Chapter 9 Nice Girl

“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.” – Malala Yousafzai.

........

"All of her social media account?" Tomison asked, shocked.

"Yep. All of it, and do you guys want to know something weird?"

"What?" Tomison and I asked together.

"Look" she turned her laptop to us, but I didn't see a thing, only a bunch of code and black and green light.

"What exactly am I supposed to see here?" Tomison asked.

"You guys don't see it do you? What was I expectating." She turned the laptop back to herself. Well to make it short, she has only one password for all her social media accounts"

"What's the password.?" I asked.

"IWK Abdullahi." Lara deadpanned.

"What does that even mean?" I asked again.

"It could mean an initial of her dad's name or something juicy" Lara said. Tapping on the table.

"Whatever, the most important thing is that we've hacked her. What next?"

"Is what we're doing right?" I asked,not feeling totally good at what we were doing.

"Maybe it's not good, but neither is what she's doing good." Tomison said.

"She's right." Lara said.

"Okay, now that that's settled, let's invade her privacy."

Lara came to the middle with her laptop and tapped on Aisha's Facebook messenger.

"She sure has a lot of friends." Lara commented.

"More like,lot of Secret owners." I joked. And we all  laughed.

"Or juice providers" Tomison added, and we laughed again.

Most of her messages weren't juice worthy and we were about to give up when Tomison suggested that we click on her Mother's message thread.

"She barely talks about her mother." Tomison said.

"Thought her mother's dead or something."

"No, she's supposed to be in Dubai" Tomison said.

"Or in the Kaduna, look at this." She pointed at a message That read. Mama, how are you?

Her mother replied I'm fine. Kaduna is awesome.

Lara scrolled up. And we all froze when we saw a message from her mother saying. I'm sorry, Nana Ai. But I can't stay with that man anymore. I've found another man who loves and cherishes me. Please don't make it hard on me. Make sure he signs those annulment papers.

Mum! You can't do this to me! Please come back home! Please!Aisha replied.

"I guess we've just found our First strike." Lars announced.

"She probably doesn't want anyone knowing about her parent's divorce because she keeps telling us her mother's at Dubai or China or blabla." Tomison said.

"So what do we do now?" Lara asked, looking at me. Tomison also looked at me.

"We've got two choices here, we screenshot this message and blackmail her, or we post it and shatter her so that she wouldn't think of spreading your secret tomorrow."

"The second one works for me" Lara said.

"Yeah, it sounds better. Besides, blackmailing her will be suspicious and she'll have Tobi scanning the whole web for you."

"Tobi isn't a match for me" Lara hissed. "He's a baby hacker."

"Don't underestimate Tobi" Tomison said.

"Whatever." Lara hissed.

"So, we're spreading the rumour right?" I asked.

"Yup"

"Okay, send the screenshot of the message to me, I'll have it up on my blog by 9pm. That's when everyone's sure to be online."

"This actually feels good." Tomison said. "I'll secretly confirm the rumour. And I'll make sure she has no idea it's you guys."

"I'll keep searching for more secrets, something tell me this one won't hold out long enough." Lara said.

"But it will be enough to buy us more time, and don't forget it's not only her we're targeting. We also have Emem, Jax and Tobi himself." I said.

"So we've got lot of secrets to unveil." Tomison said.

We spent an hour discussing more about the evil-4, talking about school and finally talking to Lara about solving her problem. Even though she was stuck on keeping mute about the reason why she was bed wetting, she told us she appreciated our help and we all exchanged phone numbers, in case of information transmission or emergency.

I went home that day feeling good. I realised the joy of friendship that my mum always told me about. Even though I just met Lara and Tomison, I knew we were going to be best of friends and that in no time, we would all share our deepest secrets. I was so happy that I didn't mind paying the the next bike man 100 naira for the ride back home.

Rotimi was already home and was watching TV when I got home. And as I had expected, he had a bowl of food right in front of him, and he looked calmer than I expected. I feared he had seen the phone were I hid it, but I knew the chances were too low.

"You're back?" He asked, smiling widely.

"Yeah. You've seen your phone?" I asked, taking a seat beside him.

"No, but I've gotten another, I followed your advice."

