For the rest of the holiday, I and Bayo continued hanging out and I must say that he is a great person. But i tried not to give in too much. The last thing I wanted was to trust the wrong person again. Coincidentally, Madam Funke happened to be his mother. That was not the only coincidence, I am also going to be attending the same school as him and his friends. For some reasons, Leila dislikes me and she didn't even try
to hide it. It was not as if I cared though.
It was already three days till school resumes and Hosea suggested we all go out on a fun date to enjoy ourselves one last time before we get buried in school work. I wanted to go with them but I was also kind of terrified about how close I was getting with them. Bayo even offered for me to go with him.
After battling with my mind for a while, I decided I was going to go with them. I mean what's the worst that could happen on an outing.
So, that evening I made Dad's favorite 'Amala and ewedu soup' . I always cook something special whenever I wanted to ask him for something. After dad and I finished eating dinner, I told dad about my plans of going out the following day.
Dad didn't object, but he didn't really give his permission .
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The next day....
"Wow, senior bayo I hope we're going to come back home in one piece" I said teasingly trying to calm my inner turmoil. I started adding 'Senior' to Bayo's name when I found out he was my senior at my new school. Well only when I want to tease him.
" what do you mean by that, Iris?" He answered playfully as he continued driving
"You don't even have a driving license yet and you are already driving and at this speed. Abeg I don't want to die yet" I said in fake exaggeration and he chuckled.
We finally got the the designated place we we're all going to meet-
'The escape room at victoria islands'. We all agreed to go to an arcade house after this.
Soon, Leila and Temi arrived in another car, but there was a chauffeur with them. For some reason, I think the car belongs to Leila. As always Leila looked stunning, she wore a body-hug gown that stopped just mid way her thigh. Her beautiful long hair was rolled into a bun. Temi on the other hand wasn't looking bad herself.
Hosea soon arrived next in his power bike. The only ones remaining were Kelsin and Daniel. Leila walked towards Bayo and I. She went straight to Bayo and pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back, I couldn't lie that I didn't feel the chemistry between both of them. The chemistry between them is evident but there was also a sense of restraint and tension which added depth to their relationship. Maybe Leila felt threatened by my existence and that was why she was always giving me shitty attitude, but I bet she didn't know there was nothing to feel threatened about cause I didn't see Bayo that way.
Soon a call came in from Kelsin and Daniel saying they couldn't make it. I knew the others were kind off angry that kelsin and Daniel canceled plans at the last minute but I couldn't get the feeling off, that whatever was occupying Kelsin from not coming wasn't good. Not after seeing him all battered that day. I couldn't say the same for Daniel. Well, I couldn't just assume things just because I saw him looking battered one time.
We got into the escape room and we were to choose which room we wanted to play.
Leila insisted we chose murder mystery room and we all thought it was a good idea. We got our tickets and finally stepped into the room.
"Welcome, detectives! You are about to embark on a thrilling adventure to solve a gruesome murder that took place in this very room. The victim, a wealthy businessman, was found dead with no signs of forced entry or struggle. The police have collected evidence and eyewitness accounts, but they still need your expertise to crack the case.
Your task is to work together to unravel the mysteries, decode clues, and uncover the killer's identity within 60 minutes. The clock is ticking, and the fate of justice is in your hands.
As you enter the crime scene, take note of your surroundings, and be careful not to disturb any potential evidence. You'll find clues, suspects' profiles, and cryptic messages to aid your investigation.
Collaborate, think creatively, and use your collective skills to:
- Uncover the motive behind the murder
- Identify the killer and their accomplices
- Find the hidden evidence and clues
- Crack the codes and puzzles
- Escape the room before time runs out!
Remember, the killer might still be lurking, so stay focused and work together to bring them to justice. Good luck, detectives" we heard a robotic voice say from the speakers.
I could already feel the excitement abd rush of adrenaline in my bones, after all I had never been to an escape room before.
We had to work together like the intercom said and there was this tense sound playing giving it the scary vibes. Leila refused to separate from Bayo the whole time. I wonder if he found it exhausting. Hosea and I were mostly looking for clues together. After an hour and some minutes we were finally able to solve the puzzle and find the killer.
"We haven't even gone to all the places we planned, and I already feel like I have had enough fun for today" I said as we got out of the room. "Me too. I think we should all get some ice cream before going to any other places" Temi added and like that we all went to the ice cream parlor at the escape room house to get a bowl of ice cream each. Leila and I both ordered banana flavored ice cream but there was only one bowl of that flavour remaining. Leila insisted that she took it but I ordered first and I also didn't want to argue with her over a bowl if ice cream, so I let it go and took another flavour Instead. We decided to lick the ice cream in the car on our way to the arcade house. Leila and Bayo held hands as we walked out of the ice cream parlour with me walking directly behind them. Hosea and Temi were both laughing over something, Temi was so engrossed that she didn't know when she mistakenly pushed me and I accidentally hit Leila, making her trip and twist her ankle. Her ice cream was also splatted all over her, ruining her dress.
"Am so sorry Leila" I apologized as I tried to help her up
"Abeg don't try yourself and touch me, pretender" Leila said and I was taken aback by her outburst.
"Leila, let me help you up first" Bayo offered his arms and she wasted no time in taking it.
"Leila, she didn't do it on purpose, I mistakenly pu-" Temi tried to explain but Leila interrupted her.
"Temi don't start, you all know that Iris pushed me on purpose, so there is no need trying to defend her "
"I really didn't push you on purpose" I said again trying to defend myself
"Really, you didn't push me on purpose. Look at this sly witch still lying through her teeth" Leila lashed at me
" Leila, that's enough" Bayo said trying to calm leila down
"So, even you, you are supporting her abi" Leila said to Bayo
"Am not supporting anyone, just calm down" Bayo replied
I was trying so hard to control myself from insulting her back.
"I should calm down after what this bitch did t-"
OK that was it, I was full.
"Leila, I won't stand here and listen to you insult me cause I can see that you've lost it" l said and was about walking away when she suddenly said.
"Wait, is it me this girl is insulting like this, this small rat that I Senior ! Iris! Where do you think you are going to, after ruining my dress" Leila shouted at the top of her voice.
At this rate, we were soon going to be thrown out of the premises for making noise there.
"Leila, please stop insulting me ooo, I don't want to create a scene here" I said angrily
"Or else, or else what will you d-"
The security man suddenly interrupted, asking us to leave.
Didn't even notice him walking towards us.
" I will take Leila" Temi said and took the still fuming Leila to their car.
Hosea hopped on his bike and left
"Aren't you coming, Iris" Bayo said and I got into the car.
And like that we all left without completing what we planned.
Bayo apologized on Leila's behalf on our way home. I even wonder what he likes in her.