This chapter is dedicated to all Rape Survivors. I am saying Survivors because not every survives something as delicate as rape. I salute y'all, Male and Female. 💪🏾💪🏾✊🏾✊🏾

ELYON'S POV

School resumed early January and every where was bubbly as the new year season was still pretty effective. It was just few days after resumption and classes have started. No breathing space at all, classes back to back. I hardly got to see Jamal except for Visual Art class but we made the most of it.

I like Jamal...

Yes, I just admitted that I liked Jamal. I didn't just like him, I really liked him. I knew he liked me too, or at least I felt he did. His body language spoke volumes. Not just that, the way he looked at me, the way he made me feel like I owned a place in his heart.

When I found Tolani's nudes on his phone during our "date" he was so eager to prove to me that there was nothing going on. I believed him when he said but he went to the length of deleting it in front of me. Not all guys could do that and it made me adore and admire him even more.

We almost kissed. I thought with a smile on my lips.

I have kissed before. Long story short, it was a dare I regretted doing back in my former school. The guy I kissed didn't let me be. I wanted to know how a real kiss felt like. I was excited as well as terrified because Jamal was pretty experienced and I was basically a novice. Maybe that was why he didn't kiss me in his car that time.

"Elyon, well done o. Why are you smiling to yourself." I jerked out of my thoughts and I looked up to see the entire class had their eyes on me. The English teacher, Mrs Adeoye was looking at me as well.

I'm in trouble.

"I'm sorry ma." I stuttered out, burying my face in my book.

"What were you thinking about? You were just smiling to your self." Mrs Adeoye pushed further.

Mind your business woman!

"Ma, maybe she's thinking about her boyfriend." Tejiri, the class clown said and I shot him a glare.

"That was really lame, T. J." I told him and he stuck his tongue out to me.

"Alright, that's enough. Elyon, pay attention next time." Mrs Adeoye said and turned back to the board. I sighed in relief as I was let off the hook. I felt someone's eyes on me and I looked to my side to see Mateo looking at me. He quickly looked away when he saw that he was caught.

Things between Mateo and I became really awkward. We tried to be at least civil with each other, especially because we shared some special subjects. But ever since his fall out, we have never been the same. He didn't even seat with us during lunch anymore. He sat on his own, but Skye would go keep him company some time. Ever since I saw them hug outside Jamal's window, I've been really curious about Skye's sudden extra closeness with him

Maybe she is trying to make him feel among still. They kinda go way back, you know. I shrugged.

I looked around class again and saw Semilore putting her head on the table and clutching and tummy. Semilore was a naturally quiet girl but sometimes she made comments and spoke. She was pretty lively to be around with, but lately she's been keeping more to herself. She looked up and her eyes met mine but she looked away immediately. Now that was strange.

"Excuse me ma. Can I use the lavatory?" Semilore rose her hand, asking. Mrs Adeoye nodded and Semilore rushed out. My curiosity peeked a notch. I waited for a few minutes before asking for permission and I left the class, making my way to the lavatory.

I entered and saw Semilore lying down on the floor, clutching her tummy tightly and wincing. I quickly rushed to her and touched her. She jerked up and away from me.

"What are you doing here?!" She snapped at me and I backtracked.

"Are you okay, Semilore?" I asked her instead and she stood up, walking away from me.

"I'm fine. Why don't you mind your business." She growled out and I almost scoffed. Semilore has never been this insultive and sassy. Something is definitely wrong. Before she went out, I called her back.

"You are stained." I told her. She looked at her skirt and went back to the basin to wash it off. School always kept extra sanitary pads in a basket hung on the wall. She picked one and entered into one of the stalls to change. She came back out and walked out of the lavatory. I shrugged and followed her out.

Maybe that was why she was extra cranky. She's on her period.

*****

Few weeks later, I was seated in a class room alone reading a novel on my phone because my class was way too noisy and scattered to be able to concentrate in. I was plugged in and I didn't realized what was going on until someone came in and tapped me. I looked up and saw Vanessa. I removed my AirPods.

"What's up?" I asked her and she scowled at me.

"Are you even in this school at all? Aren't you on the group chat?" She asked me and I frowned.

"I am on the group chat but I haven't opened my whatsapp since yesterday. What's going on?" I asked her but instead, she took my hand and dragged me outside.

I realized there was a crowd outside the senior block as they gathered in front of a class. Vanessa managed to get us 'front row tickets' and when we got to the front, we saw the police holding down one of our teachers, not just any teacher, Uncle Tega, our music teacher.

"What's going on? What are the police doing here?" I asked Vanessa and she sighed, scratching her temple.

"He allegedly raped Semilore..." I gasped at the revelation, my hand flying to my mouth.

"Oh my God! Wait, are you sure?" I asked Vanessa as we watched the police drag Uncle Tega away and the crowd dispersed.

