1 The Party

Dera's Pov

"I have always believed in supernatural creatures, from werewolves to vampires to witches, name it, I knew they existed, and weren't just a myth but I didn't expect them to come out of hiding and show themselves, humans were the most judging creatures to ever walk this planet, if it is difficult to accept a common community of people who love differently, what more of a whole society of Supernatural creatures?"

"Dera, please come and lock the front door for me, your daddy and I are going out," I heard my mum yell from downstairs.

"Okay mama, I am coming," I responded and closed my journal.

I rushed downstairs, uttered a quick bye to my parents and ran back upstairs to my room.

I sighed and laid down on my head, facing up and gazing at the decorated stars on my ceiling.

I grabbed my journal again and sat upright and continued writing.

"Being black was never a privilege in our world today, worst, being a Nigerian, wasn't any sort of wish or dream to think of but oh well, here I am, Yoruba by tribe, and the worst predicament of any typical Nigerian parent, I am gay as fuck."

My phone notification lit up, it was a text from my best friend "Segun".

Sheggz: Bro, hope you have selected your prom outfit, you know that you are our best graduating student you nerd, you better pull up in all your hotness and glory, daddy agreed to borrow me his car to take us.

Me: Whatever, yes, my prom fit is ready, I really don't get the point of awards on graduation but okay.

Sheggz: Abeg, no whine me, with your 350 score in jamb, you expect the school to just brush pass it, I go stone you o.

Me: Jeez, violence.

Sheggz: Plus, don't you want to see how hot Jewel would be looking(wink wink).

Me: Shut up, and get out of my phone, thank you.

Sheggz: whatever.

I turned my phone off, not before laughing at Sheegz horny mind, Jewel was my all time crush, still my crush, I never had the balls to talk to her, or approach her plus she was straight and was or is dating Biodun, a walking barbie doll in male form. I don't really know their relationship status but I do know they are the "IT" Couple in our set.

I opened a fresh page on my journal and started writing again;

"Life in Nigeria as a higher class citizen makes things easier, you attend the best school, go to an expensive private university or school abroad where your future is determined once you graduate, I didn't know what I wanted to become, it was hard, I was happy my parents weren't pressuring me though they would have to soon, I would be graduating in a few days time.

My dad and mum made it clear to me that I would apply for a scholarship to Harvard university, I already aced my SAT examinations so that wasn't an issue, I knew I was going to get a scholarship except I don't think I want to take on Space Engineering anymore but I rather leave that until I got there.

I am 17 year old, been single from birth, Lagos was like the U.S.A of Nigeria, despite the bill on same-sex marriage being illegal, people just don't seem to care anymore and is doing their stuff, the country has other things to worry about anyways.

The LGBT community in Nigeria keeps growing and that I am aware of, I am not out to my parents, no, I simply am not ready for death yet, I have barely lived. Though my siblings know about my sexuality, Dayo, my older brother, found it hard to accept but eventually rolled with it and even went as far as doing research in order to support me. Tina, my oldest sibling, the first born of our family, she said she had always known and don't mind as long as she still gets to have nieces and nephews which I didn't promise, because hell, I don't even know how having a girlfriend feels like talk more of getting married and having kids, Nah.

I am more than happy to see that my siblings support me, they've always pampered me, being the last child comes with a lot of perks and thanks to the 21st century, people are a little bit accepting.

Tina is currently serving in the military in Canada while Dayo is pursuing modeling and acting as a career in the US, in all honesty, they are doing really well with their lives, I am proud of them.

I love music, I play a total of 11 instruments perfectly but still is having issues with displaying that talent. I also have heterochromia, two different eye colors, one typical black as a Nigerian, and the other light brown. My brother pressured me to consider modelling since I had the body and the height, 6'4ft height is hard to come across in a girl but here I was, always wondered why I haven't tried basketball, too lazy I guess."

I got tired of writing and closed the journal, I was bored and wanted to do something, I was the only one at home, I thought of inviting Sheggz and a few friends over but they were probably busy so I dead that thought.

I decided to take a stroll on our street, we lived in the most fanciest side in Lagos, I didn't really have friends since most of the kids were mostly kept indoors or just already had their cliche but it didn't hurt to try and find someone new to talk too.

I grabbed my headphones, plunging it around my neck, grabbed my skateboard and head out. One of the security helped with closing the gates as I got out.

I skated slowly by the road pavements with the headphones on my ear, streaming "The Internet" my favorite band.

