“People confuse ego, lust, insecurity with true love.” – Simon Cowell.

•••

My name’s blurryface and I care what you think…

My name’s blurryface and I care what you think…

For some unknown reason, he couldn’t keep out the lyrics of the particular song from ringing in his head. They simply came to the fore of his brain on their own accord. He didn’t need to ponder much as to why such was happening. The particular song in question – Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots highlighted the themes of fatigue and insecurities, two vices that have been ever dominant in his life for a while now.

He exasperated gloomily, as he rose to his feet alongside his class-mates. The bell had gone bringing the third period to the end, and initiating a short recess. But the break didn’t apply to him. No, it didn’t apply to the jocks. As a striker on the school’s foot-ball team, break actually signified the direct opposite of its purpose. It was just more work.

The team was going to assemble for the first time in the session, as protocol demanded that such should be observed on the second day of every new term. On every other regular day, he would feel invigorated and liberated towards the notion of a new season but after four consecutive years of stagnancy and complacency, one couldn’t blame him from having dampened spirits.

He was indeed a striker on the team, but that didn’t automatically give him play time. There were a handful of players in his position also, seniors in fact who would go to all ends of the earth to ensure they were the favorites, putting him at a disadvantage. The fact that his grades were average didn’t help things either. It sounded ridiculous to make academics – work hand in hand with sports, but when there was such a large population seeking for a chance to prove themselves then any filter would be implored in eliminating applicants off the list. No matter how irrelevant it might be to the subject matter.

Slinging his bag over his right shoulder, he careened out of the class without casting a backward glance at his mates. He hardly recognized a face in the class, and the few ones he knew—weren’t exactly friendly ones. Oh, he hated the shuffling system so much. He and pretty much every student in Lake wondered how the shuffling system was so efficient that it always managed to place a person and their closest friends in separate classes. The fact that the school had a whooping number of five Arms helped a lot, he guessed. He had no choice than to get used to it.

Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days…

The lyrics resurfaced once again, captioning his pain as he walked down the hall-way, heading out of the building to the school’s field. He really wished time could turn back to when everything was pleasant. When he was on the Junior team, and was among the best. When he didn’t really have to bother so much about keeping his grades up. When he had the company of his best-friend uncompromised by some lurking fate.

Lurking fate as in the potential of a big social status change-up. Tomi’s fears might not be valid, but it would be stupid to think that the happenings of late wouldn’t exert some major change on his life. It was only a matter of time before he would be sucked into it fully, and leave the normalcy behind. Leave him in the normalcy behind.

Then he would have to find a new friend.

Okay fine, maybe he was being a bit too paranoid but there was a high probability that could happen. It would only be sensible to be prepared for it–

His thoughts ceased as he rammed into a figure rather violently. Upon averting his gaze forward, he figured the person was feminine and that he had sent the contents in her hand tumbling to the floor. Contents which consisted of text-books, note-books and markers. The female however had an incongruous expression on her face, as her gaze shifted from her belongings on the floor to his face – momentarily.

Oh not her of all people.

The girl in question was one he knew, and of course pretty much every male in the school. April Iben, the hyper social extrovert. Grade A beauty and flirt, in possession of all the adequate goodies. Pale-white skin, lemon-tinted eyes, hour-glass shape, bow-shaped lips and every other impaling feature existing. After his short assessment, he had to keep his mouth shut so as to prevent saliva from spewing out.

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking.” Alexis gritted his teeth, as he crouched to pick up the books. After a display of hesitance, April leaned over to assist him also and he could sense that she was slightly irritated by her action of keeping shut.

“Here you go.” He added in a hoarse tone, as he handed over the stack of text-books to her. As she reached out to retrieve it, he caught the expression on her face and finally detected that it wasn’t in anyway inclined to anger.

“Thanks,” Suddenly, a bright smile radiated off her face as they both rose to their feet. “Sorry for acting weird. I was just trying to place your face, cos it seems familiar. You’re that Tomi’s friend right?”

Of course, I’m the friend of Tomi. Nothing more.

“Yeah, I guess.” He couldn’t keep the soberness out of his voice. Latching onto the straps of his bag on his shoulders, he rocked them to readjust it comfortably. “Once again, sorry for the scene. No one likes being collided with in a hall as busy as this. Especially during recess.”

“Oh, come on.” She bristled, dismissing his apology with another smile. “Look at how tall this pile of books are. I mean they’re basically screaming – hit me, and knock me to the floor. I’m literally a walking accident. They’re just too many. I don’t know why the Geography teacher likes choosing me for menial tasks like this when he knows boys would be suited better for it. Speaking about boys being suited better for this, how about you help me with this to the staff-room? I’d owe you one.”

Owe me one?

A lump formed in his throat, as the words registered in his head. Did he really want to walk April Iben to the staff-room?

“Gee, uh. I don’t know about that. I mean I’m not the strongest boy around. I’m pretty sure if you ask anyone around, they’d be delighted to help. I don’t think I’d be much help–”

The words sank back to his throat, as she shoved a couple of books into his hands and resumed her walk ahead, motioning for him to follow. Sighing, he did so and joined her.

