A picture of Zara Ahmad in the multimedia.

Sunday passed like always. From hostel to the chapel, from the chapel to the cafeteria from the cafeteria to the hostel.

My normal routine.

I woke up Monday morning so super excited. Maybe due to the fact that I know that i will be having a conversation with Akorede this morning.

Even Theresa noticed this but didn't say much on it.

I juggled the keys in my hand which opens the art studio. I stared up at the sky due to the funny weather.

It is the end of the year but knowing Lagos weather, it could possibly rain. I hummed one of my favourite songs in my head taking the bend that leads to the art studio but stopped on my tracks at the male figure.

He leaned his back against the wall. I noticed he had air pods on while he closed his eyes as he bops his head to whatever he was listening to.

The first button on his white shirt was open, sagging his tie a bit, his blazer hang loosely on his left arm. His shirt tucked into his well ironed pants.

He looks peng.

I smile walking towards his relaxed posture. Why are people scared of this dude? Why am I scared of him?

Was it his reputation for being a cold heartless soul that won't in as much blink if you try to get closer?

Suddenly his eyes flew open as causing me to tense up. There and then, i discovered that his eyes were actually a shade of light brown which was beautiful. He gave me a cheerful smile which got me relaxed.

"Don't tell me you had been waiting for me?" I said walking towards him,  he moved away slightly when he realized i was trying to get to the door.

"You told me i should be here by seven am"

"This is exactly seven. You must have been here before seven" he shrugged looking carefree for once.

"I had an appointment and I hate to disappoint"

I chuckled shaking my head before telling him to come in. We entered the warm studio. I went straight to the posters and stickers.

Grabbing the glue and ropes we would be using for the work. Akorede helped in carrying the posters which i am grateful for.

"Shall we?" I asked making him nod like a child.

We start our work from the senior block. The school was still empty because trust students to have problems getting up early Monday morning.

It was when I needed to paste the posters on the upper part of the wall, that was when i realized the worth of Akorede's height in this exercise.

"Let's assume I never suggested to help you, tell me, how are you going paste this posters?" he asked as he applied the glue to the poster while I held the other end.

"I honestly don't know and I really don't want to think about it" he burst into a fit of deep resounding laughter at my words which made my heart warm.

Was what I said funny?

"Imagine your royal shortness trying to hang or paste this posters"

"I know. Tragic" I snorted causing him to laugh again. Overlooking the fact that he just called me short.

Okay... Someone is in a good mood this morning.

"Shetemi pass me the rope, i want to hang this one"

I stood shock in my spot at him calling me my middle name.

"How did you know my middle name?" I asked utterly confused.

I saw him froze before I hear him mutter the word 'shit' all over again.

"People call you that right?" he sounded unsure even in a bid of defending himself.

"No one in this school does" not even the teachers. I am sure some don't know my name so why will they remember to call me by my middle name.

"I don't want to sound creepy" he said almost fidgeting at a spot "but I bump into your file when I went to see your form teacher. I ran through it and I kinda like your middle name more "

I nodded finding it understandable. I actually had a mini panic attack thinking he stalked me but let's be realistic, why will Akorede, the most sought after guy in our set want to stalk me?

Absolutely ridiculous!

"It's alright. I just find it strange that you called me that. It has a deeper meaning you know? It means -"

"Be mine" I squeezed my eyebrows in confusion, he shook his head as if remembering something "it means be mine"

Oh.... He did get the meaning..

"Of course"

The rest of the exercise was interesting that we didn't notice that students had started entering the school premises.

"Did you know that there is an unfinished portrait of your aunt in the art studio?"

"Really? How? " he asked looking truly surprised.

"Yes. I stumbled upon it in the file jacket belonging to the renowned Folahami Briggs."

"Uncle Bamz? " he asked utterly surprised.

"Yes. Bamz. That is what Ejiro called him" I saw him tensed at the mention of Ejiro but I quickly shook it off.

"Why will Uncle Bamz draw a portrait of my aunt?" he asked while digesting the information.

Maybe due to the fact he had a crush on her but am not going to tell him that. It has been years and she is happily married. It is a theory... Am just saying.

No be my mouth you go hear am.

