Hiiiiðthere have been no mid-week updates or double updates because my schedule last
week was really tight ðð Abuja wan use stress kee me. Anyhooss read, vote, comment and share guys I declare this part OPENNNN
***********
AMANDA'S POV
(Amanda Aderinsola Akinde)
As I walk into my classroom with my notebook, jotter and writing materials, I feel a large arm wrap my shoulder from behind, the other arm ruffling my hair it can only be one person
"I put a lot of effort into this hair now what's your issue" I roll my eyes playfully
"Good morning to you too M'lady" Eddy says with a grin
We walk into the class with his arm still slung over my shoulder
"So are you ready for today? It's four and a half hours of madness" he turns the chair in front of my seat around so he can seat facing me
"There's thirty minutes break after the first 2½ hours shey?"
"Yep, that's lunch break so people don't collapse during the exam" he chuckles lightly
"Oh God, I'm so scared" I let out a breath
"Don't be, you prepared over the weekend right?"
"Yes, but I still have some formulas I need to go over" I tap my desk in panic
He places his palm on my vibrating hand then squeezes lightly
"You'll be okay, most of them are in the four figure table so we can just go over those that are not there right now" he gives a reassuring smile
My hand stiffens at the sudden contact making my heartbeat go a hundred times faster, his palms are so warm! Amanda you're supposed to be thinking about mathematics oh
"Uh-okay, I have them written down" I say in a shaky breath
He takes his hand off mine casually as if it was completely normal for that to happen. I feel a little heat rising up my cheeks so I break eye contact and shift my gaze to the other side of the class. I notice everyone is stuck on their books and calculators, then I remember that I'm here for business, I can't fail this subject.
30 minutes later
The bell for the mathematics exams rings from the hallway. Most people exclaim as they pick up their pace going through all the pages of their notebooks at once as if they can photograph them in their memories.
"It's time, don't panic just calm down and think properly before answering any question okay?" Eddy closes his own notes and stands up slowly
I nod my head at his statement and try to calm myself down. He pinches my right cheek
"You'll do well, if you don't remember any question's answer, write my name" he laughs as he walks away
Is this boy okay?! What kind of encouragement was that? Anyway I'm sure I can do this, I have studied and I have prayed that's all right?
**
"The devil is a liarrr" Nancy exclaims as we step into the cafeteria
"I don't think WAEC can pass that one" I say as we walk to the line
"Omo we solved ten theory questions, I said what a life!" She exclaims dramatically
She walks over to the lunch lady and tells her something
"SS3 students come forward" the lunch lady screams
"Juniors on the line, take numbers from the front then you can go and sit down, when you come back, line up according to your numbers" Nana says to them
"Yes Senior" some of them chorus
They start to do as they were told taking numbers from the front while SS3 students come in rather noisily making a new line. My eyes scan the crowd and I notice Erling is standing somewhere at the middle of the line, I expect him to walk to the front of the line like he would usually do but he just stands there looking bored, walking forward each time the line moves
I take jollof rice, chicken and salad on my plate, a box of orange juice and two sneakers bars, flashing my meal card over the sensor. I deserve to eat like a monster after that Mathematics theory exam, I'm sure I answered at least 6 out of 10 questions 100% correct, I deserve a celebration. I smile to myself as I take my tray and walk behind Nancy.
As usual, Toke didn't come to the dining since it's exam period, during exams and tests period she brings lunch and drinks from home so she doesn't have to move around too much, trust Adetoke to have calculated her entire day. I'll probably not see her till the end of the exams, her driver comes to pick her up from school as soon as the bell is rung, making sure she wastes no extra time waiting.
"Are you still going to Aidan's party?" I ask Nana
I've noticed how tense their interaction has become, they don't even talk most times, they just stare at each other without the other knowing
"It depends on my mood on that day" she says, picking on her chicken
"You guys are still fighting?"
"I'm not fighting with anybody, Aidan is just like that, he's just an overgrown baby" she says it so that he hears from the table next to us
He chuckles lightly and acts like he didn't hear us
"So I take it you're not going"
"Nah, the beef is with Aidan, not free food and drinks" she digs in a spoon of rice
"So you agree there is a beef" I cross my arms and smile at her
"Yes there is" her expression immediately goes sour making me follow her gaze
Amaka leans close to Aidan's ear, closer than necessary, to tell him something in his ear. She giggles after, tracing her fingers through his hair line. He leans back then smirks at her stroking his chin in the process
My eyes go back to Nana who has started picking her food again, expressionlessly.
"Do you like Aidan?"
She chokes on her meat and hits her chest softly, gesturing with her hand for me to pass her my water. She gulps from it then caps it, leaving it beside her
"Don't repeat that ever again" she says half serious and half kidding
She goes back to eating her food, avoiding eye contact. She doesn't say anything or make any comments till we finish our food
Idara you're not the best actress there is
**
The best thing that could happen in an Exam is acing it right? Maybe this will be my very first time. I can't believe I answered those questions without breaking a sweat. Some of my classmates even decided to sleep when time was just half gone, even when I totally completed all the questions I didn't have the mind to rest my head. I had to keep checking and checking to make sure this wasn't all a joke and there weren't fresh questions waiting for me behind the question paper.
