Christmas is around the corner. Bare with me if my updates are not too frequent. I'm going to be very busy but I'll definitely make time. If you haven't followed @wattnaija on IG and Twitter and also me @iyanu-temi on IG, I'll soon comman torment you in your dream 😎😎

The Olympia is almost over.

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Let's Dive in.

↭KHALIL↭

I was disturbed.

Very disturbed.

Final round of the basketball game with Crescent high was just few hours away and I haven't been able to get my head in the game. Training has been sloppy, even Coach testified that I was absent minded. No matter how much I tried to convince him, and myself, that I was fine, it was like I was getting worse.

"Time out!" Coach screamed after blowing the whistle like his life depended on it. I sighed, raising the hem of my Jersey to dab the sweat from my forehead.

"Everyone take one hour, we'll be back for a train before the game starts." He told the guys on the court and they began to disperse. I made to follow them but Coach's voice stopped me. "Khalil, can I have a word with you." It was more of a statement than a question because I obviously couldn't say no.

I walked closer to him and he led me to a corner of the court, away from ear shots.

"Khalil, you mind isn't here." His started and I looked straight ahead, not knowing how to reply him. I could tell by his voice that he was trying to be as calm as possible but knowing coach Sola, it was just a matter of time before he looses his shit.

"You had a major role to play in our win against Citadel's demigods yesterday, leaving us to face Crescent in the finals. Crescent's forte is basketball and we can't afford any lapses at the point."

"I'm trying my best coach." I told him and he scoffed in return.

Like, can you just give me a break!

"You are not trying hard enough!" He snapped back. "We were creamed in football this morning, giving them an upper hand. We need to win this game to even the odds-

Whatever you have going on in your mind, I want you to drop it before the game, get your head straight. You can as well pick them back after we win Crescent's Enigmas. Do you understand?!" I nodded in reply, wanting nothing more but to get away from there.

I walked out of the court and to the bleachers, wanting to clear my head, to purge my mind of every thought ragging in it. I looked up and my eyes met with Kunle's. He was talking to someone and smiling but immediately his eyes met mine, his smile turned upside down, his face contorting into a scowl. I didn't pay him any mind, looking away and settling back on the bleachers.

He wasn't an issue to me, even though I knew why he didn't really vibe with me like he did with the others.

The reason was pretty obvious.

But I didn't care at this point because honestly, I just wanted to sleep and forget the world exists.

But it seemed like the universe was against my wish because my phone rang and when I looked at the caller, I actually prayed for thunder to actually strike me. That way I will have a tangible excuse to ignore the phone call. That's basically the only excuse he would buy if I ignored his phone call.

I had no other choice but to pick up the call. That was when I even noticed he had called me five times before.

I'm definitely getting a ear full today.

"Good afternoon sir." I greeted, getting ready for the shouting.

In 3...

2...

1...

"Olumide!" A loud growl followed my greeting, just as expected. "I have been trying to call you but you weren't picking my call. Why?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you, Magistrate Hakeem Zayd Gobir. My Father.

"I was on the court sir." I replied him. There was no use hiding that fact from him. He already knew. He has known for two days now and I haven't been able to hear the end of it.

"Why am I not surprised." A scoff followed his disdainful tone and I sighed, rubbing my temple. "You have decided to disobey me, Olumide. After I specifically told you not to play that sport, you went ahead to pick it again."

Here we go again... I rolled my eyes

"I am not picking it up again sir." I responded calmly, trying to reason with him. "Our school is in a sports and academic competition and they were short on players so I volunteered to help. I already explained this to you yesterday."

"Why didn't you volunteer to participate in the academy category? If this is your lame excuse to pick up basket ball again then you are certainly kidding yourself!" He snapped and I sighed. He keeps repeating the same thing over and over again and it's exhausting.

"Do you want me to order you back home?" He asked, his voice threatening and all my senses alerted.

"No sir." I replied hastily, my voice clearly pleading.

