Wild West of the Heart
FIFTY SIX

"Don't you dare walk away from me"

His voice filled the room as Olamide slammed the door, it burst so hard at its hinge that it cracked a bit. He'd brushed past uncle James as he ravaged for his suitcase in the closet.

"Olamide. You come back here" James had a tone he had never heard before up until this moment. He could hear the footsteps come up the stairs and his heart jackhammered against his chest. Pulling out his bottle of pills, he poured it onto his quivering hands and threw it in his mouth. It was then the barged open again, leaving the cracked wood in nothing but pieces. His uncle halted, seeing his large suitcase across the unlaid bed. Ola threw his head over his shoulders, before turning around. "Yeah, you better pack" James muttered, between halting breathes. "I've called your father and he'd have you on the earliest flight to Lagos tomorrow" He added with a half hearted laugh that later turned dark.

The sound of the chuckle pulled away from him as James climbed over the broken door. And when he was sure he had completely gone, Ola fell to the ground, leaning his back against the bed as tears streamed down his face. The kind of tears that hurt the back of the throat.

Through his hazed vision, he could see the snow fall unto his windows and he cupped his chin. His tears went as far as his empty stomach, where he'd forced those pills into. The bottle slipped from his hands as he let go, slouching his head a- bit.

Maybe it was a movie, he'd like to imagine his life as one. As a mere story, because it somehow dimmed the seriousness of everything.

He always knew as there were the bad chapters, there was also the good.

Besides, most stories he read had a happy ending.

But everything had changed in that moment. His whole reality had, and this wasn't some dumb movie, it was actually happening. He always had this bad habit of expecting everything to crash- -expecting the worst so he wouldn't be hurt or disappointed. Especially since the past few days, he'd been happy. He just knew it wouldn't last, he knew happiness was not a feeling that was forever.

Something would always happen. That darkness, the bad would always linger till it gets a grasp. And then your whole life crashes before your eyes, and you can only watch. It was like a predictable movie, where he always dreamed he'd get hurt-

-he just never expected his uncle to be the person that will hurt him this much. His eyes zoned in on the beige door, half of which had separated from the rest. And he could see as far as the wall where there was a picture of them both. EIGHT YEARS EARLIER

"This is your home now"

His uncle's hand rested against his head as he rubbed into it. Ola was about four inches, barely reaching his waist. And he still had braces then, a large glasses across his eyes.

He looked up at James and saw what he couldn't see in his father. It was at that moment he began to trust him with his life. They stared at the wall, at the picture they'd just hung. Ola had found it difficult fitting in so they had a photographer take one picture of them, that maybe if he had a few things around, it'll look alot like his home.

"Will you ever hate me like my dada did?" His voice was frail as he perched his glasses on the bridge of his nose. James let his hands slip, holding his chin up as they made eye contact-

"I'll never hate you."

NOW

Ola remembered it all, the events from only a few months back to nine years ago. All of the times he spent with his uncle James, before everything changed. His eyes looked down at the buzzing phone in his hands and he heaved in a deep sigh.

Uncle James.

He was calling. For the nth time, since he got to Nigeria, he wasn't about to pick it. He was still very much hurt from a few months back, and some part of him wasn't about to soothe his guilt. Some part of him wasn't about to listen to him apologize because it made him feel better. He'd loved his uncle so much but the moment he turned into his dad, this man he recognized-

-that much love, turned into hatred. There was no need to sugarcoat emotions because his as well, felt raw. Those painful tears, and his anxieties. It all felt raw and he had to face that alone. The call ended for a second time, and he called again.

And again, and again. And Ola just sat there, his eyes narrowed at that name, wishing to turn him back into a stranger. Perhaps Mary had told him they'd left Akin, they were that close. But it hurt that he had to wait for something terrible to happen before he called..

Now maybe that was a lie cos it was Ola that never picked his calls. His thumb met the crack across his screen as tears began to sting his eyes. He swiped, taking a second to bring the phone to his ears. He shut his eyes in silence, though he could hear his breathes. "You answered"

Ola pushed a lump down his throat as he opened his eyes to the mirror. They were red and wet and he turned his face away from his own reflection. "Olamide, i'm sorry" James started after a brief pause and it was then the tears dropped his eyes. His hands held unto his lips as he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for everything—"

-

The door slowly gave away due to Obi's push.

He looked back at Abdul who was seated on the corridor bench. His eyes went above the above the door to the authoritative tag- Principal's Office.

He'd never really been here. It was why his heart skipped a bit once the cold hit his face. "Come in" He heard the voice of none other than Collins. And ever since he'd heard of what he did to Fiyin- there was that indisputable hatred he had for him buried in his heart. But he had to put all that aside as he stepped into the room. Closing the door, he turned around to face him and their eyes met.

There was a silence between them as Obi still stood by the door. "Take a seat" Collins pointed to the chair in what felt like deja vu. He was in a three piece suit, legs crossed behind the table and a file in his hands. "How can i help you today?" He asked.

"I" Obi felt a lump in his throat. He stuttered.

"My name..." He pointed behind him as if the list was there. "My name wasn't on the list" Collins picked up his glasses in a minute, moving closer to the desktop atop his table. He wasn't entirely shocked but he was quiet.

