“Man was born free and everywhere, he is in shackles.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

•••

“Another election, another time to put one of my kids on the top of the student council.”

Moyin swallowed, trying to force the lump that had formed in her throat – down. But it didn’t dissolve, it remained glued to where it was complimenting the endless supply of cold chills that had been running down her spine all day—since her discussion with her folks in the morning. Her dad especially, the most enthusiastic about the looming elections had spoken the words that had refused to leave her head all day.

“…everyone at Lake should know now. In fact, even new teachers should be informed that it’s always one of my kids that gets to be at the top of the council. The tradition has gone on for years, and now it’s our final time to rule. Oh, it’s going to be epic. Moyin, I hope you’re doing intense research for your campaign speech, it has to beat perfection…”

Oh, God.

The weight on her shoulders were too heavy for her bear. What if something went wrong and she didn’t win the most coveted post for head-girl? No, nothing could happen, she assured herself. She was the favorite anyway, no one could overthrow her at this point. Her constantly high grades and character was the embodiment of everything the office called for. As for popularity, she had more than her own fair share of it and the fact that her best-friends were the most influential in the school, buoyed her confidence and chances of winning. For someone to beat her now, they’d need to bring in new students from other schools to trump her because she had Lake’s student body in her palms.

But if something went wrong?

Stop being paranoid, she cursed under her breath. But her fears were justified, though. Anyone who was in her shoes would know that. She was the last of four children, and every single sibling preceding her had once sat at the top of the student council. Either as Head-boy or girl, none of them had failed to clinch the title. And as the last person to round up the tradition, she couldn’t help but feel some sort of unsettling, disenchanting emotion deep within her. But it was just paranoia, nothing more. Nothing could go wrong.

“Our future head-girl,” A familiar, masculine voice called out from behind her, and she needed to turn to face her addresser to clarify his identity. Her lips stretched into a smile, as he walked up to her and joined her. “You know staring at the poster like that won’t increase your votes at the end of the day.”

She shook her head, and her gaze travelled back to what had captured her attention earlier. They were currently standing in the center of the hall-way of the senior block, where a transparent glass shelf – housing a plethora of A-4 sized sheet of papers, was wedged into the wall. It was the notice board, and the information that was the center of attraction today was of course related to the elections.

“Nah, I was just hoping a large number of students would come around, see how devoted I am at staring at it and just decide I’m the best for it. You know I wouldn’t even need to give speeches and campaign and all that.” She replied.

“Woah, great idea. After today, just remind me that I need to go to Shoprite, okay. I need to do some serious staring that’d hopefully work in getting me stuff. You know when the retailers see just how much I want it. I bet they’d be merciful.”

She giggled. “What do you wanna go stare at? Iphone X?”

“Why should I stare at just one thing, when I could stare at the entire mall?” He glared at her, in feigned misbelief.

“Mofiyin, you’re silly.” She remarked still giggling, and giving him a light shove on his left shoulder. “You’re here calling me – head-girl, when I could say the same about you. You’re also running for the same office, and you’re backed as the favorite.”

“Yeah, but if I don’t win my folks won’t serve my head for dinner.” His shoulders rose, and he gave her an apathetic look. “Meanwhile on the other hand if you lose, there might just be a novel in the future written by someone, warning people like you in similar situations like you are in currently of why they shouldn’t lose.”

She smiled again. “And what would have happened to me?”

“If it’s serious enough for someone in the future to write a novel on to warn others? I really wouldn’t lose the election if I were you. I will do every single damn thing to ensure I come out victorious.”

She tucked a stray loop of braided hair behind her right ear, as his words registered in her subconscious. He was indeed right, but what else could she possibly do that everyone else wasn’t doing—to ensure she won it?

Rigging?

No, he couldn’t mean that.

“Wait, chill. When you say every single damn thing to ensure I come out victorious? You aren’t suggesting that I rig it, were you?”

“What, no!” He exchanged an incredulous look with her, and she could infer from his shock that he was indeed taken aback by her suggestion. “I really don’t know what I meant earlier when I said that. I guess, I’m just trying to say that you should work harder. Nothing more. BTW, how would you rig it? Just asking out of curiosity, cos that hasn’t been done before. Not like I want to influence my own votes.”

“I don’t know, I was going to ask you the same thing.” She replied, her gaze returning back to the poster before her on the notice board. The hall had begun to fill up with students already, heading to various places. She couldn’t believe it was Friday already, and the end of the third week had come. “Although, you talk like you have some sort of experience in this sort of thing? You know in carrying overweighed burdens on your shoulders. Or maybe your skills of empathy are just that good.”