"That's what the news said. Apparently Semilore's sister had testified that Semilore had confided in her some time ago that she was being assaulted but she didn't believe her." Vanessa told me and immediately I felt anger course through me.

"How will your own sister not believe you were being assaulted. What kind of life is this?! That's complete bullshit." I snapped.

"My thoughts exactly. She said she just thought Semilore was an overbearing attention seeker because their parents were barely home." Vanessa sighed and I sniffed as tears welled up in my eyes. Students were talking in groups about  what just went down. Vanessa continued.

"When Semilore first came here in SS1, she always kept to herself and only stayed in the music room to play her violin. Uncle Tega took interest in her, we all saw it but we didn't take it as anything more than a mentor-mentee relationship. Guess we were wrong." Vanessa muttered the last part sadly.

It all started to make sense. The reason she was so cranky last week. The reason she became incredibly reserved and quiet. I honestly hoped she was okay.

"How is Semilore? Is she going to be alright?" I asked Vanessa who looked at me for a while.

"She's dead." Vanessa whispered and I chocked.

"She bled to death two days ago. She got pregnant and told Uncle Tega. He gave her something to drink to terminate it. Turns out, what he gave was expired and when she drank it, it tore her her womb into pieces. It was her sister that found her in the pool of her own blood." Vanessa chocked out as tears pooled in her eyes. I held my chest as I staggered, trying to wrap my head around the dreadful revelation.

I couldn't breath. My eyes began to spin.

"Elyon!" Vanessa called out as I missed my step and collapsed to the floor.

I passed out.

*****

"Here you go. Drink this." Jamal gave me the cup of water to drink and I took just a sip. I wasn't in the mood to do anything, I just wanted to sit back and process everything I heard in the last hour.

Semilore is dead.

I didn't even know I was crying until I felt Jamal's hand on her face. I looked at him.

"She's really dead?" I asked him. He didn't even have to answer because I saw the sadness in his eyes. I couldn't hold it any more.

I bursted into tears.

Jamal sighed and moved closer to me. He took me in his arms and held me close to his body. I buried my head in his chest and clutched his shirt in my fist. He held me tighter and ran his hand through my hair, whispering calming words to me, telling me it was going to be okay.

Semilore and I were not close. We talked sometimes, especially when we had music class together but this was taking a toll on me because I saw her that day. I knew something was wrong but I was limited.

"Shhh, it's okay." He whispered. I looked up and at him. He was watching me.

"I saw her the day she died. She just kept to herself more than usual and she looked like she was in pain. I was concerned. I tried to speak to her but she brushed me off. I saw blood on her skirt. I thought she was just stained and I took her crankiness to be cramps related. Maybe if I had prodded further..." Jamal shook his head, stopping me.

"Even if you had prodded further, she still wouldn't have let you in. Semilore has always been known to be reserved and all by herself. No one could have ever thought this would happen, more so with Uncle Tega." He pursed to exhale and I sniffed, looking at him.

"I'm very disappointed myself because I held that man in high esteem. Mateo is pretty devastated because Uncle Tega was his coach. This news affected more people than you know, Elyon. Esosa is crying her eyes out in the bathroom because she feels she failed her friend. So don't beat yourself up, please." He took his hand to my forehead which had a little bump, due to my fall. I winced as he massaged it gently.

"You hit your head pretty bad on the floor. What if Mateo wasn't there to rush you here?" Jamal muttered but I frowned.

Mateo brought me here?

"Mateo brought me here?" I voiced out my thoughts and Jamal nodded.

"You passed out right in front of your class, he was quick to notice and with Vanessa's help, he brought you here." Jamal shrugged. I nodded and leaned against him, resting my head on his chest.

On cue, Skye, Vanessa and Somadina came in but with Mateo a couple of feet behind them. He seemed really skeptical about coming close. My eyes met his briefly before he looked away, probably feeling uncomfortable. Skye, Vanessa and Somadina hugged me.

"We were worried sick about you." Skye cooed, seating beside me on the bed.

"Yeah, your fall was really great. I wish someone got it on Came... Ouch." Somadina started but Vanessa nudged him with her elbow to his side. I laughed as I suddenly felt light headed.

Thank God for good friends.

"Don't mind this log head. He never process his words before it comes out of his mouth." Vanessa said and Soma smirked at her.

"Babe, this log head is your boy...mmphh" Vanessa covered his mouth before Somadina could complete his statement. Everyone had a confused face on. She shot us a nervous smile before dragging Somadina out with his ear.

"Well, that wasn't surprising." Jamal muttered. I laughed and looked up to see that Skye had gone to where Mateo was standing and was telling him something. He was shaking his head and she was trying to persuade him about something.

"What do you think they are talking about?" I asked Jamal and he shrugged.

