A Loner's Journey Through Lemonade Making

Chapter 39|

The memory of that incident made laughter bubble in my throat like lava in a volcano.

I laughed hysterically, deciding to ask Jomiloju if he remembered it. "Jo-" I pressed my lips together when I remembered that we weren't talking currently.

He must have been very alert, because he turned to me almost immediately. "Tee?"

"Nothing." I said with a tone of finality.

Leilah's arrival reduced some of the awkwardness in the atmosphere. "Mr Obadina just called for a meeting with the prefects." She announced.

"We aren't complete." I said.

"Yeah," Joju seconded. "Ada and Doris left a while ago ."

Jemima, Banji and Ibidun joined us, immediately finding seats for themselves.

"Jepheter and Munachi have also left." BJ added.

"Ugh, I'll send them a memo." I rolled my eyes at the thought of having to work during the break. "Let's go, then."

The others walked together, in front. When I looked to my side and saw Joju next to me, I thought he wanted us to walk together and possibly have a conversation. But I soon noticed he had only slowed down because of his loose shoelace.

Whew.

I took another route to the boardroom, a longer one, to give myself some alone time. But somehow, we found ourselves at the door at the same time.

I made to open it the same time he did. "I'll... I'll just go first." I decided when he took his hand off the knob. Before I could open it, it was opened from inside and Maro came out, laughing with Banji. I entered and claimed a seat in-between Leilah and Ibidun.

Time went by slowly. I watched the hands of the clock move as I tapped my finger on the mahogany conference table. Ibidun was sleeping while Leilah was reading a novel. My eyes collided with JJ's periodically.

Finally, about half an hour later, Mr Obadina entered, his shoes seriously knocking against the floor. Mr Okereke walked closely behind him, almost being as close as his shadow. 

We greeted and took our seats. Mr Obadina commended us for carrying our responsibilities out properly during the first half of the term. He praised Joju and Leilah specifically, and we applauded them. Then he called me by my post and praised me too. I was taken aback but was also glad. The others clapped for me too. Joju was the last to stop.

Little did I know that he was about to bestow another responsibility unto me. "You'll be accompanying the head prefects to Anne Akindele School For Girls for the debate competition, on prefect duties. The competition will be held in week seven." He announced with his head titled, smiling. "See it as work experience."

I forced a smile. "I'd be honored. Thank you sir."

"The fakery." Ibidun muttered, giggling. I pinched her lap and she swallowed a wince.

"Ensure you submit your run down of the first half's activities upon your resumption," he said, rising and adjusting his glasses, "enjoy your break. Head boy," he called.

"Sir?"

"Lock up."

We thanked them. They left, then we did. Or at least I was part of the "we" that were leaving, until Joju dragged me back by my schoolbag.

I groaned, involuntarily entering the room with my back. "What is your problem?"

"You."

I stared at him blankly, expecting him to come up with something...I don't know, new? "Please." I scoffed.