The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Chapter 21: COLLISION
Amira and George both froze the moment they saw me, like two children caught doing something bad. But while George looked guilty, Amira didn’t even flinch. She rolled her eyes, adjusted her hair like nothing had happened, and walked past me in an annoying, but confident way, like I was invisible.
I turned to George slowly, my chest tight, my voice barely holding together. “Why?”
He didn’t even hesitate.
“It was just a kiss,” he said, waving it off like it meant absolutely nothing. “I don’t love her. It’s Amira… almost every guy has kissed her. You can’t be jealous of her.”
For a second, I just stared at him.
I didn’t even know which part hurt more, the fact that he kissed her or the way he made it sound normal. As if I was the one overreacting.
What exactly had I gotten myself into? Was loving someone supposed to feel like this? Or was I just stupid enough to keep holding on to someone who clearly didn’t value me?
My eyes burned, and no matter how hard I tried to blink the tears back, they came uncontrollably. I wept.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, stepping closer.
I hated myself for being this way, but I leaned into him. Rested my head against his chest like it was the only place I belonged. Like he hadn’t just betrayed me minutes ago. He wrapped his arms around me, and for a moment, I let myself believe him again, maybe he meant it this time.
The rest of the party blurred into noise but I stayed glued to George’s side the entire time, holding on like if I let go for even a second, someone else would take my place again.
“I love you,” he whispered into my ear later that evening as the party began to wind down.
I smiled, even though something inside me felt hollow. I kissed him like I had something to prove. Like if I gave him enough, loved him enough, he would finally stop hurting me.
The long holiday that followed felt peaceful. George traveled to the east, and we talked almost every day through long calls, sweet messages, late-night promises. It felt stable.
But school never stays quiet for long. From what I heard, Hameedat and Saheed had broken up again and new students were joining. The usual chaos was already brewing, and I was actually eager to return. I missed the noise. The gossip. The distraction.
And as for Amira, I made sure she felt the pain I felt. I found some boy around her area and made sure he got close to her. Then I made sure the new boyfriend she was posting on her status every time, saw her messages, her lies. The way she played games.
He didn’t waste time. He broke up with her and for the first time Amira posted heartbreak messages on her WhatsApp status. Good.
Monday morning came quickly, and I rushed my younger sister so we could get to school early. My heart was beating faster than usual, not only from excitement, but anticipation.
But the moment I stepped into the classroom, Amira was already there and she didn’t waste a second.
“You are very stupid!” she shouted, pushing me hard.
I staggered, but I stood my ground, staring straight at her.
“What’s wrong with you, Amira?” Nafisa and Desire snapped immediately, rushing to my side.
But I didn’t need them to defend me. I wanted this fight.
Amira, breathing heavily, started spilling everything about how I set her up, how I ruined her relationship, how I embarrassed her. The entire class turned to me, waiting.
I didn’t even try to deny it. “She doesn’t deserve a boyfriend,” I said coldly. “I just saved the boy from her drama.”
The words had barely left my mouth when Hameedat stood up, her chair dragging loudly against the floor.
“What exactly is your problem, Zara?” she snapped, her voice sharp with anger. “Because of George, you’re now doing rubbish. If you cheat, do you think George will forgive you? You’re just acting like a fool.”
That did it.
All the anger I had been holding in turned, fast and sharp.
“Look who’s talking,” I fired back instantly. “You’re jumping from Saheed to Olamide like it’s nothing. Or you think people don’t know you’ve been going to Olamide’s house during the holiday?”
Hameedat’s face changed immediately, shock flashing through her eyes before anger took over. And just when everything was about to explode—
“Why is this class so noisy?” Mrs. Adeoye’s voice cut through the tension like a blade as she walked in.
We all went quiet immediately, rushing back to our seats like nothing had happened.
She looked around the class with clear irritation before sighing. “You just resumed, and you’ve already started? Is it because you are now in SS2?”
No one answered. She shook her head and motioned toward the door. “We have a new student. Come in.”
A girl walked in, calm, composed, completely unaware of the storm in the class.
“This is Chioma,” Mrs. Adeoye continued. “She’s in the commercial department. Be nice.”
Chioma nodded slightly and moved to take a seat, right on Jerry’s chair. Then, Mrs. Adeoye left our class.
The sight made something in my chest tighten. Jerry hadn’t resumed because he had been sick all through the holiday, even hospitalized. And George… he wasn’t around either. He had only returned from his trip a few days ago but said he and Olamide were going to visit Jerry at the hospital.
“You think this is over?” Amira’s voice came again, low but sharp, as she picked up her bag.
I looked at how her eyes burned with something darker than anger.
“That stupid relationship you’re holding onto,” she said slowly, “I will be the one to destroy it. I promise you.”
And then she walked out.
The class stayed quiet for a few seconds after she left, like everyone was trying to process what just happened.
But me? I didn’t feel scared at all I was ready. So, if she wanted war then she was going to get it.
Quick question for my readers
Do you think Zara has crossed the line by going after Amira the way she did, or was she justified?
Thank you for reading this chapter 🥰