I want to hide the truth,
I want to shelter you
But with the beast inside,
there's nowhere we can hide...
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She was home -- with friends turned family and she couldn't have it any other way.
The bickerings and banters -- the snarky comments and the witty retorts were all part of who they were. They were what made them her safe haven.
Jiki and Nene always on each other's throats, arguing about the most random of things, to how gloomy the weather had become. Lara complaining over Elo's nepotism and then there was TJ, who'd taken a torch to her soul, lighting her up.
She didn't know where they stood yet and she preferred to let it be. She wasn't ready to let her thoughts drift to what had happened minutes ago at the pool. Her eyes on their own accord trailed to his lips, he was speaking in a low tone to Jiki, who listened with rapt attention, nodding in between the conversation.
Her gaze clashed with his and he sent her a quick wink, causing her insides to heat up in seconds. A very clear image of what they were up to, kept playing inside her head. She could swear it was on repeat.
She blushed hard, avoiding his gaze. Same time colliding with Abike's furious ones.
She cocked an inquiring brow at the enraged girl, who showed her a firm middle finger in return.
The guys found themselves gathering round a picnic table, at Jiki's backyard after every necessary arrangement had been made. Nene had called it the 'welcome home feast' as the table was filled with enough edibles to go around. From smoked beef to poultry and other mouth watering edibles that got Elo licking his lips in anticipation.
He reached for a drumstick, eyes seeing the moon and stars. "When do I get to go these down?"
"After we've said grace!" Nene scolded, slapping his hand off the bowl, housing his latest target.
The shorter boy pouted, taking to sulking as he groaned, resting his elbow on the plastic table.
"That's unfair," he whined, glaring at his girlfriend. "These things have got my blood and sweat on them."
"TJ and Jiki did almost everything. Do you see them complaining?" Lara spoke up, smirking at his annoyed expression.
"Kill joy. You've never wished to see me happy!"
Lara shrugged. "Fair point."
Her response caused them to snicker at the shorter boy's expense.
"Oya, let's say grace before El ends up eating in his dream tonight." Jiki suggested while they bursted out laughing, but still nodded in agreement.
Nene finally said grace and Elo sighing out in bliss, reached for the fleshy chicken lap. His eyes all dreamy as he took a bite.
"Okay, this is hands-down heaven on earth," he groaned in between bites, causing food crumbs to spray on Lara.
"And I hope you choke in between bites," Lara scowled, brushing crumbs off her shirt.
He stuck his tongue out at her. "Las Las, you'll cry the loudest if I'm harmed."
"Be deceiving yourself," she scowled, after swallowing the food in her mouth. "Choke first let's see if I'll cry or do the exact opposite."
"Are y'all seeing this!" Elo wailed in mock horror. "Lara has been influenced. She now says the most vile of words."
"No birdbrain, you asked for it."
Elo wiggled his brow at the annoyed girl. "You're just bitter I refused to help you out with your data processing assignment."
Scowling, Lara slowly chewed on her snack before swallowing. "I'm just going to reserve my comment El."
Chimdi moaned as she silently concentrated on eating the grilled fish in her hand. "This is delicious. Tell me, is there a new eatery or what?"
"It wasn't bought that way though." Jiki chimed in.
Chimdi licked oil off her slim fingers. "Then who grilled these?"
Her eyes widened in shock when she stared at who the fairer boy pointed at. She rolled her eyes at the smirk playing on his lips.
"No way! You grilled this too?"
TJ's smirk widened to a grin, at the look on her face.
She took another bite, the spicy taste melting on her tongue. "What can you not do!" She asked in awe.
Abike rolled her eyes so bad.
"Umm- he can't get a pot down with his bare hands." Jiki answered, smirking at the eye roll TJ sent his way.
"Who in their right senses would want to embark on such dangerous adventure?"
"You've not met Nigerian mothers." Nene spoke up, after downing half of the fruit juice in her glass. "It's like a Mum-magic thing. How the hell do they take such risk."
