MARIE'S HIGH - CHAPTER SEVEN

PARTY IN THE AIR!
Nevertheless, the girls only hurled insulting words at me. They didn't want to stain their tender hands with my innocent blood. They also advised me to stay away from him because Rose was capable of doing worse things to me if I didn't. Before the hour for extra-curricula activities, our homeroom teacher shared some pamphlets amidst us which provided vital information about the schoot clubs. I wasn't in the mood to participate in any energy-draining activity so I went to hide in the infirmary.

While marching out of the school's gate later in the, I called to tell grandma about my literature project which needed to be finalized at home with a male classmate, and without much hesitation, she agreed to host him especially because he was DJ Freaky, my knight in shining armor.
She allowed him to sit with us in the dining room and have wraps of semovita with egusi soup which had chunks of dried fish, smoked fish, stocked fish, slices of ugwu, and bitter leaf, locust beans, beef, chicken, and cow skin for lunch.

But before we started eating, grandma's phone rang upstairs. She ignored the call not to keep her young, starving grandchildren waiting but Bola succeeded in making her think it might be an important call so she stood up to go pick it up. The most annoying thing was that we weren't supposed to start eating when she's not even prayed.

"Hello, talon soro (Who's speaking?)" grandma excused herself from the dining room.

I silently prayed her conversation was about official assignments so it'll be short. She sounds frustrated when her bosses call her in the midnight or early morning when she's still having her beauty sleep even if they later apologize for forgetting she doesn't work anymore. Aso ebi talks also pisses her off with the exorbitant prices our so-called family members charge, for it, only to give those who buy them a low-quality bag or hand fans as a gift. Things that suited her hearing were, "Oh, ore mi. I'm in London now for Omugo" or "Send your account number, maami so I can send change for your recharge card!" Change to those calibre of people meant twenty thousand naira upward. They were individuals she fed when their parents couldn't afford to buy them meals in our old neighborhood several years ago.

"Mrs. Makinde just called me, Bola", grandma returned to her seat.

"Yes, she's my best friend's mum", Bola sat beside her.

"She wants you to have a sleepover at her house tomorrow", grandma stated the woman's purpose for calling her.

My nose sensed something fishy, partly due to the fact that there were different types of fish in the soup we were eating.

"Yes, grandma",Bola smiled."And it's gonna be fun. You can join us too".

" No,dear. I don't think sleeping in a stranger's house is a good idea", Grandma looked worried about her.

"Don't worry, Sisi. I'll be fine. You know I'm a good and smart girl", she assured her.

"I'll see what I can do", grandma apologized for the delay and prayed over the food but as we're to eat, the doorbell rang. Arghhhh!!!

Bola went to check who was knocking our gate and returned with DJ Freaky by her side. He bought gifts for me to make for the things I lost because of my accident and my siblings too.

"Thank you, my son. May the Lord reward you", grandma told him on our behalf.

"It's nothing, maami", he acted like a responsible African boy.

Dj Freaky didn't change his mind about helping me with our project though he got all the resources I needed to make it successful. He preferred playing snake and ladder with Bola. I never thought he could come into my home, talkless of buying me gifts and playing a game with my younger sister. I was beginning to see the need to stay far from him as the girls said.

The first Friday in Marie's high was special to other new students because it was the day of the initiation party I had no plan of attending. I was more concerned about submitting my weekly report to Mr. Jeffrey and couldn't wait to be free of Marie's high troubles for the next two days.

"Hey, are you okay? ", I ran into Timmy outside an elevator in the staff quarters".

"I'm so sorry", I cautioned myself for being too clumsy." Thanks for yesterday".

"Oh,come on. That was nothing. Would.....", he struggled with words.

"You can tell me anything, Timmy", I gave him a comforting smile.

"I want you to be my date at the party tomorrow", he said shyly.

"We're both aware I'm not that kinda girl", I almost slipped as we walk out.

"Please ",  He begged me."Loveboy will not allow me to perform there without having a girl and I'm too broke to hire one now".

"Loveboy.....who's that?" I asked with confusion written all over my sweaty face.

"Don't tell me you don't know him!", he screamed.

"I just did", I said like it didn't matter.

"You're really going to enjoy his performance!" He was bent on convincing me to attend the party with him.

"Please, understand me. Taking me along won't do any good. You'll be bored to death!" I took a deep breath.

