Life Of Jiji

All Rights Reserved

2022 Tena Ifiemi

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2 hrs - tobi lou ♪

this city - sam fisher ♪

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"Looking good Ejiro. Mix it with white to get a lighter colour. It'll look better when you show contrast."

I nodded and looked back at my canvas, wondering what was good about my painting. It didn't help that the artist of the class was sitting right beside me either. His work shaming mine.

Taking the teacher's advice, I started to mix the orange paint I was working with white on my palette. This has got to be the best class today. Not because I love art so much but my other two classes were math and literature and while I love math, the serenity of this art studio is definitely more welcoming than its complexity.

Fine Art wasn't even part of the subjects I write in exams so Fine Art period was more like recess for me and the indie music and classical instrumentals Mr Zaki fills the room with makes me feel like I'm in medieval France sometimes. Along with the painting of course. Plus I needed the relaxation to try to get my mind off certain things.

When we got back to the hostel after Damian's birthday...gathering in the cafeteria my roommates had bombarded me.

"At this point there's no telling us that you guys are not dating. I'm totally for it sha. Please tell me you guys are dating."

"Even if they aren't dating they've definitely done some dirty deeds." Mercy winked.

"I know right? They have to have kissed at least. Their love makes me want to love."

They finally stopped speaking but it was even worse because they were now staring at me expectantly. I stood in front of my locker, red as a rose wondering what to say now that they looked like they were actually expecting a reply.

I cleared my throat, "Damian and I are just-"

"I swear if you say 'friends', I'll make sure this shoe does not miss your face." I turned to Amarachi and she actually had a shoe held up. I fought a smile. Quite bold of her to talk considering how she and Mide are also 'just friends'.

She seemed to read my thoughts because she suddenly dropped the shoe and gave me her best apologetic face.

I will spare her.

"We're taking it slow." I correct.

"But that's boring." Katherine whined.

"But Damian has definitely made a move abi? How did you manage to turn him down?"

"My heart will just be doing gbim-gbim. How did you do it because I know I cannot. Fine boys are hard to say no to."

"Shut up." Tolani laughed, "Now I'm imagining a very dramatic scene of Ejiro slapping Damian's face away as he's leaning in. And for some reason Eiiro is wearing a hanbok!"

"You're mad." Mercy said and everybody burst out laughing.

Soon their laughter died down again and their attentions turned back to me. By now I had reached my bed and sat down.

"Does he have to make any move though?" I wanted to know.

"Girl shut up. We're not telling you to describe anything oh. We just asked if you guys have kissed. Yes or no?"

"No."

"Hey." Khadijah finally spoke. "She doesn't owe us any answers. It's her private life."

Ayo furrowed her brows, "I know Khadi but don't you see why we're asking? Well obviously at first I was just gist hungry but there's no way Damian would not have made a move. Anybody who's not blind would've noticed that they've been hanging out for months now..."

She hesitated and looked at me but now I did not wish for them to stop talking.

"What is it? What do you want to say?"

"Ejiro you shouldn't just spend money on a boy like that. You guys are not even dating. You don't know if he likes you..."

I stared at her frowning, "Who says I need him to like me?"

"You like him."

"I-" I started to speak but Mercy cut me off.

"Don't be angry Ejiro. We're just concerned. Boys are boys and would always be boys. Even in people who are celibate there will always be hormones..."

"Simply put, if he was going to make a move, he should've."

"Damian has quite the reputation Ejiro and we don't want to see you get hurt."

I wasn't able to find out what sort of reputation she was talking about because the nurse walked in at that point, Khadijah right beside her, demanding to know why I still hadn't come to take my drugs.

After crying for a good fifteen minutes in the bathroom I crawled back into bed. The lights had been turned off and everybody seemed to be sleeping.

"Are you okay?"

Well, except Khadijah of course.

I turn to her, "I do like Damian."

"I know."

"They made a point didn't they."

"Ejiro, you don't have to listen to-"

"But it's true and you know it. I may have refused but he doesn't even want to...he doesn't want me."

