₦airaland Forum

CHAPTER THREE

Oleng faced the third term with dread. It was Eric’s final term in school and the period of his exams. The second term holidays had been the best in her life because she and Eric had spent everyday of it together.

He had even refused going on a short break with his parents to California just to be with her. Though he longed to see his elder brother and grandmother, he hadn’t wanted to leave her all alone at home since Tessy and her mum traveled for over two weeks. That had touched her and she had wished the hols would never end but good things they say didn’t last for ever so the hols eventually came to an end.

Now she was faced with the dilemma of both going to school alone and going back home alone since Eric would no longer be her companion because he would have graduated by then. She wished for the umpteenth time that they were in the same class. She would miss Dave and Eddy also.

“What is it Oleng? Why are you looking at all of us like that?” Eddy asked smiling.

It was their lunch break and they were all eating in the canteen. She had been thinking of how she was going to miss all of them, especially Eric. For an answer, she lowered her eyes so the tears there wouldn’t be seen.

Eric frowned. “What’s wrong, sunshine?”

She still refused to look at any of them.

She just stared at the snack on her plate and shook her head. She didn’t trust herself to speak because she felt like bursting into tears.

“Oleng? What is it?” Marvelous questioned in anxiety.

Everyone at the table were now staring at her expectantly. She continued shaking her head, willing the tears not to fall. She tried to get a grip of herself. Eric worsened it then by touching her hand gently. On impulse, she quickly withdrew her hand and raised her head up then to look at him. He was surprised to see the tears in her eyes but he was too moved to say a word.

“Eric, what have you done to her?” Eddy enquired when he saw the unshed tears in her eyes and how she had pulled away from his friend.

Eric shook his head. “I didn’t do anything……..Sunshine, what did I do? Did I hurt you?”

Oleng just continued staring at him.

“Oleng, you’re scaring us. What’s wrong with you? Has Eric or any of us annoyed you?” Ezinne was alarmed also.

Oleng had gotten a grip of herself then.

An idea came to her then to save her from embarrassment. She gave them a bright smile. They were taken aback.

“Wouldn’t my performance win me an Oscar award?” she asked beaming.

Zinny and Eddy sighed while Marvy and Dave laughed. Only Eric just stared.

“Is it only Oscar? AMAA nko? You dey crase.” Zinny proclaimed laughing. Oleng continued smiling until Eric quietly said,

“You and I know you weren’t acting. Something or someone nearly made you cry just now.”

Oleng stopped smiling and looked down at her snack. She didn’t know what to say.
She was however saved by the bell when it rang signifying the end of the break.

“We’ll discuss it on our way home.” he informed her in a solemn manner as they all got up.

Oleng knew she would tell him the truth because she didn’t like lying to him but she wondered if she wouldn’t die of embarrassment when she told him that she had almost cried in public just because of the thought of him leaving school. She hoped he would just laugh it off.

She was however rescued when Eric couldn’t walk her home because the principal wanted to see him and some prefects. They were going to hand over their posts soon, so they could concentrate fully on their forthcoming exams. The staff bus would take them to their respective homes.

Oleng had heaved a sign of relief when he told her. She walked home with Dave instead since Eddy said he wanted to walk his latest catch home to get to know her better. She and Dave walked home talking about this and that until Dave said,

“Erica, can I ask you a question.” He called her Erica because he said she and Eric were so close they could be mistaken for twins.

Oleng smiled at the name. “Sure Dave.”

“Why were you almost shedding tears today?”

Oleng smiled at the question. Eddy would never have asked her about what happened in the morning but not Dave. They shared a kind of closeness, though not to be compared to the one she and Eric shared.

“I thought of missing you all.” she truthfully confided in him.

“Especially Eric.” he commented smiling.

“Yes, but we can see each other after school because Eric said he doesn’t think he will stay around the Choba or Aluu. He intends going for lecturs from home.”

Dave stopped walking. Oleng stopped and stared at him in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

“But he’s no longer going to Uniport. I thought that was why you were almost crying earlier on.” he informed her, clearly confused.

Oleng was confused also. “What do you mean by he’s no longer going to school here?”

Dave was quiet then. “You mean he still hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what? Dave, you’re scaring me. What’s Ricky hiding from me?” she held his hand in desperation.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean by nothing? You just asked me if he hasn’t told me something and now you are telling me nothing. Dave, I’m not a fool.”

“I didn’t call you one. Please, let’s go home.” he urged and made to move away but Oleng stopped him.

“Please don’t leave me in suspense. Please.” she pleaded, holding his hand.

“Erica, please. Eric is in the best position to tell you.”

“Tell me what? Dave please, you just said he still hasn’t told me. It means he won’t tell me.”

“He will. Just give him time. He’s probably looking for the best time to tell you.”

“Why don’t you tell me first? So that I’ll be able to handle it whenever he tells me.”

“No. No. No.” He shook his head vigorously and began walking away quickly.

Oleng ran after him. “Dave, please. Please. I won’t rest until you tell me. You’ve already started. So please just finish it. I won’t be able to talk to Eric freely knowing he’s hiding something from me. Dave, please.” she passionately pleaded but Dave ignored her and continued walking.

He however stopped when he noticed Oleng had stopped walking. He turned around and saw tears slowly rolling down her eyes not minding that her fellow students were walking along. He was touched. He walked up to her slowly. He held her hand and pulled her to continue walking. There was silence between them for a while.

“I’m sorry for making you cry. I didn’t want it to seem as if I betrayed Eric by telling on him. You see…………” He faltered, not knowing how to say it.

He shook his head and continued, “God help me! I pray Eric doesn’t punch me in the face for this! When Eric is through with his exams, he’ll go and join his elder brother in America. He’s not going to do his university education here in Nigeria.”

“No.” Oleng whispered as she stopped walking. Dave stopped walking also as he watched as tears gathered in her beautiful eyes again. She put a hand to her mouth and continued shaking her head.

“No. This is not happening.” she whispered in protest.

Dave didn’t know what to do as tears rolled down her eyes continuously. He wanted to hug her to comfort her but their fellow students were passing by and some of them were looking at them. He could only take her other hand and pull her to start walking again. Luckily, her house was just two blocks away.

“It’s not so bad, Oleng. You guys can communicate through the phone and he can always come over for vacations. You never can tell, when you’re through with your own secondary school education, you can go over there to join him.” he rattled firmly but she just kept quiet, still in tears.

“If it’s any consolation to you, Eddy and I will still be around. I intend schooling here. Eddy too. Besides, you still have Zinny and Marvy.” he consoled and sighed with relief when they got to her gate. They both stopped walking. Oleng wiped her tears away.