I watched Erling through my side eye, he was extra thorough with his work, his eyes didn't leave them once. Even when some where laying their heads on their desks, he maintained his posture. Straight back, arms on his desk and eyes tracing every line of the question paper with the answer sheet. I copied his posture
I sat up straight, although still feeling short because of the difference between our heights, arms straight and confident and my eyes fixed on my paper but my legs couldn't help but tap on the floor
"You're distracting" he said without looking up from his paper
"Sorry" I stopped tapping immediately
He didn't acknowledge my apology, his face turned more serious if that was even possible
"Submit everyone, time is up" the teacher announced
Everyone got up to submit their script all at once, impatiently dropping their booklets. I was about to get up and do the same but then I noticed how he waited for everyone to be done submitting before going, I said let me wait too
I guess he noticed I wasn't getting up before him so he got up and submitted his paper first, then I being the last person to submit walked gallantly to the teacher to drop my sheet. They say if you wanna win, act like a winner. That must mean copying the actions of the overall best student right?
**
End of exams
"Tripppp" I hear someone call my name from the far end of the hallway
"Hey Toks, as usual you appeared at the end of exam week" I cross my arms leaning on my locker
"How were your exams?"
"They were okay I guess, but that Chemistry is on Jesus" I sigh
"General feeling oh, nobody was smiling I was surprised when even Nancy looked confused as hell" she shakes her head
"I'm so happy we are done though, my heart rate has reduced significantly" i place a hand on my chest and breathe out
"Me sef-
"Trippppp" Nana's chirpy voice squeaks
Before I turn around she leaps on my back forcing me to carry her. She lands a peck on my cheek then grins cheekily
"Nana what has gotten into you" I ask with a chuckle
"Oh hello Adetoke, didn't see you there" Nana says innocently
Toke smiles faintly as she waves
"Yeah I have to go, the driver is here" she adjusts the strap of her backpack
"Byeee" I say as she leaves
"See you at the party?" I yell after her
"We'll see" her voice fades out of the hallway
"Giddy up horsey" Nana bangs her heels on my side
"Ow what is wrong with you" I wince
"You're moving too slow, I have a plane to catch" she tugs a strand of my hair
"Choo choo" I say with a sigh causing both of us to laugh
We ended up going to my house, can you believe Nana packed her clothes for later to school? Including the jewelry and the shoes and the hair accessories. She said she came over so I wouldn't have a 'fashion crisis' well thank God for that because I might have cancelled last minute just because of a random mood swing
"The outfit is okay actually, if we were going to the mall" she says giving me a pointed look
We are currently in my room, emptying my wardrobe because Nana has not approved any of my choices. The outfit she is referring to is a blond sweatshirt, a white collar under shirt and a white short tennis skirt with white trainers
"We are going to a party that's more like a Hangout" she says expecting me to piece her statement together
"Yeah so?"
"There will be crossing of legs and sitting down" she finally says
"Oh yeah right" what she is saying finally clicks
"So for bottoms you'll need either shorts or trousers but for convenience sake I advise you to pick mid thigh shorts that don't show stain, just in case someone spills a drink on you" she says with a smile, blinking like a faulty barbie doll
"Yeesh thanks" I walk into my closet, again "sounds like you've been to a lot of these parties"
"Of course, I'm the life of the party I gotta be there" she says with a long groan
Life of the party indeed
I walk out of the closet with a different outfit, this time it fits her instructions
"Dayummmm mama Mia" she sits up on the bed as she exclaims
"This good?"
"This- duhhh!!" She replies as she springs up to stand beside me in front of the mirror
"C'est tres magnifique ma cherie" she beams at me through the mirror
I have on a white round neck shirt, a black long sleeve shirt underneath, a pair of black Nike shorts and black combat boots. It isn't your regular party outfit but since Nana has described that it won't exactly be a party party but more like a hangout, it fits perfectly
"It's 6:00 already??" I widen my eyes in shock when I notice the hands of the clock
"Yep, party starts by seven and the venue is a good 25 minutes from here if we don't miss the way" she hurries into the closet to change into her own clothes
The party is everything Nana described while we were in the Uber, loud music, tipsy teenagers dancing to music, people shouting over the music; why not just reduce the volume of the music so you can hear one another?
