"...so you want us to go to Amarachi's party?", Michael repeated, a bemused look on his face.
Aisha had the same look on her face. "The same Amarachi you obviously don't like and who just called you boring?"
Bisi awkwardly looked back at them. "Yes. Like Michael said, we should celebrate ending the test week"
"That's the most un-Bisi thing you've said all week", Aisha deadpanned.
Bisi cringed. She knew Aisha was right. "Well are you coming with me or not?"
"I mean I and Aisha were planning to invite ourselves over to your house to see you", Michael shrugged, glancing at Aisha. "But if you're going to Amarachi's uncle's club then I guess we'll come along"
Aisha's big brown eyes narrowed at Bisi suspiciously. "But you don't like parties...what made you change your mind so quickly?"
"Minutes ago, you couldn't stand Amarachi's presence"
Bisi turned away. "I just changed my mind. You know me and my impulsive decision making"
And with that, she began to walk away.
She didn't want them to pry and find out Amarachi basically bullied her into coming to her hang out and make sure to bring Michael and Aisha.
She hadn't expected Aisha and Michael to actually listen to her. Maybe they really did want to go.
"Let's rendezvous at Bisi's place in an hour", Aisha yelled after Bisi, to let her know they were going to be at her place.
Bisi sighed.
An evening she could've spent learning the secrets of The Voice and practicing fighting techniques, would be wasted trying to survive a hang out she wasn't welcomed in.
♤
"I think it's a good idea", Omolewa spoke gently, playing with a white, glowing orb.
"You too?", Bisi gasped her, betrayed by her statement. "I could do seven other things in the time I'd be at that hang out"
"Bisi, you possess The Voice, something capable of destroying the forces of darkness working against The Creator", Omolewa began. "You're no ordinary teenager....but you are still a teenager. Act like one"
"You don't understand. That demon hasn't attacked me in almost a week! For all we know, it might be planning something big...something I wouldn't stand a chance against. I can't be wasting time like this...", Bisi argued.
Omolewa deadpanned. "We both know you're using this training as an excuse to not socialize with your friends and peers. For goodness sake, it's one evening!"
"Alot could happen in one evening", Bisi argued, crossing her hands defiantly. "I'm not going"
"I wonder what excuse you'd tell your friends when they get here then", Omolewa nonchalantly shrugged, floating away. "Would you say 'oh I have to bail this time. I'm scared a demon that's been attacking me will try to hurt me again today'?"
Bisi glared at Omolewa. "You aren't taking this seriously"
"You're allowed to go out, Bisi!", Omolewa sighed. " You need a social life"
Bisi was about to retort but Omolewa vanished into thin air. "You need to stop doing that!"
♤
"Do you think Amarachi met Bisi?", Aisha asked as she made her way to Bisi's house, beside Michael.
"But of course", Michael replied. "I won't complain though, Bisi willingly came to talk with us today"
Aisha smiled at Michael. "Why do you like her so much?"
Michael glanced at Aisha. "I don't know. She's the first person to ever be honest with me"
Aisha's brows raised in curiosity. "What's the story?"
Michael let out an embarrassed laugh. "It was in primary school. I don't even think she remembers. She always had been blunt and even though her words were meant to hurt me, they were true and I appreciated that"
Aisha nodded fondly. "I agree. Bisi has a strong character....right from when we were little"
"I'm surprised you still stick with her, Aisha. I see how mean she is to you on a daily", Michale commented curiously.
Aisha smiled brightly. "Everyone thinks Bisi is a mean person but that's not true. She's just....different"
Michael chuckled. "What makes you say that?"
"Because before anyone saw her seemingly cold, uncaring side, I saw her...the real her", Aisha replied. "It was a long time ago too though. Bisi isn't one to remember things like that"
Michael nodded. "I'm just glad she's coming out with us. She's too anti social for her own good"
Aisha laughed. "I guess we have Amarachi to thank for that"
They both stopped, recognising Bisi's house. They knew it so well because they had come here together many times, wanting to surprise Bisi with a visit but had lost courage last minute and left.
Aisha took a step forward and knocked on Bisi's green gate. "Bisi? We're here! Are you ready?"
