Hello people of God, so I wasn't able to complete my three updates in one week journey last week, I failed at update two. The explanation is simple; I was busy ðð. I won't be announcing my update schedule for now but I want you to know I'll try to be dropping more frequently so we can complete ¾ of the book before I go to school. Prepare for a long ass chapter ð. I declare this part OPENNNN
*
AMANDA'S POV
(Amanda Aderinsola Akinde)
It's been two weeks since my last visit to the therapist and I must say, quiting the therapy session was my own therapy. I thought my parents would have been against it but my dad and my brother also thought it was unnecessary, thank God for that
I confessed my burdens to God and prayed for forgiveness- not completely sure he was listening but- I've put that part of my life behind me, these are the last days in highschool, I'm meant to enjoy it
"Aderin are you ready?" My mum's voice calls
"Yes, I'll be down in two minutes"
I apply some gel to the edge of my hair to control my edges then pick my white leather purse from the dressing mirror.
It's weekend and since I don't have any serious thing to do this weekend, I'm going with my mum to her clothing store, Amaron's Empire
The name was coined from my brother and I's first names obviously- it came to life before Ashley did hence the reason her name isn't included.
It used to be majorly an online store when we were in Lagos, but weeks before we moved to Abuja my mum announced she was opening a physical store. It's a good one-hour drive from the house so Aunty Haneefah- my mum's secretary- opens the doors hours before we get there so the cleaners can start their jobs and work starts on time
"Put your seatbelt on" my mum says as she straps hers in
"You said you were going to let me drive today" I remind her as I buckle my belt
"You can drive when we're coming back in the evening, don't let VIO catch us like they did you and Idara" she throws her head back in laughter
Haha very funny, mock me all you want
That night is definitely one I'll never forget, I still can't believe the both of us started crying because we thought we were going to get kidnapped. Idara called her driver but somehow the man's phone was unreachable, we called her uncle the phone rang but he didn't pick up, we called Erling- because he has a permit- but this boy said he couldn't drive in the night and that we should keep trying every adult's phone number
That was how we called my mum and she started laughing, you won't believe this woman told us to start singing praises to the lord and pray to him to save us!
After an hour of praising God and crying at the same time, my mum finally asked us to send our location and the colour of the car we were in. She came in an Uber then took the wheels just so we could pass through the VIO checkpoint without getting arrested, she'll probably tell my kids this story
"Good morning sir" I say as I walk past the doorman
He bows his head in greeting as my mum and I walk through, we both return the greeting
"There's this new design I drew on Friday, I think you might like it" my mum says as she sets her bag down on a shelf
"You drew it for me?" I jiggle in excitement
"Not really no, but you can model it for me" she unlocks a safe at the bottom of the shelf and draws out a leather back notebook
She flips through the pages and stops at the last used page
"Here" she points to the design with her polished index finger nail
The Design
"Wow" is all I can say as I behold the beauty
It is a two piece dress with a sleeveless crop top and a long flare skirt at the bottom. The drawing is so detailed in a way only a true dress artist can achieve through pencils and colour pens only
"You like it?" She beams at me
"Of course! It's so gorgeous I can almost imagine walking in it" I grin extra widely at my imagination
"Wonderful! Keep this enthusiasm for the next auction" she squeals as she claps her hands in delight
I scroll through my class group chat, apparently there is a fight right now between Denaya and Nkechi and it is pretty heated.
~Denaya
Will you shut up you lowly bred scum
9:45am
~Nkechi
Wetin this one dey talk? I geh money pass your papa
9:46am
The first message was sent by Denaya to the group chat but directed at Nkechi while the second one was the latter's come back. Ha what's wrong with these people
I scroll back to the beginning of the day's chat
~Denaya
When will the lists of reps for each group be released?
8:02am
~Nkechi
Should I send the Principal's number so you can ask her ð
8:02am
~Denaya
I wasn't talking to you, don't be stupid ð
8:04am
That's how the fight started oh and now- over eight hundred messages after- the fight has crossed over to home training and net worths.