"Wow!" How can Freaki be this happy when his girlfriend is out of town", he diverted my attention to the devilish angel who was helping a teacher carry a suitcase. We both knew that wouldn't have happened on a normal day.

"I think he's seen another girl to pick on", I was almost sure of that.

"Tonight is the perfect time to find out since Rose won't be at the party", He winked at me even though I didn't see any reason why I should be interested in getting the identity of the new girl Dj Freaky was hitting on.

I managed to create groups in four social media apps, post tips on how to read, understand, and pass literature, submit student assignments after compiling them. Still, Mr. Jeffrey wasn't quite pleased as I expected him to be when I gave a report summarizing everything I did but he commended me.

As Bola was about to leave the house, grandma started a counseling section with her. She advised her to cover herself with the blood of Jesus before entering her friend's house, help her friend's mom with house chores, pray over any food or drink she's offered, and stay away from alcohol.

"Grandma, why don't you let me join her so I'll monitor her", I suggested so grandma's mind will be at ease. Besides, my mind wouldn't stop thinking about the possibility of my cousin being the new girl Dj Freaky was hitting on and his date for the initiation party.

I should have seen that coming long ago!!! I mean he started flirting with her from the first day he saw her, he even threatened me to give him her contact and agreed for us to have our meeting in my home, only to end up playing with her for the rest of the day!

"No, grandma", Bola shouted."I'll do everything you said.

"If Nifemi isn't going with you, then forget about going anywhere " Grandma made her decision.

"But she needs rest after all that has happened", Bola acted like she cared about me.

"Excuse us, grandma", I took her to the swimming pool side where no one could hear our conversation.

"You're such a blackmailer!" Bola pointed her finger at me.

"Listen, if you insist I stay back. I'll tell Sisi the whole truth, that you've been playing on her intelligence", I walked away.

When she got back to the living room,  Bola told grandma she succumbed to my idea so she made Uncle B drive us to the Adetiba's mansion which was much bigger than ours. It's true that no matter how talented, intelligent, or rich you are, there'll always be someone or something better off than you.

The nice and glamorous Mrs. Adetiba who was putting on an army green easy waisted dress with black flip flops welcomed us to her home warmly. She lead us through her huge hallway, asking what we want to drink and ordered one of our maids to get them. As we settled in her guest living room, she thanked uncle B for bringing us here then apologized for any inconvenience she might have caused and told Bola that her friend will soon be back from the mall she went for shopping. Later, a cute little girl came in, greeted everyone, and disturbed Mrs. Adetiba all in the name of homework but she stops when "mama" promised her more dulls and candies. Assured of our safety and good behavior, Uncle B left for some nap at home this time. He had no business trip to attend.

"You're such a good actress", Bola high fived the supposed Mrs. Adetiba now turned Dammy.

"Can someone explain what's going on here?" I asked while they made mockery of me.

"I want to see your dress, Bo", She hijacked Bola's white plastic bag with deep blue printing used in advertising a boutique.

"No way!" My lil sister took it back like her whole existence depended on it.

"Fine", she rolled her eyes" Let's have some cupcakes, I've been on diet for the past few days".

"Dammy, where's my doll and candy?" The little girl returned.

"Silly girl", Dammy laughed. "Do you want me to tell mama you stole your classmate's barbie doll for being too pretty, Keisha?"

"Shut up", she cried and locked herself in her bedroom on the second floor.

"What!" I abandoned the book I was reading. "You think stealing is something to blackmail your kid sister!" I confronted her.

"What has that got to do with you, monkey!" She insulted me.

"Is this how your best friend behaves?" I couldn't stop myself from crying. "You're treading on the wrong path, Bola", I took my bag and walked to the exit.

"Come on, sis", Bola stopped me because she knew I was fighting for a good cause. "No one's perfect and you're the older one. You can help us fix this".

"I'm sorry, Nifemi", Dammy apologized to me."I didn't realize I was being a bad influence on my sister until now. My parents didn't influence me in any good way either. They never have our time", She started crying.

"Cut the crap, babe", I sat her down for a discussion." I trained myself with the help of God so who says you can't. It all depends on your determination".

Seeing Keisha and Dammy sort out their differences, I felt proud of my little sister for the very first time. She was a friend everyone deserved to have. If it was someone else, they would have fought Dammy for insulting her elder sis but she handled things maturely.

