Chapter Seventy-Five: Sunsets and SecretsScene – Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, AbujaThe moment the plane touched down in Abuja, the cabin erupted in soft cheers. Helena glanced out the window, eyes wide with excitement. It was her first time in Nigeria’s capital, and everything already felt warmer—brighter. She turned to Greg beside her, who grinned, sunglasses already on even though they hadn’t left the plane yet.Behind them, Tessy and Leo were debating who would choose the music for the drive from the airport.Outside, the sun blazed over the city as palm trees swayed lazily in the breeze. It was a different kind of chaos here—bustling but calm, wild but free.Their rented black SUV pulled up, and Greg claimed the front seat while Tessy and Helena squeezed in the back with Leo. Music poured from the speakers, and the journey to their AirBnB in Jabi felt like a dream.“I call dibs on the room with the balcony!” Tessy shouted as they arrived.“No way,” Helena laughed. “I spotted it first
Scene – Brentford Academy, Friday MorningBrentford Academy felt oddly quiet after the buzz of prom night. The glittery posters were still up, but the magic had passed. What remained was a calm sense of ending—and the steps toward a new beginning.Helena stepped out of Tessy’s car in a casual tee and jeans, her hair pulled into a ponytail. Her feet ached from heels she swore she'd never wear again. But her heart? Light.Tessy, beside her in a hoodie and leggings, sipped cold zobo from a bottle. “We really did it, huh?”Helena stretched her arms. “Prom? Graduation? Life? Yeah. We did.”From the parking lot, Greg waved from beside his Jaguar. He was dressed down in joggers and a black T-shirt, but the grin he wore was the same one he’d had since the last dance.Leo appeared moments later, earbuds in, bouncing slightly to whatever beat filled his ears.They met in front of the school. The four of them. The circle that had survived it all.Scene – Brentford Assembly HallInstead of decora
Scene – Skyline Hotel Rooftop, 9:37 PMThe city lights glittered below them like scattered stars. Brentford’s senior party at the Skyline Hotel had started like a dream—music pulsing, friends dancing, and laughter echoing through the penthouse hall. Helena stood by the rooftop railing, the night breeze sweeping strands of her hair across her cheek.Greg walked up behind her and slipped his jacket over her shoulders."Cold?" he asked.She smiled. "A little. But mostly just... soaking it in."Greg looked around at the smiling faces—people who once whispered behind Helena’s back now cheering for her in selfies. The journey they had come through together flashed before his eyes.“You shine brighter than this whole skyline,” he whispered.Helena turned to him, cheeks warm. “Flatter me one more time and I’ll make you dance.”Greg laughed, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. “Let’s get out of here.”Scene – Greg’s House, 11:04 PMThe drive home was quiet, not from tension, but from peace. Helena
Chapter Seventy-Two: Letters, Lies & LeapsScene – Helena’s House, Sunday MorningSunlight filtered into Helena’s bedroom, landing across a stack of unopened envelopes on her desk. Prom night was already a memory—fuzzy and golden—but reality waited in her inbox.Tricia knocked softly and entered holding a steaming cup of tea. “These came for you,” she said, setting more letters down. “From the schools.”Helena blinked awake, her hair in a tangle from sleep. “The schools?”Tricia smiled gently. “College decisions.”Helena sat up quickly. The room felt too quiet, too still for what could either be the best or worst day of her life.She reached for the first envelope—Brentshire University. Her hands trembled slightly as she ripped it open.Congratulations!Helena gasped.Tricia’s eyes watered. “You got in?”Helena nodded, mouth open in disbelief. “I got in.”But that was only the first one. She tore through the rest—four more yeses. Scholarships. Honors programs. Full rides.Her voice cr
Scene – Greg’s Bedroom, 5:45 PMGreg stood in front of the full-length mirror, straightening the lapel of his custom-tailored dark navy suit. The suit hugged his frame perfectly—sleek, confident, and quietly expensive. A silver pocket square peeked from his blazer, matching the shimmer of his cufflinks.He ran a hand through his dark curls, which he had actually styled for once, and checked his watch.He wasn’t nervous about prom.He was nervous about her.The girl who changed everything.He looked down at his phone and smiled. One new message.Helena: We’re on our way. Don’t freak out. I look amazing. 😌Greg chuckled and grabbed the corsage sitting on his desk—a delicate white rose, tied with a satin emerald ribbon.“Let’s go make some memories,” he whispered to his reflection.Scene – Tessy’s House, 6:10 PMHelena stood in front of Tessy’s full-length mirror, adjusting the off-shoulder strap of her emerald green gown. The dress flowed like water, hugging her waist before cascading
Chapter Seventy: Practice Before the SpotlightScene – Leo’s Living Room, Tuesday MorningSunlight poured through the curtain gaps, painting soft patterns on the floor. Helena blinked awake to the smell of bacon and the sound of toothbrushes clinking in the bathroom.One by one, the group slowly sat up, groaning and stretching after a night filled with laughter, popcorn, and whispered dreams.Tessy rubbed her eyes. “We have school today, right?”“Yeah,” Helena said, already reaching for her phone. “Prom dance practice.”Leo yawned dramatically. “If anyone makes me do the waltz before 10 a.m., I’m collapsing.”They all burst out laughing.Soon, they were brushing teeth, tying hair up, and folding blankets. They worked together to clean the space—gathering candy wrappers, fluffing the pillows, and stacking leftover pizza boxes. It felt like the end of something magical, but the beginning of something else just as exciting.Greg slipped on his jacket. “Everyone ready?”“Ready-ish,” Tessy