"No, I haven't seen Janet."
Yinka huffed, this was the fifth person she had asked about the whereabouts of her friend; it wouldn't take a genius to guess that she was with Ada. That prostitute! Ada was such a bad influence on Janet, ever since they—Ada and Janet started hanging out like they were joined at the hip, it showed that Janet was growing tired of her, tired of Yinka.
The class was scanty; the only people present were the weirdos of the class and that ex convict. What was his name again? Damilare? Derek? Yes! It was Derek, that guy. Rumors had it that Janet leaned in to kiss him when he had arrived, but that wasn't like her best friend, kiss that scum? No way!
But maybe he knew where she was. Sucking up her pride, she strolled down to his seat; the guy had his head down, it seemed like he was writing something. She scoffed, she didn't know why she despised him but she just did. To make the whole situation worst, she had a feeling that Janet had a crush on him. On...on that!
"Guy." She spat, the disgust evident in her voice, he didn't even spare her a glance; he just kept on scribbling from a note. She recognized that handwriting from anywhere.
Why the heck did he have Janet's note?
"Who gave you that?" She asked, this time it was louder, banging on his desk for exaggeration. Why was he wasting time to answer? Did this guy think that she would waste her time on him? After what felt like five minutes, he raised his head up, good thing he did because she would have cursed at him if he wasted anymore time.
"What?" The tone in his voice almost made her flinch; Yinka rolled her eyes, trying to feign bravery. "Who gave you that?" He arched his brows. As if to ask how that concerned her. "Who do you think?" Oh, so the jailbird had a mouth, meanwhile she heard that he had been playing the quiet guy role.
"Who gave you that book, Mr. Man?" Yinka didn't know why but that thought provoked her, why was Janet acting all nice to him? When he didn't reply, she just pushed his shoulder, in less than a second, he sprang up; annoyance vivid in his eyes. Was he going to beat her? To be honest, that's what she thought. "Fimisilé." He spat, taking his belongings and storming off, out of the classroom; leaving the young girl in complete shock.
"What a bastard!" She coughed out, that was the only thing she could say, scoffing; she dialed Shalom's number, knowing she had snuck out of school during prep time with a bag. Yinka wanted to rant to someone about that guy, who did he think he was? No one ever walked out on her during a conversation. She vowed to make him pay.
-
"Ah, are you kidding me? See guts oh!" Shalom exclaimed in shock, bouncing up as the danfo bus sped through a speed bump. Yinka was telling her about what went down apparently five minutes ago, she knew that Derek was back, but she didn't know he already spoke with Yinka or exchanged few words according to the fuming girl.
"So, you think that Janet gave him the book and so?" Shalom asked, sure she was naïve when it came to guys, but she often spoke her mind, without sugarcoating it, just like Ada. Shalom still couldn't understand why Yinka was so pissed off with the fact that Janet was so nice to him, scratch that, Janet just gave him a book!
"But-"
Yinka began to speak over the phone but as soon as Shalom saw that the danfo bus was approaching her destination, she cut her off. "We'll talk later, bye babes." She made kissy noises before ending the call. "I'm coming down here, oga!" Shalom yelled, before squeezing herself out of the bus, she was meant to stay at school for prep, but one of her guys begged her to visit. Alerting her account with ten thousand naira for transport, like hell she'd use that money for transport! What did he expect her to do? Order helicopter?
Handing the driver a dirty 100 naira, she adjusted her crop top, pulling up her jeans; she had already changed her outfit in a public toilet. Her uniform was stuffed inside her duffel bag, it was good that the guy—Jesse had told her of his plans a day before. Shalom wouldn't want to look like a small girl in his eyes.
After applying her lip gloss, Shalom approached his house, a story building which she was still in question to how he acquired it. Jesse was one of her many guys, but also one of her favorites. Standing tall at 6'0, Jesse was a handsome guy, his University was on strike so he had no choice but to stay till they resumed.
This was his 6th year in the course Banking and Finance, when it was just supposed to take 4 years.