As usual, I brought my happy hour juice box just in case alcohol is the only thing they have here, Mrs Akinde has warned me not to have a drop of alcohol on my tongue. I pour my drink into a glass and sip as I bop my head to the sound of the music
,ð¶Every lickle thing that you do to með¶
Everyone hoots and hails as they hear the entrance of a popular Nigerian song 'overdose'. The crowd goes wild as everyone sings along with the speakers and dance happily. I notice Nana being dragged to the middle of the dance floor by a giddy Noel
"DJ play the music from the top" Noel cups his hands over his mouth as he announces to the DJ
The DJ does as he commanded and plays the music from the top. Everyone gets their phones out to record the show that is about to go down, I do the same I'm definitely keeping this moment
The crowd erupts in louder cheers as the duo begins to dance a routine they came up with, everyone is caught by their electrifying performance. Nana does her moves so casually but you can see that she is killing the steps, Noel on the other hand dances with more energy and boyish swag making their dance even more exciting to watch. When the song gets to the chorus most of us join in the dance as it is a popular TikTok trend, I'm not the best dancer there is but trust me to be conversant with TikTok dances
Aidan definitely went all out with this party, there are neon light decorating literally every wall of the house downstairs, packs of every kind of drink loaded in the house; I guess I didn't need to bring my own juice from home. What I'm worried about is the amount of cleaning the floors will need after the party considering how many drinks have been spilled on the pure white tiled floors. Literally half of our class is here, Edmond came too surprisingly he didn't strike me as the party type
The cold breeze hits me as Nancy and I walk out of the house to the pool area, thank God I'm wearing an under shirt. Nancy's kimono over her turquoise crop top and navy blue shorts doesn't look like it's preventing any cold, she's probably not even feeling the cold since she's downing her third cup of Pepsi with ice cubes in it.
There is a large circle of chairs with a table in the middle
"Let's play a game of spin the bottle" Nkechi says as she shakes the bottle in the air
I hear a bunch of 'yeahs' and 'sures' as everyone takes their seats excitedly.
"You know the rules, you have three rounds of truths, if you can't take your dare you drink half a cup of vinegar" she twirls the bottle in her hand making eye contact with each person on the table
Vinegar ke? And these people are not saying anything, do you want to burn your throat??
"First round" Nkechi says as she spins the bottle
Everyone holds their breaths as the bottle keeps spinning on the table till it finally lands on Amir
"Truth or dare Amir" Nkechi asks
"Truth" he replies
"What was the last lie you told"
"Before I came here, I told my mum I was going to my cousin's house for a sleepover, she can't let me come to an all night party" he replies, casually shrugging
At least I didn't lie to my own mum, Nancy had to be the one to convince her over the phone that the party is children friendly and I'll be back by 9:30, I have about one hour thirty minutes left
The bottle spins again and this time, lands on Espn
"Truth or dare" Amir asks
"Dare" she flips her hair as she replies
"I dare you to kiss a guy in this crowd" Amir says with a smirk
Espn smiles, gets up and walks in front of Eddy. My heart skips three beats what is happening here?
She pauses in front of him then leans down, placing a kiss on his cheek. She walks back to her seat casually
"What? It was a kiss, you didn't specify where" she says innocently
People laugh at her comment and I find myself letting out a huge sigh in relief. Nana leans over to me
"Calm down, I can literally see your heart beating from here" she giggles beside my ear
I feel my cheeks heat up as I turn to look the other way, away from Nana's mocking eyes
The bottle spins for the third time, it lands on Amaka. She leans closer to the edge of her seat in excitement
"Truth or dare" Espn asks, tilting her head to the side
"Dare"
"I dare you to exchange t-shirts with anybody here"
"Aidan" Amaka calls
I don't miss how Nana's noisy typing on her phone pauses, she doesn't look at either of them, she's trying to look unbothered but I see right through it. Looks like I'm not the only one who notices, I see how everyone steals glances at her to watch her reaction, Amaka saunters towards Aidan's seat watching Nana's expression with mischief written all over her face.
She pulls of her shirt in front of everyone revealing her black sports bra and her glittering belly button piercing. Given the kind of body Amaka has, you'd expect her to try to cover her now exposed cleavages or something, but Amaka being Amaka just stands there in her half naked glory. Aidan pulls his black v-neck top off and hands it over to Amaka who pulls it over her head while Aidan struggles to put hers over his head causing everyone to chuckle at the comic sight, everyone except the girl beside me of course
I feel my bladder stinging slightly, I could hold the pee in but it's a good excuse to get out of here before that evil bottle lands on me. I won't be partaking in such activities this evening, no thank you very much!
"I have to use the bathroom" I say as I get up from my seat
Aidan gives directions to the nearest convenience. I nod my head in appreciation and dash into the house. My big toe makes contact with an almost empty wine bottle causing it to fall, I quickly stand it up before the contents empty on the floor. This house doesn't need more wine mess.
The toilet is pretty cool if you ask me, it has an auto flusher and soap dispenser. Aidan's parents are probably somewhere half across the world with no idea that their son has practically turned the house to a night club, or maybe they know and are okay with it. I decide to take a tour round the house after using the toilet, they won't miss me at the game
I walk up the stairs and take in every detail of the art works decorating the hallways, they took their time to plan these designs no doubt. I walk past numerous room doors but a particular one at the end of the hallway catches my attention. I lean my ear on the door and I notice a faint sound of country music playing at the background. I push the door gently and enter the dark room, seems like someone left their music on. I walk further into the room with the help of my phone torch when the lights suddenly flick on
"Amanda?"
"Jesus! I thought you didn't come"
*******
End of chapter y'all ð¤we have successfully completed one third of the book
This chapter was very exciting to write actually ð, things teenagers do these days
Toke couldn't come for the party, you'll find out why in the next chapter
I'm sure y'all already know who switched on the lights ðð
VOTE PLEASE ð¥ºðð