Safe

Thirteen

       The school day went by very quickly, very stressful but much better than she'd thought it would go. The kids behaved and actually worked together and the sweets came out well. Nike split the goodies up so everyone got something to eat and take home then took some for herself. Evidence of a job well done for the haters who didn't believe in her leadership skills, better known as Lola.
By one thirty that afternoon, the school building had quietened since most of the students had spilled out into the large space surrounding the building playing ball and making a crazy amount of noise. The building itself was almost empty and sounds echoed as Nike locked up her classroom and left for the day.
She stopped to get lunch at a fast food place and after some deliberation, decided to indulge in the junk she was craving. She'd just have to eat remorsefully, she decided.
Lunch in hand, she headed into her friends store, feeling much better at the prospect of Saturday and switching her work shoes for a pair of fuzzy slippers.
She stepped into the store, relishing the coolness of the interior and went behind nodding to the staff as she went.
She rapped lightly on the door with her knuckles and stepped inside. Two women were sorting through hangers and Hannah was on the phone sounding very cross at whoever was on the line.
Nike said hello, found a seat and instantly dug into her meal sighing blissfully as she did.
Life was tough but it wasn't anything fried chicken couldn't make better.
"Ugh! I'm on my last nerve with these people." Hannah complained as she hung up.
"Is that how the saying goes?" Nike answered through a mouthful of food.
"Hello to you too." Hannah said with more flourish than was needed and came over to steal a fry from her.
"Give me some. I swear I've not eaten all day."
"I knew you'd say that." Nike laughed and handed over the second bag.
"This is why I love you." Hannah smiled and began eating.
"So where are these gorgeous outfits you promised?"
"Over there." She said, pointing then turned to the ladies working.
"That's enough for now. Please excuse us."
They left and Nike trashed her take away boxes before going over to the pile Hannah had pointed at.
"So many colours! We bless the Lord."
"Did I tell you I'm going to brunch with Lola and her boyfriend tomorrow?"
"Em.. no! Lola has a boyfriend?"
"Yep and he's a soldier. A whole Nigerian army officer. My dad is going to faint when he hears."
"Lola is the fun in your family. Between the producer who never actually produced any music and a military man, we know who your dad would prefer." Hannah laughed.
"He better prefer him because it sounds serious."
"The peach looks good. Hold it up again let me see."
Nike held up the material in question and Hannah nodded. She added it to the try on pile.
"Serious you say? You think they'll get married?"
"Let's not jump the gun." Nike laughed. "She just really likes him.
Speaking of people who like other people, how's Hameed?"
"We're talking about your sister not me." Hannah mumbled and turned away, pretending to look busy. The blush crawling up her neck gave her away though and Nike squealed and abandoned the clothes to sit next to her friend.
"Tell me everything right now!"
"Everything? Which everything?"
"Hannah! What are you hiding now!"
Hannah huffed and turned to her.
"Nothing. I'm not hiding anything. We talk on the phone, go out once or twice and he sends me pretty stuff and that's it."
"Okay... And we don't like that?"
"The man's a saint Nike! I could be half naked and he wouldn't even notice. Where's the steam?" She lamented and Nike almost laughed.
"Let me get this straight. You're bothered because he hasn't tried to have sex with you?"
Hannah widened her eyes and shrugged. "Isn't that what they all want?"
"But you hate it when men proposition you like that!"
"I do but at least it helps me figure out how to treat them. This one treats me like a queen and is honestly a little too perfect."
Nike actually laughed then.
"Has it occurred to you that he might not want you for your body?
You always complain about attracting fuck boys and the one man who's acting right you're wary of?"
Hannah chewed her lip and threw her hands up in annoyance.
"Do you know he doesn't miss any prayers? Like all five a day, in the bag! The only person I know that prays that much is my mother."
"Ouch! I'm a praying woman too what do you mean!"
"Praying you've not run out of red MnMs doesn't count." She said pointedly and Nike laughed.
"Seriously! How am I supposed to keep up with that? I only got as far as the alphabets in quranic school before giving up."
"You didn't give up, you were kicked out." Nike amended.
Hannah wacked her with a throw pillow in response and she shrieked in laughter.
"Okay, okay! Just go with the flow. It's not like he's asking you to marry him. Enjoy being treated like a queen while it lasts."
"Okay but if I fall in love, I'll murder you."
"Who will spend their money in your store then?"
Hannah laughed. "You that you're one of my smallest customers. Try on the clothes and let me see jare!"