Chapter 10: Chapter 10

2 weeks later.

"I can't wait for Monday!" Melody squeaks. "I'm sure you can't wait too, right?"

I sigh, "for the sixth time, yes you're right."

"Yay!" she squeaks again. "Wait, did you say the sixth time?" I simply roll my eyes and stare at Alice.

"She loves birthdays. She goes hyper about them," Alice says, glancing at her. It’s my birthday on Monday and Melody will not stop talking about it. Right now, we are heading towards the auditorium for drama rehearsals. After mine and Ousman's first conversation about four weeks ago, we exchanged contacts and have been talking since then.

Contrary to the speculations, he is pretty nice. He also managed to convince me to audition for the part of Melanie, the female lead and I got it. He is taking the part of Melanie's secret boyfriend and I do not think his many admirers are happy with the fact that the both of us are going to be close during the entire process. Somehow, I feel like Lima is included but maybe I'm just reading too much into her actions. I did not believe I could act until I started. Now I'm so good at it.

"Have you baked your cake yet? My mum's a chef," Melody says and Alice groans.

"It's just Friday, Mel," Alice reminds her.

"Yeah. And that's why we are going shopping." The way I am looking at Melody screams 'you’re weird'.

"Shopping? When?" Lima asks, coming up from behind us. She has been lagging behind all this time because someone keeps calling her even though the network clearly hates whatever conversation they are having.

"Tomorrow," Melody replies as we enter the auditorium.

"That will be cool, cause I need to renew my make-up kit. Especially for the drama next Saturday," Lima states, looking around. Over the past weeks, my relationship with Lima has been shallow. We crack jokes as usual but it just seems like there is a barrier between us. It seems as if I see her from a different perspective now. Just like it has been with Jasper. Even though he has gone back to teasing me here and there, I cannot help but hark back to that weird dinner. And the other times he has acted strangely towards me.

I walk alongside Lima backstage to get ready to start acting. She is taking the part of Zawadi, Melanie's best friend in the African drama.

"Hey Isabella," I hear Ousman call from behind me.

Hmm. Not everyone has the patience to call my full name like this guy...including me. I like it.

I turn around and my face drops. Think of the devil and he appears.

Jasper is standing with Ousman, grinning mischievously at me. I walk up to them, smile at Ousman and glare at Jasper.

"You know?" Jasper begins, "they say that the one who fights with you the most, loves you the most," he finishes with a toothy grin. I just feel like slapping him.

Suddenly, I hear Nes' voice in my head saying, "that's just an excuse to touch his handsome face." My eyes grow large but I quickly mask it up. Agnes would use those lines whenever I said I wanted to slap Jasper. She has this strange believe that I like him. So not true.

"Well, they lied," I deadpan and as usual, my smart comebacks always amuse him.

"We should get started. Today, we are trying the costumes," Ousman announces.

"Yeah, but why does he have to be here?" I ask without looking at Jasper.

"Cause he’s the head prefect," Jasper answers, referring to himself. There goes the cockiness. Ousman merely shrugs and turns around to give instructions.

"Hey Jas," Lima greets with a smile. Is she trying to flirt with him? I mentally face-palm myself.

"Are you here to watch the play?" she inquires.

"Now that's what people should learn from." He stresses 'people', glancing in my direction. Such nerves. Lima chuckles, satisfaction written all over her face.

"Of course, I'd love to watch you perform. Are you the main character? What's her name again, Maria?" he asks and Lima's face drops slightly, making me smile mentally.

"It's Melanie and no I'm not Melanie," she states, looking at me. Jasper gets the message and turns to look at me, a funny expression on his face.

I titter, "that look on your face; it's funny."

He scowls. "And who’s taking the boyfriend?" he quizzes.

"And why do you care so much?" I reply with a question, a little confused at his expression.

"Yeah, why do you care?" Lima supports.

He clears his throat, putting on his signature impertinent look. "I don't. Just asking because I'm sure I will prefer to meet him than Melanie."

"Well―" I am cut short by someone calling my name. I whirl around and see it’s Yemi, one of the casts. She picks up a dress and wiggles it around so I can see. I excitedly walk to her, forgetting my argument with Jasper.

"Thank God I did not forget to take your measurement that day. You would've had to wear baggy dresses for today," she says, laughing.

