||TAMIA||

Mom and Dad won't stop smiling at the mention of the word campus. Every time it leaves my mouth, they smile so hugely in pride, something that makes my heart swell with happiness. They are so looking forward to taking me to campus. It might not be happening anytime soon--at least not until next year September--but I know they are eagerly waiting and looking forward to it.

Their excitement and pride are a sweet balm to my heart and inspiration too to keep doing my best. Though not only for them but also for me. Recently, I made a promise to myself never to disappoint them again. I will always try my best to be the best. I never want to see that look of disappointment and hopelessness on their faces ever again.

"At what time are you leaving?" Mom asks when she enters the house.

She was at the fish pond where she has left the goats tethered for the day and I am preparing to go back to SPG for campus application. I'm not so happy to go back there but I have to because I have a few scores I need to settle. Otherwise, I could just have opted for the cyber application just like Joe and Kel who don't feel like going back to SPB just yet. Well, at all.

Although for that, I'd have to wait until the second round of applications, which wouldn't be a problem as long as at the end of the day I get placed on a campus. Anyway, Joe, Kel and Sheraw--also doing her application today--will be coming too. I'm meeting them in town so that we can head to SPG together.

Lately, we have been hanging out together quite often. At least twice per week. Leave alone the fact the guys travel over three counties just for us to meet. Joe says that the seven hours ride to and from has become as short as a thirty minutes ride. Though I know it is to make the distance not sound ridiculously too much.

It takes them a lot of effort and time but they do it anyway for the sake of love and friendship, which sometimes fascinates me. I mean, it is not every day you will get friends leave alone a man willing to always come to you.

Bottom line though, I admit the distance sucks. So, point to note, apply for campuses within the capital. At least then, the distance won't be such an obstacle. I'm open to choosing any university as long as it does well in my course of choice. Mom and Dad said I shouldn't worry about the money because if I made it through high school, then I'll make it through university as well.

"In less than an hour. I'm almost done," I respond, making sure my braids as well tied in a bun and my hoop earrings are well fixed.

"Okay," she says in understanding. "The fare is on the table and good luck with the application. Also, say hi to Joe Danson Karanja."

The way she calls him--using his full name--somehow tells me that he has a place in her heart but she is still mad at him for changing me. I wasn't expecting any less. I am sure the moment I introduce him she will scold him before letting him into the family and hopefully for good. It is still unbelievable that Mom of all people accepted us. I mean, this is my mom. She is supposed to be the hard African mother but I guess sometimes things change and we ought to adjust to those changes.

"I will and I'll see you later too, Mom," I say with a smile.

With that, she walks out just as Spasha walks in from the kitchen holding a piece of sweet potato in her hand. As usual, the girl is having her breakfast when everyone else has already had theirs and digestion of the same is completed. 

"Don't forget my sweets," she tells me as she takes a seat on the couch.

"I won't forget, baby girl," I assure her.

I finish up grooming and get my ass out of the house to the matatu stage. It's not long before I get one that then takes a damn hour to get us to town. I don't have the strength to get bored by that little fact though because I'm too excited to see Joe again. I know I saw him just three days ago but I miss him so much already. Excitedly, I thread through the crowded streets to Naivas Café where we agreed to meet. 

The female soldier at the entrance doesn't bother frisking me since I only have a tiny sling bag and I can barely hide anything under my tight black soft jeans and white cropped hoodie, which needless to mention I only have a bra under it. I walk in and head straight to the café, eyes wandering in such of their favourite look at face.

At the mid-section, I take note of my guys energetically chatting among themselves. I walk towards them with a smile, my eyes fixed on Joe who has already noticed me and is too smiling back. Despite how long we have been together, I still get fluttering butterflies in my stomach whenever I meet him again after some time apart. 

Something that always reminds me of the first time I met him. I was damn tense, a little shy and was really throwing the stay away from me kind of vibe at him until the rest of the madness followed to bring us here.

"Hello, guys," I greet, taking turns to hug both Kel and Sheraw before getting to Joe.

"Hi there, baby love," he greets me with a husky and lopsided smile whilst rising to his feet and pulling me into his arms.

"Hi, K~Prince," I respond, tightly hugging him and enjoying the feeling of being in my favourite escape place.

A moment later, he kisses my temple and then we retreat. I take a seat beside him. 

"We were waiting for you so that we can order," he tells me. 

Guiltily, I smile making him groan and roll his eyes in disbelief.

"Damn it, girl," Sheraw grumbles. "You should have told us earlier."