Teniola Enitan Coker turned Teniola Enitan Cole was a heart stealer during her time and even till now and looking at the way Folahami Briggs portrayed his emotions in the unfinished drawing, you will know he held her dearly in his heart.

Ejiro pointed out every detail that reflected something much deeper to the eyes in that drawing. I wished he had finished the work, it would have been a magnificent one.

She is a work of art.

After hanging and pasting the posters, we both left for the hall.

Together...

He insisted on accompanying me to the hall for the assembly, i know it is going to bite me in the ass later but I just couldn't resist him.

When we both walked into the hall, i ignored every whisper and words probably thrown at me. He was talking quietly with me and I enjoyed the smoothness of his voice.

We part ways when I had to sit down and he was on duty. I drum quietly on the hard surface with my fingers.

Long nimble fingers dropped a pamphlet in front of me. I look up and smiled at the sight i saw.

Ejiro stood tall, in his complete uniform, in his hands were the pamphlets which had drastically reduced in size.

I picked up the pamphlet reading out the heading.

"BULLYING.... The Ugly Truth" I nodded in approval "interesting... "

Theresa really went all the way.

"She worked my ass out this morning. I swear that girl isn't human" he complained pretending to wipe away invisible sweats from his forehead.

"But you are almost done with the job" I pointed to the pamphlets in his hand which had reduced drastically.

"And have i ever told you how rude these children are?" gesturing around while he scoffed before looking serious "What is your deal with Wellington?"

"Nothing?..."

What does he think is going on?

He sighed.

"Just be careful. You are practically on the hit list of every fan girl... Shit! I got to go"

I paid less attention now as my mind goes back to what he said.

Hit list?

I shrugged waiting for the assembly to start.

                        😰😨😧

The campaign had successfully kicked off after Theresa's outstanding speech. She was so bold and fearless, giving every point a solid back up.

I realized some bullies deal with inferiority complex which makes them depress and they tend to inflict pain and discomfort on weaker ones just to feel good.

Bullies get involved in the act of bullying because when they see someone better than them, they tend to get scared and inferior and strive as much as possible to pull the particular sort of 'problem' (their victims)down.

I am not as rich, well known, connected as Akeju, then why was he bullying me?

Some bullies also scorn their victims just for the fun of it. And it can also come from hatred towards the victim.

Akeju is definitely in that category.

He hates my guts, for no apparent reason.

After the assembly and the launching of the campaign, we moved to our classes. I find it strange due to the looks and whispers being handed my way when I got to class.

'who the hell is she?'

'you need to see the way she was all over him this morning'

'I saw them laughing'

'She is feeling herself, rubbish' *hiss*

'she is really pretty though '

'Wait she is in this class? How come I never noticed her?!'

That was what I was hearing through out Maths class, they were talking as if i couldn't hear them. I think they were more interested in me than what Mr Iyke was teaching them.

I rolled my eyes at their words. I have been in this class with you people for the past two years, you were just too blind and stuck up to see.

The Chemistry teacher came to class telling us we would be using the lab today. A smile immediately appeared on my face.

Grabbing my white coat and notebook i followed my peers to the well equipped chemistry lab.

Last year, the graduating set delivered new apparatuses to the chemistry lab. I can't wait to make use of them.

"Good morning students"

He was met with a dull good morning from the students, they were never interested in anything but gossip and drama. That shows how boring their life was.

"I need someone to help me with the tubes and beakers and please Awal... Stay away from the bases. I don't want you swallowing anything this time"

I smiled as the rest of the class burst into laughter. The boy is a dunce. It happened last year while we were in Ss2. I don't know how he did it but he almost swallowed a chemical composition and litmus paper.

I put on my lab coat waiting patiently for the class to proceed.

I stumbled out of the lab after a long time in there. Students trooped out as well, walking and talking in groups.

You would think we were a bunch of medical doctors with our flowing lab coats.

When I got to class, i stood transfixed at who stood by my table and it looks like I was not the only one who got shocked by her presence in the class.

She rarely steps a foot into the science class so imagine the utter shock when Celine Nnaji graced us with her beautiful face but the face ain't happy.

My classmates must have joined one and two together as they snickered before throwing me a look full of sympathy or scorn.

'Ti e baa e'

One even had the guts to say to my hearing.

