Who missed me??

Had to make sure this got ready for y'all today! Hopefully, I'll finish the next chapter soon and publish even sooner, someone say amen oo!

And before you start the chapter, I want to ask how you all are? Tell me about your day!

I will announce the winners of the Last Chapter's challenge after updating the second part of this chapter, that's okay with you guys, ba???♥️♥️

Oh, and shout out to Rihanna_Adedeji, she just finished her book 'Perfectly Imperfect' and I feel so accomplished for her!😫😫✨✨✨✨

~ACHA~

"Hey, JJ! Yes, you! Oya, pick that gum wrap up. Yes, JJ, it's you I'm talking to, don't act like you can't hear me. Yes, you. Pick it up and God bless you. There's a dust bin there at the door, it's for discarding waste. I want to watch you throw it. God bless you. Yes. Throw it in the bin. You're blessed."

I watched JJ grumble like a five year old kid as he kicked the stray wrap on the floor, grudgingly, shuffling his feet so noisily as he trailed his way towards the doorway that led downstairs from the roof top where we all were.

Chido who had issued his instructions sternly didn't stop watching the boy who was stubbornly adhering until he had disappeared completely from sight. And neither did I. 

Funny how JJ had been doing everything in his power to ignore me just as much as I was ignoring him. He had even completely refused to make a single eye contact since we had all met up at Nana's place, and the whole thing was just a mystery to me.

"That boy doesn't listen." Chido randomly complained.

I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or not. However, the bulky kid didn't even wait for a response from me. Seated quite uncomfortably on the upholstered bench by the wall, the guy just plugged in his earpiece, looked away from my direction, and casually started to scroll down his phone like I wasn't even there with him at the roof top at all.

Or maybe he didn't just give a fuck.

I did not quite understand the guy. Sometimes, I'd think he was cool with us, and other times, I'd just be plain confused.

Maybe he just had bigger issues to deal with. Asides the fact that JJ had been testing his patience all evening by littering the place, his other half Kelechi Uwa had decided to make him miserable by being the most clingy to  I had ever seen her in my life.

But to think of it, the were the same ones who had wholeheartedly, and even kindly agreed to come with us.

I mean, we had all moved from Nana's place to Gomery - on Sean's very pressuring demand- to grab some food and just chill for the evening, and afterwards, we found ourselves - also on Sean's more pressuring, and persistent demands - that we tried eating on Gomery's terrace for a change.

Don't even get me started on what we had to go through before Sir Chido even let us try this.

Especially since I heard that people weren't even allowed up here in the first place.

It's funny how the owners restrict people from coming to the terrace of the building, and then go on to make the whole place look like a mini outside ballroom. It was so pretty in here, like they didn't want an ordinary terrace, but wanted to add some touch ups to the place with some plush upholstered couches and benches around the corners, fancy protectors that held candle lamps - ones that lightened the whole place and gave it this form of cool, yet dim, aesthetic, pretty night time vibe.

The boy, Chiedozie Ihenna, currently had Kelechi stuck to his body. Literally. Since we got to the terrace, the girl had been wrapping her whole self around Chido like thread to needle; she was on his laps, with her hands wrapped all around his body and waist, so desperately and tightly, and despite all the intense pleading to be left alone, the girl was adamant that Chido's body was her warm haven.

And while the two bickered like a married couple, I sat back, relaxed on the arm chair that Sean and I were sharing some minutes,  having a cupcake to myself, and occasionally checking my phone, from second to second...

 I was hoping that Dabeluchi would respond to my texts anytime soon.

Anytime soon. Hopefully.

I really wondered if she was okay. After everything that had happened today in class, my honest prayer was that she was doing alright.

I tried so many times to wrap my head around what happened with her today in class, but it wasn't working. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't understand why she acted so out of control like that the moment Mr. Harry pulled her into class.

I understood she was nervous. Scared. Terrified at the least, it was obvious. Dabeluchi seemed to be suffering an intense and unhealthy amount of Social Anxiety, any one who had eyes could clearly see that. Anyone who had empathy would understand. 