“Why don’t you want to walk with me?” She enquired, looking up at him inquisitively. It was difficult to keep his eyes on hers from his angle of view, and preventing them from straying downwards to her chest—which was bulging out enticingly.

“It’s not about that. Just like I said earlier–”

“These are just text-books. They aren’t gym equipment, Alexis. Right? That’s your name?”

Wow, at least she did know his name.

“Yeah, my name is Alexis and please don’t go on to ask me why I was named such instead of Alex or Alexander because I really don’t know. I’m kind-off tired of answering that question all over and over again.”

“Oh, try me. You think I can’t relate with my name also?” Her nose scrunched upwards. “I mean I don’t blame them for asking anyway. A girl named April born in October. There is simply no correlation between both instances, but who cares? I love my name, and that’s what matters the most. Just imagine if I was named October? Haha, now that would be a good laugh.”

“Until they see you.” He smiled.

“Sorry?”

Uh-oh.

He shook his head. “Never mind.”

“No, that’s a sentence I never take in my life.” She shook her head and narrowed her eyes up at him while he took his gaze elsewhere. “Once you say something to April, you’ve said it. If she doesn’t hear it, you gotta say it again.”

“And what would happen if I don’t say it again?”

Her gaze melted into that of a warm, beckoning one. Damn, the girl knew her game well indeed. It was protocol for flirts anyway.

“Then I would beg you really hard.”

There was something so innocent and sexually suggestive about the monotone in which she used to speak her last words that triggered something in him. He knew it would be pointless trying to hoard the information to himself.

“Fine, I meant they would only laugh at you until they see you.” His voice was tense, and he waited patiently for comprehension to dawn on her and when it didn’t, he progressed. “You know, until they see you and realize just how you look.”

Her brows dilated knowingly, and the edges of her lips curved upwards into a smile. Good job Alexis, he scolded himself. You’ve just joined the numerous amounts of boys that gives her compliment about her looks every time. Surely, she isn’t tired of hearing that.

“Thanks, Alexis. That was cute.”

Cute?

“This is my stop.” She halted by the arch-way of a staff-room indeed, amidst the throng of rooms on the left-hand side of the large Senior block hall-way, and stretched out her hands so he could hand over the books in his hands. He did so quickly, and took a step backward. “Thanks, I’d see you around?”

He wasn’t sure if her last statement was a declaration, question or a request so he proceeded to replying with the one answer that was appropriate for all.

“Yeah, sure.” He flashed a weak smile at her before whirling around to leave, almost colliding with another static figure standing behind him. Fortunately for him, it was a more than familiar person the figure belonged to.

Tomi.

“So you’re that love-struck that you can’t even see road again?”

Tomi’s arms were folded and he had a devilish smile dancing on his lips.

“What do you mean love-struck?” He tried to sound all serious, so as to dismiss Tomi’s suggestion as ridiculous but he couldn’t. “I was just helping her with some books, that’s all.”

“And since when did you start associating with people like April?” Tomi pressed on, as they resumed their walk. “Not to talk of rendering your assistance?”

“Stop reading too much meaning into it, jeez.” He growled. “I ran into her mistakenly and she offered me the opportunity to help, and I did.”

His friend didn’t look convinced in any way. “As busy and noisy as this hall is, you’re still running into people? What were you thinking of? It would be too far-fetched to say you were thinking of her, and then you ran into her again. That’s too fortuitous.”

“Can we just leave this topic alone? It’s nothing.”

“It is, if you’re catching feelings already.” Tomi insisted. “You know April is the one person, no one in their right senses would have feelings for. Take my word when I say you’d have a better shot with Selena Gomez. Seriously, there is a higher chance you’d end up in a relationship with her, compared to April.”

Alexis couldn’t help but laugh. “Now that’s just going over-board. Why the hell would you say that?”

“She’s a flirt, Alexis and you know it.” Tomi cut him off with a serious tone. He was indeed serious it would seem. “She’d act like she likes every single boy that she comes across. Provided that said boy doesn’t have his entire set of teeth decayed, of course. And then when you begin to catch feelings, you’d just see her doing what she did with you with someone else. It’s like that, man.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“I’m just doing it because I hate it so much when you run into people in the hall-way, not because you’re my friend and I care about your feelings being trampled upon–”

“My God, Tomi. I don’t like this girl.”

“But you are going to, if you don’t get a handle on it. I’m just warning you. Tread carefully.” Alexis had been so submerged in their conversation, that he hadn’t realized one bit that they were well out of the school’s building and were approaching the field.

They were currently walking down a narrow terrain, with well primed and manicured green grass by its sides. The grass was also home to numerous wooden benches – which were occupied by quite a number of students partaking in all sorts. Some were huddled over in groups—like a swarm of bees, buzzing and chatting while some remained alone engaging themselves in actions of eating, reading and some other stuff that would be best not to mention.

