"You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." – Babe Ruth

I updated early guys! 🌚Thanks for the 3k reads!!!💃💃💃

This chapter is dedicated to Just_Minah_ check out her books. They're really cool.😊

Song for this chapter is Girls Like You by Maroon5 ft. Cardi B. Yeah, I know it's kinda old but I love the song 🌚🌚

Pay close attention to this chapter.

Now, we move😌😌

                                  •BOLU•

We'd just finished our drinks when someone walked to our table to hand us the bill. She was young, dark skinned, curvy and really pretty. I wondered what she was doing working as a waitress instead of being in a fashion house.

"Um. . . here's your bill," she said and seemed to be smiling at both Ore and me but I figured she was more focused on Ore and that her smile was flirtatious.

I rolled my eyes, trying not to feel jealous because it was Ore Jumai, the extremely hot, good-looking and freaking popular head boy of RBA.

"Okay." He took the piece of paper from her as she tried to lean very close to him. "Do you guys do transfer?"

"Oh, sure. We do," she replied twirling her hair in her hands. Ore didn't seem to notice.

"I'm paying for my food, though," I said, remembering that I was supposed to do that and not let him pay for everything. Also, I may or may not have also spoken up to cut their interaction short.

Not that I was being jealous or anything -that's not it - but um. . .I just wanted not to be left out?

"Nope. I'm paying, mama." He looked up from typing on his phone, smirked at me, looked down again and continued.

"I said I wanna pay." I insisted.

"And that would be all, ma'am," he said ignoring me and looking up at the girl who in turn, looked like she was fuming 'cause he called her 'ma'am.'

I glared at him too. He just winked at me.

The waitress still stood there and kept staring at both of us.

"Can I have your number?"  Of course she was talking to Ore. I rolled my eyes, so confident that Ore wouldn't give her.

"Sure."

My eyes widened and  mouth hung agape as he burst my baloon by actually giving her. I tried not to be angry.

This was what Chidera experienced everyday? And yet she pretended to be fine in the relationship? Maybe she really was fine but I can't even stand this right now.

Suddenly, remembering Chidera made my chest constrict with guilt. I was going out with her boyfriend. Even though Ore told me he'd talk to her about them breaking up, I still felt guilty.

"Thanks a lot! I'll deffs send you a dm on whatsapp." The waiteress' excited squeal jolted me out of my reverie. She turned to me. "And by the way, I'm Neesha." She gave me a faux smile, eyeing me from up to down. "I guess you're fine sha. Enjoy your um. . . whatever it is you guys are doing!"

And she left. Thank God.

"Perks of being popular, huh?" Ore said smiling.

"Haha. Yeah," I said, playing with my fingers.

His eyes softened as he reached out to hold my hand on the table, squeezing it a little bit. "Waji, is something wrong?"

"Um. . .have you told Chidera yet?"

"Oh. . .that." His grip on my hand reduced a little as he rested his back on his seat. "Is that what you're worried about?"

"Yeah. And the fact that you gave the waitress your number. What's her name again? - um Neesha?"

He laughed softly and bit his lower lip.
"You're cute when you're all worried."

I glared at him.

He laughed - that nice smooth and deep rich sound, escaped his lips - quaking his shoulders as his Adam's apple bobbed. "Seriously, mama. Don't be worried about Neesha or whatever because you know what?" He leaned closer to me.

"What?" I pouted.

"I gave her a wrong number."

I burst out laughing and he joined me.

"Why'd you do that?" I asked him, still laughing.

"I wanted to catch cruise small jare. Besides I have too many contacts. When it's not like I'm running a whatsapp TV or something. Abeg."

"You're something else, Ore."

"I know. I'm a whole spec. Ko easy."

I wanted to call him out as usual for calling himself a spec but the words got stuck and I continued laughing. E choke.

This boy. . .

"Come with me, I wanna show you something," he said and stood up after our laughing fits.

"Where? What's that?" I asked.

"Just come with me."

"Okay." I stood up too and signaled for him wait while I pulled off the hoodie and put in in my backpack. He stretched his hand out and I took it feeling like I could follow him anywhere.

Where you go I'll follow...

That particular line of Justin Bieber's song rang in my head at the moment. I mentally scolded myself because that song was actually for Jesus, not Ore. . .lmaooo.

Anyway, I followed him and he led us to the Karaoke club. It got me wondering and sorta disappointed. I didn't know exactly what I was expecting but I certainly wasn't expecting the karaoke club.

The first thing that hit me was the lights. A blend of different colors, flashing here and there beautifying the whole place. Next, I noticed the amount of people in there. They were so many you could get lost. The club was huge. And if you saw WONKER'S on the outside, you'd never imagine a place as big as this could even exist inside.

