Here is the much awaited update! Enjoy...💅💅

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I smile to prove to all that I'm okay. If only the smile could prove to me that I'm happy. I laugh to heal my soul, if only laugh could heal my SHATTERED HEARTSTRINGS

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~Not edited!~

Squidward.

That is the first name that pops randomly in my head as I stare at the human before me. You must be wondering why I'm using a character from Spongebob? Well the person before me has zero chills. No smiling. Stoic face. Bored expression. Sharp eyes. What else? Oh he must be wondering who I am.

While me, on the other hand, I'm smiling like the infamous cat that went to London to see queen Elizabeth in our nursery rhyme.

I lowkey resemble a dazed human seeing a zombie for the first time in real life. Whereas, its just a normal person I'm staring at. No scratch that, He's not a normal person. He's a celebrity of course.

Remember when I said I have top ten celebrity crushes? Okay let me do a quick rundown.

10. Timini Egubson
9. Sydney Talker
8. Justin Bieber
7. Lee min ho
6. Shawm Mendes
5. Jace Norman
4. Amaar
3. Jide Peterson
2. Jerry Akintunde

And finally my number ONE is who I'm staring at. Like right now. My main and overall celebrity crush.

Jamal Nonso.

O.M.G!! Am I dreaming? please somebody should wake me up. You know when you fantasise and daydream too much, you start seeing your surreality turning to reality. So yeah, maybe that is what is happening to me right now. I close my eyes and inhale deeply counting to three.

One..

Two..

Three...

I open my eyes again and truly it is him. The bold grey pair of eyes that holds the ultimate power to both weaken and break a human. The same pair of eyes that female and male fans trip for and the same pair of eyes that makes my insides to turn jelly and munchy when watching music videos or live interviews. I never believed a Nigerian can possibly have grey pair of eyes, but standing before me is an Adonis caramel skinned guy that beats every single fantasy.

Wawu.

I never imagined my life would turn out to be like this. My main celebrity crush out of the musical group is standing four feet away from me! I think I'm gonna pass out for the second time today.

"Umm sorry guys." Jerry chuckles by my side, snapping me out of lala land. "Jamal meet my new friend Aramide." He says in a coy tone and I just gaped at the both them. Unable to move or talk or even act. I have not even gotten over the fact of meeting Jerry and now I'm seeing my main crush? Wow, just damn wow!

Aramide, idiot! stop acting foolish and speak up! My brain chided.

"Ye-s It's a pleasure to meet you." I finally say in a shy tone with my ever plastered smile, glimmering on my face. The way his eyes rakes pass my body almost made me to cower from his presence. I felt so bare, so raw and open and it almost seemed for a moment, that he can see through my smiling facade.

Then my people. The worst thing happened. He ignores the exchange and turns his attention back to Jerry like I am not existing at all.

Yee! This one enter me.

"Never mind." He says in his baritone and flawless deep voice as he tilts his head as if he did not just ignore me.

What da....

Did he just?

No way!

Abi my mouth is smelling?

I mentally crack my head to check if I defaulted in any thing about my body.

Mouth breath? Check.
Body odour? No. God forbid.
Neat hair? Yes.
Clean uniform and shoes? All good.
So what did I do na?

His voice is damn hot though. But I never expected him to ignore my existence. So painful! Damn me for thinking about his voice! I'm sure by now the look on my face is clearly spelt as 'I AM HURT!" It is really painful when someone snubs you like that.

"Pardon his manners. He doesn't mix with unfamiliar faces like that." Jerry says with a pleading face.

If that's how every rich kid is gonna treat me, then I'm doomed.

Of course I did not say it loud but I nod curtly to his statement.

"Umm Jerry, can..you please help me? this is my first time in this school... So I'm ki-nda nervous here." I chuckle uneasily. He laughs at my predicament shortly and made me promise that I pay him back for the favour jokingly.

"So are you in Gold, Silver, Jasper or Pearl?" Gold is Science class, Silver is Art class, Jasper is Commercial class, while Pearl is the Social Sciences class.

"Gold." I reply quickly as I bite my lips nervously while wriggling my cold and tensive fingers along.

"Oh good good, that's my class. Come with me then." He did not even wait for my reply as he steers me towards the class I initially wanted to enter. I giggle at his enthusiasm and bubbly persona. The smile on my face fades immediately the automatic door to the class, opens. On entering the class, most of the students give us the curious stares, raising eyebrows at me and Jerry's grip on my arm. While the teacher I never saw initially, pauses and looks at me skeptically.

Shoot when did she enter the class?

The woman does not have chill sef.