Both layers of grass by their sides, adjoined in the distance ahead ending the short run-way and served as the beginnings of the school’s large foot-ball pitch which spread further into the distance ahead for another hundred yards. It was indeed a sight to behold.

“So, how do you think this semester is gonna be? Change in playtime?”

“Iffa hear,” He drawled. “At this point, it would be reasonable to start looking for houses on the bench to rent cos I know I’d be staying there for a long time. You know coach’s son just transferred to Lake, and he is a center forward like me also. Plus, the three other seniors originally vying for the post. I don’t even have ho, not to talk of hope. It’s next term I know the change up is going to come.”

“Well,” Tomi sighed. “You’re kinda tight with Itunu, right? When he is finally made captain, I guess he could call shots for you.”

“Maybe, I mean he is Itunu. He has hundreds of people like me trying to get on his good side. See, I’m not killing myself on football again. If I get playtime, so be it. If I don’t, then it’s not God’s will for my life.”

“But if your mom decides not to get you FIFA 18, you’d not agree that it’s God’s will for your life abi, idiot.” Tomi jeered, as his eyes narrowed at an incoming figure. “See the Itunu we were just talking about.”

The tall, dark, stacked 6’3 feet figure strolled over to them in easy, short strides with an aura that demanded authority and respect. It was easy to see why he was the next captain. They had crossed over from the terrace onto the grass now, as they watched the towering figure of the football’s team soon-to-be captain approach them.

“Hey, Alexis. You’re late. Coach has assembled all center forwards.” He said in a cool but authoritative tone, before his gaze shifted to Tomi by his side. “Tomi, what’s up?”

“Never been better.”

“Of course,” Itunu folded his arms, advancing closer to them. “With that fashion award and your new popularity rankings, I imagine you’d be doing anything less than great. You do know that they all come with a price, right? Are you ready for such spotlight?”

Tomi exchanged a curious look with Alexis, before replying. “I’d do my best to handle it. It’s not like I’m not used to popularity at all. It’s just a new type. Thanks for the concern, though.”

“Concern, yeah I’m really concerned for you.” The manner of his reply, did nothing than make the boys uncomfortable. “Anyway, strap up and join the rest. It’s going to be a long day.” He added, his eyes shifting back to Alexis.

And with that, he spun around and vanished back into the crowd on the field, consisting of various groups. But the groups had one thing in common – footballs. In several groups it was being kicked about, not tarrying  too long in one place like it had some sort of contagious disease. In others, it was used for other purposes—such as running drills, charging through hurdles and the likes. It was indeed a busy day.

“What the hell did he mean by that?” Tomi asked, a wrinkle on his fore-head. “It’s like he was threatening me or something and don’t you tell me I was reading too much meaning into it. You heard what I heard.”

It was only a fool that would tag Itunu’s demeanor as regular.

“I did, but I don’t think its something too big. But still, watch your back. One can never be too careful.”

The frown on his face disappeared and he sighed. “Sure, see you during lunch.” His friend gave him a hard punch on his right bicep before scurrying off the field. Clenching his fists, he inhaled sharply to emboss himself with confidence before joining the other players on the field.

Bring it on.

*****

“There is a curse on our club. A big one.”

Legide grunted as she slammed the lone piece of white paper on the desk – before her which was empty. Exhaling sharply, she raked through her braided hair with her left hand and braced her right elbow on the table.

Resumption had once again come with the typical stress for every club member, but in her case – the roots of the stress was reverse. While other members were experiencing headaches owing to the fact of an immense number of members and how to juggle their responsibilities efficiently, she was bothered about her club remaining a club and not some support group for bereaved individuals.

That’s how few in number they were.

“You know any herbalist around?” She heard a familiar voice from behind, coming up to meet her.

“Now would be a good time to let go of your Christian faith for once and do what’s needed to be done. I don’t think we have the time on our hands to pray and fast, so quickest solution – find a correct Babalowo. If we’re lucky we should find one that has roots of both Benin and Yoruba people.”

Her lips twitched, in their action of inhibiting a smile. “Ella, how am I sure you’re not the cause of my predicament? You’ve been with me all my life here in Lake, and you’re from Benin? Please, if you are just lift the curse biko. I promise I’d be a better best-friend as from now on.”

Ella squeaked in delight as she picked up the scanty paper on the table. “So you know you’ve done wrong, huh?”

Her shoulders rocked as her gaze set on Ella by her left in all her tall, slender, caramel-skinned glory. “You mean asides telling you to prepare for your exams and refusing to help you during exams so you could study on your own? Sure, what else have I done wrong?”

“How about scoring higher than me in every single test and exam?” Ella’s brows rose, inciting laughter in her friend as her gaze skimmed the paper. “You don’t see that as an offence? Can you just see just how much I’m putting up with here? C’mon give me some credit.”

“Please, please. Set me free of this curse.” Legide clasped both of her hands and held it up in a feigned plea charade.