"How was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me? I ate my sweet potatoes thinking that once we met we would just leave for school. Besides, I knew you would have already had yours too," I explain, trying to restrain the smile.

"Even if we did, we'd still have it again because--three hours in the car with light breakfast, Tamia. Besides, isn't that why we said to meet at the café?" she pointedly asks.

"Okay fine. I admit I  had to eat sweet potatoes because it has really been a damn while and I had missed them," I sigh and Joe smiles. 

Slightly the sweet kind of smile before it turns evil. The jerk probably has a damn comeback for that. Waiting to hear it. Sheraw, on the other hand, scowls at me. 

"I am damn hungry and I am going to order right this minute!"

"You are ordering too," Joe states in a bossy tone. I turn and give him a challenging look.

"Sorry, but I am not about to burst my stomach," I retort in a rebellious tone.

"A hotdog or a hamburger won't burst your stomach, baby love," he whispers right at my face in a damn husky voice that makes me crave the hotdog especially. Damn it!

"Fine, I'll have a hotdog," I begrudgingly admit and he smiles victoriously.

I fight the urge to scowl at him and then turn to Sheraw.

"Are you happy now that I am ordering?" I ask her with a sarcastic smile.

"Bitch," she mutters making me laugh.

Kel stands from his seat and heads over to the café counter to place the orders, leaving us chatting about nothing important. Once breakfast is served, we devour it and then get ready to leave at around eleven-thirty. Most probably, we will be getting to school at around twelve since it isn't that far and we are on a personal vehicle. Were we in a public vehicle, it would probably take us at least an hour due to stopovers here and there.

As we head there, Joe talks about Fel, who also got an A plain in his KCPE. He wants to go to a mixed boarding high school and not a boys' only like his brother. He says single-gender schools are too overrated and also because he hates them. Moreover, he would rather not end up like his brother. Well, the part where he had to sneak out of school to see me. So it is much safer for him when he is in a mixed school.

Knowing Joe's mom, she will probably grant Fel his desire. As for their dad, he might grant it but if only not to relive the story his firstborn son wrote when he was in a boys' only school. Unless he enjoyed it too much to test for a repeat. Anyway, soon enough, we approach the school gate.

"Ready to see Stilettos again? Because she will obviously be there," Sheraw asks in a serious tone.

"If only to see you guys," Joe snickers, his voice laced with hatred for that woman.

At the end of it all, I came to realize we have been wasting our hate on her. After reliving my second-term life over and over again in my mind, I figured that she was only doing her job as a disciplinarian. Of course, for a typical high school, the rules are overdone and sadly, they remain to be followed. But that does not mean that I will stop hating her. I still hate and will continue hating her whether it was her job to discipline us or not and whether it is a waste of hate or not.

"I couldn't agree more. She will probably be there and most likely just to see us," I agree, a sly smile forming at the corner of my mouth.

"I bet she must be dearly frustrated. I mean, the girls she sent home managed to kick ass in their final exams," Kel chimes in.

"If she expected us to fail and somehow subsequently be taught a damn lesson, then she will of course be frustrated because her expectations hit a block. There was no damn way I was going to let her win no matter how hard it was," I state, making sure to drive the point home.

 It was me against her and those snitch bitches Claire and June! And I can proudly say I was very pleased with myself for beating them.

"I wasn't going to let her win as well. But I wonder what Clarence Grace and her friends got," Sheraw thoughtfully says.

"Let's hope they did okay if not great. Daisy too," I say, hoping really damn hard on it.

It is the need to see Stilettos mocked that's making me hope for it so badly. I have a desire to see that woman startled if I care to admit it.

"Yeah. I haven't spoken to her. Maybe she will be there," Sheraw says.

"Maybe. But I do hope to see Stilettos. I want to see her face when she sees us freely roaming the school together," I say in a determined tone, my vengeful coming ablaze.

Joe smirks at that. Of course, I know he wants that too. If only to flaunt. We stop at the gate and wait for the soldier to open it. In a minute, he does so and Joe drives through. However, we are stopped by another, of course, to log in. He asks for our school IDs--mine and Sheraw's. As for Joe and Kel, he tells them to leave their national IDs which they don't have by the way.  Joe told me he will be applying for his next month. As for Kel, I am not sure. Though I know he should have one too because he is already eighteen.

"I can't let you in without IDs," he tells them.

I feel like telling him to call Stilettos to come and identify our faces for him because he can't be serious. I mean, we have already handed him our IDs and it is obvious Joe and Kel are with us.

