The lecture room was rowdy as I walked back to my seat.
"I didn't even know when you stood up. Where did you go?" Enny questioned, unplugging her earpiece.
"How would you know when you're always pressing your phone?" I smirked at her and continued, "Stepped out to ease myself."
"Alright."
I didn't actually go to the toilet, but I needed a reason to stand up. I had to see him.
I had been crushing on Alex Matthew since our first year. He was... perfect. His dark skin had a deep, rich glow, like polished mahogany under sunlight. He was tall—at least six feet—and lean, with broad shoulders that made him stand out effortlessly. His face was smooth, almost unreal, with sharp, defined cheekbones that accentuated his strong jawline. But his nose—his straight, pointed nose—was what I found the most captivating. It made his entire face look so refined, so elegant.
Then there were his eyes. Deep brown, almost black, always calm, like the ocean before a storm. They had a way of holding secrets, of making you feel like he was thinking about something far beyond anyone's understanding. And his lips—thin, perfectly curved—were what I always feasted on in my dreams. He didn't smile often, but when he did, it was the kind that could send me straight to hell and bring me back in the same breath.
It was only last semester that I learned his name: Alex Matthew. Not a single day had passed since then without me looking for him, just to make sure I saw him at least once. But despite all this, I, Olajumoke Adams, had never spoken to him. Not once.
That day, his usual seat—the last row, first seat—was empty. He never missed a lecture, so I was worried. Where could he be? I had to check. But after scanning the entire room and still not finding him, I returned to my seat, disappointed.
Just then, the entire hall fell silent. A lecturer had entered. I quickly tapped Enny, and she removed her earpiece.
"Good morning, students," the lecturer greeted. He looked friendly but very old-fashioned. His baggy red trousers started awkwardly high on his stomach, paired with a faded white shirt that looked like it had seen better days.
"Morning," my coursemates chorused.
"I am Professor Ogundele, and I'll be taking you MCB 311 this semester."
A murmur spread across the hall. MCB 311 is not a joke. Why are they giving us a new lecturer now?
"I still have more to say, and I'd advise you all to shut up and listen." His tone sharpened, demanding attention.
Who is this man telling to shut up? And why is he roaring like an overfed lion?! Enny whispered.
Eniola Adeleye, my best friend since childhood, had always been blunt, sharp-mouthed, and ready to fight for me at any moment. We lost contact during secondary school, but somehow, fate brought us back together at Hallmark University. She was taller than me, with a fuller frame and plump cheeks that made her look younger than she was. Her skin was dark like mine, but while mine was smooth and lean, hers had a rich glow that made her stand out.
"Wait, what? Overfed lion?" I cackled.
Enny was a pro at swearing, but this was a first. She learns new ones daily.
The class settled down again, and the professor continued.
"I won't be teaching you, but—"
"Eeeeeh, thank you, Jesus!" Enny screamed, along with several others.
"I'm not done yet!" He roared again.
This man likes to shout o! She glared at me, her eyes filled with irritation.
I laughed so hard. She always looks so funny when she's angry.
"As I was saying, I won't be teaching you. Instead, I'll be giving you a topic to work on. I haven't decided on the exact subject, but it will be in the form of a project. You are to submit it a week before exams. Make sure to keep in touch with your General Course Representative. I'll pass the information through him. Till then, have a nice day."
Project keh? Isn't it final-year students that do projects?
"Yes, final-year students," I replied to Enny when she asked.
"So why is he giving us one? Doesn't he know we are in 300 level? He's just lazy." She hissed.
The moment the professor left, students started packing up. The lecture hall—designed to accommodate 1,000 students—was already bustling with movement. It was a vast space, with long rows of wooden seats that stretched from the front to the back. At the front, several tables were placed for lecturers who preferred to sit while teaching. The walls were dull cream, with a massive whiteboard nailed to the center. The room was always stuffy, with at least five of the ceiling fans never working properly.
I gathered my notebooks into my black tote bag, the one with Jum boldly inscribed in white.
"Where should we go after class?" Enny stretched, yawning.
"Are you not going to check if your crush came today?" She wiggled her brows at me.
I smiled. "I don't think he came."
"Jummy, why don't you just confess to him? Or at least I can get his phone number from our course rep. That way, you'll get to talk to him. This peeping and stalking doesn't make sense."
You've started again o. I frowned.
"It's been three years now. You can't keep this forever, hope you know?"
We keep having this conversation every day, and you already know my answer and my reasons. You shouldn't keep bringing it up. I'm okay with just seeing that he's doing fine. I rubbed her shoulders gently.
She shoved me playfully. "Get away jor, shy girl."
"It's not easy." I grinned.
We made our way to the back door, but the crowd made it difficult to pass.
"I want to say hi to Sam. I'll be right back," Enny said suddenly, turning away.
Where should I wait?
"Anywhere I can see you."
"Okay, I'll be outside. Be fast o."
I found an empty seat outside and sat down, scanning the faces of passing students. Still no sign of Alex.
Suddenly, students started walking back inside.
"What's going on?" I asked Fiyin, a light-skinned girl who was never seen without makeup.
"Ola wants to tell us about the project. I think Prof. Dele has told him what we are going to do."
"Oh, thanks."
Adeshina Olamide, our course rep, was an averagely tall, chocolate-skinned guy. He was intelligent and authoritative, though he lost his temper sometimes—understandably so, considering how stubborn our classmates were.
Why didn't they just send this as a message? I'm tired o!
I re-entered the class, taking the nearest seat.
Ola stood at the front. "The new lecturer just told me what the project entails. We are to work on organisms."
"What type of organisms?" someone asked.
"Living organisms. You'll be paired with someone, and both of you will decide on an organism to work on. Just pray you're paired with a hardworking person."
I don't like group work! It's always about compromise, and I hate that.
I unlocked my phone and opened the Telegram group chat.
God, I don't want a toxic partner! I silently prayed as I scrolled.
Then, I saw it.
020 | Olajumoke Adams is paired with; 070 | Alex Matthew.
Alex Matthew ke? Noo! No... No. This has to be an error. Why him of all people? Ehh God!
I was still freaking out when I felt a warm tap on my shoulder. I turned, and there he was.
"Hi, I'm Alex. I think we're partners for the project."
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