𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐃 • 𝐏 𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 𝐎 𝐍 • 𝐏 𝐎 𝐕
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The graduation ceremony had just ended. Graduates and their families lingered around the corners of the school, exchanging hugs, goodbyes, and heartfelt farewells. Some even broke into tears, their emotions spilling over and smudging carefully applied makeup.

The realization that they would never return here as students had finally sunk in, making the moment even more overwhelming.

While others were lost in tears, Sonia was celebrating with her friends-laughing, taking photos, and soaking in the final moments. Together, they reminisced about the first day they had stepped into KIHS, now just a cherished memory.

"I've finally graduated, guys!" Dexter shouted, throwing his hands in the air with a wide grin. "I pour this school spit-tueh!"

Desmond immediately took a step back, laughing as he shielded his shoes. "Abeg, no pour spit for my shoe o! This one just dey show excitement like say he win award."

Dexter burst into laughter, clearly unfazed. "Guy, you no understand. This school almost finish me. Six years of pure wahala!"

The group erupted in laughter, the shared frustration turning into a moment of comic relief. The sun was starting to set behind the school building, casting a warm glow over their final moments on campus.

"So," Derrick said, adjusting his sunglasses and looking around at the group, "are you all coming to the after-party or what?"

"You don't even need to ask," Dexter said, chest puffed with energy. "I'm active like mad! Where's the location?"

Derrick smirked. "We're turning up at THE BOX. Exclusive vibes only. Let everyone know."

"Say less!" Dexter grinned. "This graduation go loud!"

"Oh, and someone should remember to bring one bottle of ice-cold red wine," Derrick added, rubbing his hands together. "Make e complete. We must celebrate properly tonight."

"Red wine?" Desmond laughed. "You sure say you no mean five bottles?"

"Five?" Dexter asked, raising a brow. "Guy, we need crate! Graduation no be everyday."

The group laughed again, their voices blending with the fading echoes of the celebration around the school. The future was uncertain, but tonight was for joy, release, and the sweet taste of freedom.

𖣎𖣎𖣎𖣎𖣎𖣎

As they stepped into the club, it was obvious they had the whole place to themselves. Only their classmates were inside. Private party, no outsiders involved.

"After Party" by Don Toliver blared from the speakers, bass shaking the floor. Neon lights pulsed with the beat. The mood was just perfect: wild and free.

Derrick dropped onto one of the velvet couches like he owned the place. "I brought a surprise artist for us," he said, smirking.

Dexter raised an eyebrow as he grabbed a chilled Smirnoff from the waiter. "Abeg, I hope it's not one of those upcoming artists with one single on Audiomack."

Derrick laughed. "Relax. You'll be surprised."

"You sha surprise me with this venue," Dexter said, scanning the vibrant lights and setup of THE BOX, clearly impressed.

"Oya, make I give you benefit of doubt." He reached for a chilled bottle of Smirnoff on the table, casually pouring some into a plastic cup, ice clinking softly inside.

Desmond leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow as he watched. "See finish o," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Dexter caught it and burst into laughter. "Guy, shut up!" he chuckled.

Desmond playfully shoved him, and both of them laughed harder, attracting a few amused glances from nearby classmates.

Suddenly, cutting through the noise of the music and chatter, Sonia's voice rang out.

"I want suya," she announced, standing with both hands clasped behind her back like a child asking for candy. Her eyes widened as she turned them on Derrick, complete with exaggerated puppy-dog innocence.

Derrick, caught mid-sip of his drink, raised a brow.

"Go and collect suya na," he said, waving her off dismissively. "Abi you want me to carry you there?"

Sonia gasped and placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "Wow. So this is the kind of man you are?"

Before Derrick could respond, Flora stood up from her spot, slowly and deliberately, like someone preparing for a performance. Her voice was clear and assertive.

"Oga, be like say you no hear her well," she said, folding her arms. "She said WE want suya."

As if on cue, Kelechi and Zainab appeared behind her, both with arms folded across their chests, nodding in solidarity like backup dancers in a confrontation scene. The three of them looked like they meant business.

Derrick blinked. "Ah, I be one man-how I wan face una like this?"

"You better find that suya man before we change am for you," Kelechi added, a playful smirk on her lips.

Dexter leaned over, whispering loudly to Desmond, "This one don turn tribunal."

Desmond snorted into his drink, trying not to laugh too hard. "Abeg, Derrick just comply. Na small thing dey turn protest."

"Okay, okay!" Derrick stood up, hands in the air like a man surrendering. "Una don win. Suya dey come."

The girls exchanged satisfied glances, already plotting what else they could get out of him before the night was over.

"If there's pizza also bring for us o." Flora voiced out.

"Aye aye captain." Derrick mock saluted, as he left them to go get the things they requested for.

♠♠♠♠♠♠

Sonia balanced a slice of pizza in one hand, clutching her dress with the other as she moved through the crowd, scanning for Derrick.

He had vanished right after bringing them the suya and pizza. At first, she figured he just stepped out to the restroom maybe-but now it had been over an hour and he still hadn't returned.

She searched the club, weaving through groups, ducking strobe lights, and stumbling into scenes she immediately wished she hadn't seen.

Just as she was about to give up, she spotted a curtained-off balcony at the far end. Something about it felt... out of place.

She walked over, hesitated, then pulled the curtain aside.

There he was.

Derrick sat alone on a chair outside, head tilted back, cigarette burning between his fingers, the smoke curling into the night air.

Sonia knew Derrick smoked. Everyone did. But it had been a while since she'd actually seen him light one.

