Chapter 23: Chapter 23

~Jade's POV~

It's been two weeks since we vacated, two weeks of trying to convince that what Zee said is wrong. Two weeks filled with the thoughts of someone I'll rather not think about. I was sitting in front of the wall mirror in my room, trying on different earrings when Zee entered the room. She did a double take when she saw me. She flopped down on my bed so she could stare at my reflection in the mirror.

'You look good, I didn't know you know how to do makeup like this.'

'I picked up a thing or two from you.' I smiled

'By the way, Are you not going to Hana's house?'

I nodded, it was on the 26th of December and that's the day Hana and her family celebrate Christmas.

'You are taking extra measure to look this good and you're going to Hana's place?' She asked, then she added, as an afterthought 'Is your crush there by any chance?'

I rolled eyes and turned back so I could stare at her.

'For the last time Zee, stop calling him my crush. He's the last person I'll ever crush on. When will you relent on this crush thing?'

She shrugged

'Will you wait for like an hour? I'm going out by 3 and this is just 1:30'

'And why do I have to wait for you?'

'I'm going towards Hana's house and we can go together in the same car. I'll drive.'

I burst into laughter.

'And you think I'll allow you to drive me, I'm not ready to die.'

'Oh. Do you know I've been driving before they even gave birth to you?' Zee said and I rolled my eyes.

'I don't care. I'm not going with you.'

'Well, you don't have an option. Our driver drove dad out, you have to follow me or else, you want to use public transport.'

I rolled my eyes and faced the mirror to continue my quest for a suitable earing.

'So you're wearing that off shoulder top to her place? Hmm hmm. I did not even try to seduce my crush like this when I was in Secondary school.'

I glared at her in the mirror and she laughed. She left my room minutes lather to go get dressed in her room. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, laughing at the beautiful girl that is staring back. To keep myself busy, I went to scroll through Instagram. The first person it brought on my 'People to follow' was Uthman. I scrolled past his name and went on to see other people's post. One minute, I was viewing Timini's page, my favourite Nigerian actor and the next minute I was on Uthman's page without meaning to. He has just five pictures on Instagram. The first one was from our interhouse sport last year, one he took with his younger sister, then one with Daniel on our cultural day in the agbada. I laughed at the picture. Then one on the field, a ball lying at his feet. He was smiling wildly in the picture and I thought to myself, subconsciously, that he was undoubtedly handsome. I looked at his face again and felt something skip in my heart. I remembered distinctly that he said football is his only true passion. And yet he wants to become a medical doctor.

'Uthman, you're setting yourself on a very lonely path'

I whispered to myself and then, chastised myself immediately.

'It's none of your business Jade.'

The last picture was of him and Michelle and they were grinning from side to side. Two idiots, I thought to myself and exited the page.

********

Two hours after, I was sitting in Hana's garden with Hana, Akin, Daniel and Uthman. Hana did not tell me Daniel and Uthman were coming and I was pissed off when I first saw them. My small circle with Hana is no longer as small as it used to be. Dan keeps infringing and I hate it, why? Because Uthman is infringing too.

'You're awfully quiet today. Are you okay?'

Akin asked me and I looked up from my phone.

'Yes' I replied and went back to pressing my phone. Hana's phone rang and she excused herself to go and pick her friends from her modeling agency at their gate. She came back with two ridiculously thin girls. They both wore high waist trousers and crop topd that clung to their body

'Guys, meet my friends, Lola and Favour. Lola, my friends Jade, Daniel, Uthman and Akin.'

'Why on earth will you introduce me as your friend, Jade. I'm your best friend, the friend you can't do without.'

I said and everybody laughed. One of the girl flopped down beside Uthman.

'We already know a lot about you. Hana is always talking about you.' The one I'll lather recognize to be Lola said. It was Favour that sat down beside Uthman.

'And how am I your friend? I thought we were dating.'

Daniel asked and we all laughed again. Favour striked a conversation with Uthman and within minutes, they were laughing and grinning together. Do people really click that easily?

'How about we play a game?' Dan suggested

'Definitely not truth or dare.' I replied him.

