(009 - Broken Friendships and Daddy Issues)

The comment session in the last update just had me rolling🤣. Apart from the fact that y'all won't stop hurling insults at Jidenna, some of you have started shipping characters already. So, I'm hearing a #Semito ship and a #Gizito ship🌚. Okay na, which one do you think will sail?

Also, if you haven't followed my IG yet, do well to follow it, especially does of you that haven't watched the trailer or character Introduction Video. Follow @iyanu_temi on IG ❤️.

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𝐉𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐀
(Jidenna Leo Okojie)

I groaned softly, pressing the pack of ice against the right side of my swollen face, covering my eyes in the process while I kept my left eye on the principal, who wouldn't stop looking between Kizito and me. Even with the amount of pain shooting through every part of my face, the only thing that was going through my mind was how much trouble I was in. And no, not just in school,

But also with my Father.

Because I knew, I knew for a fact that my Dad would get to know about this. If he hasn't gotten to know yet.

"None of you are going to tell me what happened in the hallway of your block?" Principal Isaac asked for the umpteenth time since Kizito and I sat in his large office. I removed the ice pack, using the corner of my eyes to look at Kizito. The boy has been sitting down on that seat, stoic expression, hardened look, and mouth completely shut.

I still couldn't wrap my head around the reality that he had beaten me up. This guy has been my longest friend. We have had arguments in the time past, heated arguments that would have made him beat me up because of his short temper, but he never did. But now, he didn't even hesitate to raise his hand on me.

He had promised anyway.

He had promised that if I hurt Hilary, he'd end me. And I hurt Hilary.

I more than hurt her.

But did I have a choice?

A bang against the table startled me out of my reverie and I jerked again the chair, while Kizito didn't even flinch, not even a bit. Principal Isaac was already on his feet, frustrated.

"Someone should answer me!" He snapped.

"We had a misunderstanding, sir." Kizito started, his eyes trained on the man. I on the other hand, just sat still, not knowing what to say.

"A misunderstanding you say?" Principal Isaac countered in sarcasm. "A misunderstanding that made you lift your fist against your classmate isn't just any misunderstanding, Martins. You are not telling me the truth and you know how much I hate lies." He growled out, then turned to face me.

"Okojie, are you ready to tell me what happened?" He asked and I gulped inaudibly. Kizito had turned on his chair to look at me, a taunting glimmer in his eyes.

"Go on, Jidenna. Tell him." The smile that spread across his lips creeped me out a bit and I involuntarily shuddered.

We both knew I couldn't tell Principal Isaac the truth.

"I-It was just as Kizito said, s-sir." I stuttered out, causing Principal Isaac to frown. "We had a misunderstanding. We are sorry we didn't resolve it amicably, it will never again." I rapped on, my eyes downcast. The Principal was good at reading people. He'd know that I was lying just by looking at me.

He let out a deep sigh.

"You both are not telling me the truth." He knew, "But I'll let this slide because we are still at the beginning of the session and both of you are very effective prefects and good students. Whatever caused that brawl, it had better not happen again. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Crystal."

"You can leave my office."

"S-Sir," I called out to him and he looked up, peering at me intently. "You are not going to tell my Dad about this, will you?" I asked, dreading the answer.

I felt Kizito's eyes on me but I couldn't care less. All I needed was an answer to my question. Principal Isaac kept peering at me intently, his gaze unwavering that it made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable.

"I'll think about it. But you know the drill so, you shouldn't have gotten yourself into any fight." I sighed in dejection.

"But sir..."

"Leave."

I sighed again, turning on my heels and following Kizito out of the room while I prayed, I sincerely prayed that God will just touch Principal Isaac's heart and he won't tell my Father that I got into any fight at school. Because if he does, if my Father gets to know that this entire brawl happened, then I'm in deep shit.

And in the department of inflicting pain, Kizito has got nothing on my Father.

"I hope you are happy." kizito's deep growl brought me back to reality and that was when I realized that we had gotten outside the Principal's office but still inside the administration block. I looked at Kizito, who stared back at me with a glare, his hands shoved into the pocket of his trouser.

I exhaled, trying to keep up a brave front.

"You know I didn't mean to hurt Hilary. You of all people should know how much I care about her..."

"Don't you go all defensive on me!" He snapped, causing me to veer back in an instant. "And don't fucking tell me you cared about her because all you have ever cared about since you became friends with that asshole, is yourself!" I knew he was talking about Tekena and I got even more defensive.

Why do people keep attacking this guy!

"Don't bring Tekena into this." I retorted. "I was the one who messed up, I was the one who fucked up."

"Why shouldn't I bring him into the discussion, Jidenna?" He retorted back, moving closer to me till he was all up in my personal space.

"You know I am right. I just don't understand the kind of hold he has over you. He masterminded this whole thing and you sat there and you allowed him to spread such rumors, undermine and degrade Hilary the way he did."

"I didn't know he was going to go this extreme, Kizito..."

"Thank God, You admit it was extreme. Yet, you are doing absolutely nothing about it!" Kizito screamed and I said nothing.