She and Ella sat at the back of the literary club debate common room, atop a 3-feet tall threshold—looming over the rest of the room, which consisted of metal chairs arraigned in several rows and columns. On the walls of the room, graffiti and charts inclined to the art world was scrawled and displayed in uniformity, complimenting the lavishly decorated interior of grey brick wallpaper – plastered on the walls.

At the utmost end of the room, another threshold was erected—mirroring the same height as the one they occupied. The one ahead served the function of a podium. It was mostly vacant in terms of items, but deeply entrenched beyond the facade of shallow eye-sight were the back-drop images of technical equipment.

They were awaiting the arrival of the club members, although now that her gaze skimmed the room, taking note of the few people present – she guessed it was almost the entire population.

The woes were indeed coming back to haunt them.

She didn’t blame the previous members for taking off, and the recruits for not lasting more than the fleet of a second. The club’s administration was to blame for all of it. Too much responsibilities were shouldered on too few a people, and when an occasion arose for the club to portray its talent, mostly in contests—most of the time, they didn’t emerge being the Victor. And instead of issuing words of encouragement and consolation, the administration would rip off the students—blaming them totally for the fall. Not taking into consideration how heavy the weight was. Of course such action only prompted the departure of many and ensured others didn’t harbor thoughts of ever joining.

People like her were only still in the club, because she couldn’t exactly function elsewhere and the reputation she had built for herself wasn’t something she could rebuild somewhere else. Even if she had a small kingdom, she was a queen and she’d rather be of royal status in a small domain than be a commoner in a larger territory.

“Before I do so, you’re gonna have to swear an oath.” They were both on their seats now, Legide going through statistical document, while Ella was fiddling with her fingers—her eyes on her friend. “That you will for no reason return to your previous behavior and would be truly remorseful of your actions.”

“Which one, exactly?” Legide asked, not lifting her gaze up from the table. “For being smarter than you are or for being hotter? Have your pick.”

Ella snorted in derision. “Wow, that’s the coldest thing someone has said to me today. Like did you get that? Hot and cold. Oh, I’m on fire. Fuck you being hot.”

“If only your puns could be useful in enlisting people’s help, then that would be hot.” She rubbed her forehead gently. “We don’t have much time. Just look at us, this doesn’t even look like a club anymore. This just looks like some sort of room where people who are running away from their clubs come to hang out.”

Her friend’s eyes scanned the room and she could sense she was worried also, despite her amused glare. “It’s not like we don’t know what we need to do to increase our membership, it’s just that the activity is not worth doing and it won’t work. If Lake Students don’t want to join our club, nothing would change their mind. I mean nothing outside the conventional distribution of pamphlets and begging them to give us a chance.”

“So if we were to go outside, what would be doing?”

“Well, you know. If you tell the boys that there would be a video game arcade available to all members during meetings, then that’d go a long way. Or if you told the girls that there would be pictures of Shawn Mendes to ogle during the course of the meeting, then they just might reconsider.”

Legide tittered. “You’re silly.”

“And if you told the teachers that they’d get a raise if they joined also, c’mon – the number of our members would explode so much, this place would be as crowded as an Ed Sheeran concert. Trust me. So you see, I gave good, cogent suggestions. Its now your choice to decide to use them or not.”

It was hard to be angry anymore, her friend had quite the persona. But still, they needed to deal with their predicament or else they faced the threat of sanction and query from the principal’s office.

“Emmanuella,” She began in a serious tone. “Let’s be serious. What can we do?”

Cracking her knuckles, her addressee sat up. “Recruit a member.”

“And somehow miraculously that one member would transform into fifty additional people and end our problem?”

“Just chill out, okay.” Ella scoffed, holding her hand up. “That analysis is indeed possible. Recruiting someone that would result in a big population boom of the club.”

“Tell me.”

“If the person has influence and fame, then his or her protégés and farmzers will troop here also. All we need is someone very popular, and luckily for us. The most popular person in school these days is up for grabs.”

Legide’s head jerked backward. “You have to be kidding me. Rena and her snobbish family would rather go to the moon and spend the rest of their lives there than join a club that would actually require them to put their brain to use.”

“Ouch! Easy okay? This ain’t Twitter.” Ella flinched. “No, Rena and Itunu and co aren’t the most popular these days. It’s Tomi.”

“Tomi Adeiye?”

“Yup, he might not be ranking #1 but the fact that he is the most recent break-out and other popular people have been popular all their lives, makes him the biggest deal. So if we can strike now when the iron is hot, and bring him here then I believe a lot of people could reconsider joining us. And unlike other popular people, the boy gat the brains. It’s a perfect fit.”

Tomi Adeiye?

The mention of the name, invoked some sort of indiscernible, funny emotion in her. She couldn’t exactly place a handle on why that was so. They were not enemies, neither were they friends. But there had always been some sort of pull and attraction between them, she just couldn’t explain it. And now to bring him into her club? With the prospect of working closely together every day? Well, oh well.

Did she want such attention now that he’s what he is?

