chapter 7

Janet adjusted in her seat, sighing for the tenth time since the class had started. She felt uneasy, well; this was because Derek had been absent for about three days and counting.

She hadn't seen him and was very worried.

What made her that way was the fact that his 'crew' actually showed up at school but he didn't. This was very unlike them, in fact; during one of her nosy adventures, she heard Obinna complaining about how Derek hadn't been picking up his phone.

Janet picked up her bag before digging her hands into it, bringing out her phone, which she had snuck to school. Unlocking it quietly, she tapped her fingers against the screen; sighing again as she saw that he left her on read.

She sent him a message when he didn't come to school the first time, a little hey, but she had been on read ever since. 

"I swear, if you sigh again I'll bite your ear." Ada spat at her as she twirled her pen; her legs resting on the chair of the person in front of her. Janet glared at her, before hissing and putting her head against her palms.

"What happened sef?" Ada asked, leaning over to Janet's table. She didn't want to seem clingy or annoying so she just shrugged, shaking her head at her.

"Nothing."

"Tell me jorh." Ada kept on pestering, edging closer to the girl's seat. Ada looked towards Janet with a slight frown, before her eyes caught on the empty seat.

"Oh, I see." Ada chuckled, shaking her head at Janet; who just looked at her funny. "See what?"

"Your guy's absent. Not that I'm surprised."

Ada hinted at her, twirling the pen in her hand, a smirk on her lips. Janet hissed at her before folding her arms in annoyance. Was she that obvious?

"Which boy? It's just for the attendance." Janet quickly came up with, crossing her legs under her table and looking straight at the white board. 

Her and Ada always sat at the back of the class, so it'd be easy to go through the back door to ring the bell. Well, that was the lie they told to their teacher.

"See as the lie get creativity." Snickered her best friend, what did she expect? Of course Ada wasn't going to believe that. 

"Leave me jare, I'm just worried." Janet sighed in defeat. Ada gave her a look, then continued to jot down what the teacher was saying.

"Well, you better write. Abi don't you want to offer him your note again?"

Ada brought up with a teasing voice. Janet giggled at this before slightly pushing her shoulders.

The end of the day came faster than Janet had expected, even if she did nothing but stare longingly at the empty seat, also jotting down on her note for future reference.

She packed her bags sluggishly, looking outside of her class; hoping to spot one his boys around. Then she looked over and saw Obinna.

Without even thinking, Janet rushed over to him, holding her phone in one hand and her bag in another. Of course, beside Obinna was Jagun, as well as Ope. Obinna was talking about something, while leaning against the wall. Jagun was just nodding and of course he instantly spotted Janet the second she made her way to them.

"Head girl, what's up?" Obinna let out, a little unenthusiastically; Ope folded his arms, looking bored as Jagun just glared at her, sucking on his teeth.

"Hi." Janet waved, before glaring back at Jagun. After their little race, they hadn't shared words at all, not that they usually did.

"We haven't seen Derek." Jagun cocked his head at her with a large grin on his face, he knew what he was doing. Janet tightened the grip on her phone before rolling her eyes.

"Ogbeni did I ask you?" She bit back, getting annoyed.

"Abeg, don't start fighting here. Anyways, see you later head girl. Ope, Jagun, I say we go check on him." Obinna said to the guys as they turned their heels and began making their way down the hall; leaving her alone, looking ever so dumbstruck.

They wanted to go visit him?

Oddly Janet wouldn't mind that idea, she wanted to go as well; but she knew that the boys would obviously disagree. Especially if Jagun had a say in her offer.

When Janet saw that they were reaching the stairs, she jogged over to them, running right in front of Obinna.

"Ahan." Obinna knitted his brows at her, quickly stopping himself from barging into the short girl. Without thinking, Janet outed her request with one of her bright smiles.

"Can I follow you?" She didn't know how or even when she grew a pair to ask him that question. He paused, looking up at her with his brows high up. His look alone already questioning her words, Jagun scoffed at her while Ope just snickered.

"You want to go to his house?" This came from Ope; he tilted his head as he said this, laughing at a frustrated Janet. "Can I ask why?" Obinna continued, tapping against his chin and staring down at her with a ghost smile.

"She probably wants to suck him off while she's at it."

"Shut up!" Janet spat at Jagun, her cheeks heating up at his vulgar words. Why would she want to do that? Not that she would disagree, but that wasn't the point! 

Obinna rolled his eyes at his friend; however, Ope chuckled at a smirking Jagun. "So, you'd be in an empty house, with what? Four boys? A whole omo pastor?" Obinna grinned at her, shoving his hands into his pockets. There was that nickname again! Janet groaned at him before crossing her arms, why was he making a big deal out of this?

"I can ask Ada to come with me." Janet concluded, this seemed to catch Ope's attention because he stopped his silent conversation with Jagun and looked up a Janet.

"She's probably too busy with Gbenga." He so much as scoffed, Janet didn't fail to catch the eye roll that came with those words.

Busy with Gbenga? 