"They can sign in on the visitors' log book and leave their phone numbers there as well," I say.

"ID card numbers will also be needed," he states.

"They don't have them but we have ours, which we have already handed to you. Look, sir, we have brought them along. They haven't come here on their own and if anything comes up, we are the ones who will answer for it. So there is no need for you to drag this case any further," I tell him.

"Young man, do you even have a driving license?" he asks Joe, averting his gaze from me to him.

"Of course," Joe gets it for him and flashes it on his face. 

I have no idea how he got one but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I mean, this is Joe Danson Karanja after all. For a second the soldier is speechless before he then mutters an 'okay' and lets us leave. What's more, even without Joe and Kel having to sign in on the visitors' log book.

"What's with gatemen always being so mean?" I grumble in annoyance.

Joe drives up the pathway to the parking lot allocated for staff only. His audacity has my annoyance fading as an amused smile crawls on my lips. He parks beside the dean of the student's car. I figured he would be around for the process as well. There are two more cars. One belongs to our computer studies teacher, he had to be here because he is in charge of the whole application process. As for the other one, I am not sure of the owner. Maybe another teacher bought a car in my absence. 

We step out of the car and then start our way towards the computer lab where the activity is taking place. The environment feels even more foreign than the last time I returned after suspension. Though that doesn't make it any less nostalgic. It still harbours so many memories since the first day I came to this school four years ago. Immediately we enter the lab, I feel a load of eyes latch at the sight of us. Lifting my eyes, I am met with some jealous--mostly those are from some former Tripple F faces--some dreamy and mesmerized gazes.

"Damn, I didn't realize we were going to be such a huge centre of attraction," I say to Joe in a whisper.

"Baby love, you just shamelessly arrived in school with your infamous boyfriend from SPG. You know, the boyfriend who used sneak into school to see you before we you both got indefinitely suspended from school," Joe smirks.

Of course, the jerk is enjoying being the centre of attraction. I smile and try to ignore most people especially those who are seething with jealousy. Snakes. They can seethe for however long they want. We owe nobody nothing and I could care less about how they feel about us. I'm sure even most never expected to see us still together. Ha! Jokes on them.

"By the way, just to remind you, to Stilettos this will be utter mockery," he drawls. 

Again, I slyly smile at that. Oh, how I wish that she comes around and sees us. I am really dying to see the look on her face.

"I could care less. I wasn't going to come alone just so that she couldn't feel mocked," I carelessly shrug. "It is what it is regardless of how she chooses to take it."

"You can be a bitch sometimes, you know?" he laughs, looking at me as if he can't believe me.

Again, I carelessly shrug, "Only to those who deserve it."

He smiles. A former form Aqua girl says hi to him. He responds to her with a hi as well, seemingly recognizing the girl. For a moment I nearly forgot Joe was familiar to some people in SPG. Some of whom he even knew before me. Damn interclass coupling and socialization, which reminds me of something I can grill Joe about.

"You and Janet, Sheraw's ex-desk mate, had once coupled up in form two, hadn't you?" That was before she decided to dump your ass," I ask with a taunting grin on my face.

"I dumped her ass, baby love. We weren't compatible. Simple as that," he says in a sincere tone that I don't want to buy.

"One of you is lying. She said she dumped you. And you say you dumped her. Who did what to whom?" I persist and he huffs making me smile.

"Do want to hear the whole story before--" he's interrupted by a fellow criminal I haven't seen or talked to in a while. Though I was hoping to see her today.

"Hey, guys. Long damn time," Daisy greets with a radiant smile on her face.

She looks great in a tiny black dress, white sports shoes and a black puff jacket. We take turns to hug her, inquiring about her well-being as well. I also ask her what she scored and she says a B plus. That's perfect and it feels great to know she also kicked ass. We ask her about Clarence Grace and her friends, who I haven't yet seen. She tells us that all managed to get a C plus except for Anette who got a B minus. The grades might not be that high but at least they are campus grades. She then asks about us and we tell her our grades, at which she marvels.

"That damn one point sucks when you know you could have gotten it and reached this guy's level," she says, referring to Joe who rolls his eyes with a smile.

"I know, but it is all good as long as I did great," I tell her and she nods in agreement.

"How is Johnson?" Joe asks her. "I either lost his contact or he changed his number. So we haven't spoken in a while."

I watch Daisy's radiant smile fade from her face, something that makes me curious and a little wary.

"We broke up," she says with a weak smile.