“Thanks a lot, Dave for walking me home and thanks for telling me Eric’s secret. I know you and Eddy will always be there for me but you don’t understand.”

“I understand, Erica. Eric is your best friend.”

“You don’t understand. Ricky is not just my best friend, he’s my life!” With that outburst, she pushed her gate open and rushed in.

Dave stared at the closed gate and shook his head. As he walked away, he knew his suspicions had been right. Oleng and Eric were in love with each other but refused to do anything about it. They were still denying their feelings for each other. He wondered if it was the very morning Eric would be leaving for the airport that they would say what they felt for each other.

This was why no one must ever know his true feelings for Oleng. No one must ever find out that he had a hopeless crush on his close friend’s best friend. With a heavy heart, he walked home.

“Welcome ma.” Oleng greeted as her mother entered the luxurious living room, standing up.

“Good afternoon ma.” Eric greeted standing also.

“Good afternoon……Hmm…what’s that your name again?”

“Eric ma.” he politely answered.

“Yes, Eric. How are you?”

“Fine, thank you ma.”

“How is your mum?”

“She’s fine ma. She sent her greetings and said you should get her a diamond necklace when next you go to Dubai.”

“Hmm! Soso and diamonds! I’ll get her one. Tell her I’ll bring it at the next club meeting.”

“I will ma. I was on my way out before you came in.”

“Alright, dear. Extend my greetings to your mum.”

“I will ma.”

“I want to see him off.”

“No problem.”

Eric and Oleng walked quietly from the living room.

“Your mum seem so nice that it is hard to believe she ignores you.” Eric observed when they were outside. Oleng shrugged nonchalantly for an answer.

“Well, anytime I see her; I always understand where you got your beauty from. You look very much like her.”

“You’ve told me that so many times.” she acknowlwdged, smiling shyly.

“Because it’s the truth.” he retorted smiling.

Oleng couldn’t deny that fact. Her mum was indeed beautiful and looked younger than her age. She was chocolate skinned like her, slim and petite also. It took her awhile to accept it but she knew she was a replica of her mother though she didn’t have that air of authority her mother had.

They had gotten to the gate and opened it.

They both went outside and stared at each other.

“Let’s go out tomorrow.” Eric finally suggested. The following day was a Saturday.

“Where to?”

“Anywhere…….Mr. Biggs.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be here in the afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“See ya.”

“Bye.”

She went back inside. As she was heading for her room, her mum called her. She sighed. She rarely went to her mum’s room.

“Yes ma.” she answered when she got to the room after knocking and asked to come in.

“What was he doing here?” Mrs. Linda Akpan asked as she sat on her king size bed.

Oleng looked at her toes. “He came to teach me physics.”

“Is he your physics teacher?”

Oleng was silent. She looked at her toes from her flip flops.

“I asked you a question, young lady.”

“No.”

“Then how come he came here to teach you physics?”

“Because I asked him to.”

“Why did you do that?”

“He is very good in physics and I’m having a bit of difficulty understanding it so I asked him to help me out.”

“Why didn’t you tell me so I can hire a private teacher for you?”

“I haven’t seen you in three days.” she defiantly remarked.

“You haven’t seen me in three days.” her mother echoed in ringing disbelief. “Is that your excuse? Couldn’t you have waited for a time like this that I’m at home?”

Oleng was silent at that.

“Let me warn you. If you get pregnant, don’t bother coming back here. Just go to his house. Afterall, his parents are wealthy enough to take care of you and the baby. Just don’t come and saddle me with a bastard.”

Tears streamed down Oleng’s lovely face.

Is this the way a mother is supposed to tell her daughter about the dangers of premarital sex and the consequences of unwanted pregnancy? She vowed right there and then never to be like her mother.

“By the way, where’s that useless Tessy?”

“She’s in her room.” she replied still in tears.

“Go and call the idiot for me. She’s supposed to be your chaperone not the queen of this house.”

Oleng walked dejectedly out of the room. She went to Tessy’s room. The latter was reading a magazine and listening to music from her phone. She delivered the message and walked quietly out of the room.

She went to her room, laid down on her bed and cried her eyes out. Tessy later came in anger to her room and warned her never to bring Eric to the house again before banging the door rudely after her.

Oleng only stared at her because she knew it was an empty threat. They were both never at home and expected her to die of boredom? They were joking. Eric meant more to her than both of them put together. He gave her a reason to live.

Eric came as promised the following day and of course both Tessy and her mum weren’t at home. After playing video games, they went to Mr. Biggs to get some snacks. They went back to her place, ate the snacks, watched some movies and later went out for a stroll in the evening. She was sorry to see him leave but knew they would see in church again the following morning.

Monday came and as Eric said, the principal announced to the whole assembly that the board of trustees had a meeting on Saturday and have decided to strip Oge of her post. There was much shouts of joy to her surprise. Oleng didn’t know people hated her like that. Her fellow prefects were the most joyous with an exception of a few who just stood looking indifferently. Eric showed indifference also as he stood before the assembly as he usually did, being the senior prefect.

Oleng could not however help feeling sorry for Oge when she saw her crying. She was human after all. Another girl was named the senior prefect. The students clapped with joy because Antoinette was a very nice person. Her post was given to someone else too. Oge’s friends or better still her goons abandoned her since she didn’t have any power again.

Oleng was glad that the second term ended peacefully because Oge never disturbed her again though some of Eric’s female classmates still despised her for having all his attention. She shrugged. It was their funeral.

He rang the door bell twice before Oleng opened the door. She was surprised to see him. She should have known he wouldn’t let matters be.

“Hi. Can I come in?”

Oleng just stared at him and folded her arms across her chest. “For what?”

He was shocked but not deterred. “I came to teach you that physics you’ve been asking me to teach you.”

It was her turn to be shocked because she had only told him once that she needed help with her physics.

“Well, I’m not in the mood for receiving lessons. Well, if that is all…..” She made to close the door but he placed a foot at the door before she could shut it.

“Sunshine please. At least hear me out.”

“Ric…Eric, whatever you do with your break time and whoever you spend it with is entirely your business.” she launched back furiously at him. “Just leave me alone!” She made to close the door again when he asked,

“Why didn’t you tell me Oge has been maltreating you?”

She was transfixed with surprise.

“Who told you?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought we promised each other that we wouldn’t have secrets. Why did you keep such a thing from me?” He was angry too.

Tears came to her eyes. “I didn’t want any trouble.”

“Trouble? Did you stop to think how I would feel if I found out? How could you? You know I can handle her.” he accused.

She felt sorry that she hadn’t told him but remembered what she had seen that day.

Her anger surged. “Oh yes! You can handle her alright. You did just that today, didn’t you?”

“It’s not what you think. Nothing happened.”

“Really?” she enquired sweetly.