I sigh and stare at the mess I've made of the flower stems in my painting. I guess even the solace of this place isn't distraction enough.

I don't know where this is coming from. It's not like me to want these type of things. These things where the main reason why I didn't want to tell Damian I liked him in the first place. But he didn't even want to? And from what they said, they insinuated that he would've taken things further with any girl by now.

And while the thought scares me a little, what's the use if I don't even tempt him?

But it's for the best, I guess. My dad had warned me and I was letting my feelings override sense. Besides who knows what even a kiss might trigger. No, I don't want to kiss him. They just managed to get into my head.

But you have no problem hugging him. A position where your chests align and his arms are wrapped around you. With any other person, it'll have triggered you.

I shake away the thought and felt a lump rise to my throat.

Why couldn't I just be normal though? This wasn't something that bothered normal people. All this talk of triggers... I was nine years old, surely I should've forgotten it by now. It was ages ago, why does it continue to plague me!?

Someone tapped me, "Hey, Ejiro."

It was Richard, artist of the class. His smile was warm but his eyebrow was tilted up in question. Had I managed to give myself away?

"Are you planning to stay here and skip the next class? I won't judge you." He laughed. "I do it sometimes."

I saw that his hand still remained on my shoulder and I shrugged it off immediately with a shudder. When I looked up though I realized what he was talking about. People were either hanging their paintings to dry or already leaving.

I shake my head at him and start to get up when he stops me,

"Don't forget to sign your name." He pointed to the bottom of my painting.

I nodded, "Of course."

He volunteered to hang it for me and took mine and his before he walked me out the studio.

"Well, it's been a minute." He said.

"You sit in front of me at the cafeteria Richard."

He chuckled, "Yeah, but we haven't had a conversation in a while. Tell me, how have you been?"

I shrug. How does one answer that?

"That reminds me, the party you threw for Damian. It was really nice."

I smile, "Thank you."

No matter what anybody says about me spending too much money, I didn't regret it. I was happy he liked it and the gifts as well. He said he was going to cherish the jersey for as long as he lives. He said his children would see it. I giggle at the thought.

"You were the one that got him the watch, right?"

My forehead wrinkled in thought, "Watch? No."

He frowned, "Must be Chisom then, I mixed it up."

I stopped walking, "Chisom? Why would it be Chisom?"

"Well I saw her name on one of the notes. And the guys were saying that both of you got him something. He rambled. "I'm sorry, I thought you knew..."

"Knew what!?" I spat.

"Damian and Chisom, they have history. It's only expected..."

One second he was talking to me and the next he was pinned against the wall.

"What do you think you're doing?" Mide yelled at him while he struggled against his hold.

I held Mide's arm forcing him to meet my glare, "And what are you doing? Why shouldn't he tell me? What are you trying to help him hide from me?"

I pulled my hand away noting his alarmed expression before I turned and fled.

Contrary to expectation, I did not cry. Not as I walked to my next class. Not when my teacher yelled at me for being late. Not after the class when I spent my attire break time at the tracks. Straining myself, running and running and running.

"Hey, Ejiro!" I heard Ms Margaret yell. "That's enough!"

I refused to heed her, doing another lap. From the corner of my eye, I saw her run beside me and before I could do anything about it, she reached for my arm and pulled me to a stop. If not for her strong grip, that pull was enough to send me flying. She proceeded to drag me along to her office.

"What was that on the track?"

"Practice."

She didn't comment on my bull$hit, "Sports could be used as an outlet Ejiro but that does not mean it is not dangerous. What are you running from?"

I jutted out my chin stubbornly, refusing to answer.

"Fine just don't do it on my tracks, okay? I could do without trouble on my hands. A couple of people have fainted on my duty...gotten injuries. Even if you don't care for yourself, think about the hour I have to spend writing a report. I do love my time."

I headed back to my class immediately break ended knowing I would not be able to handle being yelled at again for being late.

When I sat down, Mercy tapped my arm and when I turned to her she was smiling, "Ejiro you missed! Where were you during break? Amarachi and Mide are dating. They've been dating ever since. They told the whole class."

