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"With our unique differences, we make each other strong..."
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Dedicated to  don_chizzy   her votes and comments motivated me to post this chapter!!

A big shout out to Siiuews      for her votes. Thanks a lot 💖

Another shout out to _IRELAND_03           She's a real babe. She just published her first book --- Beautifully Flawed. Check it out and show her some love❣️

We begin:     

                     ~BOLU~

Alexander Badmus talked a lot…too much, in fact. I got tired. He had vibes but Omo mehn, baba sabi talk gan oh. I looked around as I tried to find a way to escape from him.

Lesson learned: Even if you’ll be a two hundredth wheel, never leave the friends you know to the acquaintances you don’t know. Taken?

I honestly did not remember a time we had talked like this back in THI.

We were still in the house and the party was still on. They had done a lot of activities though. Turns out the stage wasn’t just for decoration. Ninu and Goke kept engaging everyone in fun stuffs to make the party lively.

Ninu made Sukky and his geng twerk on the stage, embarrassing them in the process because they were literally shaking air.

Trust me, it was a funny sight. There’s gonna be lots of videos on people’s status today. Might even have to mute some.

As in, Sukanmi, Jare and Kome, the boys whom every single soul in our set detested but didn’t dare mess with them because apart from the fact that they were clearly idiots, they were bullies and merciless.

Anytime I mistakenly happened to be in the same hallway with them, I avoided direct eye contact with them or just changed my direction. I hated causing trouble so I avoided them like a plague.

But Ninuola Adams was a human did not give two pickles about any freaking person. She was the one who called them out to twerk and disgrace themselves. And the babe was busy laughing her butt off. Goke did not dare protest against what she did.

Everything was indeed lively but I just wanted to get outta here.

I actually wondered where my friends were. I hadn’t sighted Nina, Ayo, Fred, Joy…or any of the other guys at all.

Chidera, Ore and Ashley were still around the table though, talking with other people, probably from other schools whom I didn’t know or care about. Ore kept glancing at Alex and me at intervals as he talked to his ‘fans’.

“You’re on whatsapp, right?” Alex’s voice brought me back to reality.

Duh!

I nodded. “Yup.”

“Can I get your digits?”

Na so, this is where it all leads to. Getting my number. Typical Naija guys. I rolled my eyes mentally.

“Sure.”

He smiled, showing off his white teeth and handed me his Iphone.

Mad oh! Everybody is using Iphone anyhow. God when?

I typed in my number nonetheless and handed him back his phone.

“Thanks. I’ll send you a dm later,” he said then winked at me. I smiled a little before nodding.

For a guy, Alex wasn’t bad looking at all, not bad looking at all. In fact, he was a hunk. Had curly brown hair, broad shoulders and tall, taller than me. Had a nice smile and white teeth, God bless his dentist. His brows weren’t too thick and he had this habit of moving them up and down, involuntarily and easily as he talked. He had a dimple on his forehead too. Yeah, I know. Very weird place for a dimple location.

“So…” he started saying again and I wondered what he still had to tell when he had practically and legit told me his whole life story plus his family history and things that I did not wanna know like how he got his favorite shoes; he got cut off by Ninu’s voice that came from the speakers.  And I’ve never been more grateful…

“Are you ready for the last but not least event of the night?” She yelled into the mic.

People responded with “Yes’s and Yeah’s” I said yes in my mind ‘cause I wondered what it was.

“Of course you are but before that, let’s all appreciate the birthday celebrant, Ashley Badmus!” Goke said and the spotlight landed on Ashley as she just stared at everyone without any form of emotion on her face.

Wonder what was going on in her mind.

Everybody cheered, with Chidera screaming her lungs out for her friend. Others around the table just clapped casually.

I saw Ore look at his phone, whisper something to Chidera and excuse himself from the table, after she kissed his cheek.

The love is strong.

“Okay, okay so we’re gonna end this night with a game we know all too well. It’s cliché and highly overrated. I honestly did not like the idea of us playing it but__” Ninu started, but Goke cut her off.

Typical Ninuola. Always one to speak her mind whenever and wherever.

“Don’t mind my co-presenter, she’s being boring right now,” He chuckled nervously and got a laugh from the audience. I didn’t see it but I was sure Ninu glared at him as he continued. “Anyway we’re gonna end this night with a game of Truth or Dare!”

The crowd cheered. I rolled my eyes. That game! I honestly did not know why people liked it so much. I disliked, no HATED that game.

It put me in a lot of trouble back in junior school. And I don’t wanna talk about it. Case closed!

