“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – Brene Brown

                    
                          •BOLU•

Clad in grey baggy sweat shirt and pants; feet in white high tops converses and my braided hair let down with a white bandanna tied around it like a bandit’s band, I stared back at myself in my bathroom mirror.

“Bolu, it’s okay. You can handle this.” I told myself.

I exhaled.

“Nina reads and understands fast, so can you.”

But you’re not Nina!

I closed my eyes and willed myself not to cry. Willed myself to forget the harsh words of my physics teacher. But they did not stop anyway. They’d been ringing in my head since that day. Since the day he mentioned it.

“I am able to understand physics…” My voice quivered.

“My best is not the worst…” My voice broke.

Useless. My words were useless because the voices in my head did not stop. They kept repeating and hammering those words so much I thought I was gonna have a migraine.

“Bolu, me I will leave you oh!”

I heard Kanyin shout and tracing the sound, I figured it was from the stairs. I quickly washed my face and wiped it with a towel. I checked my face in the mirror so it didn’t look like I was about to cry.

“Coming big sis,” I said, trying to sound casual but even I felt the slight hoarseness of my voice. I exited the bathroom and saw her just entering the room.

“Nawa oh, you sha want to spend hundred years in the bathroom, let’s go jhor!”

“Sure.” I grabbed my backpack and phone, then something else caught my eye.

I walked to my table and saw his hoodie. Yes I forgot to return it. I’d washed it since but I just kept forgetting. Probably because of the mood I’d been in. Well, I blame it on Mr. Noah’s head.

“Bolu oh!” Kanyin yelled again.

I quickly grabbed the hoodie and trotted down the stairs.

It was the first day of our holiday classes and Kanyin was to drop me off at school before heading to hers this morning. After the physics teacher told me what he said last two weeks, I’d cried alone in that garden.

I didn’t show up in school the next day. My friends were worried but I just told them I caught cold and catarrh. They bought it and besides it wasn’t a total lie because I did catch cold and catarrh. I cried too much.

Funny enough, when my family members saw me and asked what happened to me, I told them it was cold and catarrh.

They bought the lie.

I mean, it was a rational lie.

Considering the fact that harmattan was here and the weather was dry and all.

Nina was the most worried as she kept chatting me up and calling me like she was my mom. It was sweet and very like what Nina always does. She even came after school with cupcakes to make me feel better. I was so grateful for a friend like her. She was the best anyone could ask for.

So because of her, I pretended to be well and attended school till we vacated.

This was Christmas week which meant we had like, three days of holiday classes? ‘Cause Christmas was on Friday. RBA probably did not think this through enough. Would these classes be really worth it?

Kanyin pulled into my school’s parking lot.

“Before you get down…” She drew out stopping me from my attempt to open the car’s door.

“Ehn?” I turned towards her.

“Embargo ni.” I frowned at her reply as she dug through her bag. “Here, take this.” She literally threw a transparent lip gloss at my forehead. I winced.

“Um…ouch!”

“Pele. Use that for your lips. They look like they’ve been kissed dry by a chameleon multiple times.”

“Thanks, that means a lot,” I muttered sarcastically and applied the lip gloss.

“You’re welcome baby.” She batted her lids at me. I glared. “Now carry your butt outta here.”

“Geez, so nice.” I commented before dropping the lip gloss and getting down.

“Later dude,” she replied and then pulled out of the parking lot.

Crazy!

The whole school was quiet as expected but I was surprised when I saw JSS3 students too. They did not even allow the poor juniors to catch cruise small sef.

I made my way to the senior block and to my class. Joy-Anne saw me first. I smiled as she walked over and pulled me in a hug, squeezing me gently.

When she pulled away, I took in her outfit. She wore blue skinny jeans, a red flannel shirt, tied in a knot with a grey camisole in it. Her natural hair was pulled up in a bun. On her feet, she wore grey flats.

I always wondered how Joy managed to pull off looking so beautiful without even trying.

“Just be killing us oh!” I said. “Or rather, use your beauty to carry Jeremy’s brain away.”

She blushed. “I choose neither because Jeremy never had a brain in the first place.”

