I stared at him. "Seriously? You knew all this time?"
"Yes," he said quietly. "But I wasn't under any spell of hers. I liked her, but I lost interest quickly because of her behavior."
"How did you end up practicing Voodoo?" I asked.
"My mom is Jamaican-Haitian. When Dad married her, he converted to Voodooism," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "I grew up a Voodooist."
I fell silent, the weight of his revelation settling over me like a heavy blanket.
"I hope you don't stop talking to me because of my religion," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
I looked up at him, my emotions a tangled mess of confusion and fear. How could he expect that his confession wouldn't unravel me? I thought, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over me.
Just as I opened my mouth to say something—anything—the Uber came to a stop, interrupting the moment.
"Goodnight, Tendai," I whispered, pecking his cheek.
"Goodnight," he replied, his voice soft. The Uber drove off.
I knocked on the door. Mom opened. "Where have you been? I've called you several times, but you didn't pick up."
"I joined the Church youth group at St. Mathias after my math lesson," I explained. "I'm now an intercessor, so we're expected to stay longer."
"I didn't know that they had intercessors," Mom said, shock in her voice. "Why didn't you pick up and inform me?"
"I had put my phone in another room to avoid interrupting our prayers," I responded, hoping the excuse would suffice.
She smiled warmly, her eyes soft with approval. "I'm so glad you want to get closer to God," she said, her voice filled with genuine joy.
I shifted nervously, preparing for my next words. "I might be coming home late sometimes," I said carefully, watching her expression. Please don't ask too many questions, I silently hoped.
"Take all the time you need to help others find Jesus," she replied, her face glowing with pride and support.
As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Tendai's tips had worked perfectly; Mom didn't suspect a thing.
"Let me reheat supper for you," Mom said, her voice warm.
"No, I'm full. I don't want to eat," I declined.
"Goodnight, Ade," Mom said.
"Goodnight," I replied.
Tendai and I continued our nightly escapades, hopping from one club to the next, the excitement and thrill becoming almost addictive. I decided to push aside my concerns about his voodoo beliefs, burying them deep. After all, I was with him for the fun, the rush—what did it matter what he believed? I reasoned with myself, convincing myself it was all just part of the adventure.
But every now and then, the unease would creep back in. I'd quickly shove it behind a wall in my mind, choosing the high over the lingering doubt.
Things with Tendai were going great but with my friends they remained strained. Mae sat next to Grayson in class and in the cafeteria. Andrew was spending more time with Liz and her friends Kemi and Raven. Jensen had given up on reconciliation, he was hurt that Andrew and Mae would date people who had bullied us.
On Wednesday of the Holy Week leading up to Easter, Tendai joined me in the greenhouse. He skipped soccer practice.
Only Siobhan was there. Knowing her; she would never think too deep about why he was there. She never cared for people's secrets as she was not one to gossip.
Tendai showed genuine interest in learning about farming. "What plant grows quickly?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
"Radishes," Siobhan replied. "They take only a month."
Tendai continued asking questions, which Siobhan and I answered enthusiastically. Siobhan loved sharing her passion for farming.
"If this goes well, I'll use ingredients from my own garden in my restaurant," Tendai said, his eyes shining with excitement.
"That sounds amazing, Tendai. Organic food is definitely the future," I agreed.
Tendai invited Siobhan to join us at The Opal after we finished weeding, but she declined. She mentioned that she was heading out with her friends to discuss some social issues they were planning to protest about over the weekend. I understood Siobhan's commitment to her causes.
Tendai and I hit the club as usual. We let ourselves get lost in the music and the electric energy of the night, the drinks and the high pushing away any lingering worries. For a few hours, it was all about the thrill and the freedom, a welcome escape from reality.
By the time I stumbled home, drunk and high as usual, the adrenaline rush made me feel untouchable. Mom didn't seem to notice a thing.
"Welcome back," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "How was Church today?"