I looked up to see Mide looking at me. I met his gaze as I replied Mercy.

"Good for them."

I had all my things packed even before they rang the final bell of the day and when they did, I grabbed my stuff and hurried out of the class. I hadn't even taken two steps after leaving the door step when he called my name.

I sigh, I was not quick enough. I knew Mide would have told him what happened by now and while I should probably listen to what he had to say, I just didn't have it in me right now. And I don't know how long I'd last without breaking down-the things I've heard both on Saturday night and today were not just a good mix.

So I ignored him and kept walking.

He appeared by my side instantly and I sighed, "Ejiro please. I just want to talk."

I refused to look at his face. I was scared of whatever I might see there; would it break my resolve or would it vex me more?

"Well, I don't."

"Ejiro I beg you-"

I placed my hand on my head, "Please Damian, spare me. I have a headache."

"I'm sorry."

With a short glance, I caught the defeated look he wore before I could help it. I faced front and kept walking and I was confused when he didn't leave my side.

"Um, let me at least just walk you to the cafeteria, please. I won't say a word."

I didn't reply, just kept walking and he did as he said. The girls' hostel is just before the cafeteria so instead of going forward with him, I took the first turn into my hostel gate instead.

"Ejiro." I heard him call, his voice hesitant.

Without turning to face him, I spoke, "I lost my appetite."

The quiet of the hostel was welcoming, calming, sanity preserving. Perhaps that was why my eyes and cheeks remained dry as I undressed and walked into the shower. Perhaps that was why my otherwise busy mind allowed me to take a nap. When I woke up the rest of my roommates were sleeping. My alarm clock just beside me showed that it was only a few minutes before they wake us up for prep. I decided to get ready regardless since it'll even give me the chance to leave early.

Unlike what I had anticipated, the classroom wasn't empty. I've never come out for prep this early for all the days I've been a student of this school. I wasn't completely surprised to see Mitchel when I entered my prep room and I don't blame him for looking so surprised when he saw me. He was the only one in the class.

"Why do you look so shocked?" I laugh lightly.

"Can you blame me?" He asked and faced his book again.

I frown feeling like I had missed something. I cleared my throat trying to gain his attention again and when I did I took a closer look at him.

"Mitchel!"

He looked startled, "What?"

"Your eye bags have enough space to carry Everest! Do you ever take a break?"

He rolled his eyes and turned back to his book. "I see you're getting better at literature. Trying out how far you can exaggerate on me. I wonder what that figure of speech is called again."

"Euphemism?"

"Nice try. It's hyperbole."

"Hahaha. I knew that." "Come on Mitchel, what's wrong? Tell me."

Mitchel has always been addicted to his books but in all the time I have known him, I've never seen him look this stressed and he still ends up acing his papers.

"Is it Waec? Or is it Jamb that comes first? You know you'll still pass, right? It's not a sin to sleep. Come on, tell me, is that it?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"So it's not about the exams then? Mitchel, curiosity is killing me."

"I broke up with Ovieya."

I gasp. I wasn't prepared to hear that. I vaguely remember just a few days ago when Reya came to my room, drunk out of her mind and saying all those things that didn't make sense. Well, it certainly did make sense now.

"Oh, um...well..."

"That's as much as I would say on the topic, Ejiro." He eyes my empty table, "You should bring out a book. Your table is giving me anxiety."

I raise an eyebrow and he smiles-tries to smile. "Its complicated."

He hesitates before adding, "...and I understand if you'd like to start beefing me now for loyalty sake even though I really wish you won't."

"I'm my own woman." I tell him with a smile as the class starts to fill up, "I would decide whether or not you deserve to be ignored."

There's a slight improvement in the quality of his smile this time around. Then he shakes his head, ending the topic, "You've been avoiding Economics, Ejiro and it's part of your IGCSE subjects. Do you have your text book here?"

I groan but am forced to nod when he raises a brow.

"What are you waiting for then? Chop chop."

"Yes professor."

