Onscreen Partners

00: Prologue

Jennifer suddenly felt shivery the moment her mom dropped her off at school that fateful morning. She began to wonder if it was just because of the fact that it was the harmattan season, or the fact that she was about taking the boldest step she had ever taken in the short time she had lived on earth.

The day she had chosen for her escapade was the perfect day for her since her mom had dropped her off really early, just when the whole school environment was almost void of any student. All she needed to do was to sneak into the class for the SSS 2 students, go to his locker which she was already familiar with, and drop the letter there.

She cautiously and slowly started to walk towards her target classroom—which was in the block for senior students. She greeted the old gardener on her way and as usual, he replied with a grin. Much to her joy, when she finally got to the classroom, it was totally empty and void of any student. She brought out the pink envelope that contained the letter and walked over to the second desk in the first row of desks. The desk was locked but then, Jennifer lifted up the plastic cover of the top and gently slid the envelope inside.

Her heart rate much higher than it was before, she quickly looked through the glass windows of the classroom to make sure that no one had seen her. She successfully left the classroom without being seen and it was only then that her heart rate started coming down, but not for too long since she suddenly bumped into someone.

A gasp left her mouth as she met face to face with the person standing before her. It wasn't him but rather, his best friend.

"Senior Femi! I'm so sorry," she stuttered.

"I'm sorry too. Hope you are okay?" Femi looked over Jennifer with concern, hoping she wasn't harmed by their collision.

"I'm fine. Good morning," Jennifer greeted, trying desperately to calm her palpitating heart down.

Femi suddenly wore a thoughtful look. "Jennifer right?" he asked.

"Yes," Jennifer confirmed, not surprised that he could remember her name. Femi was the head boy of the school and a very jovial person.

"Good morning," he replied her greeting before they parted ways.

Immediately after the school's morning assembly, Jennifer went to her classroom, which was the JSS 3 class. Some minutes later, her best friend, Mary walked into the classroom, her normal bubbly self. Jennifer was not surprised that she was late to class because it was like a usual thing for Mary to come late. In summary, her best friend was a chronic late comer.

Mary quickly rushed over to her seat just next to Jennifer's. Without sparing Jennifer a morning greeting, she quickly inquired;
"Tell me you finally did it."

"Yes I did," a very nervous Jennifer replied.

"Thank God." Mary took in a deep breath.

"I'm scared Mary. What if he doesn't accept me?" Jennifer spoke with a worried look.

"Come on, not again. Don't you ever look at your self in the mirror? You're amazingly beautiful. Senior Kola should be happy that you even like him, so don't worry. I'm sure he would accept you." Mary squeezed her friend's hands to calm her down. Ever since she discovered that Jennifer had a major crush on Kola, about a year ago, she had never stopped asking her to tell him about it. Mary was the single reason Jennifer ever had the boldness to send the letter to Kola.

"Now let me see you smile," Mary said to Jennifer and she did so, the braces on her teeth showing at her action.

"That's good," Mary said before going ahead to adjust Jennifer's glasses.