Chapter 23: Chapter 23

TWENTY TWO- ICE TEA

Ayo pulled me away with him as soon as i finished dishing out my anger at Clara. He pushed open the music room and locked the door behind him.I looked at him with a raised eyebrow

" so what's this na?"

" it's called kidnapping " he said smirking and I laughed

" don't joke with me now before i leave you with a broken skull " I replied and he laughed. Coming closer to pull my cheeks, I slapped his hands away

" this your temper sha.." he commented " do you even drink ice tea before coming to school "

" No.I hate ice tea "

He laughed "of course you do.that explains why you are always vexing "

" I don't always get angry " i quickly defended myself

" I was sorta in a bad mood and people won't just help me get over it.and clara,that one won't just let me live in peace then the girls, they're not even talking to me again, now dozie -" I paused and looked at Ayo he was paying attention to all my rant.

I sighed, wondering what would be going through his mind as he heard me rant.

" what happened with dozie ?" He asked and I sigh

" just forget it sha.."

" tell me.I swear if he did something you didn't like I'll help you and adjust his memory " he threatened with a serious look and I laughed

" stop joor. Now you want to act like kelechi "

" I'm looking out for my sister " he said and I laughed

" when did I become your sister ?"

" when we were five years old "he retorted

I shrugged " too bad..I've been sister-zoned by my bestie " I said feigning a sad look and he smirked

" do you want us to- " he cut the words as he wriggled his eyebrows

" eww. No..gerra out " I said and we both laughed

" are you feeling better now ?"

" a little "

" should I treat you to chicken and chips after school since you hate pizza? " he asked and a big smile lit my face

" you still remember that I hate pizza" I said and he faked a scowl

" yup. And it's so weird..like who else hates pizza? "

" me " I said smirking and he rolled his eyes

" yes you.the queen of all weirdos " he retorted and I laughed

" call me with respect mi lord " I said.feigning a royal accent and we both laughed

" how did you get the key to the music room? " I asked

" I stole it from him " Ayo replied with a creepy look.I face-palmed myself and afterwards smacked his head making him yelp

" ouch.."

" so talk!"

" sir said he needed to tidy something.he'll be back.he didn't see any of the students around so he decided to give it to me - being a careful student " he explained and gave a pleased look at his last statement

I chuckled at him

" you still play the piano too abi ?" He asked.changing the topic.I nodded in reply

" yes.."

" at home? "

" no.I don't have one at home so I play in the church and at school " I said

" wow. You're good." He complimented and I smiled

" thanks.do you want me to play something for you ?" I asked and he gave a mock bow

" as you wish my lady.I'll be so honoured " he replied and I smack his head, laughing. He grimaced

" ouch"

I walked over to the piano that was covered with a cloth and uncovered it.searching for a nice tone to play and finally ended up with playing Havana

" wow..that was awesome " Ayo said clapping and I smiled

" yup.thanks..but we need to start going now " I said

" okay.." he replied, standing up from where he sat

" thanks Ayo. I feel alot better now " I said with a smile

He grinned "of course you should be thankful "

I hissed and made to slap his head again while he ran

" aiish MJ quit being violent nah..it's only dozie skull I promised to break now you want break mine too " he whined and I laughed out

" you have luck you're so not near me, saying that thing " I said and he pouted

" see you later " I said

" yup.i'll text you and If you see me with body arms and helmet. Please don't blame me " he replied and I laughed again

******

I walked into the class leisurely, Angel.I.e Clara's minion was busy gisting loudly about the parties she attended with celebrities and how some of them were inviting her to have lunch with them..half of the class already knew that she was pathetically boasting about something which was a lie but then they choosed to listen.

Someday, I knew they were going to use it to mock her so badly and I wouldn't help but feel pity for her.like she didn't know that a good number of people are aware that her mum had a fish store and her dad was just as good as wasted and her only dependent was more likely on clara and that was why she followed clara around.

I shrugged at the fake gist she was busy talking about. I looked beside me but the seat which dozie should have been sitting on was deadempty. I sighed

It wasn't really his fault though.fair is fair though. cause I don't know if I could ever tell him that I wished he wouldn't say that was a mistake and such -

" snr Meera. Mrs Emma is calling you in her office " a junior student said, calling me out of my reverie

" okay " I responded. Picking myself up as I walked to miss Emma's office. Dozie was there but neither of us said a thing to each other

He knocked on the door and a voice called from inside the office

" yes come in " we both walked in and I shut the door behind

" good day mam'm " we greeted in chorused

" good day you two.so you're aware of the presentation topics right ?" She asked and we nodded

" So, I'll like to take a look at what you two prepared then we go over it together before that day. "

" okay mam'm. So when do we bring it?"

" if you have it now then that's good"she replied

" I left mine at home.let's do it tomorrow " I said and she looked at dozie who nodded his head in agreement

" Meera is right. Let's do it tomorrow"

" okay.with that said, see you two tomorrow then " she said dismissing us.as soon as we stepped out of the office, I made to call dozie but the words got stuck in my tongue

He didn't also say a thing to me.he just walked past me and that made my stomach churn.maybe I shouldn't also try talking to him too he'll just end up ignoring me for the rest of the day.

I was walking back to class when I saw dozie talking to mr Ahmed, he held that gloom look on his face and he kept his face straight. I don't know if it was because of me snapping at him earlier or because of something else. I huffed out aloud, maybe I should just apologize

I walked past them not without greeting sir Ahmed.

