Chapter 15

Class ended and school was over. As indicated by the ringing the bell. It was just two days after the meeting they all had concerning the awards program. Today was the set day, where Zoe and Julia would start painting. While Matthew and Zion would do some cooking just to test Zion's cooking skills. Julia and Zoe were to start the drawings and painting, well Julia would be doing all the work Zoe would be helping.

"Let's get going guys,” Zion hollered as the rest packed their bags.

“Yes. Brother Zion,” Matthew teased, causing Zion to smirk.

"I'm done Zoe, let's go,” Julia said. Zoe's heart fluttered. She still wasn't ready to receive Julia in her apartment.

Yes, hers.

Corner Gbenga had made sure, Zoe and Julia worked at Zoe's place. Zoe had protested but all her pleas fell on deaf ears. How did she get herself into this? Zoe signed as she carried her bag. She was ready.

“Let's go,” she muttered.

"Okay!” Julia said with excitement etching her voice. "Bye Matthew, Bye Zion.” She waved and they walked out of the class.

They hadn't walked out of the block when Zoe spoke up.

“Can't we just go to your house or use the garden?” Zoe complained.

"Oh,” Julia said her voice lowered and her head dropped. Zoe could notice she was excited about visiting her, she felt bad about what she said. Not like she didn't want her to come to her house. She just didn't know how she would react when she finds out she had been living all alone this whole time. “If you don't want it, then we can use the Garden. Corner Gbenga doesn't have to know,” she said, her demeanor had changed so easily. From the happy and excited Julia, to the heart broken one. Zoe felt bad that she had taken the smile of her face, she still had some humanity in her, even if it was minute. She thought of what to do to cheer her up.

She hit her in the stomach with her elbow playfully. With her smile on her face. "I was just joking,” she said. A smile crossed Julia's face and her demeanor changed again she laughed and jumped.

“That's better,” she said. Zoe watched her in wonder, how could someone be that happy?

The walked out of the gate and Zoe lead followed. Julia walking by her side till the got to the building where Zoe lived.

"Wow,” Julia muttered as she stared at the building. Zoe smirked as she opened the gate and lead the way to the entrance of the attachment she was living. Julia walked behind her closely, with a look of a surprise plaster on her face. Zoe giggled at the sure disappointing look on Julia's face. She probably thought she lived in the big building with the Owolabi's.

They walked up the stairs till the got to Zoe's apartment, Julia still stood there, silent. Zoe opened the door and entered the small room while Julia follow. She closed the door after Julia entered.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” she announced.

Julia stared at the room; it was definitely too small to house a family. And the design sure meant Zoe was living alone.

"You live alone?” She finally asked the question.

“Yes Julia. I live alone,” Zoe responded as she dropped her bag on the chair. "Make yourself comfortable.”

With that, Zoe went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. On her arrival, she saw Janie going through her stuff.

“I like your room's design,” she uttered as soon as she noticed Zoe's presence.

"Thank you,” Zoe dropped the water in the table. "That's for you,” she said walking up to we're Julia was standing, just in front of her stack of books.

"Thank you, I really need that,” she said as she drank the water. “Thank you again,” she muttered.

"You really read a lot,” she commented staring at the books on the bookshelf. Zoe nodded and sat beside her. There was silence for a while before Julia spoke up.

“You live alone?” Julia asked again, but for a different answer. Zoe understood what she meant as she smiled.

"The Owolabi's live in the bigger building,” she answered.

“Ohhhh,” Julia sighed.

"Yeah, let's start?"

"Yes, let us start,” Julia said. With that she opened her backpack and brought out some drawing pencils and paints. She also brought out her drawing sheet and set it on a drawing board she had been carrying.

Zoe smiled as the sight of the equipment made her nostalgic.

“You remember when we sneaked into Uncle Bada's house to steal paints,” she said. Julia burst into laughter, she laughed so loud and held her stomach. Her laugh was contagious as Zoe couldn't hold hers too.