We stare at her in shock and sadness. Sometimes fate can be cruel and that makes me fear it. Obviously because of Joe. I never want to break up with him. It is until death do we part kind of policy and not a minute before.

"What happened?" Sheraw asks a moment later, voicing out the question that's boring holes in my brain. Well, I am pretty sure in Joe's and Kel's brains too.

"I can't explain. Anyway, it's great to see you guys," she says in a tone that dictates she's done talking to us.

I figure that whatever happened must have been bad to make her withdraw this badly. I hope that she is doing okay. That she will be able to fix it or move on if it's unfixable.

"It was great seeing you too and I wish you all the best. I mean in getting back together with Johnson. If you still want him back," I say, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Right now I can't tell if I do but thanks," she appreciates with a genuine smile that contradicts her words.

Perhaps they are done for good. Because I think if she wanted to get back with him, she would be giving me a wistful kind of smile. I damn wonder what happened between the two.

"Okay," I nod in acknowledgement. "Where are we getting the application forms?"

"Inside the office. Go say hi to our teacher," she smiles. "He's damn happy all of us aced computer studies."

That doesn't take me by surprise. Our computer teacher always made sure we understood the subject to our maximum level best and also exposed us to extra knowledge he felt was useful. He is one of the few teachers who actually teach as if they were born to do it instead of being forced into it.

"Thanks," I appreciate.

With that, she walks away to a bunch of girls, our former classmates. As for us, we proceed towards our teacher's office.

"I'm really curious to know what happened between Johnson and Daisy," Sheraw says in a whisper, just loud enough for us to hear.

"I would bet on Johnson being the dick," Kel says. 

A chuckle escapes me involuntarily. I didn't expect him to say that.

"Me too," Joe says, subconsciously wounding his arms around my waist.

Somehow, I feel as if he is silently making a point, telling me he is never letting me go. I smile despite knowing that I might be reading too much into the simple action.

"You can never be too sure. Even Daisy could have been the 'dick'," Sheraw says, causing me to stare at her in surprise. "What? You know Daisy is a complicated person, baby girl. Don't take her for a victim."

"Whatever, guys. Their breakup doesn't concern us. We can only hope for the best for them. Meanwhile, let us get those forms and finish up this application business," I say.

Without further ado, we draw closer to the office and upon reaching the door, Sheraw knocks on it. A second later, our teacher calls us in. We find two other--former form four emerald--students collecting files. Immediately our teacher's eyes land on us, and he broadly smiles. That causes me and Sheraw to smile. It looks like Daisy was right. He is happy.

"Tamia Wangui and Sheraw Grace. Smart troublemakers, aren't you?" he asks, his smile further broadening.

Sheraw and I look at each other and smile. Of course, he remembers that we were definitely suspended from school and missed so many precious lessons with him.

"That we are, sir," Sheraw responds and he laughs.

"Don't be big troublemakers out there. Might land you jail time. I'm not sure you two want to spend some time behind bars," he says, his playfulness still lingering despite the cautionary tone.

"That will be going too far," Sheraw assures him.

I can't be sure though because Joe is a troublemaker. Kel is one too and when we are together, I believe we can be trouble. I mean, look what we got ourselves into for the sake of love not long ago.

"Good to know that you know the limits," he says with a smile, handing us each two application forms.

"Go fill in the universities of your choice. Remember to choose your courses well. In case you feel as if you need assistance, we have a few teachers in the staffroom who are ready to assist you," he advises.

"Okay, thank you," Sheraw appreciates on our behalf before we proceed out of the office.

Joe and Kel are waiting for us outside while talking to a former Form Four Aqua girl. I think her name was Barbara. Kel, as if he is already done talking to her, takes Sheraw and leaves with her to go settle at an empty corner. I smile at the couple's social apathy before averting my gaze from them to back to Joe. 

He is telling Barbara that he is interested in studying automotive engineering on campus, which we both know is a damn lie. Yeah, he is indeed a jerk. I mean, what's the harm in telling her the course he actually wants to study? Or did he change his mind? I highly doubt that.  Anyway, while I wait for him to finish lying, I let my eyes scan the room.

"What or rather, who are you looking for?" Joe asks about a minute later, blocking my view with his handsome face.

"June and Claire," I respond, looking past him for those two bitches.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to place their faces anywhere in this room. But I hope they are somewhere in this compound. And if not, they are still on their way here.

"Isn't your war with them over?" he asks in a serious tone, his eyes locking mine captive.