She took a cursory glance at him, and she could see that his earlier amused expression had withered and gotten replaced by a haunted one.

Uh-oh.

“Who in our world doesn’t know a thing or two about carrying heavy stuff on their shoulders?” He started, his voice still firm as it was before. “Especially when the weight in question dates back to generations. In my own world, it’s not a choice to be a medical doctor. The fact that you’re going to become one is as basic as the fact that you’re gonna grow up one day to become an adult.”

Oh, that. She of course knew a thing or two about parents imposition on career paths for their children, but she thought the rate of occurrence of the vice had dwindled, especially since the uproar of many tragedy and failure cases of individuals who got set on the same path by their own guardians.

Well, some parents were indeed strong-headed and didn’t care about public opinion as regard that aspect, which was hypocritical since the typical Nigerian parent thought a lot about how the public perceived them—but all of a sudden when the theme drifted to career imposition, they literally gave no fuck.

She wasn’t on board with such train of thought. She believed every kid should be given the choice to choose their own career path. Some parents would offer up the protest, that they are likely to choose one in which they would fail in and that they as the adults are in a better position to do so, but that was only a backward way of thinking. Because the logic trumps over the fact that children have the ability to make the successful transition to being adults. If they as parents kept on making every single decision for the child in question, how did they expect the child to fair without them when they eventually leave? Or did they plan on living forever?

But it wasn’t like she could share her opinion on the subject matter. She was sure he was probably tired of listening to such speech from his mates, especially when it did nothing to influence his parents’ decision. He didn’t need her sympathy, or apologies just empathy.

“Yeah, that totally sucks. When I hear cases like yours, I just feel angry at myself.” She started, not exactly sure of her destination.

“I mean—here I am, with something as menial as a family tradition of staying on top of the council. A tradition that doesn’t even date back to the previous generation of my family. And I complain and whine, when I have the choice to choose what career path I want to follow. So many of us complain and whine about the nation’s educational system, and how many don’t even get their wanted course. The lucky ones that get in complain and whine that the work-load is criminal and too much.

“When you get out, you complain and whine that there are no jobs. Fine, everything is unpleasant—I mean this is Nigeria but we just take for granted the opportunity to chase our dreams. An opportunity some don’t even have. Like you.”

She went for a part sympathetic, part empathizing effect and judging by the smile on his face – she guessed it worked.

“Maybe some of us are just destined for such fate,” He shrugged. “You know, fated to get pushed on a career path. I mean look at me, I’m complaining that my folks are forcing medicine on me when if you ask me, what I really want to do – I have nothing on me.”

“You’re just talking like that because you’ve been wiped clean of the mentality to think of something you’d want to die for. Because you’ve been told right from the start of your life, that you have to become what they want you to and follow tradition. Therefore, giving you no space to have a mind of your own. I’m sure you didn’t even know people picked career paths for themselves until you got into maybe high-school and heard discussions hearkening to such topic. Am I not right?”

He nodded. “I’d admit I was indeed shocked at first, but I eventually realized it was the norm. But still you can’t dispute the fact that this thing helps in some way. Some people just need to be forced on a career path with reason, or else they’d just go off the railings and make useless use of this precious life. Imposing or not, it does help in curbing youthful exuberance in some way.”

“You’re right, but I still believe that the fate of everyone should lie in their own hands. Life is too short to do what someone else wants you to do.”

“It’s not really like that for some people, though. They’ve gotten used to the fact, that they even begin to like it. If they were brought up that way of course. Just like you said, it’s only someone who has had a taste of freedom that would know it exists. A slave who has been in slavery all their lives, wouldn’t know there is a good thing called – liberty.”

She could reason with his points on so many levels. It did help in curbing excessiveness in youths and for some of them, helped in setting up a good life for them. For instance, if in the future – any of her child walked up to her and said they were nurturing dreams of becoming a hip-hop artist or something, she knew she’d be terrified to her bones and do everything in her power to keep the child from making ventures into such path, even if they had talent for it. The life that came with such occupation wasn’t one she wanted for her children, but still it was still imposing in some sense.

Shackles were one complicated vice.

“Are you going to put the same thing in place for your kids, though?” Her curiosity got the better of her. “I mean now you know that such thing isn’t the norm for everyone. Would you bring up your kids in the way you were brought up or give them the chance to chase their dreams?”

“To be honest with you, I’ve actually never given it any thought.” He replied. “Although now that I think of it, I’m probably going to do it unconsciously and bring them up the way I was brought up because you know, the same went for me. I mean, anytime I pictured being married and all it was definitely to a female doctor also. Without knowing, I guess I’m just doing the same ass thing.”