I can't afford to go back home. I'm beginning to like it here I'm just a short period of time.

I was myself here, even if it was just to a few people.

"Good. If you don't want to come back home, then you had better drop that sport for good. After this competition, you are dropping it permanently. Do I make myself clear?!"

"Yes sir."

"Don't ever think of being sneaky. You should know by now that I have eyes everywhere. Your mum doesn't need to tell me anything before I know." He stated matter-of-factly and I nodded like he could actually see me.

"Yes sir." I repeated. I knew I was beginning to sound like a broken record.

Two girls from Citadel were passing by the bleachers. They were looking at my direction, giggling and whispering to themselves. One of them was bold enough to actually wave at me. I flashed her a faux smile and looked away.

I wasn't in the mood.

"...You had better be taking your studies seriously or else!" My Father's voice cut through my reveries and I sighed in frustration for the umpteenth time.

"I am taking it seriously, Dad." I countered.

"You had better. When your mid semester test comes out, you must send your result to me straight away. Then, I can tell if you have improved or not." My Dad maintained his stance, his voice firm and I knew better than to argue with him.

"Yes sir." I answered.

"Good."

"Wait, Dad. How is..." I heard the click from the other end meaning my father had hung up. "Mum." I finished my statement even though he couldn't hear me anymore.

I hissed, feeling anger course through my veins. I've been getting calls like this since the beginning of the day. I had told my mum about The Olympia, giving her details about me playing basketball and how Jamal had hinted me about how scouts from numerous sport academies would be there. She was excited for me, telling how proud she was.

I was happy.

Only to get a call from Dad yesterday evening. He began to yell at me about how I had began to loose focus. This was the fifth time since yesterday he'd be calling me to remind me what comes first.

My Education.

Like I have forgotten. I hissed to myself.

I had received one of his calls the day before yesterday. Luckily, it came at the right time. I was able to channel my anger and frustration to beating up some assholes who dimmed it fit to actually touch my cousin.

Rooky mistake.

I've been able to avoid my father's prejudice by hiding under the wings of my paternal grandfather. Danladi Danjuma Gobir was the one who encouraged me go for what I loved. I was able to do that till he passed away several years ago. My dad, Barrister Hakeem Gobir took control and made sure I dropped Basketball, telling me severally that Basketball shouldn't be my priority.

He made sure I didn't make it my priority.

Even if I don't admit it, coming to Lagos was an escape for me. A big escape. The Olympia was my break through.

Or so I thought.

In utter frustration, I erroneously flung my phone. By the time I realized what I had done, someone had caught it.

Sophia.

"You must be incredibly rich to actually fling a Samsung Galaxy S20." She smirked, looking at my phone like it was some sort of specimen. A small smile appeared on my lips as I watched her. She turned to me, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Shey you will dash me?" She asked and I chuckled.

"No please. Give me back my phone, Sophia." I beckoned to her.

"Okay." She shrugged and threw the phone to me. I was not even ready so that caught me unawares. Luckily I was able to catch the phone, even though I almost tipped myself over.

"Haba! You want to break my phone?" I asked her, my eyes widened.

"When you were flinging it, you didn't know abi?" She mocked me and I chuckled.

I actually chuckled. A real chuckle.

For the first time in days.

"It's good to see you smile, or rather laugh." She stated as she settled beside me. I didn't say anything, just watched her. "Through out your training, you were obviously out of your element." She pointed out and I smirked.

"So you were watching me?" I asked her and she shrugged,  throwing a small smile my way. "We are playing against your school and you came to watch us."

"I've seen the guys of my school play and it isn't something special anymore." She looked at me, a smirk playing on her lips. "I wanted to see something different." She added and I let out a laugh, my chest feeling lighter.

"Wow. Should I be flattered because I am flattered." I told her and she turned to look at me with a bored expression, but still smirking.

"I don't flatter people. So, don't get used to it." She answered matter-of-factly.

