I don't even know how to start this chapter because my head is pounding, my chest is tight and my pride?Completely finished.You know that thing you hold onto so you won't look weak?Yeah, mine died today.
The Apology I Swore I'd Never Make
Ire.
That name tasted like salt and regret in my mouth.The girl I blamed for everything.The girl I insulted.The girl I dragged for filth because I thought she wanted to ruin my friendship with Kike.
Turns out… she was trying to save me.
And I was too blinded by fake loyalty to see it.
So there I was — standing by the school's old water tank behind the kitchen, waiting for Ire like a lost puppy.She finally showed up, looking like she hadn't slept in days.I swear, even her eyelashes looked exhausted.
"What do you want, Amiya?" she asked flatly, arms crossed.
I swallowed hard.
"I… I came to say I'm sorry."
The words felt like they weighed 50kg each.My ego was screaming in my head.But I pushed it aside.
Her eyes widened like I just announced WAEC was canceled forever.
"You? Sorry? The same Amiya that dragged me like small generator in front of the whole class?"
I laughed through my tears.
"I know I messed up, Ire. You were right. About everything. And I was so stupid. I should've listened to you."
Then, the unexpected happened.
She sighed, stepped forward and pulled me into a tight, almost bone-breaking hug.
"I warned you, goat. But no — madam wanted to be lawyer and judge at the same time."
We both laughed.A little too hard for two girls still heartbroken.
The Ugly Truth About Kike
After the emotional hugfest, we sat under the mango tree.The one I swore I'd never go near again.
That's when Ire dropped the biggest bombshell of the century.
"Amiya, there's something you don't know."
"What again? Is it that Amaka is secretly a lizard? Because I already suspected."
She laughed, shaking her head.
"No, idiot. It's Kike. She and Bryant… they've been together. Since like, SS1 first term."
My jaw dropped.
"Wait… hold on. Our Bryant? My Bryant? Chinese fine boy Bryant?"
She nodded slowly, like she was afraid my spirit would leave my body.
"Yes. And it's not even a secret. Half the school knows. It's just you they didn't tell."
I felt like vomiting, crying, and breaking a chair all at once.
"But… but she knew I liked him. I told her everything. I wrote her poems about him, Ire!"
"And she was collecting your love letters and reading them to Bryant behind your back, babe."
"Wait wait wait — she did what?"
"Yeah. I caught them one evening behind the biology lab reading your pink diary."
If heartbreak had a sound, it would be the noise my head made when it hit the mango tree trunk in frustration.
"God, I'm a clown. A mumu. An ashewo for friendship."
Ire burst into laughter.
"You sef, you too trust. You were busy crying about me while she was sharing popcorn with your crush."
We both laughed.Painful, bitter, crazy laughter.
Because what else could we do?
Miserable Together
By the end of break time, it hit us.We were now the outcasts.
The class divided itself.Kike and Bryant were the new power couple.Amaka was their loudspeaker.And the rest?Either too afraid or too fake.
But for the first time, I didn't care.I had my Ire back.And she had me.
Two miserable best friends.But at least now, we were miserable together.
Late Night Text
That night, I texted Ire:
Me:"I'm still pained sha. Kike betrayed me, Bryant broke my heart and my mango tree is gone."
Ire:"LMAO you still own that dead mango tree? Oya, we'll plant our own. Two idiots' corner."
I smiled through my tears.For the first time in weeks, my heart felt a little lighter.