It was Easier

"Do you guys think it's weird that they give us salt and pepper in the cafeteria?" Caleb asked as he stared at his apology for lunch. Mama Cook was serving rice and beans today, even though the timetable suggested they'd have jollof rice.

"Nope. It's a good thing they give us. Mama's tastebuds are dead." Adrianna frowned as she sprinkled some salt on her rice and beans.

"Yeah. I don't think salt or pepper will save her meal today though. It tastes like dust. Is this what we taste like when we decay?" Amara said adding a little more drama to what Caleb started.

"But seriously, we should be fed better. we pay a lot of money." Oye butted in. Thelma laughed.

"Never in the history of anything profit-oriented have people's feelings mattered. Priston of all schools is not going to break that record. Trust me."

"Yeah, Yeah. We know you have been reading your Economics. No need to shove it in our faces." Zachary rolled his eyes at Thelma's knowledgeable declaration.

For a girl who was not known for socializing or being a chatterbox, Thelma had many friends. There was 8 of them in her group: Zachary, Caleb, Oye, Amara, Adrianna, the twins: Tola and Tobi, then Thelma.

They always ate together at the school, cafeteria. Well, all of them except the twins. Their parents were very superstitious. They did not approve of them eating in public places or eating public food.

It used to make being friends with them awkward for Thelma because they never really show up for anything. The only time, they ever really hung out outside school was on compulsory school outings. Also, their parents allowed them to bring friends over for a few hours every month.

Thelma's mum always called them hypocrites "You too look at it, Thelma. They won't show up for parties or anything but they want their kids to be involved in everything. You just have to pick one poison as a parent. Expose the child and pray every night that they choose the right path or shield them for the rest of their lives and die, not knowing what impact they could have made and how much more potentials they could have explored without the guard rails. You can't eat your cake and have it."

Thelma would roll her eyes at her mum's rant and proceed to do other things. Her mother had a weird way of boxing people.

"Speaking of which, what co-curricular are you guys taking? I do not want anything related to physical health this term." Adrianna asked.

"You know, for someone who is all about fitness and beating bodies into shape, you don't walk your talk," Caleb said and Zachary hummed in agreement.

Adrianna had started a hypocritical health and fitness movement on Instagram to help promote her mother's brand.

"Yes. Exercise is good for your physical and mental health. The P.E. classes you took the last term got you looking good. You should try again. You look fat." Amara nodded and squinted her eyes at Adrianna as if she was just realizing something important.

"Stop it, you guys. I know I'm not that fat." Adrianna said in annoyance. Thelma was just watching the methodical madness unfolding before her. She wasn't interested in being a part of the circus today.

Amara nodded, "Keyword being 'not that" she used her fingers to form air quotes.

"If you keep up like this, you will not be looking like those girls in the magazines when you turn 35."

"Nope! She'll be looking like Mama Cook." Oye said and everyone at the table burst out laughing.

Everyone except Thelma who was trying hard to distract herself from the noises her stomach was making by scrolling through her phone. She was hungry but she found the food made in the cafeteria very unhealthy. Mama always used too much oil and the rice she cooked was way too starchy.

"Hey Tee." Gloria smiled when she walked past their table. Thelma smiled and waved in response.

"Ugh! That girl is so annoying!" Zachary exclaimed, bored.

"Bro, if you like her, just say so," Adrianna said trying to get back at him.

"Ew! No! We all know she kisses ass because she wants to get from us." He retorted.

Thelma smiled knowingly, "and what do we have to offer her?"

"Duh! Parties and stuff."

Thelma rolled her eyes and continued with her phone. The bell was rung after that.

"Who has a class now?" Amara asked.

"I don't," Adrianna said.

"God! I can't wait for July so I can get out of this system," Zachary rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. College is not any better though. You know that, right?" Adrianna said.

"Speaking of college, what university are you going to Thelma?"

Thelma shrugged in response, "I don't know." Her eye twitched as she continued scrolling through her Instagram explore page.

Amara rolled her eyes, "you never know. You will have to make a decision soon though. July is not as far away as you think it is. Plus, I thought we all agreed we would split up to a maximum of three universities so we can stay close to one another."

The bell rang again. "Y'all are sure you don't have classes?" Amara asked again squinting her eyes at Oye. Oye squinted back at her.

Thelma sighed, "I'm going to the library. I have homework. I'll see y'all later." She got up and left. Adrianna rolled her eyes at her as she walked away.

Thelma had always been a little distant. Even to her closest friends. She never seemed interested in anything. She never spoke about liking boys or having a crush. She never talked about her parents or how rich she was. She was a little more than above average in school. She was almost a straight-A student, except she only believed in excelling in subjects she liked. On the surface, she came across as someone hard to reach, and it was true. No one could say they knew Thelma. It was like she was constantly protected by a fog. You could see her but not very clearly.

"I swear, the way that girl act pisses me off sometimes." Adrianna huffed.

"She's right though. We do have some Literature assignments to turn in. I'll see you guys later, okay?" Amara said chirpily and walked away.

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