He had a full beard which he had trimmed apparently on her request, story! Anyways, his outstanding jawline made her forget the suspicions, they completed his look, and he looked manly. Well, at the age of 23, he was manly. Checking herself one more time, she rang the bell to the house, putting on her poker face.
Two minutes passed and no one had answered the door. That was unusual to say the least.
So, she rang the bell, pressing it harder this time, like it would make a difference.
Still, no one opened the door.
"Ahan, isn't he the one that said I should come, ni?" Shalom hissed, he literally begged her, she was willing to face her mom's scolding just for two or three hours with him, now he was doing her dirty. Mad oh. "Baby! Jesse?" She called out, huffing when she got no reply, Shalom checked the time on her wristwatch, impatiently tapping her feet against the floor.
"Abeg, that's his business." Shalom said under her breath, turning her heel and about to storm off, already annoyed at his silly behavior but before she did, the door finally cracked open, revealing a strange face.
"Who are you?"
The voice was deep, his tone almost sent vibrations to her chest, he stood as tall as the door; leaning his head against the frame. He arched his brows as if questioning the girl, blatantly staring her up and down. She would usually like the feeling, but she found herself shifting under his gaze.
"Oh s-sorry, I'm looking for Jesse..." Shalom trailed off, confused, herself. She hardly ever stuttered, but this guy's presence was...dominating. It was like he radiated a certain boss man aura. When he was done taking in his presence, he clicked his teeth and opened his mouth to speak.
"You be runs girl?" So casually, the question was asked, that was the more reason the question threw her back. How dare he call her a prostitute?!
"What? No!" Shalom gasped, not thinking straight, she raised her hands and shoved his hard rock chest. This made the guy stumble back, shock written all over his face.
"How dare you?" It was her that spoke.
The man just chuckled; a hint of annoyance was heard in his tone. The guy eyed her duffel bag, looking back at her with a suspicious look, then sighed and shook his head like he had already figured it out. "Don't tell me you're one of his secondary school babes."
Wait...his?
And, one of?!
"Who...?" She whispered, almost not wanting to hear the answer.
"Ahan, Jesse nah, oh sorry...Baby?" The man mocked with a stupid grin on his face, it felt like someone had knocked the breath out of her lungs, did that bastard—Jesse, just pull a Shalom move on Shalom herself? How could he? She knew she sounded like a hypocrite but, it...it hurt.
It was called karma, right?
Where was he anyways? The player. Yes, she had the audacity to call him that.
"I talk am, that guy ehn." The guy hissed bitterly, walking awake from her and entering a corner, which led to the kitchen; she knew that because she had been here more than twice, but never seen this...handsome yet blunt man.
"Shut up!" The words erupted out of her like a volcano; she was pissed off and didn't need him adding to it. Shalom stomped towards where he strolled off to, like he hadn't just opened a door to a complete stranger.
"Come again?" He said, his eyes going dark instantly, she hadn't realized he had stopped walking until she ran into his hard chest.
What a sudden change of behavior...
"What..." Shalom was about to ask but was slammed into the wall, making her gasp, her eyes widening at the force he had used to push her. It remained for her to start coughing blood, what on earth was wrong with this guy?
"Watch your tongue, I'm not Jesse." That was enough to lower her head in submission; he stayed that way, hands on the wall and the other gripping her forearm quite harshly. Being too scared to withdraw, Shalom winced silently, why did he get angry over just a shut up?
Shalom was a 5'8, but she felt so little when he was close to her, Jesse never got angry when she spoke rudely to him or even pushed her back.
"I'm sorry." So, she apologized, her voice shaking. This was certainly new to Shalom; her mother never laid a hand on her, just shouted till her voice broke, then her dad? They never spoke enough for them to get into a fight, just 'Hey daddy' and 'Goodnight daddy'.