“So we’re all gonna have to rearrange our seats into one big, round circle…” Ninu said and I did not wait to listen to the rest of whatever she had to say. I got up with my backpack and tucked my phone in my pocket.

I felt a hand drag me down. It was Alex’s. “Babe, where are you going na?”

“I uh…need to use the toilet. I’ve been holding it in for a long time,” I lied and he let go of my hand slowly.

He nodded. “Okay then, be back soon.”

“Sure thing,” I lied again and almost ran out of the huge sitting room. It wasn’t until I got out that I released the breath I never knew I held.

I checked the time on my phone after I took it from my pocket. It was a few minutes to eleven o’ clock.

Geez, time has gone oh.

We hadn’t planned to go back home anyway because it was a sleepover party. Where are we gonna sleep in this big house sef? Nina would know. She had probably told Ninuola to reserve a space for us somewhere.

I sent her a text on whatsapp and she didn’t reply immediately which was surprising because Nina was always online.

Or maybe she was busy with Ayo...

Oh, my baby’s all grown up now.

I shrugged it off and texted Ninu instead. As expected, she didn’t reply immediately because she was obviously busy. I'd just wait for her to reply later.

I kept my place slow and steady as I walked to the backyard where the pool was located, admiring the scene around me.

The poolside was already empty and I wondered how and when everybody left the place to go inside.

As I kept walking, I saw a human silhouette at the far end of the pool. Couldn’t tell if it was a he or a she until I got closer.

I squinted my eyes and realized it was a he. I shrugged as I decided to mind my business but I heard loud and angry swearing from a voice that was all too familiar.

Ore Jumai.

And God, the profanities he muttered mehn…

Somebody should comman sprinkle holy water on my soul abeg!

I stopped on my tracks and walked slowly to where he stood, not wanting to but just following my feet. He was still cussing.

I stood behind and watched him quietly, not knowing exactly what to do. I had never seen any human being (apart from Monjola Taiwo) cuss so much in my life.

After a while, he turned around and we both froze. He squinted his eyes and walked closer to me.

“Boluwaji?”

His voice sounded weak and slightly hoarse. His full brown hair stuck out like he had run his hand through its strands a couple of times. He wore ripped jeans —couldn’t tell the color but it was probably grey or faded black — coupled with a black hoodie which had multicolored designs at the front. His feet were clad in dark colored boots. Even in the dim light of the night, he looked good. Too good.

E choke.

“Um…Yes.” I smiled awkwardly. “Uh…I should just leave.” I made to turn around but his voice stopped me.

“No, wait!”

I turned to face him again.

“How long have you been standing here?” He asked, gesturing with his index finger.

“I think for about five minutes or less. Heard your cussing and all…” I swung my weight from left to right.

“Oh…that,” He chuckled nervously.

“Sorry about that. I happen to swear a lot when I get upset or when I’m under pressure.” He massaged his neck.

“Noted.” I nodded and kept swinging my weight.

“Yeah…can we talk, please?” His voice was clearer now.

“Okay…” I replied and he gestured towards the pool side. He took of his shoes, rolled up his ripped jeans and sat down, relaxing his feet in the water. My eyes followed his every move.

“I know I’m like so freaking hot but if you keep staring at me like that, you’re gonna drown.” He looked up at me with a stupid smirk on his face.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him.

Give him a little attention and he turns all cocky.

I ignored his comment and sat down beside him, crossing my legs under my thighs.

“You look gorgeous today, by the way,” he said shocking me in the process. I stared at him, mouth slightly agape before responding.

“Thanks… I guess and you too.” I smiled. “You wanted to talk?”

“Was it only my swearing you heard? Did you also see me on the phone, perhaps hear my conversation?”

“Nope. I heard only the swearing part,” I answered honestly.

He heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank God.” He ran his hands over his face. “Things are just jam packed right now…and it’s getting me all worked up, you know, coupled with being the head boy and stuff and…I’m just…” He sighed. “I’m just tired. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all these. I shouldn’t even bother you with my problems.”

Problems? Ore Jumai had problems? Apart from being cocky and full of himself what other problems could he have?

“Okay…” I raised an eyebrow.

“How are you?” 

“Huh?”

“As per, how you dey? If you no sabi English, I fit speak pidgin for you.”

I glared at him. “Of course I understand English, mumu!”

“Then respond, mama!”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I’m sha fine. I’m okay.”

“Oh I see, Is that why you left the party? You were enjoying the company of the boy…uh…what’s his name again? Uh…yeah, Alex. You were enjoying his company, were you not?”

