CHAPTER 5

After the bell went off for the end of school, I remained seated to hear what Jack wanted to tell me. I put my head down cause I know I had messed up big time. As I kept thinking, Jack walked up to me.

"What's the issue with you man? You've just been ignoring us for the past few days going of to chase that little girl huh? Wher…"

"Use her name properly please." I interrupted

"I don't care, you should know how we feel. This group has been kicking well since over 4 years, and our friendship since over 8 years. Man, are you just going to allow that girl scatter what we've been working for all this years?"

"Jack, you're overreacting firstly and you need to lower your voice."

"Oh now your cautioning me?"

"Look if you can't sit down and talk to me calmly with manners I'll just leave"

He looked at me with rage in his eyes and sat down.

"Good, now let's talk like two responsible teenagers. I understand I've been absent a lot from the group and I apologize for it, you know what I've been doing even if you all don't understand how I feel but I apologize."

" That doesn't solve anything. It doesn't change the fact that you've really been absent."

I bent my head down, heaved a sigh and raised it back looking at Jack straight in the eye. He was getting on my nerves.

"Tomorrow is the last day for the detention and I'm taking Margaret on a lunch date tomo…"

"Must you always bring that girl up once you're talking about the grou…" Jack interrupted as he sprang to his feet in anger.

"That's it!" I yelled back in anger interrupting him also and standing up gently, "I will not tolerate you interrupting my sentence that way again much less talking about Margaret that way. Show some respect for the girl. Now she's mine and technically part of the team so don't you ever talk about her that way…"

"Hen…" Jack interrupted again

"I said don't you interrupt me!" I roared as I drew close like I wanted to hit him. I took a deep breath. "Jack, I don't want to embarrass you much less here. Between you and I you know who'd win if we fought."

I could clearly see fear in his eyes mixed with anger.

"You're still my friend for that I won't hit you. Since you don't want to listen to me, we have a meeting at my place. Let's go for detention." I said as I walked out of the class. On getting to the door I met Margaret, I felt happy and all the anger Jack had made me feel a second ago lifted up.

"What a pleasant surprise." I said as I gave her a short hug. She just smiled nervously.

"Err, I…" she kept quiet when Jack walked out with the boys. He glared at us while leaving and Margaret sensed his distaste with her presence.

"I'm off for detention."

"Oh yeah yeah" she giggled, "I still remember it's my fault."

"Nah, it's not. Plus it's fine."

"I came to give you my number so you'd be able to reach out to me whenever."

"Is that why you're nervous?" I said laughing. I took her phone, took the number and dialed it in her presence. Her phone started vibrating.

"That's my number" I said giving her a sweet smile. She threw her eyes away.

"Well I'd be heading home."

"Thanks for coming, I really appreciate it" and with that I gave her a peck on her cheek. She started blushing and ran away. I just stood there and watched her as she ran out of the school.

I walked to where the detention was hosting.

"You're 15 minutes late young man." The teacher supervising said when I walked in.

"Pardon me, I was caught up with some class exercise." I said.

"I'll let it slide cause you look genuine."

I walked in and got seated. I just kept thinking about Margaret and our lunch the next day.

"I can't wait to get home and call her and text till whenever. But there's Jack and the boys. Jack might want to put crazy thoughts in the head of the boys and scatter the group, that'd be a mess. If he tries to over throw me as the head of the group and even push me out… my queen would be in danger and the group might even shut down. It would be better if the group closes than them ganging up against my lady. But it's my years of hard work, gosh Jack! What could be his issue with Marga…"

"Detention is over, you all can go home now." The teacher supervising cut my thinking short.

"One day left, just one" I whispered as I stood up to leave for home. I turned to look at Jack and the boys. I signaled them I was off. I walked out leaving them behind. With the speed at which I was walking and thinking, I got to the entrance of the school's building without realizing.

"I need to hurry and…"

"BOO!" My thought was cut short by someone trying to frighten me. I paused, to my greatest surprise it was…

"Margaret!"