“Probably the same applies to your folks,” She pressed on. “But now you know that there is a choice. I hope you use that knowledge well.”

“I really don’t know. It wouldn’t be so bad for them to be other things, that come with acclaim also. But if it’s something like dancing, biko. It’s not me that will watch you while you go and break your head or leg somewhere.”

“Football nko? They can break their head or leg there also, but I know you won’t rule that out.”

“Because that one comes with mad pay. At least if you will  break your head, you will need money to do surgery and take care of yourself. How much do dancers earn? Just look at us, we’re already filtering out occupations for our kids.”

She tittered. “I think everyone imposes on some way. It’s just the concentration. If it’s high then it’s called imposing, if it’s low then It’s just negotiable. The only thing we can hope for is that we do the right thing.”

“Amen to that.” He replied, as a comfortable silence ensued. The talk with Mofiyin had indeed enlightened her, and she knew she wouldn’t remain the same after today.

*****

“Elections, elections, elections. You just can’t away from election talk. It’s like you’re in a ballot box, urgh!”

April grunted from the seat across him, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Her words were indeed true. Earlier in the morning, the staff had released the nominees for each office and the tension had ricocheted instantly. As expected, himself and the likes of Rena, April and Dabby who were currently on the table with him got nominated for the social office, alongside six other students but they were the favorites anyway.

“Itunu, please pass the ketch-up.” Dabby gestured to him from the other end of the table, by April’s right and he  as was requested by him. It wasn’t a norm for him and Dabby to sit on the same table during lunch, after all they were arch-rivals but situations like these demanded that they put their egos aside and come together to brainstorm so as to address their predicament which was the election.

Amongst the ten people nominated for the post, they were the only three people he had some sort of relationship with and the same went for the rest. Rena who was quietly munching on her chips by his side, thought it would be best if they all assembled to work together. She said earlier that it would strengthen their chances since other individuals were flying solo.

He loved solo, but he only agreed because it gave him the opportunity to of course spend time with her. He didn’t care much about campaign, he knew without doubt in his heart that he would clinch one of the two male posts available for the office.

“That analogy doesn’t exactly make sense, madam.” Rena finally replied to April’s complaints as her gaze navigated a pamphlet on her hands, her mouth still stuffed with chicken and chips. “I believe the glass used for making those boxes are really strong, probably sound-proof or something. Trust me, if you were in one – you wouldn’t hear a word anyone is saying outside.”

“Now’s not the time to play – ‘I’m the smartest person on this table of fellow average students.’” April shot back. She had finished with her own meal, and was only sipping on a cup of fruit juice. She was also going through the same pamphlet Rena had in hand, which had all the election rules spelled out. “I mean look at these new rules, very ridiculous. Now, a person can vote more than one person for one office? That’s just swell of the highest order.”

“Sorry, I’m not seeing it.” He cleared his throat, leaning forward in his chair.

“It would increase the chances of people that don’t exactly have a restricted follower-ship base to win.” April’s frown dispersed, creasing her forehead—as her eyes skimmed the material further. “For example, you’re the soon to be captain of the foot-ball team. Dabby is also the soon to be captain of the basket-ball team–”

“I like to call myself the god of the basket-ball team,” Dabby interrupted with a smug smile. “Because unlike Itunu, I’m not just the play-maker and leader, I’m also the best on the team. So it’s different.”

Itunu growled. “That’s because your team lacks diversity, and isn’t hardworking. That’s why someone is taking up so many roles. At least I can be rest assured my team would still function well in my absence and won’t crumble. Like yours would. Perhaps if the Nigerian economy was as diverse as my team is, and not concentrated only on oil like yours – we wouldn’t be suffering so much.”

“Hey, all I did was give myself a compliment. I didn’t insult you, if you wanted a compliment you should have just asked–”

Rena banged her fists hard into the table, and startled them all. “Guys, please you can take your ego squabble somewhere else after this meeting. Right now we have to set aside our differences and work together, please. And Dabby please just shut up. You really don’t have anything helpful to contribute anyway. You should be the most quiet in this meeting.”

“It’s a pity, I was about to give you a compliment.” Dabby grumbled, reclining backwards into his seat and exchanging a sinister stare with Itunu. April waited for the tension to dissipate before proceeding.

“As I was saying before the diversion,” April sat up, and clasped her hands. “It’s not nice because of the options. Dabby as head in the basketball team, will definitely demand a huge ninety percent from basketball players and fans alike. The same goes for Itunu in football.