“Wawu. Such a nice thing to say about your boyfriend.”

“Yeah, I know. Honesty is the best policy.”

We burst out laughing.

Joy finally told us — me, Nina and Ninuola the other week before vacation — how she and Jeremy hooked up and started dating.

So far, I found their relationship adorable.

While Nina squealed and I hyped as she told us, Ninu, on the other hand, did not seem so pumped about it. It honestly made me start thinking…

“You see Nina anywhere?” I asked as I scanned the class without sighting her.

“Nope. Actually, Nina hasn’t shown up at all today.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “I wondered why too. We shouldn’t worry too much sha, she might show up later, it’s still a bit early.”

“True though.”

“Ninuola isn’t around too. I haven’t seen her at all.” She said and hesitantly added, “I didn’t bother to call or text her because well…” She sighed sadly.

“I grab. I could call or text her or we could just ask Fred if she does not show up today.” I shrugged. Joy nodded.

Other students arrived and the class became noisier and fuller, making me to close my ears. Joy sat with me for a while, telling me how she and her family had planned to spend this Christmas.

Until…

*TUG*

Ignore it, it’s probably the air.

*YANK*

“Ow!” I yelled, causing attention to turn towards me.

Joy laughed.

I turned to look at the person and glared. It was Ore Jumai who just pulled (almost removed!)  My braids. He wiggled his brows.

He was clad in an Army Green sweatshirt that had the names and symbols of football clubs on it; black ripped jeans, army green sneakers and a black beanie on his head. Seeing him again in mufti reminded me that I should return his hoodie.

“Fine girl, how far?” He gave Joy a high five.

“I’m good,” Joy replied.

“Hey, mama!”

“Good morning to you too, beanie brain!” I retorted.

“I’d better go, Ore come and stay on your seat oh,” Joy said and stood up.

Ore slumped in his seat and grinned. “I know, my beanie is too cool but I’m way cooler.”

“You praise yourself too much.”

“Yes, of course. I deserve it.”

I shook my head. “You’re a goat.”

“Boo!” Someone chirped. It was Chidera. Ashley was behind her. She came running like a cheetah and pounced on Ore, well, not too literally though. She just most likely squished him in a hug. People turned their heads and muttered annoyed comments. Some kept staring.

“Hey, babe!” He almost matched her enthusiasm, almost.

She didn’t seem to notice. She acknowledged me, sat on his locker and started yapping. Ore was trying to keep up with her energy because it’s like she’d had a real high dose of caffeine today. Ashley remained quiet as she stood.

I took out my phone to text Nina. I opened my whatsapp and saw she was not online, again? I texted her anyway, asking if she’d be in school. I texted Ninuola too, wondering why my two friends weren’t in school.

Suddenly, Chidera yelled; “Oh my God, I’m supposed to ring the bell! Ash, where’s the__”

This holiday classes were meant to commence at nine o’clock am unlike normal school of course and we’d close by one thirty pm.

“Over there in your seat…as usual.” Ashley said and mumbled the last ‘as usual’ part.

She jumped down from Ore’s table and dashed to her seat where the bell was always kept, jingled it like mad and started yelling “FIRST PERIOD! FIRST PERIOD EVERYONE!”

Ashley just sighed and followed behind.

Sometimes, I forgot Chidera Odikanwa was the timekeeper.

Everyone settled down and just before the teacher entered the class, I heard a ding on my phone. Was disappointed when it wasn’t Nina or Ninuola but I checked anyway, it was from Ore.

I looked at him and he pretended like nothing happened and kept tapping his index finger on the table.

I shook my head and read his message.

COCKY GOAT🙄🙄:  Waji!!!! There’s a party in the physics lab today. Immediately we close. We’re gonna be meeting with our other group members. There’s gon’ be giveaways 😉

ME: Wow, a party sounds fun. Especially when it involves talking about boring stuff like mechanics, optics and electricity. Real fun huh? 🙄

He replied immediately.

COCKY GOAT🙄🙄: Now you’re grabbing 👊👊. We will shut the whole place down.

