Every Step I Take (All Of Me Book 1)

Infuriating Friends of Friends

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What is the worst thing you’ve thought of doing to make someone notice you? Mine is… I’ll tell you, but first, I need to prepare for Mavin’s after party.

Oh my, Mavin is here!

They’ve toured the world and guess whose school area they’re popping by?

Mine!

Never in a million years could I have imagined Mavin Records bringing their finest artists to Hopewell University’s doorstep. Don’t get me wrong; Hopewell is a private university that emphasizes learning and knowledge but also knows how to let students have fun. Despite this, allowing students to attend an event featuring Lagos-based artists performing right here in Akure?

That’s a trip.

And before you think I’m an Akure based babe, stop it. I was born and bred in Lasgidi. It’s just unfortunate that the best schools in the country are miles away from the center of excellence. Scratch that. I meant the center of entertainment.

Perhaps the reason why the best schools are located on this side of the country is because there’s typically nothing enjoyable to do here, except schoolwork. Whatever…

Back to the main gist.

Mavin Records had this private event with this big Ondo family, and they thought of having an after party at Madras Club. Trust the club owners to increase entry prices and for others to hoard tickets.

At first, getting a ticket was going to be a problem, but good thing my brother is best pals with the former DOS who’s still lowkey running things.

Lucky me got VIP tickets for myself and my friends—Linda and Ekene. Then those gum bodies, aka, Ekene’s friends by association—Yinka and Joyce—had to plead with me to sort them out. I could only bother to get them regular tickets which they were eager about.

People in town and students from neighboring schools like FUTA, OAU and AAU would not miss this too. Tonight’s event is a melting pot for students in the South-West region.

“Fifi…” Linda’s voice interrupts my reverie. “Please, move aside. I need to touch up my eyes.”

With a sly grin, I step aside, creating space for her in front of the full-length mirror leaning against the wall, offering a view of our hostel’s backyard through the window. The mirror is one of my cheap finds. I bought it from a recent graduate who was leaving the hostel. Although it doesn’t hang on the wall, it does the job. I’ve taken loads of pictures with it, bolstered my confidence before classes and made several elevator pitches before it.

“All this fuss you’re making…” She leans forward, squinting one eye to apply another dose of eyeshadow. “Is there someone you’re meeting at this party that I’m not aware of?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I turn this way and that, using the visible part of the mirror to scrutinize the black bum shorts hugging my butt, paired with a yellow sleeveless tube top that has frills starting from under the bust. “What do you think about this one?”

Linda looks over her shoulder at me. “I think it’s fine.”

Fine ke? Frustrated, I plant a hand on my hip. “Should I wear the white jumpsuit instead?” I sigh. “It’s just that if I want to use the bathroom…”

Linda turns to face me and her expression screams, Babe, make up your mind! She thrusts a foot forward, assessing the third outfit I’m trying for the night. “It’s your choice Fii. You look splendid in everything you wear.”

Story.I roll my eyes, pouting, watching as she organizes her makeup purse. One of the thousand things I love about Linda—that makes our ‘roommateship’ successful—is her orderliness and cleanliness. I’m a clean boss babe, but when it comes to putting stuff back to where they belong? I struggle. I am currently putting effort into it. Progress over perfection. Hehe.

Linda picks her wig from the bedside table, shaking and brushing it as she speaks. “No matter what you wear, you’ll always look good.” She releases a mirthless laugh. “I wonder what G-Ben will think when he sees you.”

Scoffing, I saunter to my bed.

Any small thing G-Ben. G-Ben this. G-Ben that. Ahan! When he does his stuff around school, I don’t hear them saying, I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. I hiss. Nonsense. “What concerns G-Ben?”

I glance at Linda only to find a remarkably smug grin gracing her beautiful features.

“I know who you are concerned about.”

What is this one talking about again? “Who?”

“We both know who.”

Before sitting on my bed, I remove the chain purse I took from Mama Gee’s collection during my last visit and begin arranging essentials like tissue paper and lip gloss into it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Ehn. Me too, I don’t know,” she teases, adjusting her wig that forms curved fringes on her forehead.

Linda is beautiful.

“Sha know say I get eyes,” she adds.

Meaning?I scoff. “If you want to tell me something, tell me to my face.”

“No oh.” She shrugs, brushing her wig before pressing it down with both hands. “Forget that one and finish up before the others get here.”

“No, tell me.”

“Fifi, do before the others get here. We’ll be late if you don’t hurry. You know how much people want to gate crash this event.”

