The Externals Reloaded - Chapter Nineteen

 

Everyone who thought Lanre was the biggest joke in Johnson's College were wowed by his performance. He spoke about his plans of being a realtor and displayed fantastic ads with creative graphic designs for marketing properties. Martha couldn't inwardly deny the fact that she was also blown away but still ended up telling him his presentation was crap right in the presence of those who were hailing him.

Fatty acid didn't have to say much to defend her presentation. The yummy look of the cake she baked and customized for the occasion already told how good of a baker she was going to turn out in the future. Yet, she took a lot of time teaching everyone who cared to listen how to make the creamiest puff-puff in Nigeria with the legendary zobo drink. Fortunately, her dad worked in the flour industry so she could as much flour as she wanted for the practical. For the rest of the ingredients, she had to spend her savings but she didn't care as long as it was something she enjoyed doing and would make her last days in secondary school memorable.

When it was Kahdijat's turn to talk about her profession, she acted a one-man show to display how lawyers defend people in court and even those who hated her fell in love with her right then. As she spoke confidently yet carefully, the junior students who already wanted to be a lawyer gained more inspiration. They also assumed using some of the "big grammar" she used during her presentation was part of being a lawyer and swore to start learning new words every day. Khadijat was happy at the turn of events because she had put a lot of energy into it but also had to slightly worry about paying for the lawyer's outfit she rented.

The pilot's outfit mom made a good designer sow for Lily before her demise looked fabulous on her. It gave her the confidence she needed to commence her speech. However, she didn't get to talk about everything she prepared for because the fading memories of her mom calling her "my pilot" kept coming back no matter how much she fought it. Regardless, she was able to impact knowledge in everyone who listened to her speech and that was good enough. After Lily was Zach who talked about how the makeup he did on Lily the previous year had inspired him to consider going fully into the makeup line after secondary school.

The box Halima held as she walked to the stage for her presentation got everyone's attention. They kept guessing what was inside until she brought out a pair of handmade shoes from them. For a moment, Kenny thought she was going to use that opportunity to advertise her grandpa's business but that wasn't the case. Her grandpa never even made any shoes in his entire life. All he ever did was mend shoes but Halima made everyone aware of her intention of making his name unforgettable in the Nigerian shoe industry. Regardless of whatever some other guys said about her dream, Kenny acknowledged it.

For the first time, Martha and Mary agreed on something when they decided to go for the same profession which was mechanical engineering. They delivered a good presentation even though Mary did most of the talking. Quinn couldn't stop laughing at them even after they had finished their presentation because he had imagined their tiny bodies merging to build an HVAC system. The scenery was that of two ants trying to move a cube of sugar.

Jess and Kenny each talked one after the other about their love for football and how they planned on being great footballers someday if they have the opportunity. They also included the achievements of Christian Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and other icons in the sports world. Victor spoke on the importance of the accounting profession in the 21st century and John took time explaining how he was going to change the world with his technological skills. Omma explained the skills required for an individual to be a good chemist.

As Quinn's name was being called for his presentation, the audience gave him the kind of recognition and praise they didn't give those who spoke before him. As he climbed the podium, they anticipated the endless flow of scientific terms from his lips. Actually, most people were interested more in hearing his accent than paying attention to the message he was going to pass.

However, they were disappointed because he drastically reduced the use of his American accent so his audience could flow with him. Then again, the plan he had for his future wasn't to become the greatest scientist that ever lived but an educational reformer whose name would forever be remembered in the Nigerian educational sector. This time, even the proprietor stood up to applaud him.

Lastly, Aza who was already known for his love for broadcasting and photography rounded up the presentation by sharing amazing pictures and video clips he collated within the short period of time the event started. Quinn wanted him to also have a memory of his presentation so he recorded him and took his pictures.

After Aza finished his presentation, their English teacher appreciated everyone's effort, confessing that he didn't expect that height of performance from them. Later, he called the proprietor to give his speech. Mr. Johnson also gave kudos to the students for their wonderful performances and gave Quinn a gift for giving the best performance. To him, none of their dreams will come true if there's no teacher or instructor to guide them.

"Cheers to us, guys!" Dare told his classmates in the classroom as they celebrated their success.

"Cheers!" They replied and clinked their bottles of chilled zobo.

"Gosh, your cake is the sweetest thing ever, Fatty", John said while chewing it and got a stare from Jenifa. "Sorry, babe".