Eric then explained everything that happened still at her door steps. As she wanted to reply, she heard her phone ring so she ran to go and answer the call.

Eric took it as an avenue to enter the house. He smiled when he saw Oleng was frowning when he came to the living room. She didn’t know how beautiful she looked like that. She told the person to call her back later.

“I didn’t ask you to come in.” she intoned coldly when she was through with the call.

“I know but the door was opened. So I came in.” he retorted nonchalantly as he sat down in the tastefully furnished living room.

“Well, I want you to leave.” she fired back at him.

“Make me.” he dared.

She sat down looking at him in anger. He explained what happened again.

“Tell me you weren’t turned on when she took off her shirt.” she threw at him when he was through.

He shook his head slowly. “The issue here is that I didn’t fall for her.”

“Please!” she said in digust with a wave of her hand and turned away from him to stare at the television.

He looked at her intently. “Frankly, there is only one girl on earth who would come on strong to me to make me fall flat.”

She slowly turned to look at him. The question was in her eyes but she didn’t dare ask.

“You.” he told her shortly. “You can come on strong to me any day any time, sunshine and I’ll fall hook, line and sinker.”

Oleng could not help looking away. She was embarrassed.

“And as for Oge, you need not worry about her anymore. She’ll be dethroned on Monday.”

“What?” She turned to look at him then.

“I reported her to the principal. There have been numerous complains about her. This was the last straw.”

“How could you? It will only worsen matters.” she lamented.

“No. She’ll only be a toothless bull dog now.”

“No! She’ll use her prefect friends against me. All of them will hate me for making the principal dethrone her.”

Eric studied her calmly before smiling.

“These are the very same prefects who have been complaining to the principal about her. They’ll be glad when she’s dethroned.”

“Really? But she’ll still have some loyal friends.”

He smiled again and she had to look away. He didn’t know he looked more handsome whenever he smiled.

“You underestimate me, sunshine. I think you sometimes forget I’m the senior prefect.”

“I’ve never forgotten. It’s the reason why I don’t like drawing attention to myself in school at all. I don’t want people to say I’m taking advantage of the fact that my best friend is the senior prefect. Now they’ll go about saying such.”

“But they don’t know what happened. It was Zinny who told me about what she has been doing to you.”

“Zinny?” she asked in bewilderment.

“Yeah. When I asked of your whereabouts and when she asked what happened between you, Oge and I. No one knows she’s going to be dethroned on Monday except you and I.”

“Thank God. That’s a relief. I don’t want to be the talk of the whole school.”

“Neither do I but the thing is, people will still talk.”

“Well, that’s true.”

There was a moment of silence between them. Eric got up and went to sit very close to her on the sofa and took her hand.

“Sunshine, am I forgiven for what happened this afternoon? I swear, nothing happened between us. It was a set up but I didn’t fall. Don’t allow a nonentity come between us. Please don’t throw away our friendship of ten years.”

All the while he was talking, Oleng wasn’t looking at him but the hand he held. She raised her head to look at him. “I heard her talk about the plan with her friends but didn’t know it was to try to seduce you for me to think you had sex with her. I was so angry seeing both of you coming out of the toilet, dressing up.”

“She was the one who……” he tried to explain but she placed a finger on his lips.

“Ssh… You’ve already explained yourself. I’m glad you didn’t fall.” She smiled shyly.

“Thanks. Me too.” he said smiling and pulled her to give her a hug. They hardly hugged these days so she was glad when they did and they stayed like that for while until she pulled away wondering at the sensations that were running all over her body. Eric felt it also and was lost for words before pulling himself together.

“So, what about the physics lesson?”

“Certainly not. I’m not in the mood. Maybe another time.” she informed him smiling.

“Alright.” he said with a slight shrug.

“Where’s Tessy?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she’s in her room.”

Tessy was her mum’s distant relative. She was twenty two years old and was studying in the state university close by. Her mum had brought her to live with them when Oleng was ten and to take care of her since she constantly traveled but Tessy always ignored her. Whenever she was around which was seldom, she would lock herself up in the room and behave as if Oleng didn’t exist. It hurt Oleng a lot because she had been so happy when her mum had brought the latter thinking she would no longer be lonely. She was used to her now anyway. Besides, she didn’t need her as far as she had Eric.

She was surprised to hear her mum’s car horn. She got up and went to the window to lift the curtain to make sure and saw their gateman running to go and open the gate.

“My mum is back.” she informed Eric.

Eric sighed a little. He could count the number of times he had seen Oleng’s mum. She owned chains of boutiques where she sold both English wears and all kinds of materials. She also dealt in jeweleries; gold, diamond, sapphire, rubbies, platinum, whatever; which made her travel all over Nigeria and the world. She was rarely at home.

He never knew Oleng was neglected until he got very close to her. Her mum would travel out of the country for over two weeks and leave her alone at home assuming her distant relative, Tessy would take care of Oleng not knowing that Tessy would also travel and leave Oleng all alone. She always came back before Oleng’s mum. Oleng not wanting her mum to send the girl packing, never reported because at least she was at home sometimes and she didn’t want to be all alone again since her mum didn’t have time for her.

Eric had visited her one day and found her crying. She said her mum didn’t love her because times without number, she had tried talking with her mum but the latter was always too busy to talk to her. He had told her that she was the one not trying her best to get close to her mum but she had replied that there was no time to get close to her because if her mum wasn’t in Kano or Kaduna today, she would be in either one African country or the other or Dubai the following day and when she was even at home, she was too tired to talk to her when she came home at night, tired from running her numerous boutiques.

Eric had tried to make his mum her mum also but she was too scared of his mum, saying she was too much of a society lady for her to get close to. Eric knew that at first sight his mum appeared that way but inwardly, she was a very sweet person.
Eric was the first person to know when she started menstruating. It had been one of those periods when both her mum and Tessy traveled. She had thought she was sick having never been told anything about adolescence and feminine changes.

She had called Eric who in turn told his mum. It was his mum who had come over to lecture her and buy her her first sanitary towel before she told her mum when she came back. Her mum hadn’t told her anything but made sure she had a regular supply of sanitary towel as she did with her clothes and money. Oleng didn’t lack anything except motherly love. She had money, clothes, and jeweleries at her beck and call but a mother’s love.

That was why Eric was so important to her because he had always been there for her especially when she was all alone at home. He insisted she come over to his house but she always refused saying her mother wouldn’t appreciate it if she suddenly returned home to find the house empty. She hadn’t told him though when she started developing breasts but he had noticed and teased her about it then but not anymore now that they where both very conscious of each other.

His family had just moved to Port Harcourt from Lagos because his dad had been transferred by the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lagos to the one in Port Harcourt. Eric and his elder brother, Damian hadn’t liked the change because all their friends had been in Lagos but they didn’t have a say in the matter.