Immediately he moved back, she let out the breath she knew she was holding in, inhaling the scent of his Axe body spray. "Jesse is upstairs." That was the only thing he said, before pushing her out of the way before making his way to the living room. Oddly, she felt bad. It was the feeling that she was meant to have after a good scolding. But no, she felt really bad right now, for this guy she had known for just five minutes.
Pursing her lips, she tried to shake it off but she just couldn't. After dropping her duffel bag on the island of the kitchen, she made her way upstairs; Jesse had some explaining to do!
If this was a cartoon, fumes would be blowing out her ears and nostrils. Not patient enough to finish climbing the stairs, she widened her legs and climbed three at once; yelling his name at the top of her voice. "Jesse!" Silently hoping the man downstairs wouldn't shout at her.
"I know you're in there!" She yelled again before she heard shuffling behind the door and after about a minute, it burst open. Lo and behold, it was Jesse. Bed hair, still in his boxers and trying to suppress a yawn. He had just woken up. Jesse had just woken up at three in the afternoon! How?!
"Shalom baby! I didn't know you'd be here so early." Jesse said, finally yawning; opening his entire mouth as he rubbed his bare toned abdomen. "I hope my nonsense roommate didn't say anything to offend you." Jesse said chuckling nervously as he tried to pulled into his arms, but they were slapped away by her. "Say what? That you overslept because of your high school babes overworked you last night?" Yes she did that, which earned a cough from him before his eyes widened.
"Huh?"
"Huh, not only huh, see this guy oh, Oshi!" Shalom spat at him in disgust, sure she was a hypocrite, but she could care less. "What? It's not like that oh, Ola don lie on my head oh!" Jesse exclaimed. So that was the guy's names, Ola. She wondered what his full name was. She shoved his shoulders, now he was calling her brainwashed?
"Abeg!" Shalom scoffed.
"It won't happen again, I was just drunk." Jesse lied straight through his teeth, planting kisses on her cheeks as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear. "I promise' He said, rubbing circles against her hip. "You look edible, by the way." Jesse cooed, kissing against her pouted lips, oh now he noticed her outfit.
"Whatever." Once she realized that it was normal for guys his age, she shrugged her shoulders and cuffed his neck with her hands before getting on her tiptoes and pulling him into a kiss.
Who needed loyalty?
This wasn't like any other private gives she had looked out for, no, if not-- they wouldn't have been practically flying the stairs to escape the wrath of their very fuming physics teacher, Mrs. Kehinde. What made the whole situation a whole lot worse was that this woman knew Janet's mother first handedly. Yes, she was royally screwed.But in Janet's defense, she only got distracted because she had spotted Derek. Not only that, but he spotted her too, with a boy, on the wall, it looked like they were almost kissing. Over her dead body would she kiss that twat! Gbenga.Gbenga was the person Subomi asked to watch out, like he didn't trust Janet enough! He was all sorts of bold to the girls in her set, commercial, art and science, he had no preference, as long as the girl had big breasts and ass, he flirted away. In SS3C, as one of the most admired boys, both by juniors and his mate, Gbenga could care less. It seemed like he only needed one thing in his life.
