Chapter 10

EIC was beautiful. Zion couldn't help but smile to himself as he entered the car. The driver had come to pick him up. He stared through the glass only to see Matthew and Julia still standing there. Making friends on the first day of school—he felt so good.

He waved to them as they waved back, they turned back and entered the school. They told him they took time reading and studying after school. Julia had said she was not good academically, and Matthew was helping her out. Zion loved to join them, but he didn't know how to tell his father, since his movements were now monitored. He needed to get home exactly 15 minutes after school closed.

Gabriel, his father, couldn't take any chances at all. And it was understandable. He only wondered if his new friends would still want to be friends with him if at all they get to know about his past.

He bowed his head as the thought broke him.

They had accepted him so early he didn't have to be shy and lonely. Julia was so cool and accommodating, her smile was enough to lit up a dark room. Her tiny voice always made him laugh, there were a lot of beautiful things he had seen about her and he would love to know her more and better. Matthew was a bit more reserved; he was an obvious nerd. All he said seemed to have an explanation or theory. With his saggy glasses which he never failed to adjust. He would love to know him more too.

What made he pondered on now was the fact that his seatmate seemed not to care about his existence. Though Julia had defended her saying she was not a wordy person. Zion find it weird and awkward that someone could be as cold. Zion couldn't deny the fact that he found her attractive. He would love to be her friend, but it seemed Zoe was not the friendly one.

The driver drove in the mansion and to the garage. The car came to a halt, and he opened the door and stepped out. His Dad and stepmom weren't home. He walked into the house and found Gloria watching cartoons in the living room. Smiling Zion walked up to her and pecked her in the cheek. Gloria smiled as she hugged him tightly.

"Welcome Zion,” she greeted in her tiny babyish voice.

"Thank you, Gloria,” Zion responded. "Where is your mom?” He asked, it was unusual for Darasimi not to be home at this time. She was always home doing nothing, a full housewife.

"She went to see her friend,” Gloria informed.

"Oh okay,” Zion said. "I'm going upstairs now. I'll see you later.”

Zion went up and freshen up. He was a bit drained from the school tour and getting notes from the first week he had missed. After he was done, he removed his books from his bag with the intention of writing the notes later. Leaving the room, he walked back downstairs, only to find Gloria sleep on the couch. He smiled and walked straight into the kitchen.

Priscilla was there alone, he walked in and said 'hi' to her. She served him his lunch and he sat by the

breakfast bar, just so he could watch her Work. She finished with what she was doing and walked up to him, sitting directly opposite him.

"So how was school?” She asked.

"Great!” Zoe exclaimed between mouthfuls. Tiny bits of the food he ate falling off, causing Priscilla to laugh.

"You must have really enjoyed yourself.”

"Yes, I did,” Zion said and swallowed. "Priscy,” he called. "The school is cool; I've never felt this enthusiastic all my life.”

"Really?” Priscy asked, he nodded as she shook her head. "Uh, not like I want to bring back forgotten memories. But you know, this is how you felt enthusiastic about getting into secondary school and every other new session. Not like I'm saying you wrong for being positive. But Zion are you sure?"

Zion dropped his head as Priscilla's words. She was right. He always had positive first days and was the quickest to find new friends. Until he crawled back into his shell never to be seen.

"Yeah, before people started thinking I'm creepy, boring and too weird. Before everyone else found themselves better friends, moved on and forgot totally about me,” he said sadly.

Priscilla reached for his hands and grabbed it.

"That's because you feel inferior to everyone, you crawl back into your hole before they get to know you. Zion you are special and amazing. And you are a good friend. Well, to me.”

"And no one thinks you are creepy. You are fun when you choose to be. But then Zion, you've hidden yourself so deep no one will ever know you for who you are,” Priscilla added.

"Huh. I made new friends today,” Zion uttered.

"Wao that's cool,” Priscilla said, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Yeah. I'm scared they wouldn't want to be my friend anymore when they know about me.” Zion confessed.

"About you?” Priscy asked feigning ignorance.

"Yeah, you know. How everyone else reacted when they found out I was into—” Zion blurted, cutting short the last part.

"That's not who you are anymore. That's totally in your past. Or do you want to go back to it,” Priscilla asked, making Zion shake his head in a negative response. "You've suffered enough rejection. Don't start this new one with the fear of rejection. It's over!” Priscy said. "And if they judge you cause of your past, then they don't deserve to be your friend!"

"No! It's me who doesn't deserve to be their friend. Matthew is a genius and a top student. Julia is full of fun and smiles, popular and she's just so loveable. But me, I'm Zion the creepy drug addict, the loner desiring friendship after my trashy lifestyle. It's me that doesn't deserve to be friends with them!” Zion ranted with tear filled eyes.

"No! No! No! Zion. No!” Priscilla cried. "Here's where you are getting it all wrong. Stop placing yourself in that situation. They might seem better. But you are you, and no one can ever change that. Start to look at the good things about you, and love it, own it with your chest Zion. And No! You are not a creepy drug addict. Yes, you were, but now you aren't. Okay!”

Zion went silent, he couldn't seem to understand why Priscilla always told him to seek the good things about him. He felt she always wanted him to feel better about himself, good things about him? There weren't any right?

"They stay in school to read after school hours. I want to join them if allowed, so at least I would be taking steps to improve academically.” Zion said changing the topic.

"That's good! I'll doing same in my school from tomorrow too, our teacher distributed us into different tutorial groups.” Priscy said. "So, I won't be coming home early like before.”