But what she did today in class.... It was way past just Social Anxiety.

Wayyy past it.

She almost seemed to be even partly unaware of what she was doing, she seemed lost in thoughts completely.

As soon as Mr. Harry had left, before Charlie Ba could even utter a word to her, she had walked out of the class, walked back in again, walked out, and in, and out, and in, basically repeated those actions about five or six times, like she was losing screws in the head. It took about a few more back and forth, before she seemed to have the guts to stand and face the entire class, who were already either confused or amused by her behaviour.

The teacher had asked her to take a seat and by that time, everyone was already laughing at her, and even I felt the humiliation for her.

To make matters worse, Dabeluchi just stood there like a robot after being instructed to find a seat, and the next second, the girl was screaming for her life, crying out for help, and raising an alarm that the class was on fire.

By the time, the entire class was a terrible, laughing mess. I didn't even have it in me to got to Dabeluchi.

The laughter in the class irritated the shit out of me though. I mean, yes, she put up a show for everyone, but I didn't think it was anything to laugh about. It was not funny at all. Confusing? Maybe. Alarming? Most definitely. But it clearly looked like that girl was in a lot of distress.... Like, something was really wrong with her, and instead of trying to help, all those girls in class were all just laughing at her like that.

Ironic and disgusting how it was these same set of girls who had been bragging about how Dabeluchi had been following them on Social Media just before the Physics teacher came in.

Like they felt it was such an honour to be followed by her.

All it took was for girls like Winnie and Funmi to laugh at Dabeluchi in her misfortune, and since both girls were a lot relevant in our set, and thereby termed to be 'worthy', if they were laughing at Dabeluchi, then maybe she should be laughed at. 

Castron High.

The students of that school may or may not know it, but they were all highly controlled by this small sect of people that they had crowned 'worthy'.

And as much as I was relieved to be counted amongst that sect, as much as I would dread being excluded from that sect, the truth remained that low-key, I wished I didn't have to succumb to it.

Castron High was a small kingdom, and the worthy class was the monarchy - A dreaded, yet praised, POWERFUL group of Elites, who practically called the shots.

And just like in a monarchy, the Queen, as well as the other very significant members of the royal board had a lot of power, power that was obviously differentiated according to their rank, but the fact still remained that the power was there and it was dominant. And sadly, whether the other members of the Kingdom liked it or not, they were all subject to the monarchy.

Almost like slaves.

In Castron High, the worthy people - the self crowned monarchy - made up about 20% to 30% of every set, and factually speaking, Ss3; being the highest, most powerful, and most significant set, thereby, overthrew the other 'monarchies' below them.

Where am I getting to with all these? You'll see.

Being a person who had always been of this worthy class for the longest time, I had noticed that we had power. Too much power. Excessive power. Especially against those outside our sect, and even those in the sect, but beneath us in the social ladder.

The things we said, the thing we did, everything that had to do with us, affected the rest of the entire kingdom - The whole School. 

The students of CH reacted to things according to the weight of relevancy that the worthy class placed on them - whether good or bad. The entire school's reactions to various things, rumours and situations, were dependent on how the majority of the worthy class perceived this news.

No matter how insignificant the piece of information may seem, if a majority of the worthy class were sparked with interest by it, then maybe it was worth giving attention to.

And if a majority of the 20% were indifferent about it, then maybe it wasn't just relevant enough.

And god forbid they were hating on something, then it must be damned.

That was probably why everyone else was careful around the worthy class. Maybe part reason had to do with the fact that they had the power and leverage to make your life as miserable as hell, if they wanted to.

Being 'worthy' wasn't even a 100% immunity clause to Social Suicide, because they were still rules. Invisible rules. Even the worthy ones were still careful of those above them in the ladder. Of course, one; because losing that 'privilege' was scary as hell. And two; the invisible rule prompted everyone to know their class. I mean, if we are talking monarchy-wise, the Queen alone was powerful enough to single-handedly, without help from other members tagging along,  to easily fuck anyone up. Even the most immediate members, closest to the Queen's rank also didn't need an entourage to have someone damned.