“I don’t know, Ella.” She said finally. “If we bring him here and want to take advantage of the fact that he’s popular, then we’d have to place him in a pioneer position. Where he is going to be making decisions and he’d become some sort of face, you know. Meaning he’d work closely with me and—I don’t think I’d like such contact with someone popular. You know I try as much as possible to stay out of the spotlight.”

“C’mon, you know how important this is.” Ella protested, slamming her right curled fist into the table, producing a loud bang that drew the attention of the room occupants. “This isn’t about you, this is about the club as a whole. You gotta learn how to take one for the team, girl. When next you see him, approach him and tend in your—oh my! He just passed by, go after him!”

Her mouth fell open, as she followed the direction of Ella’s squeal and indeed catch glimpse of a familiar body frame walking past the large arch-way.

“I’d do it later–”

But her friend wasn’t listening. She had grabbed onto both of her arms, and wrenched her up to her feet before shoving her towards the door.

“Do it now, or else I’d go to him myself and tell him that you have a crush on him, and that’s the reason why we don’t have new members because the crush is taking up the entire space of the room.”

Legide took quick, hurried steps towards her target. Her insides were fidgeting for some unknown reason, but she spoke to it in an indiscrete tone to quiet it down. But she wasn’t quiet enough, because of her whispers was loud enough to catch Tomi’s attention and make him turn around.

“Oh, hey hi! Tomi. What’s up?” Entwining her fingers behind her, she flashed the warmest smile she could conjure at the moment.

She could feel the unease was mutual, judging by his action of clenching his fists also. But his voice was firm.

“Doing good, Legide. And how are you?” He nodded, curtly.

“Same old, same old. Cut-throat time-tables, new unfriendly class-mates, suffocating club duties.” She replied, resisting the urge to break their locked gazes. Not like his face wasn’t a sight to behold, but because it was indeed too much of a sight to behold. Damn, how could someone be so effortlessly good-looking?

“Speaking about suffocating club duties, could you do me a solid?”

“A favor?” It was somewhat difficult to read the expression in his eyes, because it was partly concealed by his brown-rimmed glasses but she could detect surprise in them. “Sure, go on. Why not.”

“Are you in any way in love with your current club?”

This time around, she could read the emotion in his eyes loud and clear. He was surprised.

“Okay, not to the extent that I’d take a bullet for its members or the teacher. But to the extent, where I can devote time to it. Why?”

“I was wondering if you would love to leave and join another club.”

“Another club?”

“Yeah, another club.” She nodded. “The literary and jet club aren’t too different really. They have a lot in common. Both requires it members to be intellectually equipped. Both hold contests, championships and award laurels. It’s just in different fields really.”

“What makes you think someone like me would be fit for the debate team?” He folded his arms, and she thought she could spot facets of a smile glowing on the edges of his lips. “Asides from the fact that I wear glasses and look like a dork, of course.”

She giggled. “Well, you’re a really vocal person. I’ve seen you during laboratory orientations. The ones you give to the students in junior school, and I think your communication prowess Is really strong. And I also know you have what it takes intellectually and of course, you look like a dork. I’m sorry, I just couldn’t leave that out. So what say you?”

His face finally broke into a smile. “I really don’t know…”

Say yes…

Say yes…

Say yes…

“You know what?” He said finally. “Let me get back to you. It’s not a decision I could make suddenly. And I fear a civil war is going to erupt when I tell my overseers at Jet, that I’m jetting off to elsewhere. It’s kind-off delicate.”

Once again, another smile spread over her face. “I know right? Math champion leaving the Jet club. It’s like Lionel Messi leaving Barca, not to another club but to another sport. It’d be somewhat disastrous. But of course, you’re not the only math-wiz in the school and I trust they’d be able to fair well without you. So, let the war come. We’d be ready.”

“You mean I’d be ready, cos we both know you’re not going to face it with me.” He interjected playfully. “So I’d get back to you at the end of the week? Is that okay by you?”

“Sure, it is.” She nodded. “Thanks in advance, because I know it’s definitely going to be a positive reply.”

“Oh, we’d see about that.” He said, before turning around to leave. She watched his figure vanish into the jumbled crowd ahead, until Ella came up behind her.

“I’d say we have that one in the bag.” Enthusiasm was booming in her voice.

“Why are you so sure?” She turned on her best-friend.

“In the history of – Let me get back to you statements, how many times has the answer being positive? All the time, my dear. If it’s negative, it’s still positive at its core cos the person probably wants the other one to persuade them further in making such decision. No person in their right senses with courtesy will raise someone hopes up, and let it crash. Certainly not someone like him who probably has a crush on you also.”

A cold chill ran down her spine at Ella’s statement. She wondered why it was so, though? But which girl in her right senses wouldn’t be delighted that Tomi Adeiye had interest in her?

“You think?” She shut out her subconscious, not wanting to get ahead of herself. Putting emotions into the inherent undertaking wasn’t a logical decision. She made logical decisions all the time.

It’s not going to be different with him.

“Oh, please with the way he was smiling, and licking his lips all the time like he knew it has a special effect on everyone cos its pink and all.” Ella giggled. “It’s either that or he really enjoyed the conversation and knowing that the topic could result in war between two clubs? I don’t think so.”