Let me not contribute before they reason my matter too
Just like every school fight, at the beginning it was just the two of them bickering then another person joined, then another then they picked sides and now the entire group chat is on fire. Pure entertainment
I raise my head and almost immediately I notice a lady in a fancy- probably designer- two piece suit and a chanel hand bag, I've seen that face somewhere
I get up from the swivel chair I'm seated in and walk closer to the transparent glass wall. She looks around a bit- as if checking that no one is following her- I've seen that woman somewhere
"Mummy look at that woman downstairs" I point in her direction
"Don't point at people Derin"
"She can't see us, we can only see her" I say but drop my hand either way
"That's Mrs Hex" my mum joins my in front of the glass, spying on the woman in amusement
"Yesss my friend's mum" I almost squeal in delight
The caramel skinned my mum and I are spying on is no one other than Mrs Miranda Thompson, AKA Co-owner of Hex tech, AKA Mrs Hex, AKA Eddy's mummy
"Shouldn't we go and attend to her ourselves you know, as VVIP?" I wiggle my eyebrows
My mum sighs, leans back against her desk then crosses her arms
"Look at her" I look at her "I think she came here to avoid that"
I watch her more closely and I notice how she clutches her jacket to herself and how she doesn't take her shades off. She has her head low as she goes through the materials on the shelf, she uses the tips of her fingers to graze a purple velvet wrapped around a headless mannequin, her lips curling up in a small smile
"You can go and say hi to her, because she's your friend's mum"
I nod my head then dash out of the glass office
"Good morning ma'am" I say from behind her
She jumps in shock at the sound of my voice. Sneaking up behind her might have been a little creepy but she didn't have to be THAT scared
"Hey good morning dear how are you" she pushes her glasses more into her face thinking she's in the perfect disguise
"I'm doing very well, how are you?" I ask, out of real concern
"I'm doing well too thanks for asking" her eyes sparkle as she smiles at me "you look very beautiful"
"T-thank you ma" the comment kinda caught me off guard "you are very beautiful too ma'am"
She smiles but doesn't respond to my compliment, she goes back to looking through the materials and feeling them
"I'm Eddy's friend from school" I finally say
She looks at me with wide eyes
"You know my son? Wow that's wonderful" she smiles extra brightly
"Yes ma we are in the same class" I join in her contagious smile
"Oh my, I didn't know, what's your name?" She asks in her polished accent
"I'm Amanda or Trip anyone is fine"
She pauses a bit then smiles again
"You're THE Amanda, it's so nice to meet you"
She's heard of me before? Heart explodes in a million pieces
"It's my pleasure to meet you too"
"Did you come to buy something here too or you're here with your parents?" She asks as we walk over to the ready made session of the store
"My mum owns the place actually, we came together" I say with honest pride
"So I guess I'll be getting a discount, owner's daughter's friend's mother privilege right" she nudges my side with her elbow and winks
I laugh at her comment, as if you'll ever need a discount.
"So how's Eddy in school, does he cause trouble?" She says with a glint of mischief in her eyes
I don't think Eddy knows what it means to cause trouble
"Nah, he's a good boy" I say "most of the time"
We both laugh again, she finds me so funny, bonus points yayy!
"I always wished I had a daughter, too bad I stopped after one child" she says with a sigh
I don't make any comment- because there's really no reply to that kind of statement- she quickly adds
"Not that I regret anything, I'm very happy with my boy alone and his dad didn't just want another child" she says quickly
I nod my head slowly
"He didn't tell me not to have another child though, it was a joint decision, the both of us decided together" she splutters again, even more rushed
Calm down woman
"It's okay actually, numerous children can be a lot of work" I tell her as I sit on the cushion stool facing her
She smiles, her gaze traveling and her mind traveling even farther
"Goodbye ma thank you for patronizing us, please come back next time" I wave as the lady at the desk hands her her company customized paper bags, three in total
"Thank you darling, I'll definitely be back" she walks towards the door then turns "I'll tell your friend I saw you today"
Oh yes ma please do
"Okay ma, extend my greetings to him" I say with a light bow
She tries pulling the door that obviously says 'push' but the doorman on the other side opens it for her instead. She nods her head at him in appreciation, lord see humility
A man clad in a black suit- probably her valet- collects the bags from her and walks in front of her to open the car door
I stretch my extremely long neck to catch a glimpse of the car, it's a black G wagon, the model a little different from my dad's own.
'AKD907AR' I read the license plate at the rear of the car, stored permanently in my brain
I bring my phone out from my back pocket and tap the WhatsApp icon
Me
Your mum just left my mum's store
#starstruck ð©
11:32am
I send the text to Eddy and he replies almost immediately
Eddy
Really? What a coincidence ð she just said she was going clothes shopping I could never have guessed she'd land in your store
11:32am
Eddy
Did you say hi to her tho?
