I watch her enter the dining hall, looking radiant like the morning sun. Her skin glowed, shiny, almost luminous. It was not what i was expecting.

From the crazy rumours i have heard all morning till late afternoon, her walking into this place with a skip in her steps like she had no problem in the world was definitely not what i was expecting.

I don't listen to rumors cause i find them faux and stupid but when her name was mentioned my ears couldn't help but perk up at the ridiculous news.

...she kept throwing up....

...you need to see the way she ran out of class....

...she threw up eight times...

....maybe she is pregnant...

I felt like bashing the girl's head against her locker, the particular girl who said that one.

Pregnancy ko... Ovulation ni...

The funny and the most annoying thing was that it was girls like her that were spreading these rumours. I don't know the kind of joy they seek in pulling their fellow specie down.

My eyes unconsciously followed her every move like always, watching her collect her food before heading to her table where her strange friend was sat.

She acts oblivious to the looks and whispers that were thrown her way. People need to stop doing that.

"I thought you said she was pale" i accused Faramade. He was in the midst of tearing into his fried beef when he gave me a confused look.

"I swear she looked dehydrated in the morning" he defended before tearing into the meat, munching it loudly.

This was his third plate of rice and beans and i can't help but wonder if he was high again. He needs to stop doing this in school or he might get in big trouble, he also needs to get his shit together.

We are all going through something too...

His home life is tough as hell but he should forget about them while in school or it might affect him.

I watched his red eyeballs shine with so much extremity, i gave Banks a knowing look before staring at her again.

Like a surveillance camera.....

This is getting out of hand. The girl has my mumu button and she doesn't even know it.

"Pele... " i snatch my eyes away from her smiling frame, trying to deduce who Theresa was talking to, the smile fell from my face when i found her eyes zeroed on me with a smirk on her lips.

"What?"

"You have been staring and smiling at her for the past ten minutes"

"I was not!" i fired hotly at her smug face.

Ten minutes?... That is a lie. It was definitely three seconds. My eyes shifts to her table again causing Banks and Theresa to stifle their laughter, Evans shook his head while Faramade look lost in his own world.

"I told you he was whipped" Bankole whispered to Theresa who nodded, it was like they had been talking about me.

I scoff going back to my food, giving her table a glance hoping she will look at this place.

"So coach called me to his office today" Evans started all of a sudden "we are having a friendly match with a school very soon. He told me he would communicate with us on the date and practice"

"Which school?" Bankole asked.

"Hmm... Ivy League.... Yes. Ivy League Academy" he said nodding his head in confirmation.

Theresa scoffed.

"That posh prissy pricey school?" she snickered with an eye roll. As if she was not attending that kind of school.

"Yes that posh prissy pricey school. And the match will be holding in their school. Practice starts next week. Will you make it?" he directs the question at me.

"I have basketball practice" I stated hoping he won't prod me further but who am i kidding?

"You can still make it, the time for each practice is different. Coach wants every hand on deck. You are one of our star players, you know we need you... "

I ate quietly, i pretended as if i don't know what he was talking about but i know very well what he meant.

"You have a captain, who is very capable" came my smug reply, Bankole only hissed.

"Abeg leave that one... I have seen those guys from Ivy League play and i must say this... They are very good like extremely good. We are going to their school to play, friendly or not. It is going to be a tough match" Bankole stated looking serious for once.

"We need not only good players but a good team leader" Evans spoke up from beside Banks. They all stared at me, waiting for my reply.

"Akeju can do that-"

"You know he can't do shit!, that guy is mentally unfit to be a team leader. This 'i am better than everyone else' mentality is eating him up" Evans mused as if recalling something.

Apart from being an asshole, Akeju is a certified narcissist.

"Why are you even telling me all these?" Growing fed up with the whole conversation.

"Coach asked me to talk to you, personally... maybe i can get to you and you will listen. Try and reconsider" Evans said sounding hopeful. "For the benefit of everyone"

"He is right. The team needs you" Faramade finally had something to say after going mute for a while.

Theresa threw him a suspicious look but he was quick to avoid her eagle eyes. I really don't want to be here when she finds out what he had been up to.

"I will think about it"

I put the conversation to a close.

                        😎👶👼
I walk through the empty corridor climbing down the stairs that leads to the library while going through the pamphlet in my hand.

It has the names of the list of foreign universities who were offering academic and sports scholarships and SJC happens to be one of the schools under the scholarship scheme.