"I really want to see them," I admit.

"So that you can flaunt?" he asks, hitting the nail right on its head.

"Yes," I respond. He takes a step closer so that our faces are just mere inches apart.

"Baby love, it is over," he states in a firm tone as if to tell me that I should forget about it. "You emerged victorious and you really don't have to be a vindictive ass. Leave them alone and move on."

I scowl at him real hard until he gives up and raises his hands in surrender.

"They should be thankful to you for saving their asses from my vindictive one," I say and he smiles. Unwillingly, I smile too. Effects of being vulnerable under his charms.

"I never realized how much I ended up hating them until now," I admit. 

"Apparently you even kept a grudge," he points out making me snicker.

"It is at this moment that I question myself if I really worked hard for the right reasons. For sure, I may have hit my targets and gotten what I wanted but I still wonder," I thoughtfully say.

"Baby love, none of it matters now. We should move on like I said. Now, come and let us fill those forms and leave this place," he says.

Over the next half hour or so, I work on selecting suitable universities offering my course and filling out the application forms. Joe greatly helps as well. Once I am done, we head over to where Sheraw and Kel are. She is already done as well. So instead of lingering any longer in this lab, we return the forms to the office and leave.

"What now? We go back home?" Sheraw asks as we step onto the parade ground.

"Yeah. Unless you want to spend some more time here," I respond. 

"What happened to wanting to see Stilettos?" she taunts with a smile.

"Sucks she is not around but we can't just stay here waiting for her to just come and see us," I tell her.

"Those words contradict the ones I heard from you this morning," she retorts.

"I have decided not to be a vindictive ass," I state, emphasising the ass part. 

That makes Joe roll his eyes because he knows I have just quoted him.

"Do you have water left in the car?" Kel asks, entirely changing the topic about Stilettos.

"Nope," Sheraw responds.

"Damn. Come on, I'll go get the bottle and fetch some," he says.

"You realize that you will have to go all the way to the lower compound, right?" Sheraw asks. 

"I know, baby girl," he responds before turning to Joe. "Keys, bro."

Joe hands him the keys and he walks away towards the car. It takes him less than two minutes before he returns with a bottle in hand. Instead of letting him walk all the way alone, we choose to take him. We might as well go back to some of the spots with some of our best memories.

We are just stepping onto the main pavement when my eyes land on the very same woman I have been dying to see. Seemingly, Kel's thirst was just the right cue. Surprise mars her face, causing me to internally smile. Obviously, we are something she didn't expect to see.

As we close in the distance between us, I feel my walls going up and my hatred for her burning inside me. I'll not even mention the overwhelming need to flaunt that has brazenly started tugging at my chest.

"Wangui Tamia and Sheraw Grace," she calls, prompting us to stop, just two steps away from each other.

"Ma'am," I begrudgingly acknowledge her. 

Sheraw just blankly stares at her. Damn girl has an even bigger grudge than me I guess.

"Joe Danson, how are you?" she asks Joe, averting her gaze from me to him.

Of course, she wasn't going to forget his name.

"Great, ma'am," he responds in a flat tone.

"Kelvin," she turns to Kel.

"Ma'am," he acknowledges her.

"I was going through your reports and I must say that I am impressed. You did great," she tells me and Sheraw in a genuine voice. "I also know that the two of you did great as well."

I don't know what to say because I am surprised by her words. I did not expect her to be impressed leave alone genuinely express her impression. That too, to us.

"We had to make up for lost time, ma'am. Therefore we persistently worked smart and I guess our efforts paid off in the end," Joe says. 

Leave it to the smartass to still be rude without being rude. I inwardly smile, waiting to hear what Stilettos has to say.

"That was great," she says, sounding unaffected by Joe's words. I have to admit that stabs a little.

"It would have been a shame to repeat the year," she adds.

Her words annoy me to the core. Good to see that she is still the devil she used to be. I was starting to worry something happened to change her.

"We were never going to let that happen," I tell her, a matter of factly and with a ke-ass smile plastered on my face. "Now, please excuse us, ma'am."

"Where are you headed?" she asks.

"To the tap area to fetch some drinking water," Kel responds, waving the empty water bottle in the air for her to see.

"Okay," she nods and then walks past us.

Damn that woman. We proceed our walk to the lower compound in silence. I am sure each one of us is processing that talk we had with that woman. It was both fulfilling and frustrating but we move on regardless. All this shit is over and I am all done with it. The time has come for me, Joe and our best friends to move on to better things.