“That’s why I love road trips, dude. It’s like doing something without actually doing anything.” – John Green.

•••

“…I need you to remember at all times, every single hour, every single minute and second that while you’re there, you’re first and foremost students of Lake High before you’re a person of your own. Meaning, you’re representing the school and whatever you do – could either glorify its image or soil it. But I have faith in you all after all, since you’re the ambassadors of the school as prefects. Every single one of you, I can personally account for but still you need to exhibit great caution in all your dealings in the camp. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma.” Tomi chorused, alongside the rest of the prefects who all stood arraigned in a horizontal line before the principal, and the vice principals. The fateful day had finally arrived, and they were all set to depart from the school premises, ready to board the vehicle that would convey them to their destination.

According to estimates, the journey’s length was going to be quite a lengthy one as they were journeying from one state to the other. Such factor should certainly rouse hasty spirits amongst the school’s administrations, but for some reason it seemed like they weren’t bothered about it and were taking their dear time.

Traffic is so not nice.

His stomach churned at the thought of being stuck in traffic, and having his nausea triggered. He wasn’t one who could withstand the stress and strain of long road trips, and he feared that such displeasure might result in him doing something that would be gravely embarrassing. For him, his friends and any other person that might have any sort of relationship with him.

“…the teachers that are following you are only two in number, a really small number we’re willing to sacrifice because well, this is the last week of school and it’s when activities are at its highest for the school staff. So you should know asides from providing your transport and taking care of other expenses, people are still devoting their time into an activity that wouldn’t be in any way beneficial to them. That is your teachers, and you must do your best to respect them at all times. No matter what.

“That’s enough, no need to waste more time. Now get into the buses, and settle down into them like the well mannered representatives of the school you should be. Sit anyhow you want, there is no need for seat arrangements…”

Thank God.

“Although that could be easily rectified if you start misbehaving, and your teachers deem it fit to separate you guys. So keep your senses intact. Have a nice trip guys, see you on Thursday.”

“Thanks, ma.” They said in unison, before splitting into fractions of threes and fours and heading towards the buses parked behind them, at the school’s gate. Mofiyin and Alexis, were trailing quietly by his right and left respectively – as they of course planned to sit together.

“Moyin, said I should tell you that she has kept seats for us at the back of the first coaster bus.” Mofiyin announced, a look of enthusiasm on his face as his hands latched onto the straps of his bag. “Christ, only God knows what this woman packed into my bag.”

Alexis eyed him wearily, although Tomi’s body served as obstruction so Mofiyin couldn’t see the disapproving glare his friend was giving him.

“You mean, you don’t know what’s in your bag? So if there was bomb inside, you won’t even know. You’d just carry it like that?”

“Idiot, it’s my mom.” Mofiyin hissed. “Why would she put bomb inside my bag? Your own parents might not like you a lot, but mine do – thank you very much. I just found it difficult to open it yesterday night, after she stuffed all the things I needed in the bag. It was too much work unzipping, and the zip felt like it was going to come off. So I didn’t bother unzipping it, but I’m surely going to do that in the bus. I’m sure there is a stash of cookies somewhere there, I can just feel it. Either Oreos or Maryland.”

“Oh, Maryland is my jam.” Alexis smiled, his fingers at work on his phone—doing whatever, but judging by the ferocity of the way his fingers collided with the screen of his phone, Tomi guessed he was playing a video game.

“Maryland is your jam?” Tomi’s nose scrunched. “What is it? A song?”

“Hey, it’s the first thing that popped into my head.” Alexis shrugged, lifting his gaze briefly from his game. “Besides, there is jam as in strawberry jam and all that.  Is it not for eating, so why can’t I say Maryland is my jam?”

“We both know when you said jam, you didn’t mean something that deep.” Tomi retorted. “I don’t know why you just can’t wait for us to get settled into the bus, before you start with whatever game it is that you’re playing on your phone. This is the same thing that got you into trouble, last two weeks that we were in ICM and you ran into that woman with the several Coke bottle.”

Alexis frowned, and looked at him and this time around, it wasn’t brief. “That was my fault? Were you not the one who caused it? Come to think of it, I haven’t actually punished or done anything to you for pulling that bullshit back there. The girls were there, so I couldn’t retaliate. But be rest assured, that I’d be getting my vengeance soon enough. You just wait.”