She returned her attention to the life ahead, with a smile still on her face. Of course, he was now gone and well out of sight but she knew he wasn’t exactly out of sight. In fact, he was more closer than ever.

*****

“Girls or Basket-ball. You gotta choose one son!”

He slammed his locker close, the collision resulting in a loud bang that echoed through the hall but he didn’t care much for onlookers. Unfortunately, he could only shut his locker close and not his mind from the chastising words of the coach – spoken earlier on the court. He didn’t know why he had to be hammered upon so early in the term? Was he the only player in the team or the only one who had a pretty upscale girl activity life?

You’re the star, Dabby.

He scoffed out loud, draping his bag through his arms and commencing his short walk to the cafeteria. It was lunch period, and he was starving as hell. The fact that he wasn’t in a good mood didn’t do much in denting his appetite. Absolutely nothing could quell his appetite. Even if his taste buds and stomach were removed, he’d pretty much thirst for food.

But still, that didn’t mean his mood was all that great.

If coach had done the admonishing in subtle and discrete way perhaps, it wouldn’t have triggered the frustration in him. But the man had to lash out on him in public, in the presence of his team-mates and other random people. To him it was a total dick move. And the fact that it was unexpected also didn’t help things.

He knew to play it cool around coach and in the court premises—but the man had been very lenient and flexible in the past, causing him to slack and misbehave at times. He did flirt with girls even during practice, but the man never seemed to have a problem with it in the past. As far as he played well, and his mojo was intact but maybe today he had pushed his luck and had gotten the scolding as a repercussion.

He didn’t see anything wrong in what he did. What was so bizarre in chatting with a girl by the side-lines while he made three-pointers? As far as he made the basket, his action didn’t deserve to be frowned upon but—no, coach just had to lose his cool, like those predator animals with diseases from the Zootopia movie.

The words were still ringing in his head.

“You have to make a decision, make it now. I’ve had enough of your nonchalant attitude towards everything? Oh, you think it’s because you’re the best? Uh, local champion. Best on the Island. Go outside and meet real talent. I’m not trying to take your hustle away from you son, but there are people who are more talented than you are, and even more serious with it. Haven’t you heard the saying? Hard-work would beat Talent, when talent isn’t working? Do you see Tomi dallying about indulging in frivolities, and refusing to work harder just because he’s the proclaimed math champion of the school?...”

That particular comparison pissed him off. He couldn’t seem to get a grip as to why Tomi Adeiye had become such a big deal, and model of perfection to be mentioned in every discussion. He was an easy-going person, friendly with virtually everyone and had no rift or qualms but if Tomi’s appraisal continued, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would be able to stop himself from despising the boy unconsciously.

“…No, he works even harder despite his talent. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s not good to catch fun and sit back to relax. But know there is a limit to it. And know there is a time to get serious, I’m sure whatever girl you were charming back there could wait after practice, right? Last I checked, I didn’t see any dude worthy around to grab her attention, I mean the football field is on the other side of the school and Itunu is miles away if that’s what you’re worried about…”

That comparison didn’t exactly irk him. It was something he had gotten accustomed to over the years, and the same went for Itunu also.

“…Even this Itunu works harder than you do. After school hours, I see him running drills, exercising and using gym equipment to get stronger. He’s every bit as social as you are, and I think he handles his social life quite well. So, please this your apathy must end. This would be the first and last time I’d be doing this. If this continues, and I’m convinced you’re not ready to change – you’d be kicked off the team. Don’t test me Daberechi, I mean it totally. I’d rather have average hardworking and devoted players than talented ones who are lazy. Dismissed.”

Fuck him, fuck them all.

His fists clenched involuntarily at the thought of being evicted from the team. That would be the classic and greatest dick move of all time from the coach. He had done so much for the team, played for so long. He shouldn’t be the type of player that should be put up for thoughts of being kicked off. But enough gloomy thoughts, he had better things to busy his mind with.

Multiple students like him were heading to the hall, and leaving also. As usual, the girls walking past him didn’t bother to take a moment or two to admire his goods and he also didn’t mind sparing a moment or two to flash a smile or wink at them. Oh, God was indeed a great God. So much beauty all around. He really deserved all the praise.

It was first week and so table rules weren’t enforced strictly. Anyone could sit anywhere they liked. Stepping into the hall, his ears fell victim to the uproar of noise as his eyes navigated the room, scanning for familiar faces. His pace slowed down a bit, as he walked from the east and lone entrance, pausing at the aisle to inspect the state of things. It was the usual. Several groups of boys and girls muddled up on various tables – chatter dominant on each, while several people like him—strolled to and fro – North and South bound.

He wasn’t with his jock friends today, in fact he had left them behind on purpose. He didn’t want to be with them today and get reminded of what happened earlier. What he needed was some people to disturb and offload his problems on.

Aha!