Ada, Janet, Gbenga and Subomi all lined up in the woman's office, kneels down and hands in the air like a bunch of children, which was embarrassing, Mrs. Kehinde had even asked them to close their eyes! What did they look like, ten year children? Janet groaned as her arms began to shake, knowing that this was only the mere beginning of their punishments'."I am so disappointed in all of you, the head girl and even the assistant!" She began, Janet heard footsteps before a wardrobe drew open, she definitely knew what was next. Mr do good. Which was also know as the cane one student had plucked from a tree, so it was more like a darn bamboo stick!"Even you, sports prefect." Mrs Kehinde hissed, referring to Gbenga. All of them, in unison muttered a 'We're sorry ma.' which surprised them. "Shut up! Sorry my foot!" The teacher said, the footsteps getting louder from her heels. From the sound of it, she could here how the cane, sounded as it tore through the air, her attempt
"Which teacher?"Great, now she was playing dumb; she even tilted her head and gave the oh so innocent eyes to her mother, who looked rather pissed. She had on a black robe and fluffy slippers. Yes, her mother was boujee.Janet was a hundred percent sure that the only teacher's number her mother had was Mrs Kehinde. In her words, she said 'Why would I want them to be disturbing me?' Her mother was working as a saleswoman, she hardly had time for unnecessary calls."Mrs Bankolé."Oh, okay maybe she was one percent less sure now. Mrs Bankolé was one of the amebo (ah-meh-bo) teachers who practically hunted for gist, apart from her being the pregnant biology teacher, she was also a serious gossiper. The type that could leave the class she was teaching to go and watch as a student and teacher fought in the other classroom.Janet internally groaned at the thought, she had probably heard the gist by now, and came to tell her moth
The next day came fast.Faster than Janet would have hoped, she honestly did not feel like seeing anyone. Staring at her reflection, she sighed. Her plaited hair had gotten all rough because she forgot to put on her bonnet.After she did her morning prayer, she stepped into the ice cold shower, just how she liked it. It helped her get her mind out of the cloud, that was the last place she wanted to be in right now."Hm, lip gloss or no lip gloss" She said to herself, like it made any difference. Janet really wanted to look extra cute today, well, just because.So she did her edges, a little mascara and alladat.When she was done, she took her bag and went to school. Sometimes she would walk because she wanted to think and sometimes she'd take a cab, today was one of those days.Her parents always refused to get a driver for her because according to them, she needed to be independent.-"I've been looking everywhere for yo
It took a day for Janet and Ada to conclude what her punishment would be, the girl's name was Busola, she was one of the girls that thought she had made it in life because the likes of Subomi and other guys in their set stooped down to her level to toast her. Immediately Janet had arrived at school, her and Ada went on a search for Busola. They knew she wouldn't skip school because they had threatened to report to the principal if they didn't sight her first thing in the morning."Did she go and steal her moms' own, abi what?" Ada asked a laughing Janet, adjusting her shorts so they were resting on her flawless thigh's. Today happened to be sport's day. A day when girls in their school anticipated, so they could show off how seductive they looked in their tight blue shorts. It got so bad that the school had to give out tracksuits to cover it up but that didn't stop them. Of course it didn't.Ada's shorts were reaching her mid thigh, which looked nonexistent when she pu
Janet was frozen in the spot.Scared?Shocked?She didn't know which. Kareem had her against the wall, his hands gripped on her wrist so hard that she had to squeal. Why did he suddenly get so pissed off at her? Kareem grimaced, narrowing his eyes at how pathetically scared she looked, with Adebola at his back, Janet's eyes wide; but Adebola did nothing, she just put her head down."Listen up."Kareem muttered in annoyance."Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it."Kilodé? What was this guys own? So Adebola was now his 'way' or what. This guy was a joker. They stayed that way, Janet putting up her best tough face even though she almost pissed her pants."Guy, leave my hand oh." Janet spat at him, ignoring how much her mind told her not to put up a fight. She knew Kareem wasn't one to be messed with, but she wasn't going to let that stop her."Which one is I'll regret it sef?" Janet continued, hissing at him
You know that feeling when you're meant to stop someone from punching a person that clearly deserves it? Then you wait for just a minute so they'd feel the pain.That was the spot Janet was in.She waited, letting Derek punch Kareem. Over and over, to her; it was one of the most exciting things to see; it definitely topped any film trick action movie she had watched in the cinema.After a while, she decided to speak up, well that was what she had said to herself but she knew it was because people were beginning to gather near the tree. All thanks to the screams of Kareem.What a wimp."Derek stop!" Janet finally spoke up, after Kareem stopped screaming. Whispers surrounded them, students watched in horror."Heh!! Damilayo, you want to kill him?!" Mr Wesley yelled dramatically as Obinna ran and pulled a fuming Derek off Kareem. The boys seemed unfazed by his behavior, like it happened often."Guy, haba now." Ope said throug
The day had come and gone and the next day had already started, people were still talking about the whole incident. New versions of the story had even emerged. One was that Derek had blinded Kareem's left eye, the next was that Kareem was sleeping with Adaobi. Janet couldn't even keep up with the rumors anymore. She couldn't help but giggle at how stupid they were being.But her lips arched into a deep frown when she recalled how Dotun had interrupted her and Derek's conversation. She was just getting to know more about him! Then Dotun just had to arrive with her stupid big breast to rest his head on when they hugged, ugh! She was fuming. After Janet saw that yesterday, she just got up and left them alone; rolling her eyes as she slammed the door.Petty? Yeah, she was aware of that.What did lighten her mood when she got home was that there was a text from Derek. Right? He actually message her again, when she read it, her mood was lifted for the whole day.