"How much did she pay you anyway?"

I took a slimy toothpick out of his mouth and said, "200k"

"So you called me your step sister and offered to sell my secrets out for 200 thousand?"

"I guess." He shrugged. "You think I should have asked for more right? I thought as much too."

"Jerk" I hissed and stood up, he wasn't worth returning the phone to, but I still  hadn't figured out what to do with the phone.

"Where's mummy?" I asked, while climbing the stairs.

"You've tried checking her room?" he answered sarcastically.

I went to my mom's room but she was fast asleep and I took my time to watch her sleep. She looked like the older version of me, only more beautiful. I silently shut her door and  went to my room, playing Meghan Trainors 'Mom' as I took my clothes off.

I still had a few hours too prepare dinner so I hummed to the song as I clicked on Facebook and tapped my messenger for any missed inbox.

I had one from Tomison, Lara,March and Emem.

(T) Had a fun time with the both of you. I think Lara is brave for sharing her secret with us. Wish I was half that brave. I plan to research on how bed wetting can stop. I know I barely know her, but I feel like I'm obligated to help. Thanks for bringing me out today. You're such a Nice Girl, wish I knew that earlier. Talk to you tomorrow.

You know that moment when you've been  gazing at your phone for  minutes and you suddenly realise and you feel weird, well I was in the moment right now, the difference was that I wasn't feeling weird. And if I was feeling weird, it was a good weird. I would have loved to chat with her, but she wasn't active. So I sent a smiley emoji instead.

I tapped on Lara's Message. She wasn't Active too.

(L) Hey, thanks for helping, it meant the world to me. And I owe you both a lot. And you actually looked good at the party. Don't freak out, saw your pictures all over the school's Facebook page. And who was that guy you kissed! I know I've got no business prying, I mean, I'm not your friend or something. I just can't help feeling like we're Friends.

(R) Lara, chill. I can hear you sound uneasy just by reading your messages. I already regard you as a friend, I mean, who wouldn't want a cool hacker friend? And that boy I kissed is one of the new transfer students. You'll see him tomorrow. And I only kissed him for the game of truth or dare. Come to think of it, I wonder who took such accurate pictures. Is there a way you can find out?

'Cos the person would have gotten a photo of my boobs.' It just made me realize how Aisha had planned it all well. She was really ruthless. I mean, It could have been my breast all over the School Facebook page, A page my mum followed. I was triggered now more than ever to post Aisha's secret on my blog.

I tapped on Emem's Message.

(E) HEY, I'M THROWING MY 16TH BIRTHDAY PARTY NEXT WEEK SATURDAY, AND IF YOU'RE SEEING THIS MESSAGE THAT TOOK A LOT OF ENERGY TO COMPOSE, YOU'RE INVITED. JUST SHOW UP AT MY HOUSE WITH THIS MESSAGE. BRING A GIFT ALONG,AND THE THEME IS CINDERELLA, SO DRESS CINDERRELLY. (IF THAT'S A WORD.) YOU'RE FREE TO BRING A DATE. GOD THIS IS MY LONGEST MESSAGE EVER. BABYE!!

Every fibre of my being wanted to type. "GO TO HELL" But the reasonable side of me quickly saw the bright side of the invite. 'Maybe this was going to be the chance to unveil a secret on Emem.' So I quickly replied.

(R) Thanks Emem, I'm honored to have received such a distinguished invitation, I wonder what I've done to deserve it. I'm just wondering if my dates can be girls. I pray so.

I hoped she wasn't the type that noted Sarcasm. I guess she wasn't the type because she replied almost immediately.

(E) DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE ALSO A LESBIAN! ANYWAY, YOU'RE FREE TO COME ALONG WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS.

What did she mean by 'Also'? Who else was a Lesbian?

(R) Thanks, Em.

And I left her thread and tapped on March's, he was Active.

(M) Good afternoon. Remi.

Apparently, he'd sent that message by noon. But it was already 5 in the evening.

(R) Good evening, March. Sorry I'm replying late.

I said that because I detested it when people replied me late as well.

(M) Nargh. I figured you were one of those girls that attend churches that close by midnight or something. He added a laughing emoji.