"Yes ma'am." I gave her a mock bow and she gentle shoved me with her elbow, causing me to chuckle closely. We sat in a very comfortable silence for a moment.

Dare I say, Sophia has got to be the only person I was comfortable with.

And I have known her for just a few days.

"Seriously though," She started, the tone of her voice serious. "What's going on with you?" She asked me, looking directly at me. I sighed, shaking my head with a lone smile playing on my lips.

"Just like you said, I'm out of my element." I replied, not wanting to give her the full detail. "But I'm sure I'll be okay. I just need some time to think."

"I'm not stupid, Khalil. I'm definitely not buying that." She retorted, calmly though. "Whatever has got you all worked up must be pretty big that you absentmindedly threw your very expensive phone." She was looking at me now. I could see the concern look on her face and I could sense it in her tone as well.

She has a big heart. Even though she doesn't like to show it.

"Yes. You are right about it being something big." I told her.  "But, I've been able to handle it all my life and I think I can still do that." I gave her a reassuring smile even though she looked short of convinced.

"That's a very long time. No one should have to go through whatever it is you are going through for so long." She told me, placing a soothing hand on my shoulder and looking at me better.

"I know when someone is breaking, I've been there Khalil. You don't want to go down that road, trust me." She added and I smiled.

The fact that someone cares is enough for me to let go.

But it's not worth it.

"Sophia, I've been dealing with it for nineteen years, and counting." I stated. "I think I can handle a little more years." I added. She sighed, shaking her head, unconvinced. I sighed, pressing my hand against her thigh.

"I'll be okay." I told her, trying to assure her. "If anything, I should be asking about you." I nudged her and she turned to me, her eyebrows raised in question.

"What about me?" She asked me and I chuckled.

"I see how you look at him." I whispered to her and she looked at me, startled.

"What are you talking about?" She asked me and I smiled goofily, nudging her again.

"Kunle." I told her and she looked away, that was enough for me to know that I was right. It was pretty obvious. If others had not figured it out yet then they were either playing dumb or very oblivious.

"You are not trying to deny it." I stated and she sighed, her head hanging down for a moment before she looked back up and at me.

"Why would I? There is absolutely nothing to deny. It's not like I'm being entirely subtle anyway, for you to have noticed."

"You can say that. Plus, he keeps giving me attitude." I told her, an hinting tone in my voice which she noticed and chuckled at.

"I find that very hard to believe." She replied and I scoffed out a laughter.

I wasn't obviously to the fact that Kunle was always giving me a stink eye any time he sees me with Sophia. If looks could kill, I'd probably be six feet underground my now. I mean, he just flashed me disdainful look earlier. He hates my guts, it's pretty obvious. Just as much as I hated his.

I disliked indecisive people. And he was an indecisive person.

"For how long?" I asked her, watching her carefully.

"Since forever." She answered, a sad smile playing on her lips as she looked straight ahead, playing with her fingers. Knowing Sophia for just a short period of time, I could tell that she was a strong girl. It wasn't a facade, it was a quality I noticed immediately we met, immediately we spoke.

But some things still get under her skin.

She's after all still human.

"He is a jackass for not noticing you." I told her and she scoffed out a laugh, shaking her head.

"Oh, I think he noticed me." She replied, glancing at me for a bit. "He just made sure to set his priorities. I guess, I wasn't all that important like I thought I was to make it to the top of his list." She whispered, looking down. I could hear the sadness in her voice, in the way she spoke.

I was hurt for her.

"That makes him more of an asshole." I repeated.

"Don't do that." She told me, her tone in a slightly chiding manner. "Don't insult him. It's not his fault. We don't get to choose who we fall for." She said and I scoffed.

"Loving is a choice, Sophia. It's way more than just a feeling." I stated and she sighed, not saying any more words.

"What are you going to do?" I asked her. "Are you going to keep loving him or you are going to let him go?" I asked her. She looked up and at me. Her eyes already held the answer, but I couldn't decipher it.

