Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Uthman's POV

Pass

straight

dribble

go

go

go and

it's a Goal.

Wooosh, I shouted and in less than a second, I was lifted off the ground by my teammates. Wooosh, I said again, feeling excitement bubbling in my heart. That was my second goal for the match and that makes 3-0. We resumed the match and in less than 10 minutes, the referee blew the alarm and the match ended. We won again. I walked over to where I kept my phone and shirt admist loud murmurs from my teammates and the other players. I unlocked my phone and saw that the time was 7:15pm. Someone slapped me at the back and I looked back to see Muhammed, the guy whose house is like three streets away from mine. We met on the field when I was in SS1 and he was in SS2. Now, he's a first year student of unilorin.

"hey man. Nice moves you got there."

I smiled. "Who are you whinning?"

He shrugged. "We both know that I'm serious. Heard you're the captain of your football team at school."

I nodded.

"Hey man, you've got so much talent. And you want to become a medical doctor? I can't even imagine you holding a scalpel."

"Guy, you've not changed at all."

He shrugged again and said "A leopard never change its spot."

I smiled and started putting on my shirt. I stopped midway because of his long, overly, exaggerated gasp.

"What's it?"

I asked, taking in his slightly opened mouth. He moved closer and touched my a spot above my elbow.

"Seriously, all these abs for you. Wao wait wao. You're definitely what we should call a hot man. Whoosh. All the girls must be lining up to date you. You're handsome, you're brilliant, you're the captain of the football team and you're the senior prefect. You're the perfect example of  A All Rounder."

I groaned and rolled my eyes but I felt warm insides. To have all my good attributes laid out like this definitely has me smiling. I adjusted my short and we started walking towards his street. We'll pass his street before getting to mine. The match we were playing was a match between Agbabiaka's estate and Wema's Estate. The two estates were close to each other. Only a street separating them and I live in Agbabiaka's estate.

"So, you've got a girlfriend now?"

Mohammed asked once we left the field in Wema's Estate and we've now entered the street of our own estate.

"No."

He stopped in his track, then picked up the pace again, this time turning to look at me so he was walking backward.

"What's stopping you dude? You've got the face, the........" His voice trailed off as he looked at me quizically.

"Have you ever asked a girl out?"

"No." I replied and picked up pace so that we'll just get to the junction where we will part ways.

"Oh shit. Uthman. You're sixteen. Guys has been toasting girls since they were 13. What's wrong with you? Do you even know how to?"

Oh, I forgot to introduce Mohammed as advanced Daniel when it comes to craziness. Except that Daniel often mean his as jokes most of them while Mohammed practically wants you to hold a pen and a paper when he teaches you this life hacks of toasting girls.

"You can talk to me if you need help. I'll definitely help you."

Ó tán?

I nodded my head just as we got to the junction where we part ways. We did the guy code thing and we parted ways. I continued walking down the road when  a lyrics flowed into my ears from nowhere.

Are you truly happy?

Yes. I am truly happy. I said to myself subconsciously. I was truly happy whenever I was on the field. Whenever I was holding the microphone, ready to start a speech or a debate. Whenever I win against Jade. Except I wasn't sure....  ..

My train of thoughts were cut off my the sudden vibration of my phone in my pocket. I took it out and it was a call from Aunty Bola. She's probably calling to tell me to hurry up. I did not pick her call as I quickened my steps.

*****

Michelle met me with a stoic face the next morning. Oh shit. I've completely forgotten about her. Oh shit. Oh shit. She ignored me throughout the first three periods. I remembered the necklace I want to give her as her birthday gift. That will do the trick. During the short break. I went over to her seat.

"Hey."

I flipped the chair in front of her so I was sitting in front of her.

She ignored me.

I brought out the case and put it in front of her. She still ignored me.

"Your birthday gift. I was in shitty mood yesterday so I couldn't give you."

She smiled a little and opened the case. Her face dissolved into huge smile. The sun was shining through the window and it made the chain glistened.

"Wow wow. This is the best gift I've ever received. Oh my God!"

Her voice caught a little. She's not about to cry, is she? She did the last thing I expected. She leaned forward and hugged me. The whole class erupted in shout of whoosh whoosh whoosh.

"You guys should just date."

Someone said from behind the class.

"Do you even know if they're dating already and they are just keeping it away from us?"

Someone said again. That someone was Daniel. I shook my head.

"Thank you so much Uthman. I can't even thank you enough. I love you so much. Thank you."

I smiled at her and left for my seat. Hardly have I stood up than the rest of the classic beauties went to her. They all clamored around her, checking out the chain.

"Wow.So you got Michelle something that expensive? We've been friends for over 5 years and you've never given me something that expensive."

Daniel said immediately I sat down on my seat.

'Well, you're not Michelle.'

