The Distance Between Them
674 Words
Two weeks can pass slowly when people are waiting for something.
For Ether, those two weeks felt strangely long.
Aminat was still on suspension, and even though school activities continued normally, something about the compound felt different.
Sometimes during assembly, Ether would look at the spot where the prefects usually stood.
The place where Aminat normally stood as Head Prefect was empty.
And every time he noticed It, he felt a small, strange feeling inside his chest.
He didn't like it.
He didn't fully understand it.
But he knew one thing.
He was thinking about her more than he should.
One afternoon during break time, Ether sat on a low concrete wall near the football field with a few boys from his class.
The conversation quickly turned to Aminat again.
"Head Prefect go soon come back next week," one boy said.
Another boy laughed.
"After that suspension? Teachers go still dey watch her."
Then the boy turned to Ether.
"But you self... you get mind."
Ether raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
"For defending her like that."
The boys laughed.
Another guy leaned closer.
"Guy... you like her abi?"
Ether shook his head calmly.
"You people think too much."
But deep down, the question stayed in his mind.
Did he like her?
The truth was complicated.
Aminat was beautiful.
Confident.
Respected.
But she was also his senior.
In secondary school, that meant something.
Seniors didn't usually date juniors.
Especially not someone as important as the Head Prefect.
Ether knew that.
And the more he thought about it, the more he realized something.
Maybe what he was feeling didn't really matter.
Maybe Aminat would never even see him that way.
The following Monday morning, the entire school buzzed with excitement.
Aminat's suspension was finally over.
Students gathered on the assembly ground as usual.
Then whispers started spreading.
"She's back."
"Head Prefect don come."
Ether turned his head slightly.
And there she was.
Standing in front again with the other prefects.
Her uniform was perfectly neat as always.
Her posture was straight.
Her expression calm.
It was like nothing had changed.
But something had changed.
Because this time, when her eyes moved across the assembly ground...
They stopped on Ether for a brief moment.
Just one second.
But it was enough.
Then she looked away and continued her duties.
After assembly ended, students returned to their classes.
Ether walked through the corridor toward SSS 2 Art.
Suddenly he heard a voice behind him.
"Ether."
He turned.
Aminat was standing there.
Up close, she looked exactly the same as before.
Strong.
Confident.
But there was something softer in her eyes now.
"You're back," Ether said simply.
"Yes."
For a moment, they just stood there.
Then Aminat spoke.
"I heard about the phone incident."
Ether smiled slightly.
"People talk too much."
She shook her head.
"You're not normal."
Ether laughed.
"I've heard that before."
Aminat looked at him for a moment.
"You really don't fear anyone, do you?"
Ether shrugged.
"I just do what I think is right."
She nodded slowly.
Then the bell rang loudly across the school.
Students began rushing towards their classrooms.
Aminat stepped back.
"I have to go."
She paused for a moment.
The she added quietly.
"And Ether... thank you again."
Before he could reply, she turned and walked away down the corridor.
Ether watched her disappear around the corner.
Then he sighed softly.
Because the truth is becoming clearer to him now.
He liked her.
But liking someone and being able to have them... were two completely different things.
And Aminat looked like someone who belonged on a higher level than him.
Maybe the smartest thing to do... was to let that feeling fade away.
But fate had other plans for Ether.
Because very soon, another girl was about to enter his story.
A girl who was completely different from Aminat.
Quiet.
Reserved.
Beautiful in a way that made people look twice.
A girl who doesn't even shake hands with boys.
Her name was Sekinat.
And meeting her would change Ether's heart again.
- Writer