"OMG, thanks. It looks really vintage. You're good," I commend and she blushes. Yemi's mum is a fashion designer and she has learnt a lot from her. The drama club did not have vintage costumes for the drama so everyone contributed some money and Yemi, who's mum was out of town and thus leaving all the equipment open for her, offered to sew the clothes. And truth be told, she did a great job.

"Thanks," she says and begins to leave but I stop her. "Yes?" she says.

"Is there any way I can learn fashion designing from you? Say, during the holidays?"

"Um, I'll have to ask my grandma if you can come over to our house at intervals to learn," she explains.

"Your grandma?"

"Yeah. She stays with us and trust me, she's not annoying. My mum's usually out of town."

"Oh, thanks then. I'll just change so we can start."

"Wait, here." She hands me a bag.

"The other clothes." I smile, taking the bag from her and running off to change.

"Gosh, I'm so sorry," I apologize for barging in on Oge.

"It's fine. It's a general changing room," she replies.

"Wouldn't want to be scolded for lateness by the President," I say, laughing. The President is what people call Ousman. First, because he is president of the drama club and second, because he is naturally bossy.

Oge scoffs and says, "you mean Ousman?" No, I mean Ouswoman, blockhead. I push down the nasty thought from my mind to avoid bursting into laughter.

"Yeah, who else?"

"I don't think he can ever do that," she mumbles but I hear her. I want to say something but hold back. Explaining to her that he can scold you is useless. She'll still not like you. I simply shake my head.

***

"I have to go," I tell Ousman.

"It pains me to know that we can't spend so much time together," he replies, looking into my eyes.

"Is that pain as much as the one I feel about you refusing to leave that group?"

His face drops. "Can we leave that topic alone?"

"That's what you always say. I'm leaving. My mum will begin to suspect soon," I say, turning to go but he grabs my arm and turns me around to face him.

"Melanie." He has a pained expression on his face. The way he is able to get the Kenyan accent right, the way he is able to express those emotions; it feels so real. But it’s not. Get over it, girl, it's just drama.

"Melanie? So, this is where you are?" Lima comes up from behind the stage.

I clear my throat nervously. "Zawadi. Wh―what are you doing here?" As I say it, I feel like it’s genuine, like I'm actually nervous. Just then, Jasper whispers something to the teacher in charge of the club and leaves the auditorium, distracting me for a second.

"You lied to your mother that you were going to my house and then I show up at your house instead," she scolds and I refocus on the play.

"What did you tell her?"

"You know what, Melanie? I can't keep up with these lies anymore. I had to lie to her that I took a different route. That I was coming from somewhere else. But nevertheless, don't you think someone on foot would have gone and returned from my house by now?"

"You're right. I'm going now. Thank you, Zawadi." Glancing one last time at Ousman, I catch a hint of that characteristic smirk of his. Sometimes I wonder who is cockier between him and Jasper. Jasper is only more insolent. No wonder they are friends.

I walk hastily backstage and the others follow suit. I hear the small crowd clapping. Peeping at them, I laugh when I see the huge grin on Melody's face. She sees me and waves in excitement.

Okay, is it still the birthday? Or is there something else that's happening to Melody?

Shaking my head, I walk into the changing room and pull off my costume. "Good job back there," someone says from behind me.

"Thanks, Lima." I smile.

"So, are you throwing a big party?"

"No, just family and close friends."

"Close friends? You just came to Nigeria." She's right. I laugh and she joins. "You'll get your dress tomorrow, right?"

"No, I already have my dress," I reply.

"Then why are you going shopping tomorrow?"

"Actually, it was Melody's idea that we all go. Plus, I could get a few things like a new shade of lipstick and mascara. Are you done? Let's go." I walk past her toward the door and she follows behind. We meet up with Alice and Melody and plan our shopping before heading off to the parking lot.

"Well, it took you long enough," Nes comments, looking at her wristwatch. She is leaning on the car with her friend, Eno.

"Hi, Melody," she greets with a wide grin. Both of them have, somehow, developed a fondness for each other over a short period of time. I acknowledge Eno and move to enter the car as Nes and Melody start to talk about random stuff. A few seconds later, Nes takes shotgun and Eno and Melody climb into the back with me. Melody is going home with me so that she can eat and steal chocolate, as usual.

