Chapter5
802 Words
Chapter Five – A Friend’s Smile
Knock, knock. Of course, just as I’d finished sweeping. Typical. Sweat’s dripping down my face, and I’m thinking, Please, not another neighbor asking for salt. I c***k the door open, and there’s Ada—grinning like she’s just won a lottery. She’s in this blinding yellow blouse, skirt clinging for dear life, and her braids look so neat it’s almost annoying. Her whole face is just glowing. Like, seriously, does she eat light bulbs for breakfast?
“My sister!” she squeals, yanking me into one of those hugs that’s half-comfort, half-suffocation. “You didn’t call me, oh! I had to call you myself.”
I force a smile, hugging her back. “Ada, you know… I’ve just been busy.”
She barges in, tosses her bag straight on my bed—like it’s her room now. “Busy with what? Crying over that Alex? Abeg, forget him. The guy’s not worth one drop of your tears.”
You’d think that would cheer me up, but the way she said it? I don’t know, it felt like she enjoyed having the upper hand. Or maybe I’m just paranoid. Who knows.
We plop down, and Ada crosses her legs like she owns the place. “So, gist me—true or not? Alex is with that Sandra babe?”
My chest does this weird squeeze. “Yeah. You’ve seen them?”
She clicks her tongue. “Seen them? Who hasn’t? They’re parading around like Mr. and Mrs. World. Word is, Sandra’s even met his parents.”
Ouch. That one stings. I stare at the floor, trying to act like I don’t care, even though it’s obvious I do.
Ada leans in, suddenly all soft and sisterly. “Janet, e go pain. But maybe this is your chance. Start over, dust yourself off. You remember how you used to design those mad clothes? You’ve got talent, babe. Don’t waste it crying over some guy.”
I glance at her. “You actually believe that?”
She nods way too quickly. “Of course! If you focus, you’ll even pass Sandra sef. Who knows? Alex might crawl back one day, begging.”
Her mouth is saying all the right things, but her eyes? Nah, there’s something off. She’s rooting for me, but not really. Maybe she just likes being the one with advice.
Still, I manage a weak smile. “Thanks, Ada.”
We chat a bit about random stuff—Tonia’s drama, my so-called plans, and then Chike comes up. As soon as his name drops, Ada’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Hmm. That Chike, ehn. Watch him o. That guy’s a real snake. Don’t let him sneak back into your life.”
She says it like she’s protecting me… but honestly, after that weird anonymous message I got—Not all your friends are loyal—I’m not sure who to trust. Is Ada warning me, or just messing with my head?
Later, she hugs me tight at the door. “Janet, no matter what, I’m here for you. Don’t forget, okay?”
I watch her walk away, feeling… I don’t know. Heavy. Like I just ate a block of cement.
Barely five minutes after she leaves, my phone buzzes. I brace myself—it’s probably another one of those creepy texts. But nope, it’s Tonia.
“Janet, where are you?”
“At home. Ada just left.”
Dead silence. Then Tonia’s voice goes all serious. “Ada? She came to see you?”
“Yeah. Why?”
She pauses, and now I’m sweating. “Janet… I don’t trust that girl. Be careful.”
My stomach drops. First the weird message, now Tonia’s side-eyeing Ada? Am I missing something? Or is everyone just losing it?
That night, I try to distract myself. I pull out my old sewing machine, shake the dust off, and pick some random fabric. The whirr of the needle actually calms me down, makes me feel like myself for a second.
But of course, peace doesn’t last. My phone buzzes again. Another unknown number.
Message: “You welcomed her today. Smart move. But remember—snakes always smile before they bite.”
The fabric slips out of my hand. My heart’s going nuts. I look at the door, the window, every shadow in the room.
Someone watching me? Right now?
I grab my phone. Fingers shaking, I type: Who are you? Tell me!
The reply comes back almost instantly.
Message: “You’ll know soon. When it’s too late.”
My whole body goes cold. I let the phone fall and slide into the corner, hugging myself like that’s going to help.
Why me? Why now?
But deep down? Yeah, I know. This is just the opening act. The real drama’s just getting started.
- Writer
