2.

“There's something about that Brieanna girl I can't seem to place my finger on," Kate told her school mother as she sat on her bed during siesta.

“Spoilt brat?" Her school mother asked.

“Yes, and as if she's looking for a prey to feed on, I feel sorry for Amma, I've tried telling her but she won't listen to me. Xtha is also backing her so I've decided to keep mute." She told.

“At least you did your best in telling her but she's still hell-bent on following her, so just leave her be. A word to a wise is enough." Ellen told her school daughter.

“But Xtha, I don't need boys now," Noëlla argued with her friend as the three walked to the dining hall. Kate was mute as she listened on in their conversation.

“There's nothing wrong with having a male as a friend Amma. Isn't it Kate?" She asked.

“Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but--" She was cut off by Xtha.

“So you see, there's absolutely nothing wrong," Xtha smirked.

“Well, I've heard from you. I'd think about it." Noëlla said as they entered the hall and walked to their respective tables.

"Amma, so you are still avoiding me?" Brieanna called as she was walking to class with Xtha and Kate.

“Oh, Brieanna, I'm not avoiding you, I just felt like walking with Late and Xtha today. We'd meet in class." She assured her friend.

“Okay, if you say so, See you then." She hurried off as Kate puffed.

“Maame kate, why do you hate her so much?” Noëlla voiced out.

“I don't hate her, she just has some negative vibes around her." She defended.

“Yoo, it's only you too that sees the negative vibes too." Xtha chimed in.

“Just get to know her, she's a nice person." Noëlla probed.

“No thanks, " Kate added as Leon, one of their classmates slung his arm over Kate's shoulders.

“Katie baby." He called her by her pet name.

“Leon, wosop(what's up)?" She asked as they walked further from Amma and Xtha.

“And she was behaving as if she has no male friends," Xtha added.

“Oh Xtha, Leon is cool with everyone so read no meaning into this," Noëlla said.

“That girl er, she's just a hypocrite, she'd say something and do the opposite," Xtha concluded.

“Don't judge a book by its cover Xtha." Emma reprimanded.

“As for this book dier, I'd judge by its cover, because it's contents are no different from the cover." She huffed as they entered the classroom.

“Noëlla wait!" Adade called as she rolled her eyeballs.

“What is it again?" She sighed.

“I just want to be your friend." He told as she looked at both Brieanna and Xtha who were giving her the go-ahead.

“Fine, here's my digits." She said to him as he typed it on his phone.

“Later." She walked off.

Amma was less harsh to Adade than she was before. They had been talking on the phone and through WhatsApp.

“Ei, lover girl," Xtha said as she joined her on her bed as she was busily whatsapping Adade.

“Oh please, I'm not in love with him wai." She said.

“You're just trying to convince yourself you aren't, by the way, if you are that's cool but just be careful," Kate added.

“Since when did you become a relationship counsellor, Holico mama ( Holy)?" Xtha asked Kate.

“Ma friend, ma mendwene me ho, na wopr3 dodo( Let me be, you worry too much)" Kate said picking a bar of soap and her dirty clothes.

“Aren't you girls washing today?" She asked them.

“Wait for me, " Amma said jumping off her bed and taking her dirty clothes to wash. She put her phone into her locker and locked it as she followed Kate out to wash.

The next day was visiting hours and Noëlle was excited she was going to see her eldest sister who had just returned from the states after her 6-year studies. 

She'd missed her a lot and both of them were closer than the rest of their siblings.

“Are your parents visiting you tomorrow?" She asked Brieanna as they walked to the class after dining. “Of course they are, I can't wait to see them." She added.

"Same here, my big sister would be coming too, it's been long I had seen her." She said waving to Adade who was walking with his friends behind them.

“Once upon a time, you didn't want anything to do with him and now, you guys are like best friends or what?" Brieanna spat jealously.

“Oh Yaa, don't be jealous yeah, you're my best friend in the whole wide world, sissy's before dicks." She said poking her and making her smile.

If only she knew!

The day flew by, and finally, it was visiting. They cleaned their room and then laid white bedsheets on their mattresses for inspection. After the inspection, parents started coming in. Students moved around the campus talking to their parents and siblings.

Amma walked to the car park with Kate to meet her sister and her parents. Kate's parents had already left because they had a conference to attend to so they dropped off the stuff she needed and then sent her money to her Mtn Mobile wallet.

“Nancy!" She called and run to hug her.

“Noëlla, I've missed you," Nancy said hugging her as Kate stood awkwardly looking at them.

“Mom, Dad, Nancy, Kobby, meet my hostel mate and friend, Kate. Kate, my family." Amma introduced.

“Nice to meet you guys too." She said as Kobby pulled her aside to talk to her. He had recently completed SHS and was waiting for his results.

Her parents had to leave for business, so they gave her money and then left her with her brother and sister. Kobby and Kate were a little further from Amma and her sister.

“Any crushes or boys?" Nancy asked.

“Oh, Nancy is that all you could ask?" She blushed.

“No, but that's what I want to know." She smiled at her.

“There's this guy, who I'm getting to know." Noëlla let out.

“Is he hot?" Nancy teased.

“He's nice." She blushed.