Wow, and her backside? She's damn flat and looks like the letter i. With her face that is overly papmpered with too much makeup. I almost laugh at how funny she looks, but the look on her face, abruptly puts my initial plan on hold.

"And who are you?" The teacher asks, without mincing words. I gulp visibly and just like that, words get stuck on my throat again. Before I can fool myself further, Jerry does the magic for me.

"New student." He replies with a nonchalant attitude as he leads me to an empty one-seater desk and chair made for students to sit singlely at the middle role section of the spacious class. I wanted to argue that he replied rudely and we left the teacher hanging, but the teacher had gone back to explaining the topic with the aid of the projector positioned at the front of the class.

Another quick note dear brain, this teacher is already in my list of 'lekpa teacher.'

"Well then introduce yourself to the class." She says with a monotone voice as she turns her attention back to me. I thought she was done with me? I quickly stand up again fumbling over my words and having a nervous look on my face.

This woman nor just get joy.

"My name is Aramide. Emm, Aramide Bola." I reply as I try hard not to fidget. Some students sighed and some hissed as they heard my name. Obviously they were expecting my surname to be that of a big man. But I grew up with Bola as my surname, my mum didn't make us bear the full Bolanle. But well I'm happy. At least I don't need friends because of being a wealthy man child.

I take the seat Jerry showed me and settle down without minding the awkward stares glancing my direction. If not I would have an anxiety attack here. Jerry bullied or kind of commanded a slim good looking guy which sit is close to mine, to scrap off the seat and look for another one as he takes it majestically saying he needs to guide me. I roll my eyes at his silly behaviour and made him promise to apologise to the boy or else our new found friendship would seize.

I brought out my laptop which the school insisted each students will use during classes.

Surprising right?

And during that time I had small talks with Jerry subtly. So that teachers won't notice us. It was fun having someone to chat with, and listen to you when classes just passed by, like the whooshing sound of air.

During the lessons, I took note of everyone in the class. Sure some minded thier business by focusing on thier laptop, or notebooks while some still gave me the curious looks. I spotted Jamal who was seated three seats across me typing furiously on his Apple Laptop always and glanced at the projector before refocusing his attention on his notes.

He looks good. Hmm.

He didn't speak for once except a teacher made him to. While I enjoyed the company of Jerry, he told me a lot about his classmates, the school in general, then about thier music career as The Triple-J.

God this boy is officially my best friend.

I can't still believe I'm seeing celebrities live! I need thier autographs sef.

After four periods of sluggish lessons rolling by with students still glancing at me, well let me be more specific. The females glared, while the males stared shamelessly. The automatic bell for break finally rings.

Yeahhh! time for food.

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"Jerry I said I'm fine okay? enjoy breaktime with your friends." I reassure the enthusiastic lad currently seating on his table, for the umpteenth time

"Noo I can't leave you here." My friends won't mind." He whines as he props his arms on my desk. A sinister smile gracing his handsome face.

One thing I have noticed about this dude, is his similarities with the cartoon character, Spongebob squarepants.

For real, he is funny, charming and friendly.

"Uhuh thank you. Derek will show me around." I reply in a polite voice, shoving my Idodo Umeh Biology textbook into my desk locker.

"Derek in Silver? how did you know him?" He asks with a slight frown. I pause my movement and gave him a dramatic look. I am supposed to stay clear from my cousins, because of stupid Cheryl's warning. I shrug and chuckle nervously trying to come up with an excuse.

"Umm.. He was directed to show me round?" I say in a doubtful tone. Jerry narrows his eyes at me for seconds and sighs deciding to believe me. Jerry is interrupted, when his phone beeps by his side. I continued to bite down on my lips nervously while glancing round the class and heard the stupid murmurs again.

"Who does she think she is?"

"She's like a cute nerd though."

"New toy to dem boys."

"Well I hope she doesn't separate the Triple-J like Lizzy did last time."

What? The famous Triple-J have been separated before? Oh boy I did not see that coming.

"Are you kidding me? Kiki will despise her."

"She doesn't look like she's in our league sef."

"How did the school allow her resume?"

"Lizzy will frustrate her life if she see's her with her crush."

"Such a slut!"

Okay seriously I've had enough of this side talks. I need to get out of this class before I explode. Being called a slut is the biggest blow of insult I can take.

"Jerry! I will follow you." I say while jumping out of my seat. He smirks at me as he grabs my right hand.

"I knew you couldn't resist my charms baby girl."

"Tsk tsk don't let your ego engulf you. I'm only escaping your vampire classmates."

We laugh as we take the stairs down to the second floor where the cafeteria for the senior students is located and I tell you, this school is so big.

Trust me, walking down a lengthy stairs and gisting with someone is much fun than riding an elevator.

