Chapter 6

"Woah! Nice dunk man!!" T.J nothing but surprised, exclaimed as Elo landed firmly on his feet.

Waiting to have a good laugh, T.J had stayed back, watching quietly and anticipating Elo's failure. But to his uttermost surprise, the boy could dunk like a damn pro.

"Thanks man." Elo wiped perspiration off his temple.

"You've been here for long?"

he asked, reaching for another inflated ball.

"Not much. You play so well man, for a guy who is__ You know__" Elo raised a brow and T.J marveled once more at how he pulled such expression perfectly.

Adding it to list of things to try out in the mirror later.

"__ short?" Elo cut him short. Again, making a perfect throw.

"That's not really what I meant_But yeah, something like that."

"No Problemo, I've heard that so many times. I know I lack in the height department." he gave T.J his signature smile, showcasing his perfectly set dentals.

You sure don't lack in the teeth department.

T.J thought, returning his smile.

"You play?" Elo asked dribbling the ball.

"Obvi__yes."  Elo rolled his eyes causing T.J to laugh.

"Just that, I'm not really used to the question. Back in NYC, they pass ball and not ask. Especially when you're tall and black. Its like a necessity."

"Yeah, I get you."

"Growing up, was like a tradition to play foot ball, soccer. The game seemed rough shaa and involved so much sand you get?" Elo tried to explain.

Growing up, he was a skinny kid, lacking in height. His friends grew faster and moved faster as well in the fields. He couldn't give a swift pass to save his life and in return, got jeered for not being man enough. Eight, nine and Ten year old kids bragged about being men by kicking a ball perfectly well.

Junior secondary school, Elo walked up to the school's basket ball coach, told him he wanted to join the team, but instead he got teased around and not try outs.

When he was done letting out how he truly felt to T.J, which he'd never done before. He felt light, like a weight has been lifted off him.

"Awww man. It must have been hard for ya. So you just gave up on Basket ball?" T.J slapped the ball out of his hands, dribbling it before sending it to the hoop.

Elo's silence said it all. Nothing killed a willing spirit more than discouragement from those one looked up to. Elo had expected Coach Anya to welcome him with open arms but got an opposite reaction.

It took him months to get over the rejection, focusing on keeping himself happy and improving his tech skill. At least, that will do.

But that didn't stop him from thinking about basket ball. He streamed basket ball related videos online, followed every basket ball related page on twitter and Instagram. And was content with that.

They played in silence before Elo noticed T.J wasn't being himself. Sometimes, he dribbled or bounced a ball way too long or missed at shots.

Elo cussed himself for being too selfish. He promised Tasie to be a friend and a brother to T.J. Now, T.J was doing them instead. He'd let his own past issues take over.

He reached for the ball, tackling T.J's every move till the taller boy groaned in frustration before giving up. 

It took days of observation to know that T.J didn't like being bothered about his problems.

"Thinking is damn exhausting!" T.J blurted out before dropping on the trampoline floor.

"Care to elaborate?" Elo joined him. Doing a little victory dance in his head.

T.J wiped perspiration off his forehead, before catching a towel Elo threw his way.

"Girls are so tiring. I mean, I don't even know what I did wrong and she's gone all cutthroat on me. Fine, I tried to apologise, and she doesn't even want to give me listening ears. I'm tired! I am going straight to Mr Ofese_"

"_Ofose." Elo corrected trying to hold his laughter, after finding out where the conversation was heading.

He didn't expect the mini beef to last this long. Everyone knew Chimdi as easy going.

"Whatever__ Ofose on Monday to tell him I want to change partners since Jiki doesn't want to. Now, the only peeps I talk to are you and Jiki. Nene and Lara be treating me like I killed their damn pets and I am tired!" he finished, letting out a breath, like he's been holding one in for a long time.

Elo, who was enjoying T.J's rants suddenly felt bad. The boy was indeed tired. He looked tired.

"I knew Nigeria was gon' be hectic and hella stressful. I just want things to move smoothly so I can return to the states. Is that too much to ask?" He sighed, palming his face in the manliest possible way.

Elo, hearing that he wanted to go back to New York freaked out. Just when he got a breath of fresh air, its about to be snatched away.

"You sure, you didn't do nothing wrong? Cos, Chimdi is forgiving. She doesn't hold grudges that long."

"I just said that in passing. Didn't even think she'll hear me." T.J argued.

"I don't know, give her time or you can talk to Mr Ofose. You know being in her shoes requires a lot." 

T.J nodded. Wishing for Monday to arrive as soon as possible.

Soft music flowing from Lara's air pod was all that was heard, serving as a savior to the already pregnant silence.

The room was so quite that the content of an air pod could be heard. Which was something rare as the three could not handle silence. There was always something to talk about, people to diss and rival celebrities to tongue lash.

It was obvious that they were bothered and burdened with unsaid words. The unsaid words hung in the air creating tension. It irked Nene more, cos she was one to voice out her opinion, irrespective of person.

Chimdi knew something was up, but was scared she knew what was bothering them.

"Okay fine! Chimdi, you gats talk to T.J. Is not like he said anything different from what Jiki said." Nene had enough. Shutting her laptop, she faced Chimdi who tried to ignore them but couldn't.

"And you are making us ignore him. He is an okay guy. He just joined us and you are making him think Nigerian girls are bitches." Lara added. They rarely fought, but when they do, it was bound to be disastrous.

"Wait a minute, did you indirectly call me a literal bitch?" that got Chimdi's attention.

Lara was a bit irked, of all things said, being called a bitch was all that got her attention.

She huffed in disbelief. "Well, that's if you want to be. You acted like one by the way."

Disbelief flooded Chimdi's face. "I can't believe y'all took his side, over mine. You two are unbelievable!"

"That guy pushed too far and y'all saw it!!" she defended.

"Now hold on babes! Shey you know no one picked sides. We just want you to do what's right. Other people have started partnering up and workimg. But all he does is try to apologise and you don't even give him a chance. I mean who does something that cruel!" flaring her hands up, Nene went back to her former work. Reopening her laptop.

"Wow! Just wow. Y'all were there when he made that statement. He was being so judgemental. And it wasn't the first time he'd made such statement. And now I'm the one being cruel? You guys are unbelievable!"

"Yeah babes, he was judgemental and all that. But at least he wasn't a dick. He is trying to apologise. That alone proves that he is sorry." Lara was getting frustrated by her actions.

"So, I'm now the one acting like a dick? First it was bitch?_ "

"No one said you were acting like a bitch or dick. Chimdi stop diverting and accept that you are wrong for once in your life, things cant always go your way!" Nene sighed in frustration. She couldn't believe, the conversation was turning into a heated argument. And chimdi wasn't making things easier.

"Wow. The people I call my friends. Y'all are judging too. Why not gang up with him if it'll make you feel better!" she reached for her hoodie, packed her books into her backpack and headed for the door.

"Seriously, girl__ you're so stubborn!" Lara tried to call her back. But she was already out.

Nene sighed in frustration. Chimdi never accepts being at fault.

"Now, she's walking away!" Nene sighed, once the door banged at her wake.

Lara bit her nails, an act of nervousness. "Ooohm, I don't like quarrelling with her. Don't you think we were a lil bit harsh Nens?" she asked Nene.

"Somethings are meant to be laid out as they are." the darker girl shrugged, directing her focus back to her laptop.

And leaving Lara a nervous wreck.