“But now they’re saying a student can vote for any two for the male office, which is the number needed out of the nominated five doesn’t help things. Someone who loves basketball and football will vote for them both, instead of choosing a side. In the long run, it’s going to go a long way in effecting the stats.

“Someone who doesn’t even have an exact fan base might get elected if he is everyone’s second choice. And you’d hardly see anyone voting for both basket-ball and football. Since they are both the most popular. Most people will vote for one popular figure, and one relatively known person. So what I’m saying in essence guys, is that it won’t matter if you’re the most popular or followed you can still loose. In fact, one out of the both of you is likely to lose.”

Rena clapped after April concluded her analysis. “That has to be the best you’ve made use of your brain since you were conceived by your mom.

“So, it’s because of the exact rule that we decided to converge. Even April and I, the same applies to us. Even if we’re best-friends and the entire school can see that, majority would pick one out of the both of us and then another person entirely. So can you see why we have to do this together? If we can assure every single student who is a potential voter for us that we’re standing together, and we’re not arch-rivals then please no other nominee would stand a chance.

“If the student body sees all of us campaigning together, then they’d be inclined to pick us together also. No one would stand a chance, and those four positions of the social office available on the council will definitely be ours, guys.”

“Fine,” He nodded. “It makes sense to me. We should campaign together. I’m on board for whatever you guys have in mind, but don’t think I’m going to start hugging Dabby on stage or take group pictures with him or something.”

“Hey, that’s not fair.” Dabby blustered, his gaze moving from Itunu to Rena. “Why is he allowed to get angry and I’m not?”

“Shut up,” Rena bellowed at Dabby again. “Listen guys, you’re just going to have to set your pride apart and do what needs to be done. Don’t worry I’m not going to tell you to declare the profound love y’all have for each other on stage. Just little gestures from the both of you to unite your people. That unity would constitute almost eighty percent of the votes, I’m positive. The same goes for April and I. The other nominees are going to lose so bad, they’re votes is gonna be as much as the people who didn’t even get nominated at all.”

Before any one of them could make another contribution to the meeting, another interruption transpired and it didn’t come from Dabby. No, it was from Rena.

April made some sort of subtle eye exchange with her, and she looked back. He followed her line of sight and saw a boy approaching.

Tomi.

Was anything going on between them? Lately, there had been whispers and quiet rumors that the duo had been getting chummy but he hadn’t exactly had the privilege to witness such scene. But he guessed he was about to.

“Tomi, hi!” Rena rose up to her feet, and accosted the boy – who was stunned at the sudden acknowledge of his presence. Rena was smiling and beaming over like some infant who had just gotten ice cream handed over to them. The action didn’t seem overboard, but it was indeed overboard. In a dining hall, where they had a lot of eyes on them as the most popular group in the school – she had to go and do that. More so, she could have just waived him down to exchange pleasantries. Did she really need to get up to accost him? It was like she was trying to broadcast the fact loud and clear to everyone in the room that they had something.

Damn it.

“Hey, what’s up?” Tomi’s lips set into a straight line, and Itunu could sense that he wasn’t enjoying the current situation in any way. They had almost every single head turned their way. “Haven’t exactly seen you around since yesterday?”

Yesterday?

“Yeah, I’ve been busy all day. You know since this list came out and all.” She sighed, her smile not leaving her face. Itunu could hear their conversation loud and clear because of the proximity he had with their bodies. Not because they were speaking that loud. “Everyone has to be prepared you know. What did you get nominated for, BTW?”

“Health, like I expected.” His gaze held a mixture of apathy and relief. “At this point, it would be useless to ask what office you got nominated for. Even babies that are yet to be born can predict that one quite well.”

She giggled, punching him gently on his left shoulder. The action, causing an uncomfortable stir of emotion in Itunu as he finally found the will to tear his gaze away from them. From across the table, Dabby was beaming in amusement – his eyes drifting from the pair of Rena and Tomi, to him. He knew the fool could sense he was harboring feelings of jealousy.

“…Now, don’t be silly. I really hope you get the office, though. It’s going to be quite the tough battle, since there are only two slots for the office on the council. One male and one female, unlike the other offices that are two for each gender and for lower classes even four.” Rena added.

He could still hear their conversation quite well, despite the fact that he had taken his eyes on a trip elsewhere.

“…Yup, it’s the only office that is that way, asides from the Head-offices though. Anyway, I have to get going. I can see my friends in the distance, and they’re already flagging me down. They don’t like to start eating, if everyone on the table isn’t present. So, they’re pretty angry now cos they’re food is probably cold. We’d talk later, I guess.”

Yes, get the fuck out of here nigga!

“Oh, do you really have to go sit there?”

