The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Chapter 31: GAME
Exams ended with a wild relief that spread throughout the whole school. Everyone was laughing louder, already stepping into holiday mood. It should have felt the same for me too but it didn’t.
Because while everyone else was planning outfits and meetups for the Christmas party, I already knew I wouldn’t be there.
My mum needed help with work, and no matter how much I begged, or tried to negotiate, her answer didn’t change. I had responsibilities, she said.
When I told George I wouldn’t be attending, I hoped, maybe, that he would at least act like my absence mattered but he didn’t. There was no change in his tone, no disappointment in his voice. Just that same casual energy, like everything was normal.
“Just try and come,” he said. “Or whatever happens, just accept it.”
That sentence didn't stayed well with me. 'Whatever happens, just accept it.'
What exactly was I supposed to accept?
Lately, his behavior had been shifting in ways I couldn’t fully explain. Like the time he randomly asked if we should fake a breakup and we actually did it more than once.
At the time, I told myself it was just a joke but now… it didn’t feel that way.
Another day, he asked if I had ever cheated on him. That question hit me differently.
I remember just staring at him, shocked. Because how could he even think that? I had spent almost every second of my day worrying about him, about us, about how to make things work. Twenty-three and a half hours out of my twenty-four hours in a day revolved around this relationship.
That was how much space he occupied in my mind.
“Don’t worry,” Hameedat said, breaking my thoughts. “I will watch George throughout the party.”
Nafisa nodded in agreement beside her, but I didn’t even bother pretending to trust her. Not after her betrayal and affair with George. Still, I had no choice.
“Okay. just text me,” I said, trying to sound calm.
Then I went to meet Desire.
“Please,” I said, lowering my voice, almost embarrassed by how desperate I sounded. “Just let me know everything that happens at the party. Since I won’t be there.”
She looked at me for a moment and I saw the pity in her eyes. I hated that she pitied me but I needed it anyway.
“Okay,” she said gently.
That was enough for me. Or at least, I thought it would be.
When the day finally came, the dread sat heavy in my chest from morning till evening. I moved through the day helping my mum, doing everything I was supposed to do but my mind was somewhere else at the party.
Every few minutes, I checked my phone. Messages, Whatsapp and Snapchat post but there was no updates from Desire.
The only thing I had was Hameedat’s WhatsApp status, she posted short clips of performances, laughter, their dancing and I saw George briefly but it only made things worse. It reminded me of everything I was missing.
By the time I checked the time again, it was already past six and my patience snapped.
I had texted George multiple times within ten minutes, watching him go online and offline like he was playing with my sanity.
To George:
6:24pm
Are we going to meet this evening?
6:25pm
I can still come to your house.
6:30pm
Why are you not replying me?
6:40pm
Have you forgotten that we took an oath?
The messages sat there, ignored.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I need to get something,” I told my mum quickly, grabbing my slippers before she could question me.
I ran all the way to Krystal Primary School. By the time I got there, most of the primary students had already gone home. The party was winding down, but not completely over. The secondary school students were still around, gathered near the stage.
The atmosphere had changed from the bright, organized celebration they posted earlier into something quieter. Many of the lights were off, leaving shadows in corners and spaces that made it easier for them to do things unnoticed.
Music still played, but softer now and some were dancing, laughing, too distracted to notice me. So, I moved carefully, my eyes scanning every face, looking for him.
But the first thing I saw wasn’t George. It was Nafisa with Olamide. They were wrapped around each other like nothing else mattered. His hand rested comfortably on her waist, and her head leaned against him as they moved slowly with the music.
I paused because this was new relationship coming up now. I didn’t say anything. I just looked away and kept moving.
A few steps further, I saw Felix and Amira standing close together, their heads bent toward each other in quiet conversation. The way she leaned in and the softness in her expression, it was obvious she was trying to find her way back into his life. It irritated me and I hoped he wouldn’t fall for it again.
I kept walking.
Desire was near the exit, standing with her sisters, clearly preparing to leave. For a moment, I considered calling her name but I didn’t. I didn’t want to explain myself, didn’t want her to see how restless I was. Because at that point, I already knew something wasn’t right and I was running out of time.
I turned slightly, ready to leave, then I noticed that Amira was no longer with Felix.
My heart skipped.
A sudden instinct pushed me forward and faster now. I searched again, my eyes scanning every hidden corner, then I saw shadows behind speakers and then I found them.
Amira was sitting on George’s lap, her body positioned in a way that almost blocked him from view.
It didn’t make sense until I looked closer. George wasn’t focused on her because he was kissing Simi right there and Amira was covering them.
It was as if this was something they had all agreed on and my body went completely still.
I had been played again.
Hook Question:
If love starts to feel like a game you’re losing, do you keep playing or finally walk away?
Thank you for reading this chapter 💖