"Thanks," I slurred slightly, trying to steady myself. "Church was okay. I'm happy that we're 'winning more souls for Jesus, one soul at a time.'" The lie slipped off my tongue effortlessly now, a testament to how well I'd mastered my excuses. I'd become more confident, more adept at concealing the truth.
Mom beamed at me, her pride unmistakable. "I'm so happy, Ade. Keep doing God's work."
If only she knew… I thought, but I smiled back, feeling that old pang of guilt quickly buried under the haze of the night.
I woke up late the next day, which was Maundy Thursday, the last day before the Easter holidays. I checked my phone for messages. Siobhan had shared an exciting brochure about an agricultural exchange program which I read through.
After my morning routine, Mom drove Soren and me to school. As I walked through the corridor, I noticed students staring at me.
"What is the matter?" I wondered. I checked my body to see if there was something wrong.
"Check your phone," A year nine girl shouted.
I checked my phone, puzzled, only to find a message from an unknown number. The photos it contained showed Tendai and me kissing at The Garden bar on Monday, as well as images of us dancing, drinking, and smoking. The secret was out; the entire school knew about our relationship.
I recalled seeing a girl in a hoodie trailing us that night. It had to have been Kemi. "Why should I be afraid of her?" I thought. "She and Tendai broke up a while ago. I'm not doing anything wrong."
"Hi, Adessa," Siobhan greeted me, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Are you going to apply for the exchange program I shared?" she asked, her enthusiasm palpable. "You can learn about vegetable production, fruit production, enology, beekeeping, equine training, and more."
"I'm leaning towards enology and vegetable production. What about you?" I asked.
"I'm definitely applying for equine training. I love horses," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I'll apply this Easter."
"Addie!" Jensen's voice cut through our conversation.
I turned to find him visibly angry, his frustration apparent. "What's got him so worked up?" I wondered.
"Now I see why you rejected me, Addie—it's because of him. But did you have to drag my family into this just because you love him?" Jensen demanded, showing me his phone with an article headline: 'Mayor Roman Bekele is a Freemason.'
"The article is on NoirNectar," Jensen said. "Guess who owns NoirNectar? Tendai's dad!"
"Jensen, I swear I didn't tell Tendai about it. I would never do that," I pleaded, my heart racing.
"Who else could have told Tendai?" he asked, his voice tinged with betrayal. "Addie, you know it's election time. This story is damaging to my father's campaign."
"Jensen, I didn't tell Tendai. Believe me," I defended. "Someone must have tipped off NoirNectar. They are a gossip site; they get anonymous tips."
"Tendai's dad owns the site, but he doesn't control the content directly. It's the editors who decide what gets published," I tried to explain.
"So now you're defending him?" Jensen's tone was sharp.
Siobhan and other students in the corridor were watching us, their curiosity piqued.
"Jensen, let's talk in private," I suggested, reaching out to take his hand and lead him away, hoping to defuse the situation.
"Don't touch me!" Jensen yelled, his voice filled with rage. I stood frozen, unable to comprehend the intensity of his anger. Jensen had never raised his voice at me before.
"I'm no longer your friend. Find new ones," he said, walking away despite my desperate pleas.
Stunned, I hurried out of the corridor and sought refuge in the gym, hoping to find solace in solitude. Tendai found me there, tears streaming down my face.
"Tendai, how did NoirNectar get information that Roman Bekele is a Freemason?" I asked through my sobs.
"Let me call the editor at NoirNectar and ask him," he said, pulling out his phone. After a brief conversation, he turned to me. "He's going to call me back in a few minutes."
"Jensen's dad being a Freemason isn't surprising; most politicians are elitists and belong to these secret societies. That's why it's so hard for an average person to rise to power—they only let you in when you become one of them," Tendai said.
"You've read conspiracies about them too!"
"I love reading conspiracy theories. They often contain pieces of truth that society rejects," he replied.