Tomi swallowed. “You idiot, you better do well to remember the speech that was just given to us by the principal. Don’t go and act like a mad man there o. Me I’m warning you now, I don’t know why you just can’t let something go–”

“Do I look like Demi Lovato?” He snarled. “Or whoever the ice princess was in the Frozen film was again? I am not letting it go. Fimile. I’m a Nigerian, and it’s an American song. As a Nigerian I listen to our own stuff here, and one of our songs say – do me I do you. So, get ready to come undone.”

“I’m not even going to act like I heard how fag-ish that sounds.” Tomi said finally, as they finally joined the group of people boarding the vehicle. Their conversation ceased, as they stepped into the bus, and instantly – at the order of the girls flagging them down, headed to the end of the vehicle. As he watched them in the distance – Rena, April and Moyin, he couldn’t help but smile inward at the realization that he and his friends, now moved in the group of the social circle. How ironic, he’d have never believed such could happen.

After they had all observed the necessary pleasantries protocol, they settled down. Tomi’s seat was by the window on the right, Rena on his left. Moyin and Mofiyin in the middle, while Alexis was on the other side with April by his side also. It wasn’t long afterwards, that they started heading out of the school.

“Moyin, where are those snacks again?” He heard April call to her friend. “Give me a pack of Oreos.”

“What? You know it’s in my box and that’s in the box truck.” Moyin replied. “How big is your stomach, sef? Are you sure that’s not another box on its own. Cos I saw you eat about six slices of bread before we left Rena’s house in the morning. I don’t know how you can still be hungry for food after just, forty five minutes or so.”

“Leave it, is it your stomach?” Distaste was clearly in April’s voice. “Why won’t you be thin and all, when you don’t eat food. But why would you put it in the box, now? I know you did it intentionally. Just say you don’t want to give me more. No need to put it in a place, where you wouldn’t be able to reach when you know fully well that I’d ask for it.”

“Think anything you want,” Moyin said. “I just know we won’t have access to that truck until our next stop which is at 1. And that’s  still like three hours away, and its pretty much pointless since we’re stopping at an outlet for snacks anyway. So if you like vex and don’t ask for it when we get down, and let me forget. You’re the one that knows.”

Rena shook her head, and reached into a black duffel on her thighs. After rummaging for a while, she brought out about three packs of Coaster biscuits, and held them out to April. Tomi laughed at the irony. Coaster biscuits in a coaster bus.

“Sha, take. This one would at least keep your mouth busy and ensure that you don’t use all of that pent up frustration into talking and disturbing all of us.”

He could guess from the reception of  Rena’s gesture, that the biscuit in question wasn’t April’s favorite but she didn’t have any choice anyway.

“Who here has been to a camp before, anyway?” Mofiyin asked, as the previous silence returned. The bus atmosphere was brimming with several ongoing conversations also, but it hadn’t attained a level where it could become disturbing or infuriating – so he guessed the teachers would remain cool with it. “The only camp I’ve gone for is the one in my church, and from the little information I’ve been able to garner from the experiences of other people going for legit summer camps, I know that going to church camp isn’t actually going to camp. It’s just going to church in a different venue.”

They all laughed, before the first reply came from Rena.

“Oh, same goes for me also. Although my cousin who lives in Yaba, tells me stories of this really cool summer camp he went for, organized by a church that really made sense. And I was like oh please, church camps are the worst and he was like this one was the real deal. He said the name of the church was C.C.O.L, can’t remember the full meaning but it’s in Unilag. I made up my mind that maybe one of these years, I’d follow him but it keeps skipping my mind because well, unlike everyone I don’t have the attention of my dad all the time. And the little time he is around, I don’t want to be somewhere else frolicking with people I might not even like.”

“Oh, they’d like you that’s for sure.” Tomi said, beaming. “Now when you talk about camps, are you talking about legit going into the woods, and sleeping in tents and all that jungle ish stuff. Or just going to a school where you’re gonna be camped out and all that.”

“How many camps you know that actually take place in the woods in this country?” Alexis asked, leaning forward so he could hear in on the conversation better. “Believe me you don’t want to go into an actual bush for camping purposes. The people that organize camps in this country aren’t stupid when they opt for boarding schools as the better choice. Who wants to run into a shrine, or a trap set by a witch in the bush all for the sake of exploration. Better safe than having fun.”

