Chapter 11

Zoe got home with smiles plastered on her face. She was happy today, like never before. Opening the door, she entered the flat and locked the door behind her. Like always, there was no one to welcome her. No one to ask how her day went. She had always felt sad every time she got home, but she wasn't confident enough to own up to her sadness. Today, although she had reasons to feel bad like always. The day had brought her reasons to smile again.

Meeting with the new teacher, Gbenga, was something exciting. The way he acted just like her father blew her mind. She remembered his response when she told him her father had died. He remained positive and didn't give her a reason to be sad.

"Oh. I'm sure he's in heaven proud of himself as he has raised a fine young lady.” Gbenga had said. It seemed like something her father, Gbemiga could say. They had talked for minutes before Julia, Matthew and the new boy came to see him. She had excused herself from there and walked away.

She sat on her bed as she ruminated on the events of the day. About Gbenga and how she felt like she had known him forever. She was smiling from ear to ear until a realization struck her.

They all leave anyway. Why would he be any different?

She thought to herself. She dropped her head and she thought of this, sadness engulfing her once again. What assurance did she have that Gbenga wouldn't find her unworthy of love and care? Even her mother had deserted her, everyone had deserted her.

Zoe had always had the idea that no one could ever love her since the death of her father. And when her mother and sister left her. Because of this, she had created for herself an inaccessible wall around her. To guard her against ever caring and loving someone, she wouldn't be able to bear any other heartbreak. It had gone well all through the six years of her father's death. She had avoided friendships as much as she can. She learned to enjoy her solitude and company. And she made sure she was mean and inaccessible, so no one would attempt to break the walls.

Maybe she was losing her footing, and the walls that had guarded her for six years had started crumbling.

_

_

The morning was so bright and clear, as she trotted to school. Before she slept the previous night, she promised herself to avoid Mr. Gbenga as much as possible. All she would do that day was to enjoy her own company and ignore anything trying to break down her walls.

She got to the school pretty late as the assembly was about to start, she was not perfect, so she didn't have any duties. She walked into the hall and lined up with her classmates. Julia was on the podium attending to her duties as a social prefect. Zoe had always questioned the school's choice when they made Julia a social prefect. Prefects were largely determined by the students with little input from the teachers. Julia had become a prefect because she was loved by all, she was popular and very jovial. All the Juniors loved her and always wanted to be her school daughters.

This was how life in EIC worked.

In this part of the world, which is her school, the famous ruled, the ones with "morals.” While the extremely intelligent were only needed when the school needed Representatives in competitions. Though most of the prefects were as intelligent as Zoe. She still couldn't understand why Julia was perfect. She's dumb right?!?

Zoe rolled her eyes as she watched as the assembly went on, a figure came to stand beside her. The whiff of his cologne causing her heart to skip a beat. She looked up at the taller figure and noticed it was the new boy. Her heart skipped again.

Zoe took time to observe his body features while Zion was still oblivious of the fact that someone was watching him. Zoe almost jumped on her skin when Zion turned to face her.

"Good morning Zoe,” he greeted. Zoe looked at him as she smiled.

"Morning,” Zoe responded.

"I heard you are the best student in the school?” He said. Zoe rolled her eyes because she believed he sounded dumb.

"Yeah. They say that,” She replied dismissively.

"Ain't I Lucky?” Zion said beaming, his words getting Zoe's attention.

"What do you mean?” Zoe asked, eyes focused on the podium.

"I mean, I'm seatmates with the smartest girl in the school. Gosh! God loves me,” Zion uttered sarcastically. Zoe burst into laughter, no one had ever hyped her that much, not even the teachers.

Zoe's smile disappeared when they both noticed the vice-principal watching them with the kind of expression that said. Shut-up-or-you'll-be-in-trouble.

When he took his eyes away from them. Zoe muttered. "You'll get us into trouble,” with a smile plastered on her face. Zion smiled too as they started singing the national anthem.

After the assembly, Zoe and Zion walked back to the classroom. That was the first time Zoe was walking back to class with someone, she was a known loner. So, the people who passed their sides wondered who Zion was to be walking beside the almighty Zoe.

On getting to class, Julia rushed to meet Zion. Making Zoe remember all she promised herself the day before and earlier in the day. She shook her head as she pitied herself, walking to her seat and sitting down.

"So did your Dad agree that you study with us,” Julia said as they also got to the seat. Zion sat beside Zoe, while Julia perched on the desk. Zoe found herself interested in their conversation, as she couldn't help but watch Julia's lips, shamelessly. What's wrong Zoe?!

Zion went from lively to sad as he heard Julia's question. He grimaced as he focused on getting his notes from his bag.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Don't worry, we'll do as much studying during breaks,” Julia comforted. Zion started smiling making it obvious he was feigning sadness. This made even Zoe who was not part of the conversation smile.