"Lily, are you sure about this?" Quinn asked her because she begged him to taste Fatty's puff puff and try a Nigerian snack for the first time.

"Of course. You're going to enjoy it", She took one from her plastic plate with a fork and handed it over to him.

"Okay..one...two", Quinn took a little bite, and chewed it and the look on his face changed.

"Ehmm...is there..."Lily feared that might cause another quarrel between them.

"Eh, I was just messing with you", Quinn laughed and took another bite.

"God, you scared me", Lily sighed. "Excuse me, I have to use the restroom".

"Alright, I'll be here to shield your snacks while you're away", Quinn assured her.

"What's there to shield? I don't see anything in the plate", Khadijat gave him a quizzical look.

"Bloody hell", Quinn screamed when he looked back at the plate. He didn't realize sooner that he had finished everything on the plate.

Lily didn't get to use the restroom immediately she got there because someone was in there. That person turned out to be Halima who she never wanted to be alone with and planned on acting like she wasn't there. However, Halima who was already feeling guilty about what happened begged her and told her she made the sandals for her. At first, Lily didn't want to accept the gift but later changed her mind. Back in the classroom, she almost collapsed when she heard Quinn had finished hers and two more plates of puff puff after her departure. She didn't stop teasing him about it for the rest of the day.

Everyone sure had fun on their career day. They ate, drank, and chatted as much as they wanted. Claiming that he didn't want the icing on the cake fatty made to waste, Kenny started the icing eating challenge which sounded ridiculous to Lily but some other students like Quinn joined him. Quinn was part of them. He got so much joy, comfort, and peace associating with them that he was now willing to do even the most ridiculous things with them. Unfortunately, their enjoyment didn't last forever because some stubborn teachers still insisted on teaching them that day while some decided to free them.

"So, are you planning on using Lily's name as your brand name?", Omma asked Zach in the evening when they chillaxing on his balcony.

"I would have used Lily's initials", Zach sighed.

"Why is your answer uncertain? Don't you want her anymore?"Omma asked him.

"It's obvious she likes the white guy", Zach said unhappily.

"Come on, even I like him. Everyone likes him. Don't you like him?" Omma ate part of the suya he got them.

"That sounded so gayish", Zach responded and they laughed."I like him though. He's a cool person".

"Exactly. And even if she feels something extra, it'll be all gone once he goes back to his country so just hold on for the time being", Omma pleaded with him. She didn't want Lily to be lonely forever.

"Alright, I won't give up", Zach encouraged himself.

"Thanks so much!" Omma said as she imagined the four of them going on a date.

"Why do I have a feeling you two are getting closer these days? Is there something going on that I'm unaware of", I.D. came in and switched to a fierce look.

"It's like you've gotten high", They chorused, high-fived, and made fun of him.

At midnight, Lily couldn't sleep because she kept thinking about the events that occured during the day when her studying session ended. Every ten minutes, she would also go through her phone's gallery to check the pictures and video clips of their presentation as it made her extremely happy. She was fond of one particular picture where Quinn had worn her pilot hat and she had taken his professor's glasses. Even though she was still slightly worried that they would turn out to be the only way to see his face someday, she kept thanking God for directing him towards her path until her thoughts were interrupted by Nurse Zara who turned on the light in the hospital room.

As the personal nurse assigned to Mr. Allen, nurse Zara was to be around him all the time, except when her shift had ended. However, she hadn't been doing that since her shift started in the evening. Lily who was worried about her asked if all was well with her as soon as she got in. Without hesitation, she explained that her absence was caused by the sickness of a colleague who should have been the one to watch over a special patient who was ill. She then added that it was the same person who helped secure the private hospital room for her dad.

Right then, Lily clearly remembered that she didn't get to see the face of her benefactor and thank him. She felt bad for showing a lack of gratitude for her actions and saw that as the perfect opportunity to redeem herself. However, Nurse Zara told her to wait till the morning since the patient was asleep but she begged to be allowed because she was curious to see what her benefactor looked and she agreed since she couldn't resist her puppy look.

Through the glass windows of the hospital room Quinn was admitted, Lily could see him yet refused to believe he was him until she entered and touched his face, to see whether the feeling associated with touching him would come. To her amusement, it did even though she desperately prayed for it not to come. She found it difficult to understand why he was getting too involved in her life. Besides, it irritated them that pleadings for him to eat the puff-puff Fatty made might have been the reason for his sickness. She felt like it was her she deserved to be in that position and broke into tears.