.....Unedited.....

°Jared Adedamola Richards°

J  A  R  E  D

"Brooooooo"

Only one person I knew had it as a character to yell out that title across the busy hallway.

I wasted no time in ignoring him and simply strolled into the classroom, amidst his nonstop calling. Their stares was so obvious and they failed to hide the gossip and mummers that emitted from them, my classmates.

Nathan ran into the classroom finally getting my attention but I cared less and instead settled down on my seat, opening my desk I was met with a letter and immediately knew it's sender.

"Wow brooo is that a letter?" He slightly yelled, and his lips lit up in a full blown smile. His eyes screamed mischievous and Nathan's curiosity was an hard one to quench, so I quickly dismissed the letter.

"It is not, and refrain from yelling the 'brooo' when the hallway is so busy"

"Seems like someone's in a bad mood today, or are the rumors disturbing you?" He questioned, more in disbelief as he sat on the next seat beside mine.

Idia.

Her name immediately came to my mind and thoughts on yesterday night at the lounge. Idia has always preferred such rumors to stir up and her reaction was always on her perfect social life.

"No. How can I be affected by such? But Idia," I paused. I felt drained and this conversation was a no for me. Nathan noticed my mood change.

"Okay! okay! fine. But the queen bee sure is swimming in happiness" he kept on trying to further the conversation.

"Nathan." I warned with the stern edge in my voice. He surrendered, raising hands up in the air and brightening the mood with his playful smile.

"Okay angry bird_"

"Jared babyyyyy"

That voice, I can never forget her voice even on blindfolds or in my dream.With bold sassy steps, outstanding presence that caught the attention of the whole class. And her minions never failed to accompany her, as they always paired up with matching styles.

Today was one of the few days Idia decided to spice up the school uniform, by putting on a black long sleeve which had GHS crest on it but one could tell it was not among of the school uniform. Her skirt was also a bit long unlike the normal mid thigh length, it stopped just below the knee.

She's at it, again.

"I missed you so muchhhh" Idia stressed her words out, and sat on my desk. Her eyes that were normally dull held a mixed emotion, I couldn't really pinpoint it out but she appeared.

Fake.

"OMG! you are staring awwww I really spent some good time on my light makeup, there's this new brand..." Typical Idia, her friends shared bored looks while Nathan was already engaging himself with a speech preparation, an impromptu one that needed to be addressed as the class prefect.

"I thought I warned on your clinginess" she paused, her face fell for a second and next was warmed up with her smile. I tried my possible best not to yell hard at her, and maybe tain her reputation by giving the onlookers more news to feed on.

We stared at each other, with eyes wavering and silently communicating I could tell Idia was nervous as her nails fidgeted.

The automatic bell rang across the room indicating the early morning assembly commencement. That sound alone disrupted the atmosphere as students scrambled out of the class. We held our gaze, and Nathan must have notice this and easily interpreted my unspoken words.

He gradually convinced Lara and Chioma to leave us alone. The classroom was now empty, and Idia broke the stare as her eyes drifted to her palms. I tried my best not to inquire the reasoning for her change in attitude, the more I try caring or being that friend, she misinterprets it and get the wrong signal.

Walk out.

Don't say a word.

She's okay, it's all an act.

I deeply wanted to listen to my inner thoughts, but a part of me objected to that. I raised her chin up and her eyes.

"Cry out and don't hold back." I barely whispered to her hearing and next I received, was a hug with muffled sobs.

~Zirachi Joy Mark~

Z  I  R  A  C  H  I

I was referred to as a snitch.

Have you ever felt judged? Or better, accuse of something you have no idea of and worst is no one believes you, even the ones that do are not enough.

Stinging feeling of helplessness and embarrassment lingered as I stared into nothing, the accusations were worst than expected. That determination I had of being nonchalant towards the rumors, immediately died off as I stepped into the Ss2 hallway.

Mummers.....

Filled the air, fingers pointing at me couldn't be more nauseating as I felt every strength in me go down the drain. My legs were wobbly and the one thing I wanted now was support, my best friend would have provided that if she didn't leave with Dafe, with a flimsy excuse of getting something from the Library, a big lie.

I dreaded stepping into the classroom, a part of me agreed to it while the other was contemplating. My fingers gently held the doorknob, twisting it to the side but then a yell.

"Zirachi!"

That was my saving grace and luckily she held my wrist and dragged me out of the hallway, and towards a route I had no idea of.

"Where are we going to?"

No response.

"Assembly is about to start, are we skipping it and maybe classes?"

No response.

"I thought you are a prefect, and I'm very sure you're suppose to be present during assembly so_"

I paused, then I noticed we already arrived in a room, not a classroom with the normal teaching setting. This room was spaciously interesting and it was homely.

"To answer all your questions, I brought you here." She finally spoke, as she sat on a sofa. I didn't notice there was one until now. And not only one but more, the room walls were painted blue and it matched the long book shelf filled with books. A round table was at the far end and behind was a door.