ME: Ha-ha, I hope you don’t mean that literally. I’m not ready to get expelled in my final year.

COCKY GOAT🙄🙄: 😁😁 you’re gon’ enjoy it.

I turned to look at him and he gave me a cheeky grin then winked at me.

For some reason, today he looked really happy. Not that he was not happy the last time I saw him but today…was different.

His smile reached his eyes and he didn’t just stray into his own thoughts.

“Um…I was supposed to…” I started saying and made to dig through my bag before a teacher finally entered the class and cut my sentence short.

“Huh?” He turned towards me.

“Never mind, I’ll tell you later.”
He nodded and faced the teacher, as did I.

                                     
                    |ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ|

Nina and Ninuola did not show up at all and the classes had ended. Ninuola texted back and told me that she got hired by another modelling agency after they saw her NAI brand shoot. She was invited for a shoot in Lagos throughout the week until Christmas.

I was psyched for her so I told Joy and Fred (who already knew) the News. They were pretty psyched too.

Nina hadn’t replied my text since morning. I called her line. It rang but she did not pick up. Maybe she left her phone to charge and wasn’t there?

I sighed again.

“Don’t worry Bolu, Nina’s fine.” Joy said and I looked at her. “She’s probably just busy or maybe she had to travel or something but whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll call soon.”

“Yeah, why am I worrying so much sef. Nina is always fine,” I replied and put my phone in my pocket and waved it off.

“Better. Are you going home now? I’m kinda looking for someone to walk home with.” She smiled.

“Uh…right. I’m not going home yet, babe. I told my sis to pick me up later, except you wanna wait for me? I have to meet up with my group for the project.”

“Oh, I grab. Lemme be going then!” Her eyes lit up as she said that.

“Okay, and Jeremy can accompany you, you know?” I wiggled my brows.

“That foolish boy, I’m still mad at him.” She frowned a little.

I laughed. “Med oh. What did he do now?”

“Something really infuriating and I’m gonna Tiwa Savage his butt!” She looked really mad and she clenched her fists.

“Geez, guy. Calm down Nigga,” I said in between a scared-nervous laughter. We all knew Joy was a feisty one. The legend of Jeremy Tosin’s forked butt proves that.

She giggled and threw her arms around me in a hug. “Bye, Bolu!”

I waved at her as she left.

Wawu! So much for couple goals!

“Boluwaji Jayeola!” I turned around to see MJ waving at me with so much energy and vigor from a distance. Ayo was with him too and just nodded at me.

I laughed and waved back.

I finally left the corridor where I stood and made my way to the physics lab.

When I got there, I saw four other students, my classmates in science class two and three. Two boys and two girls, seatmates obviously.

“Hey, guys,” I said as I got to where they sat, grabbed a stool and sat.

They mumbled replies of ‘hey’ and ‘hi’
I recognized all of them but remembered only three of their names.

Gift Eniola, the light skinned girl who had braces in Science class two; Alvin Kolade, whom I sometimes teamed up with for basketball from Science class two also, making him Gift’s seatmate; and Nonso Owens who was on the school’s relay team from science class three.

I looked at the other girl, who was focused on her phone. I wanted to ask what her name was but changed my mind about. I’d know sooner or later anyway.

Now only one person was left and that was Ore. I wonder what’s taking him so long.

Two minutes later, he came in and I exhaled. Finally.

“He finally shows up,” I heard Nonso mutter and roll his eyes.

He held a smirk on his face but when he got to where we were, he grinned, exchanged greetings and their response was very different compared to the way they responded to me. He took a stool beside me.

“So sorry guys for showing up late,” Ore said.

“Don’t sweat it.” — Gift.

“Whatever.”— Nonso.

“No problemo!”— Alvin.

“You’re here now, that’s what matters.” — Other girl.

He nudged my shoulder and wiggled his brows at me. I glared.

Their responses did not surprise me. I looked at them all. It was wonderful how they all liked him. Granted that Ore was loved by all at RBA, I just knew deep down that not everybody did. Some were jealous and insecure but they didn’t show their aversion for him, they just swallowed it up and followed the crowd.

Like you once did, Abi?

