Our souls are
brought together,
so that we can
Iove each other...
__
"Violet!" The melanin bombshell breathed out.
"Indigo." Her boyfriend said, his head laying on her shoulder.
Jiki's voice reeking of boredom, drawled out a tired. "Grey."
"Pink!" Lara added, heart beating in staccato, followed by a nervous giggle.
Chimdi popped a wafer cube into her mouth. "Peach,"
"Brown." TJ ended the second round, body and mind in separate places.
After the series of rollercoaster rides they had in the name of first term examination, the students were more than determined to have a good rest and time, as required.
It was a period of finding one's lost groove, that is, if any was lost during the examination periods and hauling out anything related to the sober world of Academia, for the few days left before they dispersed for the long awaited Christmas holiday.
The clique found themselves in a comfortable corner at the school's common room, which was abuzz with excited and downright lazy students. The common room, which was once known for it's absolute tranquility and tidiness was what was known to the the layman as, scattered at the moment.
Students talking in an unsynchronized unison, trying to air their differing opinions and ideas. Wraps of imaginable edibles and drinks were littered on the once tidy floor.
There, a small circle was formed with lemon beanbags, which have now taken to an undecipherable colour, due to numerous ink scribblings, obviously done by the students and doubled up benches.
TJ found himself sharing an unstable beanbag with Chimdi, who was clad in a grey sweatpant and her usual pacesetters hoodie. Feet tucked into a furry Garfield socks, while munching on his third pack of cheese balls.
And no, his problem wasn't her giant craving for his poor snacks and neither was sharing an unstable beanbag with her.
His major reason for sulking was the skinny girl in particular. She hadn't spared him a glance ever since she walked into the common room, claiming a space beside him, as well as his snacks.
A nonchalant greeting had been thrown his way by her. What got him in a state of discombobulation was the fact that she'd given every single person in the room her undivided attention, but had paid him no heed.
To him, it felt like they'd taken five steps back after taking a giant step forward.
At first, he'd suspected that her lull in conversing with him during the pre-examination period, was due to the imminent examination taking a toll on them. But as days progressed and examination came to an end, it became quite clear that she was avoiding him.
All he tried to figure out was where and how he'd gone wrong, which he couldn't figure out.
Drifting further into an annoying reverie, skinny, long fingers, coated with orange cheese crumbs, snapped him back to reality.
He turned and saw the star actress in his sulk fest raising a well carved brow at him, eyes dancing with amusement alongside Nene.
"Let's forget about the wife and children you left behind at NYC and focus on the game. Shall we?" It was Nene's voice and he couldn't help but groan at the melanin bombshell's incessant prodding to continue the game they were currently taking part in.
He couldn't help but feel withdrawn from the activities happening around him, especially when the soul actress starring in his sulk-fest couldn't give a rat's tail about his mood at the moment.
He looked at the rest of his friends who were having a good laugh at his expense, all thanks to Nene's comment.
He rubbed his face, flashing them his usual playful smile before speaking.
"Concentration, concentration," he began. "Names of epic fan biffs, names of epic fan biffs that you know. Naruto and Ben 10."
"Taylor Swift and Katie Perry," Chimdi sang out, obviously loving the new change in question.
"Nigerian jellof and Ghanaian Jellof." Lara giggled, trying to shake off her nervousness.
A can of carbonated drink in hand. "Davido and Wizkid." Jiki said, before taking a swig.
"Dude, common," whined Elo, faking a pout. "I wanted to say that."
The fairer boy just rolled his eyes at the shorter boys silliness, while masking his amusement with a shrug.
"Messi and Ronaldo." Elo's fingers were playing with Nene's fro.
"El, keep your hands to yourself for once!" Nene whined, slapping off his hands. "Nicki and Cardi."
"I keep saying this, whoever started this biff needs a slap. That's like comparing royalty to a commoner." Chimdi objected, skinny crumb-caked fingers flaring.
Nene shook her head in disagreement, "Both are legit talented rappers, I see no reason why there shouldn't be room for a competition."