The tables and chairs in the club were arranged vertically, each of them, pushed to the walls so that there was a walkway in the middle that led to the stage.

The stage itself was designed beautifully but was presently unoccupied. Essence by Wizkid boomed from the speakers. I sighted a DJ with his headphones, scratching and moving his body as he did. Although, he wasn't really close to us and I couldn't see his face, something about him just seemed familiar.

"So. . .um, what are we doing here?" I asked Ore once we found our way through the crowd and claimed a table.

"I'm gonna tell. . .no, I'm gonna show you one thing you don't know about me." He smirked. "And we're gonna do it together."

"I don't grab." My face morphed into a confused expression.

"Oh, you're gonna grab soon." He winked at me and stood up.

"What. . .where are you going?" I was still confused as he just sauntered away, ignoring me. My brows furrowed even more. I crossed my arms and watched him walk up to the stage. . .

WALK UP TO THE STAGE??

My eyes went saucers.

What the heck was he gonna do?

When he got there, he talked to the guy who was probably in charge of the tech stuff - surprisingly, the DJ was no longer at his stand - and the tech guy handed Ore a mic.

"Can I please have your attention, ladies and gentlemen." He was looking at everybody and at the same time, was looking at only me. He smiled as everyone actually gave him their attention. "I wanna sing, so please I'd like y'all to um. . .listen. My voice is not that good oh. . ." He dragged and his mouth formed an 'o' shape as he said the last part.

That got everybody laughing. I cracked a smile still wondering what he was up to. If his voice wasn't that good then why was he gonna sing anyway? He cleared his throat and placed the mic in its stand.

"And um, I'd like to ask someone special to come up the stage." Now he was looking at me. A smirk - one I knew too well - graced his lips.

Why was he looking at me like that?

Me no sabi sing oh!

Eewo! What's all these??

Maybe he was only looking at me because he liked me, you know. Hehe.

It's not even funny!

Please let it not be me!

Let it NOT be me!

Let it NOT. . .

"Boluwaji, please come up the stage." He was still smirking.

I glared at him but turned it to a fake smile when heads turned to look at me.

Remind me to squeeze Ore Jumai's ear and then later kill him, after this.

Y'all had better remind me, or else!

I dropped my backpack on my seat and walked nervously to the stage because I knew everyone was looking at me.

The crowd gave a round of applause as I climbed the stage and Ore stood beside me. For a few seconds, Ore and I argued with our eyes.

"Just roll with it. You know the song too well," he said, after the eye argument.

"Fine," I replied through gritted teeth and took the mic that the tech guy handed me.

Ore nodded at him once he got to his stand and the intro of the song we were gonna sing started playing. I smiled as I remembered that familiar guitar intro. It was one I could never forget. Even if you woke me up from sleep and played that intro, I'd remember that song.

After the intro, Ore started singing:

Spent twenty-four hours, I need more hours with you

You spent weekend getting even ooo-ooh

His voice was surprisingly good. I didn't know much about music but he had that really deep baritone voice or was it bass? At the same time, it had this calming effect, like it went through your body straight to your soul to make you feel at ease.

I sang the next line and I didn't sound bad either:

We spent the late nights making things right between us.

Ore looked at me as he sang:

But now it's all good babe

Roll that backwood babe

And play me close

We both sang:

‘Cause girls like you run ’round with guys like me
Till sundown when I come through
I need a girl like you, yeah yeah
Girls like you love fun, and yeah, me too
What I want when I come through
I need a girl like you, yeah yeah

Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
I need a girl like you, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
I need a girl like you

We sang the next solo, following the way we did the first one. Ore sang the bridge alone and then it was time for Cardi B's part. He looked at me. How did he know I could actually rap that part?

I didn't even know I could do it until I did that night.

Not too long ago, I was dancing for dollars

Know it’s really real if I let you meet my mama

You don’t want a girl like me I’m too crazy

Fore every other girl you meet its fugazy

I’m sure them other girls were nice enough

But you need someone to spice it up

So who you gonna call? Cardi, Cardi

Come and rev it up like a Harley, Harley

Why is the best fruit always forbidden?

I’m coming to you now doin’ 20 over the limit

The red light, red light stop, stop

I don’t play when it comes to my heart (let’s get it though)

I don’t really want a white horse and a carriage

I’m thinkin’ more of white Porsches and karats

I need you right here ’cause every time you call

I play with this kitty like you play with your guitar

We sang the chorus for the last time and then ended the song. The crowd went wild with a standing ovation. People screamed on top of their voices. Even with all the noise, when Ore and I smiled at each other, it was like it was just us and no one else in the world. The noise in background faded and all I could see was him, his smile and the way he looked at me.