What did he mean by that?

Gbenga was anything but Ada's type. "Besides, he's so far behind, I can give him my notes." She asked one last time, hoping that he would agree. She had a feeling that whatever Obinna concluded on, they would agree, so, she stared longingly into his eyes and putting her lips.

He was making her feel so desperate!

"That wouldn't be a first...maybe this time it's her nudes that are in it." The last sentence was uttered quietly by Jagun, but the first one was in a mocking tone; giving her a knowing smirk. Janet groaned at the annoying boy, before looking back at Obinna.

"That makes sense, okay then. We'll wait for five minutes." Obinna called out, raising his arms to emphasize his point, Janet grinned before nodding and skipping away triumphantly— but silently hoping they wouldn't sneak away.

When Janet made her way back to the class, she saw Ada texting away on her phone and smacking the chewing gum she had in her mouth. "Where'd you go?" Ada asked when she spotted her, bringing herself to her feet, with her bag slung on one shoulder.

"What do you say we take a trip."

"Trip ke? Which one is that?" Ada laughed at Janet, tilting her head to the side in utter confusion. She was beating around the bush with her question, she found it hard to spit it out.

"Like...go to someone's house." Janet continued. Ada looked at her with pursed lips then arched her eyebrows, as if telling her to continue.

"To Derek's place." 

Janet murmured lowly, using her thumb to tug against her bottom lips nervously, Ada's eyes widened when she had finally processed what the girl in front of her mumbled.

"Kini? Derek's wetin? Ahan Janet, are you tripping?" Ada asked carelessly, a shocked expression written all over her face as she put her hands at each side of her hips; she resembled Janet's mom when she did that.

"How long have you guys been talking that you wan land his house?" Ada continued with a stern voice, Janet sighed at this. She should have just asked Shalom. She knew that Shalom would agree without much arguments if any.

"Just to, you know...Anyways! It's Obinna them that are going, I just wanted to join in..." Janet rambled on, trying to convince her friend who just kept on staring at her in disbelief.

"Or I can go by myself." Janet spoke up again when it was getting too quiet, finally, Ada gave in with a sigh. "You know I won't let you go alone." Janet squealed at her some what agreement, walking, with her bag, out of their class.

Janet texted her mom, saying that she and Ada were working on a project together, so she would be coming home later than usual, and without any question her mom sent her an okay, be safe response.

"I wonder when you became so adventurous." Ada giggled at a smiling Janet, while she just shrugged. To Janet's surprise, Obinna and his friends were still there; looking rather impatient.

"Sorry for the wait." Janet called out, walking over to the group of boys, a big smile on her face. Obinna chuckled at her, nodding over to Ada who just smiled back.

From the corner of Janet's eyes, she saw Ada look over her shoulder, her head turned towards Ope who just glared at her for some reason. When she looked away from him, she had a smirk on her face.

"Let's go, then." 

They walked out of the school gate, making their way over to three bicycles. Oh. Janet face palmed herself when she saw it, obviously they came with a bicycle.

"I'll ride with Jagun." Ada said, purposely looking over at Ope when she said this; while Janet looked over at Obinna with hopeful eyes, which he just groaned to.

"Oya, don't waste time." 

Janet got on the bicycle along with Obinna, clutching against his chest to steady herself. For the first time, she inhaled Obinna's scent. The aroma made her mose tingle, it was a soft fruity flavour; she could fall asleep to this.

With her eyes closed, she let the wind fan through her face, her body constantly jumping as he rode over a bump. Janet sniffed him again, loving how he smelt. From any strangers point of view, it probably looked romantic, the way she clutched unto Obinna, shutting her eyes as she let him peddle them to their destination.

In less than twenty minutes, the bicycle came to a halt. "This one you were holding me like this." Obinna teased her, using his hands to take hers off him. When she opened her eyes, she remembered this neighborhood.

It was the one her and Shalom came to the other day, except it looked better than the shady neighborhood. They arrived at a house, the black paint looking chipped off on the gate; behind the gate was a cosy looking house.

Cream and brown, the paint of the walls also looked chipped off, the roof solar panels on them and a balcony on the side of the building.

Janet was in awe, so this is where Derek lives...Janet hummed to herself, taking in the whole environment as she clutched unto her bag.

Ada walked over to Janet and nudged her side with a smirk, following the boys as they made it over to the large gate that had broken bottles attached the the top of the walls.

Ope pressed the bell at the side of the gate, once, twice...before he let go off the button. "Spoil it o." Ada scoffed at him, this made Janet laugh.

But her giggles seized the moment the gate opened, a figure came out as the gates squeaked open.

There he was.

Janet almost gasped as she saw how bad he looked, well— more beaten up than bad. He had a busted lip and a black eye; a cut against his bush eyebrows. Derek looked roughed up, he squinted his eyes at the sun, using his arms to cover his face.

"Crap." Ope was the first one to speak.

Crap indeed.

