If there's one thing about this school — gist never dies.
By the next morning, you'd think my embarrassing moment from yesterday would've expired like garri left inside water.Wrong.
People were still whispering the moment I stepped through the gate.
"See her, pity love girl.""Bryant's reject.""As if she even fine reach."
Every single person in that compound acted like my existence was an abomination. Even the school cleaner greeted me like, "Morning, ehm… you."
It would've hurt… if I didn't already feel like one giant walking heartbreak.
But you know who didn't let up?Ire.
That girl was on a mission to completely destroy my social life.By first break, she had gathered her mini squad — the fake eyelash crew — and was narrating her version of the story like she was auditioning for Africa Magic.
"Amiya practically begged Bryant," she said loud enough for the entire block to hear."And even started crying like moin-moin."
The girls burst into fake, high-pitched laughs.
I clenched my fists.If not for school uniform, my inner Agbero would've surfaced.
But no — I was better than that.
Kike came through, as usual, dragging me away before I did something that'd land me in front of the principal.
"Don't mind that pained fish," Kike hissed."Her jealousy is shining like ringworm."
We both burst into laughter, our first proper laugh since the whole saga started.
The Jealousy Was Getting Personal
Ire thought she'd won.But what she didn't know was the tides were turning.
By midweek, some people started getting tired of her nonsense.
"That Ire sef dey too do," I overheard someone say."Amiya no even talk since. She get class."
Some of the boys even started teasing Ire back.
"Madam Judas Iscariot.""Ah ah, na you betray pass for this school oh."
Her forced smiles started cracking.She couldn't take it.
Then came the biggest slap — Bryant started greeting Kike.
Yes, Kike.
Bryant, the same boy who insulted me like yesterday's leftover eba, suddenly started noticing my new bestie.
And Ire?Her face could've powered NEPA light for a week.
You should've seen her that day — eyebrows drawn like fighting swords, lips twisted like roasted plantain, pretending to be unbothered.
Kike was polite though.But every time Bryant spoke to her, she made sure to glance at me like "This mumu still dey disturb? Watch me shine."
And honestly?It was sweet.
I wasn't in love with Bryant anymore — my crush had crumbled the day he called me pity love.But knowing he ignored Ire and started noticing the one person that actually stayed for me?Pure premium satisfaction.
Amiya's Mini Triumph
By Friday, Kike and I had established our own little gang.
We weren't popular, but people respected the way we carried ourselves.
We dragged teachers behind their backs.Mocked Ire's hideous foundation.Laughed at Bryant's coconut head.And made school fun again.
Even some people who swore never to talk to me again started dropping shy greetings.Small small.
Ire couldn't stand it.
One afternoon, she cornered me near the water tank.
"You think you've won, Abi? Kike is using you. She'll dump you too."
I looked at her.Calm.No anger.Just pity.
"If being dumped by a snake like you was a badge, I'm already wearing the biggest one," I replied, flipping my hair like a Nollywood rich kid.
Ire's mouth hung open.No comeback.No clapback.
I walked away, hips swinging, head high.
Kike met me at the stairs.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just someone choking on their own jealousy."
We both burst out laughing.
That night, for the first time in weeks, I slept smiling.
Life still sucked a little — but the pain didn't feel so heavy anymore.And for once, it felt like I wasn't losing.I was slowly winning.In small, petty, sassy ways.
And I loved it.