Hello everyone!

Happy New Month. Wishing you all the best May has to offer!

I would be updating daily for the rest of the month and I hope I get to finish Anike by the end of May! Let's see how it goes.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

ANIKE'S POV

"The both arguments are very strong. I like how you guys attacked each other with pure facts and how the summary was given by group A. Anike that was great. The other speakers, you guys did excellent, Jayden and Mariam too. But there was something Jayden, you did not speak as fluently as you would and for Funmi, you stuttered a lot. Your movements did not also flow well group B. You guys did great but group A wins this round. We would be having the second round upper week, please prepare well. I will send the topic to the group. Thank you. Junior students, come up..."

The grin on Mariam's face was the widest I have ever seen. We won!!!

We really won!!!

"Anike, Mide, we won!"

Mariam exclaimed and suddenly she and Mide, an SS1 student, started dancing. Jayden and his team were obviously sulking and in their short meeting, I could see that Jayden was being called off. He was distracted throughout the debate. I just hope he is doing well.

When his teammates left, I sneaked away from the dancing duo and walked up to where he was seated.

"Jayden, are you okay?"

I asked gently,

"Hey, you guys did great today. Especially you, Anike."

He said with a forced smile and even though I just received a compliment, I was more worried than thankful.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine. Just have a lot to think about, you know?"

I am awkward when it comes to talking to people. I am even more awkward when it comes to comforting. Cause I have never done this much.

"If you want to talk, I am here to listen."

I said with a smile which he frowned at for a little while. He is really acting strange today.

"Are you ready for the try out?"

"I have been coached by the best trainee ever, of course, I am ready!"

He smiled genuinely this time. He checked his watch first,

"We have to go. Time is not on our side anymore."

The walk to the sports center was very quiet. While Jayden was thinking about God knows what, all I could think about was Jada and if she was truly the one that told Niniola that I am a scholarship student. We tried talking to her privately but she did not even give us a chance.

I am glad that we won the debate because Mariam has been on an edge since morning and with Jada acting like a jerk, ignoring and talking down on us, it got worse.

It does not matter if she wants or does not want to talk to me, I have to ask her if she really did this. I don't want to admit it but I am scared.

I definitely do not want to be a target of bullying at a new school. I am already facing enough bullying in the class and announcing that I am a scholarship student will only make everything a hundred times worse.

"Remember the training Anike. You can do this! Don't be nervous, alright? And a little secret, you are and can be better than the professional in our team. so don't fret."

Jayden said once I stepped out of the changing room for girls. He was standing by the door, already changed too into his gears too. He looked fine as usual but something felt different. Did she tell him too?

"Thanks coach. Did Jada tell you something about me?"

He frowned,

"You? What do you mean?"

I shook my head gently,

"Do not worry about it. There is a rumor about me going around and only Jada knew about it."

"It cannot be my sister. Can we talk about this after the match?"

He said sounding more rushed with each passing second. I nodded and together we walked to the basketball court which was already crowded. Before I could run to meet up with the girls, Jayden held me back.

He stared me in the eye and pushed a strand of my braid to the back of my ear.

"Good luck Anike."

"Anike! Get here. The match is about to start!"

Judith screamed and I was forever grateful for her timing. What is really happening to this twin? Why do they keep leaving everyone confused? Leaving me confused?

Jayden and I are close but we have never been this touchy before so it left me wondering why he did that.

I took a deep breath through to calm my racing heart.

"I heard Joy is one of the best players on her team."

"Yeah, she is. I have watched her play before."

The two girls standing beside me said quietly while the coach made his announcement. I could not help but stare at her, she was relaxed, calm even. She had a smile on her face and it was not too hard to figure out that everyone in this team already love her. She stood very tall and her long natural hair was packed in a bun. She looked pretty, even more pretty in the school jersey that it almost made me give myself a one-over.

"Anike. Anike."

