Lagos boys(two boys, a city, to any secrets)

The first thing Kene learned about Lagos was that the city did not care about his plans. The second thing was that Lagos traffic cared even less. “Driver, abeg! Move na!” Kene leaned forward from the back seat, staring through the windshield as a line of cars stretched endlessly ahead of them. The danfo driver didn't even blink. “Move go where?” he replied calmly. “You want me to fly?” Kene sighed and dropped back into his seat. His mother had warned him. Leave early. His roommate had warned him. Don't trust Google Maps. Even the woman selling gala at the traffic light had somehow warned him. Yet here he was, twenty minutes away from his university and already late for his first departmental orientation. His phone vibrated. Femi: Bro where you dey? Kene typed quickly. Kene: Traffic. Three dots appeared almost immediately. Femi: You say traffic every time. Kene: Because Lagos has traffic every time. Femi: Fair. Kene smiled despite himself. He looked out the window again. Lagos moved differently from the town he had grown up in. Everything seemed louder. Bigger. Faster. Horns. Voices. Music from passing cars. Street vendors moving between vehicles. People arguing over absolutely nothing. He had only been in the city for a few weeks, but he was beginning to understand why everyone said Lagos could swallow you whole. His phone vibrated again. Femi: BTW orientation starts in 15 mins. Kene's smile disappeared. “Driver.” “Yes?” “Please, can you actually fly?” The driver laughed. “First day?” “Yes.” “University?” “Yes.” “Ah.” The driver nodded knowingly. “You will learn.” “Learn what?” “That Lagos doesn't care.” Kene stared at him. Wonderful. --- By the time Kene reached campus, orientation had already started. He hurried across the courtyard with his backpack hanging from one shoulder, checking the building numbers every few seconds. “Block C…” He looked at the paper in his hand. “Room 204.” He turned left. Wrong building. He turned around. Wrong direction. He stopped. “God.” “Lost?” The voice came from behind him. Kene turned. A guy was leaning against the wall, holding a bottle of water. He looked completely relaxed. Too relaxed. His shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and a pair of headphones rested around his neck. There was something annoyingly confident about the way he stood there, like he had nowhere else to be. Kene looked at him. “No.” The guy raised an eyebrow. “You sure?” “Yes.” “You've been standing here for like three minutes.” “I was thinking.” “About?” “Where I'm going.” The guy laughed. “So you're lost.” Kene frowned. “I said I'm not.” “Okay.” The guy took a sip of water. “Where are you going?” Kene hesitated. “Block C.” The guy pointed behind him. “Wrong direction.” Kene looked at the path. Then back at him. “You could've said that first.” “I did.” “No, you asked if I was lost.” “Because you were.” Kene rolled his eyes. The guy grinned. “Come. I'll show you.” “I can find it myself.” “You've already proved you can't.” Kene stared at him. The guy smiled wider. “I'm Tobi, by the way.” “Kene.” “Nice to meet you, Kene.” They started walking. For some reason, Kene immediately regretted agreeing. Tobi talked too much. He pointed out random buildings. Made comments about lecturers. Complained about the cafeteria. Even stopped halfway through their walk to greet three different people. Everybody seemed to know him. Kene couldn't understand it. “How do you know everyone?” he asked. Tobi shrugged. “I'm friendly.” “You're loud.” “Same thing.” “No.” Tobi laughed. They finally reached Block C. Kene stopped. “Thanks.” “No problem.” Tobi started walking away. Then suddenly turned. “Wait.” Kene looked back. Tobi pointed at the paper in his hand. “Room 204?” “Yes.” Tobi smiled. “That's my class too.” Kene blinked. “You're joking.” “Nope.” Tobi walked back toward him. “Looks like we're classmates.” Kene stared at the ceiling for a second. “Of course.” “What?” “Nothing.” They walked into the classroom together. Femi immediately spotted Kene from across the room. “Finally!” Kene walked toward him. Femi stood up and looked past Kene at Tobi. Then back at Kene. Then at Tobi again. “Who is this?” Before Kene could answer, Tobi extended his hand. “Tobi.” Femi shook it. “Femi.” “Nice to meet you.” “You too.” Kene dropped his bag onto the chair. “I met him outside.” Femi nodded slowly. “Outside?” “Yes.” “And now you're entering class together?” Kene frowned. “He helped me find the room.” Femi looked at Tobi. Then at Kene. Then smiled. “Interesting.” “What is interesting?” “Nothing.” Kene narrowed his eyes. “Femi.” “I said nothing.” Before Kene could question him further, the lecturer entered the room. Everyone quickly settled down. Kene opened his notebook. Finally. A quiet moment. He looked toward the board. Then someone whispered beside him. “Psst.” Kene ignored it. “Psst.” He turned. Tobi was looking at him. “What?” “You have a pen?” Kene stared. “You're asking me for a pen?” “Yes.” “You don't have one?” “No.” “You came to class without a pen?” Tobi smiled. “I came with vibes.” Kene sighed and handed him one. Tobi took it. “Thanks.” “Give it back.” “I will.” “You better.” Tobi leaned closer and whispered, “You're funny when you're angry.” Kene froze for half a second. Then he turned back toward the lecturer. “Face the board.” Tobi chuckled quietly. Neither of them noticed Femi watching from two seats away. And neither of them knew that the small, stupid conversation over a pen would be the beginning of something neither boy had planned for. Because sometimes, in a city of over twenty million people, the person who changes your entire life is simply the person who happens to ask you for a pen.