chasing after you

*Title: Chasing After You* _High School Edition_ *Chapter 1: The Trouble Magnet* Mai was trying to survive SS2 peacefully. That was the plan. Then Ryan showed up. Ryan was _that_ senior prefect with the loud voice and irritating grin. Tall, always in untucked shirt, and zero respect for personal space. He and Mai had been “frenemies” since JSS1. He would snatch her textbook, write “Miss Serious” on her desk with marker, and call her out during assembly. And for some reason, he always appeared whenever she was with Theo. Theo. Quiet boy in 11B. Glasses, calm, the guy Mai actually liked. He saved her a seat in chapel and shared his meatpie during break. He never caused drama. But Ryan did. “Mai! You and Theo again?” Ryan would say, sliding between them at break. “You know he’s boring. Come, let me show you how to have fun during sports.” Mai would roll her eyes. “Go and disturb someone else, Ryan.” Theo would just pass her his water and smile. It was chaotic. And Mai was tired of it. *Chapter 2: Zoe Enters the Chat* Zoe was the school crush. Beautiful, loud, and had been crushing on Ryan since JSS3. Problem: Ryan only had eyes for annoying Mai. So Zoe made a plan. With her bestie Emily. “Listen,” Zoe whispered during prep. “If Ryan won’t notice me, I’ll make him notice Mai less. Then he’ll have no choice.” Emily flipped through her notebook. “And what about Theo?” Zoe smirked. “Mai likes Theo? Cute. We’ll ruin that too.” Operation: Break Them Apart began. Step 1: Fake picture. Step 2: Gossip. Step 3: Win. *Chapter 3: Mildred to the Rescue* Mildred was Mai’s best friend. Class captain. Loud, loyal, and allergic to nonsense. The day Zoe posted a pic of her and Ryan at inter-house sports with the caption _“my person ❤️”_ and tagged him on the school w******p status, Mildred saw it first. She ran to Mai’s class. “Mai! Look at this rubbish!” Mai stared. Ryan looked awkward. Zoe looked proud. “Mildred, I don’t care,” Mai lied. “Let them.” “You don’t care?” Mildred crossed her arms. “Then why did Theo just send you ‘you okay?’ on w******p?” Mai didn’t answer. *Chapter 4: Chaos at the Inter-House Sports* It was Ryan’s house that was hosting. He insisted everyone must come. “I’m not going,” Mai said. “You are,” Ryan said, and dropped two wristbands at her desk. “Theo is coming too.” The field was a mess. Zoe showed up in mufti and red lipgloss, hanging on Ryan during march-past. Emily “accidentally” spilled soda on Mai and Theo’s seats. Ryan kept calling Mai to help with the scoreboard, then looking to see if Theo was watching. Theo kept watching. After closing prayer, outside the gate, Mai snapped. “Ryan! Why are you always in my business?!” “Because you’re always with him!” Ryan shot back. “And you’re always with her!” Mai pointed at Zoe. Silence. Theo stepped forward. “Mai, can we talk? Behind the hall?” *Chapter 5: The Truth* Behind the hall, near the mango tree, Theo sighed. “I like you, Mai. I’ve liked you since JSS2. But I’m tired of competing with Ryan for your attention.” Mai’s chest hurt. “I’m tired too. Of all the drama.” “I’m not Ryan,” Theo said softly. “I won’t chase you in circles. But I’m here. If you want me.” Mai didn’t answer that day. *Chapter 6: Chasing After You* The next week, Zoe tried again. She cornered Ryan after prep. “Why do you keep going after Mai? She doesn’t even like you.” Ryan looked at her. “Zoe… I don’t chase her because I like her. I chase her because she’s the only one who tells me no. And I’m an idiot.” Zoe’s face fell. Emily handed her tissue. Meanwhile, Mai made a choice. She stopped running. She met Theo at the library during free period. No Ryan. No drama. “I don’t want chaos,” she said. “I want peace. With you. If you still want me.” Theo smiled. That