A picture of Ejiro AkpoOghene Ukeme in the multimedia.

I look at him, his eyes looking hard disgusted and serious. He looks furious. He always has that look whenever he sees me. Like my mere sight is an abomination to him.

Ejiro was no where in sight. Am glad on this development. I just met him and I don't want him seeing me like this, looking scared and vulnerable.

"You and Ejiro?"

"Uhn?" I mumbled dumbly.

I hear him hiss loudly looking more pissed off than before.

"Are you deaf or what?! How do you know Ejiro?!" he snapped in anger causing my heart to beat faster in fear at the rise of his voice.

"We are working on a project together with Theresa in the art studio. The keys to the room were with me so I had to return it"

I rushed out like a child trying to defend himself on a theft issue in the presence of the mum.

He said nothing still staring at me. A forlorn look on his face.

Okay... Am really late for class, maybe he has nothing to say to me, without saying another word, I turn to go again but got stopped... Again.

"Where you dey go?"

"Am late for class" i stated the obvious. Didn't he hear the bell?

"And so what? When you dey look for boy up and down you no know sey you go late for class?"

"But I said~"

"Shut up! Did I say you should talk?" he scrunched up his nose in disgust all of a sudden "dey don dey deceive you abi? Don't worry.. You go soon see wetin you dey look for"

His impeccable way of speaking the pidgin English as always made me wonder whether he grew up in Warri.

He speaks good English like every other student of SJC but Akeju always had a way of making pidgin English sound good and posh to the ear.

I stared at him in confusion at his words, not making sense of anything. I turn away, walking back to my class as soon as the said teacher appeared from the other side of the block heading towards my class, which happens to be my saving grace.

I don't think i will ever be able to understand Akeju Balogun.

The class was eventful. We talked about chromosomes and the importance when it comes to offsprings and am sure the teacher was just trying to reboot our memory on the topic since we were going to dive deeper.

I listened to the teacher go on and on about the XX chromosomes and XY chromosomes and how it is responsible for the gender of the child. Soon enough, the teacher noticed that not everyone was paying full attention in the class so she did what every typical teacher in Nigeria would do.

"Tear a sheet of paper" she passed the verdict.

Groans and frustrated cries were heard in every corner of the classroom. Some even decided to hiss but the teacher couldn't care less.

It seems only Evans and i who hasn't said a word and already brought out his sheet of paper, were okay with this.

"This test will be part of your continuous assessment test so if you know what is good for you, you better write the test and put something useful and meaningful down because am going to have it recorded"

Her statement made the class more noisy as i see people flipping frantically through their notes and textbooks in hopes of getting something into their empty brain.

I feel sorry for them though because the Mrs Fakayode that I know will ask questions on what she taught us ten minutes ago which i am sure she had not given a note on.

With pen and paper ready, I waited for her question. She gave us two questions, in which the first one was to write a brief note on chromosomes and the second one was also a note on characteristics of each chromosomes mentioned in class earlier.

Easy thing.

I wrote without looking up, the teacher walked around the class to ensure everyone was writing something. I felt the teacher walked past my table but stopped for a while, she could see my work and Evans perfectly.

A sound of approval left her lips before moving further into the class.

She walked around for a while before stopping at a table in the far back.

"Some people don't know what they are doing" she said before walking away "some people are writing rubbish because they were not paying attention"

I giggled as I hear another round of hiss from a group of students at the back.

Fifteen minutes later, the teacher collected the test papers not before giving them a sound warning on why they should listen to the teacher in class. As soon as she left, the class turned chaotic with noise.

'I didn't write a thing!'

'Thought I was the only one'

'I can't believe am going to fail this class!'

'I know that evil witch is going to record it'

If you had listened to the teacher, you wouldn't have fallen into her trap, everyone knows her for being a sadist, the best thing to do in her class is listen. Even if you are not listening.. Act like it.

"Have you done your assignment on the hybridization of molecules?"

I paused, quietly turning around to see who just asked me the question.

