Chapter Ninety-Six: Lines in the SandScene – Abuja, National Legal Summit CenterThe conference hall buzzed with energy. Law students from across the country gathered in clusters, their lanyards bouncing as they moved from workshops to panels. Helena, dressed in a fitted blazer and slacks, clutched her notepad as she scanned the schedule.“You must be Helena Dalton,” a deep voice said behind her.She turned to find a tall, sharply dressed young man offering a dazzling smile. His suit was designer, his eyes calculating. He oozed confidence — the kind that didn’t ask for permission.“I’m Desmond Okoye,” he said. “Final-year law at Obafemi. Panel speaker, national debater, and now...” he winked, “the guy trying to convince you to ditch the welcome tour and have lunch with me.”Helena raised an eyebrow. “That’s... direct.”“I don’t do games,” he said smoothly. “And I always get what I want.”Helena offered a polite smile. “Then you’re going to hate me. I’m not on the menu.”Desmond chuck
Scene – Helena’s Law Clinic, One Week LaterStacks of case files cluttered the long wooden table. Helena adjusted her glasses and leaned over a child custody report she had been assigned to assist with.“Dalton?” her supervisor called out, stepping into the room with a clipboard.Helena sat up straighter. “Yes, ma’am?”“You’re being nominated for the National Legal Advocacy Summit. Top students only. You'll be presenting your research on youth justice reform. It’s in Abuja. Next month.”Helena’s eyes widened. “Wait—really?”“You’ve earned it,” her supervisor said with a rare smile. “Just don’t faint on stage.”Helena exhaled slowly after she left.Big stage. Big responsibility.But also... a big dream.She reached for her phone and typed a message:Helena: I got selected. For the summit. In Abuja.Greg: 😳 No way! That’s huge!Greg: I’m so proud of you, H.Helena: You always believed I could, didn’t you?Greg: Always.Greg: Okay... now you sit down. I have something to tell you too.S
Scene – Campus Courtyard, February 13thPosters flapped on every board in sight:Valentine Bash @ The Dome – Feb 14th, 6PM Love. Laughs. Lights. Red attire mandatory.Helena rolled her eyes as she passed the board. “They’ve turned romance into a full-blown campaign.”Tessy grinned beside her. “And we’re attending, like good citizens of love.”“I’m not dancing in heels,” Helena muttered.“No one said you had to,” Greg said, sliding in beside her and casually wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You can lean on me the whole night.”“Pilot boy, you’ll regret that by hour two,” Leo teased from behind them.They all laughed. And just like that, it was settled—they were going to the party together.Scene – Helena’s Dorm Room, Valentine’s NightHelena stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of her deep red gown. It was simple, elegant, and hugged her like a compliment.“You look like courtroom royalty,” Tessy said, spinning in her own off-shoulder red dress.“And you look like
Scene – Law School Courtyard, Monday AfternoonThe trees swayed gently as students filtered out of the lecture halls. Laughter floated through the breeze, but Helena didn’t hear it. Her heart beat so loud it echoed in her ears.Greg stood by the courtyard fountain, in his usual navy polo and flight school jeans. His eyes searched the crowd—until they landed on her.Everything else fell away.Helena’s steps slowed. She clutched her bag tighter. Greg straightened, but didn’t move. He looked nervous—genuinely nervous, like someone who knew this moment could break or rebuild everything.“Hi,” she said when she reached him.His voice cracked a little. “Hi.”For a second, silence. Then Helena motioned to the bench under a shaded tree.They sat—an arm’s distance apart.Helena inhaled. “Okay. Talk.”Greg nodded slowly. “I didn’t know Anna was coming. I didn’t invite her. She knocked on my door with food and stepped in before I could stop her.”Helena’s jaw was tight, but she didn’t interrupt.
Scene – Greg’s Hostel Room, Friday EveningIt had been three days since Helena blocked him.Three days of sleepless nights.Three days of his phone feeling like dead weight in his palm.Greg had just finished logging a solo navigation drill when a knock landed on his door again—sharp, familiar.He froze.He already knew who it was.He opened the door halfway.Anna.She was in jeans this time, holding a paper bag."Thought you could use dinner," she said with a smile. "You’ve looked stressed lately."Greg didn’t return the smile. “What are you doing here?”“I told you. I brought food.”“I didn’t ask for food,” he said, stepping outside and shutting the door behind him so she couldn’t enter.Her expression faltered, just slightly. “Are you still mad?”“I’m not mad,” he said flatly. “I’m disgusted.”Anna folded her arms, tilting her head. “Wow. That’s harsh.”“What you did wasn’t just wrong—it was manipulative,” Greg said, eyes locked on hers. “You walked into my space after I said no. Y
Scene – Helena’s Dorm Room, MidnightThe food container still trembled on her lap, untouched. The noodles had gone cold. Her phone screen flashed every few minutes with Greg’s name—calls, texts, voice notes.Helena stared blankly at it, her heart a whirlwind of betrayal and confusion.She’d walked into that room hoping to surprise him. Instead, she was the one surprised—by the image of a girl standing too close, Greg frozen, and silence that said too much.Missed Call: Greg (7)Text: Helena, please. It’s not what you think.Voice Note: Just let me explain. Please. I didn’t… I didn’t do anything.Her hand trembled as she clicked “Block Contact.”The phone stopped buzzing.But the silence that followed?It was deafening.Scene – Tessy’s Bed, Later That NightHelena had crawled into Tessy’s room without a word, curled up under the covers, and pressed her face into her best friend’s shoulder.Tessy held her without asking questions.After a long pause, Helena whispered, “She was touching