Obi felt his feet get cold. He was nervous, being in close proximity with this man. He'd heard stories, besides what had happened with Fiyin. And he could not help but think this was some type of punishment for something he hadn't done. There was no way he had completely failed his mock-

-no absolute way. He'd tried his best to not think about what that meant for his future, because then he'd start crying. And after the whole lunch, he did not think he had anymore tears.

"Name?" Collins' deep voice pierced his eyes. He widened his eyes. "What?" He budged forward.

"What is your name?" He looked from above his glasses as Obi cleared his throat. He didn't think he actually didn't know his name. It was why he was hesitant. "Obi" He whispered. Collins arched his brows as if waiting for the rest of it. "Obinna Chukwu"

He'd realized his name wasn't flattering when said in full when he was about seven, it was why he just stuck with Obi with everyone that he met. And only in paper did he ever write his government name.

Although it wasn't really deadnaming, it just sort of felt weird. Like his name wasn't his. He'd fancy a Sydney. Or maybe a Jax because he read that book.

Or Jack, Chi. There were alot of names he'd considered transitioning, like Amber. And Sam, which he knew could either be Samuel or a basic Samantha. He'd like the dual names like that—

-but ever since he'd stopped his hormones, he just never gave it much thought. Ever since he met Ab as well, he was like this new thing to obsess over and when he said over and over how much he loved his body, it was sort of a cure for his dysphoria―

-since it was only ever Ab that saw it. Their love was like a drug. A very addictive, surreal high school experience that he never thought he'd have. So much he already began to ask when it will end.

He knew nothing good could lasted forever. And life could just come any day, shattering your plans like tempered glass. That moment was now, it was happening right now as he stood before Mr Collins. "Obinna Chukwu"

He stared at his protruding adams apple as he pushed a lump down his throat in silence. His eyes were completely narrowed at the desktop in front of him. Obi's hands went unconsciously to his ears, the ticks of the clock piercing through them as his eyes darted to every moment, noticing every little detail.

Like how his sleeves were folded up to reveal the sleeked hair across his wrists. He had a silver quartz watch that wasn't working perfectly. And everything in the office had a designated position, like he'd lose his mind if anything went missing. The spot that had his cup was just the perfect size. And his pencil case accommodated just the right number of pens.

He had a slit in his eyebrow and a mole sticking out of his neck. He had bumps across his chin that showed he'd only recently shaved. But for some reason he didn't touch his mustache. His skin was not smooth on a closer look, it was textured.

And a part of his neck had been sunburned. There was a ring around his index finger, he was too old for it to be an aesthetic so he just assumed he had a wife. Although he never said anything, maybe not a wife but there was someone he constantly lied to.

Someone he controlled. He seemed like that type of man. Like the worst type of man to ever walk this earth because you'd never guess he'd do such a vile thing as to rape a teenage girl.

He was calm, and composed like every serial rapist. It might have been a reach but Obi could've guessed Fi wasn't his first victim.

He looked up, matching eyes awkwardly with Obi and then he looked away. Obi could still feel his gaze against the side of his face. "It says held" He finally said, queuing Obi's chance to look at him. They had similar eyes, he'd noticed.

"I don't know what that means" He whispered. "When a mock result displays held, it could only mean there's been a suspicion of exam malpractice"

"What?" Obi blurted out furiously. "Me? Exam-" He pointed to himself, as Collins stepped back from his desktop. "I'm just saying what i read here. Your invigilator might have suspected s—"

"I swear on my mother that i would never cheat" He said, on the verge of tears, the thought of having to wait another year flashing before his eyes.

"We'd just have to wait until it gets to me" Collins didn't bother looking at his face again. He seemed like he was already done. Clicking the landline before him, he leaned into it.

"Marissa. Please schedule a meeting with the exam board for two pm this afternoon" He said, buttoning his sleeves back up as Obi just fidgeted in that spot, following his every move with his eyes. "Sir-

The door behind him opened after a second, softly bumping into his arm and he stepped back, allowing a skimpy lady who he assumed was Collins' assistant walk in with a clipboard in her hands.

"I already scheduled a meeting with the board for two. Would you like me to move that up?" She walked up to his table, leaning over to show him something. "No, nevermind" He whispered. "I'll speak with the teachers tomorrow. Can you " His eyes went up to Obi, finally acknowledging his presence. "Misterman, can you leave?" He asked and Obi let out a tearful scoff. "You can always come back tomorrow?" There was doubt in his voice as if making a promise he knew he couldn't keep. Obi shook his head, looking to Marissa.

"There's nothing i can right now"

He looked out of the door at Ab and then back.

"Please" He mouthed. "Please sir. Help me❞

Collins shook his head. "I already told you what you do. Now leave, before i drag you out" His voice had suddenly turned cold. And Marissa looked away.

Obi stepped backwards till he could see the door. Till he was outside, and his hands went up the knob.

"My regards to your friend" Collins later said as Obi's lips fell apart. Those were the words he didn't want to hear. His eyes met Collins' who had a smirk across his face just before the door closed on him.

"What'd he say?" Abdul waited. And all he just wanted to do was cry in his arms as if his shoulders weren't already wet was it was. He sobbed, damping his arms. "Hey hey" Abdul grabbed his face before he let go, suddenly looking around the halls for the camera above him. And all he could do was stand five feet apart as Obi started to cry. He was wrong-

he could cry.

To be continued...