COLOR ME

EPISODE NINE

Mae carried my bag and escorted me to my mom's car. She greeted Mom and Soren before leaving.

"What happened to you?" Mom asked as she looked at me with concern.

"I fell down during gym class. That's why I'm in pain," I said, trying to sound casual.

"What activity were you doing?" she asked, her worry deepening.

"Rock climbing!"

"Oh my God, Ade, be careful. You don't want to end up paralyzed," she said, her voice trembling with fear. "I need to take you to the hospital."

"No, Agentha treated me already. She gave me some painkillers for the pain," I reassured her.

"Okay," she said, still looking concerned. We both got into the car, and she began driving.

Soren, sitting in the seat beside me, leaned closer and whispered so that mom couldn't hear, "I know you're lying. I think Kemi must have beaten you!"

"Soren, please let this slide. I don't want to stress Mom and Dad. I will fight my own battles at school," I said, trying to keep my composure.

"Chill, I won't say a word," he said, his tone softening. "But next time she does this, I won't stay silent!"

When we got home, I went straight to my room to rest. At around 6 p.m., I received a text message from Tendai.

Tendai: How are you feeling? I came to see you after class; Agnetha told me you had left.

Addie: Ugh, I'm in a lot of pain; the meds are wearing off. 😩 I left as soon as it was 4 p.m.

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: I wish I could be there to offer you some comfort. 🤗

Addie: My mom doesn't know you. She wouldn't be comfortable with you coming over.

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: We can chill in the living room. We're just friends. 😊

Addie: You've already decided that we're friends?

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: How do you define our relationship then?

Addie: We're buddies; "friend" feels too soon.

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: Okay, Addie, one step at a time. Done with soccer practice. Heading home rn. Will text you when I get there.

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: Before I forget. Please come watch me play during practice

Addie: I will think about this. Safe trip home! 🏠😊

Tendai is typing...

Tendai: Ok.

Tendai was the goalkeeper on the school soccer team, and his excellent saving skills had been a key factor in the team's recent victories. Sometimes, when I stayed behind on Wednesdays after returning from the greenhouse, I would watch him play.

He was athletic, good-looking, and smart—qualities that made me question why he was with Kemi. Many girls at school wanted him, but Kemi had snatched him up as soon as he joined the school. I couldn't help but feel like Tendai was a prize that all the girls secretly coveted. Of course, he could never like someone like me.

I wasn't as beautiful as Kemi. She was tall, thin, and brown, with Somali origins, while I was Sierra Leonean-Ghanaian—tall, dark, and a little plus-sized. I needed to stop thinking of Tendai like this. I had to remind myself that it was a fantasy, not reality. My insecurities about my appearance and our differences made it clear that I should focus on other things and avoid setting myself up for disappointment.

Tendai stayed true to his word; he texted me when he got home, and we ended up texting until I fell asleep.

The next morning, I couldn't go to school because I was in too much pain. I informed Mae that I wouldn't be coming in.

"I hope you feel better soon," Mae texted back, her concern evident.

Tendai called me. "I haven't seen you around," he said.

"I won't be attending class today. I'm in a lot of pain," I replied.

"I wish you a quick recovery," he said warmly.

Jensen called next. "I heard from Andrew that Mae told him you won't be coming to class today," he said.

"Yes, I'm not coming because I am in pain. I fell down yesterday in the gym," I explained.

"So sorry, I am coming to see you in the evening," he said.

I spent the day resting. I talked with Mom, binge-watched all the To All the Boys I've Loved Before movies on Netflix, and even managed to nap.

In the evening, Jensen arrived to visit me. I was seated in the living room. Mom was pleased to see him. He always knew how to compliment our house and food, and Mom loved that he noticed the new furniture or praised her cooking.

"How are you, Mrs. K?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm fine, nice to see you again, Jensen," she said warmly. "Ade told me you were coming. I've prepared some jollof rice and chicken for you."

"Thank you," Jensen said. " I am so excited, you know I love Jollof."

"I know," Mom said.

Jensen immediately noticed my discomfort. "Hi, Addie, I wanted to see you," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm still in a lot of pain," I replied, sticking to my story. If I told him that I was beaten badly by Raven, Jensen would report the matter to HM Smythe.

Jensen's concern deepened. "That sounds rough. How did it happen?"

I nodded. "Yes, I was climbing and slipped. It was a pretty bad fall."

