Chapter 4: Class Wahala and No Tears
Next day, I waka enter general studies class. I carry myself enter class with boldness, chest out. If dem wan look, make dem look.
Halima dey there, surrounded by girls, dey enjoy their praise. Her face full like person wey win Miss Lagos. Her friends dey hail am, dey talk say she and Tobi na couple goal. As the only babe wey the chemistry department genius fine boy post for status, she dey shine. Everybody dey form her friend now. E be like say na this relationship promote her join big girls club.
Everybody dey ask about her and Tobi love story. Na question and answer session. Some dey record am for snap. E get one girl wey even dey write for Twitter live.
As I enter, everywhere just quiet. All eyes land on me. Na so hush fall for class. The only thing I fit hear na ceiling fan dey chop air. E be like when principal enter during assembly. My body dey hot, but I dey act like I no notice.
Their look na mixture of challenge, mockery, and small pity. Some dey look me up and down, dey size me like say I borrow cloth. Others just dey whisper, mouth close to ear.
I act like say I no see anybody. I balance for my seat, adjust bag. No smile, no frown. Stone face, make dem no see my pain.
As I sit, I hear one girl hiss behind me. Her hiss loud like tyre burst for express. The thing weak me, but I lock up.
"I think say somebody go cry tire last night, no go fit show face today."
Another voice join, dey giggle like person wey chop extra pepper. "I no expect am, her skin still thick."
I turn look the girl. "Why you dey reason my matter? Abi na you dey toast Tobi for midnight call?"
Her face change, eyes wide like headlamp. Na that kain response dey scatter gossip for Naija. The girl stiff, look Halima with fear. "No dey talk nonsense. No be everybody shameless like you."
She try form hard girl, but her voice dey shake. E sweet me small.
I raise eyebrow. "At least I get mind chase who I like. You no even fit admit say you like am."
Na so silence land. Everybody dey look her. If dem dey sell boldness for market, I for buy for am.
"You..." Her mouth open, but words no come out. Her finger dey point me, dey shake.
"Enough, make una stop."
Halima voice cut the tension. Her eye sharp, she send one warning look to the girl.
Halima shoot am one dirty look, then waka come my desk. She waka slow, as if she dey size me for ring match.
"Morayo, I no care wetin happen between you and Tobi before. I just hope you no go try chase am again, abeg."
Her voice soft, but e get blade inside. E be like say she dey warn me, but dey pity me join. Class dey quiet, but small small whisper dey fly. Some dey record with phone, dey snap picture.
The whole class begin whisper. Na so murmurs start: "Chase? Morayo try chase Tobi after he and Halima start? No be homewrecker be that?" "Who sabi? She chase Tobi die before, e fit be true."
E be like film trick, but na real life. The noise dey loud.
My ear dey full with talk. I just dey vex, but I no want show am.
I look Halima straight, talk clear: "I never ever try chase Tobi since you two start."
My voice no shake. I talk am so that even people for back go hear. Truth na my only weapon.
Halima eyes redder. She nod like say she understand. "Yes, you never try. As long as you no disturb Tobi again, I go act like nothing happen before."
Her own sef, e get as e be. Pity mixed with pride, like say na her do me favour.
[This supporting babe dey vex person. Make the main babe just give am one slap, abeg!]
[Na cry cry she sabi—she don cry finish all her luck.]
[Abeg, main babe better pass this one. At least she no cry when she break up.]
Somebody for back hiss again, say make I just ignore dem. E pain me, but I hold myself. My palm dey itch, but I squeeze hand for lap. I no wan give dem free Nollywood show.