(R) You're not far from the truth, tho. So, what's up?

(M) I need your help. And please don't refuse me.

(R) if it's within my power.

(M) One of Aisha's friend sent me a party invite. I need a date.

(R) You think I'm a Godmother? They type of woman that arranges prostitute for men! I'm insulted.

(M)Ahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha. I swear I'm actually laughing. You're funny.

(R) I'm just kidding though, so what exactly do you want me to do, introduce you to one of my friends, cos I also got an invitation.

(M) I was actually hoping you would  do me the honour of being my Cinderella.

(R) Awwwn. That would have been awesome, but I'm hooked.

I got an idea immediately.

(R) Why don't you go with another friend of mine. My date is actually a girl, you know the girl I came with yesterday. We can all hang out.

(M) is she cute?

(R) I'm not cute, yet you want me as your date. Remember?

(M) You're right, you're not Cute. You're beautiful.

(R) *yawns* Cliché.  So you're going with her or what?

(M) Fine. As long as you'll be there I'm good.

I thought for a second. Why was I deciding for Lara and Tomison, what if they also got an invite and had dates in mind. But something dismissed the thought.

(R) cool. Hope you've got a limousine?

(M) Sure, that's the least of my problem.

(R) Of course I added a smiley emoji.

(M) Got to prepare for school. This girl I'm going with is in our school right?

(R) Yeah, I'm sure you'll like her. She's actually cute.

Lara was indeed pretty.

(M) See you tomorrow, dream of me as you sleep.

(R) You're sure you're not sleeping already? Cos you're dreaming already. Goodnight.

He posted a laughing emoji and a 'goodnight'. Even though he appeared as the egoistic type of rich guy, something about him interested me, something I was yet to find out.

I fell on my bed, imagining myself dreaming about him, wondering how school was going to be with him around. He looked like trouble, but the type of trouble that was inviting.

I was still smiling to myself when i felt my phone vibrate on my stomach. The caller ID read, LARA Da Hacker.

I accepted the call.

"Hello?" She asked.

"Hey, Lara. Miss me already?"

"Would be lying if I said, 'I wish'. But that's not why I'm calling, tho."

"What's up?"

"Gimme a min, I'm trying to place a conference call with you and Tomison"

"Okay." I listened to her make a click or two and finally I heard Tomison's voice.

"Hello?" Tomison said.

"Hello, Tomison" I said.

"Is that, You. Remi? You're at Lara's house? By this time?"

"It's a three way call, Tomison" Lara answered.

"Oh, so what's up"

"Don't know if you guys have heard, but an inbox came into Aisha's message from Emem...."

"Is this about the Cinderella themed party?" I asked.

"Actually, yes! How did....you also got an invite?"

"Yup" I answered.

"Stop saying, 'yup' you sound like Aisha." Tomison sneered.

"Opps! Sorry."

Tomison laughed. "Now you sound like, Emem. And I also got invited. Very weird invitation."

"Yeah, weird" I said.

"So I'm the only one who didn't get invited." Lara said, she sounded sad, even though she meant to be funny.

"Actually, I got you a date" I said.

"Who me?" Tomison asked.

"Not you, but kinda. I'm sorry, I took it upon myself. I shouldn't have."

"What do you mean?"  Lara asked.

"I figured you weren't going to get an invitation, I mean. I'm sure I only got invited because they have something planned for me. So I arranged a date for you with March."

"Who's March" Lara asked.

"March!" Tomison exclaimed.

"Yeah, March. And you'll know March when you check my reply to your message on Facebook."

"Wow! How did you do it?" Tomison asked.

"He actually initiated it." I answered.

"I appreciate what you've done, Remi, but what made you think I'd want to go to a party where everyone knew I bed wetted?"

"No one will know, Lara. Our plan will work out." Tomison said.

"Okay, I believe you. So who are the both of you going to bring as date."

"Was actually hoping Remi would go with me" Tomison said.

"Me too!" I answered.

"I guess it's settled then" Lara said. "Who knows maybe we'll unlock another secret of the....what do you call them again, Tomison?"

"Oh, Evil-4" Tomison answered and we all laughed.