Football Is Ether's Addiction
638 Words
If someone wanted to find Ether during school hours, there were three places they could check.
His classroom.
Under the tree.
Or the football field.
The field of Agunbiade Victory High School wasn't perfect. The grass was uneven, part of the ground were dusty, and the goalposts were slightly crooked.
But none of that mattered to Ether.
To him, it was the best place in the school.
Every morning before lesson, a few boys gathered there to play a quick match.
Ether was always among the first to arrive.
Sometimes even the juniors came just to watch.
One boy said it openly one day.
"Ether, if this school had football trials, you for don enter team since."
Ether only smiled.
"I just like playing," he replied.
But the truth was deeper than that.
Football wasn't just something he liked.
It was something he needed.
Whenever he felt confused about something - school, life, or even girls - he played football.
The field cleared his mind.
Soon, Ether's reputation in school began growing even more.
Students already knew he was bold .
Now they were discovering something else.
He was good at football.
During one match between the Art department and the Commercial department, students gathered around the field shouting and cheering.
"Commercial go win!"
"Art go beat una today!"
The game started with high energy.
The Commercial team had strong players.
But Ether was fast.
Very fast.
At one moment, a Commercial defender tried to block him.
Ether moved the ball between the boy's legs.
Students screamed.
"Ahhhh! That one na disgrace!"
Ether ran forward and kicked the ball toward the goal.
GOAL.
His teammates jumped on him shouting.
"Ether!"
"Captain!"
Even some girls watching near the trees started clapping.
But while the field celebrated, Ether noticed something again.
Near the same tree from before...
Sekinat was standing there.
Watching.
This time, she wasn't alone.
Two of her friends stood beside her, whispering and smiling.
But Sekinat herself looked calm as usual.
Her eyes followed the game quietly.
One of the boys beside Ether noticed her too.
"Guy, Science girls dey watch you o."
Ether drank some water.
"I'm playing football, not acting movie."
The boys laughed.
But when Ether glanced again toward the tree...
Sekinat quickly looked away.
Later that afternoon, school closed early.
Students walked out through the gate in groups.
Ether walked slowly toward the road with football under his arm.
As he passed the school gate, he saw someone standing there.
A girl.
She looked like she had been waiting for someone.
When Ether got closer, she looked at him nervously.
Then she finally spoke.
"Ether."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
The girl hesitated for a moment.
It was clear she was shy.
But she forced herself to continue.
"My name is Memunat."
Ether nodded politely.
"Nice to meet you."
For a moment she looked like she didn't know what to say next.
Then she smiled.
"I just wanted to say... you play football very well."
Ether chuckled softly.
"Thank you."
There was a short silence.
Then Memunat added quickly.
"I noticed you since your first day in school."
Ether raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
She looked embarrassed.
"I just don't had the courage to talk to you."
Ether smiled calmly.
"Well... now you have."
Memunat laughed softly.
And just like that, a simple conversation started between them.
What Ether didn't know was that this small moment... was the beginning of something much bigger.
Because Memunat had been paying attention to him long before he noticed her.
And sometimes...
The people who watch quietly from the side end up becoming the closest ones in your story.
But while Memunat had finally found the courage to talk to him...
Ether's heart was still confused.
Because somehow in his mind...
Two other names still existed.
Aminat.
And Sekinat.
- Writer