A smile dispersed across his face, as he set gaze on a more-than-familiar trio of girls who were the sole occupants of a table on the left, about four or five tables from where he stood. Wasting no time, he skulked towards their direction and sunk into a seat in the first column of the table, beside the only person on the table pleased to see him.

“Urgh! To think that if we sat somewhere hidden, we could avoid him.” One of two girls, facing him across the table – groaned. “Rena, do you happen to have a bone in your bag? Maybe if we throw it up towards the exit he’d follow it and leave.”

“It’s glad to see your sarcasm and witty retorts aren’t suffering recession, Mo.” He snarled, as he turned a horrifying smile on the girl who sat by Moyin’s right. “My one and only blood artery. How’s it going?”

“April, please carry your load and go.” Rena sighed, picking at her plate of coconut rice. “I’ve told you several times, that kids aren’t allowed to eat on the table of elders. You never listen.”

Paying no attention to Rena’s scathing remark, he called the attention of a passing female prefect. “Waiter! Could you please come take my order now?” He completed with a classic wink, and his action rendered the expected effect on his addressee. Her cheeks colored up and she looked away.

“Gee, and I really didn’t want to eat my chicken bone earlier.” He could see Moyin shaking her head, from the corner of his eyes. “But when I heard that thing about how it makes your bones stronger, I couldn’t resist. The bone would have been very useful here.”

April rose to her feet. “Let me go get his food, before he draws more attention and child care services come take him away.”

“Thanks, love.” He winked at her knowingly, but she only rolled her eyes and gave him a light knock on his head as she squeezed herself, through the clustered space of the column of chairs, behind him—facing the other table. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get a blush out of her, she had been with him too long to know all his moves. Plus, she was just like him. So her defense was well-structured.

“So what’s on the conversational menu, today?” He returned his attention to the girls before him, who looked like they’d rather be anywhere doing anything, than to be in a discussion with him. “How is it possible for three best-friends like you guys to be in love with one guy? Oh, let me give you a hint. Beauty, just magnificent beauty.”

“If you mean magnificence in being stupid and annoying then yeah, I understand where you’re coming from.” Rena scowled, lodging a spoonful of rice into her mouth and chewing heartily. “But beauty? I guess its meaning has being swapped with being ignorant these days. I won’t be surprised, in a world like this where you’re ranked most attractive, anything is possible.”

“I know right?” He leaned forward on his chair. “I’m so handsome, I shouldn’t even be on the list with other people? Cos mine is just like totally out of this galaxy. I understand, I really do understand.”

“Rena, I’d kill you if you eat the bone of your Chicken.” Moyin growled. “Once you’re done with the meat, you aim for that entrance, and you throw it with all the might you can muster. You mustn’t miss. That bone must fly out of this hall, school, the island, state, country, continent, this world, out of earth, and into the galaxy finally to where he would follow it. And where he would be trapped in, forever.”

“C’mon just because I said my attractiveness is out of the galaxy doesn’t mean I should actually live in the galaxy?” He retorted, much to the frustration of the girls. April finally returned with a plate of coconut rice and chicken for him. “What about–”

“I know, I know. Your bottle of Pepsi.” She smirked, as she slammed a bottle of chilled Pepsi beside his plate, before sinking back into her chair by his left. “Don’t think I won’t take my money from you. I’m charging interest also for standing in the queue. You know how difficult it is to get a drink during lunch.”

“Oh, please don’t talk like you actually waited in line for your turn.” He dismissed her complaint. “Everyone on this table knows you flirted with every single boy on the line and motivated them into making you go first.”

The table laughed in unison, his inference was indeed true.

“So, what’s up? Why the silence? Did I walk into one of those your girl-only discussions?” He asked again, when he realized the girls were totally comfortable with keeping their mouths shut.

“Not like you would disappear if we told you it was so.” Rena cleared her throat, signaling for April to pass a bottle of water.

“Are you kidding me?” He said in between a mouthful of rice. “More reason to stay!”

“Why aren’t you with your crew?” Moyin groaned. Unlike April and Rena, Moyin’s frustration wasn’t feigned. She was the one girl in the group who didn’t exactly like him and she never failed to express her distaste at every opportunity she got. But he did enjoy riling her up.

“Oh, I should go call them so they could join us?”

“No!” Rena shrieked, hurling her spoon at him but he ducked in time and it went flying to the other side of the hall, swiveling out of control before hitting the forehead of a male senior standing by the window on the other side. The senior in question frowned, but of course failed to trace the origin of the trajectory. “Just behave, Dabby. We’re in the middle of a crucial conversation. And it’d be appreciated if you keep your mouth shut.”

April clasped her hands on the table. “It’d be good girls if we can bring him into the loop. He is a boy after all, it won’t hurt to have a male’s opinion on board.”

While the girls exchanged glances of contemplation, he spoke up. “Let me guess what this is about? You’re all building a statue of me, aren’t you? And you just don’t know how big my–”

A spoon came from nowhere, and collided with his head. Judging by her devilish smile, he could sense it was Moyin’s handiwork.

