A Loner's Journey Through Lemonade Making

Chapter 23| Sweet Lemonade

Humans clad in RPSS' much envied uniforms were seen all over the school compound. It would be nearly impossible to successfully search for and find someone or something in that crowd. But as an RPSS student, maneuvering my way around bodies on Fridays was something I was used to.

I said "Excuse me" for the umpteenth time since Ibidun, Munachi, Kari and I left class. We were journeying to the hall for fellowship and were not anywhere close to it. It would still take us another five minutes to get there. The girls spent this time talking about Leilah, much to my annoyance. I would have preferred another topic or better still, absolute silence. But no, they couldn't keep quiet. I wasn't interested in the discussion and they didn't bother trying to include me.

The hall was close-by already. I looked at it, then at the restrooms and back at the hall. I needed to pee before entering.

"Muna, please hold my bag." I gave it to her. "I need to spend a penny. I'll see you guys in a minute." I ran towards the coloured bungalow and entered a cubicle.
As I washed my hands in the sink, I sang Lara George's Rise.

"Excuse me." I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned and saw a senior with eyes shining with excitement. "Yes?"

"Can you sing?" she asked, although she had just heard me sing.

"Yes." I replied and her eyes shone even brighter. I was confused as to how my ability to sing made her so glad.

"Thank you Jesus." she clasped her hands. "Tolu, one of the choir members injured herself during sports today." she paused and looked at me intently to see if it sounded familiar. It did. Munachi had informed me when she came back from a match on the field.

"I heard."

"Okay. She can't sing in fellowship this afternoon because she had to go the hospital. I've been looking for a replacement for a while now and..." she slowed down and started playing with her fingers while giving me a knowing look. "I'd like you to sing with us this afternoon." as if she thought I'd refuse, she immediately added, "just this once! We're vacating next week and Tolu should be back in school by next term. Please."

I was skeptical. Me, singing in front of everyone at fellowship? What would people think about me? Was my voice that good? But my social status.. I'd been seeing improvements in it. And, if for nothing else, I had to do it for God. Those were the only reasons I didn't refuse immediately.

I nodded with a smile. "Sure."

"Thank you so much! May you never know shame or disgrace in your life..." she kept saying prayers which I only responded to with "Amen" as we walked to the music room. I got a microphone attached to my shirt and was given a tambourine. I did quick vocal rehearsals with the other girls before we went to the hall.

I first went to the girls to explain what had happened. Ibidun said it was time, that my voice was too good to keep to myself. Apparently, she and Munachi had always listened to me sing to myself in class.

Quite unfortunately, Joju was in Music club. Or at least, he was partly in the club because I knew he was prized possession to the members of the Tech club. Either way, he was playing the drums that afternoon. That was when what I was doing started to really dawn on me. I wanted to opt out but it was too late already.

I stood in front of students for the second time that week. I'd been going on that stage more often than I'd ever thought I would and I couldn't tell if I liked it or not. Somehow, it felt good to stand in front of my fellow students and hold their attention. But many, many things could go wrong.

When it was my turn, my eyes-which apparently had a mind of their own because they always did what they wanted-turned to Joju. He gave me a thumbs up and suddenly, my fear dissipated.