I put it inside my binder making a mental note to check it up later. I head for the biology lab, i need to drop the report of the specimen i just finished reading on in the library before heading to class.

My classmates are behaving weird and it seems that this mental illness had spread to the rest of the student body.

It started last night during dinner when i went to the dining hall only to be greeted by curious, judging stares from almost everybody.

I asked Ejiro who was so excited to see me, on what's going on but he only told me to ignore them, making me laugh and feel good through out the dinner.

We were about leaving the hall when i got a hint on what's going on.

...I heard she was throwing up all morning...

...shameless girl, opening her legs, at her age...

...can't you see her nose is getting big? She is definitely pregnant!...

Ehn?!

Come again?

Pregwhat?!

Who was pregnant?

I soon discovered that the pregnancy stuff was all about me.

How can i be pregnant?!

Eh Eh! This kids are funny o.

It got funnier when they kept stealing glances at my flat stomach hoping the supposed baby will jump out and scream of its presence.

I am not angry o.

But! All the people who started and believed the rumor of my fake pregnancy are mad!

Clothed mad people!

I scoffed in annoyance before opening the door to the lab only to find out the teacher was not in.

He must be in class.

I will just drop it on his table.

I walked up to the teachers table, placing my report on it. I guess i was the first person to turn it in. It is due tomorrow so what's the stress of waiting till that time when you can turn it in on time.

I froze when i felt a foreboding presence behind me, and it was really close. I turn around only to see Akeju.

I shrink back a bit at the tall figure who only stared at me with crossed arms and narrowed eyes. His blazers were no where to be found. His tie in a sagging knot.

I bit my lower lip as fear crept into my veins.

I thought he had forgotten about me. He couldn't even give me a week to rest from his wicked antics.

"Ngbo? You are pregnant."

I gaped at him like a fool before getting myself together.

"I am not pregnant" i rasped out, suddenly getting angry for no reason.

Who started all this stupid and crazy rumours about me? He snickered his eyes staying on my tummy for too long. I crossed my hands over my stomach feeling uneasy.

My heart skipped a beat when he walked closer, i hold myself in a tight grip praying he would stay away. A smirk appeared on his cold face as he watched me with a wicked glint in his eyes.

I moved back sharply causing me to collide with the teacher's table. I find myself shivering for no reason and i know it was due to the way he was looking at me.

I don't like that look. It is scaring me. A lot...

His face moved closer towards mine making me move my head away from him closing my eyes while leaving me in a compromising position.

He chuckled darkly before moving back to where he stood playing with the marker that was on the teacher's table few seconds ago.

He gave me a look like he found my behavior funny before hissing then turning around to leave me in the lab.

A big sigh fell from my lips.

What was that?

What was that dark look he gave me that got me shivering in fear.

I jerked away from the table suddenly not feeling comfortable on being alone anymore. I need to get out of here.

-----

"You are not the one being handed mean, disgusting stares. So you don't understand how i feel about this whole thing." i counteracted Theresa. We came out of our room heading out for prep.

I watch her silently lock the door before turning to face me.

"And i have told you to ignore the rumors, why can't you be like me? Have i not trained you enough?" she asked nonchalantly almost sounding like an annoyed mother correcting her disobedient child.

"Not everyone can be thick skinned like you..." I murmured but it seems she heard me but pretended she didn't.

We walk through the dormitory hallway in silence, our footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. Theresa suddenly paused in her steps with a frown on her face causing me to stop as well.

"Did you hear that?" she asked me pointing at a closed door belonging to a room.

I shook my head but stopped when i heard a panic scream from inside the room she was pointing to.

We both exchanged stares.

What is going on?

My question was answered when a student, a girl opened the door abruptly with tears streaming down her face, a scared look eminent on her face and when she saw us, especially Theresa, her face grew paler.

Maybe it was due to the fact that she was not supposed to be here at this time, she should be in prep by now.

She shook her head, her closed eye lids made tears escape from its constrict. She looked torn as her eyes flew open, she threw a nervous glance at whatever or whoever was inside before looking at us again.

"What is it?" Theresa voiced out sounding orotund, leaving no room for objection.

"Senior Theresa. My roommate-"  she paused before bursting into tears.

I frown. What is wrong with her roommate?

"What is wrong with your roommate?" Theresa asked sounding collected as always.

"She- something is wrong with her... " she wailed but she froze again as we all hear the painful cry coming from inside.

She did not say anything. She ran back into the room. Theresa and i exchanged stares before following her.