"He's probably shy to come over here. Not surprising any way." He replied. Skye successful took Mateo's hand and dragged him towards us. He followed her without complaining but he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where we were.

"Hey Mateo." I started, since he felt uncomfortable speaking first obviously. He looked at me and gave a small smile.

"Hey. I take it that you are okay now. You hit your head pretty hard." He said, trying to keep it casual. My hand involuntarily went to bump on my head.

"I'll live." I said and he chuckled softly.

"Well, I should leave you guys. I just wanted to check up on you." He gave a curt wave and turned around.

"Mateo." I called and he turned around. "Thanks for bringing me here. I appreciate it." I told him. He smiled and gave a nod, turning around and walking out of the ward.

"I should go after him." She said, pointing behind her.

"Knock yourself out." Jamal told her and she rushed out, calling to Mateo. I looked at Jamal and he had his eyes on her.

"Are you also curious about Skye's sudden interest in Mateo?" I asked him and he looked at me.

"I thought I was the only one who noticed their sudden closeness." He revealed.

*****

Mateo's POV

I heard Skye call my name but I didn't stop walking. I needed to get away from that environment. I shouldn't have come but Skye forced me and now I regretting it. She finally caught up to me and held my hand to stop me. I jerked my hand off and turned to face her, annoyed.

"Hey, chillax. Why are you so worked up? It wasn't that bad." She told me and I shot her a glare.

"Wasn't that bad? I am probably a laughing stuck right now. I shouldn't have listened to you, I should have just stayed in the class. At least, I was better off minding my own business." I snapped at her and she recoiled.

"Are you seriously saying that you regret coming here? You made a bold move coming here and whatever stupid and negative thoughts you have in your head, you had better get them out right now because they are doing you no good." She replied and I sighed, looking at her.

"Why do you care anyway? I broke your brothers leg remember?" I told her and she sighed.

"Yes, I remember. You don't have to remind me. I'm not holding that against you. I mean, I was but now I am not and neither are day. Things are just going to be different because it's hard for them to trust you now." She placed her hand on my shoulder. I looked at where her hand was and then at her.

"And you? Do you still trust me?" I asked her and she smiled, looking away from me to stare ahead.

"I want to believe you have learnt your lesson." She simply replied and I found my self smiling.

"Fair enough. I could work with that." I told her and she teased. We just stood there, leaning against the steel railings at the edge of the balcony, in a comfortable silence.

"Mateo." She called and I hummed in response. "You really like Elyon don't you?" I could feel her eyes on me but I kept staring straight ahead.

"I do..." I admitted and heard her sigh. "But I'll get over it. Eventually." I flashed her a small smile and she smiled back.

"When do you think that 'eventually' would be?" She asked again and I looked at her, sensing her curiosity. I searched her face, but it gave nothing away.

"I don't know. I mean, I can't tell. We don't have total control over what we feel but hopefully, before the end of this session. At least before SS3. I need to get my head straight for the finals right. No girl drama." I smiled at her. She looked ahead and forced a smile as well.

"Right..." There was something off about her tone but before I could ask her about it, she quickly excused herself to use the Lavatory. I watched her as she hastily walked away.

That was weird.

******

Jamal's POV

Everyone was still pretty shaken about Semilore's death. Esosa has been absent from school as well. Most of the time, we had a compulsory free period because the teachers were always having meetings with the principal.

The Press Club which was headed by Skye came up with an initiative to help everyone who was suffering from the same fate. They decided to hold a awareness conference for every student to educate them about rape. It was tagged "End Sexual Harassment". I bought the idea. The school also bought the idea. The only idea I didn't buy was Skye wanting our mum to be the key note speaker.

"Are you insane?!" I snapped at her when she came to my room to tell me that cow dung.

"Stop being negative. Mum was a rape survivor, there is no better person for this seminar than her." She spoke calmly, trying to get me to understand. I saw where she was coming from but I don't want to know what people will think of my family when they hear that my Mum was a rape victim.

"So, you want the entire school to know about our Mum, so they can think we are one screwed up family with a Rape victim mum and a Mentally deranged son..." I spoke before I could process what I said. A huge smack met the back of my head and I groaned. Yes, Skye hit me, she hit me hard.

"Can you stop thinking like an idiot for just one minute?! Why would you talk like that? Why would you even call yourself mentally deranged?! You are a normal teenage boy, Jamal. I thought we were past that phase." Her hands were akimbo and I sighed, massaging the place she smacked.

"I'm sorry. The thoughts come in once in a while. I've been having flashes again and soon the nightmare would come..." I trailed off.

"Stop thinking like that. You fought this before, you can fight this again." She told me.

"Yes, I fought it before but Elyon did most of the work. What if I'm not able to fight it on my own?" I asked and Skye gave a small smile.

