A picture of Becca Ejifor in the multimedia. (I know, I know... Regina Daniels?, but I want her playing this character so use your imagination!)

Saturday came.

General cleaning like usual. Laundry, dormitory clean up. Cleaning cleaning cleaning...

I sat at the back of the hostel block as I busied myself with my laundry like few students who bothered to do theirs since they know no one is going to help them with it.

Majority of the people doing this laundry happens to be junior students, and seventy five percent of the laundry being done by them belonged to particular senior or another.

Unlike some seniors like my roommate who had juniors arguing, fighting over who will wash her clothes. It got to the point of pulling the said clothes.

She dropped a friendly reminder on her clothes being designers and if anything even as small as a scratch appeared on the clothes, they are toast.

Hearing this made them think properly as they decided to share the clothes to wash among themselves.

Rinsing my clothes, i quickly spread it on the washing line to air-dry.

Now time for breakfast, i went to my room to meet Theresa lying leisurely on her well kept bed in contrast to mine which was filled with clothes.

"I don't really know why you decided to do the laundry yourself. I told you to give it to those girls"

"Thank you Theresa but I have been doing my laundry for the past years all on my own, i can manage just fine"

Apart from me doing my laundry by myself, am kind of scared of this little witches in the form of junior girls.

I overhead one talking one time about spitting in Zara's food because Senior Zara was wicked.

I ain't wicked but am not taking chances.

I arranged my clothes into my wardrobe while Theresa sat idly making conversations with me.

It is funny we act this way whenever we were in a enclosed place like our room.. She is like another being entirely. Friendly, jovial and strangely entertaining.

Once outside the four walls of this room, she is something else, like an alter ego.

The bitches of all bitches.

"It is time for breakfast" she informed.

She was dressed for breakfast. Her house wear was styled into a fitted form which brought out her petite model like form. She donned a black Balenciaga hoodie matching her crocs which were no doubt expensive.

Her hair which was loosed was packed up in the center of her head which made her look more bold and daring. She can pull off any look.

"You want me to come with you?"

"I wouldn't have informed you if i was not implying you should come with me" she deadpanned.

"Like you want me to walk with you into the cafeteria?" I asked in shock.

"What is the bad thing in that?" she asked totally confused.

Apart from the elites, she walks with no one...  Like no one at all.

I shook my head timidly.

"Nothing?"

Oh this is bad, this is very bad! This is super bad. I can't believe am having a panic attack due to the stares i got right now.

When she told me to accompany her to the cafeteria, i didn't know linking arms like old friends was part of the deal.

She walked with calculated steps and confidence while i drag after her.

The looks i kept receiving was the icing of the cake. Along with whispers as they all stared at our form.

She dragged me towards where we were going to take our breakfast making us boycott the long queue in which our mates happily allowed her not before throwing me funny looks.

"No i can't " i refused profusely while clutching my tray which contained bread and beans cakes against my chest in a tight manner.

"Why?"

I gave her a look. As she lost her senses? What is wrong with her this morning?!

She wants me to seat with her at her table. Their table! I think i will pass...

"I have my table too you know?" I tried reasoning with her as we stood talking.

"You are always alone on that table" she pointed out.

"I have someone. Ejiro will sit with me"

"Art boy?" she questioned causing me to nod "alright" she said before turning around not saying a word after that.

I let out a big sigh i didn't know i was holding as I walk to my table to find Ejiro who already had a big smile on his face as soon as he saw me.

"Took you long enough"

"Am so sorry. Theresa can be very stubborn"

"I understand. You two are close?" he asked taking a bite from his akara.

"Not really closed. We just started talking. She is my roommate" i said tearing a small portion of the soft bread before throwing it in my mouth.

"Looks that kills" he mumbled suddenly.

"Uhn?"

He cocks his head towards a particular direction behind me. I turn around slowly to found out they were all staring at our table, more like Akorede was glaring at me.

Kini mo tun se bayii?

Turning around quickly to address a confused looking Ejiro.

"I don't know what is going on either. They have been acting strangely for sometime now. Don't you think?"

"They always act strange. No one knows what is going on with them. Sometimes I think they are not ordinary. Something in between spies?"

I snorted, chuckling at his theories which both him and I know it's not true.

I gasped as I felt a soft sharp thud at the side of my head. The object of assault lies besides me. I look up to Ejiro who looks pissed at the same time scared at whoever thought it wise to throw akara at my head this morning.

"Akeju. Ignore him" I nodded at the quick advice he gave me.

Of course, only him can pull off a prank like that. Why did he waste the akara though?