“It’s true, though.” Moyin agreed with a smile. “More so, since when was Nigerian parents ever compliant on things that involve wild stuff? To cross ordinary express road, they won’t allow you do it on your own – not to talk of agreeing for school to take us into the bush. Hehe, very funny. Who even wants that sort of adventure here? We’re not really, wild adventurous people in this part of the world.”

“Do you blame us? With all the bad things going on?” Rena sounded offended. “Today, they’d discover a place where they’re storing human parts. Tomorrow, police would discover a pit where ritualists have been using to dump their dead bodies. Next month, another story entirely. Abeg, there are too many bad people in this country. No one can take any chance o.”

Tomi sighed, as his mind processed the several woes Rena had highlighted. They were indeed very true and real. Even right now as they were speaking, there was probably an unfortunate person being subjected to unfathomable, inhumane pain. Only God could save them.

“See us talking about these things as if we see them happen, and we’re not shielded away from it.” April laughed. “Sha, I’ve had enough gory images formed in my head today. I’m eating abeg, I don’t want to start picturing human being intestine like y’all are making me to. What do we know about this place we’re going to, anyway? I’ve been meaning to ask Itunu, but well I don’t want to tempt myself. I might just give him one right between his legs, if I get too close to him.”

Tomi sat up, clearing his throat. “I heard it’s like some workshop spread over several days. Real professional. We get there and they tutor us based on our various offices. Social, Health, Labor, everything sha segregated and differentiated. And then once in a while, we’d have general classes meant for everyone. It’s supposed to be real fun, according to their website though. I’m still skeptical about it since I haven’t exactly been there, nor anyone I know so...”

“Oh, I’d be skeptical about it alright, also.” April said. “Over the past few years that I’ve spent on this planet called – earth, I’ve come to the realization that what old people classify as fun, is very different from what we see as fun. Their fun basically means one thing – extreme learning, that’s why some secondary schools still put up ridiculous mottos like learning is fun, and I ask myself – how the fuck is it fun? At least, not the main actual learning of stuff being taught. Picking up habits, getting versed with stuff you didn’t know is the learning that’s fun biko.”

“Well, they didn’t specify so you don’t know which one they meant.” Moyin joked. “But I don’t know, I just feel this trip would be fun. Itunu said something about his friend going there and indeed testifying that they enjoyed themselves immensely while they were there.”

“Itunu didn’t exactly specify if this friend was ten years older than he was, and took that trip about ten years ago.” April objected again. “For all we know, it could be his dad. But he didn’t want to say that, because it’d sound lame – so friend. Also, saying a friend I know go there is just a lame way of saying, ‘I don’t really know if the place is going to be fun since I haven’t exactly been there before with anyone before, but I trust It is.’ No one is going to stand up and question who that friend is or ask for their contact or address to go question them. It’s the way it is.”

Alexis nodded. “April has a point. He could have just thrown in that friend sentiment in just to claim some sort of familiarity he doesn’t have with the place. But of what use is worrying? We’ve agreed already, and we’re already on our way there. It’s not like we could jump out of the moving vehicle or something.”

“I won’t be surprised if I do that o, I can’t go and die in one bore-hole.” April said, and it took a while for the rest to grasp the meaning behind her last word. “But I heard some boys saying some funny stuff about the place also. You know it’s in a sort of rural area, and although the facility is very attractive and fine and all, they said that an empty land is just beside it. Like you know actual bush and all that. And they said that some wild animals are in the place, like really wild.”

“Wild animals?” Tomi arched a brow. “Surely, they don’t mean a Tiger or a Wolf or something.”

“I don’t know.” April said. “They were just saying there are some wild, angry animals that live in that place and I’m like—hope the fence of this place we’re going to is really high, so as to fend those ones off o. The worst time to die is when you’re asleep. It’s not that one animal would come up and creep up on me when I’m sleeping and snap my neck.”

“When you’d be sleeping like dead person, how will you hear something is coming?” Rena said, causing another streak of laughter. “And the animal would complete the equation for you. Since you like sleeping so hard and so much like a dead person, It’d happily make you a dead person. You see? Everyone wins eventually at the end.”

“The place should sha not have bed bug or something.” Mofiyin said. “The last time I went for something, that I had to sleep outside my house. I can’t even remember, whether it was a sleepover at a place I didn’t even know. A friend had invited my friend, and since I had dropped in on my friend unannounced – I had to tag along. Christ, that boy had so many bed bugs in his house. When I woke up ehn, the pink swollen skin that I had all over me? You’d think it was allergic reaction.”

“Something tells me this story is far from over.” Rena smiled.