"You look like crap guy." Ope continued, like the words weren't already self explanatory. Janet rolled her eyes at his words, looking back at Derek. It was as if he hadn't yet noticed the girls at the back of Obinna, he just looked over at Ope, then Jagun.

"Yeah, I didn't notice." Derek said, his groggy voice laced with sarcasm. "What the heck happened?" Jagun asked him, staring at his injuries in shock.

"He was obviously beaten up." Ada spat at Jagun in annoyance, this time, Derek's eyes widened as he head a girl's voice. He snapped his head over to the sound, his lips practically dropping as he saw the two girls.

His gaze directed especially at a suddenly shy Janet.

"Janet?" Derek questioned, as if he thought he was seeing things. "Yeah, I'm here too, thanks to her." Ada signified, making her presence known. Janet's cheeks instantly heated up once she was figured out she was the only person he was staring at.

"She wanted to come by force." Obinna casted, not even leaving out the embarrassing part. Her cheeks heated up even more, Derek let out a deep sigh before glaring at Obinna. 

He probably didn't want her here.

Her heart almost clenched as the thought crossed her mind, a small frown appeared on her lips as she looked down, already regretting her decision.

"Come in." He mumbled, annoyed. 

The gate squeaked even louder, everyone made their way inside, Janet walking in last. When she did, she snuck a glance over at him, seeing that he was already looking down at her.

"Sorry for intruding." She mumbled to him, awkwardly standing at his back as he locked the gate. With a thin lipped smile, he shook his head.

"You're not."

"So, who messed you up like this sef?" Obinna asked once they reached the living room, he plopped unto the small couch and stretched his whole body against it with a loud squeal.

"Pedro came by." Was all Derek said.

Janet noticed a small first aid kit on the floor, it seemed so messy; like he didn't know how to clean his wounds properly.

Speaking of wounds, who on earth was Pedro? Was he the guy who beat up her Derek? Her teeth gritted at the thought, whoever he was, she wished he got run over by a truck or something.

"Who's Pedro?" Ada voiced out Janet's thoughts. "None of your concern." Ope snapped back almost immediately. 

"I thought he was out of town?" Suddenly, Obinna got all worried, sitting up on the couch with a frown on his face.

"I guess not." Jagun thought out loud, Derek just shrugged lazily, bending over to pick up the first aid kit. Ada was already sprawled up on the couch with a scowling Ope by her side, her bags sitting on the floor. But Janet hadn't even sat down, she was too busy taking in his home.

They were no pictures on the wall, she wondered if his parent were around, she remembered saying that his siblings were dead...Janet frowned at that.

"Do you have beer, omo after the cycle wey I cycle ehn, I've tire." Obinna groaned, Ope and Jagun agreeing with him. Derek let out a chuckle before nodding, he turned over to Janet with his brow raised.

"What of you guys?"

"Beer." Ada smirked.

Janet had never really had beer before, just a sip, and it tasted horrible.

"Uh...beer?" Janet asked, her voice slightly going up. Obinna laughed at this, sending a grin her way. Derek grinned as well, shrugging at her request before going to get the drinks. When he got back, he gave her the beer, looking expectantly at her to take a sip.

"Don't spit it out sha." Ope teased at Janet, gulping down his own with a loud and satisfied burp. She rolled her eyes at him, looking over at Ada who just sipped her, crossing her legs as she tapped away on her phone.

The moment she took a sip, she felt all the hairs on her body fly up, it tasted horrible! Too embarrassed to spit it out, Janet just gave Derek an awkward smile since he kept on staring at her with a smirk.

"Yuck." Janet coughed out, scrunching up her nose once she forced the liquid down her throat. 

"Ajebutter." Jagun mocked at her, sipping on his drink with a grin; she just hissed at him before looking over at Derek. He just shook his head with a side smile, taking the drink from her and downing at a a go. He didn't even care that she had just drank from the bottle, once he was done, he trashed it.

Janet just kept staring at his injuries, they must have hurt. The stupid Pedro of a guy probably punched him till he got a black eye, the thought alone made her blood boil.

"Should I help you clean up your cuts?" Janet brought up without thinking, still staring at his cuts and bruises; Derek seemed taking aback by her question, narrowing his eyes from her as if deep in thought.

"You don't have to." The words came out bitterly, she flinched at his tone. "I...sorry." She mumbled at him, looking down to the floor as she began to tug on her bottom lip.

Unknown to her that Derek stared, he so much as studied her, noticing the little things she did, like tug on her bottom lip. He was still clueless to why she did that, did he make her nervous? He saw how she flinched at his words, they came out harsher than he expected. Derek found himself feeling guilty, so he sighed in defeat; giving in to her request.

"Fine, if you want to." Janet's ears perked up when she heard this, her face broke out into a small smile, before slowly turning into a grin.

She heard him chuckle at her expression, walking over to the first aid kit, she picked it up from the table, Jagun's eyes following her like she was his prey. His lips edging into a frown as he saw that she took the kit and walked back over to Derek.

He hated to admit it, but he was pissed off at the fact that she blushed at anything Derek said.

Was that jealousy?

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