'Why not truth or dare? It's an amazing game.' The girl beside Uthman asked me.

'No, not that game. I have a bad history with it.'

Uthman answered and that earned a glare from Daniel.

'is that the time you disappointed everybody and broke your girl's heart?'

'Daniel, when will you relent on this thing? I sorted things out with her already so why won't you let me rest?

'Guys, please. Let's forget that and play a game. What about name name name or that game where we say words that ends with -ing, sion, ed e.t.c.'

Akin said, interrupting their discussion about Michelle. Why didn't Uthman kiss Michelle that day? Why? Who does that to their friend in front of everybody? Why does it matter to me?'

Everyone agreed on Name Name Name and we played it for like 30 minutes or so. I actually enjoyed it. Hana's mother came out in a long strapless gown and walked to where we sat.

'Hope you guys are enjoying yourself?'

She asked us and we all chorushed yes. She lingered for a while, asking us questions, others particularly. She left a little while lather.

'Jade, Is that your hair or you added extensions?'

I looked up from my phone to see Favour staring at me.

'Yes, it's my hair.'

'Wow' She replied, her eyes opening widely in shock. 'Really? You have really long hair. And it's natural. wow. I wish I have hair as long as yours.'

I looked at her hair, it wasn't that low. But mine was incredibly longer. It's been three years since I started keeping natural hair and now, it reach way past my shoulder whenever I stretched it with hot comb. The conversation dragged off from nothing to something and to everything. It was getting late and Favour and lola stood up to leave.

'You're very cute. I bet a lot of my girls must be crushing on you.'

Favour said to Uthman as she stood up. Uthman smiled.

'Yes, a lot of girls do crush on me.' Then he looked at me, a grin on his face.

'I'm sure a girl here is crushing on me.'

I eyed him. This is what Zee caused. I knew it. Uthman will never allow me to rest.

'Yes, Pretty sure I'm that girl.' Favour replied and flashed a smile. 'Can I have your number please?'

I watched him give her his number and I shook my head. Girls will probably be the end of him. I rolled my eyes again. The girls soon left and less than five minutes after they left. Akin walked over to where I sat, shrugged off his shirt so that he was in only a black round neck top and he draped the shirt over my bare shoulder. He walked back to where he sat.

'You should cover up more. Your bare shoulder is too much of a distraction.'

His words did not sink in immediately and when they did, I took off the shirt, rumpled it and threw it at his face.

'You're high'

'What the fuck Jade? Why are you always this violent? He asked

'Jade is not violent, you asked for it.' Hana replied on my behalf.

'oh oh. Is that how you'll hit your boyfriend? I pity the guy that will date you. I sha hope his craziness matches yours.'

'Akin, shut up'

'Guys, I think we should leave, it's past 6 already. I can't drive when it's dark.' Uthman said.

'You drive? You drove all of them here?'

I asked without a second thought.

'Yeap. My Guy is an international driver. Drives anything like an expert.'

Dan replied.

'Wow. Are you not like Sixteen or Seventeen? How come they allowed you to drive by yourself at home?'

I asked again, trying to re imagine the scenario. Mom will never allow me to drive, even if I know how too. Before they allowed Zee to start driving, she proved herself over and over again.

'Why are you this curious? I'll drive you home if you really want to know if I can drive.'

'Ehn, no oo. I'm not ready to die.'

The other four burst into laughter and Uthman and the rest of the boys stood up. Hana followed them and as a reflex action, I followed too. Immediately we got outside, Zee pulled over.

'Oh, look who's here. That means I have to leave now.'

Zee got down from the car and started walking towards us. Oh God! I hope my sister doesn't say anything stupid.

'Hi Guys, you're all Jade's friends, right? I'm her sister, Zee.'

'Oh, sister Zee, I've heard a lot about you. I'm Akin.'

'Oh,heard a lot about you too. I thought you and my sister had a thing going on but now, there's someone else....'

'Zee!!!' I shouted.

She looked at Daniel and he introduced himself, then she looked at Uthman, her eyes widened in shock. So she did not even know he was here before, then she turned to me and muttered

'I knew it'

Zee is crazy, Aswear.

