～ Dunni

Oh great, I thought, I overdid it. Why did I always have to come on strong whenever I met new people?

Here was this girl, Ife, clearly trying to be nice and I immediately started talking her ear off. The poor girl looked like she was about to puke.

Still I couldn't help wondering why someone like Ife Adeleke had gone out of her way to help me. She didn't really seem like someone who liked meeting new people.

Whatever, I had P.E next and I needed to find the changing room and change fast as I could. The principal had said Ms. Nimi, my P.E teacher was also the cheer leading coach, and I wanted to make a superb first impression.

♡

"You're not wearing socks, Miss Agbai," Ms. Nimi said less than seven minutes later.

I had barely had a chance to introduce myself. "This is a physical education class, young lady. How can you receive a physical education if your feet are not properly attired?"

I made sure I kept smiling, which wasn't easy considering I was also trying to nod seriously. "I completely agree," I said sincerely.

"I've been a gymnast since I was six and I fully understand the dangers of unwanted foot fungus and painful blisters. I promise not to forget my socks again, ma'am."

Ms. Nimi nodded begrudgingly. There isn't a female gym teacher who doesn't love being called ma'am, I thought.

After Ms. Nimi had given me the details of the squad tryouts coming up in three weeks, she led me across the gym to where three girls were taking turns doing handsprings. She gestured to one with her butterfly locs pulled into a ponytail, who bounced over.

"Folakemi Adegbenro, this is Dunni Agbai," she said. "She's also interested in trying out for the squad."

"You're the new girl," Folakemi cried. "Welcome to Brook stone!" she rolled her hands like a motor and threw her hands in the air.

I smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"Come on," said Folakemi. "I'm just about to teach Hephzibah and Prisca this unbelievably awesome cheer!"

For the first time all morning, I actually let myself relax. I'd found the gymnasts.

I watched Folakemi run through the whole routine. The girl clearly knew her stuff. She had good energy, sharp moves, nice tumbling. It was completely possible that Folakemi Adegbenro was going to be my new best friend.

Unlike other students in the gym class, all three girls wore matching short pink shorts and white T shirts. I knew I'd be having sleepovers and talking about boys in the changing room before long.

"That was great, Folakemi!" I said. "We used to do a cheer like that at my old school."

"I wrote it myself," Folakemi beamed.

The routine had some complicated parts, but nothing too difficult. I got it in no time. After a few run - throughs, I even tried some new lines, "We don't need no music, we don't need no bands, all we need are fans jammin' in the stands!"

"Sorry, Dunni," Folakemi said, running over from where she was working with Hephzibah and Prisca on Russian twists. "I think you got the words wrong, we'd better do it again." Which was fine, after all, it was her cheer.

I was just relieved to feel that I fit in. In fact, at the end of the class, I was on my way to the changing room when Ms. Nimi actually smiled at me.

"Nice cheering, Dunni," said the gym teacher. I could have done a flip on the spot!

"Ms. Nimi says that to everyone," Folakemi said, as she pushed open the door to the changing room.

I shrugged. "Hey, this morning I was a no one. Everyone is a step up!"

♡

It sure didn't feel that way at lunch though. Looking out at the cafeteria, I felt like a no one again. I had no idea where to sit. I wished I were back at my old school, with Nike and Diana waving at me from our table by the window.

Finally, I spotted Tare sitting by herself in the corner, devouring her thriller epic along with her lunch. I almost took off running. I was so happy to see her.

I was almost at Tare's table when Folakemi appeared wearing a pink sweater. Behind her stood, Hephzibah and Prisca, their smiles shining like white billboards above their trays.

"Come sit with us!" Folakemi said.

I glanced over at Tare, whose nose was buried in her book. For some reason, my heart sank. "Okay."

I noted, as we got there, that their table was filled with different people. The table was packed with all sorts of food.

Folakemi banged her tray on the table. Everyone stopped what they were doing and faced us.

"This is Dunni Agbai," Folakemi said. "She's new here and officially a part of us."

I waved shyly and took my seat. The people at the table nodded approvingly.

"This is the popular table," said Hephzibah.

"We sit here everyday," said Prisca.

Folakemi clapped her hands together, silencing them like she was in control, no let me rephrase that -- because she was in control.

"Girls," she said. "First things first. I think it's our duty to tell Dunni the rules."

"Which rules?" I asked.

"Duh," Hephzibah rolled her eyes. "Kemi's rules."

"No,not my rules," Folakemi looked annoyed. "The rules of Brook stone secondary school." She straightened her back and took a deep breath.

"Rule number one," Folakemi announced. She reached over to my tray and gingerly picked up a hunk of agege bread with two fingers.

She looked completely grossed out. Like she were holding a dead rat.

"Never order agege bread. It totally kills...."

Kills what? I wondered.

"...your social life," Folakemi finished, dropping the bread back on my tray with a thud.

"Rule number two," Folakemi went on, wiping her hands on her napkin. "Pink is in. Black --" she shot a cold look at another table, where I saw Ife sitting with some friends. "--is so last season. But you already knew that right?" Folakemi added and winked.

"I so can't wait to borrow those earrings," Hephzibah said, looking me up and down approvingly.

"Anyway," said Folakemi. "Rule number two is: Pink is perfect!"

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. "But rule number three," Folakemi continued,"is the most important rule of all."

Folakemi looked at Hephzibah and Prisca, who nodded solemnly.

Then Folakemi did a double clap, and all three spoke in unison. "The squad is everything and the captain makes the calls!"

It was as if they'd practiced it - which I realized, they probably had. "Um," I said, not wanting to sound mean. "Who's captain?"

Hephzibah and Prisca looked at me like I just popped a zit right at the table.

"It's all right," Folakemi said. "She's new. That's a perfectly good question, Dunni. I'm the captain.

I had to down a gulp of my pepsi to cover up my reaction. Finally, I swallowed. "I, um, talked to Ms. Nimi in gym, and she said that captainship won't be decided until tryouts."

"I know," said Folakemi,nodding sympathetically. "She actually has to say that or else she'll be fired. Like to be fair. But everyone knows it's going to be me."

"It's just like everyone on the squad has to try out again every year, so it at least looks like new people have a chance," Hephzibah said.

"Like you!" Prisca chimed. Then she realized what she'd just said and added quickly,"although I'm sure you'll make it if you stick with us."

I forced myself to smile and nod. I should have sat with Tare, I thought. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ife and her friends about to pass by carrying their trays.

Folakemi cleared her throat,"It's such a shame," she said ultra loud,"When people can't afford to buy clothes from this century and end up wearing black rags. We should totally set up a charity."

OH MY GOSH! Folakemi did not just say that, I thought.

I stared down at my tray as Ife brushed past with her friends. Luckily, she didn't say anything.

When they had gone, I sat up straight. "Folakemi, what was that all about?"

"Excuse me?" Folakemi said haughtily.

"That girl, Ife, saved my butt this morning. And even if she didn't, I don't think that entitles you to smash her feelings."

"Well, thank you for feedback, Dunni," Folakemi said. "But it's clear you don't know what you're talking about. Now, I'll forgive you for not knowing this because you're new, but let me tell you something about black - clad freaks. The walking dead don't have feelings!"

❥︎

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 3✔︎

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