There was nothing I could say. It's not like I didn't see anything wrong with it. There were a lot of things wrong with what Tekena did, so many things. His methods of "handling things" were so unorthodox, it made me wonder about the things that go on in his head. But the fact that he does all of it for me, just for me, I was ready to overlook every other thing.

That guy had my back, no question. He was loyal to me and that was all that mattered.

"Hilary was first your friend before you guys started dating. She was even your first friend. That alone should have told you something, but I'm guessing it didn't."

"Don't undermine what Hilary and I had. Don't do that." I told him, jabbing his chest with my index finger while he looked on, looked at me like I had lost it, before scoffing.

"I'm not undermining your feelings for Hilary. You did that all on your own when you left her high and dry after her brother died. But I'm guessing Tekena Tamuno told you to do that too, didn't he." His tone was laced with pure, undiluted sarcasm. Still, I didn't respond, just kept my eyes on him. Then, he started laughing. A burst of dry, humorless laughter.

"You know what's even busting my brain." It was more of a statement than a question, so I didn't respond still. "The fact that you still have his back... you are still his friend... you keep defending the asshole, even after what he did to Dawn." That made my heart clench.

What Tekena did to Dawn...

No one should ever have to go through that. Ever.

"T-That..." I stuttered out and he looked at me with a raised brow, "That wasn't my fault."

Was what escaped my lips before I could stop it. Kizito looked shocked, I was too. I can't believe I said that. It was purely and completely insensitive. Kizito's shock didn't last for long before his expression contorted into a grimace and he looked at me with so much disdain.

"You are such a coward." He spat out with so much venom, and he started advancing towards me again. "I honestly want to punch you again, so that you will come to your fucking senses. Gosh! You are so..."

"Kizito." A familiar voice called to him in caution and we both looked at the entrance of the Principal's office to see Gigi standing there, staring at us. I wondered how long she was standing there and how much she heard.

She walked towards us and moved to stand between the both of us just in case Kizito tries anything else. But I knew he was smart enough to know when and where he should fight and shouldn't. He wouldn't do it in the Administration block. He wouldn't dare. I wouldn't provoke him either but I guess that's all I've been doing since the beginning of the week.

Provoking him.

"Your fingers are shaking," Gigi started to say, talking to Kizito and disregarding me. "You probably sprained them, which means you shouldn't be punching anyone with that hand. No matter how much he deserves it." That last statement was channeled to me, the stink eye she flashed me thereafter confirming it.

Which meant she probably heard everything we were talking about.

Fucking Fantastic.

"That's not a problem," Kizito answered, keeping his blazing eyes directly on me even when he was speaking to her. "I'd use my other fist." He lunged forward and I veered back on impulse. But Gigi's hand immediately flew to his chest, stopping him from going any further.

My heart was thumping too fast, it seemed like they were about to burst out of my chest.

"Stop."

Was all she had to say for Kizito to halt in his advance towards me. For once, Kizito took his eyes away from mine and looked at Gigi. I don't know what else she did, what else she said to him, or maybe it was the way she looked at him that made him relax. He visibly relaxed, his eyes still trained on hers.

What was that?

They were having some sort of communication with their eyes, it was obvious but I was very much confused to even focus. The next thing was that Kizito looked up at me, his eyes not holding anger anymore, but now disappointment. He shook his head, scoffing out a short laugh.

"It's sad." He stated, his voice now softened. "It's sad how much you have changed since he came into your life. Because this guy right here, "He gestured to me, "Whoever this is, isn't my friend." He concluded with a shake of his head.

"You don't know me." I retorted and he shook his head again, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"I guess I don't. I probably never did." Gigi tugged on his arm, pulling him away from me and he obliged, walking away from me without saying anything else.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, moving back further till my back hit the walls behind me. Sliding down till I was seated on the floor, I made to bury my face in my palm but flinched when they came in contact. Just in the space of minutes, I was reminded yet again of the pain being inflicted on me, and the pain I'd most likely feel when I get home.

And even in all these, I had no idea where Tekena was.

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"You should take two tablets of this," the young nurse on duty told me while she popped two tablets into my palm and handed me a disposable cup filled with water. "Have you eaten today sha? Because you can't take that drug without eating." She told me and I nodded.

"I've eaten," I mumbled, before throwing the pills into my mouth and washed them down with water.

I was in one of the male wards of the school infirmary, intentionally choosing the ward that Kizito wasn't in. The last thing I wanted was to be in the same space with any of them because I knew I wouldn't be able to contain my guilt. No matter how hard I've tried to push it down, no matter how much I try to remember the words of Tekena, that it will all pass, the guilt keeps coming back up.

That's how much I knew I fücked up.

No one had to tell me before I knew. I had messed up, big time and I was going to acknowledge and admit that to myself. But I don't still think I'd ever have the courage to confess it to anyone else, not even Hilary. What will that mean for me? What then will be the use of Tekena spreading the rumors in the first place?

How things had taken a whole new turn in the space of a month still baffled me. I don't think I can ever be able to handle being hated by them; Kizito, Semeeha, Dawn, and most especially, Hilary.

But they can't hate me forever, can they?

It will all pass eventually, won't it?

This will all be forgotten, right?

