A Loner's Journey Through Lemonade Making

Chapter 17|

It was Thursday, three days after we finished our tests. As I approached the school gates, I felt so free and relaxed, knowing I wasn't under any form of pressure or in fear. I considered times like this blissful.

Decorations were hung all around school, mainly in green and white like the nation's flag. Independence Day was on Saturday but our event was on Friday. There wasn't much time left, which was why the women in charge of decorating and the students who had either volunteered or were forced to help them were going around hurriedly with decorative materials.

The administrator would be coming later in the day to watch presentations and criticize them. That woman was a perfectionist. She liked everything prim and proper and left no stones unturned to achieve her goals, which was why RPSS was what it was— a great school.

I almost tripped on a ribbon because I'd been gazing at some Ankara and straw fans hung up on the wall instead of looking ahead. I bent, picked it and gave it to Mrs Olotu who was on a ladder trying to pin some fabric to the wall. She thanked me and I went on my way.

As I neared the library, I realised a lot of 'hazardous' materials were lying around for unsuspecting people to trip or get caught up in something. A thought crossed my mind, and I imagined Mrs Temilorun Adelana, the administrator chastising the teachers and care givers. I stifled my laughter as I passed Miss Frances and greeted. She called me back unexpectedly.

"Ma?"

"Where are you going to?"

"I'm going to the library." I found the questioning a bit strange and uncalled for.

"Wait," she retrieved a bunch of keys from her pocket and removed one. "You'll help me go to the store around the music room, that old one where they keep the traditional instruments. There's a green basket with Ankara by the door, please bring it for me. Thank you oh. And please bring this key back, I don't want to hear stories that touch." I nodded and collected it.

It was all good because I planned to get the book then take the basket to her. I took the book I'd been eyeing at the library the other day—Zahrah The Windseeker—and went to the store.

When I got there, I unlocked the door and entered. I could hear flutes and other traditional instruments from the room nearby. I figured the music band was rehearsing for the upcoming event.

Just as I was about to close the door, someone came in and I greeted without turning back. The basket was not in sight, so I walked towards the end of the room to search for it.

"What are you doing here?"
Confusion was the perfect word to describe what I felt when I heard Joju's voice. We hadn't spoken in a while.

"What are you doing here?" I said as I turned back. I noticed he looked tired. Everyone was actually because we were being rushed to perfect dance steps and dramas in such sort period of time.

"I asked you first." he stated as he ran a comb through his hair.

"I came to get stuff for Miss Frances." I eventually answered and continued my search. I found the basket at the back, behind a shelf and Lord was it big! How was I going to carry it? I needed to save all the energy I could.

"Since you answered me, I'll tell you why I'm here-"

"Like I care." I rolled my eyes and continued mentally calculating how much strength I'd use to take the basket to her.

"Whatever," he moved away from the door and began walking towards where I was, "I came to get beads."

"Huh?" I turned to him, puzzled.