" Meera " he called and I stopped

" yes sir "

" we still have you in the visual arts abi ?" He asked with a glint of hope in his eyes

" sir, I don't know..my drawing hasn't been something to write home about " I replied and that was the plain truth.

Sir Ahmed sighed " it isn't that bad and besides you have to start from somewhere...you can't just begin learning how to draw with drawing skyscrapers. It's a gradual process " he said

I shrugged. There weren't many people who did visual arts. " I'll think about it sir."

He nodded " give me your reply soon and don't forget to bring dozie along " he said and I glanced at dozie who said nothing throughout

" why? "

" long story short.he says he's quitting" he said and I stared in suprise

" excuse me sir..I need to get going " he said briskly.

" anyway Meera, think about it okay? And give me a reply soon " he said and I nodded

" okay sir "

*******

I sat on my seat quietly. Angel was still blabbing stories to some people while others were busy talking about other things. I stole a glance at dozie who wore a black headset over his ears.

Dozie loved art and as a matter of fact, he was the one who made me to give a shot at the subject. And I was still learning to draw from him and now he wants to give up.I may not know if mum will let me do it but I still wanted to do it especially because i know it was for my own good.

I took a deep breath as I called softly "dozie.."

There was no reply. I tapped him lightly " dozie..let's talk ". He turned to me, shrugged and faced his front with the headset.

So I did what I did. I pulled the headset forcefully out of his ears. He snapped his head at me

" what is wrong with you?"

" stop ignoring me.I need to talk about something " I replied stubbornly.

He made to snatch the headset back from me, when I rose it above my head. He chuckled

" you think you're tall ?" He asked mockingly and I scoffed

" if you try collecting this again i'll smash it.trust me I'm not joking " I warned.

He stared at me in horror for something before clearing his throat and slowly biting his lower lips

" give me back "

" why are you quitting visual arts?" I asked

" it's non of your business" he snapped and for once I flinched. His tone was so unfriendly.I don't even know why I was doing this.

I sighed " you're right, it's not even my business. so take " I said handing him back his headset which he collected from me without saying anything at all.

Just then the government teacher walked in.everyone scurried back to their seats but there was still slight shuffling of feets

" good afternoon students. Settle down "she called

" good afternoon mam'm" we greeted and the shuffling of feet slowly dying down

" so where did we stop? " she asked

" foreign policy" someone voiced out

" international organizations " another said

" pre-colonial..." another person was saying

" mam'm we stopped at capitalism - "a voice which we all recognized to be Esther called and that got the whole class to shout

" Jesus - !!! "

" Esther are you even in this school ?" Angel asked in disbelief

" no.I'm in your fathers house " she retorted

" capitalism is SS1 topic na.." trust said

" we can still do it again afterall SS3 is a combination of your SS1 and SS2 " Adaeze.another girl in my class said.

Our teacher banged her fist on the table to call the students to order. Everyone was silent again as they focused their attention back at her

" Adaeze is right. But for the sake of today and for us to move futher before we could start revision and others. where did we stop in our last class ?" She asked

" foreign policy " I said, showing the teacher my notebook and our last topic

" okay..since we stopped at foreign policy. Let's continue from there - "

We learnt government for like 45minutes before the next teacher followed suit. This time it was the C.R.K teacher.

" everyone put away your notebooks and bring out only your test book and your pen "

The students groaned because he never told anyone which day we were going to write test. but then, they had no choice. Besides C.R.K was one of my best subjects so it was easier to deal it.

*****

After school, while I waited for Ayo.I saw Annette approach me with a huge frown resting on her face.I didn't think I should care about it until she got closer to me and used her hands tk smack my head so hard

" ouch!!! What is it nah "I cried

" you're really mean. So just like that you want to hold malice with us " she scolded

" I wasn't trying to keep malice with you girls nah.it's just that I thought you guys were fine without me - "I replied and her hands reached out to slap me again

I yelped in pain as Sophie, Sola and Ayo came closer

" glad someone has mind to smack your head " Ayo said shrugging and they laughed while I scowled

" you shouldn't have thought...yeye girl " Annette said

I smiled " okay.I've heard.but did you guys miss me ?" I asked wriggling my eyebrows as Sophie clicked her tongue

" miss kee?? Joor " she said and I laughed

" it wouldn't kill you to admit it " I replied

" oya..we missed you and this your rubbish temper " Annette said and we all laughed

" guys..I'm going back in ooh " sophie said and we all bade her goodbye.too bad she was a boarder

" sandwich. Oya let's move " Ayo called and she shot him a glare

" if you call me sandwich again..I swear I'll make sure I fry your groin " she threatened and Ayo's expression became blank as sola and I burst out laughing

" tell me she was joking? "Ayo asked

" she isn't ooh.Annette once flushed Edward's face In the W.C cause he called her sandwich " Sola replied

Edward was a guy in the sciences.memories of that day came flashing back when Edward called Annette sandwich just because he heard us call her that. She warned him to stop but we wouldn't, he thought that she could do nothing because she had a smallish body

But that very day during sports, he called her sandwich again..she pulled his collar the girls bathroom and had his head forced into the W.C and since that day.no one called her sandwich. Not even Edward again

" only my girls are allowed to call me that anyway " Annette said while I kept laughing while Ayo shook his head.

I was happy anyway to have made up with the girls even though sophie couldn't come with us, we were still going to group chat.