The first couple of weeks had been very boring for them except for television and video games but they soon got tired of them as well. They decided to go out for a stroll to get to know their neighborhood one afternoon. Their mum had told them to be careful.

They had walked down their street admiring the beautiful houses. It was when they had gotten to the next street that Damian, fifteen years of age then had met his age mates talking in front of a house. He had gone to chat with them and Eric had had no choice but to stand beside him and listen to their conversation of movies and video games.

He had gotten bored just listening to them. Just as he had been about telling his brother that he was tired, he turned around and saw in the opposite compound a small girl riding a bicycle.

Without informing his brother, he had gone to the house. He had gone in and stared at the girl. She rode her bicycle towards him and they had stared at each. She had never seen someone so fair before except on television. He stopped staring and introduced himself.

“Hi. My name is Eric Conrad. We just moved to the other street; Telema street. What’s your name?”

“Oleng Akpan.” she had replied quietly.
He had laughed then. “Oleng. What a funny name. What does it mean?”

“Don’t worry.” she replied.

He had stopped giggling then. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh at your name. It’s just that I’ve never heard that sort of name before.”

“It’s okay.” she had quietly replied again.

“So will you tell me the meaning now?”

“I told you. Don’t worry.”

“Please. I said I was sorry.”

It had been her turn to giggle then. “Oleng means don’t worry”

“Oh! Okay. I get it.” he had laughed and she had laughed too and that had been the start of a wonderful friendship.

He had been telling her about Lagos before his elder brother had come to look for him. He had introduced her to the amused Damian. They had promised each other they would be friends since he didn’t have any and neither did she.

They had met again in school the following week where he had gone to start primary two and where she was already in primary one. Their friendship had blossomed and now they were in the same secondary school. A distinguished private secondary school called Marvin Bay owned by a Canadian and situated at the end of their estate in Mguouba road. He was presently in SS3 preparing for his WAEC and NECO exams while she was in SS2.

He came back to the present with a smile.

###############################.
Eric threw his phone on the bed in frustration. He had been calling Oleng but she refused to answer the calls. She kept ending the call and finally switched off her phone. God! She could be stubborn sometimes.

He just wanted to explain what happened between him and Oge and to tell her that Oge would be dethroned on Monday because the principal had had enough of her also.

He wondered when his mum would leave the house so he could go over to her house. He would have loved to go there now but his mum had visitors and he wasn’t in the mood to go and greet them for him not to be embarrassed by their scrutiny and his mum’s praises of him since his mum had maintained that she must be informed about his whereabouts.

Just then his phone rang. He scrambled to go and answer thinking Oleng had changed her mind and called him forgetting it was not the ring tone he had saved for her. He was disappointed that she wasn’t the one but glad it was his elder brother, Damian.

“Hi Damian.” he cheerfully greeted.

“Hey kiddo. How you doing?”

“Cool….No, not cool. I’m actually in trouble.” he lamented.


“Talk to your big bro.”

Eric told him about the events of the day.

“Have you tried calling her?”

“Yes. She refused to answer and switched off her phone.”

“Big trouble then. Why don’t you go over to her place? Make her listen to you at all cost. She’s your best friend, so you should know how to get through to her. Try and do it fast so that you don’t lose her to inane gossip from that Oge to spoil your name further in her sight.”

“Alright, Damian. Thanks. I’ll do that as soon as mum’s friends leave.”

“Oh! The so-called society ladies are there?” he chuckled.

“You talk as if your mum isn’t one of them.” Eric reminded him and they both laughed.

They talked about this and that and how Eric would soon join him in America to further his studies. He remembered he had not told Oleng and wondered when he would tell her he was going to leave her. It hurt him anytime he thought of leaving her but he couldn’t refuse the offer to better his life and his parents wouldn’t hear of him going to even a private university here in Nigeria what with their poor educational standard and all.

He was glad when his mum’s friends finally left. He got dressed and went to his parents’s room.

He found his mother before her exotic dresser, making up. She was a stunning woman.

“Mummy, I want to go over to Oleng’s house.”

“You see her in school everyday, what do you want to tell her that can’t be said over the phone? Don’t you have air time?” his beautiful mother asked, looking him in the eyes.

Eric looked at the rugged floor. He didn’t like it when his mum tried to be difficult.

“I have credit but mummy, what I have to tell her cannot be said over the phone.” he fielded quietly

“Really?” his mum questioned smiling as she went to sit on the luxurious bed and studied him cooly. That was when he knew she was only teasing him.

“O Mummy! I offended her. I’m only going there to apologize.”

“Can’t you apologize in school?” Mrs. Sokipirim Conrad asked her son still smiling. She knew of the close relationship between her son and Oleng and always wondered at it.

“Her anger would have escalated by Monday.”

“Wow! Why didn’t you apologize when you were in school?”

“Mummy!” Eric exclaimed in exasperation at the non-ending questions.

His mum burst into laughter. “Come, my darling. I was only pulling your legs. You can go over. Just make sure you come back early.” she said as she hugged her son.

“Alright.” He quickly pulled away before she started her usual kisses on his forehead. She always forgot he wasn’t her little boy anymore who had adored her kisses.

“If you see her mum say hi to her for me, will you? And tell her that when next she goes to Dubai she should get me a diamond necklace.”

Eric shook his head. “You and jewelries!”

“You can’t blame me darling. I’ve got to look good for your father.”

Eric smiled and left. He walked quickly to Oleng’s house wondering where he would begin his explanation. He knocked at the gate and Andrew, the gateman opened it and greeted him warmly since Eric usually tipped him. Eric didn’t disappoint him by pressing some few naira notes in his hand. He joyfully told him that Oleng was inside.

Eric walked cautiously to the house remembering the first time he had come there ten years ago.

Oge was no longer smiling. Her friends came towards her with great eagerness. They asked what happened but she just shook her head and left them sadly.

“Oleng! Sunshine! Where are you?” Eric called as he ran. He had suddenly lost her in the bustling school. It was break time so there were a lot of students and activities going on.

He looked everywhere for her but couldn’t find her. He even went to the canteen but couldn’t find her. He couldn’t find Zinny and Marvy either.

He was so worried that he didn’t pay attention to the two subjects they were taught after the break. He was eager for closing time. When the bell was rung, he was the first to leave the class. He went directly to Oleng’s class. He was surprised that she wasn’t there.

He however saw Zinny and Marvy. Marvy didn’t talk to him. She just walked past him. Zinny would have done the same but he held her hand and asked her about Oleng’s whereabouts and what was wrong. For an answer, Zinny shook his hand off hers and walked to where they normally sat.