You should grab the gist by now.

It really was a scary place in CH.

And even more scary was that mechanism of validation.

Dabeluchi had been going through the different phases of this twisted mechanism since the beginning of Ss3.

The very first time the rumours stated, it was in her favour. And that was only because a majority of the worthy class took the decision to be particular and interested in the supposed 'union' between the both of us. Maybe because it was a lot to talk about.... Dabeluchi and I have always been two very different people, a 'union' was bound to cause a lot of commotion, as well as controversy.

Even if it was clear, even at that time, that a lot of people - especially girls- didn't support the union, there was nothing they could do but pretend to, and smile in Dabeluchi's face. All because the 'worthy class' had already proclaimed that the 'union' was of approval.

However, all that was needed for everyone to turn on Dabeluchi, and show their true colours was an anonymous post of shade.

And since a LOT of bratty, worthy girls of our set stanned the anonymous poster, that equivalent to Social Suicide for Dabeluchi. That gave everyone else, the entire school at large, the boldness and confidence to come up and show their true selves, their true hate to her face.

And then, with what had happened in class today...

Dabeluchi had been on the advantaged side of the mechanism once again, this morning, having the entire school was already exploding with noises of excitement the moment she stepped into the Assembly Hall.

Like she was a celebrity of some sort.

The girl clearly was not comfortable with this upgrade. It was obvious.

Only God knows what was running through her mind.

Yet, once again, all that was needed for the girls in our combined class to turn against her once more and show their true colours yet again, was Winnie and Funmi who laughed at Dabeluchi and her strange behaviour with their little snotty girl group.

Indirectly, giving the other girls in the class a reason to also laugh at Dabeluchi.

It was so annoying.

I couldn't help, but put a smile on my face when it all backfired.

Thanks to Aaron and Casper.

It almost seemed to be a battle of the 'worthys' because the moment that both boys voluntarily stood up to defend Dabeluchi, and even have all us - the Ballers- join in the process, they completely and utterly overruled Winnie and her friends.

Thereby, giving Dabeluchi back her crown.

Still, the few times I had glanced back at the girl, she still didn't look so comfortable. 

And It killed me that I couldn't talk to her then, to make sure she was okay.

If only she would respond to my messages.

"Kelechi, please leave me be!" Chido wailed as the slim, tall girl wrapped herself more tightly around his body.

"But I like you!" Kelechi cried, a sweet sounding accented tone rolling off her tongue as she held onto Chido even more dearly, hugging him to herself.

Chido actually blushed, and a small flattered laugh left him as he responded to the girl on him, "Kels, I like you too, but I'm just really uncomfortable."

"Hm mm." Kelechi adamantly shook her head and refused to let go.

Seeing Kelechi act this way was very entertaining. Especially since most of the time, she was more quiet and conservative. Saying a few words, doing a few actions, and basically being as lowly, prim and proper as a girl could get.

Honestly, I wouldn't have even know there were other sides to her if I hadn't particularly known she and Chido through Nana. She wouldn't be caught dead, playing like this in public.

Nana and Chido called it 'Transitioning'.

Kelechi Uwa had one personality every where else, and that was that side of her that acted like the royalty that she was; Prim, proper, and gracious. One that commanded natural respect automatically. Especially in School.

And then, in the presence of people like Chido and Nana, she 'transitioned' from that, and to various forms of crack heads that she had all named one by one.

"She's transitioned into Baby Kels," Chido told me. "And that's the one I'm most horrified of 'cause she doesn't leave me alone when she's Baby Kels."

Kelechi mumbled something cute and inaudible as she adjusted her hold on the bulky kid.

I laughed. "You don't say."

"I'm most scared of Mummy Kay Kay." A calm, deep voice added into our conversation.