Just then, Tendai received a buzz of a message, followed immediately by a phone call. "He says they investigated the story and verified it, which is why they published it," Tendai relayed. "The editor mentioned that the whistleblower reached out via email. He has sent me a text message with the email address."
Tendai opened the message, and his face registered disbelief. "The email they used is adekammra@gmail.com," he said.
"This has to be a joke," I said, incredulous. "That's my email. Let me see it."
Tendai handed me his phone, and I squinted at the screen. The email address was similar to mine, but with an extra 'm'.
"That's a fake email," I said, examining the details. "My email is adekamra@gmail.com with a single 'm'. This anonymous whistleblower is trying to frame me."
"Don't worry, bae. I'll have someone trace where the email was sent from," Tendai reassured me.
Just then, the gym speaker crackled to life: "Tendai Moyo Dube and Adessa Kamara, please report to Mr. Phillip Ngonzi's office immediately."
We realized that we hadn't submitted our project idea and the deadline had passed. I quickly wiped away my tears. I didn't want Mr. Ngonzi to see that I had been crying.
Tendai and I headed to Mr. Ngonzi's office. "What idea did you come up with?" he asked.
"I've been meaning to share it with you," I said. "I want to make charcoal briquettes out of cow dung to help people in rural areas who can't afford electricity or gas."
"I like your idea," Tendai said, smiling. "It's practical and impactful."
We finally reached Mr. Ngonzi's office and knocked on the door. When he called us in, we stood before him, ready to present our ideas.
"So, what have you both come up with?" Mr. Ngonzi asked, his tone as strict as ever. "I have given you more than enough time."
"I'm planning to make charcoal briquettes out of cow dung," I began, "to help people in rural areas who can't afford electricity or gas."
"And I'm planning to make cakes using different types of flour other than wheat," Tendai added. "This would offer alternatives for people with gluten allergies or those looking for healthier options."
Mr. Ngonzi listened carefully, nodding slightly as we spoke. "Both ideas are promising and show a good level of thought," he said, his tone still firm. "I'm glad you've settled on solid project ideas, but remember—execution is key. I expect nothing less than your best effort."
He glanced at the clock, his expression hardening. "Now, get to class. I don't tolerate tardiness," he added sternly, dismissing us to head to class.
Tendai and I left his office. We both smiled, relieved that our ideas had been approved.
We entered class together and found Mr. Callum Thomas already present. He didn't question us about our delay, having likely heard the announcement to visit Mr. Ngonzi's office.
I sat alone. Jensen, the last of my friends, had now fallen out with me as well. He was now seated with King. I felt so lonely without the three of them.
When the lesson ended, Tendai came over and sat next to me. "Addie, change seats; come sit with me," he said gently. "All your friends have moved away."
I hesitated, but then I nodded. "Okay," I relented.
He stood up and held out his hand "Join me for breakfast."
"No, Tendai, I'm not used to your friends," I replied.
He was hurt—I could see it—but he knew it was true. "Addie, you'll get to know them in time; join me," he insisted.
"Okay," I relented again. "I will join you soon."
He smiled and walked out. I stayed behind because I wanted to talk to Jensen, who was still in class.
Before I could approach him, Mae, who had also stayed behind, confronted me. "Addie, you're a hypocrite," she accused, her voice sharp and filled with anger. "You've been making us feel guilty for liking the same things you do!"
I tried to reason with Mae, hoping she'd understand. "Tendai's not like Grayson or Liz—he's different, Mae."
Her eyes flashed with anger. "If he's as perfect as you're saying, then why didn't you tell us about him?" she demanded.
"Because of Kemi," I confessed. "You know how she treated me just for being partnered with Tendai."
"I knew all that, but I kept it from the others. You could trust me with that secret, but not about you and Tendai?" Mae's voice trembled with hurt.
"Mae, I'm so sorry. I wish I'd been more honest with you."