He followed her quietly all the while looking out for a glimpse of Oleng. Zinny waited for him to sit before talking.

“What happened between you and that witch, Oge?”

Eric recounted all that transpired between them.

“I thought as much.” Zinny admitted when he was through.

“What happened? Where were you girls and how come Oleng was there when we came out?”

Zinny in turn told him what happened. He was furious.

“You mean that witch actually punished you girls and hit you?”

“Yes, and that wasn’t the first, second or third time. It has been a constant thing. All because of you.” she remarked in an accusing manner.

“For God’s sake, why didn’t you girls tell me? Why didn’t Oleng tell me? We’re not supposed to keep things from each other. We promised each other no secrets.”

“Oleng was just trying to save her head from further punishments. Oge is the female senior prefect. She wields a lot of power. She might use other prefects to punish us.” Zinny pointed out.

“And what am I? Her house boy? Am I not also the senior prefect? I wield more power than her. I’ll deal with her. She’s going to be dethroned.” he fiercely said, got up and started to walk away.

“No, Eric. It will only worsen matters. She can still use her friends who are prefects to get to us.” she pleaded with him as he walked with determination towards the principal’s office.

“Not while I’m still senior prefect. The principal has complained about her a number of times. I’ve been defending her but now, I’ll bring her out myself. She was only elected because her dad is an influential person. I’m not boasting but her dad is a small boy where my dad is. So she must go. No one hurts my sunshine. Thanks Zinny for the information. I’ll see you on Monday.” he informed her as they got to the principal’s office.

He knocked politely and entered at the summons. Zinny just stared at him in admiration.

Meanwhile, Eric was wondering what was keeping Oleng and her friends. The bell for the long break had been rung a long time ago yet they were not out and he knew there was no teacher in their class.

He had sent a junior student to go and call them but she had returned saying they were not in the class. Where could they be? Dave and Eddy had left him to go to the canteen. He had told them he would meet them there whenever the girls showed up.
Cell phones were not allowed in the school; otherwise he would have called her.

As he was there pondering, he caught sight of Oge. He wanted to escape but she had already seen him and seemed as if she was heading towards him in the first place.

“Hi, handsome.” Oge was all smiles when she got to him.

“Hi, Oge.”

“What are you doing here all alone?” she purred innocently.

“Waiting for Oleng. Have you seen her?”

“No,” she replied with a small shrug.

“Come on. Let’s go to the canteen. She can meet us there.” she cheerfully requested trying to drag him off the bench.

“No, thanks. I’d rather wait for her here.” he cooly told her and she stopped trying to drag him. She stood there looking at him, pretending to be lost in thought.

“I know where she is but I was trying not to hurt you.” she slyly told him and sat beside him.

“What do you mean? Where’s she?” He was filled with curiosity as he surveyed her coolly.

“I saw Uche half leading and half dragging her towards the toilet behind the school farm.” she lied.

“What?” Eric thundered, standing up.

“Uche did what? I’ll kill him!”

Oge was surprised at the fury she saw in his eyes. She had never seen him like this before. Had she gone too far? She was scared but managed to try to calm him.

“It’s okay. I’ll show you where they are.” she told him squarely as she got up to hold his hand. He shook her hand off and followed her.

He didn’t say a word as he followed her quietly to the place. In his musings he planned to give Uche a black eye and a bleeding nose.

As for Oleng, he would think of something to do to her. Right now, he would handle Uche. In his anger, he failed to question if Oge was saying the truth. Oge left him to his musings as she quietly led the way and prayed for success in her seduction plans.

When they got to the toilets, they entered quietly.

“Uche…..Oleng!” Eric bellowed in anger.
Oge locked the main door of the toilets and walked seductively to him as he checked from toilet to toilet. She caught up with him as he got to the last toilet.

“I’ve been waiting for this ever since I set my eyes on you.” she purred seductively as she pressed herself to him against the toilet door. Eric just looked at her, bewildered.

“So this was a set up.” he breathed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You lured me here for this? I should have known” He hit his head with his hand, cursing himself at his folly.

“Eric please. I need you. I’ve dreamt of you doing a lot of things to me. Please Eric. Nobody will find out. I assure you. We’re all alone here. No one comes here at this time of the day.” she pleaded with him, all the while quickly taking off her tie and opening her buttons.

She removed her white shirt to reveal a black lacy bra. She had generous proportions there. Eric forced himself to look at her face, not the twin temptations.

“Oge, get a grip on yourself. Look, you’re a very beautiful girl but I don’t want you. I’m not into such things.” he snapped at her holding her by her shoulders and pushing her gently.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you.” she insisted as she grabbed his trouser belt and tried loosening it. “Just a quickie, my darling. I’m burning up for you.”

“Oge!” he yelled at her. “I don’t want to have sex with you. Why don’t you ask Eddy? I’m sure he’ll readily oblige a second time.” He was disgusted by her coercive methods.

Understanding dawned on her then making her look downcast. “I did it for you. He promised to get you for me if I got down with him. I didn’t know it was just a ploy to sleep with me. He lied to me. He used me.” She was almost in tears.

“It’s a pity then.” Eric shrugged nonchalantly as she righted her clothes.

“Is that why you don’t want me? Because of Edward? Do you see me as his left over?”

“No. The thing is, sex is not my priority right now. I’ve been able to hold myself since and I’m not about to smear my record when it’s just few weeks from my graduation. Besides, there is only one girl who holds my interest.” he delivered with brutal frankness.

“Oleng.” She whispered.

He nodded.

“Is there nothing I can do to make you like me more than her?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Okay.” she conceded with a slight shrug.

As she turned towards the door, he held her hand.

“No hard feelings, right?”

She shook her head, gave him a peck and smiled.

She unlocked the door of the toilet and walked out. She smiled as she saw Oleng and the other girls some distance away.

She made a great show of buttoning her shirt and fixing her tie as Eric came out fastening the belt she had loosened belatedly realizing they had spectators. He looked up and felt his world crumbling.

Standing some distance away was Zinny, Marvy, Beatrice, Gertrude and the love of his life looking at him with so much horror on her face as if he had suddenly grown horns on his head. She looked at Oge who was fixing her tie and smiling. She ran.

“Oge, you’re a witch!” he exclaimed and ran after his best friend.

CHAPTER TWO

“O God!” Marvelous groaned as Oge and her four friends entered their class room as the bell for break was rung.

She quickly looked at Oleng, seated at the table beside her. The latter was already shaking her head sorrowfully. Ezinne was frowning at the table beside hers.

“Oleng, Ezinne and Marvelous, come with me.” Oge announced and walked out of the class with her goons at her heels. The whole class including the boys felt sorry for the three friends as they walked quietly out of the class with Zinny sighing in anger. That was good bye to their break time.