Nope, my case was different. I didn't like him before but I didn't exactly hide it.

“Yeah, thanks. So, let’s get to work.”

“No one said you were the leader,” Nonso said with an edgy tone. His brows furrowed in annoyance.

Ore’s eyes widened innocently. “Oh, sorry man. Didn’t know we would choose a leader.” He raised his hands in surrender.

I was already smelling beef from Nonso’s side.

“Shut up, Nonso,” said the other girl. “We all could just vote and Ore would win anyway, what’s your problem?”

Nonso rolled his eyes.

“Hey, hey,” Ore smiled. “There’s no qualms guys. Whoever wants to be the leader can be.”

“We all want it to be you! You’re the smartest.” Gift said, with rather too much enthusiasm.

“Yup,” I agreed.

“Whatever,” Nonso said and rolled his eyes again.

“Okay, moving on…Gift.” Ore said.

Her head jerked up. “Yes?”

“You’d be our research lady. Get all the info we need on whatever topic we choose, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Great. And, nice hair, by the way,” He said and touched the curly fringe of her hairstyle and winked at her.

Aunty did not hesitate to blush. Nawa oh, Ore still had time to flirt and make girls swoon over him even though he was serious?

Like I said, such power!

“Before we know our next duties, let’s pick the topic we wanna talk about.” He turned to me. “Waji, you go first.”

“Me? Why me? Pick someone else.” I said out of nowhere, fiddling nervously with my fingers.

“Fine. Okay, um, Ini Falola, right?” The other girl nodded. So her name was Ini? “Ini, what topic should we talk about?”

“Well, I like mechanics a lot, what about Simple Harmonic Motion?”

“Hmmm, Alvin, what do you think?” Ore nodded at him.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Gift pick out a notebook and a pen.

“Well, no bias but electricity sounds good, like that topic…um, static electricity,” Alvin replied.

“Static electricity? Sounds like something you thought of because harmattan is prominent now and you see lights and hear cackling sounds when a piece of cloth sticks together, abi?” Ini asked, with an eyebrow raised.

Alvin smiled and shrugged. “Yeah.”

Ini shook her head. “Nah, won’t work.”

“We need something that’s challenging, you know?” Gift said as she tapped her pen on the table.

“I think we could just pick something connected to chemistry, like gas laws?” I said and they all turned to look at me.

“Really? Gas laws? That’s too cheap jhor, almost everyone would choose that,” Gift said.

“Oh, I was just suggesting,” I said as my voice fell and I shrugged. I know she did not mean to spite me but it still hurt with the way she said it.

See Bolu, you are too cheap!

We hadn’t even gone far into it and the voices had started mocking me. I felt Ore squeeze my hand, which I was grateful for ‘cause it kinda made me feel more at ease but I quickly removed my hands when he held on too long.

“We can just do a topic under optics you know, it’s kinda very challenging. Most people would wanna avoid it. I’m sure Mr. Noah would be impressed if we did justice to that topic,” Nonso said.

“Yup, Nonso is making sense,” Ore said. “I agree with him. Who else does?”

Nonso smiled for the first time and it made me realize what Ore just did. Ore figured the boy did not like him so he made him feel relevant in his presence, thereby earning Nonso’s love?

That was probably it…I guess?

All hands went up except mine.

Honestly, I was not into this whole optics thing because, it was bad enough with mechanics and electricity.

I didn’t even pull my weight at all when it came to optics. The rectangular and triangular prism practical stuff always confused me, I never got the angles right and my work paper was always a mess. 

Ore nudged me again and nodded towards everyone who had their eyes on me.
“Um, sure. Optics it is,” I said and raised my hand.

Isn’t this just great?

                                               
                     |ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ~ ͽ|

We ended our group discussion and everyone started to leave. I picked my bag up and turned to leave when I felt someone pull my braid from behind. I had no doubt that it was Ore. I sighed and turned. He was grinning.

“Yes?” I answered dryly.

“Well, you don’t sound happy.” His grin faded.

“Um…I am.” I forced a smile and pointed two fingers to my mouth. “See, happiness. I’m as happy as a unicorn princess.”