Now, the same Derrick who'd been all laughs and energy just hours ago sat slouched in the dark, eyes heavy, smoke drifting around him. Something was off.

"Hi, Derrick," Sonia said softly.

He flinched, clearly startled. In one quick move, he flicked the cigarette to the floor and crushed it under his shoe.

"What's wrong?" she asked, stepping closer. "Why are you out here alone?"

"It's nothing," he said, brushing it off. But his eyes didn't match his voice.

Sonia didn't move. She just stood there, watching him.

"Derrick," she said again, this time firmer. "Don't do that. Don't brush me off."

He looked away.

"I've known you for how long? I know when something's wrong. You're not fine."

Silence.

"You disappeared for over an hour. You're out here in the dark, smoking like your world is falling apart. And you think 'It's nothing' is going to cut it?"

He sighed, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. "I didn't want to ruin the night."

"Too late," Sonia said quietly. "Now I'm here wondering what I missed... and what you're hiding."

Derrick didn't respond immediately. His jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists for a second, then relaxed.

"You won't understand," he muttered.

"Try me," she shot back. "You've been there for everyone tonight. Let someone be there for you."

"It's just that..." he paused, his eyes fixed on the ground as if trying to gather the right words from the floor beneath him. His voice wavered slightly, caught between hesitation and the urge to be honest.

"I'm just scared, Sonia. That's really it." The words spilled out at last-quiet but heavy, like a weight he had been carrying for too long.

Sonia quietly moved closer, taking a seat beside him. She turned to face him fully, her eyes searching his. Her hand gently rested on his arm, offering silent comfort and reassurance.

"Scared of what, exactly?" she asked softly, her tone patient. She didn't push-just made space for him to speak, in his own time.

He inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled, as if the breath might carry away a fraction of his fear.

"Now that my dad is in prison, I'm automatically in charge," he said, his voice low. "For years, I've wished he was out of the picture-he made life hell for all of us. But now that it's happened, I'm realizing I never really thought it through. I didn't consider what would come next."

His gaze shifted toward the horizon, eyes distant.

"I have to look after Daphne now. She's just a kid-she depends on me. And I need to start making serious money to take care of her, to give her a better life than we had. But what if I fail, Sonia? What if I can't do it?"

His voice cracked slightly at the end, his vulnerability laid bare.

Sonia gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, her voice steady. "You're not alone in this. And the fact that you're even worried about failing shows just how much you care. That already makes you different from him."

"I'm just worried, that's all," Derrick said with a faint smile, his voice low. "I really didn't mean to spoil your night."

"Spoil my night ke?" Sonia tilted her head, eyes narrowing in disbelief. "How can I even enjoy anything knowing you're over here sulking? You think I came here just to dance and drink?"

He let out a small chuckle, more out of guilt than humor.

Sonia stepped closer, her tone softening. "Oya come, let's dance. Leave the future for now-one step at a time. Life doesn't always go as planned, and the future isn't promised... but I believe yours will turn out exactly how you want it. You've got too much heart to fail, Derrick. Your future is going to be great."

Before he could protest, Sonia grabbed his hand and pulled him up from the couch with surprising force, nearly making him stumble. Laughing, she pushed him gently toward the main lounge where the others were gathered, the music already pulsing through the walls.

The lounge was already alive with music-Afrobeats thumping through the speakers, vibrating through the floor and into their chests. A soft glow of neon lights painted the space in hues of deep blue and violet, with streaks of gold flickering like starlight across the walls.

The center of the room had been cleared to create a makeshift dance floor, where a few guests were already lost in the rhythm-shoulders bouncing, feet moving in sync with the pulsing bass, and hips swaying to the beat. Laughter and chatter blended seamlessly with the sound, turning the space into a sanctuary of joy.

Desmond spotted them and stood up. "Guy, where have you been?" he asked, eyes flicking between Derrick and Sonia.

"It's very obvious the both of them went to run things," Dexter said with a knowing smirk, wiggling his brows in exaggerated fashion. "Opueh at its peak, if you understand."

Sonia rolled her eyes and gave him a playful jab in the ribs. "We didn't do anything, you fool."

Dexter gasped, clutching his side dramatically. "That's what they all say, o! Oya, enough talking-let's dance before the DJ begins to pack."

With a dramatic flair, he pulled Flora up from the couch. She laughed, letting herself be spun toward the dance floor. Kelechi and Zainab joined them, forming a small circle in the middle of the room.

Derrick stood awkwardly at first, rocking side to side while trying not to look stiff. Sonia nudged him.

"Loosen up, abeg. It's not a job interview."

She began to dance in front of him-shoulders rolling, waist moving in graceful rhythm, her smile wide and carefree. Her energy was contagious. Derrick finally let himself go, raising his arms, moving his feet to the beat, and syncing with the collective vibe.

Laughter echoed through the room as Desmond attempted a legwork move and nearly fell over. Dexter dropped into a shaku-shaku, complete with exaggerated seriousness, drawing cheers from the others.

Phones were out, flashlights were on, and the whole moment felt like something worth capturing. The heat of the room, the scent of perfume mixed with grilled suya from outside, and the energy of youth and freedom wrapped everything into a perfect memory.

Tonight, they weren't worried about grades, jobs, or responsibilities.

Tonight, they were just alive.

******
A/N

Hi gaizzz

Sorry for the late update, but it has just been a busy week 😭

Also after this chapter is the epilogue and after that this book can finally rest.

Thank you guys for the support.

It means a lot to me💕

Enjoy... Vote and comment.

Byeeeee💗