I couldn't affirm those questions. Tekena was the only one who could. If only he'd just show up.

Since I got here, I've been texting the guy non-stop on Whatsapp but it was left at just one tick. It made me wonder if he even knew that Kizito had beaten me up, because I was sure, if he knew, maybe another fight would have started between the both of them by now. This also meant, he probably didn't go for lessons.

Where are you, Tekena?

As if he heard my thoughts, the guy strode into the ward, one hand shoved into his pocket and the other, waving in greeting at the nurse who in turn flashed him a look before looking away. As he got closer to me, I was able to notice the way he sort of slouched and his steps sloppy. I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Where have you been?" I tried to keep my voice calm and not snap at him. He chuckled in response, moving closer to me. Then when he got even closer, he frowned and squinted his eyes, like he was trying to look at me better.

"What the fuck?!" He spat out, his look contorting in a deep creased frown. "When I heard there was a fight, I didn't think it was this bad." His speech was a bit sloppy too, but very much articulate that I could still hear him

"It wasn't a fight, it was a beat down," I told him, flinching when his finger came in contact with the wounded side of my face. "Kizito didn't take it easy on me at all."

"Tell me you at least gave the guy a black eye," He looked directly at me, wanting me to confirm what had not happened. I chuckled bitterly.

"Like I'll ever have a chance at laying a finger of Kizito," I mumbled, more to myself than to him but he heard me because he scoffed afterward

"That fucker is biting more than he can chew! He's so lucky I wasn't there." He growled out and I turned to him.

"Where exactly were you?! You left all by myself!" I yelled, later regretting it when a bad headache shot through my skull like a tsunami.

"I'm sorry, but I had something to take care of." He answered, shrugging nonchalantly. It was at that point I noticed how dilated his pupils were, his speech a bit slurry, and the way he had walked in was pretty sloppy. My eyes widened in realization.

"Are you high right now!" I whispered harshly at him, not wanting any other person to hear me what I had said. If they did, then Tekena was more or less done for. I just hoped he was able to prove me wrong, but the grin that stretched across his lips afterward told me I was very right.

For the Love of God!

"Tekena! What the hell!" I snapped, shoving him by his chest. He burst into laughter like I had said something funny, or as if this entire scenery was funny.

It wasn't.

"You better calm down, Jidenna. I'm not high, I'm just a little buzzed." He brought his thumb and index finger together to indicate that he was "a little" buzzed. I looked at him incredulously.

"Why would you even think of smoking in school?" I asked him, looking around to be sure we were out of ear shots, then looked back at him. "It is against the rules and regulations. What if you were caught?" He chuckled lightly at that, plopping down to one of the beds beside mine.

"Caught? Me? Please, give me more credit. This ain't my first rodeo." He answered and I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

"I don't like this at all. You should probably get another round of shower because you reek of..."

"Forget about me and let's talk about you." He cut me, standing up beside me again. "Let's talk about how you are single now, not to mention trending for all the right reasons." He wiggled his brows, a teasing grin spread across his lips and I scoffed, shaking my head.

"I'm not ready for that now. I just got out of a pretty messy breakup." I answered, making a move to sit down but Tekena will not let me.

"No, it's Hilary that just got out of a pretty messy breakup. You, on the other hand, have a lot of girls that will start eating from your palms very soon. If you get to class right now, omo... dem go rush you die!" He hollered and I felt my lips twitch in a small smile.

"What about the fight? That would probably have left a dent on everything." I told him and he scoffed out a laugh before smirking, bringing out his phone from his pocket.

"Not quite." He said, showing me our school's Instagram page. My eyes widened on impulse because the first thing I saw was a video of the fight which was already bagging tons of views. That wasn't even what caught my eyes, it was the caption that did.

It was painted as if Kizito had beaten me unjustly for trying to get out of a toxic relationship with Hilary. The comments under the post were something else entirely. Comments telling Kizito to stop protecting Hilary and stand by the truth and more comments with even more insults hurled at Hilary.

I didn't like that.

Not to mention, My Father must not see this about his son on social media. If Principal Isaac doesn't tell him about the fight, this will.

"Number one, That video is making me look really bad on social media." It was the truth. A video of me getting beat up going viral on the internet isn't a good thing.

"Second of all," I continued. "If this is going eventually blow over, you need to stop making Hilary the villain of the story. It doesn't seem right." I told him, intentionally leaving out the part of my father while pushing back his phone to him. Tekena sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Jidenna, you should have understood by now that someone has to be the villain in this story for you to be the victim. But it's fine. I understand your sentiment in this issue, so I'm going to take down the video right now and no one will talk about it again." He answered, tapping away on his phone before showing me his screen.

"Done." He said and I nodded, settling on the bed

Tekena along with a few of our mates in the media club were the handlers of practically all the social media accounts of the school, except the official page of the school on Facebook. He majorly handled Instagram and Twitter, which meant, he knew everything that happened in school from top to bottom. All the juicy gists. It was passed down to him from the senior that handled it last year when he graduated because he knew Tekena could handle it.

Tekena stayed anonymous to the majority of the school and a good number of our classmates. Me, as well as the other guys who handled the pages with him, were the only