Huh? Let him go, jor!

“…I mean you can invite your friends over…” Rena trailed off in an uncertain tone, as her line of sight returned to the table occupants. The stares worn by Dabby and April didn’t do much in encouraging her. “…And you could join us, I mean there is enough space—”

“Oh, c’mon my sort of people and yours? We know that’s not a good mixture. Besides, you’re clearly having some sort of meeting here. It wouldn’t be appropriate, maybe some other time. Thanks for the offer though, I appreciate it.”

Rena heaved a sigh of defeat. “Okay, uh. I guess. See you around, then.”

Tomi’s stare was nothing near gloomy, In fact he looked perfectly okay with himself as he strutted off. Was he gay? Itunu wondered. Okay, not like he wasn’t happy at the fact that the boy turned down the offer to sit at the – ‘cool’ table, in fact happy was an understatement to describe how he felt at the moment, but he just couldn’t wrap to wrap his head around the fact that a boy in his right senses had refused an offer from Rena. Without being compromised or being coerced, but by his own free-will.

He was definitely gay.

“What do we have next period, anyway?” Dabby enquired, as Rena sunk back into her seat. April on the other hand, was busy with her phone. Sometimes he wondered if the girl had any regards for rules, at all. Phones weren’t in anyway allowed in the school’s premises, and students who used theirs always did so in a discrete way. But not her. She was flaunting hers out in the open, like it was some trophy she won in a quiz competition. And the funniest thing was that, as careless as she was – she hardly got caught and the most careful people were the ones who got burnt mostly.

“Data processing,” Rena replied, her voice void of the earlier enthusiasm. Tomi’s rejection had indeed taken a toll on her. Poor Rena, always used to boys pawing and worshipping her. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, in spite of his own anger. At this point, he definitely knew she had feelings for Tomi but at least the dude wasn’t reciprocating said feelings yet. There was still enough time for him to act.

“Oh, God. I wish it were today that we ate Semo.” April dipped her phone back into her bag, lying on her thighs. “I can’t really handle swallow in the afternoon. I’d definitely pass out, and sleep off for like the next hour. That would keep me from listening to Mr. Odukoya’s dry excuse for a lecture.”

“Really? As boring as his classes are you need stimuli to make you fall asleep?” Dabby drawled. “Isn’t it just that boring to the extent that it makes you fall asleep with ease? That’s why I love him.

“He’s my favorite teacher. Not because he is boring, and would make you fall asleep. No, there are many others like that, but because he’s nice enough to leave you while you sleep. What a great, man–”  Dabby trailed off, as a figure walked past their table and ventured further into the hall. Itunu hadn’t caught a glimpse of the person’s face, which he inferred from her frame was a girl but he knew she was the new student that joined two weeks ago. Judging by her solo comport, and her overtly clean sparkly white shirt.

Just give it a few weeks and it wouldn’t be so clean, anymore.

“Sorry, guys. Let’s take a rain-check on this thing,” Dabby began, as his gaze followed the retreating figure of the new girl, completely oblivious to the irritated expression of the female right next to him. Rena on the other hand, seemed unmoved about the entire thing. “Later.”

Itunu and the girls watched as he stalked off, and vanished out of sight.

“Well, this meeting didn’t last for more than fifteen minutes.” April’s previous disappointed stare had departed, and currently she was staring wide-eyed at her phone again. “Rena, you owe me five thousand.”

“See it on my head, come and carry it.” Rena scowled.

“Kilode, money on your head. When it’s not money ritual.” She joked, and Itunu himself couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

“So, guys how are you spending your weekend?” He enquired, placing his hands on the table.

“Same old, same old. Stay at home, eat, sleep, do assignments, watch TV and pray that the god of boredom doesn’t strike and kill us any moment from now.” Rena replied.

“Well, luckily for you – his twin brother, the god of fun decided to strike tomorrow.”

“What do you mean?” April’s brows rose.

“A new pool-house just opened by the pier on close six. It’s all decked out with mad gear and facilities. As one of the sponsors, my dad gets to hand in a list of people that would be his guests every day during the launch week, which kicked off on Sunday and rounds off tomorrow of course. Tomorrow is Saturday, the finale – it would definitely be the day activity would be at its funest. If there is a word like that. So, are you guys in or what?”

Rena’s resulting unhinged expression, did nothing to buoy his spirits. He had indeed expected her resistance, after all. He didn’t know how someone remained at the top of the social circle without attending a huge amount of parties and the sorts. Her dad’s affluence did extend to all sorts of borders.