I walk closer carefully in a bid not to startle her but it was to no avail as our eyes met.

Her eyes scanned me like a hawk. Damn... I feel scrutinized. A frown appeared on my face as she did a double take which i find really weird.

Her long straight nose twitches in disgust as she gave me a stare down which made me even doubt myself.

...do I smell?...

I felt tempted to take a quick sniff of my armpit but I stop myself from doing such if I don't want anymore trouble.

Talk about first impression.

"You are Omolola Peters"

"Omotolani..." I squeaked which made her give me an annoyed look.

And it made me wonder... Did she do that on purpose or she really doesn't know my name?

"Does it look like i give a damn?"

I shift uneasily on my feet at the question and her mean countenance. The silence and looks i got from my mates were not helping the matter. I jumped as she snapped her fingers in my face to get my attention.

A scowl was clearly visible on hers. This is not good, i can't believe I just zoned out on Celine Nnaji.

I can't help it, it is my defense mechanism.

One thing I realized though was her polished nails. She had nail extensions on, the same length as her nails but it was still there.

This is not allowed in SJC. How come she was let off the hook?

"What?"

"I can see you are not dumb but are you deaf?" she asked saucily. Snickers filled the room. Everyone wanted to get the gist of what's going on.

"Stay away from Akorede. I don't know who you think you are that makes you think you can talk or walk with him. He is way above your league so don't get any funny ideas. Got that?!"

I nodded shakily.

She scoffed before giving me a horrible look, a scowl formed on her face when her eyes rest on my okirika shoes.

She walks out of the class in a classy manner which always made me wonder why she was still in school instead of signing up as a model.

I let out shaky uneven breath scampering towards my seat to get away from the mocking eyes of my mates.

I have only watched this kind of scenes in movies.  The situation whereby the most hottest and popular girl in the school will threaten the less popular girl to stay away from her boyfriend.

I never knew this also happens in the real life.

I place my head on my locker thinking about where i had gone wrong.

"He won't look away, he kept staring at you like a child expecting a present from Santa Claus"

I shake my head at Ejiro's words refusing to look behind me at their table.

I had been avoiding him for two days. I could recall when he tried striking a conversation with me that same day after the warning Celine gave me. I practically ignored him.

Me... Ignoring Akorede Wellington. I never thought i would see that day but I just have to do that to keep my head on my shoulders.

Whenever our eyes met which is getting frequent this days, i would be the first to look away.

Just a day with him and so much drama?

Nope! Not me.

"Ignore him" I said staring at my plate of beans.

I will be eating hot beans this afternoon bayii.

"What is you deal with him?"

"Nothing. He was being friendly to me and I thought we could be good friends but after his girlfriend's threat. I think he should keep his friendship to himself"

"He was nice to you?" i nodded "he is never nice to anyone, well apart from his friends" I shrugged before blowing air at my food.

"Take"

I look at the loaf of bread in front of me which Ejiro bought for himself.

"Why?"

"I don't think i can stomach this" he said before scowling at his plate of beans. "I will get something at the school shop"

I gave him a smile.

"Thank you"

He nodded. I don't blame him though. When last had he eaten this type of meal?  Looking at the surrounding tables i realized only a few were eating what the school provided.

They are trying so hard to treat them like normal students, the thing is they can never be normal students.

"Now he looks like he wants to murder me"

I turn to look at their table to see him staring at me in an intense manner. Many questions filled his eyes, he looks frustrated as well.

I quickly look away when I realized his friends were watching this table as well.

"I just want my last year to end well for me. I already have Akeju on my neck, i don't think am ready add Celine to the equation. You know how mean she could be?"

"Anyways... I don't care" he said flailing his hands like a girl "as long as there is drama for me to feed on"

That was when i noticed he had a nail polish on. It was faint but was still there.

"Nice manicure" I teased. I watch his face fall before he lets out an uneasy laugh.

I shook my head realizing this boy is going to be handful in the near future.

Akorede called her by her middle name? Interesting...

Omotolani okirika shoes😂😂

Translation :
No be my mouth you go hear am: am not going to say a word.

Ti e baa e: you are in serious trouble.

okirika: thrift wears. Second hand clothes and shoes with distinct kind of smell.