'Oh wow. I'm heartbroken. Wow. Just wow. Is this how life really is?'

He made a silly heartbroken face just as the timekeeper rang the bell signaling the end of the short break and our mathematics entered the class. I wonder if the man is always lurking around because that's the only logical reason why he's never a minute late to his classes.

*******

Jade's POV

'I think my Grandmother is a witch.'

Hana said to me. It was lunch break and we were sitting in front of the cafeteria, sipping Cocacola and meatpie. I was the only one drinking Cocacola though. My Bestie was a fan of Say No To Carbonated Drinks.

I laughed. 'Why on earth will you say something so hideous about your grandmother?'

She shrugged

'Because she's scary. God! She's so scary.' She was silent for a minute and then she shuddered. 'Oh! she's so terrifying.'

I laughed again. I know her grandmother and to tell the truth, she was a bit terrifying. She's so dark that you can't tell her apart from darkness. And she walks around silently in the house like a ghost.

'Well, she's a witch because she's practically begging dad to get a new wife because of a son. I mean who does that? She ignores my mom whenever she comes to our house and mom is always eager to please her. She doesn't even know that it's my mom that's earning all these money she thinks her son has. Shioo.'

I laughed at the pronunciation of her Shioo.

'Well, that's just how the African Mentality works. If the family doesn't have a male son, it's not a family. Such a stupid and sick mentality.'

Hana laughed. 'Why are you so mad?'

'Because it's just so so sad. The way our people think.'

We heard the sound of the bell and we stood up. The class we have now is Yoruba and I so so enjoy yoruba class especially because I know I'm going to read to the class. Uthman and Michelle were walking side by side to class in front of us. And Hana whispered into my ears

'I think Michelle is warming her way into Uthman's heart. Such a waste for his fine face when they start dating.'

'Well, stupid meet idiot. It's not such a bad combo.'

Hana laughed.

When we got to the class, instead of our Yoruba teacher, our class teacher, Mrs Adeola was in the class. Mrs Adeola is someone I really respect. She's like a mother to all. She once told us.' I won't tell you not to have boyfriends and girlfriends but do it with sense.

She cleared her throat when we've all settled

' Hey class! Hope you guys are fine?'

The class erupted in series of yes.

'oh! I can even see it on your faces. Michelle, you're glowing. Why are you this happy today?

' Well, it's a happy day and the weather is so nice.'

She replied

Idiot

' Well, back to the business of the day. There's a project the whole school is to partake in. You guys are to discuss the Dreams and the power of a dream and you'll be paired in two's. '

What! It's not like we are in primary school or junior secondary school.

'So, since you guys are 24 in class. 12 boys and twelve girls. The  should write their names and wrap the paper and the class captain should collect the names.'

Bunmi, the class captain and the most quiet girl I've ever seen stood up and started collecting the names. I wrote down my name avd dropped it in her beret. I watched Hana draw a stupid heart emoji on her paper. I shook my head. When she was done collecting the names, Mrs Adeola instructed her to take the names around the class and the boys should take from it. This took a while and finally, everybody has picked a name.

'Now, can you guys reveal the names of your partners?'

When it got to Daniel's turn, he said Hana and Hana turned to me, mouthering What. I smiled at her.

Uthman : Jade

He said this with an extremely bored tone

What???

'Manners, Jade. Manners' Mrs Adeola cautioned.

I did not even realize that I had said that out. Why on earth will Uthman pick me? Ya Allah. I thought you loved me.

I did not even hear anything until it was Akin's turn and he said Michelle. Good! We can definitely exchange partners. When the whole class was done

'Now, that you all have partners. You guys should work on it together and you'll present it to the whole class on Monday morning.'

My hands shoot up immediately.

'yes, Jade. Hope no problem?'

'MA-am, can I please exchange partners with Akin?'

Mrs Adeola looked at me for a minute longer before saying

'Don't be a baby Jade'

And she walked out, can this day be worse?  Oh God! Oh God! Our Yoruba teacher walked in but I was not even in the mood t

o read anything again. After our Yoruba class, it was a free period and people gathered together to discuss their project. Even Akin and Michelle were talking. Only I and Uthman and Michelle and Daniel remained in our seats.

'How are we suppose to work with those guys?'

Ikr. I groaned just as Daniel came over, hands in his pocket.

'Hey Hana. We have to talk about our project, don't we?'

'Yes but a minute please.'

She replied and turned to me just as Daniel left to go over to Uthman.

'that's the first words we've said to each other since SS1.'

I shrugged as she left to go over to her seat. Dan joined her a few minutes lather. Only I and Uthman were not saying anything. How on earth did this happen to me? Why am I even exaggerating? We've done other things together before, like all the cowbell competitions, all the regional debate. But we've never had to present the same thing before until now...

Oh God!