Chapter 33: Chapter 33
~Jade~
Friday morning and we were about to start our journey to Lagos State. We were 25 in total. 11 players, two teachers, 11 students, and the driver. I leaned by the bus, still not feeling up to traveling. Uthman and Michelle entered the bus and I watched them sit beside each other. Uthman still hasn't spoken a word to me since Wednesday afternoon he was acting like I did not exist. Good!
I saw Akin walking towards the bus. He was talking to Malik, the SNJ(Small Neymar Jr), a boy in SS2 who can play ball like something else.
'Do you realize I've been waiting for you?'
I said as soon as he reached where I was standing.
'Pele, mabinu. Oya let's go now.'
I entered and he followed me. As I passed where Uthman and Michelle sat, he laughed at something Michelle said and I hissed under my breath. I sat down near the window and Akin sat beside me. Hana and Dan were not going so that makes Akin the only person I'm close with on the bus. Our teachers soon enter and the driver started the engine. Someone committed the journey unto God's hands.
'You should probably apologize to Uthman.'
I glanced up from the novel I was reading.
'Why?'
'You hurt his feelings pretty bad, do you realize that?'
I shrugged.
'Uthman and I had said meaner things to each other in the past.'
'But this is not the past, is it? I'm pretty sure a long of things have changed between the both of us.'
He was looking at me intently as he said that and I had to look away, not trusting my eyes not to betray my expressions.
He was right. A lot of things have changed. Since the journey has started, I had not stopped thinking about him, wondering about what Michelle has said that had made him laugh like that. He never laughed like that with me.
'This journey is pretty boring. Mister Adewale, permit us to play music?'
Someone called out from the back, it was Adams, a boy in SS2 and a member of the football team.
'Permission granted'
Mister Adewale, the football coach, and the sport instructed replied.
Soon enough, loud music filled the bus.
Party scatter
Party Scatter
As they start am
People yepa
They start to dance
But as I enter
Omo, the party scatters
I have a thing for music and I started low-key singing along plus Fireboy has to be my favorite new generation musician. I started dancing along. Akin glanced at me.
'Maybe you should just reconsider law and become a dancer or singer or both.
I smiled. Other students were starting to sing along too. The song changed to geng by Mayorkun and people erupted into loud eeh and an
Set won
One Hennessy, 20 men geng
Set won
Akubra Balenciaga geng
Set won
Of Lagos
You know me, who? (Geng)
You chilling with the highest (Geng)
You chilling with the highest (Geng)
Right now you're chilling with the highest (Geng)
Do you know me? Geng (Geng)
You chilling with the highest (Geng)
You chilling with the highest (Geng)
Right now you're chilling with the highest (Geng)
.................
Set won geng geng geng (Geng)
Pepper dem geng (Geng)
Happy geng geng (Geng)
Just best friends (Geng)
Set won enugbe geng (Geng)
Badmouth geng
Akubra Balenciaga geng (Geng)
One Hennessy, 20 men geng
(Opor o)
This gang is the highest
Dem no dey see when dem don high
Sake of the Hennessy, no ice
You know me but we knock dice
You are not geng
Geng no dey wear fake Rolex
Geng no dey ooze
Geng no dey talk too much
Geng no get patience
The music continued and without paying attention to it, two hours passed and we got to the school we were going to. The school Gate has a banner which says 'WELCOME TO DAYLIGHT HIGH'
Our driver drove in and I looked around, appraising the school's premises.
'Not as fine as our school'
Hassana, a junior said.
'Of course, do you think there's a school as fine as ours in Nigeria?.'
David, another junior and a footballer answered.
'Dey there, dey whine yourself'
Someone answered we all laughed.
'Guys, remember to behave yourself oo. You guys are here to represent Lakeview and then, you have to represent it well. You will have yourself to blame if you get yourself involved in any form of a misdemeanor.'
The vice-principal, Academics, the second teacher warned all of us. I put my novels in my bag. I have things to occupy myself with during the 90 minutes they'll use for the match.
'You are not even interested in watching the match at all'
I turned to look at him. 'It'll get boring naa
'You're meant to be our greatest cheerleader today'
I smiled. Me? A cheerleader for football? Kolewerk.
'I'll try sha. But because of you ni oo.'
I stood up and walked past him as I said that.
'Are you sure it's for me or Uthman?'
I turned back
'What did you mean?'
He shrugged and walked past me.
'Just saying my own.'
I rolled my eyes and turned to the entrance. I watched Uthman help Michelle get down from the bus. Can they just get a room already?
We were welcomed by the Vice-Principal and two senior students who I guessed were the senior prefects. The girl looked oddly familiar but no matter how hard I rack my brain, I couldn't remember where I had seen her.