He chuckled. “Come on, Waji. Talk to daddy.” He took my hands and sat me down on one stool. He sat on another and faced me.

Daddy ko!

I looked up at him. His brows were furrowed, showing he was concerned.

“It’s just…I don’t…” I sighed.

“Hmmm, lemme guess, physics, right?”

I nodded, slightly embarrassed.

“Hmmm, the man even told me about you.”

My head jerked up and I removed my hands from his. “Mr. Physics told you about me?!”

“Relax, mama,” He said. “Be calming down.”

I felt myself frown. “What did he tell you?”

“That I should tutor you in physics even though he didn’t…exactly say it like that.”

“But I don’t need tutoring!”

“Yes, yes you do. Lemme help__”

“No!” I snapped angrily and stood up. What’s wrong with that physics man going up and down, telling people about my physics dilemma like I was a sorry case even though I was a sorry case but how could he?

“I don’t need help from you or from anyone! I can understand physics by myself!”

Yeah, even I was trying to believe that.

“Bolu…” Ore said calmly and placed his hand on my shoulders, bringing me to sit down again. “You need to admit you need help when you really need it so that you can get better.” He sighed. “Let down your walls of insecurity__”

“It’s not about any walls! I just don’t want to be pitied!”

“Boluwaji, this is not pity. I’m doing this because I want to. Because you are my friend. Friends help each other when in need. Besides that man needs to be taught how to shut the frick up.”

I raised my head. He lifted his eyebrows assuring-ly.

“Fine,” I said. “When do we start?”

He smiled. “Whenever you’re ready. But beware! I am a very strict teacher, I don’t take nonsense…” He squinted his eyes and brought his face close to mine and said in a dead serious tone. “I flog my students!”

I almost thought he was serious until I repeated the words he just said in my head. I giggled and he started laughing too. Our voices resonated in the whole lab.

“Geez guy, you be actor oh, ah ahn! Newest Michael Okon,” I said after our laughing fits.

“Why, thank you milady. Although, I’d prefer to be called Jace Norman, he’s younger and cooler.” He said in a terrible British accent.

“You’re a goat!”

“Nope, more like a spec. A spec that made you laugh,” He smiled and bit his lower lip. I willed myself not to focus on how pink they looked.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “You wish.”

“Admit it. I’m a spec.”

“No! A goat.”

“Come on, Waji,” He held my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. “You know I am a spec.”

For a second, as I stared at his eyes, my heart was beating, faster than normal. I looked away from them and at his shirt then remembered something.

“Which reminds me…” I said and took out his hoodie from my backpack. “This is overdue…Sorry.” I handed it to him.

He eyes went wide for a split second. “Oh, I even forgot about it.”

“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Now take.”

He looked at the hoodie, back at me and then smiled. “Nah, keep it.” He pushed my hand towards me.

First off, let’s ignore the fact that he was giving me a not-so-frequently-worn Lindale brand hoodie and face the main issue here:

“What if Chidera finds out? I barely escaped the other time we slept in the same room and worse when you posted my picture!” I practically yelled.

“No biggie. She won’t mind. It’s my clothing, not hers.” He shrugged. “Chidera is nice.”

“I know, but I still can’t take it…”

“You will take it. Please? See it as a seat mate present for Christmas.”

I sighed. “Fine, but only because you said Christmas oh.”

He smiled at me. “Yes mama.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“No. I won’t mama!” He winked at me. I sent him a playful glare.

I was getting used to the name, anyway.

My phone buzzed and I saw a message from Kanyin, telling me she was downstairs waiting.

“Gotta go.” I said. “Bye and thanks, Ore.”

He pulled my braids and winked at me. "Yeah, just so you know, I'm gonna disturb you on WhatsApp!"

I shook my head and smiled as I left the lab.

Hey!

I didn't disappear oh!

I came back as I promised!

So...this chapter??

Tell me what you think!

And if it makes you feel better, your ship will soon sail, if you know, you know😁👊😉

Um...vote. Comment and share😁

I love you guys as always ❤️❤️❤️😘

~Ife.😁😎