Addicted | Noni Madueke

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Noni Madueke and I had been constantly competing since the age of 5, where we both went to the same primary school in Barnet. Our parents were friends and made everything a competition wether it was who one their race at sports day or who got higher in the spelling test, even things like who could get our teacher the best gift at the end of the school year turned into being a competition.

As we grew older we began to catch onto this on going rivalry, in year 5 me and Noni decided to do a race on the schools climbing frame. Half the year had turnt up to watch as we began our race, Noni was wining to start with but due to his poor attempt of the monkey bars I was in the lead.

I climbed up to the pole, all I had to do was slide down and I had won but Noni had other ideas, he came behind me and pushed me off the edge. I feel down and bashed my arm on the pavement and watched how Noni slide down the pole before celebrating.

I then bursted out into tears, holding my arm as a teacher and my little brother Levi came running over to me. Turns out my arm was broken in 3 places, I couldn't do sports for months.

Despite Noni's parents sending me flowers and lots of gifts the only thing I received from Noni had a half hearted 'Sorry' wich his dad has forced him to say,and that's when I decided that I hated,
Noni Madueke.

We went the rest of primary constant bickering and complaining, he never apologised, I never forgave him.

In year 6, we found out what secondary schools we were going to, a few of my friends had applied to the sports school but none of them got in. Only one other person from my schools did,Noni Madueke.

When we started we stuck together even though I couldn't stand him and we would just argue the whole time.

But overtime, me and Noni became closer and formed our own friendship group. We would still compete but it was all love,
until a sports competition in year 10.

It was against all the schools in London,
I was doing 800m, Noni was doing 100m.

We were walking to get snacks from the shop when a group of people stopped us, "do you want to chill with us?" A boy asked and we both nodded.

"Cool, come we're sat over there" the boy said as the kids all began to walk and we followed,
"Oh we meant just you" a girl then turned a said to Noni after she realised I was following.

"Oh" he said looking between me and the group as I began to feel really insecure, "yeah, okay" he then said joining the crowd leaving me stood there. I heard a few people laugh as they walked away and I had never been more embarrassed, I walked away as quick as I could and found my brother.

I explained him the story, he was in shock and then sat with me for the rest of the day instead of being with his friends. That day made me realise a lot of things about Noni, and my brother. Levi was always there for me no matter what, And I was always there for him too.

I left the school in year 11 having barely speaking a word to Noni after that day, not that he ever tried to speak to me either.

I joined a collage where I made lots of new friends and my little sister, Eden was born who I absolutely adore. Things became a lot better in my life and I felt a lot happier till, my parents began arguing leading to them breaking up wich tore my family apart.

What hurt the most was that even though I had all my close friends and Levi I couldn't help but want to talk to Noni about it, he got me in ways other people wouldn't.

After completing collage, I started my career in sports journalism writing reports about local league games, my brother on the other hand became a professional footballer and I couldn't be prouder.

He played in the England u21's euros and they won the whole thing, I was so happy for him apart from the fact he became close friends with his new team mate Noni madueke.

I could never escape him, I could run away to Australia and I'm sure we would still cross paths with him.