"Never speak to me again, Addie. Our friendship is over," she declared, her tone cold.
"Mae, please listen—Grayson doesn't care about you. He told me he likes me, and he's using you to hurt me because I don't like him back," I pleaded.
She was silent for a moment. Then, she finally spoke, her voice bitter. "You have Tendai, and now you want Grayson too? You can't let me have one person for myself?
"Mae, I care about you, which is why I'm trying to protect you!" I said, my own voice shaking with emotion.
"You're so selfish, Addie. Jensen spoils you and does all these special things for you, but you never think about me or Andrew," she shot back, her voice filled with resentment.
"Mae, Andrew does special things for you and with you—should I be jealous of that too?"
"That's different, and you know it! Jensen gave you tickets to Reina's show and made sure you got to meet Reina Thingz, even though you knew she's my favorite singer. Why couldn't you wait for me?" Her voice broke with the weight of her hurt.
"So that's what this is really about—Reina Thingz? Jensen's right here; ask him what he told me when I begged him to let you meet her."
But Mae wasn't speaking to Jensen either, so my argument silenced her. "Addie, just leave me alone. Go be with your boyfriend Tendai and let me be with my boyfriend Grayson. I don't need your concern." She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me standing there, stunned and heartbroken.
As she left, I noticed Jensen watching us. "Jensen, I didn't do it, I swear," I explained. "I would never share anything about your dad with him. I swear."
He shook his head and walked out of the classroom without saying a word.
I followed him out, feeling the weight of his silence and the finality of his actions. Jensen was serious—he didn't want to be my friend anymore. I grabbed breakfast, feeling the eyes of the students on me as I moved through the cafeteria. Tendai waved me over, and I walked slowly to his table, feeling a deep sadness.
"Hi, Addie," Fajir greeted me as I sat down next to Tendai.
The other boys at the table, including the captain of the football team, greeted me as well. I felt a bit shy because I wasn't used to any of them. I ate in silence as the boys resumed their conversations. Tendai occasionally asked me if I was feeling fine, to which I nodded.
I walked with him and Fajir back to class. Many students kept whispering everywhere I turned. Once we got to class, Tendai picked up my bag and took it to where he sat with Fajir. I sat there with them for the duration of the Biology lesson. At lunchtime, I sat with him and his friends again, but the tension had reduced. I even enjoyed their conversation about Messi vs. Ronaldo.
After lunch, during the free period, I sat with Eloise and Siobhan. I wanted to give Tendai some space. Eloise was doodling on her notebook, clearly bored while Siobhan was engrossed in a book about Charles Manson. I was lost in thought until Eloise's voice brought me back.
"Tomorrow, I'll be playing Mary in the Easter play," Eloise said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Eloise was our female class representative—a bit bossy but with a kind heart. Her male counterpart was Cameron Giuseppe. "Are you coming to the play tomorrow?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
If things had been different, I would have said yes, but right now, my answer had to be no.
"No, I said," casually.
"Are you sure?" she pressed. "I promise you'll enjoy it. This year I'm playing Mary Magdalene. Last year, I was Mary, the mother of Jesus. I promise you'll like my performance."
"I'll think about it," I replied.
She smiled, but her gaze softened with concern. "Adessa, I hope things get better for you after the holidays," she said. "This term, things between you and Kemi really escalated."
"I doubt it," I muttered. "That girl hates my guts."
"Janine told me that Kemi heard one of the boys on the soccer team talking about how you and Tendai were secretly hooking up," Eloise revealed. "It was an open secret among them."
This confirmed my suspicion. The girl I had noticed following us in the bar was Kemi.
"Adessa, I don't believe you leaked that information about Jensen's dad," she said earnestly.
I wanted to confide in her, but I worried she might tell Janine, who was close to Liz.
"I didn't do it," I said firmly.
"At least you and Tendai don't have to hide anymore," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "Can I tell you Raven's secret?"