'Students from Lakeview, welcome to Daylight High. It's a huge honor to receive you in our school. Thank you for honoring our invitation.'
We chorused 'Yes Sir'
'The senior prefect will take us around the school premises before the match starts. That'll be in 40 minutes.'
'What's there to see in this school?'
Michelle muttered behind me and I turned to glare at her, mouthing 'Manners please.'
I hope this day will end as soon as it starts here.
************
~Uthman~
I was angry, mad at Jade or the better word should be I was hurt because of her words. I wasn't expecting that from her. I felt really bad. I ignored her the day next and heck, I planned on ignoring her for as long as possible. Except that it was starting to get frustrating. I found myself thinking about her every time, during the ride to Lagos, I glanced at her more times than I can even count. She was oblivious to me though, singing along to all the songs and dancing on the seat. Akin caught me staring at her once and he smiled coyly.
I'll strangle that boy someday soon.
We were welcomed by the vice-principal of the school and the two senior prefects. I knew Timi. We've met countless times while representing our schools in football matches and something like a little friendship had formed between the both of us. We had each other's contact and we chat at times.
'Hey man, it's good to see you again.'
He said and hugged me.
'I know, right? How have you been?'
'Fine, just fine.'
He replied and we started walking. The rest of the students milled after us. Their vice principal had asked him and the senior perfect girl to take us around the school before the match started. They took us around the school and minutes later, we were to change into our sportswear while those that were not playing already sat down.
'So, how far?'
Timi asked me, smiling coyly at me.
We were just the only ones in the locker room. All the other guys were done checking clothes.
'How far with what?'
I asked him, even though I have an inkling of where he is going.
'Do you have a girlfriend now?'
'Nah'
'Aah aah, na, a fine boy like you. What's wrong exactly?
I ignored him, trying my bootlace instead.
'But surely there must be a girl you like, abi na? Must be Michelle, the girl you told me about the other time.'
'Actually, there is a girl I like and it's not Michelle.'
'Wow wow wow. Finally. So who's the lucky girl?'
He asked, leaning against a locker.
'See how serious you are about this whole thing. Are you even half as serious about your jamb like this?' I answered
He burst into laughter.
'Come on Man, these are serious stuff too.'
I smiled. This guy and Dan should be best of friends.
'Okay okay. It's Jade..'
'Jade, as in the head girl? Jade, as in your rival? Jade, as in the proud and rude girl?'
He laughed. E wo ni analysis? This dude is not alright.
'Yeah, except that she is not that proud and rude.' I replied him.
He laughed.
'Oh come on, you're just blinded by love.'
I laughed.
'She is not here today, right? I don't think I've seen her.'
'She is. She should be under the pavilion.'
'introduce me to her naa
I stood up. That's not happening.
'It's not happening. It's almost time for the match, let's go.'
'aah aah na, we still have more than 15 minutes.'
'No'
'Okay. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend'
'So you have a girlfriend?'
He nodded and smiled. Aah, won ti get bobo yii.
'Kinda. I'll just ask her out sha and she'll say yes. No girl in her right senses will turn me down.'
I laughed. 'ode ni I (You're an idiot)
'Oya, let me go and introduce you to her.'
We both exited the locker room. The other players were already on the field. I sighted Jade sitting under the canopy, her eyes on something on her lips. Timi was already leading the way and I followed him. We ended up walking to where Jade was sitting. We stopped in front of two girls. Jade and the other girls from Lakeview were sitting directly beside them. The girls sat up when they saw us, saw me.
'Hey, girls. Meet Uthman, the captain of Lakeview's football team. Uthman, meet Temi and her friend, Shola.'
The girls were just staring at me, mouths a little open. Jade, who was sitting just two seats away from then glanced up.
'Oh wow, you're just too handsome.'
The girl, he introduced as Temi blurted out. Timi frowned just as I smiled. Jade went back to reading her novel. I'm pretty sure she won't even use five minutes to watch the match.
'Yes. Thank you
We all heard a shrieking voice from afar and a girl was walking, almost running towards us. She stepped on Jade, who looked up hurriedly, the girl ignored her, and I could see Jade trying to control herself.
'Hey, I'm Kora, Timi's best friend'
She said, almost hugging me. Nah, she hugged me. Michelle who was sitting not quite far from we stood was looking at the crowd with a bemused expression.
'I've heard a lot about you. I saw your picture once. You're incredibly handsome.'
Wow. It seems I am quite popular in this school.
She was no longer hugging me but her arms were resting on mine. Jade was looking at us weirdly. Michelle's arms were crossed over her chest, eyeing the girl.
'Yeah. It's so nice to meet all of you.'
'Yeah. Me too' The girl who introduced herself as Kora replied in a very tiny voice that I could tell was fake.