"Did you get any immediate help from the school nurse or anyone?" he asked. "Sometimes falls like that need professional attention."

I quickly answered, "Yes, Agnetha treated me already. She gave me some painkillers and told me to rest."

He looked a bit relieved but still worried. "That's good to hear that you're being taken care of. Did you get checked out for any fractures or more serious injuries?"

I shook my head. "No, Agnetha said it wasn't necessary, just that I should get plenty of rest and let the painkillers work."

Jensen nodded understandingly. "Well, if you need anything or if it gets worse, you should definitely see a doctor. I hope you start feeling better soon."

Mom brought out the food.

"Thanks, Mrs. K," Jensen said as he began digging in.

"I hope you like it," Mom replied with a smile, watching him take his first bite.

I waited for Mom to leave the living room so that I could ask Jensen without her listening. "Are you serious about becoming a Freemason, Jensen? We haven't had a chance to discuss it in detail since you first mentioned it," I asked, trying to shift the focus.

Jensen's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Yes, I'm serious. It's something I've been thinking about for a while now. I really want to pursue it."

"Jensen, I'm against secret societies. I believe they're devilish," I said firmly.

"Don't believe the rubbish they say about Freemasons online," he countered. "It's all nonsense. I've met some Freemason friends of my father, and they're some of the nicest people in this world. They give generously to the poor and support hospitals."

"I won't change who I am just because I'm part of the organization," he claimed.

I shook my head. "What draws you to it? I mean, why Freemasonry specifically?"

"I told you, it's because it has helped my dad become the powerful man he is today," he said. I want those same opportunities.

I understand that, but I still can't accept it," I said. "I don't agree with it."

"Were Kemi and Raven at school today?" I asked, hoping to shift the topic.

"Kemi was, but Raven wasn't. She was in a bad mood and yelled at some Year Sevens during break time for spilling tea on her," he said.

Jensen and I talked about our classmates and school until it was time for him to leave.

"Mrs. K, thank you for the food; it was delicious," Jensen said as he prepared to leave. "I like the color of the new curtains you have now," he added, admiring the decor.

"Thank you; pink is in vogue this season," she said, pleased.

"Bye, Addie, see you at school," Jensen said.

Once Jensen had left, I turned to Mom. "Mom, I still feel pain in my body; can I stay home tomorrow?" I asked.

"Yes," she said.

My body still ached on Thursday, but it was bearable. The bruises on my stomach and arms throbbed with each movement, a painful reminder of how close I had come to being in much worse shape. If Tendai hadn't arrived when he did, I might have been lying in bed, unable to do much of anything. But I was determined not to let the pain hold me back.

I got up and helped Mom with the dishes, the warm water soothing my hands as I scrubbed, distracting me from the ache in my body. We cooked lunch together, the familiar routine bringing some comfort and normalcy to the day.

In the evening, I retreated to my bedroom and sat down to work on the homework that Mae had sent me. I spread my books across the table, trying to focus on the assignments. Just as I was getting into it, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," I called out, not looking up.

Soren walked in with a grin.

"Mom told me to tell you that someone is asking to see you," he said.

"Who?" I asked, curious.

"Your boyfriend!" Soren said, giggling.

"I don't have a boyfriend, and you know it."

"That guy in school who was dating your enemy!" he said with a smirk.

"Tendai!" I said loudly, realizing.

"Yes," he said, still laughing.

"Okay, I'm coming."

I quickly changed out of my pajamas and into some nicer clothes before heading to the living room. Tendai was there, talking to Mom. Soren was pretending to watch TV, but I could tell he was eavesdropping. He usually watched his content on his phone, tablet, or laptop.

As I entered the room, Tendai looked up and smiled. "Hey, Addie. I came over to see how you're doing."

Mom addressed me before I could say anything. "Ade, he says he's a friend of yours from school; how come it's the first time I'm hearing about him?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We became friends recently; that's why," I explained, trying to sound casual.

Mom wasn't entirely convinced. "Let me go bring you some food," she said. "Tendai, do you like African snacks?"

"I haven't made supper yet and that's all I have for now," she added.

"It's okay," Tendai said with a smile.

Mom went to the kitchen. Soren continued watching TV.

"Soren, can you go watch from your room?" I asked, hoping for some privacy.

Soren got up and left.

"Hi," Tendai said as I turned back to him.