It was Tuesday morning and right now, I am talking to my second female bestie, Gloria, by the window side. The light air that blows gives me goosebumps as it finally dawned on me that today will make it the last day for the conclusion of our NECO examination.
Angst clouded my mind, mostly with anxiety and fright in my body, and to say my emotions are well figured out will be a lie.
"Earth to Michael", Gloria's voice jolted me out of my reverie, as I quickly put on a smile which she frowned at.
Her arms were folded and her expressions show that I have not been paying less attention to what she was saying.
" I'm sorry for the bre
Dressed in a purple shirt, black trousers, and waistcoat, a set of shoes, and black frame glasses to match, I could not help but hurry to put on my graduation gown. I can't believe I was late for my graduation party.Ensuring my look in the purple graduation gown, I took a stride to the side of the big hall meant for the outgoing students, that is, SSS3 students, as I found a seat beside Gloria."You are late", Gloria commented, looking a bit angry." Well, I kinda slept late due to too much anxiety, and probably over-excitement",
I felt a tap on my shoulder which brought me out of my reverie. I looked around only to see my younger brother's gaze on me, as I kept breathing in and out. I felt my heart do a backflip at the sudden realization that I imagined such a scene."Brother Michael, are you okay?", Mark, my brother asked with concern written over his face.I take in a deep breath before slowly calming down." I am okay, something just came into my mind, that's all", I replied, putting on a fake smile."Oh! Maybe you should rest. You have been preparing too much for your POST UTME examination", he said and I nodded, smiling at his caring nature.
I looked into his eyes searching for something that I do not have any idea about. I felt my heart telling me to go for it but my inner mind was against it. I looked sideways as a thought struck me."Ethan, what will you do if a girl confesses her feelings to you?" I asked."I can never like that girl if she confesses her feelings. Well, I will feel her as being cheap for catching feelings for me. Many girls have asked me out on dates, confessed their feelings, but who that one EPP", Ethan deadpanned, sending chills down my body."But…., My words got stuck in my throat as I could not say anything.I bit my lips gently, releasing my breath.
I hugged my mum as if my life depended on it, I will miss her a lot. I have gained admission and today being January 11, which happened to be a Sunday, my dad and I are making a trip to UNILAG(UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS STATE). UNILAG, which happens to be my dream school, has finally accepted I, Oyedele Michael, into the Pharmaceutical Department.My mum continued to pray for me as I was ready to take my leave for the city of Lagos."Michael, remember the child of whom you are. Please do not join any bad gang. Always remember to pray to God about everything in your life. He is your creator, always put that in mind. Please study hard", my mum counseled as I nodded, taking in her words.Putting my travel bags in
I went over to the chair and table near the bedside as I took my seat, trying to comprehend everything that happened. I was not angry but felt a great glint of disappointment since my dad said earlier that I won't be having a roommate. I wonder how I would manage to live with Christopher, my new roommate for a whole 6 years without getting attracted to him. I am so in trouble', I thoughtI turned abruptly as I glanced at the person in the room, as he kept arranging his clothes in the second part of the wardrobe. Tall with a muscular body, a nice haircut, and a good look, his rosy cheeks, and pink lips contributed to his handsomeness. I breathe in and out trying to remain calm.I watched him remove his shirt and his singlet
"I am afraid that..", I stopped my words as I bit my lips nervously at how I almost wanted to reveal a big secret of mine.The truth is that I am afraid that I would be attracted to him and there is a high tendency he would develop feelings for me. Just my instinct tho, which makes me feel tense right now. I felt his scrutinizing eyes on me and I could not help but have beads of sweat on my forehead even tho it was around 11 am and the cool breeze was still blowing. " Hmm, you seem to be hiding a lot from me. I do not blame you for that but I would not stop investigating", he said locking eyes with my figure. "I think you should try to reconsider that. You might get in trouble looking through my life", I cautioned looking at him. He scoffed and picked the fork as he fed himself a mouthful of the warm spaghetti. The food made its movement down his throat, as his A
"Wakey, wakey. It is your first day at the University", Christopher's voice woke me up as I almost sprang out of the bed.I quickly checked the time and saw 7:05 am. I checked my phone and noticed it was switched off, and my backup alarm was nowhere to be found." What the heck happened? What did you do Chris?", I asked as he put on a blue-collar shirt.He smiled looking at me, and for a few seconds, I felt furious."I just deactivated the alarm on your phone and that of the backup a
Walking alongside Christopher and Joy, I could not help but keep thinking about the messages sent by Raphael. Yes, Raphael, the 200 level student I met this morning sent it leaving a bitter taste at the tip of my tongue, and my heart racing.I tried not to imagine that he liked my voice the instant we met. That sounds crazy and ridiculous as well. Maybe I need to talk with him since I never replied to his messages. Oh God, I hope that what I am thinking will not happen."Earth to Michael", Chris whispered to my ear, bringing me out of my trance as I held my chest feeling frightened already. 