'So Timi, meet Michelle, my very good friend'
'Hi' He said, waving at her. 'it's so nice to finally meet you.' He did not wave for her to reply before he whispered into my ears.
'So, where is the love of your life?'
I glared at him before pointing to Jade.
'Meet Jade, Lakeview's head girl.'
Jade who was occupied with her novel glanced up.
'oh, so you are Jade. It's nice to meet you. You're as pretty as I've heard.'
He said, stretching his hand for a handshake. Jade smiled and shook his hands. Wow. Is this the Jade I know or has someone else replaced her?
'Thank you
Just then, the referee blew the whistle, signaling that the match will soon start. We excused ourselves.
'Best of luck' Michelle said to me, smiling. 'My smile is a lucky charm so you're sure going to win'
'Thanks, dear' I mouthed at her.
'Best of luck' Kora shrieked. I wasn't sure if it was I that she was wishing or Timi.
I turned to look at Jade and she surprised me when she mouthed
'Best of luck'
I'm not even sure if it was my imagination or not.
**********
~Jade~
He introduced me as Lakeview's senior prefect girl and Michelle as his best friend. Smh.
When the boys were in the locker room changing their clothes and we girls were on the way to the pavilion, I had overhead Michelle and one girl from Daylight arguing. Even after the stern warning from the vice-principal, the idiot had gotten herself into an argument in less than 40 minutes of being on the school premises. I did nothing and just sidestepped them to enter the pavilion.
'Hey. You're Jadeshola Badmus, right?'
The senior prefect girl of Daylight asked as soon as I settled down. She was sitting directly behind me. I turned to look at her.
'Yes. Do you know me?'
'Yes, I'm Ope Taiwo. We met in a cowbell competition last year, remember me?'
I cracked my brain to remember her. The name sounds vaguely familiar. Uh oh. I remember her now.
'Oh. I remember. How're you doing?'
'I'm fine and you?'
'Fine too'
I replied just as the girl who was arguing with Michelle earlier climbed up to sit not too far from me. Michelle sat in front of our room. Two other junior girls from Lakeview came to sit beside me. I opened my novel to start reading when I heard Uthman's voice beside me, I glanced up but he was not even looking at me. He and one other guy, the senior prefect boy of Daylight were talking to the girls beside me.
'Oh wow, you're just too handsome.'
The girl who had fought with Michelle said and I turned to look at her. What is this girl's deal? And the funniest thing was that Uthman smiled. I've not even seen him smile like before.
I turned back to the novel I was reading when I heard a shrieking voice. I looked up to see a girl running towards us, towards Uthman. She stepped fully on me with her crazy shoes and she did not even apologize. I bit my tongue to keep myself from talking. Behave, Jade, Behave.
The girl practically threw herself on Uthman. Wow. I sat up and crossed my arms over my chest.
'Hey, I'm Kora, Timi's best friend'
And so? Should we go and fry water?
'I've heard a lot about you. I saw your picture once. You're incredibly handsome.' she continued and I glanced at her, wondering who the hell this short devil was.
Uthman smiled again and I rolled my eyes. He introduced the so-called Timi to his Michelle. I turned back to my novel but I couldn't comprehend anything.
'Meet Jade, Lakeview's senior prefect girl.'
I looked up at Uthman's voice. Timi was looking at me with an expression I couldn't decipher on his face.
'oh, so you are Jade. It's nice to meet you. You're as pretty as I've heard.'
He stretched his hands for a handshake and I took it, smiling. He said he heard I was pretty, from who? Uthman?
Uthman was looking at me with a puzzled expression as I shook Timi's hands. The stupid Kora was still standing near Uthman, slyly touching his elbows. Radarada.
The referee sounded the whistle and the two boys turned to go, not before the other students muttering best of luck. When Kora said best of luck, I was not sure who she was wishing.
Uthman turned to look at me halfway from the pavilion. I smiled at him and mouthed 'Best of Luck'
He ignored me.
I swallowed and turned back to my novel but the words were just running into each other.
'You guys will see. Look at the way he was looking at me. I'll make sure to collect his number or better still, he'll ask me out.'
That was Kora or Corona. Idiot. You're hopeless. Options oshi. Temi laughed mirthlessly, muttering 'ask you out ko, ask you in' under her breath. I'm sure Corona heard though because she glanced at her before climbing over to sit beside Michelle.
The match soon started and I turned to read the novel but I couldn't concentrate. I looked up and closed the novel. I might as well watch the match.
Less than 15 minutes into the game, Uthman scored. Kora flew up, shouting and shrieking. I turned to look at her. What on earth is this Cora's problem? 20 minutes after, Daylight equalized and Daylight's students shouted. They soon left for halftime and Akin came over.