They followed their seniors to the school farm. Last time it had been the school poultry.

“Go on your knees.” Oge told them harshly when they got there.

They quietly went on their knees on the loamy soil. Zinny was the last to go down.

“What did you tell Edward?” Oge demanded curtly.

The three friends looked at each other. Oleng groaned inwardly. So Eddy had kept his promise of telling Oge off them.

“Nothing, Senior Oge.” Oleng informed her.

Oge gave her a sharp slap. Tears ran down Oleng’s eyes as she held her sore cheek.

“Who are you making eyes at?” Oge asked the frowning Zinny and gave her a sharp slap also.

“So you girls had the guts to report me to Eddy. You weren’t afraid. By the way, what did he tell you?” she ranted.

They looked at the ground.

“What did he tell you bitches about me?” she screamed like a banshee.

Her friends held her from kicking them.

”Leave me alone,” she screamed at them.

“Let me teach these bitches a lesson for telling on me.”

“You girls better tell her what Eddy told you or we’ll allow her beat you girls to death.” One of her friends advised the three friends.

“Senior Beatrice, truly we didn’t tell Senior Edward anything and he didn’t tell us anything.” Marvelous quickly supplied.

“Then why did he approach me? How did he know that I maltreat you girls? Filthy liar!” Oge shrieked. “As for you Oleng or whatever you call yourself, I’ll deal with you. The few weeks I have left in this school will be very miserable for you.

Because of you, Eric has been ignoring me but thank God he has finally come to his senses. If not for the school authorities, I would have marred your beautiful face for you, so that nobody will ever speak to you again especially your so-called best friend!” she hissed furiously. Oleng just continued crying and looking at the ground.

“Girls, please keep them here while I go and meet the love of my life. You know what we planned na.” Oge instructed her friends smiling.

“Remember to bring all the goodies you promised us from the canteen.” Gertrude reminded her confirming why they were always ready to act as her slaves due to the favors they enjoyed from her because her dad was filthy rich.

“Trust me na. I’ll be back” she declared as she walked away.

At closing time, she went to where she normally sat to wait for the boys at break time; the benches at the recreational area.

After a short while, she saw Eric coming. She noticed how both juniors and seniors alike hailed him as they passed him. Her best friend was indeed drop dead gorgeous.

He was tall and had skin like a half caste. Most people thought he was a half caste but only a few knew that he was in fact like a quarter caste or something.

His dad was the half caste. Eric’s paternal grandmother was an American while his paternal grandfather was a Nigerian. So his dad was half American and Eric took after him in coloring while Damian, his elder brother took after their mum who is chocolate skinned.

Eric had white features and spoke with a slight accent since he had been given birth to in America and came to Nigeria when he was five years old and still went there for holidays.

She thought all these, coupled with his intelligence made him a favorite amongst girls and boys alike, teachers and the school authorities. She was indeed fortunate to have him as her best friend. Despite these wonderful qualities, Eric was very humble. His beauty, brilliance and wealth never got into his head.

Everyone was equal to him. No wonder Senior Oge and the girls in his class wanted him for keeps. It was very unfortunate for them that he refused to date anyone.
They all blamed her and were jealous of her. She shrugged. It wasn’t as if Eric had asked her out or anything so she wondered what they wanted to kill her for. Losers!

Eric sighted Oleng at their usual place and smiled. She seemed lost in thought. For the umpteenth time, he thanked God for bringing her into his life. Oleng was a rare gem.

It wasn’t just her beauty that captivated him because she was a very beautiful girl though she acted as if she wasn’t aware of it. Her chocolate skin shone at all times, so much so that he had continuously asked her what cream she was using and she had always replied Vaseline. He had to conclude that her complexion just came with her beauty.

She was petite. That was the best way to describe her making her more endearing to him. The part of her that captivated him the most was her pointed nose which he loved touching a lot. He loved her eyes also which were a rare shade of brown. He couldn’t contain this thing he felt for her. Someday he knew he would have to voice it out, he didn’t know how she would take it being a very shy and reticent person.
“Hi, sunshine. Have you been waiting here for long?” he enquired when he got to her.
“Not really.” she informed him as she got up. They both walked hand in hand out of the school with their school bags at their backs.

Ever since he got to SS1, he had pleaded with his parents to allow him to start walking to school since it was just three streets away and was tired of waiting for the driver to drive him to school and pick him up at closing time.

Besides, it was a safe place in Portharcourt and he was grown now. His parents had obliged with the help of Damian, his elder brother. He had always instructed their driver to pick Oleng since her house was on the way to school but now they walked to school together and went home together.
They talked about this and that until they got to her house oblivious of their school mates walking around them.
“Will you come in?” she asked when they got to her gate.
“Nope. Not today. My mum is at home and I don’t want to explain my whereabouts to her.” he answered grinning.
“Mummy’s boy.” she teased.
He touched her nose playfully and smiled again.
“Well, see you tomorrow then. Don’t come late like you did today or I’ll leave you and walk to school alone.” she threatened jokingly, stabbing a finger in the air at him.
“You wouldn’t.” he dared.
“Try me.” she countered laughing.
He laughed and shook his head.
“See you tomorrow, sunshine.”
“Bye Ricky.” She went inside.
Just as Eric was getting to the end of the street, Edward and Dave caught up with him. Due to the fact that they all lived in the same street was one of the reasons why they were friends.

Dave was Eric’s close friend too. He wasn’t as good looking as Eddy or Eric but handsome nevertheless. He was also an introvert like Marvelous.
As usual, Edward was talking about girls.
“Eric, please stay clear of Oge. I’ve already seen the color of her panties” he declared with pride.

Eric and Dave shook their heads.

“Whose panties haven’t you seen in that class?” Dave questioned in bewilderment.

“None. I’ve gotten down with all of them. All you have to do is use the right words on them and before you say ‘bed’, they are down!” he boasted laughing.

The others laughed and shook their heads.

“Frankly, there’s one girl I really would like to see her panties but I know it would be impossible because she belongs to another.”

“That has never stopped you before. Who is she?” asked Eric.

“Forget it.”

“Tell us so that we will make a bet if you can get her or not.” Dave challenged.

Edward looked at Eric wearily before saying, “Oleng.”

Before anyone could say ‘What?’ Eric had punched Edward.

“Jesus!” Edward exclaimed holding his bleeding nose. “I was only joking na. Na play I dey o! I just wanted to see your reaction. You didn’t have to punch me na,” exclaimed the shocked Edward. Eric wasn’t an advocate of violence.

“Don’t you ever joke with that sort of thing again. Oleng is not one of your girls or one of your play things.” Eric curtly told him, his black eyes filled with fury as Dave held him from punching Edward further.

