Growing up

Cool

Returning from school, I met mom in the kitchen preparing lunch.

“How was school dear?" she asked turning away from the cooker towards me.

“cool."

“Made new friends?"

“I think so." I said putting a fried plantain into my mouth. We were having Jollof Rice with fried plantain. My favorite dish. Mom just sighed, turned and continued her cooking. I silently went out of the kitchen towards my room to change out of my uniforms. The Physics teacher had given us some assignments to do, and so had the Maths teacher. My phone beeped with a message popping up.

"hey, it's Idara! got your number from your f*******: account ?."

I smiled, and typed back immediately.

“Wow! that's cool." Then pressed the send button. I received another beep immediately.

“Lets chat on WhatsApp."

*******************

After chatting with Idara and having my lunch, I laid in bed thinking about my life. How I had made terrible mistakes in the past, how I now hated the idea of falling in love. I knew

Ukpono was just trying to tease me but I couldn't help but flip. Because the statement made me look like a naive and stupid girl, who still believed in teenage love and romance. Looking back at what I did, I couldn't and still can't see the benefit of my dating him.

Remembering him sent a pang of hatred and fury through me. He had been my first boyfriend. I had trusted him with everything in me. But he left me hanging, the trauma I went through because of him. I sighed turning to my phone. I decided to watch some movies and then catch some sleep. I had planned to stroll around so as to get more familiar with my neighbourhood. I decided to watch 'Blue Story' for the umpteenth time. Though it was a really sad movie. I kind of still enjoyed it.

************

I was looking into my phone trying to change the song playing on it. I was finally taking my much anticipated stroll in my grey sweat pants and cardigan. I involuntarily looked up to see two guys walking towards me. They were deep in conversation. The taller of the two was engrossed in his phone typing away quickly and smiling softly. The shorter one was looking directly at me. I looked away taking my eyes around me. I had left our house and walked down the street in the opposite direction to the route we usually take to school. The street was clean and looked swept. I was about passing by the two boys when the taller one looked up. I sucked in a breath he looked like Ukpono the mean boy in class.

“Hello beautiful” he said smiling.

“Hey” I replied.

“I'm Ubong." he said extending his hand for a handshake. I looked down at his hand.

“I'm Etiene” I replied shaking his hand confidently. He hands were warm and soft, almost feminine. I scoffed within me, another lazy one.

“This is my best friend Uboho”. he said referring to the short one. Not like he was short, he was really average. But compared to his gigantic friend he was short.

“What is it with you guys and names starting with the letter ‘U’?” I asked glancing between them.

“It's just the two of us....who else.....” Uboho started asking.

“Never mind.” I said waving him off. “I should be on my way” I said stepping away from them, with a tight smile.

“You are the new girl... your family moved in last week” Ubong said.

“How did you know?” I asked taken aback. He smiled

“It's obvious you are new here otherwise you..” his friend nudged him in the ribs. I took that as a cue to leave. I walked away Wondering what he was about to say.

I rounded the corner and walked down the other street, keeping a close eye on the house numbers and street names. I was currently walking in Nelson Street while I lived on Udoette Street. There was a hairdressing saloon on this street. The women were just looking at me while whispering away.

"Good evening." I greeted all of them.

“Eyaa fine girl how are you?" the fat elderly lady who I guessed is the boss replied. I mumbled a reply and passed. My mind wondered back to the two guys. They were really cute . The taller one reminded me of him. They were the same height, that same crooked smile, that Playboy air.

I developed a strong dislike for him abruptly. I was still surprised at how they knew I was new in the area. That only confirms my suspicion of their being players. They know every girl in the street and may have slept with them all.

Relationships weren't my thing. I hated the mere thought of being asked out, I can't even see myself giving someone else jurisdiction over my emotional affairs. Having some guy control me and tell me what to do, what to wear and all that.