“No, not at all.” Mofiyin shook his head. “Worst thing, happened. I took them home, as some had obviously hidden in my clothes and that was when this plague in my house started. The bugs spread from my room to the living room to everywhere and–”

“When you won’t stay one place in your house, why won’t they spread everywhere?” Alexis sneered.

“It was difficult,” Mofiyin continued, after flashing a cautioning look in the way of Alexis. “We had to fumigate the entire house. I’m just sad for everybody that I visited during that time frame. It’s not like I could call them and start telling them to fumigate their houses. Hopefully, they’d have caught on to that and would be doing so by now.”

“One day, they’d just reveal news that one of those houses has been totally covered with bed bugs. That’s when you’d go confess.” Tomi quipped.

“Once again, you guys have started talking about something really irritating for a person to think about while they eat?” April frowned, pausing to point at the biscuit lodged between her teeth. “How did our talk of what the place is going to be like, change into bed bugs? Seriously, sometimes I don’t even understand you guys.”

“What’s so fun in talking about where we’re going anyway?” Rena sighed, turning to face him. “Is there any more gist for her concerning what you heard about the place?”

Tomi smiled, and shook his head. “Nope, I’ve spilled it all. But if I should talk about stuff I’ve heard people saying also, well a couple or more people mentioned that there would be a swimming pool there. A basketball court, and a football field–”

“You can’t be serious!” They all exclaimed in apparent glee. He hadn’t expected such reaction.

“Why didn’t you lead with that?” April queried again, her forehead wrinkled into a frown.

“Uh, well because—I don’t know they don’t mean much to me, so I just…”

“…You just assumed that it doesn’t mean much to everybody also, how convenient.” April rolled her eyes. “Ah, a pool at my disposal. Lake is always so restricting with their rules about the school pool, as if we’re not paying for it. And the way those lifeguards and P.H.E. teachers act when you’re in the pool – like they’re pampering it or something. As If it’s glass, that’d break if you move about and swim too much.”

“Even the lifeguards,” Rena said. “The way they pull people away from the water when they’re drowning, as if it’s the water that needs saving. They’d carry the person out real quick, and just set them fast on the floor and look back into the water, like they wanted to make sure it was okay. The way they all act like village people is all so depressing. That’s why I don’t even bother to swim. So one idiot will not come and be shouting and ordering me about, on one small thing I decide to do.”

Tomi clasped his hands. “All these activities are so stressful, using your body to catch fun and all that when it’s already tiring from all the working. I’d choose TV and a game console any day over all these things. I just hope there is a chilling spot there with all these, then yes I’m ready to get my geek on. But now that I think of it, I’m wondering if it’s proper for me to be saying stuff like this when as the health prefect I’m an ambassador of activities that put strain on our bodies.”

“Oh, everyone is a hypocrite. It’s nothing new.” April said in a very casual tone. “You know what? I’m actually looking forward to this. It should be great. Thank God we’re not even many, and some prefects still didn’t end up showing up. It’s just more leisure for us, or more suffering if we found out we were right to doubt adults definition of fun again, though.”

“Well, there is always an option of venturing into that bush that’s near the school in order to look for a wolf that could kill you.” Mofiyin said. “Dying at the hands of that animal is way better than having to live through three days of hell. I trust that you’d do the best thing, April. You got it under control.”

“Of course I do,” She whirled her head her about in a matter-of-fact manner. Before sitting up, her voice lowered and her head also. Tomi and the rest could sense she was about to bring up something private. “So about mission defeat our enemies. Tomi, how’s it going on that front?”

“I don’t think we should be talking about that here.” Moyin gritted her teeth, interfering before Tomi could reply. “Anyone could hear us.”

“Then, when?” April asked again. “You heard Tomi. He said we’d all be divided into different groups based on our offices, and the devil himself is in Rena and mine. When are we going to have the chance again? We might say there would definitely be time to talk, but we don’t even know anything about where we’re going yet. It wouldn’t hurt to take necessary precautions in case we’re backed into a corner.”

In the absence of a protest, Tomi spoke.

“Well, Legide and I are back on good terms, so I don’t think the task would be hard from now on. I just need to be fast about it, while we all need to pray that whatever it is – it isn’t happening anytime soon, because we’re so not ready for it.”

