Finding Hope

End of year

Tope didn't return for the rest of the term. It was all cool, I had other friends to make the term not so boring..

We have few weeks to the end of the school year, I have survived without him and I will survive without him.

Wunmi: you and your friend don't relate like before

Ayo: obviously, but am I complaining?

Wunmi: no, but I just wanted to know what happened.

Ayo: nothing, hmm you know na.. he is with other hostel boys..

Wunmi: say we no go join hostel like this? This one that all the hostel girls are snatching all the fine boys...

Ayo: you sef snatch day students na..

Wunmi: is it painning you ni 😏..

Ayo: you are not my type jor...

Wunmi: you wish .. so what's your type?

Ayo: I am my type, leave me jor.

While we conversed, other students were involved in many other conversations, the class was filled with noise, and I could just sense it that we were going to get flogged... Mr. Oye a very strict teacher stepped in, ordered us to assemble downstairs where he flogged the entire class.

I wasn't interested in a second round so I went to the library.. I guess Tope and Leonard had the same idea because I met them in the library.

Leo: why are you looking over here

Tope: he is looking at me, he likes me like mad, he likely followed me here

This guy must be so full of himself, what is he thinking? I have survived without him and I can continue this way, so let him park well o.

I didn't dignify his statement with a response, I continued with my reading

As I read a novel I picked from the shelf, I felt something poking my book.

He sat opposite me and a plywood divided us. Inbetween the table and the division is enough space to pass a paper through. He folded a piece of paper and passed it through the thin space, on it he wrote "how are you". I was bored so on the same piece of paper, I responded I am fine, and slipped it back through the space.
(Paper conversation)
Tope: are you not interested in knowing how I am doing?

Ayo: I didn't ask right 😶

Tope: well I am doing great.

Ayo: ok, congratulations.

Tope: congratulations for ?

Ayo: Nothing.. I am reading a book, you are distracting me..

Tope: you are not compelled to respond

I tore the paper and returned to class.
Tope follows me back to class, he sits in the empty seat next to me which is his.