Soon, my close friends, juniors, seniors, and classmates I didn't notice in class started arriving at the Adetiba's mansion. They were all there to show off their designer bags, heels, chokers, contact lenses, human hair, and dates with extraordinary physical features. I was only there to stop my little sister from making wrong decisions. My outfit was a masculine-style shirt made of white sample materials with strips of Ankara used for the bust pocket, an oxblood jean matching the color of the Ankara and black canvas, which weren't capable of making me anyone's date.

"You're here finally!" Timmy and Shola hugged me so tight that I almost choked.

"Yeah...", I smiled.

"This is the very first time I'll have many Marie's high super kids in my house. I feel honored", Dammy jumped in excitement.

"Get us some whiskey young lady, let the party begin!" DJ Freaky ordered.

"What's whiskey, mama?" Keisha who has been making Dammy's hairstyle for her doll interrupted their conversation.

"Ah....", She stuttered."It's a nice drink".

"Can I have some too?" She asked.

"Let's go get the ladies ready for the ball", An old nanny distracted her." I've got some yogurt for you".

"Yay!" she gave her a peck."You're the best, nanny", they moved to the second floor.

"Oh my goodness!" They chorused and laugh afterward.

Since we were so many 'happy go, lucky fellows' around, I kept my holy mouth shut to avoid ridicule.

"Bo, we have to go now", DJ Freaky called my kid sister's attention.

" What!" She yelled at him."Am I part of the people setting the table? " She flipped the long wavy black hair she bought for the party.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this", He patted her hair and made my blood boil. Yet, there was nothing I could do to teach him a lesson. Besides, he could only do that because she allowed him.

Probably thinking,"calm down, Nifemi. This is just the beginning", Timmy winked at me where he was having a conversation with the gym girl on a couch not too far from my armchair. I felt like hitting the plant pot I was admiring on his cute bald head. His deep blue jean with Hackett polo and white sneakers weren't bad either.

After hesitating long enough to get ready for the night, Bola finally left for Danny's room and returned in a short stunning deep blue dress with glittering stones, a pearl necklace with nude wedge with feathers at the top. She also did a moderate makeup.

"You look ...stunning", Freaky was the first to compliment her look but was initially dumbfounded when he laid his eyes on her.

Even as they left in haste, I remembered to tell her to use her head, fight against any enchantment or trap though she looked at me in an infuriated manner. I wanted to go with them but she said no so I had to position myself on the recliner calling out to me at a designated area away from teens laughing and playing pranks on each other, for a short nap. But even when I was having that nap, I didn't take it too far because I didn't trust Marie's high students completely. Not after what their most popular girls squad did to me.

As I envisaged, they actually sent someone to steal a kiss from me because they thought I was lost in sleep.

"No!" I hit a pillow on the criminal which turned out to be my beloved friend.

"Ouch, that hurts", Timmy laughed

"What we're you trying to do", I frowned.

"I'm sorry", He apologized. "It was just a prank".

"It's okay", I suddenly felt embarrassed.

"It's time to go", he announced.

"Alright", I wore my glasses properly, combed my hair a little, straightened my wrinkling clothes, packed my bag, and followed him to the car park where a Limo received us tenderly.

Dammy forced everyone to go together since we're quite a number. My little sis fakecryed over a video call for missing the fun we had. The limo experience felt different from a normal riding experience. That aside, she complained that DJ Freaky was busy setting the stage for the night while she was bored on their table.

My plan was to keep reading, "My Days At Crown High School" by Yewande Joseph on my Wattpad library till the end of our trip, and continue doing so when we reach the clubhouse. It was to isolate myself from others, sip a whole can of malt with a straw, eat some peppery "asun"(assorted meat in English) and watch every move Bolatito Shonibare makes like a detective or private investigator. Unfortunately, things don't always end up the way we plan them.

A/N: This chapter was supposed to be published on Friday as experience and grandpa show's remembrance bonus. I'm sorry it's coming late guys. I had editing problems.

Anyways, it's out now and I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Apologizes for any grammatical error,  you might have come across in this story.

I'm so proud of Nifemi, I wish to be selfless as she. That's what I've learned from this episode.

What did you learn?

Besides, what would you have done if you were in her shoes?

Do you condemn or commend her?

Lemme know what you think by dropping a comment. You can also reach me on wattsap @ 08133255664 or Enola Oluwamuyiwa on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Wattpad,  horlamidejoanne on Mirakee and enny da blogger on web novel.