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CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

ANIKE'S POV

"Omo, that girl is crazy and she does not know she is messing with the wrong person. If I catch her with how she is thin like Panla fish, she would really know not to make that mistake again in her life. Is she crazy?"

"I guess she is. I saw the push and no normal human being would just do that to someone. I play a lot of sports and I know that ideally the coach is meant to bench her for that shit she pulled. We are not meant to let this go just like that. It is unfair and cruel."

Mariam replied to Mercy's earlier rant.

"The coach is being biased too because she is a professional player. It does not matter if she is or not. In fact, she should know the rules better than anyone else because she is a professional. The leg looks really bad Anike, Sorry."

I nodded in thanks, the nurse gave me a shot of painkillers and it has helped reduced the pain for now. It still hurts though and I can't imagine how worse it would be once the pain killer runs off.

"I don't blame her sha, I blame Jada. You see, she can't even come visit. She was at the court too. I thought she would be cooked up at the library but she was there getting all busy with Jeff. I am frustrated honestly; this school is filled with crazy people and I am scared for my own mental health."

Mariam said before putting her head on my bed. One good thing about the situation is the very soft bed.

I had no idea Jada was even there. Jayden helped carry me here though and I have not seen him ever since. Maybe a break from those twins would be better and that Joy, she is just like expected. A green snake in a green grass, deceiving everyone like she was the cool, good, calm girl. How could she do that just because she does not want me on the team?

Newsflash, even though the team is blinded by her pretense too, I still got into the team. And that news made the weeks of training really worth it. I just hope that my leg allows me to play well because I am currently in a cast.

"Stop frowning Anike, you should sleep. We want to eat and get some stuffs for you too and we cannot leave if you do not sleep."

Mercy said with a concerned frown reminding me of my parents the day I was at the hospital. The day that started everything that is bad in life.

"What type of criteria is that? I will fall asleep any second from now because of the shot. Go eat before the dinner period end please."

I said with a playful smile.

"Alright. We will be back before you know it."

Mariam said grudgingly standing up. I really appreciate the both of them. I have never had a friend prior to Royal but they help me believe that friends are good, and important.

"Thank you so much."

"It's nothing. Please sleep alright?"

I nodded and watched as they walked out of the room.

Once the door closed, I was left alone with my thoughts which were mainly unanswered questions.

Does Joy know I am a scholarship student too? was that why she pushed me?

How can I get my laptop?

I really want to listen to BTS right now.

The shot should help me sleep but instead my brain was at alert like something I don't know. I made to seat straight on the bed and reached for the remote on the bed side table.

The door opened at that moment and the shock made the remote fall from my hand.

"Hey."

I know that voice. Jayden.

I looked up.

"Hey. I did not know you would come."

I said sounding excited than expected. It must be the shots. You know what? Let's just blame everything on it.

Jayden smiled and raised a bag filled with snacks up.

"I got you this."

He said with that goofy smile on his face.

"Come on, I can't eat all of that."

"Doesn't matter. You can eat it tomorrow."

He sat on the chair Mariam was seated earlier beside me and placed the bag on the bed side table.

"I got you everything you like. How is your leg?"

He asked and shifted his gaze to it. I really want to cover my leg with a blanket right now. My hand turned into a fist to stop it from moving on its own as I watched him frown at the sight.

"Jayden. It is fine. It doesn't hurt that much."

I said trying to calm him down.

Kind of funny right? Who is hurt, who is angry? Who is calming someone else?

It is well.

"What do you mean Anike? Look at your leg? I swear I will make that girl pay for this."

He muttered the last part under his breath but I heard.

I kept quiet though.

And enjoyed the scene.

"You got into the team but you need to heal fast to be able to play at the tournament. And she did this on purpose. I don't know why the coach can't see it. Maybe he is blinded by her fake drama too. But this is cruel!"

I just left him alone to rant.

He was turning angrier by the second and I just stared.

I had no idea what to say. It is already enough that he could see the truth of the whole situation and it made me heart swell to know how concerned he was. Even though I am just a friend to him.

I reached for two packs of digestives and passed one to him. He grudgingly collected it and we just ate together in silence.

"Jay, if you were to pick between Spongebob and Tom&Jerry, which would you pick?"

