Fading Shadows

CHAPTER SIX

The campus was quieter than usual as Grace walked alongside Bami, the pair slowly making their way home after their afternoon lecture. The sky was beginning to darken, and the evening air carried the familiar scent of wet pavement, a reminder that it had rained earlier. Grace found herself thinking more and more about the content creation world, a new path that she’d decided to walk down with excitement.

"You know, Bami," she started casually, breaking the silence, "I think I’m really going to take content creation seriously. I’ve got a plan, I’m going to get serious about it."

Bami looked at her, his face breaking into a proud smile. "I’m happy for you, Grace," he said, his voice warm. "You’ve always had a way of figuring things out, and I know this will work out for you."

Grace grinned, feeling the warmth of his support. "Thanks, Bami. It means a lot to hear that from you."

They walked side by side for a few moments, and Bami seemed to consider something before he spoke again. "Just don’t forget about me when you’re famous, alright?" His voice was light but had a teasing edge to it. "When you’re surrounded by other fine male TikTokers and all your followers, don’t leave me behind o."

Grace laughed, playfully nudging him with her elbow. "You think I’m just going to forget you abi? After everything, Bami, no na."

He grinned but there was something in his eyes, a small flicker of doubt that Grace couldn’t quite place. "Good, good. Just making sure. But hey, don’t get too caught up in the spotlight, alright? Remember the people who were down here with you before the brand deals and sponsorships." His words were playful, but his voice carried a tone that made Grace pause for a moment.

Was he joking, or was there something deeper behind his words? She couldn’t tell. Still, she didn’t want to press him on it, so she just smiled and nodded.

"Of course, Bami. I’ll keep you in mind."

They continued walking, the evening settling around them as the soft chatter of students filled the background. They reached the usual campus walkway when they heard loud voices coming from a group of young men ahead. Bami’s friends, laughing and arguing animatedly, were standing near a bench.

Grace didn’t have to guess who they were; the voice of one of them was unmistakable — it was Kola, Bami’s childhood friend. They were talking loudly, their conversation filled with words like “clients,” “VPN,” and “money.”

Grace paused for a second, noticing the tension in Bami’s posture.

"Na wa, some of them can’t seem to shut up," Bami muttered under his breath, but Grace noticed the edge in his voice.

She turned to look at him, following his gaze to where his friends were deep in discussion. "What are they talking about?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Same old," Bami replied, his voice a little distant now. "They’re... hustling. You know, trying to make a living however they can."

Grace watched the group, Kola gesturing animatedly as he spoke. "Bro, the VPN’s not going to cover the clients' traces," Kola was saying loudly, his voice almost booming. "If you’re going to do it, do it right. Or else dem go just catch you."

Bami sighed, running a hand through his hair, his face hardening slightly. "Let’s just go, Grace," he said, clearly not wanting to linger.

They moved quickly past the group, but Grace couldn’t help the feeling that something wasn’t sitting right with her. Bami was still talking about his new content creation plan, but in the back of her mind, the conversation with his friends kept replaying.

As they walked toward the hostel, the two were lost in their thoughts, though their pace was slower now. The energy between them shifted slightly, like an invisible thread had been pulled taut. Grace didn’t say anything for a while, her mind still circling around what she had just witnessed. Was Bami involved in what they were talking about? Was he part of that world, the one where things were done “however they could be”?

---

Later that evening, in their shared room, Grace sat on her bed, her thoughts heavy. She tried to focus on something else, but Bami’s words and the scene with his friends kept replaying in her head. She’d known Bami for years, and he had always been a bit of a hustler, but the way he had reacted when they walked past his friends — the tension in his voice, the way he dismissed it all — something wasn’t sitting right with her.

After a few minutes of lost thoughts, Grace finally turned to Maddie, who was sprawled out on her own bed, scrolling through her phone. Grace hesitated before speaking up.

"Maddie," she started slowly, trying to sound casual, "Do you think… Do you think Bami’s really okay with all this? With the content creation stuff?"

Maddie didn’t even look up from her phone. "He’s fine," she said easily, shrugging. "Bami’s always been about finding his way. He’s cool. Just messing with you."

Grace frowned, unsure if she was convinced. "But it felt like… I don’t know, like he was saying things to cover something up. When we walked past his friends, they were talking about VPNs and clients and stuff. It just made me think—"

Maddie put her phone down and shot her a knowing look. "Grace, stop overthinking. Bami’s been like that forever. He’s got his own hustle, yes, but it doesn’t mean he’s involved in that kind of stuff. And even if he is what's the big deal? He’s just got a way of talking big. It’s no different than him joking around. You’ll get used to it."

Grace bit her lip, still not entirely sure. "I don’t know, Maddie. I feel like there’s more to it. But then again, maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just overthinking."

Maddie yawned, obviously not that concerned. "You are. Don’t let it bother you too much. Everyone has their own thing. Let Bami do his hustle. Just focus on yours. You’re gonna be big, Grace. Scratch that, WE are gonna be big. I can feel it."

Grace gave a small smile, appreciating Maddie’s confidence in her. But something about the night and her conversation with Bami was gnawing at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his story, something that didn’t add up. But for now, she had to focus on her own journey. If she let herself get caught up in what Bami or anyone else was doing, she’d lose sight of the path she was carving out for herself.