The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Chapter 4: BREAKFAST (I)
What is wrong with all these SS2 students? Why can’t they just stick to their classmates like the SS3?
My eyes were already flooded with tears. The funny thing was that they were so engrossed in themselves that they didn’t even notice my presence.
Finally my legs moved and I got closer, “So… are you two dating now?” I asked carefully.
That was when they noticed my presence.
No answer, Ahmeed just stood there, still holding her hand and I understood everything. He chose her over me.
I felt stupid. How did I let myself fall blindly for him?
I turned and walked away, but couldn’t control my tears anymore. I wiped my face again and again, but it wouldn’t stop. The tears kept flowing. Fuck! I had become exactly like Hameedat and I hated it. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, so I ran all the way home.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. Every memory of them holding hands and laughing was like a knife stabbing my already broken heart.
Just then, Hameedat started posting on her status, how all guys are the same, how she’s done with relationships. One post after another about heartbreak.
Before, I’d roll my eyes and ignore her post, but this time I felt her pain too and I promised myself that I will never be deceived again by mixed signals.
The next day, Ahmeed didn’t come to school, maybe that was for the best. I told Nafisa and Hameedat everything about yesterday. Even though we weren’t officially together, he broke my heart and I don’t want to be with someone like him. All boys are the same.
“They are all liars,” Hameedat said bitterly, as if reading my thoughts.
“Can you believe Saheed hasn’t reply my messages for two days now but he viewed my posts and was busy texting someone else, and now he’s trying to justify everything.”
I just sat there quietly.
Hameedat ranted and ranted till class started. Teachers came in and taught their subjects one after the other, but nothing entered my head. Even Desire tried to talk me out of thinking too much, but it didn’t work.
The bell finally rang, and I immediately carried my bag, thinking it was closing time.
“Rehearsal time, not closing time,” Bashir announced.
Shit.
We all had to assemble into different groups to rehearse for the upcoming school event. I joined the drama group and sat at the back beside Jerry, watching our teacher explain the play we were supposed to act. Honestly, I didn’t even plan to participate. I just wanted to go home.
Jerry noticed my sour mood and began to crack funny jokes about everything around us. I tried but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. I laughed so hard that tears started coming out of my eyes.
Then he dropped the bomb.
“The latest school gist is that Senior Olamide caught Amira and Senior Gideon kissing in the staff room. Thank God say all the teachers don go organize this rehearsal”
My laughter died instantly.
“Amira?” I asked.
He nodded.
Wow.
“Wasn’t she dating Senior Chinedu?” I asked.
“Of course she is,” Jerry replied. “But since Senior Chinedu no dey school, she go meet Senior Gideon make dem do one or two things.”
This time, I had nothing to say. It was completely wrong of Amira. I don’t understand why she is behaving like this? Changing from one boy to another like she was changing her clothes.
“Shay you still dey crush on Ahmeed?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
I shook my head. “No.”
He looked at me and smiled. “Why you sef go follow that one, when person wey like you dey here and you no even notice?”
I frowned. “Who is the person that likes me?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but the bell rang immediately.
Before anyone could say anything else, the teacher announced, “You can all go home with your scripts. Rehearsal will continue tomorrow.”
I followed Jerry back to the class as he continued explaining how Senior Olamide had to inform Senior Chinedu on the phone about his girlfriend’s betrayal. George came to sit with us and narrated the whole situation in full detail. He even said that Senior Chinedu had called Amira and broken up with her after seeing the picture of the kiss.
“Is it Senior Olamide that took the picture?” I asked.
George nodded.
“Why would Senior Gideon kiss his friend’s girlfriend,” I said, “...when he even has a girl in his class that he’s crushing on, or isn't he crushing on senior Vivian again?”
The question escaped my mouth before I could stop myself.
Jerry laughed. “He just wanted to prove to everybody that Amira no get level at all.”
“I’m even happy that I’m no longer with her,” George said. “Do you know our relationship started because she asked me out?”
I burst into laughter.
But we couldn’t continue the discussion because Hameedat suddenly walked into the class, crying and cursing Saheed.
Oh God.
I excused myself from George and Jerry and went to meet her.
“What did he do this time?” I asked.
She didn’t answer. She just kept crying, so I started rubbing her back gently.
“Hameedat, come, let’s talk,” Senior Olamide said as he entered the class.
I don’t even know why I keep calling these SS2 student seniors sef. They have never behaved like one.
Hameedat stood up and followed him. The two of them had been very close lately. I wanted to stop her from talking to him privately, but it’s Hameedat, she won’t listen.
“So what happened to her?” George asked.
I sighed. “As usual, it’s Saheed. I don’t know why she can’t just break up with him.”
They laughed.
“Do you even know who Saheed is?” Jerry said. “That guy is a big boy.”
I rolled my eyes.
“All of you are the same,” I muttered, loud enough for them to hear, as I carried my bag and left the class.
“Have you tried all the boys?” George teased as they followed me. “Come and try me. I’m different.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t need you.”
When we entered the conference room, Olamide was standing very close to Hameedat, holding her hands and talking softly, while Saheed stood nearby watching them. You could tell he was angry.
I looked around, found an empty chair, and sat down to wait for my friends. Nafisa and Khalid were cuddling each other, lost in their own world.
“Zara, I’m serious o,” George said, bringing my attention back to him.
“Serious about what?” I asked.
He started talking about how he liked me and had been trying to talk to me, but I never gave him any opportunity. I was confused because I thought Jerry was talking about himself when he said earlier that someone liked me and I didn’t notice.
I looked at Jerry, who was sitting beside me. He was unusually quiet, his face serious.
“I’m not ready for any relationship,” I told George, hoping he would stop.
Just then, Saheed announced that he was going home. Within seconds, everyone picked up their bags and started leaving.
George and Jerry walked with me, one on each side, until we reached the point where we had to go our separate ways.
Unik readers, kindly share your thoughts on this chapter 💭
If you were Zara, would you give George a chance or stay away from relationships completely?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts 😊