THREE

The bus drove into the school and everyone started getting down while they walked to their classes.

“Now to the gist of the day” Blessing started as she walked in the middle of Ibk and Fikayo.

“Akin and Shayo are dating secretly but at the rate at which the secret is spreading, it might just blow up soon” Blessing as Fikayo’s face contorted into an irritated one.

“Akin and Shayo?” Fikayo asked and Blessing nodded.

“One is stupid while the other is just plain idiotic. What a match made in heaven” Fikayo said and Blessing and Ibk burst into laughter.

“Why are they even keeping it a secret? They are one funny couple” Fikayo said as they entered their class.

Ibk was seated in front of Fikayo while Blessing was seated beside Ibk. They all sat down as Blessing sighed.

“When will Lashe’s company organize another fan signing?” Blessing asked as Ibukun shrugged.

“I think there’s another stage performance coming up” Ibukun replied and Fikayo sat up.

“It better be in the evening, I must even go ni” Fikayo said as Ibukun laughed.

“You mean late evening” Ibukun said as Fikayo pouted.

“Toluwanimi is still awaiting her admission, I think the first list comes out today. Her name will probably come with the merit list” Ibk said.

“She will. With that brains of her, she should be in the first ten” Blessing said as Fikayo nodded.

“There’s this poster I saw on Wish, it’s Lashe’s poster. Remember the one he wore blue and white like a police officer?” Fikayo asked as Ibk nodded excitedly.

“I so looked for any merch with that cloth but I found none” Ibukun replied with a sulk.

“That’s the poster” Fikayo said as Ibukun’s eyes widened.

“Really?” Ibk asked and Fikayo nodded.

“I’m so getting one” Blessing said happily.

“That’s the problem. The person only has hundred pieces and since it’s high in demand, it about 10K” Fikayo replied as Ibk stopped to turn to Fikayo.

“Yeah, you heard me right. It’s 10k” Fikayo replied.

“Just a poster?” Blessing asked as Ibukun pursed her lips.

“As at yesterday, over 20 people had bought it, so it remains roughly about 70 pieces” Fikayo replied.

 “Those people that bought it must have money growing trees in their house” Blessing said as Fikayo and Ibk burst into laughter.

“Or should we contribute and buy it?” Blessing asked after a while.

“After buying it, who will take it?” Ibk asked as Blessing opened her mouth and closed it.

“I give up” Blessing said as Fikayo nodded.

“10K keh? If you give me 10k right now, I know how filled my wardrobe will become, I’ll buy bags and all. I give up” Fikayo said as Ibk nodded.

“My subscribers should reach over nine hundred thousand with the video I uploaded so when we get home, I’ll send you the links. Do post it and tell your people to subscribe o” Ibk said as Fikayo chuckled at her.

“You are buying it?” Fikayo asked as Ibk nodded.

“Sure. I can’t pass on that” Ibk replied.

“You have more than enough posters in your room nah” Blessing said as Ibk glared at her.

“I don’t have that particular one and I really like that picture” Ibk replied as Blessing shook her head at her.

“Sha be wasting one on persin wey no know you” a girl said as Ibukun turned to her.

“It’s because you don’t mind your business that’s why your lips as is big as your head” Ibukun replied as the class roared with laughter.

“He doesn’t even know you. I don’t care whatever you want to say. Stop obsessing over him” the girl said again although clearly angry at the embarrassment that Ibk had caused her.

“I can’t blame you, your IQ is too low for you to understand the word obsession” Ibukun shot back at her as the class roared with laughter.

The girl glared at Ibukun hatefully.

“Chiamanda don’t even say anything again. You like trouble o” a guy said still laughing.

“Abi nah, we all know Ibk is Lashe’s big fan, even if you are insulting Blessing and Fikayo in her front, she may just be laughing but the moment you say just one bad thing about Lashe, she blows up. Knowing that and still talking, you like trouble o” another gut added.

“No mind am, she dey look for daily dose of insults” another guy said and everyone burst into laughter.

Fikayo hissed as she glared at Chiamanda “There are special reasons why Igbos’ are Igbos’” Fikayo said as Chiamanda turned to Fikayo.

“What do you mean?” she asked as Fikayo ran her eyes up and down.

“Don’t even let me get started with you. look for someone else if you want to exchange worse. We are in the same class but we are definitely not in the same level so better watch yourself” Fikayo said emaciating each word.

“Madd oh!”

“Fikayo no spare the girl sef”

Fikayo hissed as she turned back to Ibk “Are you really buying it?” Fikayo asked as she folded her hands even when she already knew the answer she was going to get. 

“Is there a merch I came across and didn’t buy?” Ibk asked as Fikayo pursed her lips at her best friend.

“E dey your body” Blessing said directly saying Fikayo’s thoughts. Fikayo immediately high fived her. Ibk merely laughed without saying anything.

The class was noisy and Ibk opened her locker and at the top corner, one could see a small picture of a young teenager smiling widely at the camera with his hands in his pockets.  Ibk took out her notes and she rested her back on her chair as she stared at the chair.

She smiled at the picture and nodded. “Have a nice day Lashe” she said as closed her locker and stood up while facing her friends.

“We have Biology, practical” she said as she walked out of the class with a small smile on her face.