Adjusting the strap of my backpack, I head to the hostel. It is almost light out and i will like to be in my room before then.

It is not like i have anyone to walk with me. My so called friends would rather ignore me since they find me weird and embarrassing.

Who wants to be friends with the feminine boy anyway?

Being friends with Omotolani should be considered a miracle.

Does she even see me as a friend?

Does she know what our peers call me? I don't care...

I have a new friend, a pretty one too.

I stepped into the yard of the hostel which was less occupied by male students, I went straight for my dormitory block.

Red House.

Gosh! Is it okay to say i hated the inhabitants of the dormitory with so much passion?

Especially the senior boys, i can't believe i find my mates intimidating. Perks of being a weakling.

I am a weakling, something they never fail to remind me of all the time.

Is it a crime to be interested in nail polish?

I like girls too!

I find the female sex very attractive. At first, i thought there was something wrong with me with the way people reacted to me but when i started blushing like a fool at the mere presence of Theresa Taylor....

I knew something was not wrong with me.

Just because i am not interested in football like other boys out there, that does not mean am weak.

Just because i avoid violence, that does not mean i am weak.

Someone grabbed me from behind by the collar of my shirt, i flail my hands in the air wildly before my back was slammed hard against the concrete wall.

I winced at the pain knowing a bruise was already formed on my back.

It had nothing to do with me being weak, i just have a delicate skin.

Looking up at the face who pinned me against the wall. I gulp knowing i am in big trouble due to the snare on his face.

"I am just going to ask one simple question and you better give me a response i like" he growled at me.

I nodded like an agama lizard, my eyes widens in fear.

"Good. What is going on between you and Smalls?"

Smalls?

"Who is Smalls?" I muttered in confusion.

I screamed at the punch that  was sent into my stomach, coughing as my eyes watered. Bent over as the tears fell from my eyes, tears i don't want him or his laughing goons to see.

He straightened my bent form by holding me by the neck with his big hands which caused me to wheeze out in pain. He watched me with a satisfied and hateful expression.

"Don't make me repeat myself you sleaze bag, what is going on between you and Omotolani?" he warned.

"Sh~she is ju~just my friend, I swear" I stuttered.

"You better be" he said releasing me from his choke hold causing me to crumple to the floor in fear and anxiety.

I watch them all walk away. I stared at his tall figure as he joked with his friends as if he didn't assault me minutes earlier.

Akeju had always been someone i stay away from, i try as much as possible not to be under his radii even when we are in the same class and dormitory.

So you see?, the physical assault he bestowed upon me this evening was totally uncalled for.

Which made me wonder, what was his deal with Omotolani?

                        🐂💩🌚

I winced at the screeching sound that came out of her mouth, something she referred to as screaming.

"Stupid girl! Are you blind?! Do you know how much this particular bag cost?!"

"I am sorry, i didn't see you coming-"

"Shut up! That is why i was asking you if you were blind!"

I stared at the red bag which was still on the floor. The reason for the altercation i was currently having with Becca.

To be honest, she was at fault. She was the one who bumped into me causing the bag to fall.

"Do you know how much this is?!" now we are attracting attention because students had stopped what they were doing, staring at us. "This is the latest, limited edition of Christian Dior!"

I stared at the bag which was still on the floor, spotting the designer's logo.

"Oh... "

"Is that all you have to say?! Am not surprised" she said with a scoff "you don't know what it means to be rich"

She boasted throwing me a disgusted look.

Now I see where this is heading to. Letting out an exasperated sigh, i picked the bag from the floor, using the sleeve of my black sweater to clean off the dust.

"Here" she snatched it away from my hand.

"Give me jor! Who said you could touch it?"

Ah ah... Shebi you said i was the one who caused it to fall a while ago?

"What is the ruckus about?" i turn to my left at the familiar voice. I left her in the room so she must also be heading out for the social night.

"Theresa... " Becca called out nervously, a big fat fake smile appearing on her face.

Theresa didn't respond, ignoring her greeting while turning to me. She gave me a look which i understood.

'Is this bitch pestering you?'

I shook my head in denial but she wasn't buying it.

"Becca... Why are you disturbing the peace of the hostel?"

"She made me drop my bag" Becca complained bitterly.

"You bumped into her on purpose. I saw everything" a frown appeared on her face at the accusation.

"No. She-"

"Are you trying to say I am lying?" Theresa asked, her voice sounding condensing and her eyes narrowed.

The little crowd around us murmured.