“Nah, not where we’re going. There would be little he’d be able to do there.” Alexis offered. “It’s probably after we return from this trip, and before we vacate. Probably on the day of vacation, cos it’s the only day after exams end that everyone would be in school. If its an epic showdown, that’d be the perfect timeframe.”

“Hmm, I wouldn’t be too sure about that. We can’t act like we know what he is thinking.” Moyin swallowed. “We can’t say he can’t do whatever at whichever time. After all, who came up with this very idea? Is it not him? Who knows if where we’re going, there is already a group of samurai soldiers wearing red and black about to end us.”

Rena rolled her eyes, while the rest laughed. Moyin’s statement was indeed humorous, but there was truth in them.

“But it’s true, we never actually gave thought to the fact that this trip was of Itunu’s doing.” Mofiyin exhaled. “If it’s actually going to happen there, we’re so doomed. Let’s just pray to God that Alexis’s assumption is alright and that it won’t happen until we get back.”

“I wouldn’t be so anxious to put my mouth, wherever Alexis is concerned.” Tomi said, and they all shared another laugh. But he knew, that deep down within—the same applied to them all, that they were all terrified at the probability that their nemesis was about to take them unaware.

*****

Cute.

Her lips twitched on their own accord, an overwhelming smile smearing her face as she watched him sleep. She thought she had seen him at his best in the past, at his most magnetic state but man was she so wrong. His pull on hers had just undergone a massive geometric progression and she knew that she could go on staring at him for hours, perhaps days and wouldn’t get tired of it. If only he would sleep for that long.

Almost as if he heard her thoughts, his eyes blinked open, darted around their surroundings, before he let out a cough and sat up. He let out a small, repressed yawn that she sensed had to do with her presence, before craning his neck to his side to stare at her.

“Uh, what’s going on?”

Making no attempt to wipe off the smile that was on her face, she eased closer to him on the chair and reached out with her right thumb to smoothen the clammy, rumpled lumps of skin on his cheek.

“You were sleeping, I was watching you sleep. Now, I’m answering your question.”

He smiled, looking away as she could sense he was very conscious of her soothing finger on his face. “I mean why is the bus parked, and why are we in the…compound of a Tastee Fried Chicken restaurant? And also why are we the only ones on the bus.” His eyes were still studying their surroundings – intently.

“Well,” She sat up, letting her hand fall. “We stopped for refreshments as planned, about ten minutes ago, I think. You were asleep, and Mr. Light said we could stay in the vehicle if we want, since there aren’t enough seats inside the place anyway. Actually about ten people stayed back, not just us – but then there were making too much noise and I sent them out. They’re probably at the second bus or something.”

He nodded, assimilating the information. “You still haven’t told me why we’re here.”

“Isn’t it obvious? When we stopped, you had zoned out and I didn’t want to disturb you. So I decided to stay here with you.” She smiled, once again as she watched as his cheeks flush. Aww, so cute. She had indeed seen him at his cutest today. “I told Moyin to bring our stuff for us, and she did. It’s in my bag, I’m guessing you’re hungry and you want to eat–”

“Nah, I’d save it for later. Mom made me eat six slices of bread in the morning, and when you take that with Milo and Skippy peanut butter? You become really, sorta filled. Besides, I heard we would be having only dinner there today, so it’s better I save this for now cos something tells me, they won’t be spending another dime for refreshments on us. Don’t need to start wasting unnecessary money.”

“Why so frugal, though?” She chuckled. She never saw reason to approach spending money with caution, although she wasn’t exactly lavish – she just spent as much as she needed, and didn’t worry about how much it was.

“Not by choice, by circumstance. I was given Five thousand for three days, and mom would definitely expect me not to spend every dime, although she won’t collect it back. She’d let me keep it. Besides, I need to save up money for new video games. I fear the next time I tell Dad, I need another he might just smash my console.”

She laughed. “They’re just video games, Tomi.”

“That cost as much as mobile phones.” He replied. “At least that’s what my cousin who lives on the mainland, says all the time when he visits. Dad has bought me three games already this year, that cost over thirty thousand Naira. He wouldn’t refuse the next request I make of him, but sometimes I just don’t feel like bothering him. Let me save up and buy it myself.”

“Better to bother him than to bother yourself.” She said, still not understanding his point of view. His parents had money in abundance, whether they were being grumpy or not while spending – wasn’t the point. The point was that they were ready and compliant in spending. So why burden yourself with their problems? But she knew that voicing her protest on such matter might stimulate an insignificant debate. Especially, at a time like this that they had limited time to spend until God-knows-what happened.

