I stared at my phone for what felt like eternity, I knew I failed most of my tests, my project and some assignments but never did I expect my results to be this bad. 

I logged out from my student portal and checked the class group chat, everyone was talking about how they aced their exams, some were even showing off screenshot of their results. I couldn’t say anything so I switched off my phone.

“Zara, I need you to also assist your mum every time.” My dad said softly, as he packed some of his luggages and left the house. 

Thank God that the term was over, I don’t have to worry about school or books for now. My elder sister acted like everything was fine, she tried to look strong in front of us but I knew that our parents decisions to separate were breaking us all.

I swallowed hard and pretended everything was fine too, but it wasn’t. I was hurting, my siblings were hurting and worse was that my academics were extremely poor. I don’t know what to do to fix everything, so I told my mom that my younger sister and I needed to visit our grandparents. We needed the two weeks vacation from school to rest and she agreed. I couldn’t be happier and relieved knowing I don’t have to live at home, watching some of our family members coming over to fix my parents issues. 

A few days after I travelled, I called George and explained everything to him, he was very understanding and helpful with everything I was going through. He sent me money, showered me with love messages and comfort to the extent that I no longer doubted my return to school. I and my sisters came back home and began to prepare for the the last term in the session.

Although, my dad didn’t return home but he and my mom settled their differences and agreed to live peacefully in their own separate spaces.

Monday finally came, I hurried my younger sister so we can get to school early and we did. I couldn’t hide the excitement of seeing my classmates again especially George. 

The school gate was already crowded by the time we arrived. Students moved in clusters, laughter and loud conversations.

“Zara!”

I barely had time to turn before Nafisa ran into me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug that almost knocked me off balance.

“Ah ah, do you want to injure me?” I laughed, trying to steady myself.

“I missed you!” she said, pulling back to study my face. Her expression softened slightly. “Are you okay?”

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile that I hoped looked convincing. “I’m fine.”

Before she could press further, Hameedat joined us, her usual confident stride unchanged. She folded her arms and looked at me with a small smirk.

“We are back to school again,” she said.

“Don’t start,” I replied, but she laughed and pulled me into a brief hug anyway.

“I missed you, jare.”

We walked to class together, slipping easily into conversation. Nafisa filled me in on everything I had missed during the holiday, exaggerating as usual, while Hameedat added comments here and there.

“Hameedat and Saheed are still over,” Nafisa added.

I stopped walking for a second and turned to Hameedat. “Really? I thought you guys would reconcile during the holiday”

“We didn’t. I want peace,” she said, lifting her chin slightly.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “That’s actually impressive.”

“I’m serious this time, and besides Gideon has been asking me out” she said the Gideon part in a low voice.

Our eyes widened. Thank goodness I’m not the only one surprised, because Gideon is just looking for trouble by trying to take advantage of Saheed and Hameedat’s break up.

“Are you serious?,” Nafisa asked and she nodded. “I told him no. I can’t date Saheed’s classmate and they are also friends.”

As we entered the classroom, Nafisa and I advised her not to date Gideon because he obviously still has a crush on Veronica and even if Hameedat doesn’t admit it we all knew that she still loves Saheed.

Inside, the noise was even louder. Chairs scraped against the floor, students called out greetings, and conversations overlapped in every corner. It felt chaotic, but in a way that made everything seem normal again.

“Zara!”

Jerry’s voice cut through the noise as he jumped up from his seat and made his way toward me. He pulled me into a quick hug, shaking his head.

“See person wey travel, you no even fat,” he said.

“I don’t want to be fat,” I replied, laughing.

As I pulled away, I felt the quiet awareness that someone else was watching me, I turned slightly, and there he was.

George.

He was leaning casually against his desk, his eyes fixed on me, a small smile playing on his lips. For a moment, everything around me seemed to fade into the background.

“Welcome back,” he said as I walked closer to him.

“Thank you,” I replied, trying to sound normal, even though my heart had already started racing.

He understood that my appreciation was for being there for when I was at my lowest, his reassurance and comfort was the only reason I came back to Lagos to live with my mother and continue my education.

I stopped in front of me, tilting my head slightly as I whispered, “You’re the best person that ever came into my life. I love you”

He smiled beautifully, then pulled me into a hug. It was warmer, lovely and comforting.

“You scared me,” he murmured.

I hesitated for a second before replying, “I’m fine now.”

He pulled back slowly, studying my face as if trying to confirm my words. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, even though a part of me wasn’t entirely convinced. I didn’t want him to worry too much about my wellbeing. His presence in my life was enough. 

Before the moment could linger, Jerry cleared his throat loudly from behind us.

“Una go continue later abi make we give una space?” he teased.

We both laughed, and I stepped away, to settle down in my seat. 

Unik readers, I need your unique comment;

What do you think about Gideon and Hameedat?

Thank you for reading ❤️📖