SIX

The chill of the water hit me and I nearly collapsed, I was tired of hearing the voices, tired of feeling this weight in my heart. I badly want this to end. I'm sorry Lola sorry your death can't be given justice to because I'm such a fucking coward. 

I turn off the shower, wrap myself in my towel like a cocoon and walk out of the shower stall . No one was there, I was alone no other person was wiling to have a bath today, I guess. I set my toiletries bag on the sink top and get out all the things I need for my hair when I feel a presence behind me. I turn swiftly giving myself a whiplash. Standing there is.... is.... 

"Hello, Ibim". 

How am I seeing her? 

"Lola?"

"It's been years since you saw me how do you know who I am?". 

She had hardly changed since year 2. Still very dark skinned, still so beautiful. Her hair was in a high bun, thick and dark. It felt so good to see someone even if this someone is dead. 

"Nothing has changed". The words left my mouth in whispers. 

"Don't be scared".

"I am not".

A laugh escaped her lips. " You are shivering".

"Why can I see you?".

"I honestly don't know, why can you? Is there anything you need to tell me or tell anyone about me". 

I move back until the edge of the sink top was pushing into my skin. I was losing my mind. I was going mad. 

"Are you okay?", Lola reached to touch me and I tried to swat her hand away, my hand passed right through her. I screamed. I didn't stop screaming, my voice was breaking but I kept screaming, I was hugging my knees sitting on the floor now.  I heard footsteps, I was surrounded by people, their presence made me claustrophobic. 

"Ibim?", one voice said. 

"Why she dey shout?". another voice said. Everyone was talking over each other. I burst into tears, I was shivering. 

Two hands wrapped around the my arms and pulled me up, they pulled me through the crowd that had formed. 

"I'm taking you to the infirmary", Mina's voice was dripping in worry. 

By the time it was dinner time, everyone in school thinks I had a manic attack, a psychotic episode. The infirmary smells of soap and germicide, I was sitting on the bed holding a hot cup of beve rage and wrapped in blankets. Mofe was spoon feeding me. 

"What happened?". 

I nod. 

"You have to tell me what happened?", Her voice was low in a whisper. 

"Nothing happened, I just fell". She had to read my lips cause I was too tired to use my signs.

"You're lying to me". 

I move my head in the opposite direction of her voice. I hear her drop the plate and her footsteps became faint with every step.

"I got you your phone and airpods", Mina put the items in my hand. I gave her a small smile. 

" I saw Mofe walking out, is all good?"

I nod. "She went to the bathroom". 

"Okay, then, I'll be back soon". 

I nod and out my airpods on, my phone dinged. I clicked on the album by Joeboy that Tochi shared with me on Spotify. The beat flooded my ears making me a sudden saccharine rush. I felt a sudden relieve something i haven't felt in totality since that night after socials but that was soon gone when from the wall facing me emerged Lola's ghost. Everything around her was a blur, she was the only clear thing in sight.  She had let her high bun out in a fro. Do ghosts change their looks?

"Ibim", she said when she was closer. Her hands were crossed firmly across her chest. 

"I am sorry, I scared you like that". Her eyes were sad. 

"Leave me alone, Lola. Why are you here?". I asked in whispers. I didn't want the nurse to hear me talking to myself. The entire school already thinks I'm insane. 

"I was hoping you were gonna tell me, you were there when it happened, you know who killed me, why won't you spill". My eyes were beginning to tear up. I just want to go home, far away from all this. I want to scream, to run in the rain till my lungs give out. 

"Why were you killed, Lola? The exact reason why they came for you is the reason I don't want to 'spill'". her eyes, they dilate and tears begin to fall down her cheeks. 

I pity her, she was so beautiful, so full of life, and now she's dead, gone, a memory, a crime scene. 

"I want you to help me, Ibim. I need to know who did this to me, maybe then I can go to rest".

I bite the inside of my cheek. I can't say no to a dead girl now can I? 

"But why me?". 

"You're the only one that can see me". She replied. 

I need to feel some kind of pain something to make me feel like I am alive, I hope this isn't how dead feels like. I grab my wrists suddenly and bite into my skin, I don't stop till the tangy taste of blood burst in my mouth. I look up and Lola's face is twisted in a frown her eyes fixed on my mouth, there must be blood on there. 

"What did you do?", another voice says. Nurse Remi and immediately she's gone. 

"I'm calling your parents, you need to go home". 

Maybe, this is what I needed to go home, to feel pain to escape the taunts from the seniors and the bullying from my classmates. The mentholated spirit stings as it is dapped on the bite wound, I grab the hem of my shirt with the free hand and wipe my lips. Maybe, I was insane.

"How long have you been doing this", Nurse Remi asked.

"Doing what?"

"Biting yourself".

I groan as a shock passes through me from the injury to my toes. 

"Sorry", Nurse Remi said. 

"I haven't bitten myself before, this is my first "

"Hopefully your last too".   I felt the warmth of a plaster on that area. I knew this isn't going to be the last time. 

My phone dinged and the electronic voice read out loud. 

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Hey, this is Rhema. 

A/N

hello my loves, if you've come this far. Thank you. 

I would really appreciate your comments, they literally make my day. I reply to all comments so comment whatever you want me to reply to. 

DON'T FORGET TO MAKE THE STAR BELOW TO SHINE 

thanks

love, Furo.