"What's her secret?" I asked, intrigued.
Eloise leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Last year, I stumbled upon a poem Raven had written. She'd forgotten her book in class. I picked it up and saw a love poem written on the back."
I was taken aback. Raven, with her tough exterior, had never seemed the romantic type.
"I told a few people, and she found out," Eloise continued. "She slapped me."
"I'm sorry she did that to you," I said, though I could have shared my own experiences with Raven's temper. "I could never tell her that she'd also beaten me before."
"She really didn't want anyone to know the softer side of her," Eloise said with a sigh. "The poem was about unrequited love. I took a screenshot of it. Can I share it with you?"
"Yes, please," I said, eager to see Raven's vulnerable side.
Eloise sent me the screenshot, and I stared at the words. Raven's raw emotions were laid bare, and it was both heartbreaking and revealing.
In the quiet echoes of a longing heart, A love unspoken, torn apart.
Silent glances and hidden smiles, A secret love that spans the miles.
In crowded spaces where footsteps fade, She lingers, lost in love's charade.
An unnoticed presence, a fleeting gaze, Her heart's desires, a hidden maze.
With dimples deep and eyes of green, His presence in her mind, unseen.
The scent of his cologne, a whispered sigh, A secret passion she can't deny.
Through stolen moments, she watches near, A silent admirer, veiled in fear.
In the tapestry of her quiet sighs, Unrequited love softly lies.
He moves through life, oblivious, blind, Her heart whispers what words can't find.
A symphony of emotions, a quiet song, A love that's right, yet so painfully wrong.
In the silence, her love takes flight, An unspoken truth in the still of night.
A heart's confession, a tale untold, In the chambers of love, her story unfolds.
"I'm not great at poetry, Eloise, but this one is really touching. Raven knows how to express herself," I said, looking at the screenshot. "I wonder who she's in love with?"
Eloise's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I know, right? It's so unlike her. I thought it was a secret she kept well hidden."
I wanted to share the poem with my friends, but then I remembered we were no longer friends anymore.
"Where are you going for the holidays?" Eloise asked me, interrupting my thoughts once more.
"Nowhere," I replied. "We usually have relatives of my parents over during the holidays."
"Well, I hope you manage to have some fun despite everything," Eloise said, giving me a sympathetic smile.
"And you?" I asked.
"We're going to Costa Rica. We have a house there," she said with a warm smile.
"That sounds amazing," I said, genuinely impressed.
The bell marking the end of the free sounded. Eloise and I stood up to collect our things and head to the gym for P.E. Siobhan, however remained seated engrossed in the book she was reading.
"Hey, Siobhan, it's time for P.E. Let's go change," Eloise said, nudging her gently.
"Oh no, the book was getting interesting," Siobhan complained, reluctant to put it down. "I had reached the part where he began a cult."
"You could borrow the book and finish it at home," I suggested.
Siobhan sighed. "The librarian won't allow it," she admitted, looking a bit guilty. "I always tell her that many trees died to make the books in the library. She only lets me stay here during free period because we're required to be here. She never lends me any books. She told me to get my books online."
I wanted to laugh but held back, not wanting to offend Siobhan or risk my budding friendship with Eloise. I knew Siobhan was a social justice warrior, but I was now learning that she was also an eco-warrior. Her passion was admirable, but it seemed to be putting her at odds with others.
"Addie, come with us," Eloise said, turning her attention back to me. "Let's go to P.E. class together." She didn't want me to feel lonely, knowing my friends and I weren't on speaking terms.
I joined them as we headed to the girls' locker room. Mae didn't say a word to me inside the locker room, just as she'd been doing for the past few days. I didn't mind as much, though, because Eloise and Siobhan kept me company.
After P.E., I said my goodbyes to Eloise, Siobhan, and a few other classmates before linking up with Tendai. It felt odd not being able to say goodbye to Andrew, Jensen, and Mae. I missed them, even if things were strained between us.