“Is it just me or you sound—cool, and reserved?” He said, his eyes on hers. “I don’t mean you’re usually lousy and loud, but you’re usually more filled with life and vigor. Now you’re just—there. Maybe it’s just me sha, but then again I’m the one who just woke up from sleep and I’m still the one doing more of the talking, than you who has been awake since. Or, did you fall sleep also–”

“No, Tomi, I didn’t fall asleep.” She shook her head, lowering her gaze to his free left hand and slipping her right hand through his. “I don’t know—this just feels like the final time we’d get together until you-know-what happens. I just want to savor it, you know. Because well, we don’t know what the future may hold.”

His eyes narrowed. “Now, you sound like my mom when she is giving me one of those her – don’t get involved with any girl, and get too deep because you don’t know what the future may hold. Which is pretty ironic in this situation, since its happening. I’ve gotten involved with you – a girl, and now we don’t know what the future holds.”

“Okay, what’s your point?”

“My point is, stop worrying.” He slipped his hand from hers, only to cover it with his. “That shit is for adults and people twenty years older than we are. The past generation to be precise. Whatever happened to living in the moment, and not giving a shit about the future?”

“Since when did you even believe stuff like that?” She rolled her eyes. “Dork like you.”

“Exactly, we already have me for worrying and acting like we’re in an ancient period. We can’t have you join that club. Stay in your present, lively club for both of our sakes. For the sake of what we have, okay?”

She smiled again, nodding before resting her head on his shoulder. “It’s not totally because of that though. I can’t help but feel like I brought this upon you. I mean, several lifetimes away when we weren’t this, you were totally out of harm’s way and untouched. Going about your life. But now you cross path with me, and trouble becomes your problem. It’s not fair on you.”

“And it’s also not being fair on yourself, taking all the blame like that. True, if I had remained what I was – I’d have probably stayed out of trouble, but it’s not you that brought the trouble I’m facing now. It’s this thing we have here that brought the trouble. You also didn’t have trouble before, until I came along and then the school started to wonder why you’d be interested in an apparently uninteresting person like me.”

She swallowed, the boy indeed had a point. “Okay.”

“Yes, and even if that weren’t the case and you were truly the one that brought the trouble – then I guess it’s just a small price to pay for the luxury of my relationship with you that I’m currently enjoying.”

Aww.

“Really?” She was pretty sure her face was as red as a tomato. Thank God, he couldn’t see her.

And once again, as if he had read her thoughts – he edged away, causing her to raise her head, before he cupped her chin and turned her face to him. “I’m very, very sure.”

This time when she kissed him, he was more than prepared. His right hand nuzzled her neck, and caressed it gently while his lips worked wonders on her mouth. Stroking, caressing in all the sensual places and leaving a trail of desire, everywhere it ventured on. It was torture of the most exquisite kind, like a drug that heightened her senses but had adverse repercussions. One she’d gladly ignore just to enjoy the drug’s offerings.

She pulled away, for fear of being walked in on. Mr. Light was an extremely sneaky man, and although she didn’t care much for how the staff of the school perceived her – she knew Tomi cared about all that, and she respected those grounds of his. She didn’t want to be the reason for their destruction.

“We’re in a bus, anyone can see us from outside.” She chuckled, stroking his lower lip with her right thumb. “I wish this moment would just last forever. Time should stop, and then the orientation thingy shouldn’t come at all, and we should just be stuck here for whatever’s left of life.”

“With only a couple of meat pies and two bottles of soda as food supply?” He quirked his brow. “I don’t think so, Miss. Even if we could somehow get more from the restaurant, I don’t think I can sustain myself on restaurant food for the rest of my life. There is just something that screams – don’t take it in excess about the way it looks and smells. But, what do I know? I just really like home made food.”

“Your mom must be quite the cook then.”

“She is fantastic. Despite how hectic and demanding her job is as being a fashion designer, and heading her own company – she still finds ample time to prepare dinner. And she doesn’t do it with a lackadaisical attitude. She does it with so much energy, like she hasn’t been doing anything all day. I know at this stage in my life, I shouldn’t be giving too much thought to marriage but I know I’d want someone very similar to my mom as a wife.”

“Aww, really.” Rena smiled. “Why? Surely, it can’t be only because she can cook. If it’s that, you would be attracted to every woman who is a caterer.”