11:32am
Hi? I said way more than hi, we bonded like old friends in fact- maybe that's a little exaggerated but still- she enjoyed my company
Me
Of course I did, we spoke for a while ð she loved me
11:33am
Too cocky?
Eddy
Of course she did, who wouldn't?
11:33am
Butterflies, those are butterflies I feel in my belly
Mail- New message from Sheffield International Highschool
'Dear Amanda A Akinde, you have been shortlisted to participate in this year's Decathlon event and represent Sheffield International Highschool under the swimming category
You are however allowed to accept or decline this offer by pushing either of the icons below, please send a prompt feedback so the school can be informed of your decision
Thank you'
I never had a doubt that I'd be representing the school but the excitement still courses through my veins as I click on the green 'accept' icon without thinking twice.
First season with Sheffield, I won't let you down
**
"Valentine is coming ohh my fellow singlets" Nana yells as she walks with her tray to join Erling and I on the table
"Wetin concern me concern valentine?" Erling says as he sips from his Pepsi slushy
("What's my business with valentine?")
"You sound like someone in pain, may the God of the singles come through for you fire!" She uses her hand to push his head like they are in a deliverance session
"Isn't it weird that people have started this their weird val-prosals- or what do I call it- two weeks before valentine's?" I say while stuffing my mouth with fried chicken
"Yeah why not wait till a day before or something, why the rush?" Erling hums in agreement
"Because this year most of us won't have time on the D-Day, we're going to Lagos so the school will be throwing the valentine's dinner a weekend before so that's technically this weekend" Nana says
"I'm still so lost on why the Principal agreed with Amir and Denaya to throw a party for Valentine's, this is a learning ground people!" Erling says a little too loud, throwing his hands up
The tables next to us all turn their heads towards Erling's voice while the boy doesn't even act like he knows he gathered attention, he shrugs nonchalantly
"You're just pained you're single, sad and alone" Nana sticks her tongue out
"You're also single" he retorts dryly
"Yeah but at least I'm not bitter" she laughs loudly
They stick their tongues out at each other
"In my former school they always found a useless reason to throw a party, we could have like twelve parties in one session" I roll my eyes at the thought
"That one no be school na club" Erling chuckles
("That's not a school, that's a club")
"General parties? Or senior parties?" Nana asks
"Mainly senior parties but I always got invites cos the school owner's son was my classmate and very good friend" I say
Very good friend? Really?
"And you went to those parties?" Nana asks with a bemused expression
"Yeah all of them" I say
"No offence, but you don't give that party-ish vibe" Nana says with a slurp on her orange juice
I know right? I was always compelled to go by Kelly, Muna and Chris- not like I ever wanted to join their parties
I shrug but don't give them a reply as I continue dissecting my chicken with my fork, I stab the loose piece of meet and plunge it into my mouth savoring the taste of the crust
I rock my chair and keep it in the air as I clear my plate of the remaining chips and ketchup
"Haaaa" I yell as someone shakes my chair, my life flashing right before my eyes
I pant and clutch my chest in horror as I turn to see the face of the person who just attempted to murder me
"Oh my God you should have seen your face" Eddy's voice laced with laughter booms from beside my ear
"What is the matter with you? You could have killed me!" I yell as I swat his arm
He chuckles again as he moves to stand behind the chair beside me, gently leaning on its backrest. He waves briefly at Nana who returns his greeting with an extra toothy grin while he doesn't bother to greet Erling who is also ignoring his presence
"I wanted to-" he takes a quick glance at the company we have on the table
"Uhm- I- uh-" he scratches the side of his head "I wanted to uh- how are you doing?" He says lamely
Nana fakes a cough, jabbing my ribs with her elbow
"I'm good how are you doing?" I give him a small smile
"Great, that's great" He says
"Have you eaten?" I ask awkwardly when he doesn't find anything to say
"Nah I'm waiting for my drink" I follow his gaze to see Amir at the counter making the orders
"Here it is" he says as he grabs the drink, muttering a quick 'thanks' to him
"See you later, gotta bounce" he says as he tucks the chair in
"I don't think he came here to ask how you're doing " Nana whisper yells
I glare saucers at Nana- she couldn't even wait till he left the cafeteria. I don't think Eddy heard but even if he did he acted like he didn't
"God of the singleee come through for your daughter" Nana squeals as Eddy walks out of earshot
"Oh shut up" I hit Nana's shoulder with the back of my hand
Erling mutters something under his breath
"What did you say?" I ask him
"Nothing" he replies, too sharply
**
Six minutes to go ughhh- I've been extra focused on the hands of the clock throughout the last three periods. I need to go home and jump on my bed people! . Eddy is not in this class, he doesn't offer Geography so he's probably at the library reading or at the court practicing. I have a feeling I know what he actually wanted to say at the cafeteria, I smile at the thought
Ringgggg
The bell goes off at exactly 4pm- Miss Aanu please get out of our class we have stuff to do
"We have about two pages to go" Miss Aanu says as she flips her note
A loud groan erupts from Aidan at the announcement
"Or should we move the remaining note to next class?" She asks
"YESS" the entire class choruses
She shakes her head as she shuts her notebook close. I pick my books up at the same time as the teacher except a little faster
"Can you give this to Nana for me?" I ask, pointing a bag of highlighters to Erling
"Stop at her class on your way out" he says without looking up
I drop the bag on his desk noisily
"Just don't be a jerk for once? Please?" I sling my backpack over my shoulder
What's worse than walking fast under the hot sun without an umbrella?