"I have big plans for you for the Easter holidays," Tendai said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. There was no football practice today, so he was heading straight home.
"See you," he said, leaning in to peck me on the cheek before heading off. .
"See you," I replied, feeling sad. I had come to miss him even though we had been together for a short period.
Mom wasn't happy when she came to pick me and Soren. The two of us got inside the car, and she began scolding me.
"Ade, a friend of mine from Church sent me some photos of you and this boy, Tendai, at a bar," Mom said, showing me the images on her phone. Her daughter Rashida goes to Riverview, and she shared them with her. "Is this where you've been going every evening?"
I felt a lump in my throat. "Mom, I—"
"You lied to me about being in a youth group at St. Matthias!" she cut me off, her voice rising. "Did you ever have math lessons in the evening like you said?"
"Don't answer, it was all a lie," mom answered her own question while shaking her head in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, Mom," I said, trying to keep my voice calm.
"Smoking, Ade. Drinking!" Mom continued, her anger palpable. "I knew something was wrong with that boy. I was right. Just wait until your father hears about this."
"Please, don't tell Dad!" I begged, tears welling up in my eyes.
"I even saw that a gossip site confirmed what you mentioned about Jensen's dad being a Freemason," Mom said, shaking her head. "What is this world coming to?"
"You don't have to worry about Jensen anymore," I said quietly.
"You need to stay away from Jensen. His family is involved in Satanism."
"You don't need to worry about that anymore," I repeated.
Soren tried to defend me, but she shut him down. "Not now, Soren," she snapped.
When we got home, Soren waited until Mom was out of earshot. "Did you leak the information about Jensen's dad to Tendai? I heard about your fight from some classmates."
"Don't tell me you believe that about me, Soren," I said, hurt. "You know me better than that."
"I want to believe you, Addie," Soren said, looking conflicted. "But I've seen how Tendai has changed you. I have seen how you've become a liar because of him, and it makes me wonder if you could have told him, not expecting him to share it with NoirNectar."
"I want to be mad at you, but you're right," I admitted. "Tendai has made me act differently. But I swear I didn't tell him. That's the truth."
"I believe you, Addie," Soren said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You just need to find a way to prove it to Jensen."
"I don't know how to fix this," I cried, my emotions spilling over.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Soren said gently. "Just stay strong."
I left Soren and went to my room. I shut the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to process everything. Just then, my phone buzzed with texts from Tendai.
Tendai: Hey
Tendai: The IT guy tracked down the email to one of the school computers in the lab. Too many suspects though, hard to nail down who did it.
Addie: I knew it! It had to be Kemi. Eloise spilled the beans to me.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Figured as much.
Addie: Then, to top it off, some Church lady ratted us out to my mom with those bar pics.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: That's rough. Give her some time to cool down.
Addie: Kemi's just out to get me, and she's winning.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Nah, she ain't winning. I still got your back. Your mom's ticked, but she'll come around. She could've flipped out, but she didn't.
Addie: Only because Dad hasn't found out yet. He will soon find out.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: If he lays a hand on you, we're calling the cops. You gotta stand up for your rights.
Addie: I will.
Addie: Can we hang out tomorrow?
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Sorry, got plans. I am heading to a festival in Bristol with my friends. But they're pumped to meet you. I'll swing by once I'm back on Sunday.
Addie: Ditching me again when I need you most.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: I'll make it up to you. Sunday, we'll make it epic.
Addie: Sundays are family days, I am stuck at home till Monday.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Relax. We got plenty of time to kick it.
Addie: I am going to figure out how to survive tomorrow.
Addie: Night, love. 😴💤
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Wipe that frown, replace it with a grin. The Easter holidays gonna be off the charts. Nighty night. 😊🌙
"I know a day will come when I triumph over Kemi. The devil fears God; no matter what Kemi does to me, God will fight my battles for me," I thought.