The incident had happened over ten years ago, Zoe and Julia were barely 6 years old then. Julia's parents had denied her new watercolors, because she had finished the ones they bad bought for her too quickly. The couple couldn't understand why their little daughter loved drawing and painting that much.

Julia had cried for hours while Zoe watched her, she had come to visit. Uncle Bada was a neighbor who owned a bookstore and sold color pencils and other drawing materials. Zoe had convinced Julia about getting some paints from uncle Bada's house. They had sneaked into his house and were caught red handed. They got a serious scolding; they would never forget.

"My mum was really pissed with me that day,” Julia said.

“And my mum gave me the spanking of my life,” Zoe laughed.

"But then, your dad bought a lot of watercolor and drawing materials for me the next time you came visiting,” Julia added.

“Yeah, he did,” Zoe sighed as she remembered how her father had always encouraged Julia.

"I must say. If not for your Dad, my parents would have made me give up drawing,” Julia said.

“I know right!” Zoe sighed as she dropped her head and stared at the drawing board.

Julia noticing the awkwardness cleared her throat and smiled. "Let's get to work. What should we draw?” Julia said lively.

“I don't know. You pull out the magic. I help,” Zoe smiled.

"Yeah,” Julia chuckled.

After two hours, Julia was done with the most beautiful painting Zoe had ever seen. It was a painting of a beautiful sunset, with lovers holding hands at the beach. Zoe was wowed at how detailed the painting was. She knew Julia was very good at drawing anime and cartoons but she never knew she was as good in real life drawings.

“This is beautiful!!!” Zoe exclaimed.

"I know. I'll be doing two small drawings with this. So, it won't be this alone,” Julia said.

"Okay"

"I have to get going now,” Julia said.

“Oh,” Zoe sighed sadly. She didn't know she enjoyed Julia's company that much until now. "I'll see you to the bus stop then.” She added, while Julia nodded.

“Err, I want to ask you for a favor,” Julia said shyly

"What's that?” Zoe asked.

"Please can you lend me some of your comic books. I love the titles,” she said pointing at the stack of books.

"Oh. No problem you can have it. If you have novels and comics too, you can let me see,” Zoe said.

“okay I'll bring them to school tomorrow,” she said happily as she rushed to the bookshelf, taking as much as she loved, apparently she loved all, but she couldn't take all.

They stepped out of the room after they were done. Zoe locked the room and walked down the steps while chatting happily as they walked. They got to the bus stop in no time. Waited for a bus for some time. The bus arrived and Julia left. Zoe smiled as the bus drove off, she had had a lot of fun that day. She walked back home with her heart merry and happy.

••••••

"Get into the car,” Zion hollered at Zoe.

“I've heard. Don't rush me,” Zoe said.

The car was occupied by Corper Gbenga, Matthew, Zion and Zion's driver. They were heading to the mall, after they picked Julia up. Zoe was excited to join them, so far, she loved their company. The ride started and it was full of fun chatters and laughter. They got to Julia's apartment in no time. And Zoe had the honor of going to bringing her out of the house. Zoe got out of the range rover they were in; it was no doubts Zion's parents were filthy rich.

Zoe jogged and walked into the compound; the gate was small with no gate keeper. The house was in an estate were the houses were similar structure and design. Zoe jogged happily till she got to the door. She pressed the doorbell and a familiar voice answered.

"I'm coming!!!” The voice bellowed.

It had been years since Zoe heard that lively and sweet voice. Ann, Julia’s sister. She had been responsible for babysitting Zoe and Julia many times. The door opened ajar, to reveal the light complexioned lady in her night wears.

“Zoe!!!!” she screamed. "Is that really you!!!”

“Yes, Sister Ann. And I came to get Julia,” Zoe said smiling.

"Please come in,” She said directing her into the house. Zoe noticed the interior of the house was way bigger than the front view. They had moved from the house they used to leave before. But this was more beautiful.