"No man is an island, Jamal. I've got you." She said and I smiled.

"You are the best." I told her and she flipped her hair.

"I know. But seriously, Mum is the best person for the Seminar. She's not only a rape victim but a rape survivor. She would be able to reach out to so many struggling girls, you know." She told me and I nodded, agreeing with her.

"Is it only mummy you are calling?" I asked her and she smirked.

"I have someone else in mind and I'm sure you'd be happy to know who it is." She said and my face lit up as a name to my head.

"Is it..." I asked and Skye nodded, wiggling her brows.

"It is." She said.

*****

We were having dinner. Skye has been looking for a way to bring up the issue to mum bit what better time to bring it up than during the family dinner. We wanted Dad to be part of it as well. Skye looked at me and I gave her the go-ahead to speak up.

"Mummy." Skye called. Mum stopped talking with Dad and looked at her.

"Yes darling." She answered. Skye cleared her throat.

"You know the issue in our school now about the rape and all. As the President of the press club, I organized an awareness seminar for the students. The school has approved it as well." Skye announced.

"That's fantastic. Students need to be educated." Dad chipped in.

"Of course. Weldon. That's a very brilliant initiative." Mum smiled, commending Skye. I exchanged a look with Skye and cleared my throat. This was the hard part.

"Mummy, I want you to be our key note speaker." She dead panned and a pin drop, grave yard silence followed. I shoved my pinky into my ear, to see if I had ear wax in it.

No. No earwax. My ear is clean. Everywhere is just naturally silent.

"Really?!" Mum asked in awe.

"Baby..." Dad called her softly but she held his hand. Skye looked at me and back at mum before shrugging.

"Yes. You are a rape survivor and there is no other person I can think of for this position than you. You'd be able to educate a lot of girls on rape." Skye spoke carefully. I watched the drama unfold before my eyes, but I was still eating.

I don't play with my tummy.

"Oh my God." Mum whispered and sniffed. That was when I realized she was crying.

"Mum, are you crying?" I asked, suddenly alarmed. Skye rushed over to her side.

"I'm so sorry I brought it up. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry mummy." She kept apologizing.

"Honey, are you okay?" Daddy asked, holding mum's hand. Mum sniffed and smiled through her tears.

"I'm fine. I'm just really happy." Skye sighed in relief and hugged her. I smiled. "My baby, don't apologize. It would be an honour to speak in your seminar. This is like a dream come true." Mummy said, hugging Skye closely. Dad smiled as he soothingly caressed mum's back. I smiled at the simple, yet romantic gesture.

God when? I asked, looking up.

When you tell Elyon you like her, big head. My subconscious mocked me.

"I also want to call Aunt Aisha since she's a Lawyer and an advocate for things like this." Skye announced and I unconsciously squealed in excitement and everyone laughed at me.

My Aunt Aisha was the best. She was married to one of the best lawyers in the country and she was a lawyer herself. Very established and successful. Her entire family was a vibe, especially uncle Hakeem and my cousins, Amir and Amina. Amir and Amina were also twins, holder than Skye and I with six good years. Then, there Khalil. He was me and Skye's age mate and a total ass.

"I think I should mention it now." Mum smiled, looking at dad who nodded. "Aunt Aisha is in town with her Family." Mum announced. Skye and I went wild, running around the house like children high on sugar, screaming out lungs out

"Oya, calm your blood." Dad said and we settled down. "She is actually the one handling Semilore's case. There is no lawyer as good as a Gobir, you know." Dad smirked and we laughed.

"When you say she's here with her family. Do you also mean her children?" I asked. I wanted to know how to avoid Khalil at all cost.

"No. Amina is working, so is Amir. Khalil is in school as well. So it's just Aisha and Hakeem." Dad clarified and I nodded.

"Would you help me talk to aunt Aisha about the..." Skye asked mum who nodded.

"I'm sure she would be glad to." Mum said. Skye looked at me, raising her fist up. I smiled and raised my up as well, bumping fists with her.

Pound it.

A/N

Rape...

I had to bring it in because what is happening in our country is really breaking my heart. Rape is not only a crime against the law but also a crime against humanity and there is no excuse for Rape.

I decided to bring in Zaria to this one because she was a rape survivor. It was as if God planned it because this is a perfect timing. Aisha and Hakeem would show their face in the next chapter. Everyone has been asking where they went to.

On a light mood... The next chapter might finally have a kiss scene of our favorite couple... No, not Soma and Vanessa. I meant Jamal and Elyon. It might... It depends on a lot of things 🌚🌚🌚.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Skye is pretty devastated at what Mateo said and Jamal's flash backs have started to resurface. There are still tons of drama to come.

Are you ready?

Don't forget to vote, share and comment. I love y'all and I'll probably see you before weekend.

Stay safe and Say no to Rape.