Theresa was defending me?

Becca looks scared but she was pulling off a great facade.

"I am not"

"Good. And besides, that is not the original product" she deadpanned and her statement caused a wave of excitement in the crowd.

Becca scoffed as Theresa walked past her urging me to tag along.

"I bought this bag at a sum of one fifty thousand naira" Becca bragged causing Theresa to stop walking away and I did as well.

Becca stared at us with a smug look on her face as the female students watched in anticipation.

So she wants to get involve in bragging rights, does she know who she was up against?

"I got mine at a sum of nine hundred dollars from Paris last year. Now let me do the quick maths for you since you have a bird brain. That is approximately six hundred and thirty thousand naira" I watched Becca's face dropped while I gaped at her "you must have gotten yours from all these WhatsApp vendors, and what lies were you spewing out of your mouth that the bag is Dior's latest? That bag is off season, so last year" she snickered with an eye roll before turning to leave.

I have never seen someone looking so calm and collected while bragging.

Did she just say she but that bag for over half a million?

I look around to see everyone watching her with fascination and respect, Becca looks red in the face probably due to embarrassment. I watch her push a girl out of the way before storming away.

"I am not going to wait forever"

I quickly caught up with her at her statement as she was almost at the exit of the hostel.

We came out walking side by side. I look up at her in awe.

"Six hundred and thirty thousand naira?!" I exclaimed causing her to give me a side look.

"Why are you looking at me like i stole your breath?"

You technically did with that amount of money you spent a bag.

What is wrong with all this rich kids sef?

"That is an humongous amount of money to spend on a single bag!"

"Sweetie... Have you seen my wardrobe?" not exactly, and i really don't want to see it because i know i might develop a mini heart attack on the price tag of every single item.

I huff, grumbling about the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

"I didn't see you at the dining hall" I pursed my lips knowing she was watching my every move. She has been inquisitive about my eating habits lately and I don't know what to make of it.

"I was at the pavilion"

"Don't tell me you are skipping meals again?" she pointed out accusingly.

"I am not o, I was with Ejiro. He wasn't feeling too well so i had to stay with him. We were at the pavilion where we had our lunch. He bought our lunch"

She nodded, accepting my explanation.

It was the truth.

Ejiro looked off through out today. It seems like he was nursing an inner bruise due to the way he kept wincing at the slightest push or movement.

We got to the entrance of the amphitheater. The new amphitheater was built by one of the alumni students.

Dance, drama and mini concerts as well as other social gatherings was done in there giving the school hall a little bit of rest.

The social night which was been held this evening is happening there, today.

I caught the sight of Ejiro who looked better and refreshed than the way he was in the morning. He promised he would wait for me and he kept his promise.

"Babe... " he cooed causing me to giggle.

I saw the look Theresa threw our way. Like we were some weird humanoid.

She said nothing before entering the hall, Ejiro stared at her retreating form with a startled expression on his face.

"You are making it too obvious"

He looks down at me.

"Am I?" I nodded "you don't expect me not to stare when she looks like a fucking queen" I giggled at his words while he only slings his arm over my shoulders.

He has a crush on Theresa. Something he mistakenly slipped out to my listening ear.

When we entered the amphitheater, it was filled with students from various classes, some sat down talking, laughing or chasing their friends.

Ejiro finds an empty space for him and I at the back of the hall, we get to see everything on stage. I bop my head to the hit song playing from the speakers.

It Ain't Me by Kygo ft. Selena Gomez. Enjoying the soft flow of her voice, it wasn't high, it wasn't low, just perfect...

We both settle down, the programme will start really soon. From eight to ten and tomorrow is. Saturday so there will be no cause for any student sleeping in late.

I grin letting out an excited shriek at the next song that came on. It was one of my all time favorite. I sing along loudly not caring if anyone was watching or listening to me.

You insecure
Don't know what for
You turning heads when you walk through the do oor oor...
Don't need makeup
To cover up
Being the way that you are is eno ugh ugh...
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you

I sit up at the next part, belting or should I say screaming my lungs out.

Baby you light up my world like nobody else!
The way that you flip your hair makes me overwhelmed!
The way you smile at the ground made it hard to tell!

You don't know! Ow! Ow!
You don't know you are beautiful!

I laughed in excitement clapping my hands like a small child as it moved to a new song i wasn't familiar with.

I turn around to where Ejiro was seating beside me, he was staring at me with a bewildered look on his face.

