Hey, guys 😗.

I apologise again for my tardiness in updating, school work is really taking my time.

Enjoy the chapter ❤️

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"I used to be mad,
But now I know
That sometimes it's better
To let someone go..." Older - Sasha Sloan
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Vina's POV
As expected, when I walk into the class, it is empty. With assembly currently ongoing, it doesn't come as a surprise for the entire block to be so quiet. And truthfully speaking, I am more than grateful for coming to school this late.

The one or two minutes I will have to just breathe and gather my thoughts, is really important to me. I go over to myself and Kiki's shared seat and transfer my books into my locker. After which, I simply sit down and rest my head.

My thoughts concerning how to talk to Tony are all over the place. And as much as I hate to admit it, I am scared.

I am really scared because I don't know how he will react. I am not certain if he will even want to hear me out.

Tony definitely isn't one to be so unhappy. Not that I totally know him or anything but from what I know, this is very much unlike him. Considering this, I don't even know what to expect.

It hurts so bad to be at the receiving end of his anger. With everything in me, I silently hope that he will open up concerning his vex because I am not sure if I can handle being shunned by him again.

My fingers find its way over to the necklace he had gifted me. I pull it out of its tucked position in my shirt and lightly caress its pendant. And before long, my eyes burn with unshed tears.

A lump forms in my throat as I try so hard to keep my composure, to keep my emotions in check. Being so focused on how I feel doesn't let me notice that I am no longer alone in the class.

The whiff of a familiar cologne hits my nostrils before the person sits beside me. I quickly wipe away the little tears that managed to escape.

Mustering a small smile, I lift my head from my desk while tucking the pendant back into my shirt. My probably teary eyes meet Kiki's worried ones.

Nevertheless, she smiles at me and hugs me tight. To be honest, Kiki's hugs have become therapeutic because there is really no other way to explain why the gloominess I feel prior to her hugs dissipates as soon as we make contact.

The unhappiness just gives way to a calming, warm feeling. Still revelling in our hug, she pulls away with her lips maintaining its smile, as more of our classmates pour into the class.

Kiki's smile however, can't hide the worry that nestles deep in her dark brown eyes. Her fingers reach up to gently pat on the area under my eyes. I exhale and as I do, the smile on my face leaves.

It disappears.

"Hey! Davina." The all too familiar voice draws my attention towards her direction. Zacharia's face lights up with a smile which unfortunately, I can't return. But try to nonetheless and end up with an expression I am sure resembles a grimace.

Kiki's hand leaves my face as Zacharia goes on still bubbling with joy for some reason,"What happened to you, b? You haven't been in school for sometime."

"I wasn't feeling too well." I respond, feeling grateful that she at least noticed that I haven't been around.

Her lips form a small pout,"Sorry, dear. I hope you are feeling better now."

I nod as she smiles again and excuses herself. My attention is directed back to Kiki who is staring after Zacharia with an odd expression on her face.

"Is there a problem?" I ask, also turning to look at Zacharia who is now flipping through the pages of a book before looking back at Kiki.

I shake her a little as she blinks herself back to reality. My eyebrow quirks up in confusion as if to inquire on what is going on with her.

"It's nothing." She quickly dismisses with a casual wave of her hand.

"You sure?" I press on because Kiki doesn't just stare into space for no reason.

"Yeah." She mutters with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes but I just brush it off, deciding to take her word for it.

"How are you, though?" Kiki ask some seconds later and truthfully speaking, there is no simple, definite answer.

It is as if her question has unleashed a baggage of emotions I have been trying so desperately to keep locked away. Having no answer, I breathe out just as the first period teacher walks in.

Kiki casts a sad glance my way before getting out the needed note.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My classmates reeling from the joy of Mr. Ajayi, our Physics teacher, missing his period for the first time since this term began, can't help but make so much more noise than they are supposed to.