"Correction," Chimdi countered. "One is a rapper, while the other just croaks out smut like she can't live without saying anything indecent."
"You guys, are we playing this game or what?" Elo grunted, the game making him lose bits of his sanity.
"Nah sis, I think you meant, one has been croaking out smut for over a decade while the other, just joined."
Chimdi shook her head in disagreement, "I'm totally aware of the words I uttered-"
"Ya Allah!" Grunted Jiki. "If you guys continue with this bickering, I'll kindly make my way to my room. I have an unfinished business with my bed."
Nene sniggered, obviously finding absolute pleasure in riling up the fairer boy. "It's been quite a while since you've been in your element Jikiboo."
The fairer boy, taking the wise route, totally ignored her, muttering incoherent words.
TJ observed Jiki, there was an odd energy about him which he couldn't lay his hands on. Obviously, the fairer boy was an epitome of serenity and voice of reasoning, but he'd taken the dull mood a little too far.
But of course, TJ let go as the game commenced. There was time for everything, and definitely the fairer boy's time would be made known soon.
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"Guys c'mon, let's suggest another game..." Nene drawled out, head comfortable on her boyfriend's shoulder as they shared a chocolate bar.
Her comment was greeted by incessant groans, emitted by the gang.
"Oh please!" She snapped, sitting up. "Y'all are boring, let's just continue playing Concentration."
TJ threw out an empty juice box. "No thanks. I think I'll pass."
"The hell! The game is as annoying as you are," muttered Jiki, as he caught a chocolate bar thrown to him by Elo.
Nene glared at Jiki. "No dumbass, you just need to get your shit together and concentrate. It's nothing close to boring."
"What happens when concentrating becomes boring?" The fairer boy asked, wiping chocolate smudges off his lips.
Nene flipped him the bird, before looking at the girls with hope.
Chimdi raised her hand in mock surrender. "Sorry sis, you're on your own this time."
"You just chose these fools over me!" The darker girl whined, half sulking. Earning her a jeer from the guys when Chimdi just shrugged, popping an M&M chocolate into her mouth.
She directed her gaze at Lara who hid behind Jiki, nose stuck into what seemed like a school exercise book.
The darker girl let out an exaggerated gasp, "Seriously Larabear, do you love reading this much, abi you're reading in advance?"
That caused the gang to focus their attention on Lara. Slowly, she took her eyes off the book. A nervous look gracing her face.
Lara let out a nervous laugh. "Don't be silly Nens, even if I'm drunk with books."
"Then what are you reading?"
Jiki took a peek at what Lara was reading, face giving out nothing, before facing Nene. "Let her be."
The darker girl narrowed her eyes at Lara before standing up and reaching for her.
"Seriously Nens-" Chimdi began, but got cut short when the darker girl snatched up the exercise book Lara was holding.
The darker girl twirled the medium sized book in her hand, before handing it back to Lara. "Twilight Saga? Seriously."
Lara let out a sigh of relief, clutching the book close to her chest.
The guys who waited for a full out show and rambling from Nene but got none, just stared at her.
"What?" She asked, when the general look of astonishment still remained on their faces.
"Thank God, she's finally regaining bits of her sanity," muttered Jiki, staring at the junk in his hand like the most fascinating of objects.
The darker girl rolled her eyes before settling beside her boyfriend.
"Jeez! I got over it okay!!" She bursted out, when the stares continued.
"Damn babe! I'm hella proud of you." Elo exclaimed, nuzzling her neck.
Chimdi shook her head in mock pity, still stuffing her mouth with chocolate beads. "Tell me," she mocked. "How many pounds of flesh got cut off your body?"
The darker girl scowled, fighting back a smile. "It's about damn time." She replied with a shrug.
Jiki just shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. While TJ just stared on, getting confused in growing seconds.
"Can this clueless guy get an explanation people?"
"Nene that's your call," Chimdi piped in.
Lara shook her head, finally letting go of the book. "Nah, I think I'll take the pleasure." She crossed her legs, getting ready to tell her least favorite tale.
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