Yes!!

It is a double update!! 💃🏾

CHAPTER TWENTY

JADA'S POV

"Wow, Jayden you have made me proud again my son."

Dad said hugging my brother with a smile. He hung Jayden's awards on the display wall which was getting almost filled up. He turned to me when he was finally done with his golden son and his smile turned to a frown.

I watched my father walk up to me and the sound of his palm coming in contact with my cheek came next. The hotness of the slap filled me up, chills ran down my spine, and tears welled up in my eyes as I realized what was next. Jayden rushed to my side, checking my cheeks with concern before standing in front of me, protecting me as usual. Dad opened his cupboard where he kept different tools and I clung onto Jayden for life as we both watched him search for the best one to use.

"Jada, come to the table. Jada!"

He screamed.

Before I could take a step, Jayden went to the table. Placing his hand on it and surrendering his back for the torture that was to come.

"Are you Jada?"

He asked incredulously.

"Beat me instead. Jada is not well."

Jayden said boldly and again I expected he will tell us to go but instead his belt landed on Jayden's back. I fell to the ground, covering my mouth and hiding my sobs but this continued until blood filled Jayden's back.

"If you come back home with a useless results Jada next session, you know what will happen. You told me you will even beat Jeff this session, so why are you here with the same 2 awards from last year? Do you know how much I spend on your tuition fees every year? It is a waste of money. You should be like your brother. Be the best and second best respectively not smiling with the losers. Come on, best in Biology and French? Rubbish! The both of you, get out of here! Fool."

"Tunji!"

Mum screamed forcing her way into the room.

"Why must you do this? Why are you torturing your own children? Jada is not even well must you do this?"

"I want her to be strong. To show the world that even with her ailment she can be the best. Look at me Jada, it does not matter how, I do not want this next year. The only person I can exempt you from beating is your brother. I would even be glad if you can beat him too. Do not be a weak person. If I don't see changes, this would happen again. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

I croaked out as I watched Jayden's bloodstained back. This happened the next year, and the next and the next and now, I have this year to make things right.

I will be the best no matter what.

I will beat everyone even if I have to do it the wrong way.

******************

I won't be a weak person.

I will win no matter what.

"What are you doing?"

Jayden asked seating beside me and stretching his neck to check out my book. I rolled my eyes and packed my jotter into my bag.

This is our hide out from everyone. No one knows this spot aside the both of us, not even our friends. I was not expecting him to be here considering he might be with Anike as usual. I wonder why he is leading her on or what he even sees in her? He does not even like fat girls so why are they spending so much time together?

I don't know why I feel angry at him, at everyone even but most especially my twin brother. Why must he be everyone's favorite? Why do I have to struggle to reach his level? Why must he be the best? I don't want to hate him but I am tired.

However, the one person I hate the most right now is Anike. She strolled into the school and now she wants to take the only thing I have? The only awards I use to save face? My brother? I won't allow it.

"I am checking out my recent scores and I just found out Anike is beating me in Biology and French. You know those are my only strongest forte. No one has ever beaten me there."

I said admitting my greatest fears to him.

If you are curious how I know, I have a record of everyone's scores which I update after every test. In fact, my record is even more correct than the teacher's and I find myself planning my next step with this record. I am that obsessive, shoot me! However, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?

"Jada, come on. The main mid-term is next week. Prepare well and you will take your lead again."

Jayden said nonchalantly making my anger boil even more.

I glanced at his back and I could not take it.

"Easy for you to say! I can't let her do this."

"Jada."

"What? I do not care if you like her. Or if she is your new play toy. You have already destroyed my life enough."

I should not have said that.

The hurt distinct in my brother's eyes confirmed that but, I cannot take it anymore.

"You can't open your back to others because of me. You have set the bar so high that I can't reach there and I am so tired of where I am. I am tired of seeing you get beaten every time for me. I am tired of seeing you love me when you are the cause of my misery."

