The week dragged on, and Ayo felt the weight of anticipation hanging over her. The tension from the weekend lingered, and she found herself avoiding Sasha at all costs
As the days passed, she focused on her friendships with Jemima and Lola, grateful for their support, but the looming project deadline with Sasha felt like a dark cloud on the horizon.
That Friday, Ayo arrived at school feeling anxious but determined to confront whatever came next.
She made her way through the bustling hallways, her heart racing as she approached her locker.
As she opened it, she noticed a familiar figure coming down the hall. It was her father.
A mix of emotions washed over her as she hesitated, wanting to avoid him but feeling a pull of obligation.
"Hey, Ayo," he said, stopping a few feet away, his voice lacking warmth. He looked tired, his eyes slightly sunken. "I just wanted to check on you."
Ayo forced a smile, but it felt strained. "I'm fine," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
"School going well?" he asked, shifting his weight awkwardly.
"It's okay," she said, trying to sound casual, but her heart wasn't in it. She didn't want to discuss school with him, not when so much had changed between them.
A part of her wanted to reach out, to bridge the distance, but years of disappointment held her back.
"I heard you're working on a project with Sasha Coleman. Is that right?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Yeah," Ayo replied, her stomach twisting at the mention of Sasha's name. "It's… complicated."
"Complicated how?" he pressed, his expression shifting slightly.
"She can be really difficult. She always wants to be in control." Ayo felt frustration bubbling to the surface. "It's not easy working with someone who thinks they're better than everyone else."
"Sounds like you're getting a taste of what I went through," her father said, his voice heavy with experience.
"People like that have their own issues. They use power to mask their insecurities."
Ayo felt a pang of anger. "You don't know what it's like. You're not the one who has to deal with her every day. Besides, you don't even care."
Her father's expression hardened. "That's not fair, Ayo. I'm trying to be here for you. Your mother and I… we both wanted the best for you, even if things didn't work out."
The mention of her mother made Ayo's heart ache. She had always felt like a burden, a reminder of a relationship that had crumbled. "Yeah, well, sometimes it feels like I was a mistake," Ayo said bitterly.
Her father opened his mouth to respond, but the bell rang, cutting their conversation short.
He hesitated for a moment, looking at Ayo as if he wanted to say something more but ultimately decided against it.
"Take care of yourself," he said finally, his voice lacking conviction. Then he turned and walked away, leaving Ayo feeling hollow.
---
Later that day, Ayo sat with Jemima and Lola at lunch, the earlier interaction still heavy on her mind. She picked at her food, the cafeteria buzz surrounding her fading into the background.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jemima asked, concern etched on her face. "You've been really quiet."
"I just had a conversation with my dad," Ayo replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It didn't go well."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Lola offered gently.
"It's just… I don't know how to connect with him. He's never really been there for me," Ayo admitted, her throat tightening. "And now it feels like he's just trying to check off a box."
Jemima reached across the table, squeezing Ayo's hand. "I'm sorry, Ayo. Family can be so complicated. Just remember, you've got us. We're your family, too."
"Yeah," Lola chimed in. "And you don't have to carry this alone. We're here for you."
Ayo felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."
As they talked, Ayo felt a sense of comfort and warmth. It was a reminder that even if her relationship with her father was strained, she had people who cared about her.
---
The following week, the tension with Sasha grew. Ayo found herself avoiding their project meetings, feeling a mix of fear and frustration. Finally, on Friday, she received a text from Sasha.
Sasha: "We need to meet up today. The project is due soon, and we can't afford to fall behind."
Ayo felt a wave of anxiety wash over her, but she knew she had to face it. There was no escaping Sasha.
When Ayo arrived at the café where they agreed to meet, her stomach twisted in knots. She spotted Sasha already seated at a table, tapping her fingers impatiently against her phone.
"Nice of you to show up," Sasha said without looking up as Ayo approached.
"Sorry, I was busy," Ayo replied, trying to keep her voice steady as she took a seat. "I've been dealing with a lot."
"Whatever. We need to finalize this project," Sasha said, her tone sharp. "I don't want to be the one carrying your weight."
Ayo felt the familiar frustration bubble up. "I'm trying, Sasha. But your attitude doesn't exactly help."
Sasha finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Well, maybe if you'd stop whining and just do your part, we wouldn't be in this mess."
The words stung more than Ayo expected. "I'm not whining! I'm just trying to find a way to work together, but you keep pushing me away."
"Maybe I push because I can't stand weak people," Sasha snapped, her voice low but intense. "You have to learn to fight if you want to survive in this world."
Ayo's heart raced. "You think being mean makes you stronger? It just makes you a bully."
Sasha leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms defiantly. "And what would you know about strength? You're just a project partner."
"I know enough," Ayo shot back. "I've dealt with my share of pain, and I'm done letting you make me feel small."
For a moment, Sasha's expression flickered. There was something almost vulnerable in her eyes before she hardened again. "Pain? What do you know about pain? You live a cushy life compared to some of us."
"What do you mean?" Ayo pressed, her curiosity piqued despite the tension.
Sasha's lips pressed together in a thin line, and for a moment, Ayo thought she might actually open up. But then, the mask dropped back into place. "Forget it. You wouldn't understand. You think you know everything because you read a few articles and hang out with a couple of friends."
"I just want to understand you, Sasha," Ayo said, her voice softening. "But if you keep shutting me out, how can we work together?"
Sasha looked away, her defenses flaring back up. "You want to know why I'm like this? It's because I have to be. I can't let anyone see my weaknesses. If I do, I lose control. And I can't afford to lose control."
Ayo felt a pang of empathy but also confusion. "Is that really how you feel? Like you can't let anyone in?"
Sasha hesitated, the fight draining from her expression. "Maybe. But it's not your problem. Just focus on the project."
"I don't want to just focus on the project. I want to know you," Ayo replied, her heart pounding. "I want to understand why you act this way."
Sasha's gaze dropped to the table, and for a fleeting moment, Ayo thought she might break through. But then Sasha straightened, her familiar bravado returning. "I told you, it's not your concern. Just do your part, and we'll be fine."
Ayo felt the weight of frustration settle in her chest. It was exhausting trying to reach someone who refused to let anyone in. "Fine. But I won't keep pretending that everything is okay when it's clearly not."
Sasha shot her an icy glare. "Then maybe you should find another partner."
Ayo stood up, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Maybe I will." With that, she turned and walked away, the heaviness of Sasha's words echoing in her mind.
---
As Ayo left the café, she felt a mix of emotions—anger, sadness, and a sense of loss. She wanted to understand Sasha, but it felt impossible when Sasha was so determined to keep her walls up.
The encounter left Ayo shaken. She had tried to reach out, to connect, but all she had received was resistance.
As she made her way home, Ayo couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. She wanted to believe there was a deeper side to Sasha, a vulnerability beneath the facade. But how could she break through when Sasha was so hell-bent on maintaining control?
That night, Ayo lay in bed, her mind racing with thoughts of the day.
She thought about her father's visit earlier, the unresolved pain of their relationship, and the burden of expectations that weighed heavily on her.
What if she was repeating the cycle? Always seeking approval, always feeling rejected.