“And well, you know it wouldn’t be appropriate to guess that sort of a thing. But never mind, I’d be willing to help you.” He hissed, as he rubbed the small pound of flesh now protruding on his forehead, courtesy of Moyin.

“Dabby, would it be too much to ask that you be sensible for a couple of minutes?” Rena sat up, locking gazes with him. “I know it’s not possible to ask such from a mad man, but still I haven’t met any mad man as infuriating as you are so I want to believe you’re different and special in some way.”

“I am special indeed, but for the sake of the sumptuous food I’m eating – I’d let that one slide. Go on.”

“Well, Rena has a problem making a friend.” April started. “And well she can’t because, you know she doesn’t really make friends. They just come trooping to her. And I can’t help, cos well the direction in which she’s going for isn’t something I do. That’s the all friendly, no flirting thingy. And Moyin who is supposed to be equipped in such area, is a chicken in such thing despite the fact that she has a very big mouth around everyone she knows.”

“I don’t know why we’re asking Dabby for advice.” Rena shook her head, her eyes set on April. “He’s just like you. You both speak the same language.”

“Hello, I’m a dude. So zip it up.” He snapped. “In our world it doesn’t matter if you’re the most handsome, you still have to know how to walk up to people and talk. Boys or girls. How do you think I build relationship with my teammates? By showing them pictures of my hot exes? I don’t think so.”

“Are they even supposed to be called exes when you didn’t spend up to a month with any of them?” Moyin drawled, unimpressed. “If you have something reasonable to say. Then here’s your cue.”

“Who is the boy?” He asked.

“Do you really need to know that?” Rena frowned.

“I know it’s Tomi, judging by your reluctance to share and the fact that well—you know, you’re the one making the move.”

“Just get on with it.” She sighed.

“Just to clarify, I don’t love torturing you okay? I needed the info cos it’s important. It would help to determine the angle in which you’re going to take. Now, seeing as both of y’all exist in different worlds? Difficulties would arise along the line, first you need to bring him up to ours.”

“The social circle?” April asked.

“Uhm, yeah.” He nodded. “Luckily for us, he has potential already. He is popular, all he needs is a certain trigger to be injected into our circle. I’m sorry if you were thinking I’d give you tips on how to approach and befriend people, but that’s not going to work in any way. If this same boy hasn’t shown interest in you since all these years, what makes you think he’d suddenly show it now? You have to put him in a position where he won’t have a choice to say no.”

“A compromise?” Rena repeated, reclining backward in her seat. “I don’t think I want to do that.”

“Calm down, we’re not going to hire a hit-man to place a gun to him and force him to swear an oath to become your friend. It’s something harmless, but compromising still.”

“And what is it?”

And then, he went on to explain what he did have in mind.

“No, that’s crazy. I can’t do that. He’d get into trouble!”

“He won’t, Rena. We know the protocol here and it would work in our favor.” As usual, April was on his side. “We’d do damage control before anything disastrous happens. Just trust me on this one, it’s perfect.”

“Moyin?” Rena faced her other friend.

“Oh, believe me if you truly value my opinion you wouldn’t be what you are in the school today. But I think if well managed, it wouldn’t become a full blown crisis. And I really want you to discover if your feelings for him is true or fake.”

Pfft!

“Oh, please. We don’t need a monk to tell us that she really likes the dude. Y’all might be blind, but I know when she truly likes someone. I know how she looks at such person, because I’ve seen that look on her face, when she looks at him.”

“And when was that look previously on my face?”

“No, not previously. It’s still there.” He clarified. “That exact look on your face now as you’re staring at me.”

While Rena and Moyin went on to grunt, April only chuckled and gave him a really hard pat on the back. Of course the girls thought it was another classic joke of his but he was serious. He knew it without doubt that Rena’s feelings for Tomi were real.

And the second part was indeed true also. She once had that look for him, in the past.

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And, there goes the third chapter, guys!!!

Take a moment to tag your friends, family and everyone else you know on WP with an In-line comment. Here.

Thanks.

This chapter is dedicated to a very supportive colleague of mine, who shares the same name with a newly-introduced character – frostyella. Thanks for the support over the past few months, I hope you like your name-sake.

So, how was it? Still captivating? Told you there were more characters to be introduced, didn’t I? Well at this point, I think all the major characters have been pretty much introduced. So my dear friends, the story is about to take off!!

I know you were surprised we weren’t in the head of either Tomi or Rena in this chapter, well that’s how this novel is written to juggle its numerous characters efficiently, so they’re all fleshed out adequately. So from time to time, you’d be getting chapters like this that would pay a visit to other supporting character heads. I hope that won’t be a problem.

Tell me what you feel by dropping a comment, and don’t you forget to tap that star. Till next week, guys.

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Glossary:

Vernacular Interpretation.

Pidgin English.

1.Iffa Hear – Informal statement that endorses assumptions from addressee.

Other Terms.

1.Farmzers – Tag given to fans who aren’t exactly loyal or stable, and whose support is subject to change.

2. Babalowo – A skilled wizard, who offers services for obtuse payment.