Although it’s only a five-minute drive home, I'm sure Mr. Joseph will have to take some pills for headache. The car is like one of those chattered buses I saw one time when dad was driving us home from the mainland. We are all cracking jokes and laughing our heads off. When we get home, we all change our clothes. Melody left a few clothes over at our house some time ago and Nes gives Eno clothes to change into.

"Okay newsflash, guys. I had a dream last night," Nes declares.

My eyes widen in surprise and Eno gasps, saying, "no way!"

"What?" I ask in disbelief.

"I don't get it, why is it new?" Melody asks, clearly lost.

"She never dreams. And if she does, you don't wanna hear it, cause it's downright stupid," I explain.

"Do you want to hear it?" Nes asks after glaring at me.

"Let me guess, is it about spiders raiding your house and stealing your favourite winged chair?" Melody stares at me in bafflement. I shrug.

"No. It's worse this time."

"So, what happened?" Eno asks in excitement. Weird.

"There was this weird cow." Here we go. "It won't stop staring at me. Wherever I went, it was there, looking closely at me like 'I'm coming for you'." She gestures with her eyes and hand for more effect.

Melody is laughing seriously beside me and I'm just shaking my head. The chatter continues for hours until Eno goes home and the rest of us decide to make dinner.

***

"I cannot believe I won't be able to go with you guys," Nes laments, lips puckered.

"I promise I'll get you something, Nes," I say, trying to soothe her. Alex barges into the room.

I need to start locking my door. Everyone barges in!

"Your knuckles are there to knock you know?" Nes tongue-lashes him.

"Isn't it obvious that I don't want to use them?" he replies and she throws her hands in the air in incredulity. "Anyway, your friends are here. I can't believe the girls in your school are so hot! Why didn't I go there?"

"Did you think they would be ugly?" Nes asks.

"Uh, there was no logical explanation as to why mum and dad dumped you two there." Me and Nes gasp at the same time before Nes surges towards him.

He fakes a girl's scream and runs out, waving his hands above his head with Nes hot on his heels. I am sure she will not be bothered about the shopping anymore because whenever she starts chasing Alex around, she forgets her problems.

"Somebody help! Jason, you airhead! Don't just sit there, do some―oh Agnes, you're the most beautiful thing―sorry, girl I've ever seen!" I hear Alex cry from downstairs and I chortle. Mum is going to have a good time with them at uncle David's place. And by good time, I mean stressful time. Dad's really lucky he is rarely at home.

As I walk down the stairs, I see Nes on top of Alex, who is lying on the ground, begging. Melody and Lima are in a fit of laughter while Alice's face is contorted in commiseration.

"Jason, get Agnes off your brother," mum calls from outside. "Bella? We'll see you later. Don't stay too long." Jason finally gets off his phone and goes to lift Nes to the car.

"Yes, mum," I reply. Thank God she did not talk about boys in front of my―

"No boys!" she calls and I wince. Judging from the look on my friends' faces, they have done something wrong. These girls.

A few minutes after eleven, mum and the triplets are gone and I am all dressed up. I pick up my bag and phone and meet the girls downstairs.

"Okay, so does anyone care to tell me why boys were invited?" I question. Lima looks up from her phone, raises her brows and releases them. GUILTY.

"What? I only invited Ayo. Look towards Melody," she confesses and we turn to look at Melody. She's gone.

"Mel, get back here," I yell, running out of the house. I stop abruptly when I almost crash into somebody outside the door. "What are you doing here?" I ask Jasper.

"I heard we have shopping to do," he states, shrugging.

"Go home. Boys don't go shopping," I deadpan. His expression changes to one of bafflement.

"That's weird," he states. I look towards Melody and she mouths 'really weird', nodding slowly with a lopsided grin. I glower at her and she takes a step back.

"Hello? Are we doing this or what?" someone asks from the edge of the flower bed. It's Ayo and he is with Kevin.

"Oh, there's my sweetheart," Lima chirps, dashing towards Ayo. He laughs as she hugs him but moves away when she tries to kiss him, warning her with his eyes. Lima. I shake off the thought of her double dating and gesture for everyone to move.

We get two cabs just outside my house and zoom off to the mainland. It was Alice's idea to go all the way to the mainland just for the fun of it. Hopefully, this shopping will go well.