I think the pressure placed on every girl, African girl, Nigerian girl, is absolutely unnecessary, we need to stop making them feel like they have to be perfect. –Cinmisola
"Oh my God" Lara covered her mouth in excitement, she looked all shades of happy. "And did you say yes?"
"What do you think?"
"I know for one that you wouldn't be using this new phone if you didn't say yes" she shrieked.
"Hey, keep your voice low, we're in the library, you know phones aren't accepted here"
"Yeah, whatever, So what's next?"
"What do you mean, what's next?"
"I'm talking about you and him, what happens next with the both of you?"
"I don't know, I guess we'll figure whatever's next out ourselves, but for now we're focused on how to bring His father and his friends down. We need as much help as we can get"
"You know I'm in, anytime"
"I knew I was going to meet you girls here, is it me or are the both of you avoiding me? The sound of Tomison's voice jolted us up.
"Hey, T" I smiled. "Have a seat, and why would we be avoiding you? we checked on you at your class but you guys were in the biology lab"
"Yeah, Mr.Peter decided to give us extra lessons, but asides from that, you both have been acting all withdrawn lately."
"Trust me, it's all you, I'm totally cool" Lara said and shrugged.
"Hmm, okay. So what were you talking about before I came?"
Oh my God, what do I say, now?
"Uhm, shoes, we were talking about shoes," Lara said.
"Okay, that's it, you're both hiding something from me, I overheard you saying something about bringing some people down, now you're telling me you were talking about shoes?"
"Okay, you know what? You caught us." I surrendered.
"Why? Why are you keeping me out of things?"
"Listen, Tomi. We're really sorry but we can't help but fear that you're secretly working hand in hand with Aisha, we..."
"You don't trust me, that's what you're saying uh?"
"Of course we do trust you, we're just saying we're trying to be careful," Lara added.
"Around me?"
Silence.
"I can't believe you girls right now" I pushed her chair back and stood up. "I'm really hurt and disappointed right now, I've done nothing but stayed loyal to you both and this is what I get?"
"You've got to understand us, T-"
"Oh, I understand you, I understand you're just like Aisha and the others, there's only a tiny difference between you both, they are honest with me they don't pretend they trust me around me, you on the other hand are just two fake friends, I hate you both right now and I don't want to ever talk to you"
I scanned the room and luckily, there was no one within earshot. I tried to touch her but she only retracted and walked out of the library.
"O my God, what have we done" I asked banging my head on the library wood.
"We did what we have to do"
"What if she's really with them, and she tells them that we're on to her and they all agree that there's no longer a reason to keep us alive or something"
"Then, we've gotta be absolutely careful then. Plus I'm sure she'll be back, she can't be fighting with you, you know?"
"and why cant she?"
"because she's seeing your brother remember?"
"Oh about that, I forgot to tell you he left for school yesterday, so I'm sure whatever they had must be closed for the moment or over completely."
"Ouch! I..." she was cut short by the school bell.
"Well,I've got to go, I'm the class rep, remember? Can't be going to class late and all."
"Yeah, I understand. See you after school, we'll probably go over to her house and beg her so don't beat yourself too much about her issue."
"Thanks, Lara" I gave her a quick hug, picked my books up and left for class.
The rest of the day went on with the normal boring routine, the teachers seemed to repeat themselves, and even though I looked at them like I was listening to all they were saying, I was actually thinking about Obi, It really took God's grace and strength from stopping me from picking my phone up to message him or something. As the class finally ended, I packed my books into my bag, my eye caught a sky blue folded note at the stationery section of my bag and I carefully picked it up and unfolded it.
Hello, REMI. THIS IS MR OR MISS ANONYMOUS, HOWEVER YOU WANNA HAVE IT. IT'S YOUR BUSINESS. WELL I'M GLAD TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR LITTLE MISFORTUNE, I ASSURE YOU MORE WILL KEEP COMING TILL YOU DRAW YOUR FINAL BREATHE, I'LL FIND YOU AND MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR LITTLE FRIENDS END OF LIKE YOUR .......WELL, WHY DON'T I LET YOU FIND OUT YOURSELF. SOMETHING HUGE IS COMING AT YOU, SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T EXPECT, YOU CANT F--- WITH US AND LEAVE LIKE THAT, WE KNOW YOU KNOW ABOUT US, WE WISH YOU DIDN'T.RUN ALL YOU CAN, YOU CAN NEVER HIDE FROM US.
YOURS WICKEDLY.
YOUR NEMEMSIS.
I shivered as I read the note and the I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching me, I turned around and felt a bolt of lightening hit me at the sight of Emem, Tobi and Aisha watching me from the church window. They smiled, waved and walked off.
I picked my bag, said goodbye to a few of my friends and went on to find Lara, fortunately she looked like she was also coming to find me.
"Hey, what's up? you look like you've seen a ghost"
I pushed the note into her hands stood as I read her go through it.
"OmyGod."
"I saw the three of them watching me after reading the note."
"What do they mean by "your little misfortune" ?"
"I don't know, should I just walk up to them and ask or something?"
"I don't think that would be a bright idea, they're just messing with you. Let's leave the school premises. Is that your phone ringing?"
"Yeah, I think so, I said as I brought the phone out of my bag and accepted the call seeing from the caller id that it was my mum calling."
"Hello, mumm-"
"Baby where are you? Where are you?" she sounded paranoid and it was obvious she'd been crying.
"Mum, what's wrong?"
"Remi, come home right away, I need you"
"Mum, calm down" I said, my heart racing fast. "what's the matter, is it dad?"
"No...No, it's not your father...Lord! Please just come home" I overheard someone tell her not to tell me over the phone. She asked me to come home once again and hanged up.
"What's the matter, Remi?"
"I need to go home, something's wrong"
"I'll come with you"