INKWORLD

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

June 27, 2091

"I don't think you heard well," Wunmi said quickly but her nervous chuckling at the end gave her away.

"I think I did." The guy's eyes widened. "That's why you didn't want her to go with us earlier."

"And that's why that guy has been following her around like a bodyguard," another person said, pointing to Ben.

They had already attracted the attention of Tobi and others who move closer to see what was happening.

I placed two fingers on the bridge of my nose and sighed. I wasn't ready to deal with this right now. "Can we do this another time? Perhaps, after y'all have come back from the raid."

But no one was listening. They were all talking amongst themselves and looking at me like I was royalty.

"I thought the president would be older. You are so young," a bearded guy said, staring at me from head to toe.

"And I thought guys with beards are handsome but you seem to be the exception," Wunmi spat back.

The man recoiled as if he had been slapped. I was sure he hadn't expected such retaliation. Despite what was going on, I smiled.

Tobi walked towards me, confusion written all over his face. "What's this about you being the president?"

Victoria stood behind him with a look in her eyes like she wished it wasn't true.

I turned back to Tobi's waiting gaze. I could lie but I didn't think I would be convincing enough. "I didn't want to disturb the plans. Y'all would have found out on our way to Inkwell."

"Why didn't you just tell us when you came?" one of the men asked. "Why were you hiding it from us?"

"What was she to say? Should she have just come in and announced immediately that she is the president?" Ben's booming voice brought silence. He hadn't really spoken to the others so I could tell they were surprised. "Wouldn't that be senseless? Stop acting so stupid and entitled. You should be grateful.

"Do you know what it is for a president to leave her safety zone to come and save people? Presidents don't do this, they send people on their behalf. But Miss. Ivy risked her life and safety to come here and try to find you guys. Do you know how many people she had to cross just so she could be here? You guys should be grateful and not attacking her."

They all looked down like puppies that had been scolded. It was hard not to listen to Ben. I sent a grateful look to him and he nodded.

Tobi cleared his throat. "That means you can't go with us. It's too dangerous for you."

Wunmi nodded. "That's what I told her." She turned to me. "The people on Inkwell depend on you, I wouldn't let you do something risky."

I waved them off. "I know. Let's just go back to the raid so we can finish up and get back to Inkwell."

They turned and went back to picking their weapons. It felt as if they were listening to me because they knew I was president.

I didn't know how Tobi felt about my confession but when he turned to look at me, I could tell he was not angry. "We have a lot to talk about when I get back," he said, a smile on his face.

"Then make sure you get back quickly," I said before realizing how cheesy it sounded.

My cheeks flamed and he walked away, chuckling. My eyes caught Victoria glaring at me. I stared back but shuffling beside me took my attention off her.

Marcus was still standing beside me. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to blurt it out like that."

I waved him off. "It's alright. Nothing bad happened."