MALE FACTOR [BxB]

Chapter 20

Before the break, Timi deliberately skipped his classes in an attempt to avoid encountering Moyo. However, Beamer and some other teammates managed to convince him to join their football training session. He tried using Jason and Zino's absence as an excuse not to participate, his teammates saw through it, and Timi reluctantly joined them on the football field.

As the players were in motion, a sudden pause spread across the field when Moyo appeared at the pavilion, her eyes fixed on Timi. Unaware of the reason for the abrupt stoppage, Timi turned around and saw Moyo standing there. Realizing he could no longer hide, he left the field and approached her.

Timi's face flushed with embarrassment, making it challenging for him to meet Moyo's gaze. Moyo acted as though nothing had happened, choosing to ignore the awkwardness between them. She wished to address the situation, but she understood that Timi would likely reject any attempt to discuss it, so she decided to let it go.

"I saw Zuriel in the VP's office, somebody casted her..." Moyo mentioned.

Timi's expression shifted to worry, and he urged Moyo to admit that she was the one who reported Zuriel. Moyo denied any involvement, but Timi remained skeptical, finding it hard to believe her words.

Zuriel had been waiting in the Vice Principal's office ever since the VP had summoned Chika. When Chika entered the office, he wore a confident expression as Tope had advised him to do so. "Good afternoon, Ma," he greeted the Vice Principal politely.

The VP gestured towards Zuriel and asked, "Zuriel here, says she gave you the rest of the sweets she was selling?"

Zuriel locked her gaze with Chika, knowing that he'd say the right thing.

"Yes, ma," Chika replied confidently. "Zuriel gave me all the sweets, and they are still at home. I didn't sell them."

The Vice Principal, with other urgent matters to attend to, decided not to pursue the case further. Although, she warned Zuriel and made a note of the incident in her record, emphasizing that any future reports would be taken more seriously.

As they reached the SSS2 block, Zuriel commended Chika for his quick thinking and sharp response. Then, she asked Chika to return the money she had given him.

Chika anticipated this moment and skillfully maneuvered his legs, slightly adjusting his black shoe. With a swift motion, he retrieved the exact amount from his light blue socks and handed it over to Zuriel. She departed, wearing a smile on her face, but beneath her pleasant demeanor, she harbored a burning desire for revenge against Moyo. She was convinced that Moyo was the one who reported her, and she vowed to settle the score.

On getting back to class, Olamide mockingly imitated Chika's mannerisms when he was summoned to the VP's office, much to the amusement of the entire class. Chika, feeling insulted, didn't hold back and responded with a verbal insult directed at Olamide.

"Repeat what you said," Olamide challenged Chika.

Chika fearlessly repeated his words aloud, refusing to be intimidated by Olamide's attempts to instill fear. In a sudden act of aggression, Olamide slapped Chika, but Chika retaliated with an even stronger slap. The altercation quickly escalated into a full-blown fight between the two. Upon witnessing the fight, Malik wasted no time and joined in, attacking Olamide with a flurry of punches and kicks. Malik showed no regard for Olamide as he continued his assault. It was only when Olamide started bleeding from his mouth that Pascal intervened, stepping in to separate the combatants and put an end to the violence.

Malik and Chika exited the classroom together, leaving behind a scene of people offering assistance to the fallen Olamide. Filled with anger and frustration, Olamide resorted to hurling homophobic slurs at Malik and Chika as they walked away. Though tempted to retaliate, Chika managed to restrain Malik, preventing him from turning back and engaging in further confrontation with Olamide.

"I'll kill that boy I swear" Malik swore. Chika placed a hand on Malik's shoulder, gently urging him to calm down, his mind wandered to the possible outcomes if Malik hadn't stepped in.

Around the eighth period, Jason and Zino stealthily made their way back into the school premises, ensuring they went unnoticed. With careful coordination, they skillfully scaled the fence and successfully reentered the school grounds. Once inside, they discreetly went their separate ways.

Jason hurriedly made his way to his classroom, but when he got there, he found it empty. Realizing that the class must be conducting a physics practical session in the physics lab, he decided to head there. As he approached the lab, he noticed students starting to exit, indicating that the practical session had just concluded. It was at this moment that he accidentally bumped into Stephanie and Beamer, who were standing just outside the lab.

"Where were you?" Stephanie asked Jason.

"I was with Zino" Jason replied, opting for a vague answer.

"Where were the two of you, cause you didn't come for training?" Beamer chimed in.

"He called me to help with him something." Jason lied, hoping to evade further questioning.

Eager to put an end to the interrogation, Jason excused himself and left Stephanie and Beamer to continue their conversation. The two of them resumed their journey back to class, engaging in lively discussion about their plans for their second date.

Lekan intentionally bumped into the space between Beamer and Stephanie, attempting to gain their attention. Both Beamer and Stephanie chose to ignore him, determined not to engage with him. Stephanie felt a pang of fear, worried that Lekan might say something.

Zino met up with Jason at the football field towards the end of the school day to check on him.

"I got there when physics was finishing, nobody saw me, only Beamer and Stephanie were asking questions but I told them I was helping you with something" Jason shared.  "What did you say?" Jason asked Zino.

"Me?? Nobody asked me anything... Just asking about you incase they come to meet me or something to know where you were" Zino said.

"Oh ok... " Jason felt a slight disappointment as he was hoping Zino would mention their intimate encounter. He understood that Zino was struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality, which explained his reluctance to discuss it.

Jason once again headed to Mr. Jeffrey's office to assist with his work after school. Balikis was already present when he arrived.

"I didn't see you during break today," Balikis questioned Jason, curious about his absence.

Jason was anxious that his dad might inquire about his whereabouts, but it seemed that his dad hadn't overheard Balikis. "Me neither," Jason replied, relieved that Balikis simply assumed they hadn't crossed paths.

Balikis and Jason didn't have much to do, so they were able to leave early. Jason still had to wait for his dad before they could go home together. As they were about to part ways, Balikis finally brought up the love letter, reminding Jason about it. Jason had completely forgotten, and he felt unsure about how to let her down gently.

After a moment of hesitation, he responded, "I'm actually with someone... And they're great." Although he was indirectly referring to Zino, Jason avoided using 'he/him' pronouns. Surprisingly, Balikis seemed to move on from it quickly and bid farewell to Jason, leaving him to reunite with his dad.