Novels by Doyinsolami Awosusi

JUNE’S POVThe school gates had never felt this loud. It wasn’t the noise. Students, teachers and the rest of the staff were always talking, greeting, laughing and moving in clusters.Today, it felt like everything was sharper.Or maybe it was just me.“Hey.” I heard Jules’s voice, “are you just going to stand there?” She said, laughing as she hugged me.“Where’s your boyfriend?” She said with a smug grin as we started walking.“He has a name you know?” I said. “And I have no idea.” I responded to her question.Today, I wore my hair up and cut out two curls in front, falling at both sides of my face. The star shaped golden hair clip Jules bought for me was fixed by the side of my hair. “You’re looking gorgeous today.” She complimented me with a wink.“Today?” I teased.“You look beautiful every day without trying but there’s a little effort today, especially with your hair. Let me just add a little something.” She said and dug out a clear lipgloss from her bag and applied on my lips

JUNE’S POVThe difference between a truth and a lie is how well you sell it. Every good agreement comes with rules. Ours just happened to involve lying. His expression changed.Humor.And his attention sharpened.“If you don’t know, which you probably do, I used to date James Dowman,” I started. “He’s an ass.” James and Adrien were on the school's football team but at totally different club academies. Rival ones too.“Anyways, he cheated and I want revenge.” Lying was the easy way out, how would I say I wanted to use him kindly?“Okay, this is interesting,” he said. “What do you want me to do?”“Date me.” The words left my mouth before I could take them back.There are easier ways to ruin your life than pretend to date Adrien Hayes.I just didn’t choose one of them.“What?” He blinked.“I mean, pretend to date me. Also, I want to enjoy my last few months. You give me access to that.” “You mean… like fake dating?” “Exactly.” I said.Silence stretched between us.“I’m in.” My he

JUNE’S POV Manipulation only worked when the other person believed they had a choice.That was the difficult part, convincing Adrien this arrangement benefitted him too.“You just randomly got paired with the hottest guy in school?” Jules stared at me. “Maybe God really does have favorites.”I laughed softly.“So what are you going to do?” She asked.“Work on the presentation?” “You’re boring,” she said. “Tragically boring.” “For wanting to pass?”“For refusing to create chaos. A lot of girls would love to be in your position.” She explained.“Jules, I’m not creating chaos and I’m not competing for his attention.” I responded.“Please kiss him once, at least for entertainment purposes.” She told me.“I’m not a TV show and I won’t be kissing anyone, my days.” I breathed.“Anyways, have you applied for the new writing contest?” Jules wanted to be a journalist and wanted to build an impressive reputation. “Yes I have. When I win, or even just make the podium, I’ll be offered admissio

JUNE’S POVI didn’t usually approach people like Adrien Hayes. Not because I’m intimidated but because people like him didn’t belong in the same world as people like me.Coming to school today hoping things would magically fall into place would be stupid.Hope wasn’t a strategy. If I wanted something, I had to go after it. Politics class was the only one we shared. That made it my smartest option.“Hi Mr Emmanuel.” I greeted my politics teacher. “Hello June, how can I help you?” He asked, not raising his eyes.“I was going through the syllabus recently and realized how much there still is to cover,” I started. He looked up at me, showing some sort of interest.“I was thinking that we have a presentation, to revise more topics faster.” I continued, hoping I was convincing him.“Hmm that doesn’t sound bad. I’ll think about it, thank you.” He responded. I knew how much he loved presentations. I was certain this was going to work.“I’d love to be Alya’s partner.” I slipped in, just to

JUNE’S POVResults week decides who gets a future and who gets left behind. I didn’t need luck to get into Westbridge. I needed access.I overheard a few students talking about their results. “My dad knows someone on the admissions board. As long as I didn’t get any Cs, I’m in.” One of them explained. I wish they knew how lucky they were to have such advantages. To not have to worry about the difference between an A* and an A. Life was so much easier for them. If not easier, they had smoother lives. They had the luxury of being carefree, easy, relaxed. Their futures were already secured, signed and sealed by family surnames and connections. “June!” I heard Jules loud voice from across the hallway, snapping me out of my thoughts. She was running towards me with papers in hand.“Calm down, what’s going on?” I held her shoulders to steady her as she caught her breath.“Our mock results are out.” She said and my eyes went straight to the papers in her hands.“Here’s yours. I didn’t