“Of course not,” He almost rolled his eyes. “She is a strong-willed, opinionated, career oriented yet not forfeiting her feminine roles in the family, type of person. Many so called women these days call themselves career women and have no care in the world for being responsible for their family. Sure, it’s their choice to make – but I don’t want that sort of a person. And did I say she is strong? I’m sure I did. She just has this energy around her, this strong vibe. When she’s at work, she’s in control, without much stress. Without much ordering, or giving orders. It’s like—just natural. Would it be weird to say that I’m in love with my mom?”

“Absolutely not, because I love my dad like crazy also.” Rena laughed. “So I can relate so much. But then I thought the way my feelings are like so intense for my dad, is only that way because he isn’t around most of the time, and when he is I’m following him up and down like, all these beggars who are bent on collecting money. But your mom is always around and you like her that much? Don’t get me wrong, there are some really awesome parents in this world. But the way everyone else complains about their parents being major pain in their asses? I just…”

“I get you.” Tomi said. “Really I do. And all what you said is true, especially them being a major pain in the ass. I’m saying I love her now, but on Saturdays when I’m so hooked on Assassins’ Creed and she walks into my room and orders me to go do the laundry I’ve been piling up for decades, then I’d start to grumble and stomp my feet, and start saying her wahala is too much. That must she always disturb me while I’m catching fun? Plus, she won’t even let me use the damn washing machine!”

She couldn’t help her laughter. “Yeah, I think you’ve mentioned that before.”

“It’s just so annoying at times like that.” Tomi continued. “Or when I tell her forehand like several weeks to a big event that I’m going for, but on that day she’d conveniently act like we haven’t talked about it before, and keep me home because the place is too far or she doesn’t trust the people throwing the parties. At times like that, I don’t exactly think of love you know.”

“I get it.”

“But all in all, she’s my favorite. She’s always been, my dad hasn’t even come close.” She thought she could sense, a little bitterness in his voice. “Don’t get me wrong. My dad is awesome in his own way. And sometimes we do some really cool male stuff together. Watch action films and TV shows, and occasionally play games. Sometimes he even lets me in on his conversation with his mates, and most of the expensive stuff I have was bought by him. But it’s very clear to everyone around that Imisi is his favorite. He doesn’t even hide it.

“I might be mom’s favorite, but she doesn’t make it that obvious. It’s only when I sit down and analyze the way she treats both of us, and think harder into her every reaction that I’d reach a conclusion like – wow, okay she was a bit partial when it came to me, and more lenient. And that says a lot, because Imisi is a lot younger.”

“The stereo typical parent setting.” Rena agreed. “Dad prefers daughter, and Mom likes son better. I bet they give you that – You know, we love the both of you equally crap, every now and then.”

Tomi laughed, nodding. “You know so much for someone who only has a dad.”

“I have a lot of friends, and I have a life.” She shrugged. “Besides, I have a little experience in that in balancing two best friends.”

“Yeah, about that. I always wanted to ask if you are close to the both of them, on the same equal grounds.” Tomi sat up, his interest piqued. “Because it’s hard to picture that sort of stuff in my head. I just can’t see myself, having another Alexis-like person and having to balance both of them. Asides from the fact that Alexis is wahala on his own, and having another one of him is suicide, I just don’t think it’s possible to have two best friends.”

She clasped her hands, reflecting on his words. His words were indeed true, and had essence in them. And it was a question that she had asked herself several times, and hadn’t exactly come close to figuring it out. But for some reason, she felt the answer spring to life.

“What I can say is that I adore them so much. On the same level? That’s a tough question. Moyin is the calm, reserved person although very outspoken when she is in company of people she knows well. She has always being the moral compass, the one that’s always pushing me and April to do more positive things and for that, I love her. My life is so much better with her in it. But sometimes, she is extremely uptight and too prude ish for my liking. Sometimes, she finds it hard to relate to me for the wild person I could be and that’s where April comes in.

“Me and April, are pretty much the same people really. There is hardly any difference between us, asides from the fact that she talks slightly more than I do. And flirts more, of course. Take that away, and you have the same person. But can you relate to this feeling, where someone who is too similar to you just often irritates you for no reason, when they don’t even do wrong? When you just feel like must it always be this way, and all that?”

“Totally, I can relate. The way arrogant people don’t like arrogant people, because well only one can dominate.”

