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CHAPTER 19 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Jide’s gaze stayed on Layo from across the circle, his silent support conveyed in a subtle nod. Though there was a  significant physical distance between them but his unspoken words reached her loud and clear: "I’m here, Layo. Just breathe. Focus." Layo caught his look, the communication between them undeniable even amidst the lively crowd. Her heart settled a little, but she still felt the oppressive presence of Zino beside her. “Tell me, Jide,” Nina’s teasing voice broke into his thoughts. She lightly tapped his arm, redirecting his focus. “How did you ask her out?” Jide chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “It’s...complicated,” he said, though his mind had already drifted back to the memory of that moment. ****** FLASHBACK – TWO WEEKS EARLIER The classroom was quiet, with only a few students lingering after school. Layo and Amaka sat side by side, their textbooks spraw...

CHAPTER 17 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. “Hello, baby sister…” Tolu greeted, her tone cheerful. “Hi, how are you?” Layo asked with a small smile. Tolu tilted the phone slightly, grinning. “How’s your fair going, Scholar?” “Not bad,” Layo replied, narrowing her eyes as she noticed something odd about her sister’s outfit. “Where are you?” “At home, on my way out…” Tolu said nonchalantly. Layo’s brows revealed instant disapproval. “On your way out? I’m not your mother, but I have a lot of problems with what you’re wearing.” Tolu laughed, looking down at her off-shoulder top. “Relax! I’m just trying on a dress a friend got me. I’ll change into something more covered before Mum sees me.” Layo shook her head. “A friend got you that?” “Yes! What do you think?” “That you’re never wearing that out,” Layo said, crossing her arms. Tolu rolled her eyes dramatically. “Ugh, what do you know?” She paused, then her tone softened. “But seriously, how ar...

CHAPTER 16 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD “Excuse us?” Amaka said sharply. Racheal, ignoring Amaka completely, pointed a finger at her with a wave of dismissal. “You...you may pass,” Racheal snapped. Then, turning to Layo, her expression hardened. “But as for you…” Layo stared calmly at Racheal, unbothered by her glare.  “The audacity,” Racheal muttered under her breath. Layo raised an eyebrow, her tone cool and calm. “How may I help you?” Racheal’s face twisted slightly, her words coming out with bitter frustration. “Help me? I should be asking you that.” “What are you talking about?” Layo asked, her confusion evident. Racheal’s voice heightened with emotion, though she tried to sound steady. “You think you can just stroll around, batting those pretentious eyes at every guy and flirting with them?” Amaka stepped in. “Flirt? With who?” Racheal turned sharply, glaring at Amaka. “Zip it when I’m talking.” “What is the meaning of this?” Layo...

CHAPTER 15 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. Nina watched Jide closely as he drifted back from his thoughts... “Your story feels like something from a storybook,” Nina said softly, her words deliberate. “Every great love story comes with its own conflict. Was there no love triangle? No other boys who liked her? I mean, she’s quite a sight, you know. I’ve already noticed my classmate seems to be smitten by her—his name is Zino.” Jide shifted slightly.... “It was the other way around. There was this other girl... Rachael.” ***** The bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the day. The chaos in the class grew loud. Layo stood up from her seat, gathering her books into her arms. Jide walked toward her, weaving through the desks with purpose. “Ready to leave?” Jide asked casually as he reached her. “Yeah,” Layo replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “My mum’s always on time. Besides, it’s Wednesday, and as you know…” “Church,” Jide finished...

CHAPTER 14 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD “Well, it wasn’t long before circumstances pulled us together again,” he replied, his voice holding a hint of pride. “And this time, I was pretty smart about it.” Nina laughed lightly...  “Oh Really! Tell me your smart moves”  Jide leaned back slightly, his smile softening as he met Nina’s gaze. He opened up more to her... ******* Jide had sat with Paul and Chinedu in the Biology lab awaiting their Biology Teacher; Mrs Helen...Their loud voices overshadowed other voices in the room.  It wasn’t long before Layo walked in, holding her books tightly to her chest. Chinedu, always quick to stir trouble, nudged Jide with a mischievous smirk. “Look, look… Mrs. Jide is walking in with 100% steeze and composure.” Paul burst out laughing, drawing Jide’s attention. Layo, who caught wind of their teasing, stiffened. Feeling  her heart almost jumping out of her chest, she instinctively turned back tow...

CHAPTER 13 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. Layo was still seated on the field, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. She continued to travel back to weeks earlier like Mrs Helen had advised.  The flashbacks continued on its own. Coincidentally, her thoughts travelled back to exactly what Jide had been sharing with Nina. The point where it literally started... Just after Mrs Lydia had used them as her examples... ***** She remembered slumping deeper into her seat, hiding her face behind her notebook as though that could shield her from the teasing. Amaka leaned closer, her teasing smile unmistakable. She nudged Layo playfully with her elbow. “Well, I must say, Mrs. Lydia’s example was... quite fitting,” Amaka said, her voice low and mischievous. Layo shot her a glare... “Ah-ah! Very funny,” she muttered, rolling her eyes in mock irritation. Amaka’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “If you ask me, I’d say this is a good...