slow, real one. “I’ve been chasing after you too, Mai.” *Epilogue: SS3* Ryan? He stopped troubling them. Mostly. He and Mildred ended up as lab partners and he learned to respect boundaries. Zoe and Emily? They started a small hair-braiding business and stopped the scheming. And Mai and Theo? Boring on purpose. Meatpie on Fridays. No drama. Just WAEC prep. Sometimes Ryan would still walk past and shout, “Miss Serious!” Mai would just hold Theo’s hand tighter and smile. Because she was done chasing chaos. She was finally being chased by the right person. The library smelled like old paper and rain. 3:47pm on a Tuesday. AP Calc, unfinished. The windows were fogged up from the storm outside. Mai had been staring at the same problem for 20 minutes. Not because of math. Because Ryan was sitting across from her. He wasn’t joking today. No smirk. No “Miss Serious.” Just him, hoodie sleeves pushed up, tapping his pen against his notebook. Mildred was supposed to be tutoring them. She’d given up 10 minutes ago and was now “organizing” books three aisles over. Which meant listening. “You keep showing up,” Mai said finally. Quiet. “But you don’t stay.” Ryan looked up. “What?” “You hear me. You flirt. You disappear for three days. You call me Miss Serious like it’s a joke and then act surprised when I’m mad.” The pen stopped tapping. “Because if I stay, you leave,” Ryan said. “That’s what you do, Mai. Soon as it gets real, you run.” Her chest got tight. “I’m not running.” “Then why haven’t you texted me back since Friday?” “Because Friday you kissed my forehead at the gas station and then acted like it didn’t happen!” Mildred dropped a book. “Oops. Clumsy.” Ryan rubbed the back of his neck. He looked exhausted. “Yeah. Because it _did_ happen. And I panicked. Because you looked at me like I was about to break you.” “I’m not breakable,” Mai whispered. “I know.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “I’m scared too, okay? Of messing this up. Of you choosing... not me.” The word hung there. _Choosing._ From the next aisle, Theo cleared his throat. Mai hadn’t even noticed he’d come in. He had his backpack, his navy jacket. He’d been waiting outside to walk her home. He heard everything. Mai’s face burned. “Theo, I—” Theo held up a hand. “Don’t.” He looked at Ryan, then at Mai. “You two needed to say that.” Ryan stood up fast, chair scraping. “I’m gonna go. Before I say something stupid.” He grabbed his bag. Paused. “For what it’s worth... I meant the forehead thing.” Then he walked out. Into the rain. No umbrella. The library was quiet again. Just the sound of rain and Mildred pretending not to cry. Theo sat down across from Mai. Pushed her a napkin. “You okay?” he asked. Mai nodded. Tears on her cheeks she didn’t try to wipe. “That was the first honest thing we’ve said to each other.” “Yeah,” Theo said. “It’s messy. But it’s real.” Mai looked at him. “Is it weird that fighting with him makes me want to talk to you more?” Theo smiled, small and sad. “No. That’s called figuring it out.” He walked her to her car in the rain. No one spoke. But when he opened her door, he said: “I’m not going anywhere, Mai. Even when it’s messy.” She drove home with his words in her head and Ryan’s wet hoodie still on the library chair. *End of Chapter 7* *CHAPTER 8: FAMILY DINNER DISASTER* Theo’s text came Thursday: _Dinner at my place. Just my parents. Low key. Please?