CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: TRUTH?!
So, Victoria started explaining,
"John and I have been friends since primary school. I first saw Vanessa at my house one day with my elder sister. When she left, I asked my sister who she was, and my sister said Vanessa was her friend. I didn't say anything at the time because it was the first time meeting her. But later, I started seeing her almost every time. Suddenly, my sister stopped having her around and told me Vanessa was a bad influence. I took what my sister said seriously."
She continued,
"There was a time I saw Vanessa with John when he got to primary five. At first, I thought they were siblings or just friends, until I heard some strange words from them. When she left, I told John that she was a bad influence. He just said they liked each other. I wasn't shocked because John likes older girls; he even says younger girls are too baby-ish. But hearing sexual words from their mouths scared me the most."
Morayo looked at Victoria curiously.
"Are you sure John is a virgin sha?"
"Morayo, shut up! I don't even know either," Victoria snapped, and Morayo burst into laughter.
"Victoria, continue! Don't mind Morayo," I said, nudging her to go on, and Victoria nodded.
"Okay, so the next thing I knew was Vanessa got pregnant. Her parents sent her to her grandmother's house. It became the talk of the street. How would parents not take care of their child properly? Vanessa's parents cared, but when she got to school, she started following bad influences—both girls and boys who corrupted her mind. When John heard, he distanced himself from her, annoyed and disappointed."
Victoria looked at us, her eyes scanning each of our faces.
"It wasn't enough, though… she gave birth. Some thought she wouldn't survive, but she did. After that, she started hooking up, using her grandma's inability to provide as an excuse. All this happened when she was 14 to 16 years old. She entered this school at 16. I think she wants to turn a new leaf, maybe that's why she lied. I was first against being her friend because I wasn't sure if she had changed. Her friends are in SS2 and SS3, so why shouldn't she have a chance to change?"
I nodded slowly.
"I feel bad too, but her lying is becoming too much," I said.
Victoria turned to Morayo.
"Don't you want to reconsider having Vanessa as your friend?"
"Oh my goodness, didn't you hear what she said to me? If I accept her, I'll be an outsider," Morayo answered flatly. Then she looked at me. "The same goes for you, Floral. She doesn't like you."
"Yeah, that's true," I said, shaking my head in agreement.
"Then we'll give her some time," Victoria suggested.
"I don't even want her back," Morayo said, expressionless.
"Let's just see how she behaves if we give her some time and space," Victoria proposed.
Morayo leaned forward, eyes on Victoria.
"I have questions. Should I ask now?"
"Go ahead, one after the other," Victoria said, surrendering to the onslaught.
"You said John likes older girls… so why do you still have a crush on him?" Morayo asked quietly, making sure no one else could hear.
Ofofo and amebo—two Nigerian words—came to mind: someone who eavesdrops and can't keep a secret.
Victoria blushed slightly.
"He has changed, and I know he will soon notice me," she replied briefly.
"Does that mean John still likes Vanessa?" Morayo asked.
"I don't know. It depends on how John feels now," Victoria shrugged.
"What about Vanessa's baby?" Morayo pressed.
"With her grandma," Victoria answered.
"Why didn't you tell me all this before she came?" Morayo looked disappointed.
"It didn't occur to me," Victoria admitted sincerely. "Maybe because I wanted to forget some past memories."
"And about knowing John before?" Morayo asked again.
"You already know, I told you when I mentioned my crush. Have you forgotten?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe… I forgot," Morayo shrugged. "I remember you saying John told you all this. I'm confused."
"Yes, I did. I thought telling you parts of the story would help you understand. But you insisted I tell the full story. And yes, John told me Vanessa was his first crush," Victoria explained.
"Oh… okay. Now I understand," Morayo murmured.
Victoria yawned.
"I want to sleep. Till tomorrow, guys," she said, placing her box under her bed and adjusting her pillow.
Morayo left soon after.
---
Days passed.
I started looking at John differently, still trying to process everything Victoria had said.
As for Vanessa… Victoria's idea of giving her space wasn't working. Vanessa had just entered my class.
I braced myself. She sat on the vacant chair next to John, right on the other row.
"Hi!" she said cheerfully.
John didn't respond.
"What are you looking at? I came to meet John, not you," she glared at me.
Gosh! Why me all of a sudden?
"What is your problem now? Did I talk to you, or even mention your name?" I asked, annoyed.
"Can you excuse John and me? We want to talk," she said, eyes fixed on him.