“Pssh, I was until he started talking too much, telling me things I certainly did not need to know.” I rolled my eyes. Ore laughed. “And again, they started playing truth or dare, that game… e choke.” I shivered in mock fear.

“You don’t like Truth or Dare?”

“No! I do not, abeg! It brings back bad memories.” I frowned.

He just laughed at me again, more like, he laughed at my frown. “Okay, okay. Your frown is cute.”

“Awww, I’m blushing,” I replied sarcastically and rolled my eyes.
  
“Clearly. ‘Cause all girls blush when they see me.”

“Not this girl.” I shook my head.

“But you just said you were blushing na.”

“You know I was being sarcastic.”

“Nope. Under the façade of sarcasm, lies truth, which in this case, is the fact that you were really blushing. Case closed, Jayeola!” He wiggled his eyebrows once and smirked.

I glared at him. “I would have said I hate you but nah…I don’t waste hatred on…people like you.”

He laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. “Suit yourself mumu. You can never have sense.”

“Waji, you and I both know that’s not true.” He winked at me.

“Name’s Boluwaji, pronounce it in full or I shenk you. Told you before that I did not need a nickname. And in spite of how smart you claim to be, you couldn’t even come up with a fresh nickname for me.”

Yeah, I just rhymed.

Be and me, get it?

“I don’t care what you think but I will call you Waji. And you will not shenk me because I am Ore Jumai – The Unshenkable!” He crossed his arms and feigned seriousness.

I drew my head back then stared at him wide eyed and in a few seconds, I burst out laughing. I cackled hard.

What did he just call himself?

Unshenka- what? Lmaooooo! This was one part of Ore Jumai that I really liked. The carefree, silly and humorous part of him.

Hard to believe he was the same person that was upset few minutes ago.

I heard him laugh too. His deep baritone voice and my girly giggle echoed through the silence of the night.

After we finished laughing, I exhaled and had this strong urge to jump into the pool but controlled myself. I’m not sure getting wet is a very good thing right now, considering it was already getting cold.

The harmattan wind had come as it was already December. I didn’t want it manifesting wonders in my life. Before someone will goan turn to frozen chicken.

“Funny how you laugh easily, Waji.”

“Yeah…” I drew out then snapped, wagging my finger at him. “Don’t call me__” The gusting of the very cold harmattan breeze cut me short. “Omo, cold don come oh.” I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. Who sent me to goan wear a sleeveless top now? Harmattan will manifest wonders in my life las, las. Father Lord.

“Yup and I think it’s time to get my legs outta here,” He said and pulled his hairy legs out of the pool, rolled down his trousers, wore his socks and his shoes. He crossed his legs under his thighs too, like I did.

I stood up and opened my backpack when the wind grew colder, hoping seriously that I brought a sweater, jacket or something. I could feel my skin getting Goosebumps.

“What are you looking for, Waji?”

I looked up from my backpack to see his head was turned in my direction, looking up at me. “Um… a sweater or something. The cold is too much.” I looked back at my backpack and kept shuffling through it. Guess what? I found nothing. “Great! I did not bring anything.” I zipped up the bag and threw my hands in the air.

“I knew you would forget to bring it. Old mama!”

I glared at him and dragged a long hiss, attempting to walk away, when he grabbed my arm real fast and sat me close to him. Very close. I moved a little. A lot. “Relax ma. Take it easy, okay?”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I stared at the water in the pool and was about to focus on its ripples when my side eye caught him taking off his hoodie.

In this cold?

My guy get balls oh.

“Here, take mine.”

“Uh…you’re giving me your hoodie?”

“Duh, yes!”

“Why?”

“You’ll soon be frozen chicken and I’m being a good Nigerian citizen so stop asking questions and take it.”

I stared at him in shock. How often do boys…no, scratch that. How often does Ore Jumai give people his clothing?

“Come on, take it.”

“But won’t you feel cold?”

“Shhh. No more questions. Take it.”

I kept staring at him, surprised by how kind he was being right now when I heard him hiss slightly, unzip the hoodie and put it around me, practically wearing it for me, calloused palms grazing my skin gently.

He tucked my hands in the almost oversized-for-me and probably very expensive black Lindale Brand hoodie and pulled my braids out. He left the zipper for me to zip up myself.

“Thank you, Ore,” I said sincerely and zipped it up.

“Always at your service, ma’am,” He feigned one very stupid accent and I chuckled.

“Pele oh. Bite your tongue.”

He just laughed and silence ensued between us but it was a loud silence, a heavy one, one that made me feel some unsaid things needed to be said and they had to come from me.