Hey! Thanks for coming this far! Don't forget to like!!!"My brilliant girl!" Janet's dad cheesed, using his hands to pat on her shoulders. She just giggled at this, blushing at her parents praise. The results were given to them before they went on midterm break and Janet's parents were quite proud of her result to be honest. She looked down at her it with a wide smile. Mathematics: A1English: A1Chemistry: A1Physics: A1Biology: A1Catering and Craft: A1ICT: A1Further Maths: B2Diction: A1The only grade that had made a dent on her clean record was Further maths, she cringed every time she heard that subject. "So, you people are on break until when?" Her mom asked, taking her script an
Yinka watched in horror.She watched as Janet scrambled out of the corner, giggling profusely with Derek walking right beside her. Freaking Derek. She heard the rumors about the head girl finally having a boyfriend after so long but she didn't expect it to be him. Him! Yinka clenched her fist at the sight, the way that nonsense boy's lips curled up as he looked down at Janet. Ew. Yinka gagged. So Janet was into hooligans now?Yinka couldn't look away from both of them, she couldn't bring herself to call them a couple. She noticed that Janet shyly pulled down her skirt, nudging Derek on his arms as he teased her or something. Hold up, pulled down her skirt?Yinka scoffed. What had happened to the Janet she once knew? She didn't want her to become like Ada, opening her legs to any boy that showed her the tiniest of affection. No! Janet wasn't like that! Janet was her role model, not...not some Derek loving...heck she couldn't even come up with an
Bagam bagam bagam.Janet's heart thudded so hard she thought she was having a heart attack, her mouth went dry and her nerves sky rocketed. Janet stared longingly at the man who just had a disappointed scorn on his face, he arched his brow expectantly, awaiting her response. She looked down, clearing her throat. What could she possibly say that would make sense?I don't know how it got there? Sir I just saw it under my locker because it grew some wings and implicated me? Whatever excuse she thought of just made her sound dumber, Janet knew someone set her up; but right now, the way the color drained from her face made her seem like the culprit.Oh God deliver me.She prayed to herself as she hesitatingly stood on her feet. The teacher grimaced at her sluggish actions."I said bring out everything in your locker or I will do it for you."The man said again, word by word. The venom laced his voice. By now, the class had gone pin dro
The day had finally come - or rather the dreaded week. Midterm examinations. The week students actually picked up their books, cramming their life's out. Janet would have been frantically cramming as well, even though she had read. But right now, she was still on cloud nine.Derek kept his promise, he texted her when he could, which was after she had gone home. She didn't want to tell him about her encounter with Pedro, she wasn't even sure if it was the same Pedro or just a creep trying to get her number. They spoke through out the day. Heck she didn't even remember what they spoke about, she just recalled giggling and chatting with him over the phone until her parents called her down for some family time. She still found a way to sneak in a text or two.She was obsessed with what they had going on."Omo this one that people want to put their head into the book gon sef. I've tire." Shalom exclaimed in annoyance, crossing her hands as she yawned. Ada hummed in r
Derek looked almost lifeless on the ground, his shirt now soaked; Janet could see the red liquid begin to drip down to Daniel's tiles. Her eyes widened at the sight, she felt goosebumps on her skin, her stomach crunched at the way his blood leaked out of him. Obinna and Ope hastily got up from the floor, pushing Janet away as they rushed towards him."Guy! What the hell?!" Obinna shrieked, immediately lifting his shirt up. When he did, the once quiet room became noisy. The sight was eye opening.It was a horizontal stab wound, all bloody and poorly stitched up to the point that the stitches were beginning to rip. The only thing that could make such an injury was a knife, she didn't even want to know how deep it was."Oh my..." Janet whispered as the tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands began to shake at how much blood he was loosing, her mouth quivering as she said prayed for him.Prayed that it looked much worse than it was."What the heck did you d
