New beginning

Our journey to Lagos was surprisingly enjoyable. Dad stopped at 'Ore' to buy roasted plantains and soft drinks. I particularly loved the breathtaking scenery as we drove past. We arrived at Mile Two and drove to 'Ojo,' where loud Yoruba music filled the streets. Everywhere was bustling with activity. I was going to start fresh in Lagos, away from my past.

As we arrived at Dad's house in the estate, a woman approached us.

"Ekun toju oh!" she exclaimed.

Dad replied, "Thank you, Madam Funke." I turned to her and said, "Good evening, ma." She smiled and replied, "Good evening, my dear. How are you?" I responded, "I'm fine, ma." She complimented me, saying, "Such a pretty girl." Then, she turned to Dad and asked, "Mr. Omoluabi, I assume this is your senior daughter, right?" Dad confirmed, "Yes, she is." Madam Funke asked me, "What's your name, my darling?" I replied, " Iris, ma."

She then said, "What a nice name. OK, let me be on my way. You and your dad can go and rest. I live two apartments from yours; feel free to visit during your free time." With a smile, she left.

💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢

The next day, I heard someone knocking on my gate at 6 a.m. I opened it to find a boy around my age with a friendly smile. "Hi," he said.

I replied, "Hi."

"I saw you moving in with your dad yesterday, so I decided to come ask you if you'd like to join me and my friends for exercise." I agreed, but told him I couldn't make it that day. He invited me to join them the next morning at 6 am instead. As he turned to leave, I asked, "You haven't told me your name."

He replied, "Oh, I'm Bayo."

The next morning, Bayo and his friends arrived at my gate, and we ran together to the field. A girl in a green sports outfit exclaimed, "Guys, that was a blast!"

Daniel, a fair boy beside her, asked, "Who's this fine girl?" Bayo introduced me,

"Guys, meet Iris, she recently moved in with her dad."

Daniel extended his hand for a handshake and said, "Nice to meet you, Iris." I shook his hand and replied, "Nice to meet you too, Daniel." Kelsin" A striking dark handsome boy introduced himself and i nodded. Temi, the girl in the green sports outfit, introduced herself with a friendly smile. Hosea, another dark boy, also extended his hand for a handshake. I smiled and shook his hand, and he commented, "Omo! Your hands are soft, oh!" Bayo immediately pulled my hand from Hosea's "OK, that's enough." Hosea then laughed and said, "Bro, chillas." Bayo then said to the dark girl with beautiful black hair ,"You haven't introduced yourself, Leila."

The dark girl with beautiful long hair replied, "Well, you just said my name. I'll take my leave now. See you all tomorrow." Her tone hinted at anger, and she left. The atmosphere felt awkward, and I wondered if I had done something wrong. Hosea reassured me, "No, you didn't. Leila has always been like that."

Dad informed me that he had purchased my admission form for Laurel High School, a renowned school in Lagos.

The next day, I joined Bayo and his friends for exercise again, but Leila was absent. Bayo and I exchanged contacts, and I learned he was a year ahead of me in school.

Feeling bored at home in the afternoon, I decided to take a stroll around the estate. I walked to the field and saw a familiar figure leaning on the wall - Kelsin, with a cigarette in his hand. He noticed my presence and turned around defensively. His nerves relaxed when he saw it was me.

"What are you doing here, Iris?" he asked gruffly.

I replied, "Just taking a stroll."

He said rudely, "Right, a stroll. Do you mind taking your stroll somewhere else, Iris?" I felt a bit angry and replied, "Excuse you."

He responded angrily, "What don't you understand? Shit! I'll just leave for you." He crushed the cigarette and stood up to leave. As he stood up, I saw his face - his eyes were red, and he had a fresh cut on his neck. He noticed my concern and cursed before walking away before I could say anything. I wondered how he got that injury; something seemed off about him. I continued thinking about kelsin till I got home and had a chat with my best friend, Cindy. Well, a new beginning.