“Uh, I don’t know. My dad might not approve—”

“No, Miss I won’t sit back and let you ruin my life for me anymore.” April barked instantly, cutting Rena off. “You’ve been doing it for the past four years, and I’ve been dealing with it. Refusing to attend parties, and insisting Moyin and I hang out with you at home. But not anymore, this is the point where I take a stand.”
“But, dad won’t–”

“It’s during the day, girl! We’d just tell him we’re hanging out my place don’t worry.” She cut Rena off again. Itunu couldn’t help but beam inwards with satisfaction. He had intentionally brought up the topic in April’s presence so as to solicit for her help and it indeed worked. Rena was going to be present in a non-school related, meeting.

“Don’t worry about her, she’s going to be present. We’re all going to be present, even that Moyin of a girl. If she likes, she can bring a library along but she’s going to come. Enough is enough, oh. Nigeria won’t change, if we the citizens don’t put in the effort. Change starts with us.”

And change would indeed start soon, hopefully.

*****

Foreign.

That was the emotion that engulfed her, every single moment of every day that passed by that she spent in the premises of this school. Not just the school, the estate as a whole and the entire county. When she had gotten wind of the news that her dad’s work was once again, going to make them change residence, never in her most obscure dreams would she have thought that it would bring him here to the most expensive residential area in the country.

Talk about – sudden social status upheaval.

She never knew it would be this difficult, she never thought it could be this difficult. As someone who was using to changing residence as much as a normal person changed toothbrushes, regularly – she had come to have quite the firm hand and knowledge in adapting to all sorts of environments and atmospheres, of course she hadn’t taken cognizance of the fact that the higher one went up on the social ladder, the more difficult it became to maintain sanity and control.

But there was little she could do.

Two weeks after resumption, and here she was – still trying to find where she belonged amidst a huge mirage of students in the school. It wasn’t like every single student in the large population belonged to the stereotypical snobbish department, in fact very few belonged to such group. She wasn’t naïve to think most of the people around her didn’t have folks earning ridiculously high amount of money for salaries, but if they were snobbish – they certainly didn’t shove it up to her face. They had indeed being friendly enough.

Her current predicament was as a result of her own actions. A bunch of people had offered to be her friends, on numerous occasions. Extended pleasantries that would ignite good and healthy relationships, but for some reason she had turned them all down. A reason, she herself didn’t have answers to.

Her thoughts came to a close and her system went into a frenzy, as her gaze fell on an approaching figure. Her current state of being – extended to almost everyone sat in the large room, dining on different tables. Quickly, she shut her mouth close and lowered her eyes to her mug of water, which had her right fidgeting hand – tightened around it.

Calm yourself down, he’s probably not coming this way–

“Hey, you.” The tall, lanky, light-skinned boy before her said, as he sunk into the seat opposite hers across the table. He wore an enthusiastic, devilish smile as his eyes narrowed into hers – multiplying her unease. What the hell was he doing here, she thought. One way to find out. She had better gotten rid of him quickly, before he caused severe damage.

“I’m not sure who you’re looking for, but I want to assure you that the person is definitely not me.” She managed in a tight, tremulous voice as her fingers wrapped even tighter on the mug’s handle. “So, uh save yourself the stress and just go back to whoever it is, that you’re supposed to get directions from. No need to feel embarrassed though, everyone makes mistakes.”

His eyes widened, and he reclined into his seat. Judging by his relaxed posture, she could sense that he wasn’t leaving any moment.

“Oh, so you’re the quirky type who talks too much, spits out a lot of irrelevant things, says a lot of mumbo-jumble and then drops the most important aspect of her statement at the end of the sentence.”

“Like you’re doing currently?” The words tumbled out of her mouth in a reflex, and she almost slapped her mouth close with her palms. Where the hell did that courage come from! She berated herself. Her statement caused a smirk to form at the corner of his cheek, and she knew he was definitely enjoying himself as the discussion was probably proceeding in a direction he wanted it to.

“That wasn’t so bad, conversing with an actual human being.” He continued, his eyes still locked on to hers. She had to glue both of her thighs together, to summon courage not to break the eye contact. “You should try it some other time with other people around, I can assure you they won’t bite or you won’t contact any form of STD, like I’m sure whoever influences your fashion sense tells you.”

Ouch!

She didn’t need a mirror, to inform her of how peculiar she looked compared to most people in the school. They probably thought she was a time traveler of some sort, and had some sort of accident and as a result of said accident – got trapped in a modern time zone instead of an archaic one like she originated from. But did he have to be so abusive of it in an endearing way?