I followed Theresa but stopped in my tracks when my eyes caught the figure on the bed at the other side of the room.

The small feminine figure was rolling and wallowing in pain on her bed, painful groans escaping her lips. I watch Theresa ask the other girl what was wrong with her but she couldn't seem to come up with any reasonable explanation.

I look around the room. A bunk and two beds, it was fairly large, each having their own separate and private space. I turn to look at the girl who was now crying on the bed again but my heart dropped in my stomach when i saw something.

A red spot was forming on the bed and it seems to be getting bigger, my eyes widens in fear as she turned around slightly only to see that the red spot which suspiciously looks like blood was tainting the lower part of her house wear.

"What sort of nonsense is this?! If she was having a cramp she should have just gone to the clinic instead of messing up the whole place!" Theresa shouts in what sounded like frustration.

I was quick to grab her hand as she was about storming off. She sent me a furious yet questioning look.

"I don't think this is the normal one" I whispered watching in fright as the girl began to gradually grow pale right before my eyes.

"My stomach! God! My stomach o!!" she screamed in utter pain and agony, tears streaming down her face in rapid flows.

I quickly left Theresa's side rushing towards her, kneeling on her bed, i placed her sweaty head on my laps feeling her forehead.

It was turning cold and i don't know if it was due to the sweat or that was her temperature.

I tried adjusting her frame on my lap again but i let out an audibly scream at the flood of red on the bed when i raised her by her back.  Theresa gasped.

"Oh my God! She is bleeding! She is bleeding!" i screamed in utter fear watching her gasp on my laps as trying to catch her fading breath.

"Get someone for me!" Theresa screamed at the other girl,  she bolts out of the room while the two of us tried to help her crying form up.

"What happened to you?!" i screamed in fright. This blood is too much for her to be on her period. She was definitely bleeding out.

She said nothing, she just kept crying asking for her mom and her stomach which she was clenching tightly.

Everything happened like a fast movie after that, one time we were both helping her to walk while supporting her on both arms which was a very tedious task because she couldn't walk due to whatever pain she was experiencing.

The matron came followed by her friend and we were able to rush her to the school clinic. We were still in the school clinic when things started going sour starting from the whispers between the nurses.

Abortion pill?...

That little girl? What is this world turning into?...

I can't believe she was pregnant...

Her womb is damaged... She has lost a lot of blood... She might not be able to make it....

I sat still, frozen at a spot in front of the clinic, watching the ambulance take the still but barely breathing girl away alongside the school head nurse and matron to God knows where. Students watched from every corner in the darkness confused at what was going on but i am sure the news will spread very soon.

Abortion?!

She is in Ss2!

A shiver ran down my spine as i shook in fear. I felt my hands shake uncontrollably as i recalled her skinny fair pale form losing its radiance and color and how she was gasping for air.

...lost so much blood...

I recoiled shaking my head at the prospect of her having an abortion. She is too young to do that.

"Omotolani..." i look up at Theresa to see her staring down at me with tired eyes, she must have finished meeting up with some of the prefects who were in school building this evening, explaining to them what happened or what we walked into.

"Hmm?... "

"Let's go"

I nodded before standing up dusting my dress from any invisible dust. When we got back to the hostel, the news had spread like wildfire during the harmattan so i avoided the room which was crowded with prying female students like a plague. I went straight to bed.

Trying so hard to forget everything.

That night, i had a bad, terrible dream. A nightmare of myself being in the same room of that bleeding girl, but instead of the girl on the bed, it was me!

------

I glared at their laughing group as they joke around about something stupid or not worth paying attention to. It was not only me that was annoyed by their opened sheer silliness and stupidity. Students kept giving them annoyed looks but no one dared call them out.

How can they be acting this stupid when the school is in a somber mood after the death of one of its students due to delicate issue?...

If they could be just less moronic...

I shook my head slinging my towel on my shoulder. It was an evening of a sad gloomy torturous day in SJC. Nothing is worth laughing about.

Nothing at all...

Running my hand through my wet hair, i jump as the group burst into boisterous, patronizing laughter. Clenching my jaw i couldn't help but give them the stinky eye.

My eyes fell on their figures. Their fit figures and i couldn't help but go green with envy.

I stared down at my skinny form and i shook my head in pity for myself. Boys of my age are already having and packing muscles and manly physiques but here i am looking like a twig.

I walk through the less crowded locker room ignoring their imposing presence but i couldn't help but stare at them again. Especially their leader.

