Hello Nigeria!

Chapter 30: Prom

"You look stunning!" Nes chirps, clapping her hands. I smile, turning to look in the mirror.

I'm wearing a black sequinned v-necked evening dress with a long slit as high as my thigh. I have a dark makeup on my face with red lipstick and there isn't a word for the complicated hairstyle on my head, courtesy of Nes but I love it! Surprisingly, Jason and Alex helped me pick the pair of silver studded earrings on my ears. They raided my room the day we shopped online.

Finally, high school has come to an end. I smile as memories of my days in Macaulay high come flooding into my head. I recall how my squad and I used to plan out our outfits for prom. How we used to practically raid Enoch's house because it was the largest during weekends to do assignments and gossip.

Everyone was certain Enoch and I would end up dating but here I am, waiting for another guy to take me to prom.

My heart warms even more when I think of the family I got the first day I stepped foot in West's high. Alice Fabian, the girl whose presence brings peace and beauty to a place, Melody Udo, the ever cheerful one with an easily likeable persona and Halima Hassan, the crazy one with the unending need for attention and inability to hide her feelings. They've all contributed in my life one way or another.

"Bella, someone's here!" mum calls from downstairs and Nes beams at me.

"Let's go knock someone off his feet!" she grins wickedly and I shake my head.

I pick up my silver purse which has a matching colour with my earrings and stiletto heels. With sharp breaths in and out, I follow Nes out.

I have no idea why I'm so nervous about seeing Jasper. He's been my neighbour, classmate and friend for almost a year now. Maybe I'm worried about what he'll think of my look. If he'll want to appear in prom with me dressed like this.

It's not like my outfit isn't dope but Jasper may have seen far more beautiful outfits!

I don't even realize I'm on the last step until I step off of it. Nes has her hand on Jasper's shoulder and she probably just said something funny but he's not listening as his eyes are trained on me. He looks crazy hot in his black suit and the way his hair is neatly slicked back makes me want to look at him forever. I look away.

I beam at mum as we hug and give my brothers a knowing look.

"Okay my girlfriend has to look prettier than that or else I'm not going to prom with her," Alex says seriously and we laugh. I'm seriously avoiding looking at Jasper now. He's been alarmingly silent the whole time.

"Well technically, you may not go to prom with her," Nes jives and Lex's face drops. He gives her a look not to go further. I trust Nes, one more silly word from him and she'll tell mum he's dating Melody even though he still hasn't worked up the nerves to tell her he likes her officially.

We fall silent and I know it's time to go. And time to go means time to look at Jasper.

"Jasper, make sure she's safe," mum says and he tears his eyes from me to nod at her. I use that opportunity to wave everyone and quickly walk out.

"Wait, I'm coming to take pictures of you two," Nes informs as she hurriedly picks her phone and follows.

It's 5:30pm and luckily for us, the sky is clear. Jasper strolls to my side with a smile once we're outside and we pose for the first shot. I plaster a completely nervous smile on my face and I'm sure Nes is almost grimacing at the sight of it.

When she takes the first shot, she looks at us from beside the phone with a blank face.

"What?" I ask in confusion.