Chapter 6: Slay Queen for PTA

Parent-teacher meeting start 3 p.m.

I set alarm for 6:30 a.m., but I no fit sleep. By 10 a.m. I don dey do makeup. My kit scatter everywhere, foundation, powder, all join.

I begin do makeup from 10 a.m. I swear, na the most serious makeup I don ever do since I born. Even if Teacher Folarin step on my face, he no go see any wahala.

My contour sharp like knife. My eyebrows high like Festac Festival arch. I even use my sister old Mary Kay foundation, e blend well—face set, eyebrow sharp like new razor. I even wear that my fine Ankara skirt wey dey show leg small.

My mama waka pass, surprise: “You dey go parent-teacher meeting or blind date?”

She pause, hand for hip, dey look my face for mirror. Na so I just dey smile.

I dey curl hair, reply: “Who know, maybe I go bring you son-in-law.”

I wink for mirror, my mama just shake head, laugh: “Stubborn girl. I no get your time.”

She laugh, call me stubborn.

That laugh sweet me. E mean say she no vex.

By 2:30, I enter school with other parents. SS2 class dey third floor. Chibuzor lean for corridor, dey find me, spot me quick.

School corridor dey smell like chalk and Omo. Parents dey everywhere, dey find class. I dey shine teeth, dey press phone. Chibuzor spot me sharp.

He rush come, hold my hand, dey show me to friends: “See, na my sister—my real sister! No be say she fine?”

He dey act like say I be celebrity. Him friends dey hail, some dey shy. I just dey form star for them.

I put on my best smile, whisper: “Enough. If you show yourself again, stay ten meters from me.”

I no wan collect embarrassment. Boys no dey shame.

See disgrace.

The shame dey enter bone. But wetin person go do?

Chibuzor no send: “By the way, Sis, I try well this time. Na only small mistake for English, other things correct.”

He dey bounce like say e win medal. E sure for him result.

He carry me go my seat—middle of third row, correct position. Easy for teacher to see.

The seat clean, dust free. I adjust myself, arrange my bag.

I just dey nod, still dey peep door. Why Teacher Folarin never show?

I dey reason say maybe him dey arrange notes or dey dodge my eye. I no sure.

Chibuzor dey talk: “Sis, you fine today o. I fit change from young master to young miss for you. Tell truth, you come support me? I dey touched, love you die!”

Na so him dey yarn rubbish. I just dey smile, dey tap him head small.