Damn him. It was difficult enough to concentrate without getting lost in his facial features. The boy literally had the face of an angel. Nigh perfection, she thought. If it wasn’t for his height and built, one wouldn’t know he had hit puberty. He had one of those faces, that belonged to a much younger person and when combined with that physique of his? It was almost criminal. It was easy to see why he was called the most attractive male in their class.

“I don’t dress like this so as to avoid STD’s,” She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Believe it or not, I’ve had the talk and I know how one contact those. I dress like this to keep people away from me, especially people like you. And since you’re here talking with me, I guess it’s not really working and that I need to step up my game.”

“Cover your body any more than this, you might just not have any clothe left in your wardrobe again for another day.” He smiled. “Trust me, the only thing you’d be able to keep away in such attire is fresh air. Except you want to carry an oxygen tank about on your back, connected to your nose. No problem, but don’t you need to have a license for such things? I think being ill is what qualifies you for such stuff, and is therefore your license. And judging with the way you’re going, you’d definitely get that license soon enough.”

At this point, she couldn’t help but chuckle. He was indeed a witty personality. The way he framed his words, only an expert could do such.

“Could I just save you the stress and just ask what request you have come to demand from me?” She pressed on. “I can sense someone as important as you are–”

“Dabby–”

“Huh?”

“The name is Dabby.” Another infectious smile, dispersed across his profile and this time it took a frown to ensure she kept hers at bay.

“Fine, Dabby. I’m sure someone as busy as you are, surely has better things to do with his spare break time than talking to a new girl–”

“This is the point where you tell me your name.” He cut her off, again.

“Pretty sure you know that already.”

His smirk deepened. “Someone is getting cocky?”

“It’s not about being cocky,” She shook her head. “It’s about knowing who you are. People like you don’t need to walk up to people, initiate a conversation and friendship before knowing everything that is needed to know about them. You only do such for fun.”

“Good, then you know I’m having fun.” He leaned forward in his chair. “And you’re trying to bring this to an end, because of what?”

“Because I’m not in any way having fun.”

“So, that’s how this works. Once one person, isn’t having fun they have the right to just call it off?”

“Yup!”

“Really,” His right brow rose. “If that’s what is in place in life, then a lot of things would be messed up. Do you know how many movies that would be cancelled, just because one movie-goer didn’t have fun?”

“That’s not–”

“How many TV shows would be cancelled just because one viewer somewhere in the world wasn’t having fun?”

“You know that’s not what I mean–”

“And how many sport fixtures in the world would be cancelled just because one person wasn’t having fun? The coach of the losing side, fans of the losing side, owner of the club itself? These figures exceed one, and yet these things are not cancelled and you seem to think for some reason this conversation should be cancelled just because you’re not having fun? You intrigue me, strange creature.”

The laughter burst out of her lips, and she clamped her hands down on her lips to reduce it a muffled squeak but the damage had be done already. Numerous heads had swayed in their way already, in scrutiny and curiosity. She could only wonder what was going on in their heads.

“Are you always this—serious?” She put enough emphasis on the last word, to make sure he caught the sarcasm in it.

“I should be the one asking you that question, but without the sarcasm booming at the end of the statement.” He returned her question. “So, go on. Ladies first.”

“And you’re definitely someone who has regards for such manners.” She scowled, earning herself another smirk. “Anyway, no actually. I’m not always this serious. I’m always this way in a new environment.”

He nodded. “With the way you said, you’re always this way in a new environment – it would be common sense to say that you probably change environment frequently. And such fact, should mean you’re used to this and shouldn’t feel unease at these sorts of situations. But for some reason, you still choose to isolate yourself and be quiet, meaning it’s a conscious and intentional action and not one of circumstance. So you’re being this serious on purpose, am I right?”

“I know your type,” Her reply caused a furrow to appear on his forehead. “You’re the quirky type who talks too much, spits out a lot of irrelevant things, says a lot of mumbo-jumble and then drops the most important aspect of his statement at the end of the sentence.”

Her jeer had its intended effect on him, and after he had recovered she proceeded. “You could have just said I’m being serious on purpose, but you had to go through that long analysis because you didn’t have a choice didn’t you? Meaning it’s not just in your habit to be serious. Am I right?”

“That doesn’t answer my question–”

“Oh, I think it does quite well.” She interjected.

“Not the one I’m about to ask, smart-ass.” He gritted his teeth. “Why do you choose to be a recluse, when you could go about and mingle with everyone else? I can’t guarantee that there is company like mine around, but you should be able to find multiple people that would come close to my type and provide enough satisfaction. So, why?”

Her eyes narrowed at him. “Really? No one needs to ask me that question before they know that. Look at me, look at yourself and everyone else in this room. You know I don’t fit into this sort of environment.”