Immediately we pass the double French doors of the cafeteria, I start admiring it. I'm officially in love with this school. So much luxury here. We go the buffet stand to pick up our order of food and I am delighted to see various foods and dishes here.

Ouuuu, food!

We carry our tray of food and I orderd a plate of chicken spaghetti with 5-alive juice. While Jerry ordered Chips and coke. As he directed me to a table, the pointings and talks started again but I am too abosorbed in the wonders of the school to acknowledge them.

The table we headed at, made me freeze all of a sudden. The third person of the Triple-J group, Jide Peterson, is seated at the right side of the table.

Omg!

I feel like boasting to the whole world, that's I've seen my top three celebrities in one day! How nice would that be? How many fine boys I'm I going to see today? to his side is a girl who looks pretty and bad ass her skin is so fair and blemsih free and I instantly know that she's a bi-racial. She rocked a low hair cut dyed in gold while a golden nose stud, sits comfortably on her nose. And her ears her bare of any earrings.

To be honest I felt intimidated by all the beautiful and sophisticated people I've been seeing since morning. Jamal is seated also, but his arm is flung around her shoulders as he smiles genuinely at whatever the pretty girl is saying. And that was when I felt my heart drop into the pit of my stomach.

This is my first time seeing him smile today! impossible.

"Guys!" Jerry hollers, as the attention of his friends shifts to us the minute we reached thier table. The girl scrutinises me from my head to toe as if I am a specimen under research, Jide had a calculative and firm pose, his eyes ripping into my soul. While Jamal smiling face, suddenly turns to a dark look.

Okay its official they all hate me.

Remind me why I followed Jerry here?

"Who are you?" The girl asks as she raises her brow questionably. I shiver as I see the look of seriousness on her face making me to gulp nervously. I think I have seen her in my science class also. But nonetheless, it doesn't wipe the smile off my face.

"Oh, I'm Aramide and I am a ne-" she cuts me off before I can continue.

"Yeah we know you are new so cut the crap."

Ehh?!

Cut which crap?

Impossible I feel humiliated.

"What do you want from us?" She asks again as she started checking out her nails.

What's up with the Jamb questions? seriously its annoying.

"Wh-at do you...mean?" I stutter as I look to Jerry for help.

"You're scaring her please drop it." Jerry frowns a little as he says it.

"I am doing my best to prevent her from hurting you okay? I don't want a repeat of last year." She spits out giving the guys a pointed look. As she said that, the trio guys demeanour changed drastically.

Okay. I'm I the only one feeling the tension on this table?

Too bad I was battling with coma two months ago, so its natural for me to not know what's happening. And yeah my social skills has always been bad right from start. So don't blame me if I'm ignorant of what is happening in my country or anywhere.

When Ayo usually gets hypertensive, I would usually try to crack jokes or hold him and we do our favourite stuffs together as siblings. And I'm like, why don't I try it with Jerry who looks sad and conflicted?

Before I can over think it, I reach out to him and hold his right hand as I slowly uncurl it from the bottle of coke that is suffering from his hard grip.

"Its okay. Let it out." I say slowly as I refuse to break eye contact with him. We stared at each other for some minutes before the strange silence on the table is broken by Jide.

"Okay, what just happened?" Jide speaks for the first time. The girl stared at me warily before her face breaks into a small smile. The kind of smile that holds curiosity and appreciation.

I thought she wanted to use her eyes to kill me before?

"Anyways I'm Kiki." She introduces herself humbly.

Oh so she's the infamous Kiki? And wasn't she the one who eyed me just now? why the change?

But really, she's pretty and she gives the tomboy vibes and a laid-back arua.

"O-kay." I reply still feeling nervous and uncomfortable. Jerry smiles genuinely at me as he mouths 'thank you'. Minutes after, Kiki and Jide warmed up to me after knowing that my intentions are plain genuine. Still Jamal hasn't spoken and it aches my heart to see that he hates me.

"So you really sneaked out of the house?" Kiki asks curiously as I told them of my adventures with my brother deliberately avoiding my mother though. Because its still a sore thing to think about her.

"Not really sha. Like my brother went into crazy mood and almost killed me when he found out I stole his PlayStation and hid it in our neighbour's balcony." I say with a giggle. They all laugh at the table well except Jamal again who wears his customised headset over his ears to distract himself from us. As we continue talking, out of my peripheral vision I notice two girls sashaying towards our table. I turn just in time to see Cheryl and another girl.

Ohoh.

I hope she does not threaten me again.

"Ay, guys." Cheryl speaks in a sweet voice. I'm sure she hasn't seen me properly yet so I smile kinkly.