He reached for my hand and with that soothing voice, he started again.

"Jada, please. Life is so much more than grades. Do not letDadd get to you. The scars on my back would disappear with time."

"It won't disappear if it happens every year! And with how life is going right now, I am sure it would only increase!"

I shouted out in frustration.

Why am I in a family like this?

Why are they turning me into a monster?

"Then let it increase. I can take it. I am a boy; it does not matter if I have scars on my back. Please, do not listen to Dad. We have one more year and we would be gone."

Jayden said holding my hands before pulling me into a hug.

Our plan to get a scholarship at a school abroad was what Jayden hoped for every single day but I can't wait till then. Anike needs to be gone. I am really sorry about that but I can't let her take my place. I cannot imagine what Dad would do if I do not get a single award this term or a single perfect score on this test.

What would happen to Jayden?

What would happen to me if she really beats us all?

"Jay, Anike is dangerous. She is our only threat."

"Jada, please stop talking like that. She is not."

I pulled back from the hug

"What the fuck? Do you really like her?"

Jayden sighed,

"No, I don't. do not do anything to her Jada, it would only make you a monster like Dad. Please."

I smiled,

"You do not like her but she does like you. I told her she was not your style but she did not listen. Now she is in dipshit."

"Jada, I won't be a part of this. Please stop now."

"I am not stopping. Dad said I could do anything to win. I will do anything to get her out."

Jayden staggered back as he stared at me,

"Jada, stop."

"I am sorry bro, I can't. It has already started."

"What do you mean?"

Jayden asked looking so worried.

"Anike would be gone before the end of this term. I promise you Jayden."

"What the hell? Jada, what is wrong with you? She was your friend first. And you will do this?"

I rolled my eyes.

"I just have to anonymously tell everyone that she is a scholarship student. Nothing more, nothing less."

Jayden was shocked. He looked shocked, angry, tired, and surprised all in one. Why does he care so much about a girl he just met a month a and half ago? Does she really matter when I am trying to protect him, us from the monster we call a father?

"Jada, do not ever think of doing that."

"Why not? She is one and I am just letting everyone know her status."

"You know best the bullying that comes with that revelation."

I rolled my eyes,

"I do not care about it. It will get her gone in weeks, that is what matters."

Jayden ran his hand across his hair and I just stared plainly. I had everything planned. Jeff was already taken care of but she just had to come in too.

Deep in me, I do not want to do this too. It is just a way to get Jayden to accept my real plan. He won't let me walk down that lane not because of Anike but because of the guilt that would kill me.

"I won't let you do that Jadesola. Forget it. Do not dare announce it."

I reached for his hand, and stared into his light chocolate orbs, which was similar to mine,

"Jayden, if you do not want me to do this then can you do something for me?"

"I will do anything you ask. Just don't be that person."

I nodded.

"Date her."

His hand left mine and he stood up from the chair. He looked around, understanding what I meant. The little game we used to play since we were kids.

He needs to understand that it is either this or that.

"I am not going to play with her feelings. She does not deserve it."

"I do not care about what she deserves. I care about what WE deserve. And we deserve to win. You are the main reason for all this, if you were not so good, we won't be here. Jayden, date her and I would forget about the scholarship. If you don't agree I will announce to Joy and the girls tonight."

"Jada stop and listen to yourself. I can't."

"She is not that bad. Plus, she likes you a lot. You can distract her. I know it."

"I don't like her. Okay? She is not my type. It can't work."

"Fine, she would get bullied instead. We can't help it."

Jayden stared me down for a while and I stared back, showing him that I meant every single word that I speak.

"Jada please."

"Jayden please don't make me a monster. Are we going to do this or not?"

Will Jayden agree to  this?

Plus, what are your thoughts on Jada? 

Is her behavior worth it?

You can drop your answers in the comment and I will be sure to reply!

Remember to share, comment and like!

Love y'all,

Eniola_writes 💕💕