“By that standard, I shouldn’t be on earth at all.” He frowned. “Because I definitely don’t fit into this low grade of attractiveness about. I should belong to a supreme clan of beauty, you know. Have servants and subjects–”

“You know what I mean.”

“I actually don’t get it. Not everyone is elegant, not everyone is you know—high grade, but we all mix in and mingle despite everything. You might want to go on to say that we all belong to the same stereotypical class eventually, but still there are still grades. So that applies to your excuse. You have to stop being judgmental and–”

“I’m not being judgmental, just saying the truth.”

“Really? Why don’t we play the judge game?” Another smile, spread across his face and this current one did nothing but make her nervous. She didn’t know how someone could be both warm and unnerving at the same time.

“The judge game?”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be needing some stupid wig or a hammer and other ridiculous things the judges in courts wear and use. Just your eyes and intuitive. Are you ready for it?”

“Go on.” A cold chill ran down her spine.

“Okay, so I’d point to a couple and you’d judge them. You know, give instances as to who they are and what they’re doing by their appearances.”

“Okay,” She nodded.

“Good, don’t want to give you something so obvious that would be easy to unravel. Something that seems really, unapparent.” He replied, as his gaze hopped from one place to the other in the large hall. His eyes widened when it halted on a particular image, across them. “Look into the distance, there. A couple is on a table, like us here. Probably having lunch, I guess. Judge them.”

“Okay,” Her eyes followed his lead, and she went about her challenge as ordered. His premise was indeed correct. There was an image of a couple, reduced to a blurry shadow behind a large transparent panel. She couldn’t exactly make out their body parts, due to the obscured image but some things were obvious.

“It’s a girl and a dude, I think. The girl doesn’t seem as relaxed as the guy is, but seems to be enjoying herself nonetheless. He’s probably flirting with her, and she’s forming hard to get. But I think she’s eventually going to cave in, because she just seems like the type to. It seems like there is more to this guy than it meets the eye. He acts like he’s interested in her, but—wait a minute!”

A throaty chuckle was audible from her side. “Can you see it now?”

The image in the panel ahead, acted strangely. In fact, the actions of the duo in the distance were in accordance with theirs. Was it a reflection?

“That’s not transparent glass, Ife.” He iterated in a satisfied voice. Finally, using her name which she knew he knew, for the first time. “It’s a reflective one, actually. The type that displays its image in a far distance, instead of close. It has something to do with some scientific jibberish, I do not understand and certainly do not have a care for.”

She swallowed the huge lump forming in her throat, and turned to face him. “Lay it on me.”

“You’re judgmental, miss. You just misjudged yourself from a distance, that should teach you that there is more to it than meets the eye and that everyone in this room isn’t what you think they are. You wouldn’t know that until you walk up to them like a normal human being and start something hearkening to a relationship with them…”

Wow, was he really being serious for the first time in the conversation?

“…or could it be that you’re secretly enjoying this conversation, just like the way you’re caving it. And you hope I’m flirting with you? So you can play hard to get? Is that it?”

Urgh! Definitely not any different from earlier.

“Anyway, just like you said earlier – I actually have more important things to do than wasting my time here, talking with you.” He announced, as he rose to his feet and she couldn’t help but feel dejected. The past few minutes had probably been the best she had spent so far in the school. “But do you have more important things to do than wasting your time here, not talking with anyone? Have a nice day.”

What an odd boy?

She couldn’t keep her gaze off his retreating figure. Who would have guessed that school’s most wanted – Daberechi Okoli would pay her a visit today? Well, no one. And from the way their meeting concluded, she knew it wasn’t just the end of such occurrence. People like him indeed have a lot to do than to spend time with someone they didn’t have a plan for. But the question was – what was that plan. Or rather.

What was the plan, she wished he had?

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And we’re back for real. I promise very regular updates on Fridays henceforth, as the previous shortcoming I encountered is now non-existent.

How was the chapter? The new character – Ife, and the dynamism between her and Dabby. I’m looking to explore something interesting in that area. And Itunu also? Just how far do you think his jealousy can drive him?

One way to find out guys. Stay tuned.

Tap that star, and drop a comment. See you next week.

Don’t forget to tag your friends and family with an in-line comment, here.

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Glossary:

Terms Used.

1. Semo – A local swallow delicacy. The term – Swallow in Nigeria means starchy food eaten with a wide variety of soups. It's called swallow because of the way it’s eaten. It is split into fist-sized fractions, rolled into a ball, and dipped into the soup.

Vernacular interpretation.

Yoruba words.

1. Kilode – What happen/happened?