'I should not keep you guys. Bye Bye'

We stood by the side as they all got in and Uthman drove away. Once in our own car. Zee said

'He's all package, he's intelligent, handsome, cute and he even knows how to drive. How lucky you are.'

I just feel like strangling Zee. Smh.

*****

~Uthman~

Two weeks and for that two weeks, Daniel has not even for a minute allowed me to rest on Michelle's case. I feel bad for her. I know I acted like a jerk and if I could really go back, I'll just kiss her. I went over to Dan's house for Christmas and he invited me to Hana's house the next day. I turned him down but he pestered and pestered and now, here am I, sitting directly in front of Jade who was putting on an off shoulder red top. I basically heard nothing Favour said but I laughed whenever she did just so she could think I'm interested in the conversation. Jade's bare shoulders were a bad distraction. The setting sun constrated against her dark skin, making her shoulder glow. Worst. Not helping matters. I looked away from her to see Akin staring at me, surprised, astounded, heck! I'm surprised myself too. Then he stood up, walked over to where she sat, drapped his shirt over her shoulders, returned to his seat and said

'You should cover up more, you bare shoulders are a distraction.'

I know what he did there.

'So why did you ask Jade to cover her shoulder? On how earth will her shoulders be a distraction for you?'

Dan asked Akin immediately I started driving. We were all going to my house which was not that far from Hana's house. Just a ten minute drive and no major roads. There's no way in the world I'll drive if we were going to pass a major road.

I looked at the rearview mirror and saw Akin staring at me.

'Well, never say never.' He replied and Dan turned to look at him.

'How's it doing you? You've forgotten the girl you like? Or you want to start double liking girls from your age?'

'Hey. I don't have any feelings for Jade. I have eyes for just one girl only. And besides, I can't date Jade. I can't even imagine dating her. She'll just murder me one day'

I looked at him in rearview mirror again, not sure where the conversation is going .

'I thought you said she was cool and hot and collected?' Dan asked

'Oh, and you think she's not? She's undoubtedly hot. That isn't arguable.' Akin replied as I navigated the last bend leading to our house.

'I'm not saying she's not hot or beautiful, especially her lips, that feature of hers is mad. Any guy will die to kiss those lips.'

Dan replied and I don't know when my arms tightened around the wheel. I don't even want to think about that at all.

'But attitude matters too, who wants to be with a beautiful girl with a foul mouth.' Dan continued.

'Oh, come on. You guys are spending more time with her now and take it or leave it, you guys will agree she's not as bad as you guys thought, abi Uthman?'

I looked at the rearview mirror again. He was staring at me intently. What's Akin up to now?

'Jade is and will always be a bitch. There's no doubt about that but she has her good side too so...'

'You really think so?'

We were by our gate now and I honked. Moji opened the gate in less than a minute. I'm pretty sure she must have been waiting for us.

'I know so'

I replied him and drove inside.

'Or you're trying to convince yourself of that. Why do I feel like this days, you're trying to justify that she's a bitch but you really can't think about any logical reason why she's a bitch'

Akin said as I packed the car. My dad's car was not in the parking lot and I mentally heaved a sigh of relieve. He can't know I drove out. He'll kill me.

'Are you talking about Uthman? Coz I'm lost here.'

Dan asked as we all got out of the car. My sister came over and I bent to hug her.

'Akin is just saying rubbish. Seems he has forgotten it's Jade and I he's talking about.'

I looked at Daniel but he wasn't even interested in whatever I was saying. He was busy pulling Moji's chubby cheeks. I looked at Akin and he smiled. I walked off.

*******

Lather in the night, Dan went out to make call and it was just Akin and I in my room. We were rewatching Fast and Furious, Hobbs and Shaw. I felt Akin eyes on me so I looked up. He was really staring at me.

'What's it again?' I asked him

'Did I say anything?'

'You said everything with your eyes.'

'Well, you're suspicious because you have something up your sleeve.'

'Well, I'm not doing anything so free me.'

He said nothing for a while and we continued to watch our film. I was sitting by the foot of my bed and he was lying on my bed.

