat back. I turn to glare at my brother as he smiles innocently at me.

I limp up the stairs to change out of my clothes.

The pain in my ankle seems to increase after each step I take.

I finally get into my room. Naza was already asleep on the bed. I change out of my clothes into a towel, take a quick shower and change into my pyjamas. Feeling refreshed except for the pang in my ankle, I go downstairs to have dinner.

I meet Nonso already on the dining table, playing a game on his phone. When did d he wake up?

"Put rice for me, I'm hungry." He says after acknowledging my presence.

"And since when did I turn to your servant?"

"Since- why are you limping?" He asks, cutting himself off.

"I jumped from the top of the stairs...broke my ankle." I shrug and he lets out a short loud laugh.

Idiot.

I help myself with a plate of rice and get a plate for Nonso too.

After Dad got back from work, I retired to bed feeling very exhausted.

•••

The rest of the weekend passed and in no time at all, Monday was here.

"Hey girl." Joy greets once I step into the classroom.

"My baby." I coo at her. "What of Eniola?" I ask.

"She was here just now. I'm not sure where she went. Are you limping?" Joy tilts her head observing me.

My broken ankle refused to heal during the weekend. I felt it was even getting worse. I didn't want to turn it to a big issue so I brushed it off anytime either of my parents questioned me about it.

"Yeah. I think I broke my ankle." I shrug.

"How? Sit down." She says, her motherly side taking over. She comes over to examine my leg.

"I fell but it's fine." I say, putting her away from me. For some reason, I didn't see the need to say what actually happened. Probably to hide my stupidity.

She gives me a look but says nothing more after that.

The bell goes off and Eniola comes into the class.

"Hey besties. It's time for the morning assembly let's go."

"Amy, maybe you should stay in class. You're not supposed to stand for long."

"Why? What happened?" Enny asks.

"Nothing. Don't mind Joy. Let's go." I drop my bag and make for the classroom's exit but Joy stops me.

"Don't be stubborn. Just stay back till the assembly is over." I shrug and accept. I wasn't really a fan of the morning assembly after all.

Very soon, the class is completely empty and so I rest my head on my desk waiting for the assembly to be over.

About ten minutes later, I find myself drifting into sleep when someone's voice wakes me up.

"What do you mean she's coming over?... Dad... please you know that can't happen!... I won't stay in the same house as that woman... But dad..."

Still feeling a little drowsy, I struggle to make out whose voice it was without raising my head. Unable to do so, I lift my head to see who it is.

Philips

"Dad listen to me...wait...arghh." I flinch as he throws the phone he was holding at the wall.

"Argh." He stood facing the white board as he punched it over and over again. His actions made me uncomfortable and a little scared so I cleared my throat to let him know of me presence.

He turned at once and his eyes widened as if realizing someone had just witnessed his little scene.

"I-um... I-" I stutter, making to stand up.

"Please don't say anything." He shuts me up and goes to the back of the class.

I sit back down, watching him through my side eye as he does the same.

Feeling very uncomfortable, I open my table locker to check for anything that could ease my nerves. Finding nothing, I close it back.

I should have just gone for that stupid assembly.

I clear my throat again.

Maybe I should just leave.

With my mind set, I hurriedly get up. In the midst of my hurry, I accidentally hit my ankle on Samuel's chair. The same ankle. I gasp loud at the impact as hot tears come welling up.

"Hey. Are you okay?" Philips says as he rushes to my side.

"My leg." I manage to let out.

"Let's go to the sickbay." He says. He flings my hand over his shoulder and his over mine as he helps me out of the classroom.

The pain subsides on our way and only then do I realize the position we're in. Despite the pang, I feel myself smile.