"I'll be joining you guys!” Zion yelped happily. Julia laughed heartily, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Yo! You scared me,” Julia said. Matthew walked to them and joined them. Their laughter and happiness were infectious. Zoe watched as she wished she could join them, they looked so happy hearing Zion would be studying with them. It made her feel bad. If it were the other way round, Zoe would be the one they'd be willing to study with. But she had messed it all up.

After a while, the first-class period started with the English language. That meant Mr. Gbenga would be teaching them. The class went loud and vibrant as he entered the classroom. It was known as certified that Gbenga had stolen the heart of the students. The class started as he explained the topic of the day, so smooth and understandable. He sure knew his job well.

The class ended after a while and other classes followed. When it was time for the long break, Zoe went to the dining hall and had her lunch. This time, Julia and the boys didn't sit with her. They sat on a table far from her. And all through lunch, Zoe stabbed at her food as she was angry.

It was funny how she was upset because Zion seemed to be Happy with the others. After they seemed to have a conversation in the morning, Zoe was already getting jealous he didn't talk to her anymore. One of the reasons why she didn't want a friend. They discard you at the end of the day!

After her meal, Zoe found herself walking towards the staff room. The way her body wasn't responding to anything her head was telling her. It was just a few hours before that she had promised herself to avoid Mr. Gbenga as much as possible. But here she was walking like a car without brake to his office. She got to the door and found him reading a book, she stayed and watched him for minutes before he saw her.

He burst out laughing Ashe saw her leaning on the door frame. She walked inside sheepishly as she was slightly embarrassed.

"Come here,” Gbenga said as he continued laughing. She walked towards him and sat on the chair beside him, Ashe gestured her to sit. "So, for how long have you been standing there like a lost girl.” Gbenga teased.

"Well for some minutes.”

"Wao that's cool cousin!"

"Cousin?” Zoe asked as she sat up and looked Gbenga in the face.

"Yeah, I found out we are distant cousins,” Gbenga explained. "When I got home yesterday, I received a call from my mom. And as we were talking, I remembered the girl I had a striking resemblance with. I asked her if she knew any Gbemiga Adeleke. Guess what she said.” Gbenga paused.

"I don't know, what did she say?” Zoe asked enthusiastically.

"She was your dad's stepsister,” Gbenga blurted out.

"What!” Zoe exclaimed. Thankfully there was no other teacher there, they had their cafeteria where they ate so they were always absent in the staff room during breaks.

"Yes,” Gbenga smiled. "I got to know your father left home as a child and didn't have a relationship with the family. But he showed up occasionally."

"Yes, I was young when my father died but I had never heard him talk much about his step-siblings. Only his immediate siblings who are outside the country and his father, who died a year after my birth.”

"My grandpa,” Gbenga said smiling.

"That's amazing!!! I had never seen anyone from my Dad's family before,” Zoe exclaimed in happiness.

"My mum also said I look a lot like our grandpa. And your father was Grandpa's carbon copy. So you see why we look so alike.” Gbenga explained.

"Yes, I do!!!” Zoe was so excited. It was as though she hadn't been as happy as she was now for over six years. "I have a cousin. What do I call you now? Cousin? Uncle Gbenga? Mr. Gbenga?” Zoe asked too excited. Gbenga started laughing.

"It's obvious my little cousin is so excited to meet me. You can just call me Gbenga. I'm not that old,” Gbenga said.

"Okay. Gbenga!” Zoe exclaimed.

"Gosh! You aren't even shy!!!!” Gbenga said.

"No I'm not,” Zoe said with a pout. They hugged and talked more for a while. Zoe got the opportunity to meet a family member. She had mixed feelings, but the happy and glad ones prevailed.

"I should take you out one of these days. And yes, mumsy wishes to meet you,” he said.

"Really. I would love to meet my aunt too. I'm sure she's as nice as you are,” Zoe said.

Gbenga chortled.

"So, I'll love to take you out for some sightseeing and A date with my cousin,” Gbenga said. "That's if your mom allows. I should meet her seff,” Gbenga added.

"Well, you don't need to take any permissions cos I don't stay with my mom,” Zoe responded.

Gbenga sat up in shock and confusion.

"Why's that. Why aren't staying with mom?” He asked.

"It's a long story.” Zoe blurted.

"Tell me something,” Gbenga asked. His mother had said, Zoe's mother didn't allow any of Gbemiga's family to have access to the children after his death. They had made contact with her many times, but she had told them they were fine and with her. Zoe's words made him wonder why she wasn't with her mother.

Just as Zoe opened her mouth to speak. Three students walked in with beaming faces.