“Have a seat. I'm sure mom would be delighted to see you,” she said as she hurried up the stairs. Zoe smiled as sat down on a seat. The television was tuned to an entertainment channel, Zoe's eyes were fixed on dancing video vixen that she didn't notice Julia rush down the stairs.

"You are here,” she announced as she sat beside Zoe.

“Morning Julia,” Zoe said smiling.

"Morning, let's go Nah,” Julia said jumping from her seat.

“Yeah, I saw Ann. And she said your mom would be excited to see me, so I guess she went to get her.” Zoe explained.

"That's true. We would have to wait for a while cos mom is in the bathroom.” Just the, Ann came down from the stairs without the mom.

“Mom is coming. She says she must see you before you go. It's been years.” Ann announced as she walked up to us.

"Yes, it has been.”

Just then we heard a knock on the door and Julia went to get it. While Ann stood up swaying to the music playing on the Television while also asking me random questions for catch up.

“You guys were taking ages,” Corper Gbenga's voice resonated through the hallway, leading to the living room. Zoe rolled her eyes as she knew they were already bothered about the delay.

"My mom wants to see Zoe. And she's in the bathroom. She'll be done any minute from now,” Julia explained. Corner Gbenga mumbled something incoherent.

They walked into the living room were Zoe and Ann were.

“You couldn't even exercise a little patient. Argh,” Zoe sad upon sighting him.

"Nope,” Gbenga said as he stood beside Julia. Noticing the pretty lady in the room, Gbenga couldn't get his eyes off her.

"Good morning. You must be Corper Gbenga,” Ann said walking up to him and stretching out her hands for a handshake. Gbenga froze at the spot. Zoe and Julia had an eye contact as they both gave a questioning look.

If Zoe ever believed in love, she would have said this was love at first sight.

“Ermm. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm Gbenga,” he stuttered taking her hand in his. "Your name?” He asked with a breathtaking smile.

"Ann,” She said.

"Nice. And you're beautiful Ann,” he complemented. She blushed as she released her hand from his grip.

“Ah. Is that my Zoe!!” Mrs. Briggs hollered as she came down the steps. Zoe stood up and smiled as Mrs. Briggs approached.

"Yes ma. It's been a long time,” Zoe greeted. Mrs. Briggs got closer, she still looked as youthful as her. With the same vibe Julia and Ann dished out. She pulled Zoe into a tight hug. Zoe hugged her back, she hadn't had such motherly embrace for years. Zoe desired to be lost in that embrace forever. It meant the world to her. But it didn't last that long, Mrs. Briggs broke the hug but held her shoulders.

“You've grown so big. Why Zoe? We are more like family! Even if things were hard you still had us. Why? Why did you detach yourself from those who love you,” She said? Zoe wished she could give her true reasons. She wished she could tell her how scared she was, to lose the ones she loved. How she was scared of betrayal. She wished she could tell her how lonely she was. But she couldn't. What she could do?

"I'm sorry,” she muttered. Her head dropped. Mrs. Briggs. pulled her into another hug, bed head resting on her bosom. Zoe wished she could sleep there. Tears threatened to fall, but Nah. Zeke never cries.

“We have to go now,” Gbenga announced. They had spent a lot of time there already. "It was nice meeting you ma. My name is Gbenga.”

“Yeah. My daughter’s teacher. Take good care of them oo,” she said. "You look so familiar though.”

“Yeah. I thought that too,” Ann said staring at Gbenga.

"Mom, that's Zoe's cousin. He looks so much like uncle Gbemiga,” Julia said.

“Ohhhh. You really look like Zoe's father. Let's hang out later okay. You guys can come anytime you like,” Mrs. Briggs said.

They exchange greetings and headed outside. Matthew and Zion were standing outside already. They looked really tired.

"What took you so long!!!” Matthew complained.

"Corper Gbenga was falling in love!!!” Julia blurted. She ran towards Matthew immediately when Gbenga started chasing her. They all started laughing, but Gbenga wasn't finding it funny.

"Yeah. He was finding his missing rib,” Zoe added as they all roared in laughter.