They are lots of hungry people out there.
We sat in silence after that eating our food. Things started getting ugly when he came over. I look up at his imposing figure and saw the familiar sneer on his face.

Does he always have that sneer on? It makes me wonder just what he thought of me.

I see Kelechi was missing in action probably due to yesterday's trashing.

"Smalls finally finds herself a boyfriend" he taunts staring at the two of us in disgust.

"She made a wrong choice considering he is a girl. Wait Ejiro is a girls name right?" Shadow asked in a taunting manner.

They laughed evilly at their own words while Ejiro bowed in embarrassment. Why would they call him a girl? Is it because of the way he talks? I said nothing though hoping they would go away but who am I kidding? they won't leave until they see me in tears.

"Ejiro or Efo riro or whatever they call you. You don't see any girl in this school apart from this bag of bones to fuck?"

I winced suddenly ashamed and uncomfortable with what he was implying. Sex has really been a big thing for me. Yes almost all my classmates has done it but I see it as a sacred thing.

It is something happening almost everywhere, it is something you would see everyday from where i resided with my family. I just don't see it has something you have to boast of everyday.

It gets me worried whenever a boy of Akeju's age is so open about it, knows so much about it and does not hesitate to use vulgar words to express his point.

I jump when I felt a slight pull at my loosed hair.

"Hey am talking to you! Are you deaf?!" he screamed into my face tugging harder.

I gulp realizing i was not paying attention. A deep scowl settled on his face when he also realized that.

"Leave her alone na"Ejiro whined.

"Shut up boygirl! I wasn't talking to you!" he snapped in anger as his friends snickered enjoying the show.

Not only them, students also stared at my table finding the whole thing funny. I felt my eye watered at the tight tug he gave my hair.

"Balogun!"

Immediately, as if his hands were on fire he releases me. I don't know who called him to stop but I secretly thank the fellow.

A wail escaped my lips as i bow my head on the table in shame, sobbing softly at the embarrassment he made me go through just now. In front of everyone, in front of my new friend.

It is too early for all this.

I tensed as I felt a figure beside me, thinking he came back, another round of sob left my lips.

"Hey it's okay"

I calm down at the scent and at the familiar voice. Ejiro squats down while rubbing my back in a bid to calm me down which was working. "he left. He is not here anymore"

I saw his face appear in front of me due to the uncomfortable position he was just to see if i was okay.

I hid my face the more not wanting him to see how vulnerable i was. I wipe my face clean, sniffing as he rubs my back again for the last time before going back to his chair.

I carefully poke my head up, ignoring eye contacts with him as i go back to my food.

"Are you alright?" he asked sounding worried due to my shaking hands which clutched the bread.

"Am okay"

                        🎲🔩⚽
I sat with her on the bleachers that cold morning, we both watched them run around. Saturday morning signified football practice for the football team.

After the incident in the cafeteria, i was hoping to sneak back to the hostel to hide away but it seems Theresa had other plans for me.

She took me by the arm, dragging my dishevelled form to the field, i did not miss the confused look Ejiro gave me before I lost sight of him.

Football is not really my thing considering the people playing it. Akeju was the captain so you can understand where am coming from.

Am sure Theresa was only here for Faramade and Evans who i saw running around during warm ups.

"Why are we here?"

"Don't you enjoy the fresh air?" she asked while I just stared at her.

"I don't" I said truthfully causing her to chuckle. Which was a weird sight on Theresa Taylor.

"Gosh! Just breath girl. You are so uptight."

I said nothing before returning my eyes to the field. I had a jump scare when I saw Akeju staring right at me with those blank eyes, and am sure Theresa noticed too..

I shuddered as a devilish smirk appeared on his face before turning away to shout at his team.

That boy is creepy!

"What is your deal with him? "

"Uhn?"

"What is your deal with Akeju? Why does he always torment you?"

I ransack my brain for an answer and I can't seem to come up with one.

"Honestly.. I don't know " I said with a shrug causing her to frown. She wanted to say something but kept quiet.

Someone suddenly sat in between us. It was unexpected. I look up to know who had the balls to get into Theresa's space. My eyes almost flew out of my eyeballs at the person i saw, he was looking down at me.

God!

It is Akorede Okikiola Wellington! He was seating beside me!

*screaming inside my head like a fan girl*

Okay play cool, play cool... At least he is not glaring at you today.

Since the incident at the basketball court, i never got to say thank you. Maybe this is a golden opportunity.

"Shouldn't you be on the field?" Theresa questioned.