A smile covered my face as I watched him laugh whole heartedly at my question. I wanted to lighten the mood, sue me, but it worked. Didn't it?

"That is Crazy, Anike! Come on the two are legends! It is hard to pick."

"You have to pick one. Just one."

He shook his head,

"I can't. No. I love the two so much."

I grinned,

"You love one more than one. Just pick."

He shook his head with so much intensity as if I was asking him to choose between money and money.

"Anike, see it is like you are asking me to choose between fried rice and jollof. I love the two equally abeg. But if I am to pick, I will say... Tom & Jerry... No Spongebob. Wait, what about you? What will you pick?"

Reverse psychology!

Nice one there.

Truth is I can't pick!

But there is something that makes It easier. My dad. He used to love watching Tom and Jerry with me so much. I miss those days.

"Tom and Jerry. My dad loves it."

I said truthfully and he nodded with an understanding smile as he took a bite of his biscuit.

"What movie would you love to watch at a cinema right now?"

He asked back.

Movie?

"I don't know. I used to be a movie freak but this school has reduced that. Anyways, there is this movie trailer I used to watch before resuming here and that is the Woman King. I love it already."

He shook his head,

"Ahah, what happen? Do you know the movie I am talking about?"

"Something I have watched since. It is interesting but I feel they could have gone more in depth. Don't worry, I will bring my laptop over tomorrow. We can watch it together."

Is this a hospital date?

Are you listening? Watch a movie together!!!

Guys!!!

Jada's voice creeped in again and the excitement in me almost died. ALMOST!!

"Sounds nice. What about you? What movie would you like to watch?"

I mentally patted myself on the back for being able to reply with such a calm voice when my inside was boiling with excitement.

"I don't have any for now. I am trying to save them for the break."

His voice sounded distant somehow when he said this and his eyes fell back on the cast on my foot. He seemed somehow lost in thoughts. And I was worried.

"How are you going to spend your break?"

I asked after a moment of deafening silence in the room. I was starting to feel cold due to the A.C and this was my perfect excuse as I reached for the blanket.

He shrugged and finally looked away from my leg. He helped arranged the blanket though.

"I guess the normal way."

"What is the normal way?"

Should I have not push it?

"With my parents but mostly with Jada. My parents are always on one trip or the other but they will be around on the first day to take us home and judge how well we used their money."

I nodded with a smile.

At least his parents are still together.

Must feel good to have a family.

"You?"

"I am not sure. I might be with grandma. I think that's what my parents would want."

"Do they stay at Ibadan too?"

I chuckled as I shook my head,

"No, they are at Lagos. Divorced. I am sure my mum must have had her second wedding by now. My dad's wife must have given birth by then. No one would want me there."

I said slowly and so quietly.

This would be my first time talking about my parents. No, it would be the first time admitting that they don't want me.

I was not expecting it but I felt a sudden warmth engulf my hand.

I looked down to find Jayden holding my hand softly, my heart was racing at this point and my hand tingled so ever lightly.

"Is that why you are here?"

I cleared my throat but it still felt like I had lost my voice.

"Yeah, exactly."

"Some parents need to sit down and think about what they are doing. My parents too. They are turning us to something else, you know? I don't recognize my sister anymore and I don't want to lose her. So, I guess I have to do what I have to do to make sure she does not sink further, right?"

I knew something was wrong.

Something must have made her so obsessed with grades.

Was it their parents?

Are they okay?

I looked at our enlaced fingers and his sad eyes.

If he can save her, he should. She is his sister and if he can help her become her happy, free, self then he should do whatever it takes.

"Yes, Jayden. If you can help her become herself again, then I say do it. No matter what it takes. Save her from sinking further."

He nodded slowly and looked me in the eyes.

"Thanks, I will do just that Anike. Whatever it takes."

And the next thing, his hands were on my face brushing the biscuit crumbs so softly.

I had no idea why but the way he looked at me change that moment.

Maintaining eye contact, he raised our enlaced fingers and kissed my hands ever so lightly.

"Thank you, Anike."

Ahhhh!! Someone call 911!!

Hmmm,

Wahala no dey finish.

someone should please tell Anike to guard her heart!

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Eniola_writes 💕