The break was over and we were back in school. I was glad actually; I was happy that I was going to get to see Fareedah and spend time with her. it was the first week of resumption, so classes weren't consistent. Some lecturers came to class, while some were still on their short break. The school premises were also empty and scanty, but Inoma and I couldn't spend one more day at home, or insanity was the next option. Hearing your own name being consistently called, should be one of the causes of insanity.

I had a wide grin on as I stared at Fareedah's number. "Abeg, call her if you want to and stop killing me with this your happy look," Inoma said, her legs up and pushing against the bed above her. The room was still empty and Inoma and I were the only people who had resumed, that showed how much we really wanted to run from home.

"But what would happen to you?" I asked her, worrying. "You'd be alone and that would only just be selfish of me to do," I told her, looking at her like in a wait for an immediate reply or quick help. 

She didn't reply at first, simply staring straight. But, it didn't last long before she said, "How about I call Christopher? He should be in school now, right?" She sat upright, a wide smile on her face.

I didn't know why, but that made me really happy. "Really?" I asked her with a huge smile, beaming. 

Inoma looked at we, her smile still as wide as ever. "Why do you look happier than me?"

I chuckled, then replied, "Happier than you? Like I could ever."

Inoma chuckled as she picked up her phone and began to text Christopher, I supposed. With that, I also picked my phone to text Fareedah. 

Me

I've returned back to school, can I come over?

It didn't take long for a reply to drop in, felt like she was waiting by her phone for my text. But then again, maybe she was with her phone and mistakenly quickly clicked on my text, I tried not to read too much meaning into it.

Fareedah

If you want to.

I frowned a bit, not so sure about her reply. Those her quick response, her reply felt dismissive. 

"Christopher asked of you, I told him you have gone to see Fareedah," Inoma had said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Is that okay?" she asked with a wide smile, causing me to quickly shift my mood so she didn't ask what was wrong.

"Of course, that is fine." I smiled warmly. 

She jumped off her bed as she began to change her outfit, making me do same. "See you in the night, okay?" Inoma said to me, "I honestly don't want to sleep here alone, okay?"

I chuckled and nodded. "I promise, I'd try not to get carried away."

Inoma laughed as she looked at me, soon saying, "Are you sure you people have not..." she didn't finish hers sentence before she formed her right hand into a fist, using her left palm to slap at it. "Ehn?"

I chuckled, before I replied, "If I catch you ehn."

Inoma laughed as she walked to me, grabbing my hands so we could head out together. "It's a harmless question," she said with a shrug, while I locked the room door. 

"Harmless ko, harmless ni," I had replied her, shifting the conversation so we don't talk about it in such a public space. 

We talked about classes, lectures and anything else. When we got to the new hall gate, we split up, waving each other bye. 

Even though school had resumed, it was still a tad scanty, but I knew it wasn't going to be long before it was filled up. Maybe by the next night, it would be full again. A lot of people revolved their lives around the people they met at school and the school environment, which led them to consistently wanting to be at school environment. Honestly, it was fun. Fun to hang around school. I have taken several strolls with Inoma and Christopher on different nights, and it is almost one of the best feelings. Simply walking, talking, laughing and making memories. And I think that is my main favourite thing about staying in school hostel. 

I ran my hands through my hair as I got into the keke (tricycle) taking me to Fareedah's place, forgetting that I had cut and dyed it during the break. My lips spread into a wide smile as I played with my hoop earrings, hoping Fareedah loved my new look. I know she probably didn't see me in that way, but I wanted that sheer recognition. I had cut my hair almost skin-bald, dyed it ginger; and I was totally loving it. 

I got to her house soon enough. I collected my changed from the driver, then gently knocked on her gate. Her gateman peeped, causing me to smile warmly at him. He returned my smile, signaling for me to wait that he was going to go in and then return. I nodded in reply. He hardly spoke to me, and I didn't want to assume, I as a matter of fact felt guilty for assuming. But, I had a feel he didn't speak to me because he didn't know English and only maybe understood. Since he only every really spoke Hausa to Fareedah. 

He returned soon enough, opening the gate and signaling for me to enter. I nodded, giving him a small bow in appreciation. 

When I entered, Fareedah was busy with her phone, while a music channel busied the environment. "Hey," I said excitedly, but Fareedah simply gave me nod, not looking at me. "How are you?" I tried to ask, but she gave me the silent treatment, causing me to gently sit down, my legs pressed together in an uncomfortable position. I couldn't press my phone, because of how thick the air in the room was. I stared into the distance blankly, staring at her carpet. I just couldn't look at her face. I felt like I had done something wrong, but yet didn't know what I had done wrong.

After minutes of simply sitting, watching the music station and hoping the ground opened to swallow me, I decided it was better I left. But, I didn't get to get up from the chair I was sitting on, before Fareedah said, "If you care about how I am, why did you not text at all during the break?"

It was like I had finally solved the missing piece of a puzzle. Everything began to add up. but then, she also didn't text me. So, it was in fact a two-way thing. "Oh, is that why you have been silent?" I asked her, turning to look at her, only noticing then that she had been looking at me. I smiled faintly, watching the wrinkles on her forehead slowly release. "But you also didn't text me," I said with a shrug. 

She opens her mouth to speak, but then shut it as her face wrinkled into a confused look. She pouted as she folded her hands and looked away from me, curling her legs on her couch. 

I chuckled a bit, trying not to make it not loud enough for her to ear. "Okay, I am sorry and would try harder next time," I said, "I actually didn't text at all, because I thought you'd need your space."

She didn't reply me, letting us slip into seconds of silence before she said, "I think you look really good with the lowcut and that hair colour."

I felt my heart swell with joy and warmth, as warmth spread round my body, filling me up with excitement. "Really?" I asked with a wide smile, staring at her as she looked away from me. I couldn't help relaxing into her chair, curling my legs up.

She nodded in reply, not really saying anything.

"Thank you."

She nodded again as she turned to look at me, which made her smile. She had her hair in a satin bonnet, while she was in a simple satin mini dress. She looked so pretty I really had to force myself to look away, so she didn't notice maybe how weird my gaze was. 

"So, what did you do during the break?" I asked her after clearing my throat, while playing with my fingers. 

"I should be asking you. I stayed in throughout."

"Throughout?" I asked, looking at her with wide eyes, in surprise.

She nodded, chuckling. "Well, what to do?"

I shrugged, before I said, "Well, a stroll? Shopping? See a movie? Eat out? Self-date?"

She chuckled. "Not when you have social anxiety and don't do well around people," she replied, "And I sometimes fear people would recognize me."

My mouth formed an 'O' as I nodded, fidgeting with my fingers when an idea popped in my head. It took me seconds to battle in my head and come to a conclusion. "Maybe we can go to the movies together sometime? Hoping no one sees it, I mean."

Fareedah, who had begun to play with her phone, looked up at me for a while, before she nodded. "That is actually a good plan," she said with a shrug. "We could also try the other things you suggested." she smiled warmly.

For a second, it felt like she was asking me out, but due to not wanting to over think things, I simply nodded with a smile as I started telling her about my holiday. I did exempt the part where I spoke about her. 

A/N:

Hey, author Ebun here. This is both an apology and (maybe) a promise. I want to apologize for my very inconsistent updates, as I have been dealing with personal stuff. And I want to make this (maybe) promise in hope to update more. Due to the pride month, I would try to update once in two days, or consecutively. So I really hope you enjoy this chapter and enjoy more to come. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH, guys.