She scrunched her nose. “Not a negative thing like that, but you get the feel and analogy. That’s how it is with April. There are things I’m more comfortable to tell April, because I’m afraid Moyin would think really less of me and judge me even if she doesn’t say a thing. And there also things that I feel more comfortable to tell Moyin, because April would act highly irrational about It and would do something I’d do – which I won’t like. So I love them for different things, and why I can’t say it’s the same level on those things – the fact that they both have different parts to play, puts them on equal ground.”

“Got it,” He said. “That’s a lot clearer, now. To simplify it, April is for purpose A. Moyin is for purpose B. Both can’t be swapped for their purposes, as they’re the only ones who can play it well thus equal grounds.”

“Yup.” She smiled. “And suddenly I’m so tired, maybe I should sleep a little bit also. I should, but then I’m afraid that when I wake up, this time would have been wasted and we’d be at the venue already–”

He placed a finger over her lips to silence her. “Shh. We’ve talked enough, sometimes it isn’t about talking. It’s just about being. More so, I want to return the favor and watch you sleep also. So, if you would please, relax and close your eyes. It’s my turn to watch.”

She chuckled. “Okay, anyway. Remember that I like you no matter what happens next–”

“Now, you’re being dramatic–”

“I’m not. It’s just that this whole thing is new to you and–”

“Hey, I’ve gotten into trouble several times this term, don’t you forget about that. The trouble with my sister’s inhaler and then, the entire lab thing.”

Uh-oh.

A cold chill ran down her spine, followed by the rapid escalation of her heart rate. Her conscience was doing numbers on her, as she thought back to the time that she and Dabby had planned out the entire ruse, to get him into punishment so they could have more time to spend together. She had of course, promised herself to tell him after they’d have become friends, but it had totally skipped her mind. Also, how was she supposed to tell him anyway?

Hey? Remember that time that you got into trouble? Almost lost your prefect office? Got your parents and yourself disgraced? Well, I was responsible for it. But don’t take it personal though, it was only to get us to spend more time with each other.

She swallowed hard at the difficulty of the entire thing. Wasting more time, without revealing it portended more potential for disaster, but revealing it now when they were in such an intimate moment? Hell no. But it was being reckless. She didn’t want to ruin the future, and she didn’t want to ruin the present moment also. Unfortunately for her, one had to get ruined and she had to decide which was the safer bet.

“Hey? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” She snapped out of her thoughts and donned her best smile.

A brief pause followed before his reply. “Want to tell me anything?”

“No,” She said quickly. There was no point in deliberating on the issue. It simply wasn’t the best time to talk about it. “There is nothing. Why would there be something–”

“Look, Rena I’m tired of standing and I just can’t take it anymore.” A person huffed, as they climbed into the bus and walked towards them. “Ah, Tomi good to have you back on the land of the living…” Moyin addressed Tomi, before turning back to Rena. “The rest are also coming. We can’t take it anymore.”

Before she could reply, Tomi interfered with his question.

“Take what anymore?”

“Your girlfriend didn’t tell you that she chased all of us out?” Moyin’s nose scrunched. “Me, Mofiyin, April and Alexis. All of us, she sent us out like that. All because she wanted to have you all to herself. Nonsense, if not the fact that she promised she’d be spending extra money on us during our stay there, I wouldn’t have moved one toe.”

Rena rolled her eyes. “You can’t eat your cake and have it.”

Multiple feet, trudging on the ground became audible just as another set of people piled into the bus. April and the boys, apparently.

“I didn’t know it was them you chased away. I thought it was S.S.S.1 prefects.” Tomi whispered into her ear, but Moyin heard anyway.

“For where,” Moyin rolled her eyes. “You know we’ve been pretty much controlling them and telling them to keep their noise on a low level, while we talked as much as we wanted to. It’s nothing personal, though. Just normal senior protocol. When they asked who wanted to step down. They all ran inside the restaurant like those minions in the Despicable me franchise chasing after Ice Cream, or Banana whatever they call it.”

The duo laughed, and then they got joined by the rest and pleasant conversation resumed. Rena’s mood was mostly solemn, and her spirits – dampened, but Tomi was right in saying it was best that they lived in the moment, and savored it even if they weren’t going to get something similar in the future. And that was what she planned to do—pledged to do for the next three days.

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And Phase 2 has finally come to an end. It has been one heck of a ride, right? The third and final phase has only four chapters so that means, in 4 weeks time – this book will be coming to an end.

Who is excited and at the same time, sad?

Drop a comment and tap that star as you await the next chapter.