An idea came to my mind, I headed for the nearest skate park, I had been there just once with Dayo. When I arrived, I scanned the area for any familiar face from school or from around at least.

"Yo, Dera, over here," I heard a deep familiar voice call out to me, thank God my music volume wasn't loud. I turned to see Seyitan but mostly called "Titan" by his friends in school, he has the darkest skin in the whole school.

"Titan, what's up man?" I smiled and skated towards where he was seated with his crew,

"We dey o, This one you commot from house today, be like stars go fall o," he joked.

"Boredom wanted to kill me Titan, I had no choice," I laughed a little.

"Hi guys," I acknowledge the other guys with him and they waved back at me.

"We wanted to tell Sheggz to invite you tonight, we get party, Na Tayo's birthday, Bidodun's right hand, you go show?" Titan asked with hope in his eyes.

"I don't know, I need permission from my old man and his wife, I go show if them agree," I responded, his eyes lit up at my answer. Titan has always shown interest in me, too bad I was gay, he respects that though but he is a good guy.

"Okay na, no wahala, will be expecting you my gee," he got up and hugged me.

"Got any new tricks for me?" I smirked and glanced at my skateboard and an evil grin appeared on his face.

"Guys, mey we show her our new anthem," Titan ordered and the 5 guys stood up with their boards.

"This is going to be fun," I muttered to myself and set my board down getting ready for whatever was coming.

2 hours later

"Thanks guys, I had fun," I smiled at them.

"It's alright gee, we got you, hoping to see you at that party later tonight," Titan gave me a hand to shake which I shook without hesitation.

"I will try my best," I assured them. He let go of my hand ad gave a signal to this crew for them to go.

"Bye Dera," He saluted and climbed on his skate skating away, leaving me standing there as I watched them.

I sighed and check my phone seeing a missed call from Segun. I dialed his number and he picked instantly. His voice rang sharp through the phone with a nervous tone

"Yo Dera, I know you might say no and you are a boring ass but there's like this party tonight by 9, I was hoping you'd accompany me but like I don't know If your parents-"

"Pick me up by 8:30 stupid," I interrupted his rant, I could hear him smiling through the phone.

"Yes," he yelled with excitement. I shook my head at his silliness and hung up.

I did the last thing I never thought I will do today. I dialed the number, it rang for a few minutes and the person picked.

"Hi dad, uhm, there's a party and-"

"It's alright, you can go-" my dad quickly cut me mid sentence, I started squeaking trying to control the excitement when his voice spoke again in a stern tone "But be careful, your mummy and I will be home by morning, make sure you are back before then, I hope this party is in our neighborhood?"

"Yes dad, thank you so much, I won't forget this," I jumped in excitement grabbing a few stares from those that were still in the park.

I took my skates in my hand and ran home, I was too excited to risk skating.

Party time…

"Hello, Dera I am at your gate, get your ass out here now," Sheggz shouted through the phone.

"Coming," I replied and hung up.

I grabbed my blue varsity jacket and wore it on top of my plain white top that went along with my blue jeans and white Nike converse.

I made sure I took my phone and headphones too, can't do without my music.

I exited my house and saw Sheggz truck parked opposite my house, his music was loud and he was singing along. He sighted me and waved for me to cross the road and get into the car which I did.

"Looking like a hot jock," Sheggz complimented with a grin on his face.

"Whatever, you don't look so bad yourself," I checked him our with my side view, he actually looked good in his black cargos and white hood.

"Let's go party, it's going to be hella fun," Sheggz screamed at the top of his voice.

"Your voice gives me headache," I groaned as he drove away laughing loud.

After a short 10 minutes drive, we arrived the house, the party was upstairs and i could see the colorful lights and hear music banging out of the speakers.

A few of our peers could be seen downstairs mingling and drinking.

I and Sheggz got in and he insisted that we go greet the celebrant.

Biodun and Tayo were seen chatting with our other mates, Jewel wasn't around Biodun for a start, I searched the room if I could find her but unfortunately, no.

"Searching the room for your future wife?" Sheggz teased me.

"Me? No, no, was just observing," I lied.

"Indeed you were,"Sheggz responded sarcastically. He pulled me to where Biodun and Tayo were.

"Well, well, look who we have here," Biodun smirked scanning me up and down.

"Tayo man, Happy Birthday," Sheggz and Tayo did those weird boys handshake.

"Happy Birthday Tayo," I smiled at him.

"Dera, Dera, glad that you came, Titan told me you were going to make it," Tayo winked.