"Yes me sir" she said then used her right palm to cover her mouth as she giggled hard.

"What are doing here? Aren't you supposed to be home?"

"I stayed behind to read, besides aren't you happy to see me? If you're not it's fine I can just leave now." She said and turned to leave. I held her arm stopping her from leaving.

"If you're leaving now then we're going together. I can't let you go home alone by this time. What if you forget where you live?"

She laughed hard.

"You know I can't right?"

"One can never tell you know. Shall we?" I asked and made a half triangle-like bend with my arm. She put her hand through and we walked began walking down to the bus stop.

This means we're cool now, we're friends right?" I asked her.

"Umm, I'll think about it but we're cool." She said.

"It's fine. We're using an Uber though."

"I don't have enough on me to pay for an Uber."

"Who said I'd let my queen pay when I'm here?"

She chuckled

"It's getting late, let's head home already."

I nodded and stopped an Uber. I gave directions to the driver and we alighted.

The ride was going smoothly, and the conversions spontaneously until we got to Margaret's place.

"So we'd see tomorrow?"

"Yes, we still have the lunch date."

"I could never forget." I stared into her deep blue eyes, shifted her hair behind her ear and gave her a peck on the cheek. She started blushing and came down from the Uber.

"Bye Henry" she said waving. I waved back and told the driver to carry on to my place.

After I got to my place and paid, I stood and looked towards the direction of Margaret's place. As I stood there drowning in thoughts, it dawned on me I had to arrange the place before the boys came over.

I rushed in and arranged the house. After what seemed to be eternity, I was done with the chores I sat down on the sofa. I needed to shower before the boys came around. I rushed and showered. When I was done, I went to the kitchen and heated a plate of noodles. I took the plate to the living room and sunk in the couch exhausted. As I ate,

"Ring, ring, ring!"

It was the door bell.

"The boys?" I thought to myself. I rushed to the kitchen with my plate of noodles in my palm. I was able to eat a considerable amount before rushing to get the door.

I looked through the window close to the door, it was the boys. I opened the door.

"Hey, come in guys." I said. Jack gave me a cold stare and walked in.

"What's up bro?" Tommy said as he gave me a fist bump and walked in. The rest followed suit and I closed the door when they had all come in.

"Have a sit" I gestured as I sat. "You all are welcome."

"Thanks" Tommy said.

"Lets begin shall we?" Bobby the eyes and ears of the group said.

"Firstly, in you all's presence I want to ask Jack here to drop the attitude. His current displeasure towards I dating Margaret is so uncalled for." I said smiling

"Uncalled for is you using her as an excuse to try and destroy our group! If you all don't see it well I do and I'd keep kicking against it." Jack said I'm anger.

"Umm guys, the reason I called for this meeting is for us to think of ways to try and strengthen our group. It's nothing new to is that we've been lagging." I said diverting away from Jack's statement. Jack was really furious.

"Exactly, and for this to happen we have to clear this atmosphere that seems to try and wash off our hard work." Tommy said suggested.

"I couldn't have agreed better, but this has to happen in the most nonviolent manner." Bobby added

I started around for awhile.

"Of course, I'm aware and I don't want to get into argument that's unnecessary with my best friend here" I said as I turned to Jack, "Don't you think so?"

"Are you sure you have our best interest at heart?" Jack asked me.

"Of course my dear brother. Haven't I always been there for you all?"

"Of course" they all nodded.

"So let's clear the atmosphere. I agree I've been absent a lot but I'll make myself more available and carry out my position as group leader like I have all these years." I said.

"I sure do hope you do as you have said." Jack said.

"You okay with that Jack?" Bobby asked.

"Yes I am." Jack replied.

The all applauded and I smiled like I won a lottery. I felt fulfilled.

"A handshake?* I asked Jack.

He stood up and I did same. He held we for a shake but drew me in for a hug. The others boys started cheering and whistling.