I felt a rush of emotions at that moment. I couldn't even explain how I really felt because I was overwhelmed.

The crowd was still mad with cheers as we stepped down from the stage. Sure enough, when we got to our seat, a lot of people came, famzing and hyping us - mostly Ore. The girls especially. Even some that looked way older than him came too.

Sugar Mummies.

*Insert handshake emoji*

Some recognized him from Instagram and kept gushing and gushing over him. I rolled my eyes multiple times. They asked for his number as usual and Ore 'gave them'. I only laughed because I knew what he really did.

Finally, they left.

I exhaled. "Well, that was exhilarating."

"You can say that again," he said smiling. His hand reached out to hold mine.

"How'd you know I'd be able to sing Girls Like You?" I asked.

"Well, you've been humming the tune unconsciously since we got here." He shrugged.

"For real?" My eyes widened. "I did that? "
He nodded.

"I didn't even know! How did I not know?"

He chuckled. "I don't know how you didn't know but I know that you know the song and that you'd be able to sing it."

"Guy don't confuse me abeg. Carry your alliteration away." I gave him a look.

He laughed. I hissed.

"You have a nice voice too. It's kinda deep, sounds like a little like Shakira's and you got Cardi's accent when you rapped her part too. " He wiggled his brows.

"Whiner oshi. Go away jhor. Shakira ko." I laughed and he did too. "If you're saying that about my voice, what should I now say about yours? You sound like Dante Bowe?"

"I don't even know who he is." Ore shook his head amdist laughter. "Never heard of him."

"He's a gospel singer. I'm in love with his voice." I sighed dreamily.

"I thought you were in love with me?" Ore placed a hand on his heart and feigned hurt.

"Dream on Nigga," I said.

We both burst out laughing but it was interrupted by a ringtone. I felt my bag for my phone. It wasn't ringing. I figured it was Ore's iphone when he brought it out of his pocket and stared at the screen.

His hand slipped slowly away from mine as he leaned back in his seat. His brows were knitted together.

"Sorry mama." He looked up at me. "Gotta take this. I'll be right back."

"Sure." I nodded. "No probs."

He stood up and left to pick his call.

I took my phone from my bag and decided to play with it a little to while away time. A few seconds after, someone slid into Ore's seat. I looked up from my phone. It was a really pretty girl that was no older than twelve.

She was light skinned. Her hair was gelled up and a long weave-on flowed down the length of her back. Because she was directly in front of me, I could only see her blouse, which was a pink sleeveless chiffon with glitters. It also had layers. Her hand was full of different-coloured bangles.

As a twelve-year-old, she was supposed to be in Jss2? What was she doing here on a Sunday night? What was she even doing in a club by this time?

When I was her age, I never stayed out this late.

When it's not as if they did not born me well.

If you know, you know.

"Good evening," she said and smiled at me. Okay, she was polite.

"Hey. Good evening." I smiled back. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Okayyy. . ."

"Oh! Don't mind me, jare. I bet you're wondering why I slid into your boyfriend's seat. . .hehe," she said.

Boyfriend?

I wanted to say he's not my boyfriend but I held myself and actually thought about it.

What are we?

Well, I didn't have an answer to that question so I just smiled at the girl.

"You guys were amazing up there, by the way," she continued. "I like your vibes, especially the way you rapped. Plus you are so pretty." She sighed dreamily.

I chuckled and opened my to thank her but she spoke before I could:

"And on top of that, your boyfriend is fineeee, omoo. God when??" She raised her hands in the air.

I laughed at her melodramatic act. Was about to thank her again before she cut me off. "He's Ore Jumai, right? Your boyfriend, I mean."

I nodded. "Yes and__"

"He attends River Brook Academy and is the Headboy, abi?"

"Sure, I__"

"Is he in the hostel?"

"Yup he is__"

"Sorry, I sound like a stalker abi?"

"Not really but a little?" I said and she just laughed.

I actually wondered why she asked all those questions but then I concluded that she was just one of his fangirls. A lot of people knew Ore and stalked him on social media and they probably knew more than what this girl just asked me so I just shrugged the whole 'wondering' thing off.

"Actually, I was looking for my older brother." She let out and exhausted sigh. "Couldn't find him so I decided to take a break."

I nodded slowly and decided not to speak because she was probably going to cut me off again. And she did.

"Sorry, I didn't get your name?"

I was a little skeptical about telling her my name but then she was just twelve, she couldn't have been a serial killer.