"Exactly! It was just so creepy and when he came back he seemed pissed off."Janet continued over the phone, kicking the pair of sock off her feet as she laid on her bed, explaining what had happened at the beach with Derek. She still wondered who that guy was and why Derek told her to go; kind of like he didn't want that guy to see her."Maybe he was jealous?" Ada asked confused, shuffles sounding from her side of the line. "Nah, I don't think so." Janet mumbled with a faint blush on her cheeks. He couldn't possibly be jealous...could he? "Sure..." Ada drew out with a chuckle. "So, did anything happen between you and Ope...again?" Janet hummed playfully, squinting her eyes and listening intently."In his dreams, he was acting so possessive, I mean that guy is so confusing! One minute he's cold and saying that I love the guys attention and the next he's being so cute!" Ada ranted through the phone, taking a deep frustrated huff when she was done. "He even
What Kareem had said to Janet didn't leave her mind, she still got chills just from thinking about it. As much as she tried to decipher the words, she knew that she wouldn't be able to. Who were the so called dangerous guys keeping an eye on him? Was Derek in trouble and he didn't even know it? She grew more worried as she dug deeper into her mind.The hours they spent at the museum was a drag, Mr Wesley urged them to write on the artifacts that they clearly didn't give two about. Janet glanced at Kareem a few times, trying to tell if he was playing a prank on her or just being salty. But when Kareem looked her way, he still had that warning look on his face."This one you've been thinking hard, I hope all is well." Ada asked in a worried expression, nudging Janet when she didn't respond. "Oh, nothing oh. It's just one nonsense Kareem said." Janet shrugged off with a nervous laughter. She could only hope that it was nonsense."Kareem ke? What did he say?" Janet didn't
"Janet, I hope you're still on track with your school works?"The principal asked with a soft yet stern tone, folding her arms as she leaned in from her leather chair. Janet inwardly groaned at the question, feeling awkward as she stood in her office along with Ada, Tiwa and Ebere.Ebere was the assistant head boy, who also happened to be one of the guys Janet dated when she was in junior school. He was tall, broad shoulders, well defined jaw, grey eyes. Ebere was an albino. He gave her a look when the principal said that, pity clouding his vibrant iris; even if Ebere was dating a girl called Susan in SS3C, he still cared about Janet deeply. More like a brother and sister bond."Yes ma." Her cracked voice echoed through the cold office, she almost cringed at how high pitches it sounded. They were all lined up in front of her office, which meant that she had something to tell them."Good." Janet didn't like the awkwardness of hearing her own voice in the sil
Janet leaned into his arms, laying her head on his shoulders as she inhaled his scent. She loved how he scooped her up, not to mention the fact that she was still straddled on his lap like a baby. Janet found herself snuggling deeper into him, her heart going at a thousand miles per hour.It felt so surreal - losing Juliet. It hurt Janet so much, her heart clenched at just the thought of going home to no Juliet, at the thought of having no one to talk to her when her mother was busy. Janet was an only child, but she never felt that way with Juliet, now she really did. The burial was quick, Juliet's mother came in from the village, looking even more horrible than Janet did. She cried her eyes out. For the first time, Janet saw Juliet's boyfriend...or sugar daddy. She didn't know how he heard about the news, but he did. He sat at the back of the hall the entire time, in all black.She remembered him because Juliet had shown her a picture once or twice. Juliet. Janet fe