"You are a horrible singer" i burst into laughter at his statement not feeling bad about it.

Yes, i am a horrible singer but I love good music.

"Don't ruin my mood. I can't say no to One Direction "

"That dead boy band?"

"Hey?!" I snapped picking offence as i hit him on the arm "take that back!"

"It is the truth" he mumbled, rubbing his sore arm "they have broken up"

"Hiatus. They went on hiatus" he gave me a funny look.

"Keep telling yourself that" he sassed.

" But you love their music?"

He shrugged.

"They are okay... " I gasped.

"Don't tell me that. Have you listened to Story of my life, Little Things, Night Changes, 18, Best Song Ever. etcetera etcetera?"

"Okay okay... Don't go BTS on me" he raised his hands up in surrender causing me to scoff.

"BTS is a Korean boy band"

"I know. I just want to make sure you are not one of those girls that pledged marriage to a dude named Vee or is it Suga? They don't even know they exist!"

I pat him on his shoulder.

"Don't worry... I'm a Zayn Malik kind of girl" he rolled his eyes at my statement.

"So you are not a fan?"

"Not really... I am not an Army,  they have nice catchy songs though."

I watch a shit eating grin appear on his face.

"You my dear... Are my new bestie" I laughed at his statement.

I have been doing that lately.

We both settle down as a voice came out from one of speakers, which belongs to the social prefect.

The programme went in full swing after that. Various students in groups and individuals displayed their talents.

Upcoming Pocolee's and Rema's were seen displaying their hidden talents, some don't know what they were doing.

Many are called, few were chosen.

I soon lost interest on what was going on on the podium, looking around the amphitheater for the first time.

It is packed up here tonight. The turn out was pretty huge. I thought i caught sight of Theresa a while ago but i was quick to figure out she was no more in the hall.

A loud yawn escaped my lips amid the loud cheering from other excited students.

"Tired?"

"Very." I hummed "and sleepy as well"

"I think we should both head back to our dormitory" I nodded.

He nodded with me following suit as he paved the way out of the hall.

We came out of the building only to meet with Theresa.

"Theresa?" I called out in surprise

"I was beginning to wonder when you will come out of there. I was here deliberating on whether to come in there and drag you out or not" I frowned when my eyes caught some dark figures behind her.

The Elites.

"Really?"

"You think you can ditch me for pretty boy?" she said tilting her head towards a blushing Ejiro. "we came here together young lady, hoes before bros"

"I was not ditching you"

"Indeed?" I nodded "Adequate"

She said before turning around to leave. I turn to Ejiro, we bid each other good night before he turned the other direction, heading to the male hostel.

"You don't want to greet us abi?" I whip around immediately. They all stood, Akorede leaned against the wall staring at me with a wild look in his eyes.

My mind went back to what he told me, two nights ago...

I like you

Me? He likes me? Unbelievable!

What is there to like about me? Ol boring me!

"Good evening guys" I greeted shyly, totally in contrast to who i was hours ago.

"Lovely night it is Omotolani, did you enjoy-"

"She said her hello, cut the girl some crap" Theresa jumped in from no where, cutting Bankole off briskly.

Ignoring the glare he sent her way, she pulled me away from the group. Dragging me after her, i thought about what Akorede told me.

He freaking likes me!

Does that mean he wants to take me out?

Does that mean he wants to court me?

I know what teenagers of my age do nowadays. I am very familiar with the whole situation.

Soon he would be asking me for a kiss, then stealing touches, then-

Oh no!

I turn around only to see him still staring at me. Intensely.

Oh shit!!!

I give up!! You people are something else 😒😏😂...begging me to update and all.. At least i will rest small after these chapters.

Okay guys... People have been wondering how i was able to come up with this beautiful story lines for my books. Let me put this out, The Final Year (vol. 1) is what i imagined my secondary school year to be but never was. The Final Year (Project 2.0) is a snippet into my life in secondary school. So you see these books, they are so dear to me. Omotolani and I are pretty much connected.

I was not a scholarship student, we were pretty much okay but my life in secondary school was pretty much filled a lot of bullshit. You will find shards of me in Omotolani.

Don't worry... I will gist you more in the next chapters. Not for you to pity me o cause am in a better place but for you to know there were a lot of wrongs going on in our educational sector and something needs to be done about.

Maybe i will write a story about my life 😂😂😂....

You can also share all your sweet and horrible experience as the book goes on, maybe you will have someone to relate to and also get some sort of healing at the end.