At the close of prep I realized that I'd either be walking back to the hostel alone or with one or a couple of my girls. I didn't expect Richard to be waiting for me outside.

I smile when we face each other, "Hi."

"I hope you don't mind." He says as we walk.

"Not at all. I could use the company."

"I heard you're running for the inter house sports."

"Yeah, the relay race."

"You must be looking forward to it."

"Its a bit scary to be honest. I practically had to be forced to participate."

"You really don't like it, then? I was thinking that we have something in common. I run too. I'm doing the boys relay for my house."

"That's great. I didn't say I don't like it. I just had to be coaxed out of my shell, I guess."

When we got to the front of my hostel we both said goodnight and he left but before I could go in, a hand grabs my arm. I whip my head around and my heart thumps in chest. Both due to the fact that I was startled and due to the person who was doing the startling.

I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it, "I can handle you deciding not to talk to me but must it be him? You can talk to anybody. Talk to any boy or any girl in this school but not Richard, I beg you. I don't care what it looks like but that boy is not your friend."

"And you are? I saw a friend in you Damian and then you managed to make me like you. But I'm not enough am I? I could never be her and I'm not even going to try." I felt my voice quivering and immediately I finished talking, I ran inside. I sniff realizing that my tears had chosen the worse time to appear.

I wipe my eyes furiously and use the back of my palm to clean my wet cheeks. I'm not able to get to my room before I'm accosted again on the corridor.

"Damian returned my birthday gift, why?"

I glare at her, "How should I know?

"Aren't you his replacement bitch? Or am I mistaken?"

I felt my self go weak and the lump in my throat started to grow again. I was afraid that if I spoke, I would cry and I did not want to cry in front of Chisom. Not Chisom, never.

I took a deep breath, "Chisom, excuse me. I want to sleep."

Her laugh was sardonic, "You didn't know did you? I've been watching you foolishly parading yourself. I weep for your foolishness."

Her fingers grazed my face, "You think you're something special, don't you?"

"You must be mad." Chisom and I both turned to see a very angry looking Reya.

I was blessed to be able to see Chisom's glare falter.

"You'd better remove your dirty hands from my sister's face before I use my own to destroy yours."

Chisom's hand dropped and she faced Reya. "You think I'm scared of you?"

Reya was the one to laugh mockingly this time, "It would do you good if you do."

But Chisom was brazen, "I heard that the boyfriend you stole has dumped you. How sad."

Reya's slap was resounding and I'm sure I will be able to remember the sound for as long as I live. Chisom fell to her knees and clutched her cheek which had turned a very concerning colour.

"Ejiro is your classmate. I am not. So you had better watch your stupid mouth next time. Aren't you ashamed? Pining after a boy who clearly doesn't want you. Do you know that everybody mocked you? Even your own classmates. You're as desperate as they come and I almost feel bad for you. If the boy has tired of the games you both had been playing and decided to have feelings for somebody else why don't you find someone else? Grow up Chisom, grow up."

With that she grabbed my hand and made for the door stopping when we heard Chisom's voice.

"They will suspend you. I'll make sure of it. You don't know who I am."

"That's funny. I was thinking the same thing; you don't know me at all. So, go ahead, report."

And on that note we left.

Immediately we stepped out of the laundry, Reya wrapped her arms around me and my shoulders wracked and I sobbed into her.

"Come on, she's not worth it."

"So everybody knew. Everyone has been laughing at me, haven't they? How stupid I've been."

Reya sighed, "I thought you knew. But even at that Ejiro, nobody is laughing at you. Chisom is trying to fuel the fire that she has started. She and Damian are an ancient story. I think you should talk to Damian no matter how much you're hurting now. From the looks of things, you haven't given him audience."

"I don't know..." I sniff, cleaning my face and looking away.

"You have to. Do you want to throw everything away for a story you've heard from everyone but him?"

Reya and Mitchel are over. Amarachi and Mide are sailing on stronger waters. Oh Damian, which will it be?

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Ooooh, drama.

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See you in the next chapter ; )

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