Tolu blinked, still half-stunned, his heart racing. "You… you aren't mad?" he asked, voice low, almost disbelieving.
Ore tilted her head, her smile tugging wider. "Why would I be mad?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. "I don't know… I was half expecting a slap."
Her brows lifted, amused. "And the other half?"
"You just stay silent and walk away," he admitted.
Ore's smile deepened. "Then why risk it?"
Tolu hesitated, words slipping out before he could stop them. "It was just… the heat of the moment. And the way you were looking—your eyes… and your braids—" He faltered, his gaze tracing her face. "And the way the light reflects off your—"
Ore closed the distance before he could finish, her lips brushing his in a soft, lingering peck. It was warm, quiet, enough to make his thoughts scatter. When she pulled back, her smile carried a calm that steadied the air between them.
"Just relax," she whispered.
Tolu blinked, still trying to process everything. "Wait… I kissed you, and you're cool with it?"
Ore laughed softly, tilting her head. "You're making it sound weird when you say it like that."
"Exactly," Tolu said quickly, throwing his hands up a little. "It is weird."
She smirked. "Weird doesn't always mean bad. Besides… you're not like most of your friends."
Tolu frowned slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean," Ore said, swirling her fingers lazily in the water, "most of them are loud. They fill every space they walk into. You… you don't. You'd stay quiet during conversations, like you'd rather listen than talk. And that made me notice you more. Quiet people… they always end up thinking about random things when no one's paying attention. And somewhere along the way… I realized I was one of the random things you thought about."
Tolu stared at her, caught off guard. "Wait—what? You… you noticed that?"
"Not directly," Ore admitted with a shrug. "It just… built up over time. You didn't stand out too much, not where you were invisible, but just… in the middle. Comfortable. Easy to miss if you weren't looking."
Tolu rubbed the back of his neck, unsure if he should be embarrassed or flattered. "And my friend Leke?"
Ore laughed, rolling her eyes fondly. "Oh, he stands out way too much. He causes trouble, but never enough to get into real trouble. Just the right amount so every teacher keeps an eye on him, wondering what he'll do next. He's like… a constant headache that you can't get rid of."
Tolu chuckled, nodding. "Yeah. That's him, alright. Always skirting the line."
Ore smiled at him, then grew a little more serious. "But you… you're different. I wouldn't say I had a crush on you, not exactly. But I did like you. I still do. And I know you like me."
Tolu blinked, his chest tightening. "And how did you know that?"
She smirked knowingly. "You spend most of your free time staring at me."
His mouth dropped slightly, and he quickly scratched his head, embarrassed. "Are you sure it was me you saw? Because if you did… trust me, I'd know if you caught me."
Ore shook her head, amused. "One, it's easier to watch someone who doesn't realize he's being watched. And two, I didn't want to embarrass you. Honestly…" she smiled faintly, "I liked the face you make when you zone out."
Tolu squinted. "What face?"
Ore chuckled, leaning closer like she was letting him in on a secret. "Don't worry. I'll take a picture next time."
Ore pulled back slowly, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "Okay, that's enough for this night. Any more and you won't be able to sleep for the next few days."
Tolu exhaled, grinning. "Too late. Damage already done."
They both laughed, the sound carrying lightly over the water. Side by side, they swam back toward the shore, the chill of the lake fading as they waded out and reached for their clothes.
As Tolu bent to grab his shirt, Ore darted forward and snatched his phone from the sand. "Hey—" he started, but she was already tapping quickly, her wet fingers leaving faint smudges on the screen.
"There," she said, handing it back. "Now you won't have to make excuses to find me."
Before he could reply, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips—playful, fleeting, but enough to make his chest tighten again.
She turned toward the lake house, already walking away. "Stop staring at your girlfriend and go have fun with your friends," she called over her shoulder, her voice light but sure.
And then she slipped inside, swallowed up by the glow and noise of the party, leaving Tolu standing there, phone in hand, heart still racing.
Tolu slipped his shirt back on, still dazed, his mind looping over everything that had just happened. It all felt unreal—the kiss, her words, even the number now glowing on his phone screen.
He bent down to tie his laces, then paused.
Across the lake, just beyond the shimmer of moonlight, two pinpoints of red glowed in the darkness. They were steady, unblinking—like a pair of eyes fixed right on him.
His breath caught in his throat. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and looked again.
Gone.
The water rippled softly, the trees swayed in the breeze, and the shore stood empty as though nothing had ever been there.
A chill ran down his spine. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to turn back toward the lake house. I'm just tired. That's all.
Without another glance, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked quickly back inside, the thrum of music and laughter rushing to meet him as the door closed behind.
The warmth and noise of the party hit him the moment he stepped inside, a stark contrast to the chill of the lakeshore. Music thumped louder now, the smell of grilled meat and spilled drinks hanging heavy in the air.
Before he could even settle, Leke appeared out of nowhere, a drink in hand, grinning like he owned the place. "Where have you been, man? I've been looking all over for you!"
Tolu opened his mouth, hesitating, but Leke didn't give him a chance. He clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder and pointed toward the living room, where a group of boys were crowded around the TV, controllers in hand.
"I got you a spot. You're next in line for PES. Don't disappoint me, bro!"
Tolu blinked. "Leke, there's no ne—"
But before he could finish, Leke had already melted back into the crowd, laughing and pulling someone else into a conversation.
Tolu sighed, shaking his head with a small chuckle. Typical Leke. Always moving too fast for anyone to catch up.
Resigned, he drifted toward the game setup, watching the players on screen battle it out as cheers and groans erupted from the crowd around them.
Ini slid into the seat, controller firm in his hands. The crowd behind him shifted, some leaning in close, others shouting half-formed advice like it would somehow help.
The game kicked off. His opponent wasted no time—fast passes, sharp runs—and within minutes, the ball was buried in the back of Ini's net. 1–0.
The boy beside him grinned wide, leaning back like he'd already won. Laughter rippled through the group of onlookers.
"Don't disappoint me, Ini!" Leke's voice cut in suddenly, his hand clapping Ini's shoulder from behind. The grin on his face was impossible to miss. Before Ini could reply, Leke melted back into the sea of bodies, already chasing some new distraction.
Ini exhaled slowly. 'Alright. Focus.'
He paused the game, swapped out a couple of tired players, adjusted the formation. The restart whistle blew. For a while, it was back-and-forth, both sides battling for control, but then—an opening. Ini slid the ball through, his striker breaking free, one-on-one with the keeper. A clean shot. Goal. 1–1.
The crowd burst into noise. Ini allowed himself a small smile, lifting his head for just a moment.
And then he saw her.
A few meters away, Ore stood with her friends, but her eyes were only on him. She was smiling, her lips forming words he couldn't hear over the chaos—but he read them clearly: You can do it.
Then, she blew him a playful kiss.
Ini blinked, the controller tightening in his grip. Heat rushed through him, his chest suddenly lighter. 'She's actually watching me… me.'
The whistle blew again. He leaned forward, sharper, faster. His team came alive under his hands. Another goal. Then another. By halftime, he was up 2–1.
The break came and went, and with it, Ini's confidence only grew. He scored a third, a fourth, and then—sealing it—a fifth.
5–1. Game over.
The crowd exploded. Boys clapped his back, some laughing, others shaking their heads. "Nahhh, Ini's too good, abeg!" "Next time, I'm taking you on!"
Ini laughed, shaking his head modestly. "Next time," he promised, slipping the controller down onto the table.
But even as the congratulations swirled around him, his eyes drifted back to where Ore had been standing.
The spot was empty.
He swallowed, searching the crowd. Nothing.
'Did I… really see her? Or… did I just imagine it?'