Akeju was in his briefs, only his briefs and with the way the thin material highlighted everything he was endowed with, it made me realize some of the reasons girls go crazy for him.

He reminds me of Justin Bieber advertisement with Calvin Klein underwear during his Purpose era.

He caught me staring at him and i know that i am not going to hear the end of it.

"Hey! You!" i look around the locker room pretending it wasn't me but who was i kidding? He caught me in the act.

"Me?"

"No o... Your shadow" i gulp at the attention we were attracting. I should have gone to my room jeje. I hated anything sporty so who was i trying to impress? "why you dey look at me?" he asked with a menacing glare.

His buddies snickered, giving me disgusted looks.

"Sorry-"

"Why are you staring at me you fag!" he bellowed taking threatening steps towards me, i cowered at his statement and imposing form. "Do i look like one of you people?!"

"Free the guy, abeg" I hear one of his friends say. Kelechi i think.

"No o. This guy was staring at my chest like a meal" no i wasn't... "e resemble breast for your eye?! Stupid boy!"

"I wasn't staring-"

I cower as he raised his large fist to punch me but decided against it.

"If i punch you... I'm into girls. I fuck pussies not assholes" i winced at his dirty language "if you look at me that way again, i will break your head"

"But i wasn't looking at you in anyway" i said adamantly. Accusing me of what i am not is embarrassing enough, i don't get the reason why he is so brutal this afternoon.

He has been on my neck for a while now. Ever since he noticed my closeness with Omotolani.

"Shey na me you dey follow talk?" he asked with a deadly look gracing his face and i immediately regretted saying those words. "You wan fight abi? You be guy. Fight na"

Fight with Akeju?

Hell no!

"Leave me alone" I mumble in a bid to walk away from his presence but he pushed me back to the same spot.

"You wanna act tough" he asked patronizingly pushing me on my chest "act tough! Fight me. Fight like a man" he emphasized on those words while pushing me causing me to forcefully move back.

His words and actions has attracted a lot of audience which happen to be my mates. They were all looking at us, some staring in confusion, others excitement, some in boredom because they already know the outcome of the fight before it happens.

Akeju will beat me blue and black...

I grow wary in fear, panic invaded my system due to the eyes on us and the degrading look on Akeju's face.

I should have not come for this stupid game.

"You remember you are under probation right?"

Many eyes turned to the new yet familiar voice and i thanked my lucky stars as Akeju looks away from me to the school head boy.

"And so?"

"You know a big game is coming up. Captain or not, you will get benched when coach finds out because i will personally report you to him"

"Are you threatening me?" Akeju seethes in anger. One thing i know is that Akeju hates being threatened.

"No. I am only warning you to behave as the assistant captain and the school head boy." Evans said staring him dead in the eyes, not giving a fuck about his pissed form.

Jesus... When will i be that bold?

They stood there for a while glaring at each other while we all waited in anticipation. Waiting for who to throw the first punch but my bet is on Akeju due to how hot headed and unstable he can be.

Akeju scoffs before backing away, grabbing his stuffs from the bench before storming away with his friends in tow, going deeper into the locker room to probably smoke cannabis like he always does.

Something he must not be caught with but who is going talk?

An unspoken rule, see nothing, say nothing.

A big sigh escaped from my lungs. I can feel my heart beating hysterically in my chest due to the fear i felt at the prospect of getting beaten up by Akeju.

For no reason at all, well expect for the flimsy accusation of me staring at him in a lewd form.

Asshole...

I turn just in time to see the head boy moving towards his designated locker, he must have noticed my stare as he paused, turning around only to give me a single nod before walking away. The crowd dispersed after him.

That single sign meant a lot. A sign of recognition, a sign of acceptance... I got your back.

A smile graced my face, i picked up my stuffs before moving out of the locker room.

I got your back....

Translation
Pele: sorry
jeje: quietly or softly.

Omotolani's pregnancy rumours really is entertaining... 😂😂.  Who do you think started the rumors?

Play me Rumours by Lizzo ft. Cardi B 😁🙌

Our girl really has Akorede's mumu button without even trying...

Who do you think was the girl that was bleeding? You may think that it is of no importance but this incidence only thickens the plot. Don't forget Omotolani had a nightmare, the next chapters will make you hate some people and want to protect her at all cost....

So get your pitchforks and tissues ready because it is going to be a bumpy ride from here.

Even i am not prepared for the next chapters because it is emotionally-😢😢😢