I don’t exactly know who’s at fault but could you really blame me?

Was it really bad that I had ignored him those times without him knowing exactly what he did to me?

Was it really bad that I felt he already judged me?

Made up his mind about me?

About how dumb and dishonest I was?

Or was it just those voices in my head that told me he judged me?

But you don’t know his mind Bolu and he’s being really nice. Talking to you even after you practically shenked him.

You shenked Ore Jumai and he’s still talking to you? Still making an effort to see through you?

As in, Ore Jumai, the most popular boy at RBA, head boy for that matter. Known to you as a proud and cocky human being.

Omo, you get luck gan oh.

I leaned on my hands, placed on the ground behind me and inhaled the cool breeze, closing my eyes and feeling the cold warmth the night brought. I tried to prepare myself mentally for what I would say to him when…

*SNAP*

I opened my eyes and turned to see him grinning at his phone like he just won money from Naira Bet.

Wait…hold up! Did he just TAKE MY PICTURE?

“Did you just take my picture?” I asked, staring at him, wide eyed.

“Yes,” He said like it was no big deal.

“What? Give me your phone! Now!”

“Okay.” He handed it to me with a smirk.

I checked the picture and honestly, it was well shot. I looked good in it but there was no way I’d leave it be on his phone so I deleted it, or so I thought.

I handed him back his phone and he just kept grinning.

I watched as he pressed it a little and then showed me the picture I thought I just deleted.

What?

My mouth hung agape.

“It’s an Iphone, mama. Beeni. Close your mouth. You can’t delete any picture except I wanna ‘cause it all goes to the icloud,” he stated.

Wahala for who no get Iphone oh.

E come be like us wey dey manage Infinix Note8.

I frowned and dragged a long hiss.

“Whatever jhor! I don’t care sef.”

“Oh great, that means I can post it then!”

I just shook my head at him.

He wouldn’t dare…or would he?

“I’ve been a female jerk,” I said after overthinking and arranging words in my head to tell him. And that was the best I could come up with. Real smooth…

Not.

“What?”

“As per, I’ve been really somehow towards you. I just have this stupid mood swings sometimes that makes me take irrational decisions and treat people who don’t deserve anyhow treatment.” I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted, mama. I honestly wanted to ask you why you started snubbing me.”

I sighed. “It’s just…I thought you judged me, you know. The way you looked at me the other time when I lied to Nina about my GCE result? I thought you must have considered me the worst human being alive.”

“Look, Jayeola, if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s not to judge people. Maybe you misread my facial expression that day but I just felt surprised that you would lie about something like that and to your best friend. I didn’t judge you. Never did and never will. Besides you’re too cute to be considered the worst human being alive.”

I smiled. “Thanks for understanding, Ore.”

“You’re welcome and if you need any help…” he started but I cut him off by shaking my head.
 
“Nope. I won’t need any. Thanks again,” I responded quickly.

“Okay then.” He nodded and smiled.

He did not need to help me with anything.

I could do this on my own. If Nina reads and understands real fast, then I can do it too. He won’t help me. My insecurities and ego won’t let me allow him help me.

You know you can't do this on your own.

Yeah, you can't do anything!

I ignored those voices and continued my speech.

“And looking back, we’ve not exactly been friends so…” I stretched out an arm. “Friends?”

He looked at my hand and then at my face with surprise before shaking it. “Friends.”

As we shook on it, we maintained eye contact and I could finally see what was beyond those deep brown eyes of his.

They held sincerity, softheartedness, simplicity, confidence and at the same time, vulnerability.

My original assumptions about him were wrong. Ore Jumai was not the proud, stuck up boy I thought he was, he could be cocky, yes, but he was just like any normal teenage boy with his own challenges and trying to scale through life as he deemed it fit.

So Bolu's eyes have been open, after all these years😂

I'm actually mimicking her right now. LMAO! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Anyway, how far?

How are youse?

I didn't wanna post this chapter until later but you guys are amazing so...here😁

So... questions?

Alex Badmus?

Thoughts about him??

Ore?? Why was he so angry???

Ashley?

Sukky and his stupid geng?

Yes, I called them stupid😂😂😂

And where the heck did Nina go, abeg?🤔 She almost left the #Ninayo / #Aina / #Niyo 😂😂 ship hanging.

Y'all should comment and vote and share.

And pray for me oh, abeg because only God knows when I'll update after this. Normally, I don't like to update a chapter without having at least another ahead, you get but e be things. You guys made me happy, so happy 😩😩😩😩

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~~Ife