"It's Boluwaji."

"Okay, nice to meet you, Bolu. I'm - Oh! I've found my brother!" She yelled suddenly and looked over my shoulder.

I turned my head and followed her gaze. It went straight to the DJ stand. The DJ had returned. I squinted my eyes so I could see him clearly.

I mentioned earlier that there was something familiar about him. The height, the same body structure, same hairstyle, same stance. I squinted my eyes even more so I could get a better look at his face.

He looked like Ore.

Wait a second. I shook my head and looked at him again. It was Ore at the DJ stand. But his clothes were different. When did he get a change of clothes? How come he's at the DJ stand when he told me he was gonna pick a call?

But it looked so much like him.

"Hey, are sure that's your. . ." I turned back to face the girl who was nowhere to be seen.

She already left.

"Oh, wow," I said. "That was weird."

I looked back at the DJ stand only to find him gone. What the heck was going on? I furrowed my brows in confusion as I turned my head back. I massaged my temples and tried to clear my head.

Just then, Ore came and slid into his seat. "Hey."

"You didn't tell me you had a younger sister," was the first thing that came out my mouth.

"Um. . .I don't?" He also wore a confused expression.

"And you also didn't tell me you were a DJ."

"I'm not." He sounded like he was gonna laugh. "What exactly are you going on about, Boluwaji?" He raised a brow.

"I don't even know sef." I sighed. "Because, one minute, I saw you at the DJ stand but with different clothes and some girl saying she was looking for her older brother and now you're here telling me you're not a DJ."

"Yeah. 'Cause I'm not." He chuckled.

I massaged my temples. "Well, it's either I was hallucinating or I just saw someone that really looked like you," I concluded.

"I choose the former."

I glared at him.

"Yeah, because you obviously missed me too much!" He wiggled his brows.

I rolled my eyes. "You sound so confident."

"It's true na. Oya deny it," he said smugly.

I rolled my eyes again. I decided to shrug off my confusion. Maybe that girl's brother just looked a lot like Ore and I'd confused them for each other.

My phone dinged and I saw it was a text from Joba.

Guy, are you not through with your hang out ni? Come home jhor it's almost Ten. You have school tomorrow.

P.S. I'm very close to tying up Fayo. His wahala is too much. Be fast!

I shook my head and laughed. Typical Joba. Looks like wrestling could only keep them in harmony for a little while.

I checked the time and really it was twenty minutes to ten. I'd spent over three hours with Ore or was it four? It was time to call it a day.

I looked at him and he smiled like he knew and understood what I was gonna say.

He stood up and stretched out his hand. I also stood up, put on my backpack and took his hand.

Together, we walked out WONKER'S and down the road. The night air was warm and the sky was already designed with twinkling stars.

We walked in silence for a while, holding hands and just enjoying each other's company. We both stopped when we got to a part of the road that led to the park.

"So how are you getting home?" He asked, taking both my hands and staring into my eyes. "You want me to drop you off?"

"Nah. It's fine. I'll just call Uber."

"You sure? You don't wanna introduce me to your parents? Let them know that they have a handsome son-in-law?" He wiggled his brows.

I smacked his arm. "Shut up! You're high."

"Hey! Why must women always resort to violence? I was just kidding." He laughed and rubbed his arm. "Just kidding. We both agreed that nobody will know about us. . .yet."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "Thanks for tonight. It was. . ." I exhaled. "Awesome."

He smiled, revealing that dimple on his cheek. "It wouldn't have been if you didn't show up. Thanks for showing up. I actually thought you'd bail on me, you know. Considering the fact that I still have a girlfriend."

"I'm happy I came." I smiled back at him, chugging down the guilt stabbing at my heart.

All I wanted to feel were the butterflies having a party in my stomach and the fuzziness that filled my insides.

I quickly ordered an Uber vehicle with my phone.

Then we went back to staring at each other. This time, I didn't wait for him to make the first move, I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. It was a quick one because I got shy along the way. Lmaooo.

"So...goodnight?" He smiled sweetly.

"Goodnight."

Good morning!!!🌚🌚😂😂😂😂

Wassup guys???

So. . .this chapter came early. I'm so proud of myself and this time, it's longer🌚

It took over three hours to write but I know it'll take about one minute for most of you to finish reading it.🥲

Thoughts on this chapter??

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What's gonna happen next??

C'mon fill me in, lemme know what you think!!!😩😩😩

Omooo, I'm so excited because we're getting to the deep parts of this book🌚 and lemme just let you know that some things are gonna shock you😌🤝

Yes, they will!

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Peace😎✌️

~Ife.