"Khalil." A familiar voice called out and I looked down at the foot of the bleachers to see Tolani leaning against the railings, a look I knew very well on her face. I almost rolled my eyes.

"I should leave you two." Sophia said, giving me a small part on my shoulder before excusing herself, leaving me and Tolani alone.

I knew Tolani would start bickering, and I wasn't ready for that at all. I got up from the bleachers and made my way down to where Tolani was standing, watching me. I got to where she was and bypassed her. That was definitely going to tick her off.

"Are you seriously going to walk out on me?" She asked, an edge in her voice.

"I'm honestly not ready for one of your bickering, Tolani. I am not in the mood." I replied, walking further away from her. I heard footsteps from behind me and I knew that she was following me.

"Oh, so now you are not in the mood, just like always. But then you smile at her, talk to her, every single time!" I could sense the tiny bit of hurt in her voice but at this point, I was too tired, too frustrated to even care. In turned to look at her, my brows furrowed.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked her and she scoffed, folding her hand across her chest.

"I don't know? The fact that you completely shut me out since we've been here. You barely even talk to me, like you used to!" She snapped and I got extremely pissed.

"Hey!" I snapped, shutting her up and definitely startling her with the way I saw her veer back.

"Just because we have had sex a couple of times and we talk about things in drunken states a lot doesn't give you the fucking right to hover around me like an helicopter! Get that into your head Tolani!" I growled out and she veered back again, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

"Of course." She muttered, but loud enough for me to hear. "That's all I am to you, isn't it? Even after claiming otherwise several times." She blinked and beads of tears fell from her eyes. I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

"Tolani..." I called but she shook her head.

"Good to know what you think of me, Khalil. I'm not too surprised." She gave a small sad, broken smile and walked away. I cussed, scratching my scalp.

What did I just do?!

*****

"The game is about to end and Limelight's Trojans are still leading with 50 points to 35 for the Enigmas of Crescent High. Seems like the Trojans have brought their A Game on." The commentator said and I smirked, sweat dripping from my fore head as I stared at the clock.

Five more minutes.

I was able to channel all my anger and frustration into energy and let's just say, I scored thirty five of those fifty points. I could sight scouts in the bleachers and I felt my heart swell.

This is it, break through.

"Khalil!" Mateo yelled my name just as he threw the ball to me. I caught it without any effort but before I could shoot the ball again, defenders from Crescent High blocked me. My eyes locked with one, his vicious stare straight at me.

Kunle.

I bounced the ball, keeping my eyes between the guys that were blocking me and the clock. I only had two minutes now. I must make a shot now, score a three pointer or break through the defense and score an easy two pointer. Either way, Trojans were winning this game.

"Gobir Shoot!" Coach yelled. I made to shoot but Kunle made to hit the ball off my hand. I side stepped him and used my shoulder to hit away. He tripped but I didn't care, I took the shot, just the same time the final whistle went off.

Limelight student went insane with cheer as my team mates huddle around me, throwing me into a dog pile. I laughed heartily, feeling light headed...

Feeling happy...

For the first time in a very long while.

*****

"Khalil Gobir, I'd like you to meet Mr Johnson." Coach called my attention and I turned away from talking some of the team mates to look at him. I grinned, recognizing the man that stood with coach Sola.

"Good evening sir." I gave a small bow.

"Good evening son. That was some great work out there today." Mr Johnson commended.

"Thank you very much sir." I bowed again, grinning from ear to ear so much that my cheeks hurt.

"I'm very sure you know who I am." He stated and I nodded. " I recognize a very unique potential in you and I want you to be part of the NBA next year." He added. I tried to keep my excitement in.

"I'd very much like to sir. Thank you so much for this opportunity."

"You earned it." He stretched his card to me. "Give me a call when you are ready." He said and walked pass me. Coach Sola flashed me a wink before following Mr Johnson behind.