It is very annoying because all I want to do is just rest my head, think and if possible, sleep while at it. But my mates seem to have something else in mind and it is getting on my very last nerve.

I feel like I will snap at any moment as my head aches relentlessly. The last thing I want is to blow up at my classmates but they make it so difficult to stay calm. My eyes remain fixed on the space in front of me as they buzz about without stop.

Subconsciously, my hands ball into fists and the pain that comes from my nails digging mercilessly into my palms, does very little to distract me from the growing noise around me.

"For the love of God, can you all just shut the fuck up!"

At first, I think that I am the one that screamed. But it takes the quieting down of the class and everyone's head turning towards the space beside me, for me to realise that it is Kiki that had screamed and not me.

"Kim, are you okay?" Tiffany's tiny voice resounds through the quiet class as her doll-like eyes regard Kiki with concern.

To everyone's surprise, Kiki ignoree Tiffany and just walks out of the class with her phone in hand. The entire class remains quiet for a good ten seconds before erupting into murmurs of disdain.

"Her own sef is just too much." Thomas, the class prefect says to his group of gossip girls surrounding him.

"I don't even like her." One of the girls Tessa or Nessa, I never really cared to know the correct name, comments. Their remarks rub me off in a bad way, making me wonder what Kiki could have possibly done to make our classmates dislike her this much.

Even recalling my first day in the school, the nasty comments they had made about me sitting next to her was just...weird.

Before I can stop myself, I am already in front of their little gathering.

"Kiki wouldn't even waste her time liking you, Nessa." I state in a calm but venomous tone.

Her down-turned eyes regard me with mild annoyance,"It's Tabitha."

"What makes you think I care?" I fire at her and watch as her annoyance blossoms into anger.

She made to speak but Thomas stops her,"What do you want, Davina?"

"Nothing. But for your own good, keep Kiki's name out of your mouth and that of every single member of your jobless gossip crew, or else."

"Is that a threat?" He asks, his voice deathly low like he is daring me to confirm it.

Staring pointedly into his eyes, I truthfully tell him,"It is more like a promise."

The gasps that follow my utterance draw my attention to the fact that my classmates had been watching the whole thing unfold. Paying no heed to any of them, I walk out of the class in search of Kiki.

I have no idea where to begin my search for her. So, I just let the spirit lead as my legs carry me through the empty hallways. I search the stairwells, basketball court and even the field where javelin throw practices are usually held but there is no sign of Kiki.

At the brink of giving up, I decide to check the school's garden. And thankfully, she is here, seated on one of the stone benches not too far from where I stood but she isn't alone. Sitting beside her is her sister, Vivi and they appear to be deep in conversation.

I can't hear a thing but I can make out their facial expressions which is deathly pale and stoic all at once. Trusting that she is in good hands, I quietly retreat and go back to class.

I am only spared a few glances by my noisy classmates when I step in before they return to whatever they were previously doing.

As I take my seat, I can feel Thomas' piercing gaze on me but I could care less. I quietly rest my head as different depressing thoughts assault me from every corner. Without even realising it, I drift into an uneasy sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Let's go for lunch." Are Kiki's words as soon as she stirs me awake from my sleep.

"Lunch," I yawn,"Already?"

"Yeah." She confirms and leaves the class, not even waiting for me to stand up from the seat.

I stare at the class door in confusion until it comes back to me that something had happened earlier to make her unhappy. As the sleep clears from my eyes, I get on my feet and walk out of the now empty class.

I expect Kiki to have walked off to the dining hall but to my surprise, she waited. I watch her slim, curvy figure lean on the railing as she gazes absentmindedly at the crowd of students moving about below us.

Going over to where she stands, I gently distract her from her thoughts. And when she turns to me, I am taken aback by the thin stream of tears that run down her cheeks.

She quickly reaches up and wipes away her tears with an unsteady smile gracing her lips.

"Kiki, what's wrong?"

She vigorously shakes her head, her eyes welling up with tears yet again,"N-Nothing."