And then there was silence.
"Do you think she'll bail?", Aisha asked, her bubbly demeanour deflating a bit.
"I don't think-", Michael began but was cut off by the sound of the bottom of the gate scraping against the stone floor.
The gate opened a crack and Bisi stood there.
She wore a blue, large shirt and an equally large pair of blue jeans, coupled with a pair of large palm slippers and a black bucket hat.
Aisha's eyes widened.
Why had she expected Bisi to dress like a normal teenager? She obviously wasn't a normal teenager!
"Are you ready to...", Michael began asking but was cut off again, by Aisha shoving him aside.
"No, Bisi isn't ready. We need a few minutes", Aisha spoke sharply, pulling Bisi along with her into her home.
Bisi was too surprised to register she was being dragged until she was back in her living room.
She pulled her arm from Aisha's grip, a questioning look on her face. "But I'm ready"
"Not like that you're not", Aisha countered. "You're going back into your room and changing! You're not a yahoo boy!"
Bisi once again, found herself at a loss for words. Omolewa's words a few minutes ago rang in her head.
"There's no way you're going out dressed like that. What happened to your fashion sense? Is it even alive at this point?"
Bisi stared at Aisha. "Is it that bad?"
Aisha gave her an incredulous look that almost spelled out the words 'don't you have a mirror?'
"You remember how Abuja dressed last carol?"
Bisi's eyes widened. "It's that bad?"
"It's worse"
Bisi wasted no time in dashing back into her room to pick out a different outfit. Genuinely, she didn't care what people thought of her...most times. But it didn't mean she wanted to look awful in front of every one! Where even was her fashion sense?
"I told you it was a bad outift", a serene, feminine, familiar voice spoke behind Bisi.
"This is not the time! Help me!", Bisi glared at the entity.
"Why don't you ask your friend in the living room? She's your age, she knows what the rage is these days", Omolewa replied.
"Aisha? I don't think she wants to help", Bisi replied, hurriedly going through her wardrobe.
"Have a little faith in humanity. Not every one is an unwilling help like you", Omolewa rolled her eyes.
Bisi paused and glared at her. "When did you become so sharp mouthed? Aren't you supposed to be serene and gentle?"
"Since you tricked me into believing the washing machine was a teleportation device!", Omolewa glared back at her. "You're mean. But obviously those friends of yours in the living room don't mind. So stop pushing them away"
Bisi pursed her lips. "You really think I can ask Aisha for help? And she won't laugh or make fun of me?"
"I don't think so", Omolewa replied. "Go ahead. Try"
♤
"Why did you usher back in? What's going on?", Michael asked.
"Did you see what she was wearing? Don't joke. There's no way I'd let her walk out like that", Aisha huffed in reply.
"It wasn't that bad...", Michael grimaced.
Aisha frowned at him. "I should hit you for saying that"
Michael sighed, turning his head to look around the living room. It looked comfortable and warm....like a home.
There were pictures of the family members hanging on the wall beside the large, flat screen TV centred in the middle of the wall facing the largest couch.
Michael got up to look closer at a picture that captured his attention.
It was one of her primary school, graduation pictures. She had a bright grin on her face, revealing a gap in her teeth, where her canine tooth should've been.
She was chubby and her cheeks just made her look that much cuter.
"She has such a pretty smile", Michael said when Aisha came to look at what he was looking at. "I wish she would smile more"
"She does have a gorgeous smile", Aisha laughed, her eyes shining with mirth. "But she always has been one to not smile a lot"
They stood there, silently staring at young Bisi's picture. They let the memories of their primary school swarm them and they would've let it continue if Bisi hadn't caught them.
"What are you two doing?", she asked, making both Aisha and Michael yelp frantically.
"Nothing!", Aisha quickly replied, turning to find Bisi still in her previous outfit. "You haven't changed?"
Bisi sheepishly looked away. "I have no idea what to wear...so I was wondering if you'd come with me to my room and help me pick out an outfit?"
Aisha's eyes instantly brightened and her signature happy smile made its way to her face. "You should've asked sooner! Let's go!"