chapter 23 : Open day and The weight of friendship

The sun was high, casting its golden rays across Jewel Girls High School as Evelyn and Oyinkansola walked past Rita, who was sitting quietly under a tree, lost in thought. As they approached, Evelyn couldn't resist throwing a sarcastic jab.

"Rita, the minus friend," Evelyn said, the words dripping with mockery.

Rita glanced up, momentarily surprised. Evelyn's eyes twinkled mischievously, as though daring her to react.

"Oya, cry," Evelyn continued, a cruel grin stretching across her face.

Rita's heart sank. She had already endured so much from Evelyn, but hearing those words—said so callously in front of Oyinkansola—stung deeper than she expected. She wanted to cry, to let the tears roll, but Evelyn wasn't alone. Oyinkansola was standing right there, and Rita didn't want to give them the satisfaction. Instead, she clenched her fists, willing herself to stay composed, even though the sting of Evelyn's words threatened to undo her.

"You won't win this," Rita thought to herself, her breath shaky but determined. She stood tall, not allowing herself to show any sign of weakness. But deep down, the wound Evelyn had inflicted was already festering, hidden behind the mask of calm she wore.

The next day was Open Day—a day when parents visited the school to check on their children's progress. Rita knew, deep in her heart, that her parents wouldn't be attending. They never did. What was the point in even telling them? She was used to standing alone, watching other students proudly introduce their parents to their friends. It had always been like that.

Rita sat in class, chatting with Nifemi, as the students continued with their day. The conversation was light, a much-needed distraction from the pain that Evelyn had caused. But then, Nifemi's face lit up, and Rita watched as she stood up, gathering her books.

"Someone's calling me," Nifemi said with a smile. "I'll be right back."

Rita nodded, watching as Nifemi hurried out of the room, her books neatly piled on her head, her movements graceful and sure. She followed her friend from a distance, curious but also a little hesitant. She had never really had someone to lean on in moments like these.

When she reached the courtyard, Rita saw Nifemi meet her mother. The tall, graceful woman greeted Nifemi with a warm hug, checking her daughter's notes with a look of pride in her eyes. Rita stood a few steps away, feeling like an observer in someone else's life.

Nifemi's mother looked over her work with a satisfied nod, but it wasn't just Nifemi's academic progress that filled her with pride. It was the way she had raised her daughter to be kind, thoughtful, and, most importantly, someone who could be a real friend.

Rita couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, something deep in her heart aching with the feeling that she had never really experienced that kind of support.

---

But then, to her surprise, Nifemi turned to her. "Rita!" she called out, waving her over.

Rita's heart skipped a beat as she walked toward them. What could Nifemi want from me?

Nifemi smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling. "Mom," she said, "this is Rita—she's my best friend."

Rita froze. Her eyes widened, unsure of what to do. Nifemi's mother looked at her with a smile that was so open, so welcoming, that Rita almost felt like she might cry.

"Nice to meet you, Rita," Nifemi's mom said, extending her hand. "Nifemi talks about you a lot."

Rita felt her throat tighten as she shook the woman's hand, trying to keep herself composed. Nifemi talks about me? She had never thought that someone like Nifemi, someone so confident and well-liked, would consider her a friend in that way. And now, standing there in front of Nifemi's mother, Rita realized how much she had longed for that kind of connection—one where she wasn't just "someone" in the background but truly seen.

For a moment, Rita felt invisible, like a quiet observer in a world she couldn't quite enter. But as she exchanged glances with Nifemi, she realized something important: she was part of this.

Nifemi trusted her enough to introduce her to her mother, and in that moment, Rita understood that their friendship wasn't just a casual connection. It was real, deep, and worthy of being shared with the people they cared about.

As the conversation with Nifemi's mother came to an end, Rita watched as the two of them walked away, hand-in-hand, laughing about something only they could understand.

Rita stood there, still a little stunned by the warmth she had felt. For the first time, she realized that real friendships didn't need to be built on popularity or drama. They were built on trust, support, and the willingness to include one another, no matter the circumstances.

Rita's heart felt a little lighter, though still heavy with the memories of her past with Evelyn. *Maybe it's time to let go of that old friendship, the one that only took and never gave,* she thought. *Maybe it's time to truly start fresh.*

---

As Nifemi returned to class, she smiled at Rita. "It's so nice that my mom got to meet you."

Rita nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad you introduced me to her."

Nifemi gave her a wink. "You're one of the good ones, Rita. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."

The words warmed Rita's heart, but it wasn't just the compliment that made her feel good—it was the understanding, the genuine support, and the way Nifemi's words reminded her that real friendship was still possible. And sometimes, it came from the most unexpected places.

Rita left Open Day with a sense of peace she hadn't had in a long time. She didn't need to worry about fitting in with the wrong crowd anymore. She had found someone who saw her, accepted her, and treated her like family.

And maybe that was all she needed.

---

As Rita watched Nifemi and her mother walk away, she realized that true friendship wasn't about fitting into some perfect mold—it was about the connection, the care, and the understanding you shared with someone. No matter what Evelyn or anyone else said, Rita now knew where her true worth lay.

She wasn't a "minus" friend. She was someone who could stand tall, be loved, and love in return. And that, Rita thought, was enough.