Chapter 31: Chapter 31

~Jade~

'When should we go and register for Jamb?'

I asked Hana, we were both sitting in class. It was a free period. Well, most of our periods were free now. We were only left with doing revisions. Hana tucked an imaginary hair behind her ears.

Jade, there is something I need to tell you.'

'What's it?'

'I... don't... think... I'm going to pick the University of Ibadan as my first choice again.'

When she stuttered while talking, I knew she'll say something bad but not this. I stared at her, pointedly. She did not meet my gaze. What happened to choose the same university? What happened to live in the same hall?

'Why? What happened?'

'It's my manager. We figured out moving to Lagos will be good for my career.'

I nodded, without saying anything. She put her hands over mine that was on my desk.

'I'm sorry. I just.....'

'I'm going for the tutorial with Uthman. I'll be back.'

I stood up and left. The truth is it wasn't even yet time for the tutorial with Uthman. Yeah. I started the tutorial with Uthman two days ago. I had no option. I left the class and went to the swimming pool. I don't even go there on a normal day. I'm not a fan of swimming or even any sport. I took my shoes and socks off and I sat at the edge of the pool, my legs inside.

Something was going on with Zee at home and I'm starting to get suspicious. I don't know what exactly but she has been on phone conversations with someone she doesn't want me to know and I kind of figured out she went to meet that person. I hope it's not what I'm thinking. And then Hana dropped her bombshell on me this morning. I understand why she wants to choose Unilag because of her modeling career but it's just that I've never thought of my university days without Hana in it. And after I started the tutorial sessions with Uthman, reality has started to sink in that I've lost my chances of representing Lakeview at the ECOWAS oratory contest. I did not win Mandela's contest and now, no chances of winning ECOWAS' too, all because of Michelle. I just dislike that girl so much.

'Are you thinking of jumping in?'

My skin jumped at those words and I nearly tumbled into the water. It was Uthman.

'I told you to stop sneaking in on me. I could have tumbled in.'

'But you did not so we're cool.'

I rolled my eyes.

'Can you please leave? I'm enjoying my solitude.'

'Do that in your personal space.'

He replied and I watched him take off his shoes and socks. He rolled his trousers up and sat beside me. His hands mistakenly touched mine as he sat down and I removed my hands hurriedly.

'So a penny for your thoughts?'

'Don't talk to me. I'll just pretend you ain't here.'

He laughed.

'At least this is better, you ain't running away or going all bitchy on me.'

I scowled.

'Maybe I realized you are not worth wasting my energy on.'

He did not say anything for a while and when I turned to look at him. He was staring at me intently. I involuntarily moved back, remembering our moments in the library.

'What?' I asked him 'Is there something on my face?'

'You're pretty, way prettier than I ever thought you were.'

Hmm. Hmm. Uthman already stood up and was walking towards the entrance. His lips were moving and forming words but I did not hear anything for a while. I bat my eyelids.

'it's time for our tutorial, are you coming?'

I stood up. Who compliments girls after they just semi-insulted them? I know I'm pretty and I don't need validations from anybody.

But I don't understand why I'm grinning like an idiot.

******

~Uthman~

'Uthman, see me in my study after you're done eating'

Dad said to me during dinner. I groaned, wondering what on earth he wants me to do in office.

'That's your jamb form. Sodiq will drive you to register online tomorrow.'

He said as soon I entered his study. I picked up the form he threw on his table. He had picked the University of Ilorin for me and Medicine for me. I swallowed and left for my room.

Here goes nothing.

The next day in school, I overheard Jade talking to Hana and after she walked off, I followed her quietly. I have a thing for stalking her these days. After she had joined the tutorial two days ago albeit forcefully by the school's authorities, she had remained quiet all through the classes. I watched her remove her socks and shoes and she sat down at the edge of the pool, staring at the pool.

'Are you thinking of jumping in?'

She jumped at my voice and she nearly tumbled in.

'I told you to stop sneaking in on me. I could have tumbled in.'

'But you did not so we're cool.'

She did not answer me as she continued staring at the water. She's worried about something.

'Can you please leave? I'm enjoying my solitude.'

'Do that in your personal space.'

She did not say anything again and I took off my shoes and got in the water. My hands mistakenly touched hers and she flinched, pulling her hands away. I smiled.

'So a penny for your thoughts?'

'Don't talk to me. I'll just pretend you ain't here.'

That's better. I had expected her to walk away but it seems like she did not mind.

'At least this is better, you ain't running away or going all bitchy on me.'

'Maybe I realized you are not worth wasting my energy on.'

I turned to stare at her. Her gaze was still on the water, the sun streaking in from the opened windows cast a distant glow on her black skin making her look prettier than usual.

'You're prettier....'

She turned to stare at me.

'Way prettier than I ever thought you were.'