My heart breaks at her cracked voice, indicating that she has cried a lot. I painfully watch her try to blink back the tears but a few still manage to escape.

"Come." I tell her, taking her hand. Kiki doesn't protest, she follows me as I lead her in the direction of the toilet which is at the very end of the hallway, away from the prying eyes of our setmates.

When we get to the convenience and I make sure the stalls are empty, I turn to Kiki,"Please can you tell me, what is going on?"

She regards me for a brief moment before moving over to one of the sinks and splashing water on her face. She stands hunched over the sink for some time and I let her, calmly waiting for her to talk to me.

Kiki remains like that for quite some time and I fear that she is frozen in that position till she speaks,"Can we not talk about it for now, Vina?"

"But–"

She shakes her head as she gradually turns to face me,"Please. I'm hungry right now."

I know she is only using hunger to escape having this conversation but dragging a long sigh, I concede,"Just promise you will tell me what's going on when you are ready, okay?"

Pausing for only a fleeting moment before she faces me squarely as a small smile finds its way to her lips,"I promise."

I give her a smile of my own as we exit the toilet. The hallway is less rowdy than before and for that, I am deeply grateful. I have always disliked noise but these days, it irritates me more than usual. Making me cherish even the littlest forms of quietness I am able to get.

We walk into the dining hall and go over to the caterers to have our meal of white rice and beef sauce before moving over to our usual table.

Both Tony and Nasir are absent. I fail to control the way my heart tugs painfully in my chest at the fact that Nasir hasn't even bothered to reach me, since my absence from school.

"Where is Nasir?" I ask Kiki after minutes of pushing the contents of my food around due to my loss of appetite.

She casually shrugs,"I haven't seen him today."

Sighing, I push away the tray of food,"I'll see you later. I need to find Tony and if possible, Nasir."

Not bothering to wait for her response, I leave the dining hall. My legs carry me to the only place I know he will be, the only place I hope he had be at.

The basketball court.

Apprehension washes over me when I step onto the parquet flooring of the court. The basketball team can be seen at a distance landing hoops and all that. My nerves don't let me focus too much on them as my eyes make its way over to the spot on the bleachers where we usually sit on whenever we meet.

And there he is, headphones over his head, hands fiddling with his phone and eyes trained absentmindedly at the scenario before him.

My breath hitches as I take in his relaxed, nonchalant posture. I guess he must have felt eyes all over him because he casually turns towards my direction. His features remain impassive even though he now knows it is me that has been staring at him.

And as though I am nothing more than mere breeze, he coolly turns back to the practice session going on.

I feel a jab in my heart but regardless, I go over to him.

"Tony." I begin rather unsure,"How are you?"

No answer.

"Tony. . ." I call again, sitting beside him and this time, I get a reaction.

A reaction of him taking off his headphones and stuffing both his phone and headphones into the bag by his right hand side.

I take this as a sign that he wants to hear me properly but I couldn't have been more wrong because he just swings the bag over his shoulder and brushes past me.

A surge of adrenaline has me shooting up and pulling him back but of course he doesn't budge but remains rooted to the spot. My firm hold on his wrist doesn't lessen even though he is now completely still.

My heart races erratically within my thoracic cavity as I stare at his back. Time seems to slow down as we remain in this position, in this moment. The noise from the basket ballers fade out of my hearing range in turn, enclosing me in a freeze frame.

A rather forceful yank snaps me out of my thoughts and sets time back in motion. My arm falling helplessly to my side lets me know that Tony has dragged his hand away from mine.

"Tony." I call out after his retreating figure, already feeling anger brewing within me. He isn't even rushing out but just slowly, casually taking his sweet time to exit the court.

"Tony!" I yell. This time my voice is sharp and crisp even though he has only managed to move mere metres away from me.

I rush towards him and push him to face me,"Tony, I'm talking to you!"