I looked at the card like it was the source of my joy. At this point it was. This card is basically the key to all my dreams coming through.

Breakthrough.

Someone suddenly bumped into me from behind and I almost tripped, the card almost falling from my hand. I could feel the person side step me, not apologizing one bit and I looked up, wanting to call the attention of whoever it was when I saw who it was.

Kunle.

Typical.

"Hey!" I called to him and he stopped, turning around to look at me, giving me a one over like I was trash. "You are supposed to apologize." I told him. He scoffed, crossing his hand over his chest.

"Apologize for what?" He asked, feigning ignorance. "If anything, you should apologize to me for standing in my way. But just like always, you are a byproduct that cannot be ignored." He spat out, his voice laced with venom.

His words hit my core. But I was still in a good mood so I closed my eyes to it.

"Do you have a problem with me, Kunle?" I asked him, my voice hushed and calm because the last thing I wanted was to call the attention of anyone to our side. Kunle scoffed, moving closer to me.

"What do you think? Do you think you are worth any of that stress? You think you are all that?!" He snapped, calling the attention of a few students around. I looked around and smirked.

Okay, so he is trying to pick a fight.

No wahala na. Let's go there.

"As a matter of fact, I think I am." I smirked, shrugging nonchalantly. "And you and I know it's not just about winning the game today." I told him. His expression shifted from just a glare to a murderous and deadly one.

"Shut your trap." Kunle growled out and I laughed.

What a coward. He called this upon himself and now he wants me to stop.

He wanted a fight and he'd definitely get one.

Even though, I was pretty sure Sophia won't talk to me after this.

But then, it would be worth it.

"Oh, now I should shut up?" I asked him, mocking him. I could see Jamal and Mateo walking towards the small gathered crowd. Coaches had gone out to talk to scouts and teachers weren't around as well.

Good.

"Are you so bitter that I am getting closer to Sophia than you have been with her in months? It's not my fault that she trusts me now more than she trusts you and that's saying a lot because, I have only known her in days." I tsked, shaking my head in mock pity and pouting.

"Such a shame because you are supposed to be her best friend." I shrugged, watching as his fist clenched and unclenched.

Good. Throw the first punch.

"Some friend you are." I shook my head.

I didn't see anything, the only thing I felt was excruciating pain coursing through the muscles of my face. I could feel myself flying and I groaned when I landed heavily on the floor.

Now, that's more like it.

I could hear gasps and my name being called in distance. My vision was blurry so I shook my head to clear it. I saw a shadow hovering around me and I looked up to see Kunle, his face contorted in a murderous look. I felt myself being picked up from the floor with the collar of my jersey and I smiled, tasting the blood in my mouth.

"You don't know anything about Sophia and I." Kunle growled. I could hear calls for both our names in the distance. They were coming to stop the fight.

Nah, I'm not going to let that happen.

"Oh, but I know plenty. And I know enough to be certain that you are a fücking asshole!" I spat in his face.

That was enough to rile him up, because I felt myself being kicked in the gut.

Let the party begin.

A/N

An entire chapter in Khalil's POV.

Khalil is a very complicated character with problems of his own. Problems that he is fighting hard to get rid of. He basically doesn't have time to think of anything, or anyone else. (If you get this gist, you get it nani.)

For everyone thinking his conversation with Sophia is another spoiler for Perfectly Imperfect 😂😂. It's God that will help you o because y'all will just confuse yourself, I swear.

I decided to give you guys a glimpse of his relationship with Tolani. You'll be seeing more of two of them together as this book goes on. They will have some sort of peculiar relationship. If you like, ship them. Na you sabi 🤣🤣.

The next chapter is the last chapter for The Olympia. Then every one will go back to school and the real drama starts afresh. Are you ready?

I don't know when next I'd be updating. It's Christmas week. But then, don't forget to VOTE and comment.

I love you 20 thousand (sorry it is small, my love is tired)

Question of the Day: Who is enjoying the new Beneath the Surface? 😏