'Hey babe, you're okay?'
'Yeah. I'm fine. Well done.'
He laughed. 'Are you even watching the match?
'Ehn na, it's not as bad as I thought.'
'Or you're watching because Uthman is playing?'
'Shut up and go and play.'
'Alright.' He smiled and left.
The match soon continued and SNJ scored. Daylight equalized again. Wow. This match is pretty intensive. Less than five minutes before the end of the game, Uthman saved the day by scoring again. I smiled just as Kora jumped up and shrieked again. Wtf.
'I'm not exactly sure what's going on here? Why are you rooting for my School?'
Michelle asked her.
'I'm not rooting for your school. I'm rooting for the fine boy.'
Someone should please borrow this short devil sense.
'Fine boy? And who are you to root for him?' Michelle asked again.
'Someone who has a crush on him and who will make sure they exchange numbers.'
I smiled to myself. Idiot ni girl yii.
'You're hopeless, just fuck off.'
'Who the fuck do you think you are? You're not even his girlfriend. He introduced you as his best friend, not girlfriend so please...'
Michelle laughed and clapped her hands together.
'Your brain is just as short as you.'
Wow. The two girls started exchanging words and people were turning to look at them. I covered my face. Michelle has successfully disgraced her school because of a boy.
'Oga oo, see these girls fighting over a boy. Na wa oo.'
Temi said beside me. I turned to look at her.
'I know, right?'
She smiled at my reply. The match ended and Lakeview won. The students of Lakeview stood up, shouting and shrieking. I stood up. We'll soon leave here and return to normalcy. Michelle and Kora were still exchanging bitter words.
'Michelle, I did not know you came to Lagos to disgrace our school.'
She glared at me.
'mind your business.'
'It's my business because if the school should get to know this, I'll be blamed for failing to monitor my fellow students well.
She said nothing to me as she walked away. I walked away too, climbing down the podium. The boys soon came out of the locker room and I watched Michelle go to Uthman and threw her arms around him, mouthing congratulation.
Their vice-principal soon came to address us, commending our football team talents and they served us refreshments. The time was almost 3 pm and we had to leave.
I was already walking towards the bus when I saw Kora walking towards Uthman. This girl is just mad anyhow.
I entered the bus and sat down exactly where I sat before. I couldn't wait to get home, have a shower, and lay down on my bed. I'm just too tired.
********
~Uthman~
Kora did walk up to me and ask for my number. Talk about being brazen. I gave it ti her though. What harm will come from that?
Michelle already left and Akin jogged up to me so we'll walk to the bus together.
'Are you still going to keep ignoring Jade? You guys should just make up already.'
He said as soon as we started walking together.
'We're not fighting na. It's not like we're friends in the first place.'
'Yeah, because what you feel for her is more than friendship.'
'Oh shut up.'
'Well, I will pave way for you to settle the misunderstanding.'
He said and we were by the bus now. He entered before me and I followed him. He sat beside Michelle, making the only seat available the one beside Jade. Michelle raised an eyebrow at him.
'What are you doing here?'
She asked Akin.
'Uthman and Jade has to talk about the upcoming competition'
He replied to her and she looked at me.
'Yeah' I replied, not quite meeting her eyes. I'm a certified Yoruba Demon.
She nodded and I walked to where Jade sat. She glanced up as I sat down and she moved farther away, leaning unto the wall of the bus.
'What do you look so horrified? We showered after the match so I don't think I'm sweating.'
She rolled her eyes.
'There is a lot of difference between being horrified and being nervous.'
She replied and I turned to look at her.
'Are you saying you're nervous with me?'
She turned to look out of the window. We were already out of the school's premises.
'Maybe, Maybe not.'
She replied and I smiled. She is using my words exactly. She brought out her phone and unlocked it while I keep staring at her. She looked up.
'Why are you looking at me like that?'
'I thought you said you don't break rules. What's up with your phone?'
She smiled.
'This doesn't count as breaking rules. We traveled. What if I have a call or my sister wants to know where I am?'
'Those are just excuses. Breaking rules is the same.'
'Well, if you say so'
Adams started playing music from his MP3 again and she immediately started singing along.
'It seems like you like music.'
'I love music'
She replied. Minutes later, her eyes were closed and she was singing loudly to the music. Other students joined in too. As for me, I was just contented with watching her sing. I looked up. Akin was staring at us. He smiled and waved.
Lather that night. WhatsApp notified me of a message from a new number. I opened it.
Number: Hello oo
Good evening.
This is Jade
I'm sorry for what I said the other time, trust me, I did not mean to hurt your feelings.
Wow wow wow. Did I read this message right? Jade just apologized. Wow. Just wow.