"Well yeah, here I am," I shrugged.

"Dera please, Jewel needs help outside, hangout with her a bit, I no wan abandon my boys," Biodun pleaded, my heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name.

"I am sure Dera can handle it," Sheggz nudged me and gave me a knowing look.

"Okay, I will see you later Sheggz, text me before you leave," I told him and left him there with Biodun and Tayo.

I made way for outside, making sure to look around for Jewel. It's like the gods heard my prayers, while I almost gave up on my search, she bumped into me, she lost balance but I was able to hold onto her before she fell.

"Oh uh, sorry, I wasn't looking, sorry," she muttered, when she looked up and locked eyes with, a smile smile plastered on her face. "Dera, didn't pitch you for a party type," she said amused, she stood facing me now.

"Oh, uh, I came with Sheggz, he persuaded me, and Titan also," I explained.

"Well, that makes sense, glad you are here, Biodun sent you to me right?" she quirked a brow at me.

"Well yes, he said you needed help," I stated while sternly looking at her.

"Not really, he just didn't want me to be alone, it's mostly boys that are at this party if you haven't noticed," she said casually.

"Oh, yeah yeah, I understand his fear, he is a great boyfriend, I mean guy and uh-" I stuttered, I mentally cussed myself, now she'll think I am weird.

"Hey, relax," she chuckled and grabbed one of hands. "I and Bidoun are just good friends, we did date but it didn't workout, so he is like my bestfriend, nothing more," she admitted. I don't know why she felt she had to explain herself to me but I am glad she did at least I am out of the hook to feel guilty for flirting with someone's girlfriend.

"Let's take a walk to the garden," she offered and I nodded.

The walk was silent but a comfortable silence, we stopped and sat at a bench opposite the sprinklers.

I now had the opportunity to take in Jewel's appearance. She was casually dressed in black jean's short and a white plain tee with white vans, her hair was also braided very neatly.

"Take a picture, it would last longer," she teased snapping me out of my trance.

"Uh, sorry, it's just you are really pretty," I unconsciously let out. I facepalmed myself, "shit, shouldn't have said that out loud," I chuckled.

"Dera, you are cute," she giggled and I just smiled still feeling embarrassed.

"Thank you though, you are really pretty too and very very tall," Jewel said putting emphasis on the "very" and the both of us busted out laughing. I noticed she shivered a bit, the weather wasn't looking friendly, we could be blessed with heavy rain later tonight, I thought about it and did the one and most stupid cliche thing ever. "Jewel, you can have my jacket, I noticed you are cold," I removed the jacket and helped her put it on.

The confident Jewel I knew instantly disappeared and this time she was shy to look up at me.

"Thank you, should have really brought my hoodie, aren't you going to feel cold too?" she shyly asked me.

"Nah, I and cold are bestfriends," I joked and she laughed. I was serious though, I and cold are actually bestfriends.

We fell into another comfortable silence watching other of our mates play around, while clearly being drunk.

"How comes we never spoke in school?" she casually questioned but she wasn't looking at me.

"Uh, I don't know, different friends, classes, interests," I replied, not knowing what the actual reason was but I wasn't wrong either because we did have different friends and were in different classes too, interests were worst, while she was in the debate club and also our top swimmer, I was a music person and tracks person.

"I guess you are right," she nodded.

About 45 minutes later.....

I and Jewel have pretty much gotten to know each other in just our few minutes of talking, apart from being one of the most beautiful girls in school, she was really smart.

"Hey, I think I should get going now, I am glad I got to talk to you Dera, you are really amazing," she smiled, from her eyes, she really meant what she said.

"Can I have your number as my reward?" I smirked at her.

"Of course you can dummy," she rolled her eyes at me.

I gave her my phone and she input her number in it, I collect it and saved it as "Priceless Jewel", cringe I know but let me simp in peace please.

"I will text you once I get home," I assured her.

"You better do Dera, you better do," she said.

She got up to go, and I gripped her hand, she looked at me with confusion on her face.

"Sorry." I quickly removed my hand. "Let me walk you?" I offered.

"Sure," she replied softly.

We walked hand in hand out of the house premises, the streets were a bit quiet already, I waited until she booked and Uber and he arrived in 3 minutes.

"I guess this is is, see you at prom, Capitano," she gave me a quick hug and got in to the uber, Capitano is one of my many nicknames, can't believe she even knows it.

I waved as the car drove away. When the car was out of sight, I sighed and walked back into the house.