"Hey Cheryl, hey Anna" the two boys chorused. I guess Kiki does not appreciate Cheryl's presence since she did not respond. And Jamal is busy to either notice too.

"What do you want?" She grits out with a scornful look marring her pretty fair face.

"Oh, pardon me tomboy. I did not see you." Cheryl snarls out in mockery. I hissed at her words unknowingly and that is when she and Anna notice me. Her eyes widenes in sheer shock and horror, mentally wondering why me of all people is here.

"You!" She spits out maliciously.

"Umm, hey Cheryl!" Everyone on the table looks at us with curious stares. Even our exchange has attracted the table beside us.

"The new girl knows the head girl?"

"How does she know Cheryl?"

"Wow. this girl is really mysterious."

"She warmed up to Kiki too!"

"Mad o."

I ignore them as Cheryl gives me the look that says, 'if you tell anyone I'm your cousin, I'll kill you.' She's just so insecure. Rolling my eyes, I continue to eat my sweet food. I cannot allow my cousin to spoil my appetite for me. Never.

"What are you doing on this table?" She asks as she crosses her arms on her chest. Well chest that shows that her buttons have been popped open.

"I can ask the same for you dear Cheryl." I say smiling evily not knowing where my new found confidence is coming from.

"Don't talk to her like that! she's the head girl." Anna speaks for the first time.

I scoff and reply. "Sorry dear head girl I did not mean to disrespect you. Sorry oo." Cheryl glares at me knowing I did not mean that apology. And with the students talking around, She huffs and walks off with Anna, leaving everyone in a daze as they all look back at me. Even Jamal casts a brief glance at my direction looking at me intently. I freeze instantly on my seat. His eyes held curiosity but his face was just blank and just like that, he concentrated back on whatever he was doing. For a second, I would have believed I did not see his gaze on me.

Okay why is everyone looking at me like that?

"You just made the head girl leave without giving you a punishment." A girl from a table at our side shreiks in excitement.
I twirl my fork over my almost finished dish and laugh at the expression on thier faces.

"She's the head girl and she hates people opposing her. And you also forgot to call her Senior Cheryl. This is CIGs. You have to attach senior to every student above us." Jide chimes in nonchalantly.

"So watch out for her stupid revenge." Kiki adds. "I hate her so much though, if she messes up with you, I'll deal with her." She says as she continued checking out her nails.

"Trust me I know what she's capable of, I know her inside out." I mumble to myself and just then the automatic bell chimes for breakover. Most students leave immediately gisting with thier friends, passing through the staircase heading to class while some used the elevator to the floor of thier respective senior classes making the cafeteria almost empty with others lagging behind.

As I trash my waste, a piece of paper sticks out of my blazer's pocket. I glance around quickly to see where it came from but I saw nobody with a suspicious look as I look. Everyone is minding thier business as usual. Even Jide and Jerry are arguing about something while Kiki and Jamal focused on their respective gardgets intently. And we are almost out of the Cafeteria so I quickly stride to the basement of the staircase subtly to read it and also avoid disturbance so that I would go to class from there.

Yeap I'm not using the elevator. I need time to disgest this letter thoroughly.

The handwriting of the content has a very neat calligraphy and I admire it for a second before reading the letter fully.

Dear New girl,

Glad to know you aren't from our status first of all. But really who do you think you are? hanging with the Triple-J already? that's pathetic for a lowlife like you. Anyways I won't warn you again, maintain your lane In this school or else shit will go down! tsk those glasses that makes you look like an awful nerd, I'll smash them into those useless eyes of yours. Last warning! Do not interfere in anybody's business in this school! you deserve to remain on your own dear scumbag.

From L.

What?! A threat on my first day in school? I shove the note in my blazer's pocket as I start breathing hard, struggling for tears not to come out. Who would send this kind of letter to me? It cannot be Cheryl because Cheryl is a girl of words not ink and paper. Oh God! I'm doomed on my first day already. I don't want my new school life to be horrible like my former and just as the feeling of déjà vu hit me, I cried.

Like cried hard remembering that something like this, made my mother to poison me.

My mother...

The day passed in blur with me slightly ignoring my classmates and I was more than happy, when Derek texted me our driver was around at the close of school. And I got home diving straight onto my bed as I slept away all my sorrows.

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He watched as she read the letter. He watched as she shoved it into into her blazer's pocket grasping for breath. He watched as she mumbled incoherent words to herself and he watched as she practically ran the stairs to her class after she cried. What happened? He found himself asking curiously.

~A/N~

*Sighs*no comment.....

I really don't know how Aramide deals with all this shït at all!! I admire her strong heart so much.

Anyways, your thoughts on this chapter will be nice. And as always, vote and share🙃

-Jasmine ©️