"Argh,” Zion groaned. He really had to find a way to stay in school. If he came home without meeting Priscilla every day, that could launch him into depression. "I have to convince Dad. And I'm sure he wouldn't buy the idea.”

Priscilla thought of what they could do for a while and an idea dropped in her mind.

"How about you convince him to,” she said.

"How?"

"Why not act nice to him. And ask him later when he seems happy. You might even ask him to call your teacher so she can be informed you know.”

"Wooo, what's a good one, I'll try that.” Zoe said elated. “How about I prepare him the Jollof rice he loves.”

"Why didn't I think of that. Chef Zion that can cook so much, if a demon eats his food he would repent,” Priscilla hyped. Zion burst into laughter and held his tummy.

Zion had learnt how to cook from Priscilla's mother. He had even become far better. Though he didn't like cooking as much, and he didn't get to cook much. Whenever he did, everyone asked for more.

After taking his taking his lunch. Zion and Priscilla started cooking. During this time Darasimi, Zion's stepmom got back from her friend’s place. She was so excited to see Zion cooking. Everyone loved Zion's food.

Zion had fun cooking, with the help of Priscilla who kept him company and made him happy. Zion finished the food few minutes before his father's arrival.

"Welcome Daddy,” Gloria exclaimed as she jumped up, upon sighting Gabriel. Zion, Priscilla and Darasimi were setting the table in the dining room. Zion and Dara went to greet him while Priscilla finished up.

"Welcome Dad,” Zion greeted and hugged his father tightly. Gabriel geeked upon seeing and feeling Zion's homely behavior. Zion was smiling from ear to ear as if he was really excited to see him. That made Gabriel happy coupled with the good news he brought from the office.

"Zion!” Gabriel exclaimed in happiness as Priscilla came from the Dinning greeted and collected his suitcase and Jacket.

"Yes Dad,” Zion responded.

“How was school?” He asked.

Zion grinned happily as he responded. "Amazing Dad. I love the school. You have eyes for good things. That's why I love you so much.” Zion said and hugged his father by the side, resting his head on his shoulders.

Gabriel was happy at his son's attitude. It calmed him down, because he had been thinking that it would be the direct opposite, knowing how Zion was. And hearing Zion saying how much he loved him melted his heart. That was arguably the best thing he had heard anyone say to him that entire year.

“That's beautiful!!!” Gabriel exclaimed as he beamed.

"Father and Son. You guys completely forgot I'm here!” Darasimi said, feigning upset.

"Sorry, my darling,” Gabriel said as he walked up to her. He hugged her and kissed her.

"Woo. Daddy loves mummy,” Zion and Gloria said. It was a usual thing Emily and Gloria said, whenever Gabriel was expressing his love to Dara. Zion never said it. Zion saying it that day made Darasimi very happy, it seemed Zion had approved of her anyway.

"Yes, I do, and I love you guys too.” Gabriel said.

"Babe guess what?” Darasimi said to Gabriel.

"What?” Gabriel asked.

"Zion cooked!!!” Gloria did the answering as she jumped around.

"What!!!” Gabriel exclaimed genuinely surprised and happy. "Today must be my lucky day," he said. They all laughed as they started walking to the dining room.

“I came home ecstatic because I got the contract I had been bidding for a while now and now—” he said but was interrupted by Dara.

"You won the contract?!?” Dara asked

"Yes, I did darling. $50 million worth contract.” He exclaimed. Dara yelped in happiness and jumped on him. Zion and Gloria laughed heartily. It was indeed a happy moment. They got to the dining table and sat to eat. Gloria said a short prayer and after they all chorused Amen. They started eating. The food tasted heavenly as they all asked for more. Gabriel was very happy, the exact state Zion wanted him.

After dinner. Zion went back to his room thinking he should give his father some time before he asks him for what he wanted. He brought out the notes he had borrowed from Matthew and Julia and started writing. He had finished two subjects when he heard a knock his door.

"Come in!” He said, loud enough for whoever was outside to hear. He continued writing and his father entered, walking straight to him. Gabriel felt happy to see his son with his books. That made him feel good for choosing EIC.

"Wao. What do we have here? Zion studying?” Gabriel teased.

Zion smiled as he responded. "I'm just writing the notes writing in last week's class. When I was not around.”

"That's good?” He picked up a note on the table and checked the name on it. Afe Matthew. He dropped it. "Afe Matthew. Is he your new friend?” He asked.

"Yes, Dad and he's a genius. I wish to get closer to him. I believe he's a good influence.”

"That's good. You should find good friends. You need them,” Gabriel said.

We are getting somewhere!!!

"Dad. I made new friends today. Julia and Matthew.” He started.

"Okay?” Gabriel said wanting him to continue.

"Julia is poor academically and our teacher asked Matthew to help her out. Julia says she's need improving. I wish to join them as they study.” Zion said sheepishly as he looked at his father.

"Okay. So how do you go about it?” Gabriel asked, Zion smiled. Perfect!

"They study for some hours after school and also come to school on Saturdays.” Zion explained. Gabriel inhaled as Zion's head dropped.

"You know I wouldn't allow you out of my sight? I can't take any chances Zion"

"I know Dad. But I really want to make you proud this time, I'm truly done with all does stuffs. I want you to believe me Dad. And if you still don't you can put a call through to my class teacher.”

"Okay. That's valid. I'll call her. But Zion I won't take it easy with you if this is a move to get back to what you were,” Gabriel said.

Zion excitedly hugged his father. "I won't disappoint you Dad.”