I suddenly looked up and everyone's eyes were on me. Thankfully I was not staring at Joy but my legs and sneakers. I immediately replied the coach,

"Yes sir."

"Are you here?"

"Yes sir."

I replied in a low voice. I cleared my throat and repeated,

"Yes sir!"

"Better, you will be playing defense and I hope your leg is doing better."

I can't tell anyone that the pain has returned ever since I fell down this morning. I don't want to be viewed as an attention seeker and all the chances I have been given for this team.

"Yes sir, it is."

"That is fantastic. Alright Joy we do not need to do this but it is just formality. Show us what you've got and why you should be a member of this elite team."

"Definitely sir!"

She replied flashing her perfect smile that has even won the coach's heart. Why is everything about her annoying me?

I looked around the audience and my eyes caught Mercy and Mariam. They immediately waved and even gave the fighting sign from where they sat. I grinned back at them before running to the court.

I was defending for Judith's team while Joy was doing so for hers. It was a hard game but thankfully I had a great coach. My resiliency was better and even though Joy was more skilled, I still pulled through well.

The first half was over and the score was tight, however Joy's team was winning.

"Nice game girl! You are doing good but you can be better, alright?"

Judith said to me as everyone walked to their bags.

I took a huge gulp of water as I felt very patched.

I dropped my water bottle once I saw Jayden wave at me from outside the court. I immediately walked up to him studying his expression. Like during our tough training together, he looked serious.

"Anike, you know what to do. Defend the ball. She is taller than you, use your height as an advantage. You can do better than this at defending the ball, alright? Also focus on your team members, once you get the ball pass to the best and closest player to you. Alright? Nice game by the way."

Jayden said from outside the court.

"Yes boss. Noted."

I replied with a smile.

"You can do this! Goodluck."

I nodded and watched as he smiled walking back to his seat.

"You are good for someone who is a beginner."

Joy said as she drank from her bottle. I was shocked to even see her beside me and to even talk to me. We have not held any conversation before. She mostly ignored me but who cares?

"Thanks."

"I guess it is because Jayden coached you. He is such a good player and coach. I like him."

She said with that annoying soft voice. Why is she even telling me that? What is my business with if she likes him or not?

"You don't like me, do you?"

"What?"

Her question shocked me but why would she act that? Because I was not smiling or following her around?

"It does not really matter, just want you to know that with that leg of yours, you won't be getting into the team. You see, I don't like you that much too."

She said and snickered as she walked by to where the others stood. How did she notice my leg? Why the threat? She is basically in the team, why stop me from getting in too?

"Let's do this!"

Tiana, one of my teammates said patting my back as we walked back to the center of the court. I tried to ignore her threat but the smirk she had on her face as we started the game made me think otherwise.

As Jayden advised though, I used my height against her. Passing the ball below her and defending against her as best I could do. It did not take long before my team caught up to hers.

It pissed her off, I could feel it because she was getting rougher in defending.

"We need one more goal ladies before the time runs off. Anike keep the good work. Tiana, you need to work on the pass. Alright, let's go."

Judith said during the short break.

My leg was starting to ache but the zeal to show this girl that I cannot be pushed around all because I am not buzzing around her like the other made me feel stronger.

I walked up again and this time our team got the heads up. I was running right beside Favour and she passed the ball to me. I defended the ball to get it to Judith who was already ready but suddenly, I felt someone ram into me with so much force that I fell. Everything and everyone went silent for some seconds and my scream followed as I rolled up into a ball on the floor in pain. I landed on the same leg and it was hurting so so bad that I could not help the tears falling from my eyes.

"Anike! Anike! Are you okay?"

The ball was forgotten and everyone gathered around me. I tried to stop crying and give an answer but the pain was too much.

However, with my clouded eyesight, I could see the one person with a smirk among the worried looks of others.

Joy.

She did this.

Wahala!!

They should just leave Anike alone. 

Joy is also not as cool as we might have thought.

hmmm...

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Eniola_writes 💕