“Okay. Okay. Lover boy. Okay. But get down with her before someone else does.” Edward riposted as he brought out his handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his nose.

“You don’t know my Oleng at all. My sunshine is not like that.” Eric fired back with strong masculine conviction.

“Okay o! It’s my moons abi stars who are like that. But Eric, you pack quite a punch! I’m lucky my nose isn’t broken”

“Serves you right!” Dave scolded him, releasing Eric from his grip.

“I’m sorry. Don’t joke about my sunshine like that again.” he instructed calmly.

“Okay. I just hope she’s worth it.”

“She is!”

“Let’s go home” The ever quiet Dave dermanded of them when he noticed their school mates were watching them; knowing fully well that the news would be all over school the following day.

Their cool headed senior prefect had punched one of his closest friends because of Oleng

“Alright.” Edward conceded witheringly, smiling mischievously as he continued wiping his nose.

Eric wasn’t as cool headed as everyone thought. It was good to know that his friend would fight for his girl. Sincerely, there were times he wondered how Oleng would be in bed but dared not tell Eric.

Oleng was a very beautiful girl; quiet but captivating even in her serene nature. What he loved most about her was her smile. She had a shy, cool, charming smile.

He had to warn his classmates though because now he knew Eric’s feelings for her ran deep and that he would be prepared to fight anyone who dares to toy with his “Sunshine”.

With that thought, he said goodbye to his friends and knocked on his gate.

LarrySun: Space your paragraphs.

. Okay. Thanks. I'm actually using ma fone 2 post. I spaced it bt wen I posted it, it turned out dis way. Dnt no wat 2 do. Tinkin of usin a laptop 2 post.

The canteen was jam packed and noisy as usual with students. While the girls went to the table reserved for the Senior Prefect, the boys ordered for snacks and drinks.

The students on the queue gave way for Eric because he was the Senior Prefect. Eric thanked them in turn. They took the goodies to the table and sat down to eat. It was while they where eating that Marvelous Ogaranya came to meet them with her own snacks. She was Oleng’s second closest friend. She was chubby in a cute way and an introvert except when with her friends.

“Hi everybody.” she greeted and sat down.
They greeted her in return except for the naughty Edward who asked, “Where’s Dave?”
Marvelous shrugged. “I don’t know. Was he looking for me?”
“Don’t mind this silly boy. Just ignore him.” Ezinne told her stamping his foot with hers as he was seated directly in front of her. He yelled and she laughed.

They continued eating; talking about this and that until towards the end of their meal, Ezinne said,
“Oh no! Here comes the bitch.”
Oge Dialu walked majestically to where they were sitting. She was a fair and beautiful girl of average height, though quite busty.
“Hi Eric.” She batted her eyes at him seductively, ignoring everyone else at the table. “Can I have a word with you?”
“Oh no!” Eric groaned inwardly. “Sure.” he said smiling and got up, “Please excuse me.” he told the others but looked at
Oleng who shrugged nonchalantly.

Oge held his hand and they both went outside the canteen to where she made sure they could see them. She stood close to Eric touching his shirt buttons and talking in a seductive manner.

Oleng was mad but she controlled herself. Oge was her senior in class even if it was only a year and the school took seniority seriously. Oleng really couldn’t do anything because she had already been a victim of Oge’s wickedness; punishing her unnecessarily just because of Eric. Oge had told her face to face that she was going to deal with her because Eric refused to love her. She didn’t tell Eric because she knew it would only make matters worse.

“That Oge is a harlot. Just look at the way she’s talking to Eric.” Ezinne asserted angrily.
“Zinny, please be careful. You know we’re in a public place.” Oleng calmly warned her friend.
“Whoever wants to report me to her should go ahead, I don’t care!” Ezinne retorted sharply. “Afterall, its not today she started punishing us for nothing. At least now her punishment will be justified.”
“Does she punish you girls?” Edward questioned in surprise.
“Yes, especially Oleng.” Ezinne replied tautly.
“Why? You girls are just one year her junior. I don’t punish SS2 students. Only SS1 and below.” Edward said with surprise.
“It’s because of Eric. She’s jealous of Eric and Oleng.” Marvelous spelt out bluntly.
Edward smiled. “I see. Does Eric know about it?”
“No. Oleng refused to tell him. She’s scared that Oge’s punishment will become worse.” Marvelous responded drily.
“Why Oleng?” Edward queried cooly.
“You know Ricky na. He’ll blow the whole thing over proportion and that will only make Oge more furious. I don’t want any trouble. She’ll soon graduate with him. I’m prepared to continue suffering in silence till then.” Oleng remarked clamly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle her.” Edward promised smiling.
“No Eddy. I don’t want any trouble.” Oleng pleaded.
“It’s no trouble at all. There’re many ways to kill a rat. It’s just to tell her that if she does not back off, I’ll tell everyone what happened between us at the back of the hall on Valentine’s day.” he said smiling mischievously, making the others dumb founded.

Just then the bell to announce break over was rung. Oge gave Eric a peck and left, shaking her buttocks. He walked up to the others as they got up from their seats. He noticed that Oleng wasn’t looking at him. He went to stand before her. She still wouldn’t look at him. She walked away amidst the students trooping out of the canteen.

“I’ll meet you in class, Eddy.” he told Eddy who smiled and left.
Eric hurried up to meet Oleng, Marvy and Ezinne. He held Oleng’s hand making her to stop walking. She still wouldn’t look at him.
“Marvy and Zinny, please excuse us.” He requested of her friends who shrugged and walked away.
“What’s wrong, sunshine?” he asked softly after studying her steadily.
“Nothing. Why do you ask?”
“Why were you ignoring me?” he prompted.
“I wasn’t ignoring you. Its break over.” she replied still not looking at him.
“Sunshine, look at me.” Eric coaxed gently.
She raised her head slowly to look at him.
“Is that the green eye monster I see there?” he threw her own words back at her.

Oleng couldn’t help smiling. Eric noticed again her charming smile and savoured it.
She hit him playfully. “And you accuse me of having many admirers?”
“Oge is just a friend.” he asserted cooly.
“Uche is just a friend.” she replied smiling.

He laughed and she did too. He held her hand and they began walking towards their classrooms ignoring the students who were looking at them and smiling. Though there were a few jealous ones frowning.
“So long as they don’t come in between us.” he stressed with emphasis.
“Never.” she firmly declared.
“Ditto.” he concurred. “See you at closing time.” Eric told her when they got to her classroom.
“See you then” she responded and went into the classroom just as two of her classmates who entered with her giggled and said, “Lovy wan tin tin!”
The embarrassed Oleng went quietly to her seat.