"As in-" Abike said for the first time since they gathered around the table.
Obviously, she was still furious after witnessing Chimdi and TJ sticking their tongue down each other's throat. "Mum doesn't bat an eyelid when she's doing it. One time I wanted to try-"
"And you emptied mum's stew on the floor." Elo finished. "We ended up eating out that day."
His twin scowled. "And I ended up at the hospital."
They cracked up at the revelation.
"That day wasn't your day sis."
"Has any day ever been good to me?" Abike murmured, eyes intent on the meat she was devouring.
Elo's gaze softened as he stared intently at his twin. "Come to think of it, you've been out of it since today, wassup?"
"Nothing." She murmured a response, eyes flickering to the skinny girl sitting across her, laughing at something Jiki and TJ were saying.
Watching her with TJ had her ugly side threatening to make an appearance. She'd never wanted someone so bad in her life, never felt such pull to one before, till she met TJ. But now, it seemed he was slipping out of her reach because of the skinny girl. She couldn't help but glare at Chimdi with so much contempt.
"She's probably dying of the green fever." Nene piped in, eyes shining mischievously.
The angry girl glared at Nene. "God! You're the human version of a period cramp. Why don't you stop meddling in my business."
"And I hope to rip your womb out of you!" The darker girl snapped back, causing every attention to be aimed at them.
"C'mon, you guys let's just forget our differences and have fun for once. It's been a while." Lara pleaded, knowing what was to come next.
"Fine by me." The darker girl said with a shrug. "As far as she respects herself."
"You should focus on respecting yourself first."
Chimdi groaned, getting frustrated in seconds. "Lara was right. Let's just have fun without any complications for once. It's December y'all, the month entails celebration and happy moments. We should make the best out of it," she spared Abike a glance. "And not look for a way to poke each other's eyes out."
Abike snorted, twirling a ripe cherry with her fingers. "Oh please, shove that sweet girl personality up your ass. You're not up stage giving a cute ass speech!"
Chimdi gasped.
She did not just...
"What's your problem?" The skinny girl asked. "The sweet personality or the cute speech?"
Having had enough, Jiki noisily dropped his cutlery, hissing in utter frustration.
Abike scowled, carefully chewing on a cherry. "Scrap that. I meant your fake ass personality."
Her response was followed up with a howls of laughter from both Chimdi and Nene.
Chimdi shrugged, an annoying smile in place. "That's better than having none babe."
"Oh I do have quite an impressive personality alright."
"Hold still," Chimdi paused, her eyes shutting close for a second. "I'm trying to imagine you with a personality."
TJ choked on his own spittle at her counter assault, while Chimdi oblivious to what she'd caused, passed him a glass full of water.
Nene held back a snicker, totally enjoying seeing Abike all riled up.
"Bitch-" Abike growled, her grip on the cutlery in her hand could bend the utensil if it wasn't steel.
"Temper, Temper," taunted Nene, watching the girl struggle with her words. "We don't want you choking on those meatballs now, do we."
"It's like you have a death wish this afternoon," Abike gritted out, while trying to even her breathing.
"Oh please shut your trap," the darker girl threw back. "You won't do shit."
"Ya Allah!" Jiki's hand made to his temple, the scene before him making his appetite drop in growing seconds. "Where's maturity when you need it."
Elo was as uncomfortable as one between, a rock and a hard place could be, as he stared between his friends and twin while trying to force on a neutral expression.
Tension hung in the air like an itchy blanket as they watched Abike glare fire and brimstone at a smiling Nene. But the darker girl wasn't done, she was a trouble magnet as a bee, was to honey.
She stuck her nose to the air, snapping her finger to gain Chimdi's attention. "Quick Dee, do you smell it?" She sniffed the air, causing a groan to leave Elo's lips.
Once staring at Abike's enraged face, Chimdi caught on. She sniffed the air, searching for the referred smell. "Smell what exactly?"