There Nana was, leaning quietly on the protector and gazing into the air space with so much concentration. He had been there all evening, watching something there with so much solemn interest that I was actually surprised he was listening to us.

He gently whipped his head our direction, the side of his lips twitching in a subtle smile as he looked at us, his eyes were glinting in the hope and light they were known for.

"Somehow, Mummy Kay Kay believes with all her heart that I'm her child," He said. "And she can't pass on an opportunity to pull my cheeks, and that physically hurts a lot."

"Well, that's because Mummy Kay thinks you're so precious and immensely endearing," Kelechi blinked long lashes at Nana. "Like a kitten!"

"Nana isn't your child, K," Chido took over, playfully reprimanding the girl holding him.

"Of course, not!" Kelechi agreed. "He's Mummy Kay Kay's child!"

Nana just smiled at the bickering two, shook his head, and just quietly disassociated himself to continue peering into the night.

While Chido and Kelechi went into this semi-argument concerning who was Nana's mother and who was not, I couldn't help but watch the two and smile in delight. Chido looked like the cranky and strict, but secretly sweet big brother, and Kelechi was the pest sibling who wouldn't let you be no matter what. Soon, Chido had stopped fighting to be left alone anyway, he had given in to Kelechi, and while busily, focusing on his phone, using it with one hand, the other hand was absent-mindedly, but gently patting Kelechi's head. 

I checked my phone once more, and there was still no text back from Dabeluchi.

I held the phone in my hands, looked at it for about three seconds, and went 'fuck it, I'm calling her', but before I had the chance to take action, darkness enveloped my side with a new presence, and I saw, through the corner of my eyes, a shadow of the person who joined me on the bench.

I already knew who it was.

"Sean." I turned to get a view of the boy who since he brought us here, had been running out and around the entire building, doing 'God knows what'.

Dull, lazy eyes stared back at me; a solemn, slightly wistful look glinted ever so slightly in those generally dead, stoner look they boldly had.

"Hey, bro..." He slowly drawled, a hesitant smile twitched on his face like he was trying to tame the awkwardness he was feeling. "It's just me, bro." 

"JJ." I tried my best to not say his name so dismissively, but I guess it was all reflex. 

The boy smiled like he was feeling shy, moved his broad shoulders a little to shake off more nervousness.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you." I said to him.

Especially since the both of us had been ignoring each other like it was a contest.

The younger boy only laughed to himself, a small nervous laugh that I knew was only - once again- to ease the awkwardness that only he was feeling.

"Well, yeah, I.." He fondled something in his hands and I saw that he brought along with him a Gomery Polythene bag. "I just.." He stuttered more as he dipped his hands into the bag and took out a plastic take away plate that scented of well prepared fried rice, to show me. "I brought you some food, bro."

I stared at him without blinking, waiting for him to explain why.

"Sean and I, we..." He scratched the back of his head like he was searching for ways to put his words. "We were downstairs, in the Alley, and I decided to just pick some food up for you.."

I looked at him, waited for him to go on so his explanation to make more sense.

"Oh, and also.." He jerked like he remembered something, dipped his hand into the bag again, and brought out a bottle of La Casera from it to also present to me. "I also noticed you really like La Casera, so I also..."

What the fuck is this boy really up to?

"I was thinking of getting Smirnoff instead, but something told you'd prefer this, so I got it for you instead, yunno?" He  was still talking, and I just cut him off short.

"But I told you and Sean I wasn't hungry." I said.

"Well, yeah, I.." JJ looked away, sighed, ran his hand through his hair, a gesture that communicated some form of frustration and edginess. Like he was about to take a huge test, but wanted to gather up enough courage to face it.

And again I ask; What on Earth is this boy up to?

"I remember you said that..." He found his strength to continue as he gently started to pack the food and drink back into the bag. "I'm just, yunno, in case you do get hungry eventually."

I raised a brow at him and decided to ask him straight up, "What are you doing, JJ?"

He paused, looked to me, eyes widened in a pathetically, fake facial gesture of innocence.