Chapter 4 No room for shame
The very next day.
Students were already buzzing by 7am.
The match win still fresh.
Everyone talking about Nelson's penalty, the keeper's dive, the crowd's chant—
But then…
Novie walked onto campus, on a normal day nobody would notice her but today,..,
She was not alone.
Not with her usual hoodie and airpods.
Not with Precious or Adam
No.
She walked in with Zayn beside her.
Black tee, backpack slung carelessly, one hand in his pocket…
And the other?
Casually resting on her back.
Just enough to guide her.
Just enough to say "she's with me."
⸻
Pause.
You could feel the ripple.
Heads turned.
Eyes widened.
Mouths opened.
Someone dropped their cold zobo.
A group of girls gasped like it was a telenovela.
"Is that—"
"Wait. Is that Coach Zayn and that Novie girl?"
"Since when??"
"I thought he had a girlfriend in Abuja??"
"She must be a witch."
"Or a baddie. Honestly I respect it."
By the time they reached the faculty building, everyone and their roommates' still in the hostels already had a version of the story.
Some said she seduced him.
Others said he broke up with his girlfriend just to be with her.
One version had her saving his life in a car accident. (??)
But the two of them?
They didn't care.
Zayn didn't stop to explain.
He didn't say a word.
He just opened the door for her, let her walk in first, and sat beside her in class—yes, in class, like he wasn't the coach and had no business there.
He just… wanted to be near her.
And Novie?
She pretended not to notice the stares, but her smile gave her away.
Quiet. Bright. Proud.
⸻
By lunchtime, it was official.
They were the couple.
Zayn and Novie.
Coach and the girl who never missed a game.
Their names were on every status.
Group chats were lit.
People who never noticed her before suddenly wanted to be her friend.
Boys who ignored her before were now confused and a little bitter.
Girls who dreamed of Zayn were silent and furious especially No….but that's not important for now.
But the truth was…
None of it mattered.
Because when they were alone,
When Zayn looked at her like she was the only thing real in the world,
And when she laughed like she finally felt seen—
There was no space for opinions.
No room for shame.
Just them. Atleast that's what they thought ….