"Steam baby! I think someone's about to catch fire."
In a swift moment, Abike lunged for Nene. Rage spread in her like a toxin secrete, eating her up. "I'll show you steam you idiot! El, let go of me!!"Â Waves of rage rose inside her, swallowing her whole as she reached for the darker girl, who made no move to flinch as she carefully chewed on a fruit, a smirk playing on her glossy lips.
"Oh no! I'm scared." Nene feigned a terrified expression, watching the angry girl struggle with her brother. "Let her go, I'll love to see how far she's gonna go with the empty threats."
"Nene just shut up!" Jiki snapped, totally pissed as a newt.
The darker girl glared at him. "Why don't you shut up yourself and stay out of this. This is strictly girl talk."
The fairer huffed. "Then save it for later. This isn't the right place for such conversation!"
"Okay you guys stop it!" Elo finally snapped when Abike had calmed down. "Whatever started at the school should quietly end at the school gate. Acting out on the past is totally petty." He was annoyed.
His twin might be snarky and quick to start a fight, but he loved her nonetheless.
But Abike wasn't one to keep shut. "Tell your mentally retarded girlfriend to stay the fuck out of my business-"
"Or else ?" Nene angrily interrupted. "You'll create another scene?"
"Which would star your beaten up ass Nene. Don't dare me!"
Nene laughed, her eyes glinting maliciously. "Did y'all hear that?" She looked around the table. "Little Miss bitch face thinks she's got claws now! Bitch I'll so whoop your ass so hard your mama won't recognize your pathetic self."
"Nene just let it be. It's not worth it." Chimdi sighed, tucking a stray ringlet back in place. All the while wondering why Jiki had allowed Abike to stay over. He knew it was going to be hard to let sanity rule the day with the girl in their company.
"Thank God someone finally has sense." Lara almost wailed. "All I wanted was a peaceful feast. Is that too much to ask for?"
Jiki exhaled, biting back the words of reprimand at the tip of his tongue. While Nene rolled her eyes at the glare Abike was aiming her way.
TJ who's been silent since, was still pondering over how to go about with confessing his feelings, especially after what they'd done at the pool. He's gaze couldn't help but linger at her lips. Lips he wanted to be pressed against his again. He missed the taste of them, like wild honey and mint.
He could give anything to go down that same route. But he reminded himself to stay calm. Deciding that he'd man the situation once they were done with the feast from hell that was going on.
Partly, he blamed himself for whatever animosity that was between Chimdi and Abike. The look on her face when he bumped into her on his way to set up the barbecue few hours ago, showed that she'd seen enough.
Finally, there was tranquility back to the once happy table. The air stiff with unspoken words and thoughts.
TJ looked around him, everyone seemed to find their meals a little bit captivating, with their eyes firmly fixed on their plares like it were their last meal.
He cleared his throat. "So... What plans do we have for the holidays?"
"Aby and I are going to the cinema tomorrow." Elo said, finally looking up.
TJ smiled. "That's cool. We could tag along," he looked at his friends. "It isn't a bad idea right?"
"It's their thing." Chimdi answered. "Sort of like a holiday ritual between them and Oh! that reminds me. I've got an invite to a beach turn up."
She glared at Jiki. "You didn't tell us Adaeze Kings invited you to her birthday. Are you even going?"
He shrugged. "You guys don't even know each other, would have been a waste of time." He popped a fruit into his mouth. "Besides, we aren't even that close."
Lara let out a gasp. "When you two have literally been together three years and still counting?"
"That doesn't make us buddies. What we have is strictly business."
With jaw resting on her palm, Nene shook her head in disbelief. "You've got real issues going on."
He grinned, cocking a busy brow. "Says the girl who's got Vogue lining up for tutorials."
The darker girl threw a chicken bone his way, whilst laughing. "Ode!"