_ Mai spent 2 hours picking an outfit. Jeans. White top. Cardigan. Not too try-hard. She brought plantains because Theo said his mom loved them. The Bennett house smelled like home. Jollof, suya, music playing low. Mrs. Bennett hugged Mai at the door. “You’re the science fair girl! The serious one! Theo talks about you.” Mai: _oh no_ Theo: _Mom._ Dinner started fine. Mr. Bennett asked about college apps. Mrs. Bennett asked if Mai liked jollof. Theo kicked her foot under the table like _you’re doing great_. Then Auntie Grace showed up. Uninvited. With a purse and opinions. “So,” Auntie said, serving herself rice. “You’re the one.” Mai froze. “The one?” “The one Theo’s been moping about since freshman year. Or is it the football boy? Ryan something?” The table went silent. Fork. Clink. Mai’s face went hot. Theo’s jaw ticked. “Auntie,” Theo said, voice even. “Don’t.” “What? I’m just asking. These girls today, they like to keep boys on a string.” “Auntie Grace,” Mrs. Bennett warned. But Mai was already done. She set her fork down. “I’m not keeping anyone on a string,” she said. Calm. “And I’m not a prize to be won. I’m a person. And I’m here because I like Theo. Not because I’m confused.” Theo reached under the table and found her hand. Squeezed. Mr. Bennett cleared his throat. “More plantain, anyone?” After dinner, Theo walked her to the car. The air was cool. “I’m sorry,” he said for the third time. Mai shook her head. “I’m tired of people asking me to choose. Like there’s a deadline.” Theo leaned against her car. “There’s no deadline. With me.” He looked at her. Really looked. “Even when it’s awkward dinners and aunties and rain. Especially then.” He kissed her cheek. Lingering. “Drive safe, Miss Serious.” She laughed. “Don’t call me that.” “Deal.” She texted Mildred on the way home: _I think I like someone who stays for the awkward parts._ Mildred: _ABOUT TIME. Also Auntie Grace is the worst. *CHAPTER 9: PROM NIGHT DRAMA* The gym didn’t look like the gym anymore. Twinkling lights, black and gold balloons, a “Starry Night” banner over the entrance. Prom. Mai almost didn’t come. “I’m not doing this,” she told Mildred while getting ready. “Dresses, slow dances, drama. No thanks.” Mildred was already in a navy dress, doing Mai’s makeup. “Girl. You’re going. For _me_. And for Theo. He’s been waiting since freshman year.” Theo picked her up in a rented black car. Navy suit, no tie, holding a small bouquet of white roses. “You look beautiful,” he said, and meant it. Mai exhaled. “No drama tonight. Promise?” Theo smiled. “Promise.” *The Gym* Ryan was there. Of course he was. Tux, hair actually combed, standing with his football team by the punch table. Zoe was there too. Red dress, glitter, and Emily glued to her side. For the first hour it was fine. Pictures. Dancing. Theo spun Mai under the lights and she forgot about everyone else. Then Zoe made her move. “Ryan,” she said, tugging his sleeve. “Slow dance with me? For old times?” Ryan looked across the gym. At Mai. “Nah,” he said. “I’m good.” Zoe’s smile dropped. Emily whispered something in her ear. Ten minutes later, Zoe “accidentally” bumped into Mai by the bathroom. “Wow,” Zoe said, looking Mai up and down. “Cute dress. Shame Ryan won’t even look at you.” Mai kept walking. “He doesn’t have to.” But then the DJ announced the Prom King and Queen nominations. And there it was. *Prom King: Ryan Carter* *Prom Queen: Mai Okoro* The whole gym went _“Oooooh.”_ Ryan stared at Mai. Mai stared at Theo. Theo’s jaw tightened, but he squeezed her hand. “Go,” he whispered. “It’s just a crown.” *On Stage* They had to stand next to each other. Ryan leaned in, low enough only she could hear. “You look good, Miss Serious.” “Don’t start,” Mai muttered. “I’m not,” Ryan said. “I’m just... tired of chasing. Of you running.” Before Mai could answer, the DJ called for the King and Queen dance. Tradition. They had to dance. Ryan held out his hand. Mai looked at Theo in the crowd. Theo nodded once. _It’s okay._ So she took Ryan’s hand. One song. That was all. They didn’t talk. They just moved. Awkward, but not terrible. When it ended, Ryan let go