It’s true. Some people have created fake tickets with original codes that will give them access to the venue. I don’t know how they do it, but arriving on time is important if you don’t want your ticket scanned before your arrival. Although I know the importance of arriving on time, I am curious to know what she knows that I don’t know I know. “So, you don’t want to tell me—”

There’s a knock on the door which causes Linda’s eyes to dart back and forth, before she mouths, See? They’re here!

“Fiii-fiiii!” Joyce calls out from the other side of the door.

I shoot a pinched expression to Linda who looks apologetic. Why does Joyce think she has the right to call my name like that?

“Open up!”

We’re not friends. Only by association.

Linda makes pleading and calming gestures, although I can see the tiny smile on the edge of her lips as she makes her way to the door.

Shaking my head, I stand up to busy myself with finding the car keys.

Joyce is here with Ekene and Yinka. I overhear them exchanging greetings and updates with Linda. Ours is a hostel off-campus. Upon gaining admission two years ago and inspecting accommodations, my top priority was conveying to Mama Gee I needed an off-campus apartment. And that I didn’t mind sharing with someone to reduce the cost. Thank God Linda found me on the first day of course registration. I don’t know how I would have survived with a roommate like Joyce.

“Ahan, where is Fifi?” Joyce, the loudmouth says. The curtain separating our sleeping area from our make-do living area opens to reveal Joyce. Ekene and Linda follow behind her. Yinka has the sense to remain in the living room area.

“Ahn, ahn!” Joyce starts.

I manage a forced smile as the newcomers take in my attire.

“Fiii-fi baybie!” Joyce cheers. “Give us a spin now…”

My cheek hurts from being forced into a smile. Shrugging, I turn this way and that.

Ekene beams, slowly nodding her head in affirmation. “You look smoking hot.”

“Awwn… thank you.” I smile, and this time it is genuine. “You look stunning.”

Ekene is adorned in a short black bodycon gown, Joyce too. It looks way better on Ekene than it does on Joyce.

“Thank you.” Ekene’s eyes twinkle with appreciation. She is the quiet one in our friendship group—that is, Linda, Ekene and I’s friendship group. I genuinely don’t know how she got tangled up with Joyce.

Linda makes a beeline movement between us to get her purse, while I and the girls catch up. Yinka pokes her head in, pointing a finger to her phone that’s glued to her ears. I wave at her, and she smiles back before returning to the living room.

“Did you apply fresh polish to your toenails?” Ekene winks.

Not like anyone at the event would notice, but the sandaled heel I’m wearing exposes my bright yellow painted toenails. This is why I love, love Ekene. She notices the tiny details. “I didn’t.” I reply, feeling more like myself now that my crew is taking control of the scenery. “But it looks nice. Doesn’t it?”

Ekene nods.

“Ei!” Joyce claps, sizing me up. “Somebody’s eyes will burst this night.”

I flinch, jerking my attention to her. Come again, say what?

“You know he’s still with his girlfriend.”

Is that a question or a statement? And who is she talking to? This bitch—pardon my French—is looking me in the eye, brows raised. Ah! She’s talking to me. What’s happening here?

“Joyce,” Ekene reprimands.

My gaze darts to find a frown marring Ekene’s face. “What is it?”

Joyce clears her throat, scratching her nape. “Nothing o.” She grins maliciously. “I can see why DOS didn’t think twice about giving you more tickets. Ah, Fifi… Na so you dey form good girl. See the pack—”

“That’s enough!” Linda’s expression is bordering on murder.

“Ahan.” Joyce looks confused. “Wetin I do?”

Ekene shakes her head, pulling on the strings of her purse resting on her shoulder. “Gosh. Would you just shut up?”

“I mean to say thank you for the tickets.”

“And you couldn’t just say that?” Ekene presses her lips together in disgust.

Joyce scoffs. “Sorry o, senior prefect.”

I’m tired of the undertones and unspoken words. If anyone has anything to say, they should speak confidently to me. I’m not even going to try deciphering what they are all implying. As I spray my Rose Lavendar fragrance mist behind my ears and on my wrist, I tell them. “Um… I’m going to the car, and I’ll leave in five minutes. Linda, if it’s okay, I can switch off the gen.”

“I’ll switch it off. Don’t worry.”

My phone vibrates with an incoming message, and I swipe at the screen. Tension leaves my body as I note the sender. I bite my lower lip as I respond, thrusting my chest out and up. Raising my head, I direct pointed gazes to Ekene and Linda. “G-Ben is saying if we don’t arrive in thirty minutes, they will take our slots.”

Linda is grinning. Ekene is sighing. Joyce is… I don’t care what Joyce is doing.

“See y’all outside.” Striding out of the room, I yell, “Five minutes!”