"Y'all leave his boring, introverted ass alone." TJ said, earning a middle finger from the fairer boy. "If it's a lit party, I'm in."
"Me too!" Nene supplied, raising her glass up. "I need me some steam releasing parte! Hope it's not a PG rated one. I don't want to stare at ugly faces all night ."
"Nah," Chimdi rolled her eyes at her words. "It's a beach party. I think Shola's college friends will be there too."
The darker girl let out a joyful noise. "Count me in, I ain't missing it for the world."
The rest concurred, except Lara who stayed quiet. And it didn't take a soothsayer to let them know how hard a task it'd be for her to join them.
Being the eldest sibling came with a prize and most times, it cost quite a lot.
Nene narrowed her eyes at the quiet girl who silently chewed whatever she had in her mouth. "You're not even going to make up a perfect excuse, are you?"
Lara shrugged. "If I have strength for Mum, I will. Handling Mayowa and Ayo won't be that much of a hassle."
"Don't worry," Chimdi told them. "when we get to that bridge we'll cross it."
And just like that, the table became abuzz with excitement.
Soon, Nene's phone started ringing.
"Hey babe..." She received the call after checking the caller ID, motioning to them to keep quiet. "You did what!" She let out a gasp, eyes widening in shock.
"You've got to be kidding me!" She reacted to whatever the person at the other line said. "Who the hell ratted you out? It sucks to say this but, I warned you."
They listened, waiting for her to round up.
"Dad is so not letting you off the hook. And that asshole! I can't believe he did that to you..."
The call ended few minutes later and she sat still, eyes mirroring fury.
"What's up?" Elo inquired.
"Nonye is totally fucked." The darker girl finally breathed out. "Dad paid a surprise visit to her lodge just to find out that she's been living with that freeloader." She shuddered. "He caught them half dressed. Oh my gosh! Dad is so not sparing her."
Chimdi let out a low whistle. "That's some deep shit she got herself into."
"Tell me about it." The darker girl concurred. "You know, I've never supported her relationship with Felix. There was this air surrounding him oozing of fakeness and pure deceit. Then to strengthen my dislike, he had to turn her into his own personal ugly Betty and punching bag."
"That's straight-up toxic." TJ voiced his disapproval. "He wasn't only a first class coward but an infidel."
Jiki's jaws clenched together in anger. "Men like him deserve the brutal collision of fists and the full measure of karma's wrath."
"I hope he doesn't have a sister to take up the brunt of his actions," Elo gritted out. "If he really needed to test his man power, he should have found his match."
The table grew silent before Lara suddenly let out a dry cackle. "I can't imagine Dad catching me in a compromising position with a boy. Let's not talk about living with him. He's gonna kill me, bury me and dig me out of my grave just to kill me again."
"And Nens, your dad is pretty scary." Jiki added, gulping down a fruit juice. "He's like the Dwayne Johnson to your sister's Kelvin Hart."
TJ's eyes widened in shock. "That image is pretty scary."
"I don't even want to think about his reaction." Nene said, biting her lips worriedly. "He's gonna be so disappointed."
Elo turned to his twin. "Dad will probably bury you alive if he ever finds you in such position." He taunted.
"Dudeee!" She agreed, laughing. "He's gonna beat the shit out of me first."
"He's probably calling the cops on Felix. And the nincompoop! He fled, leaving Nonye to bear the brunt of everything."
"I think he made the right choice." Chimdi opined. "Knowing your Dad, if he'd stayed back for even a second, you'd have been getting tips on how to help hide a dead body."
The darker girl stood up, pacing around. "I can't even deal. Dad can be irrational when riled up." She stared at them, dread taking over her expression. "He's a whole different being when furious. I don't want him to take laws into his hands."
"Calm down Nens," El assured, appetite for the meal before him totally gone. "Just call your Mum, she might calm him down."
"Why didn't I think of that initially." She reached for cellphone, tapping away on it's screen.