-It's walking fast under the sun without an umbrella and seeing Daniel and Daniela walking in front of you with umbrella and laughing like possessed fellows.
I'm sure the guy's name is Daniel, he sits behind Espn in their class while the girl he is walking with and holding an umbrella for- stupid romance by the way- is some chic in year 11 that I can't remember her name but if her boyfriend is Daniel, it's only normal for her to be Daniella right? Or Danielle or something of that sort?
Gosh why didn't I bring my umbrella today? Before I get home I'm sure I'll already so black only my eyes and white teeth will be visible -use Drew toothpaste today for shiny and healthy white teeth-
"Whoa" I yelp as someone drags me behind the library building
"Sorry did that hurt you?" My supposed assailant asks
I'm about to yell, I would have yelled if it wasn't Edmond frigging Thompson- in his sleeveless basketball jersey by the way- that disturbed my motion
"Uh no I'm okay" I almost smack myself for glitching before answering the question
Seriously, who wouldn't?
"I want to ask you something, I need you to just listen to me" he rushes out
The temperature just climbed higher
I nod my head for him to start speaking
"Okay sooo" he rubs his palms on his shorts nervously
"There's this girl"
Act like you don't know what he's talking about
"She's beautiful, smart" he fixes his gaze on me "did I mention short?" He chuckles, still not breaking his gaze
I feel my cheeks heating up as he walks closer, I look everywhere but his face he's getting really really close
"To be honest I think I've liked her for a while but I wasn't sure" he crosses his arms "well until recently"
"H-How do you know s-she likes you now?" I say breathlessly
"Well for one I'm not blind" he mentions
Great Amanda, and you thought you were being discreet
"I -uh- wanna tell her how I feel but-" he makes eye contact with me for the 100th time in five minutes "I'm a little scared of what her reply may be" he says quietly
Oh Lord
"Um I think you should tell her, maybe just maybe she feels the same" I manage to let out without sounding desperate
"Really?" He says with pure hope glistening in his eyes
Yes really you dummy!
He takes several calming breaths- in, out, in, out- while I watch him almost break down. Is he that nervous?
He pauses his breathing exercises then flashes his million dollar smile, although I can still tell he's a little nervous
Let me help him out a bit, he's hopeless
"So who's this special 'girl' we're talking about" I clear my throat as I speak
"I'm sure you know who it is already" he says with a chuckle
Of course I do, you gotta say it dude!
"No I don't actually, I'm a little lost" I say with an innocent expression
Bravo Amanda. I watch his face drop slightly- oh no he probably thinks his chances are ruined
"You don't?" He asks
"Maybe I just want you to say it" I say with a small, shy smile
His cheeks swell up, na for Sheffield I don see man dey blush
(I've only seen guys blush in Sheffield)
"It's Espn" he says
Oh my goshhhh he finally- what? I couldn't have heard that right
"Hm?" I ask, dumbfounded
"Espn, Espn Young" he says with bright smile
Wait- what?
*
(Laughs evilly) ðð Children of the most high, we have come to the end of the chapter
ðDid you see that coming?
Our boy Eddy don go find love oh ðð
This chapter is something I've had totally planned out since inception as an important plot twist of the story and that is why I took so much time preparing it ð¥º, I had to make sure there weren't loopholes in the story
ðCheers to more surprising turns and tornadoes in the future
ðThis chapter is already edited, the drill no drill today
Vote, comment, share and stay tuned my keeds ð¥ºI love youuuu