Yes it was him... The head boy. The genius of our set who was behind me only by four points last session. I had a ninety seven point five overall grade point average, he had ninety three point two.

Yes, i keep tracks..., what will i call them? Competitors.

He had been striking up strange and weird conversations and interactions with me lately. If he is. not borrowing my note, he would ask for a pen. If he is not doing those two he will ask about an assignment i am sure he had done before anyone else.

"Uhn... Yes?"

"Can I have a look?"

I fetch my eighty leaves notebook from my bag which happens to be my chemistry note before handing it over to him.

He flipped through the note before stopping at the particular topic i had wrote a lot of things on.

I take a quick look at the class then I realized we had drawn a little attention than necessary. Students gave me strange, mean, questioning looks.

I don't know what is going on too!

I turn to him to see his eyes running through what I wrote, his face was blank as always giving nothing away.

I always wondered how the Elites always looked that way, like a statue, a piece of cold ice. Apart from Bankole who sometimes show case a minimum amount of affection to those he cared to give it to, the rest are like robots.

Never smiling, always still like a stone statue...

Maybe that was what scared the students and some of the teachers, the 'i don't give a damn attitude' gets under people skin which made them not to know what is going on in their head and mind.

People love to unravel strange things, i guess it has to do with the excitement that comes along with it. Discovering something new, exciting, shocking.

"Hey! " I jumped as he waved his hand on my face to call for my attention.

I look up to see him staring at me with a raised eyebrow but I can see a slight trace of amusement on his face. It was not visible but it was there.

"Here." he stretched out my book which i quickly took almost snatching away from him, my eyes caught the shiny expensive gold wristwatch decorating his wrist.

This guy is a rich ass mf...

The bell rang for the next lesson causing everyone to settle down.

                       🔬🚪📓

"Why do you wanna join my campaign team?" i asked my friend who looks so adamant in accompanying me to the arts studio.

It was closing time and we still got few hours before prep in which I am to meet with my newly organized campaign team.

"Because I want to, didn't you say you needed more members?" he asked, his side bag in a crisscross manner over his shoulder.

"Yes I did but do you even know what this is about?"

I don't think he does because if I could remember clearly he was busy staring daggers at his number one arch enemy during the course of the meeting.

"Of course.. It is a programme to eradicate and minimize bullying and ragging among students"

Of course he does. He is never left unaware.

"What caused this sudden interest of yours?"

The Akorede i know rarely gets involved in things or businesses that are of no importance to him so him pestering me in other to join my campaign team was like testing new waters. Why will Akorede want to help students he doesn't give a damn about?

"I just want to.. "

I smirk as the thought crossed my mind.

"Does this has anything to do with a cute little being who happens to be my roommate stroke your crush? " I teased causing him to give me one of those his infamous flat looks but he knows that that doesn't work on me.

It never did and it is not going to start now.

"Okay. Fine. You caught me. But if you look on the brighter side, this is a bonus to you because i would be there giving the programme much recognition and people will know how serious you are and-"

"Are you in any way trying to say am unserious?" I asked with narrowed eyes.

What does he mean by him bringing recognition to my programme?

He groaned face palming himself knowing he had said something wrong.

"You know that is not what I meant" he defended.

"You do. Take that back if you don't want me to crush your nuts"

He gasped before quickly placing his hands over his family jewels in other to protect it from any outer force. In this scenario, me.

"Young lady! Do you know how many people depend on this?" he points at his crotch before covering it again "for their lineage to continue? You want to get the Cole-Wellington family in trouble, right? "

I folded my arms giving him a bored look. As if he is the only son... I can't believe this dork is my best friend.

We came out of the Ss3 block which was almost empty expect for few loitering ones who were looking for what not.

We discussed on few issues occurring around the school premises, i smirk as Irebami gave me a nod of greeting while ignoring his brother.