He looks down at me impassively, pointedly even as if trying to make me falter but I stand my ground, wanting all this nonsense to end once and for all. I maintain steady eye contact with him, making sure to project all the anger and frustration I feel through my eyes.

Tony appears to have gotten the hint because he gives a very indifferent eye roll and lightly shifts me to the side so that he can get down from the bleachers.

If my blood wasn't boiling with rage before, it definitely is now.

"Tony!" I scream out his name as I rush down the short flight of stairs of the bleachers to catch up with him.

No response.

"Tony!"

Of course, there is no inclination from him that he heard me.

Something must have propelled me but I damn all the repercussions and yell out,"Nkem!"

And that, that name makes him stop and makes me realize how deathly quiet the basketball court is.

When he sharply turns to face me, I stagger back even though there is already ample distance between us. Livid will be an understatement to describe the emotion twisted into his face.

It looks like a cross between bat shit crazy and indescribable hurt and instead of getting riled up because of his reaction, I am scared.

Fear fills me and nestles deep within my heart. One minute, he is a good distance away and then the very next, he is charging at me.

"How dare you!" He thunders at me, voice bouncing off the walls and reverberating around the court.

But he isn't even done,"How dare you utter that name! What gives you the fucking right, Davina? Why would you even use that name at this time!"

I stand transfixed to the spot, wondering why calling his other name should warrant this intense level of screaming.

"Answer me, Davina!" Tony screams but slows down his pace since he is now closer to me.

I definitely resemble a fish that has been pulled out of water and tossed onto the scorching desert sand, because there is really no other way to explain why I am writhing this much in fear.

"For fucks sake, answer me!" Tony now looks and sounds like a mix of sheer frustration and desperation as though he really wants me to answer him.

He groans out in frustration and takes a forceful step into my personal space, almost knocking me down in the process. But just then, I feel hands pull me back before its owner steps in between myself and Tony.

Nasir. . .

"Dude, you need to calm down." Nasir tries to placate him, maintaining an eye gaze with a livid Tony.

Tony, however, makes to sidestep him and come at me again but Nasir holds him back firmly.

"What is the matter with you, bro?" Nasir asks, placing himself in front of me in form of a shield,"You're creating a scene."

Tony finally pauses then looks behind me. I turn too to see what happened, turns out the entire basketball team had paused their practice just to observe the commotion.

At the sight of that, all the anger on his face melts away and is quickly replaced by a stoic expression. His now guarded eyes meet mine and he takes me in for a brief minute before turning to look at Nasir, who has now let go of him, and doing same.

He steps away from Nasir and gazes at me,"Fuck you, Davina."

I can only look on in disbelief, not knowing how to process all of this.

"And you too, Nasir. Damn you both." Tony swears at us in a tone even colder than his gaze as he exchanges glances between Nasir and I.

Without saying anything more, he picks up his bag which he must have thrown off during his fit of rage and walks away without a backward glance.

I hear Nasir let out a long sigh just as the basket ballers break into murmurs.

Deep hurt is definitely an understatement of how I truly feel, how his words and actions makes me feel. The only emotion I can process is hurt, not even anger or confusion.

Just immense hurt.

I know that I have to get out of here, now and fast. Coupled with my now slightly dizzy vision, I just have to leave.

Leave this court, call Mr. Emeka and go home.

Before I can set my plan in motion, Nasir blocks my path but I hold up my hand as if to say he should move away.

"Thank you." I appreciate, acknowledging how he had tried to get Tony to stop creating a scene,"But please, leave me be."

My voice comes out numb, emotionless – a sharp contrast to the turmoil ravaging my being from inside out.

"Vina–" He starts but I cut him off with a sharp wave of my hand.

"Not today." I mutter, making my way around him and advancing out of the basketball court.

The end of another chapter, I mumble to myself as hot tears ran down my cheeks.

A/N

Nawa🤧.

I don't even know what to say💔.

We meuve.

Word Count: 3504 words

Love,
Riri🌹