Her lips parted slightly in surprise and I stared at them before I stood up.

'It's time for our tutorial, are you not coming?'

She turned to stare at me, astounded before she stood up, dusting her skirt. She walked past me and I smiled again.

*****

'So when you guys hear the line, Youths are Frontiers of Global Change, what do you think?'

Miss Bolanle, our Civics asked us. I turned to look at Jade, she was scribbling something on her notebook.

'I think it just means the fact that Youths will, in the long run,n take over the mantle of power.'

I replied to her and we both turned to look at Jade, she was still scribbling something on her notebook.

'What do you think, Jadeshola?' Miss Bolanle asked her.

'Pretty much what Uthman said. Just like the phrase, the youths of today are tomorrow's leader and besides youths are bringing more to the tables these days.

She did not look up when she said this.

'Where do we look when we talk, Miss Bamus?'

There was a slightly different tone to her voice and that was the voice she used whenever she wants to reprimand us. I watched Jade's hand tighten around the pen she was holding. She then looked up.

'I'm sorry ma.'

'Good and I hope you contribute more now.'

She nodded and then added as an afterthought.

'Okay ma'

Better'

I smiled. So, Jade has someone she respects like this. The tutorial continued and after like 40 minutes, Miss Bolanle left and asked us to spend the remaining 20 minutes discussing among ourselves. My phone rang immediately I wanted to say something. Jade narrowed her eyes as I picked the call.

It was Sodiq, my dad's PA.

'Hell,o sir.'

'He,y kiddo. I'm almost at your school Gate. Meet me outside.'

I scowled at his use of Kiddo for me.

'Alright sir'

I ended the call.

'So what kind of legacy are you leaving behind for your juniors? What Senior Prefect break the rules?'

I did not understand what she meant at first and when I did, I laughed.

'Trust me, 90% of us.'

'Well, I never break rules.....'

I stared at her incredulously.

'..... At least, I don't bring my phone to school. I'm a very disciplined student.'

'oh wow. I think you meant quite the opposite though.'

'What do you mean? I don't indulge in bad things.'

'I never said that'

'You implied it.'

'One can't win an argument with you sha.'

'Did you just agree that I'm a better debater than you?'

'I never did.'

'You implied it.'

'Oh come on Jade.'

I burst into laughter and she did too, surprisingly. There was something melodiously sweet about her laughter, I stopped laughing to listen to the sound of her laughter. She stopped laughing too, our faces were inches apart and I wondered fleetingly what she would do if I should kiss her.

My phone vibrated in my hand and I almost cussed. It was Uncle Sodiq. I had even forgotten that he was coming.

'I have to go. I have something to do outside school.'

I stood up

'Are you sneaking out of school?'

I laughed.

'I'm not that worst. Not even near. I have to go and register for Jamb.'

'oh okay.'

We fell into a comfortable silence and I stood up to leave.

'So are you going to choose Medicine?'

I turned to look at her. She was staring back, intently.

'I guess.'

'Okay. Good then.Bye-bye.'

'Yeah. Bye.'

I left. Uncle Sadiq was leaning against the car.

'What took you so long? Were you talking to a girl?'

'Why should I?'

He entered the car and I entered too.

'Moji told me all about your secret crush.'

What? My younger sister is a case.

*******

~Jade~

Hana came over for a sleepover to put me in a good mood except that she wasn't even talking to me, she has been in a phone conversation with Danfore for like an hour.

'He,y babes.'

I turned to look at her. We were both lying on my bed.

'You're finally done with your phone call. Ope oo.'.

'oh, we did not even speak for long today. Ona norms, it would have been for like 2 hours.'

'oh oh. I can't even speak to myself for 30 minutes, not to talk of speaking to someone for an hour.'

'That's just because you don't like anyone at the moment.'

Really? Do I not like anyone at the moment?

That reminds me, Jade. There is this guy who asked for your number the other time I uploaded your picture on my status.'

I rolled my eyes.

'Don't give it to him.'

'You don't even know him'

'I don't want to.'

'Jade na.'

'Let's just sleep.'

I replied to her and pulled the duvet over my head.

'Is there someone you like?'

'No!'

'That was too quick Jade.'

She sat up and loomed over me. She attempted to pull the duvet but I held it tightly.

'So you have someone you like?'

'I already said no'

'I know you better than that. I know you're lying'

'Just go and sleep, Hana.'

'My bestie likes a boy and you're telling me to go and sleep? Lai Lai. I'm not sleeping without you telling me who it is.'

I attempted to pull the duvet again and I continued to hold on to it tightly. She was finally able to pull it away.

'So who is it?'

'No one

'Come on Jade.'

I bit my lower lips. This is something I've not even admitted to myself yet. I don't even know if it's my imagination or something else.

'Are you seriously not going to tell me?'

'Jade na..'

'Uthman.'