Irebami was the typical fourteen year old teenage boy. Well not any typical teenage boy, with the amount of shares he has in his name, wealth and properties, he still turned out to be one moody teenager who doesn't give a fuck about what people say. Just like his brother.

"I told you, that boy is stupid" I snickered "and annoying too. Can you believe he told me to pretend that we don't know each other once we get to school?"

Trust him to do that and I think he was already holding his other side of the bargain with what he just did to his elder brother.

I think he has forgotten the fact that everyone knew he was Akorede's younger brother, he was a Cole-Wellignton... There is bound to be attention with does two powerful names.

"He must really hate your ass?" I joked causing him to scoff, complaining about how rude and stuck up he was.

Look who is talking?...

"KK" the sweet voice called out causing me to wince in annoyance.

"Okay dude. You are on your own on this one" I began walking further but was pulled back as he grabbed a good hold of my wrist.

God dammit!

"Celine..." he called out, sounding he rather be anywhere but her presence. "How are you?"

Forcing conversations now are we? Interesting...

"Am alright" she beamed, looking happy he finally reckoned with her. Her obsession is really starting to get over board. It is repulsive in the natural sense.

Her eyes met mine, turning cold and hateful for a mini second at the sight of me. A sliver of who she thoroughly was... A slithering bitch.

"Theresa" she called out sweetly even though she was anything but sweet "I never saw you there"

Am not that short! What is this bitch driving at?!

I only gave her a dry, bored look. She squirmed under my intense gaze before turning to face the person she had came for.

She always puts me off with her attitude. Yeah I may be snobbish but am only snobbish and cold to those wealthy power hungry kids.

Celine Nnaji finds utter relish in treating and making people feel like crap. Especially those who she believes were under her. I don't like her and she knows.

Everyone knows.

"I tried contacting you all through the holiday but you were ignoring all my messages" she said moving closer almost squishing him with her busty buxom.

He discreetly stepped back a bit.

Am proud of you son. Don't let the witch get you!

His self control must have been at the max because Celine is the definition of beauty, talents, hot sexy body but no brains.

Typical hot girls that boys of our age follow around like dogs on heat.

"I wasn't in Nigeria and I didn't bring my phone along with me since it was vacation"

...Liar...

I sang in my head, and Akorede must have heard my subconscious mind too because he turned to give me a look not to blow his cover.

Yes he was not in the country but we contacted each other almost everyday through out the whole two months holiday.

I can't count the times we all had a group video chat, at a time it got annoying seeing their faces because i was the only female.

"Where is she?" I asked when i slipped back in to their conversation only to discover she had left.

"She left a while ago"

"Or you meant to say you got rid of her"

"Can we just go?"

We found ourselves on the way to the art studio and I couldn't help but notice a skip in his steps.

Probably thinking about how he was going to start his first real conversation with her.

Boy had it bad...

The door was opened when we got there, I opened the door to see Omotolani and the Ejiro boy who i just discovered was in my class having an intense discussion as they go through a particular art file.

Akorede paused staring at the two, they both look up as they noticed they had company. I watch Akorede eye the proximity of the two.

Chill dude.

Your presence is scary enough for them, tone it down with the jealousy.

"I can see you guys are busy"

They said nothing as they look at us, well him, his presence must be overwhelming.

"We got here not quite long" Ejiro answered in which Omotolani gave a little nod.

"Okay then. We have a new member for this campaign. Akorede i want you to meet my team, Omotolani and Ejiro meet Akorede who will be joining us" i introduced.

They both exchanged wary meaningful stares before looking back at the two of us. Element of surprise written all over their faces.

I am as surprised as you are. Akorede Wellington getting involve in something other than physical activities is not something you see everyday.

"All introductions done now let's get down to business"

We sat down in a circle on the single empty chairs littered around the studio. There was a distance between the two though.

Smart move Ejiro, smart move.

"Here is the thing. I have informed the principal about the programme and on how am planning on launching the project and campaign on Monday. I already have a go ahead. So by Monday there would be a massive mobilization of students in other to spread the message... yes Omotolani you have a question?"