Meanwhile, while they were busy fretting, the smartest of thoughts came to Abike as she stared at Chimdi, who was busy calming her friend.
"Why don't you tell us Chimdi," she began, the malicious glint back to her eyes.
Chimdi stared at her, an attractive brow raised. "Tell you guys what?"
"Oh you know, what your Father would do too. Everyone's airing their opinion, don't you think it's fair to know what he's capable of doing too?"
Silence serenaded the table, as the air thickened.
"Bitch I swear-" Nene threatened, knowing exactly what she was unto. "Killing you won't sweat me..."
The fatter girl ignored her, as she took in the look on Chimdi's face. She felt a sense of satisfaction fill her up.
"Oh!" She cackled, finally getting the girl where she's always wished for her to be. Silent and humbled. "Cat's got your tongue or what?"
TJ stared at the scene being unfolded before him, confused. But with the look on their faces, he knew Abike was brewing trouble again.
"Aby, drop it. Now..." Jiki warned, anger radiating off him.
But the fatter girl paid no heed, not even to her brother who signalled her to let it go, but she carried on. Enjoying the dread filled look on the skinny girl's face. "Tell us Gentry. Where's the confidence and sass now hmmn. Has it gone with your non-existent father?"
Chimdi saw nothing but crimson as her hands balled up to tight fists, her buccal cords grounded together. "Abike stop this madness. right. now!"
The fatter girl shook her head like a bratty kid, a victorious look making her face glow up. "Gentry..." She drawled out. "Would you be more specific? What should I stop exactly? The fact that you're a bast- oopsie! What's the legal term again? Ahha!" She clapped like a sicko. "Illegitimate child!"
The skinny girl's breathing became harsh as she stared at Abike. Air felt like a lump too big, for a smooth passage through her nostrils.
TJ stared at her, getting alarmed in seconds as he took Chimdi's balled fist into his, whispering soothing words to her ear, before glaring at Abike. "Abike stop it right now for the love of God! Can't you see she's in no state to listen to what you're saying?" His voice startled the cynical girl for a second.
She'd never felt such hate directed at her before. What broke her heart was the disappointed and irritated look he aimed at her.
Fury rose and settled in waves as she held his gaze. Already feeling defeated that he was taking her side for the nth time against her, even after all the humiliation she had to take.
"Why do you always take her side every goddamn time!" She screamed, tears running down her cheeks. "What the hell does she have that makes her better than me!"
"She doesn't go around making life miserable for everyone surrounding her!" He snapped back, finally having it to the brim. Irritation and anger twisted his entire being. "She's the epitome of kindness and she doesn't have to bitch around to gain attention. Is that good enough an answer!"
Abike stared at him in disbelief before bursting out in fits of maniacal laughter. "You chose this bitch over me? Tell me, has she spread her legs for you too to get you so whipped, that you can't decipher the difference between a bloody bastared and a-"
Nene's hands came down hard and stinging on Abike's cheeks, followed by breathy gasps.
While Chimdi stood frozen.
Her heart constricting painfully as she forced herself to take even breaths.
She knew what could happen next if she didn't control it, the panic attack would make an appearance in a matter of seconds.
"Dee are you okay?" She heard one of her friends ask, but she was too engrossed in controlling the frenzied jerk of her pulse and the loud beating of her heart, to identify whose voice it was.
She gritted her teeth, craving control, over her mind -- over her own body.
She couldn't let her see her crack, wouldn't let her words get to her. Swiftly, she sprang to her feet, fighting back the nausea rolling up to her throat, as she let her feet lead the way. Out of everyone's sight.
The fight was hers alone.
TJ sprang up too, getting ready to run after her till Jiki held him back, prompting him to stop.
He glared at the fairer boy, "Dude what the fuck! let me go this instant!!"
Jiki held tight, not letting go. "Think first. She needs her space."
"Didn't you see the state she was in?" TJ almost screamed. "She's in no position to handle her goddamn self!"
"Don't underestimate her. She's got everything under control."