"There is no way am receiving orders from that dickhead" my heart jolt at his voice. My mind went back to when i bumped into him in the cafeteria.

I let out a much needed sigh finding his cologne very enticing and intoxicating. I never noticed this till now. It was like all my senses were heightened around him.

Why am I behaving like an animal in heat?

Then I noticed something, Theresa had disappeared. Not actually disappeared, she is down the bleachers talking to Evans who stopped for a while drinking water from his bottle.

Only God knows what is going on between those two. It is not confirmed but people said they were dating.

"You don't talk much do you?"

I turn to look at him but quickly look away, i find it so hard in maintaining eye contact.

"I do?" I sounded unsure.

"Then why haven't you answered my question?" he asked inquisitively as he cocks his head to the side.

"Did you ask a question?"

He stared at me for a while, like a scientist staring at a new specimen.

"Never mind"

He left it at that as we sat in silence which i find very uncomfortable. I stared at Theresa for a while hoping she will even look up here but no, she was so engrossed with her conversation with Evans.

Akeju had to scream at him to get back to practice but he seem to care less.

I took a quick peak at the person beside me to see that he was really concentrated in the game. He is the captain of the basketball team but I think he also loves football.

My eyes falls on his biceps which looked ripped. He wore a super white polo shirt with the signature khaki trousers senior boys wore. His golden wristwatch adorned his wrist, he is always with that wristwatch.

I look up to stare at him only to find him looking at me with an amused look on his face. I had been caught staring!

Quickly, i look away.

I hear him chuckle causing me to blush. I had never seen him smile at anyone expect his friends which was once in a while.

Even Celine who had always claim the title of his girlfriend which he never confirmed was not graced with that opportunity.

"You can stare you know? I don't mind" I blush the more.

"Am not staring" i said trying to save myself from further embarrassment.

"Okay... Whatever you say" he teased.

We sat in silence again but this time a very comfortable one. For once, i was not paying attention to the game on the field. I was actually hoping he would spark a conversation again.

I felt a sort of excitement talking to him.

"So how are you gearing up towards Monday?"

He must be asking about the campaign.

"Am thinking of starting early. I want to start my own part of the job in a discreet and quiet manner"

"By what time?"

"Assembly starts around seven thirty so possibly around seven"

"Where will you like us to meet?"

I got confused at his questions.

"Excuse me?"

"You will need help right?" I nodded. "So where are we meeting?"

"The arts studio"

"I will be there " he assured which made me smile.

I can't believe i made plans with Akorede Wellington.

Right on the field, a pair of eyes glared at the two students finding the sight strange and very annoying.

It was evening time, i had spent the whole afternoon buried in my books. My mind kept on going back to the conversation i had with Akorede this morning.

I felt excited for Monday and I don't know why. Only one question though.

Why was he talking to me all of a sudden?

It has been bothering my mind.

I shrugged going through the Ss2 block, i skip in my steps enjoying the peaceful atmosphere but stopped when I heard some voices.

It was coming from the back of the block. We have been warned never to go there and the only way to get to that place is when you jump through the windows as the route to that place had always been locked.

I got curious wanting to know who in his or her right mind will be there. I crept inside the empty class which was actually opened probably by the culprits.

Creeping towards the slightly closed windows, i cringe at the pungent smell that filled the air. I know that smell. Am from the streets so I know that smell.

Am just baffled on who had the guts to do whatever is happening behind this block in SJC.

Sticking to the wall like a gecko, I eavesdrop as I realized they were having a conversation. They were that bold because they believed no one was in the block.

O maa shock won bakan bakan.

Leaning slightly towards the window to at least catch a glimpse of the disobedient students.

I gasped quickly covering my mouth with what I saw.

Well am not surprised.

Akeju, Jomiloju, Bobola and Kelechi. They were all with a wrap of something I am very familiar with.

Hemp.

India hemp. Weed. Marijuana.

Why are they smoking this in the school compound?

The red lit butt on the blunt proved my theory, i watch Akeju draw the stuff before puffing it out like an expert. He looks tensed yet relaxed.

I moved a bit but stopped when he suddenly looked towards my direction. Like everything literally stopped.

Fear ran through me as his blank eyes stared at where i was hiding.

Did he see me? Does he know am there?

I watch him close his eyes then opening them before looking away.

As quick and quiet as my little feet could carry me, i ran out of the class before I get caught.

Now that would be disastrous.

Do you think Akeju saw her?

Your favorite scene?

Translation :
Kini mo tun se bayii?: what did I do wrong?

O maa shock won bakan bakan: they would be shock.