"Brought me here for what? Siyoona I know you might believe the rumors but I don't really care and all I have to say is that, I have no idea who 'the unknown' is.

While I ranted she sat with legs crossed and laughed, actually in a contagious manner not mockingly.

"We believe you" The door opposite the round table opened revealing Damicute and the guys from the car park, the same boys that ignored the life out of me.

I was dumbfounded, my gaze rested on Siyoona as she stood up and sashayed towards the guys and happily gave a high five to each of them, except one who wore glasses and rested on the book shelf. I wondered why or maybe she forgot him, but was that possible? It looked like she deliberately ignored, and how is it possible that she didn't see him when the guys were just five with Damicute inclusive.

"Here goes the introduction stage, arghhhh I'm so bored," One of the guys spoke, walking towards me.

"I'm Kesiena and you are Zirachi, that I am aware of but it's nice to meet you" He said with a quirky grin. It was really awkward and maybe fake.

"Kess as usual is shy," Siyonna commented, she turned to the others. "Zirachi meet Jimi and Gibson" She gestured with her hands as she pointed out both boys.

"It's nice to meet the beauty Siyoona has been talking about, you are really pretty" Jimi complimented, Siyoona playfully hit him on the head.

"What? Can't I compliment another girl, she's so beautiful." His response made Siyonna to continuously hit him, he tried shielding his head and running away, Siyoona chased after him and I am sure witnessing a Tom and Jerry scene.

"Jimi and Siyoona that's enough, it's almost assembly time." Gibson said a bit bored at the silly bickering and fight between the duo.

"He has a girlfriend but he's busy cheating on her and forming playboy." She huffed out, telling that to Gibson who was checking the time on his wristwatch.

"Sandra and I broke up" Jimi defended, hiding behind Damicute who found the whole scene amusing.

"Can you see Gibson, last two weeks he said it was Amaka from IG and now who the hell is Sandra?" She questioned.

"Siyoona, you and I know Jimi and his numerous girlfriends. So can we please discuss the reason you called for this gathering before assembly" Gibson's gaze landed on me as he said his last words. More like he knows I'm the reason but needs more confirmation from Siyonna.

"You are too serious sef try to loosen up ehh our soldier." She laughed, trying to lighten up the mood but that wasn't working. The other guy that Siyoona ignored, was already occupied with a book as he seemed like the absent one here. He was the only one who didn't introduce himself and I wasn't a bit concerned.

"I know you're innocent of all the accusations,"Damicute said."And to generalize it," He paused, eyes scanning every member in the room more like he needed to be sure.

"We have your full support_"

"Be more specific Damilola," The guy that was reading interrupted Damicute, he stood up and dusted invisible dirt from his shoulder. Siyoona's eye roll was too obvious not to be noticed, there was a slight change in her facial expression and that made me wonder the reason for her uneasiness immediately he spoke.

"....... I'm not in support of your plan. She just resumed yesterday and can't be trusted." He said, directly facing me.

Without a proper introduction, I already assumed his dirty personality and that infuriates me, he looked at me like I was nothing and I wasn't expecting much from a rich kid.

What am I even doing here in the first place? These guys were very rude to me on first impression, I'm supposed to be the careful one.

"Now is not the time Abdul, we talked about this on the phone" Kesiena said, and the boy's name was finally revealed, Abdul.

Abdul sighed disgustingly, hands shoved in his pocket he walked out, with Kesiena's unending calls to which the latter turned deaf ears.

I wouldn't want to be the cause of a friendship break up or be the one adding fuel, to the unresolved dispute between friends and so I need to leave.

"Thanks Siyoona for trying to help but I'll kindly leave" I said, a bit disappointed at my own words because I really need their support but, the little pride in me wasn't obliging to my current situation.

The bell rang immediately I turned to leave, and by my side was Gibson sprinting out like his life depended on it, before I could blink he was out of sight.

"Abdul is a jerk, Dami you have to talk some sense into him or I'll........." For the few hours have know Siyoona, this was the first time she yelled without excitement. This time her tone was totally against Abdul and the anger was weird coming from her.

Out of the room and into the empty hallway, which was as a result of the assembly I guess. The thought of skipping the assembly and just resting  in the Ss2 Arts class, came to my mind.

I tried locating my classroom and eventually did, but paused briefly front of the door.

Cry.

Someone inside was crying and through the sobs, I could hear the pain from the voice but it sounded muffled. I thought against going in and instead walked away.

Just mind your business Zirachi

______________________

What do you think is going on between Jared and Idia 🤔

And we met some new characters💃💃💃💃 Kesiena. Gibson. Jimi. Nathan and Abdul. Your thoughts.

Don't forget the letter......

180 freaking reads I'm soooooooo excited 💃💃💃but the votes and Comments has been so low and not encouraging at all 😓

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Thanks From.......
Vahny✨❤️🌹............