AUTHOR POINT OF VIEWI want to use this opportunity to thank all of my readers. It has been a long journey writing this book(my first book), all thanks to your reads and ever-supportive reviews.This book has shown different stages on how attraction for the same-sex might set in, as well as how society condemns it. Michael was a great male lead as he decided to control his feelings rather than give in to them.When I wanted to write this book, a question came to my mind. "Why are they gay people as well as lesbians?"I did my research realizing that feelings toward the same sex might start to set in due to involuntary sexual arousal(which is normal).So I thought of writing a book about how a character would be attracted to the same sex but control those feelings. I made Michael go through different stages, to self-discovery and assuring himself he is not gay, not until he involves himself in
EPILOGUEI've gone too far to give up nowJust put a bandage on those scarsThere's no need to be held by failureYou can beat all of the oddsAnd if you feel under pressureScared beyond measureLost a close treasureYou've got to rememberYou're not what they call youCan't limit yourself to whatPeople tell youYou're the final word
Every day seems like a passing phase. Every moment is like a good time. Ever since my last talk with Chris and Phil, I am yet to make a decision. It seems suffocating thinking of what to go for, especially with a bitter feeling in the pit of my stomach.One of my thoughts ended up being against what my body is craving for. I always find myself asking questions. If I eventually am with Phil, will I be happy? What if I remain single and this weird feeling keeps persisting? How will I even figure out the right thing to go for?I looked at the streets with the simmering of light as Phil draped his hand on my shoulder. Anytime I try to tell him to stop trying to be always with me, he becomes sad. In as much as I want him to be back with Senior Joy, he was able to get what I was trying to do.I don't know what is happening to me. I no longer feel those butterflies in my Tommy, anxiety, and nervousness never creep
It would have been a worse scenario for me if I continued to feel the pleasure, but it stopped. My body became numb, as I closed my eyes, the imaginations of Joseph's attempt to rape me crept into my mind.I felt a surge of power as I pushed Phil away."I can't do this. I can't. It is an immoral act", my voice started shaking as tears glimmered in my eyes.I could feel the surprised look on Phil as his gaze was on me. He groaned, then hissed before moving closer to me." Are you okay?", he asked with concern as I nodded."Are you sure you don't want to do this? We both like each other, don't we?", he tried to reassure but I could not help but feel a bitter taste on my tongue." I don't want to get carried away by temporary pleasure. I know you are probably angry but I can't seem to keep off my mind from how we will both feel after having sex. I can't do this. God condemns such act", I said, my mind r
It has been over three weeks with Phil. It has not been an easy one, especially with asking for forgiveness from those he had greatly hurt or done something bad to. So happy that the five people we went to forgave him, tho it took time.It was not easy. Some took days before they forgave Phil. That of Senior Joy and Kevin took a day but the others were like hard nuts to crack. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, but letting go of the hurt. That is obvious from those set of people Phil offended.*****I could not help but beam with a smile as I covered the lid of the cooler container containing the melon soup. I packed it in a small bag, alongside some wraps of pounded yam.Getting outside the kitchen only to meet Chris glancing at me."Ahem, why the stare?", I asked, trying to act calmly without giving away my real mood." Why do I feel you are guilty of something?", Chris asked, munc
It was just as if I was reading the book of Revelation. Philip got entangled with bad friends, who brought him nothing but trouble. He joined the cultist against his will but under the influence of alcohol and drugs.He was forced to do his first assignment or the one closest to his heart will suffer the consequences. He yielded, afraid of facing to see his loved ones dead.Phil turned his head, his eyes red, full of regrets and pain. I felt my heart heavy, as I tried to remain strong at least for him. He needs to let it all out. I also need to know his final decision(s)."I wept that very day, my heart feeling like sinking. I betrayed the trust and love between Joy and me to save her and my foster parents. Trust me when I say that the cult leader meant it as I have seen proof of how he causes the death of other people without even thinking. Most importantly, no traces tend to link to any of his apprentices in this evil
I felt a surge of emotions as I listened to Philip's story. My body trembled at what he has gone through. No doubt the saying that 'THE RICH ALSO CRY' is not a fallacy.Waking up with people you feel were your parents, then they neglected you, becoming business tycoons. You had a strange feeling they are not your parents. Confirming it, it turns out to be true.Facing your so-called parents only to realize they held the truth away from you for over 20 years of your life. The truth was revealed as your true mother abandoned you in front of an orphanage, leaving you to face a cruel world all by yourself.I don't know who to blame right now, whether it was his real mother who left him for over 20 years without turning back to look for him or his foster parents who placed their work lifestyle over their adopted son."You know, that time, after knowing my real mother was back, I wished she could die. I bu
I don't know how I should feel right now. I saw his two hands form into fists as he bowed his head a little. With the little courage within me, I continued staring at his figure even when fear and nervousness enveloped my mind.Few seconds passed as my heart kept pacing. His lips twitched into a smile as he picked his spoon to continue eating his ice cream."Who told you I am a cultist?", he questioned a smile still on his lips, his eyes peeking at me making me feel stupid for asking such a question." I'm sorry I asked such a question. I…", I find words stuck in my throat.He folds his arms, moving his head closer to my ear as he whispers."I am a cultist. The leader of AZA CULT GROUP, one of the notorious cult gangs in this University"I felt as if a knife pierce through my skin as he moved back, his face now showing a sad feature. I tried to move my lips but they felt glued. He is joking right?", I can feel myself asking my i
Fear could probably be the least of my expressions after knowing the true identity of Phil last night. I lost my appetite even when Chris nudged me to eat. He was the one that later ended up eating it all. According to him, it seems he likes me and thought I might help Phil one way or the other.I am still finding it difficult to digest it. Such a young man who happens to be charming, caring, and respectful. Even when I listed the qualities I liked about him, Chris still told me they do not write it on their foreheads whether they are cultists or not.****Standing in front of the mirror, I could not help but compliment my look. Putting on a grey round neck and black trousers with a black sandal. Chris suggested I put on clothes with his favorite colors."Be calm, I will be at the restaurant. I work there now", Chris said." What? When have you started working there?", I asked"I was transferred yesterday. I could not tell you since yo