Slow and steady is the name of the game. Please follow the story calmly and it will eventually catch fire like the hunger games.

DISCLAIMER
For all those who enjoy preying on the hard work and sweat of people,

1. I've got copyright 4 dis story and others I've written. Wen u get brother 4 dre, na small tin 2 get.

2. I get agent/manager wey sabi para wella.

3. I've got a lawyer whose favorite words are, "Let's sue them to court!"

So beware! Permission can be sought for to be placed on blogs and other sites but definitely not in YOUR name.

Thanks.

CHAPTER ONE.
“Your sweetheart is coming.” Edward Chianumba announced to his friend, Eric Conrad.
Eric looked up from the game he was playing on his phone and smiled. Indeed, his sweetheart was coming. His sunshine; his best friend.
He didn’t quite know when or how but he knew he had fallen irresistibly in love with her. Anyway, who wouldn’t fall in love with such a wonderful person like Oleng?
He continued watching her intently as she approached them along with her friend, Ezinne Uzoma. She looked good as usual in their unique uniform of burberry skirt, white shirt and black tie. He felt his heart beat faster than normal as it usually did when she was around him.
“As I was saying, Kemi is my latest target. Men! If I don’t get that girl, I might die….Eric…Eric…Here we go again!” Edward complained when he realized his friend was no longer listening to him but looking steadily at his approaching childhood sweetheart with a stupid smile on his face.
He wondered at the kind of love between these two and also wondered if he would ever love like this. As he stared at his friend, he was surprised to see Eric suddenly frowning. He followed the direction of his gaze and smiled mischievously. Uche, their classmate had stopped Oleng for a chat.
Eric tried to control himself because he felt like going over there to warn Uche to stay away from his girl. He shook his head. Oleng was not his girl. After all, he had not made his feelings known to her or asked her to be his girlfriend. Everyone knew they were the best of friends and have been friends since he was six and she, five and now they were sixteen and fifteen years old respectively. They had come a long way together.
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when he had started developing feelings of love towards her. At his study time, when he was supposed to be reading, thoughts of her always infiltrated his mind. He would stare at her photograph over and over again. He dare not tell her of his feelings lest he ruin their friendship. He didn’t know if she felt the same way towards him. Looking at the way she was smiling at Uche made him think his love wasn’t reciprocated. It made him sad.

Ezinne who had been looking at Uche disdainfully left them and walked towards where he and Edward were sitting on the bench. Ezinne, Oleng’s closest female friend was a very slim black beauty with a sharp wit. She usually didn’t mince words when it came to saying her mind but she was a very loyal person.
“Hi Eric, hi Eddy.” she hailed when she got to them.
“Hi, Zinny.” Eddy hailed also.
“Hi to you too, Zinny.” Eric greeted as she sat down beside him on the bench to look at Oleng and Uche still chatting.

“Eric, you should tell Oleng to stop pretending and start showing her true feelings.” Ezinne said angrily.
Eric was surprised. “What do you mean?”.
“She isn’t enjoying that conversation. She’s just too polite to tell him she’s tired. She’s like that with every guy who approaches her. Sometimes, she is so nice, I feel like killing her.” she complained bitterly.
“Come on, Ezinne. Oleng is a very beautiful girl. She should enjoy the advances made towards her.” Eric countered.
“Not when she’s got you. You’re the guy in her life so others should just get the message.” Zinny replied impatiently.
“Zinny, are you saying this out of jealousy, since they all approach her and none spare you even a glance?” Edward quipped with a smile.
Ezinne glared at him. “Eddy, if you weren’t my senior in class, I would have bitten you right now for that nonsense you just said.”.
Edward smiled in a charming manner. “You can bite me anytime, Ezi mummy,” he chuckled. “But you know where.”.
“God! You’re incorrigible!” she exclaimed in disgust, making the boys laugh. Edward was a notable flirt. He was tall, dark, handsome and charming. At just sixteen, he used his good looks and honey coated tongue to win girls and sleep with them. He saw himself as God’s gift to women.
Just then Oleng came to meet them. She stood before Eric.
“Hi Ricky. Hi Eddy.” she hailed smiling shyly as she did lately whenever she was close to Eric.
Eric smiled. She was the only one who called him Ricky and he loved it.
“Hi Oleng.” Eddy hailed also, gazing intently at her beautiful face.
“Hi Sunshine.” Eric greeted, calling her his pet name for her. “I can see your admirers are increasing by the day. Tell them they have to pay homage to me first before they attempt to speak to you.”.
Oleng laughed and Eric and Edward were captivated by her musical laugh and beautiful face for the umpteenth time.
“Don’t tell me it’s the green eye monster talking in you. Uche is just a friend.” she told him smiling.
“And pigs fly.” retorted Ezinne.
“Zinny, you know it’s not like that. He just wants us to be friends. Nothing special.”.
“Akwuko.” Ezinne chipped in Igbo language meaning ‘Story.’.
Oleng hit her playfully. “You know vernacular isn’t allowed in school.”.
Eric shrugged. “Whatever you say. Just know I’ll kill anyone who tries to play with your heart.” he solemnly said, making her to look at him intently. Their eyes met and held.
Oleng was the first to look away shyly. She couldn’t describe her feelings for Eric these days. She was always breathless around him. She couldn’t look into his eyes again like she used to. She just couldn’t understand what was happening to her concerning him. He was no longer just her best friend. She fantasized sometimes about being his wife. Her feelings for him now were that deep. She hoped he would never find out because she would die of embarrassment since it looked as if her feelings were not reciprocated because girls were always around him especially Senior Oge. She shrugged it off.
“Where’s Dave?” she asked with concern.
“I don’t know.” Eric replied immediately.
“I think he’s doing runs.” Edward supplied smiling.
“That’s all you know Eddy.” Ezinne complained.
Edward shrugged nonchalantly. “But it’s the truth. Where’s he now? He knows we normally come here to wait for you girls at break time before we go to the canteen but he left the class before us without informing us of his whereabouts. By the way, where’s Marvy? Is she missing too? Maybe they went to do runs together. We better go and search the toilets and hidden spots in this school…I really can’t imagine Dave and Marvy getting down.” he said laughing.
Both Ezinne and Oleng hit him playfully while Eric laughed.
“Marvy went to deliver a message to her aunt in the staff room. She’ll meet us in the canteen.” Oleng informed them.
“Alright! Alright! Let’s go to the canteen then.” he said after fending off their hands and stood up.
Eric and Ezinne got up also. They walked quietly to the large canteen.

Good morning my fellow nairalanders. Please I crave your indulgence. I am new in the art of making my stories public. I have a story I want you all to check out for me. Please constructive criticisms; make una no destroy my writing career with harsh words abeg. Thanks.