'You know, you can always tell me, and Daniel everything.'

'Everything like how?'

'Everything like anything'

I rolled my eyes.

'I don't know what you're talking about.' I told him

'I think you do.'

'No, I don't'

'Okay, I'm talking about Jade.'

'What about her?'

'What's not about her? What's the logical reason why you couldn't keep your eyes off her today and the reason you guys have been acting strange with each other these days.'

I groaned and grabbed the remote. I needed to hold something.

'Why on earth won't I be able to keep my eyes off Jade?'

'Exactly what I'm asking. You kept staring at her face, then her neckline. What the fuck is going on?'

I groaned and rubbed my eyes. I have completely played into Akin's hand.

'Jade told you to stop watching Korean film. You're overthinking things. Just shut up and watch film or go and sleep.'

He was about to say something else when Dan walked in. He flopped down on the bed beside Akin.

'Who missed me?'

He asked.

'Who'll miss you? Are you Bae?'

Akin replied him and Dan laughed.

'Ode, which Bae? The Bae you can't even tell her that you like her.'

'Oh shut up. I'm just taking my time.'

'Keep taking it oo. E go be.'

Daniel replied him and I laughed. I was enjoying their banter.

'You know I had a serious crush on Jade when we were in SS1 but I never got to tell her. I was really afraid she'll hit me or slap me.'

I laughed harder this time around.

'I thought you said she's cool.'

Dan and Akin laughed.

'Cool wey get craze. She just needs someone that'll match her level of craziness. I can't imagine Jade dating someone gentle, someone like me, she'll kill me Las Las.'

We all laughed again.

*********

~Jade~

I was almost asleep when someone opened my bedroom door.

'If that's Zee, please go and sleep. I'm sleeping already. Don't disturb me.'

'Who says you can sleep when I can't sleep?'

She replied me and joined me on the bed, pulling the duvet from my body. I shivered. The night was extremely cold.

'Zee, please. It's almost 2AM, let me sleep. I beg of you.'

'Come on baby. Let's gist or play a game.'

I sat up on my bed, laughing.

'Play games at 2AM? Haba. We're not ghost or spirit. Just go back to your room.'

'Im sleeping here today and if I'm not asleep, then you ain't sleeping either.'

Mad oo. Who sent Zee to me self?

'let's gist. Tell me about your crush.'

'I told you, I don't have a crush. Go back to your room na.'

'hmm. Oga oo. My younger sister is chasing me out of her room. You know, when you were young, you won't sleep if you did not see me.'

I rolled my eyes. Zee has repeated that story like a 100 times already.

'But now, you're grown and you are chasing me out of your room. Hmmm hmm. It's okay. I'll leave. Just remember you'll back me to come and sleep here in the nearest future.'

She replied and stood up from my bed, yawning.

'Oshey motivational speaker. Sha sleep if you want to.'

She smiled and laid back on the bed. We did not sleep until 5 in the morning, talking about nothing, everything and anything.

**********

I stiffed a yawn every fifteen minute or so. I was still very much sleepy. Zee and I overslept, it was mom that forcefully woke us up around 11. We had a full house, Dad and Saheed were home and I can't waste a day like this by sleeping. Zee was a making grizzled Dodo in the kitchen, I was watching Nicklodeon, Mom was picking beans in the dinning when we heard the doorbell ring. My brother who was closer to the door walked towards the door the same minute I stood up to go to my room. I was halfway the stairs when the visitor entered. Mom stood up Pronto from where she sat.

'What are you doing here?'

It was mom's icy cold tone that made me stop in my tracks and turn back. Zee was also at the kitchen door, the one leading to the sitting room.

The first thing I noticed about the woman was the mild resemblance between her and Zee. Could she be a distant Aunty we know nothing about? Zee was also staring at woman, eyebrow etched in confusion. Saheed looked pale and mom looked totally off. There was something wrong but I couldn't place my fingers on it. Mom started walking towards the woman and she asked again.

'What are you doing here?'

The woman's gaze flickered over to Zee who had an amused expression on her face, then her gaze zeroed in on me and her next words chilled my blood to ice.

'I'm here for my daughter.'