The sun beat down on the Uphills football field, casting a warm glow over the cheering crowds. The air was electric with excitement as the Uphills team clashed with their arch-rivals, St. Edmund's Comprehensive School. Caleb, resplendent in his red bandana, cheered on his teammates with infectious enthusiasm.
As the game reached its climax, Caleb dashed over to Deborah, who was laughing and chatting with a group of friends. "Glad you're now a football fan!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Deborah playfully rolled her eyes. "I wish I was playing!" she retorted, her smile dazzling.
As they walked off together to grab a drink, Mary watched them go with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She and Deborah had been at odds since their last disagreement, and Mary wasn't sure how to bridge the gap between them.
Just then, a snide voice cut through the air, making Mary's head swivel. "Mickey and Minnie Mouse! She acts as if she can't stand the sight of him!" Nora sneered, her face twisted in a vicious mask.
Mary's eyes narrowed as she turned away from Nora's toxic comment. She bumped into Joshua, who was holding a large canvas, his eyes shining with creative intensity.
"Hey Mary," Joshua said, his voice warm and friendly. "Glad to see Caleb out of his slump."
Mary's expression softened as she took in Joshua's kind words. "Is he okay staying with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Joshua nodded, his smile reassuring. "Yeah, he's with us most nights, and he studies. He's helping me too."
As Mary returned the canvas to Joshua, her eyes widened in surprise. "It's Deborah!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Joshua's cheeks flushed with pleasure. "Don't tell her yet," he whispered, his eyes sparkling with shy excitement. "I used to think she was a mean person until... but she's told me she likes paintings, and she encourages me."
As Mary walked away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the complex web of relationships that bound their little group together.
Meanwhile, Caleb and Deborah were lost in conversation, their words flowing easily as they talked about their dreams and aspirations. "You know what," Deborah said, her eyes shining with passion, "I want to be a doctor because I think it would be nice to help people. I think I can do it. What do you think?"
Caleb's grin was instantaneous. "You'll be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor," he teased, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Deborah's laughter was music to his ears. "Is that all there is?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
As they walked off into the sunset, the sound of the Rhymers' catchy lyrics floated through the air, a perfect backdrop to their carefree laughter. "You can touch the sky 'cause you're so fly, my love's so high..." The music seemed to match the rhythm of their hearts, beating in perfect harmony.
That afternoon, Nene headed to Efua's house. She hated holding grudges, so she had decided she would go and collect her biology textbook from Efua and reconcile with her. Efua was not at home - she wasn't back from the football match yet- but her aunt allowed her to get the book from her room.
Mary's eyes widened as she listened to Deborah's aunt express her concerns. "Deborah's worrying me," she said, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "She's always busy with her activities, going here and there, but she takes it all so seriously. She's not Mother Teresa, after all."
Mary smiled reassuringly. "I don't think it's something to worry about," she said. "Deborah's just passionate about the things she cares about."
But Deborah's aunt wasn't convinced. "And she's so close with that new teacher," she murmured. "I don't know what to make of it."
Mary jumped to Deborah's defense. "Deborah's doing great at school, Ma," she said. "She scored the highest marks in our last biology test."
Despite Mary's reassurances, Deborah's aunt remained skeptical. "I know, I know," she said. "But it's all this program and 'Miss Lora that' and women's rights and whatever else from morning till night. I wish she were more like other girls her age."
Mary couldn't help but chuckle. "Deborah's different, Ma," she said. "And that's what makes her so special."
Back in her room at home, Mary opened her textbook and a small dark booklet dropped out. Curious, she opened it. It was full of Deborah's handwriting. On a page, there was some poetry:
I am a sorry flower
A damaged plant
I don't know where
It stopped. It didn't make much sense. She turned to the next page.
Today I have fallen in love. Diary, can you believe it? I thought I was frozen and love was a silly figment of foolish romance paperbacks. Does it matter who or what you fall in love with? This is something greater than love. It's sublime. It's ecstasy.
It was Deborah's diary! Mary closed it, thinking she shouldn't be reading it, but something drew her to it. Deborah of all people in love! Mary giggled to herself a little. Amazing!
A loose page peeked out, and Mary pulled it out. It was an attempt at a letter:
"What?
Mary was shaking.
It had to be a mistake. She must have misinterpreted what she had read. It was all very innocent, really. Love. We hug. Deborah and Miss Lora? That strange corper with her jeans and short haircut? Could Deborah really be...? No, surely not.
Mary put the booklet back into the book and closed her eyes. It was raining, and the students couldn't go home straight away. Instead, they hung around talking, mostly about tutorials and the upcoming examinations.
Mary was standing in the corridor, staring at the rain, deep in thought. "Hi, Mary." It was Caleb. "Kobo for your thoughts."
Mary tried to sound bright. "Hi, Chin up." Where is your friend, Deborah?"
"I don't know. She's your classmate, not mine."
Since discovering the diary, Mary had avoided Deborah, trying to think of what to do. "She's probably with her other girlfriend, Miss Lora."
Mary stiffened. "Very funny."
She noticed the rain had stopped. "Caleb, I think I'll be going now. Let's go together. Shall we wait for Deborah?"
He always manages to bring everything back to Deborah, Mary thought. Why do you like her so much? What's the matter with you boys? Why? Why? She doesn't even care about you.
Mary suddenly made up her mind. "Caleb, Deborah is our friend, right? And friends always help each other?"
"Yes, you did with me."
Mary's voice was determined. "Well, I think Deborah needs us now, and I'm going to show you something. You're not to tell anybody. Please, promise."
"I promise. What is it?"
Mary handed Caleb the sheet that contained the letter. He looked at it for such a long time that Mary said, "Well? How can we help her?"
"Help?" Caleb said in a strangled voice.
Caleb struggled to say more, and then stopped. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Mary called out to him, but he didn't wait for her. Suddenly, she felt a little frightened.