first. “Congrats,” he said quietly. “You picked right. Theo’s a good guy.” Then he walked off stage. *After* Zoe was fuming by the exit. Emily tried to calm her down. “See?” Emily said. “He doesn’t want the drama either.” Zoe wiped her eyes. “Fine. I’m done chasing him too.” Mildred found Ryan later by the bleachers, both of them ditching the dance. “Lab partner?” she asked, tossing him a soda. Ryan caught it. “Only if you don’t make me do the report.” “Deal.” And Mai? Theo was waiting by her car. “You okay?” he asked. Mai nodded. She took his hand. “I don’t want crowns. I don’t want chaos. I want this. You.” Theo kissed her forehead. “Then that’s what we’ll have.” They drove off while the lights were still on in the gym. *Epilogue to Chapter 9:* Prom pictures went up on Monday. No one talked about the dance. Ryan stopped calling her “Miss Serious.” Zoe stopped posting about him. And Mai and Theo? They kept it simple. Because sometimes the best part of prom... is choosing who you go home with. *End of Chapter 9* --- *CHAPTER 10: GRADUATION* The air smelled like sunscreen, cheap perfume, and _almost done_. Graduation day. Football field. Plastic chairs in straight lines, and everyone’s moms crying into tissues. Mai sat between Mildred and Theo, adjusting her cap for the 5th time. “You look good in navy,” Mildred whispered, nudging her. “Even better without drama.” Mai snorted. “Don’t jinx it.” Across the row, Ryan was sitting with the football team. Tassel crooked. He caught Mai’s eye and did a small salute. No smirk. No nickname. Just... peace. Mai nodded back. *The Speeches* Principal gave the usual speech about “the future.” Valedictorian cried. Someone’s dad set off an air horn. Then it was time for diplomas. “Mildred Adebayo” “Mai Okoro” “Ryan Carter” “Theo Bennett” One by one. Handshakes. Photos. The click of a thousand phones. When Mai walked across, she saw her mom in the crowd with a sign: _My Miss Serious ❤️_ She almost cried. Almost. Theo walked right after her. He winked when he got his diploma. Ryan walked up last from their group. He looked at the crowd, then at Mai, and just smiled. Real this time. *After Caps Were Thrown* Everyone was screaming, hugging, taking pictures. Zoe found Mai by the bleachers. No red dress. No glitter. Just jeans and a white tee. “Hey,” Zoe said. “For what it’s worth... you were better for him than I ever was.” Mai blinked. “Uh... thanks?” Zoe laughed, watery. “Don’t make it weird. Bye, Mai.” And she walked off to hug her own people. Mildred tackled Mai next. “We did it!! College. Freedom. No more group projects!!” “Speak for yourself,” Ryan said, walking up with two sodas. He handed one to Mildred. “Lab partner for life.” Mildred grinned. “Deal.” *That Night* No after-party. No drama. Just Theo’s backyard. String lights, burgers on the grill, and a playlist they’d made freshman year. Mai kicked off her heels. Theo handed her a white rose — the same kind from prom. “To us,” he said, clinking his soda can against hers. “To us,” Mai said. “No crowns. No chasing. Just... staying.” They sat on the steps, watching fireworks from someone’s neighborhood. “Scary?” Theo asked. “Yeah,” Mai admitted. “But good scary.” Theo took her hand. “We’ll figure it out. Together.” Across town, Ryan was probably at a bonfire with the team. Mildred was definitely at a sleepover. Zoe was probably deleting old photos. And Mai? She was exactly where she wanted to be. *Epilogue to Chapter 10* Three weeks later, the yearbook came out. Prom page: Mai and Ryan, mid-dance. Caption: _King & Queen_ Graduation page: The four of them — Mai, Theo, Mildred, Ryan — in one photo by the bleachers. No labels. Under Mai’s senior quote: _“I stopped running. Turns out peace was waiting.”_ *THE END OF SENIOR YEAR* ❤️