She dropped her raised hand before talking.

"Mobilization? You mean we have to talk to someone?" she asked looking skeptical.

"Yes of course, in other to mobilize, we need to sensitize which involves having a conversation with someone in this case people. Do you have a problem with that?"

She bit her lip fidgeting at the mere thought of facing the crowd, that was when i realized she had a phobia for crowds.

Akorede watched her jittery form before looking up at me for help. I got the message immediately.

"You don't have to do the talking? I can do that?" I suggested.

"I will paste the stickers and posters" she said above a whisper but we all heard her clearly.

"I will share the pamphlet." Ejiro offered causing me to nod.

We all turn to the last person who hasn't said anything ever since we got here, he was busy stealing glances at her.

"Akorede?" i called for his divided attention.

"I will do whatever you want me to do"

He said not looking at me but at her.

Why do I have a feeling that statement is not directed at me?

"Alright then" I clap my hands drastically "let's gather the posters and pamphlets, by Monday morning we will start the campaign"

I said before dispersing the meeting.

"Can I sit with you?" I look up from my dinner to find Ejiro staring down at me with his tray of food in his hand.

I stare up at him. He was in his house wear like everybody else.

He wants to seat with me? Nobody has ever sat with me.

"Of course" I motioned at the opposite chair in front of me.

We sat in silence, eating our food. I remember how we went through old works of past students in the afternoon before the start of the meeting.

It was enthralling.

"You left your table to join mine?"

"I am not really friends with the people i ate with, they always leave me out of conversations making me the odd one out,  i don't fit in. It is the same thing as being lonely" he said with a shrug.

I felt bad at his words. Am here, moping around over not having friends, so there are people in the same situation as me.

Being surrounded by people and still lonely is another crazy kind of loneliness.

"You can always sit with me. I am the only one here"

He smiled.

"Thank you.. I find your presence comforting so..."

We were cut short by the ruckus that occurred at the center of the hall. I watch in shock as Faramade spring up like a cat from his chair ignoring his friends distressed frantic calls. People watch in confusion.

He stormed towards Akeju's table, they were joking about something, it was like a storm they didn't see coming.

Grabbing a hold of Kelechi's collar by the back of the shirt, he pulled him off his seat like a spineless rat before throwing like literally throwing him seven feet away.

Students screamed as he crashes into the nearby chair causing the people occupying the table to rush off their feet to take cover.

Kelechi groaned in utter pain, his eyes almost popping out of its socket as he held his waist in pain.

Faramade sauntered towards him, I see Akeju and his friends stand up to defend their pal but one look from Faramade made them backtrack.

He looks very furious. I can feel it from my seat.

"You son of a bitch" he growled.

Kelechi basically crawled away, students made way for them definitely enjoying the drama.

I gasped in shock covering my mouth with my hands as Ejiro winced at the impact when he sent his leg flying to his back in a fast hot kick.

He wants to break his back bone. That am very sure of.

Then his friends intervened, Evans grabbed him by the arms before he could cause more damage while Akorede said something to him which no one heard.

Kelechi friends quickly helps him up ushering his by now injured form out of the hall.

A single order from Evans sent the student body into silence. Bankole and Theresa just sat at their table conversing in low voices like nothing happened.

Normalcy was restored back into the hall, Akorede had left the hall with Faramade and it was like the scene never happened.

"That was fucking intense" Ejiro said also still in shock.

Now i see why they call him Cyborg.

So Akorede has a younger brother named Irebami... 😄😄

Do you think Celine hates Theresa?

What did you think transpired between Faramade and Kelechi?

Translation:

Where you dey go? : where are you going to?

When you dey look for boy up and down you no know sey you go late for class: You went looking for a boy when you know you should be in class?

dey don dey deceive you abi? Don't worry.. You go soon see wetin you dey look for: you are being deceive, right? Don't worry.. You will see what you are looking for.

Irebami : Joy came unto me.