TJ's laugh came out pained and void of humor. "Yeah right. With laboured breathing and that scary as hell look on her face? Man let go of me this instant!"
"She's not gonna let you in. Can't you get it!" Jiki screamed back, looking as disoriented as the boy whose wrist was held tightly by him. "Do you think we don't care about her too! She needs her space right now. Goddamnit! I prefer you sane and reasonable."
"TJ calm down," Lara reasoned, trying to separate his wrist from Jiki's viselike grip. "She needs some time alone at the moment. Give her a few to handle herself."
He tugged his hand free, dropping himself back on the chair.
He couldn't get the image of her struggling and battling with the deeply etched pain out of his mind. He couldn't explain it, he felt like he'd shared the pain with her, the horrified look on her face sent jolts of painful blows to his heart. He'd always wished for her to be happy -- always wanted her to be. But the memory of her writhing in emotional pain, coupled with other nerve wracking incidents that he'd witnessed kept flashing in his memory, goading him to make a move. He really wanted to go after her, but trusted Jiki's words. He was going to give her a few minutes before going after her and they'd have to keep him on a leash if they ever try to stop him.
Nene turned to a horrified Abike, who held her attacked cheeks, glaring at her.
"You better wish she's okay," the darker girl gritted out, taking a threatening step towards the terrified girl. "Cos though orange isn't a flattering colour, wringing your neck off your body will be totally worth it!"
"What's bad in saying the truth out loud," Abike defiantly dared her luck. "She's lucky I was being subtle!"
Everything played out in slow clips, with Nene hurling the girl to the ground. She lunged for the slender girl, hands grabbing a hold of the fatter girl's braids, causing a yelp from her.
TJ's eyes mirrored fury - deep and riveting, while he tried to keep his hands to himself.
He'd never been so pissed off to the extent of losing his cool.
Jiki walked out of the scene, craving sanity, control and fresh air. Followed by Lara who dragged a seething Nene out.
"That was so callous of you!" Elo shouted at his twin after he'd released her from his girlfriend's iron grip.
"You're going to pick sides too?" Abike spat out, taking a step away from him.
"I'm not picking sides, I'm stating what's right." He threw back, pacing around, as TJ too stormed off the scene. "You know how sensitive the topic is, yet you had to create another scene!"
"Does it look like I give two fucks about her stupid feelings! She created this whole scene herself, she'd have to play till the very end!"
Elo felt cold chills run down his spine, he'd never seen her display such crudeness before. "For the love of everything right Aby! Can you listen to yourself? You sound like a monster right now Abike!"
"I'm your twin for fucks sake!" She screamed back at him. "Can't you support me for once in your life? You've always picked them over me! always watched me get humiliated before them and you've done nothing. All you do is stare back or reprimand me for standing up to them!"
"You think it's easy watching you make an absolute fool of yourself every goddamn time! You're a different person Aby. I don't even know who you are anymore. You're not the sister I grew up with, you've let petty fights get the best of you and you dare blame me for everything?" He pulled out his cellphone, typing furiously.
"Call mum right away," he handed his cellphone over to her. "Find an excuse to get yourself out of here, before I tell her everything."
"You've resulted to reporting me now?" She cried out, horror masking her face. "I can't believe you're doing this!"
"I'm not reporting, I'm giving you a chance to stay away from them before Nene places a price on your head. Go ahead-"
She let out a humourless cackle, throwing her head back. "Try to listen to yourself. You're more worried about that tramp than your own blood El?"
Elo respired out, his brain mushed with loads of questions as to why his sister had morphed into a monster overnight.
"Let's not go there right now. Go back to Anambara with Mum and Dad, I think it's best if you stay away right now. This company is too toxic for you." He stretched the hand holding his cellphone to her.
She brought out her own device, ignoring his outstretched hands. "I'll handle myself. Remember, you chose this path yourself."
Her eyes were cold on her brother as she walked away.
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