The weekend dragged like a bad movie 🎬
Everyone was talking but not saying anything real.
Rumors flew around like mosquitoes in rainy season 🦟
Some said Diana had left the city.
Some whispered that Lolade's parents were planning to sue the school.
And Lizzy? No one even dared to mention her name.
By Saturday afternoon, Study Group Flex stood at the tall black gate of the Makindes' mansion 😓
Gift was glowing in a white off-shoulder crop top and designer denim shorts, her gold anklet glittering under the sun ✨
AraBaddie rocked a pink tank top with matching slides, her perfume still fighting the harsh heat 💅
BigDave wore a black polo tucked into joggers, shades on, acting like he wasn't melting under the sun ☀️
And MideFlex… plain tee, denim shorts, and guilt sitting quietly on his face 😔
"Who's there?" the gateman barked, his voice tired already.
"Baba, it's me," MideFlex said softly, feeling humbled.
"So what are you doing here with others? You want to cause more wahala for her again?"
Baba Jide had worked there for twelve years; thick belly, always sweating, always talking too much. The househelp fed him well, maybe too well 😂🍛
"Baba, our principal said we can help her stay on track academically," MideFlex said gently.
"What concerns me with academics?" he muttered, wiping sweat off his face. "My own be say she's grounded. No entrance for una."[1]
He eyed them suspiciously — like someone waiting to be bribed 💸
"Baba, what do you want sef? Money?" AraBaddie said boldly. "We've been permitted to see her abeg, the sun is burning my skin already 🥵"
"And who are you, small girl?" he snapped. "You think you can talk to me like that? I've been on this job here for twelve years, nobody has ever disrespected me the way you just did—"
He was still ranting when the househelp, Mama Kunle, stepped out carrying a royal-level meal; steaming jollof rice, golden fried plantain stacked like treasure, grilled chicken shining in pepper glaze, and a cold bottle of malt sweating beside it 😋
"Who are these people?" she asked, balancing the tray like a queen.
"The troublemakers of Lolly Baby," Baba Jide muttered. He'd called Lolade that since she was ten and still refused to stop 😅
Mama Kunle frowned. "Let them in nau. Can't you see the sun? I'm sure they're here from school."
"But Madam said nobody should enter," Baba Jide replied stubbornly, though his tone had softened.
"Should I call Oga?" she asked with one brow raised. "He'll say they should enter."
That worked like magic ✨
"We won't take up to five hours, we promise!" BigDave added quickly.
Mama Kunle sighed. "Hmm. Lolly Baby hasn't been eating well since the suspension o. Just fruits and one spoon of rice every day. I'm worried. If the doctor checks her, they'll say it's malnutrition."
The group exchanged worried glances 😔
Baba Jide frowned, but since Mama Kunle was ready to take responsibility, he sighed and said,
"Okay o, but don't stay long."
The tall heavy gate creaked open slowly... and a wave of hot breeze followed them inside 🌬️
It was their second weekend at the Makindes' mansion yet it still felt magical 🤩
From the entrance, the driveway stretched wide and glossy, the interlocking tiles sparkling like diamonds under the sun 💎
Two white lion statues guarded the gate 🦁🦁 and the sweet scent of hibiscus floated in the air 🌺
A fountain stood proudly in the middle, water splashing like crystals 💧✨
Beside it, a silver Lexus SUV glimmered like it just left the showroom 🚘
AraBaddie gasped softly. "God, money is so sweet."
Gift rolled her eyes but still admired everything secretly 😌
They walked past marble steps leading to the porch. Cream walls with gold linings shone under the sun, tall palm trees waving lazily beside them 🌴
Inside the compound, the mansion looked even grander: three floors, wide balconies, glass doors reflecting sunlight like mirrors 💫
The scent of luxury filled the air that mix of air freshener, money, and silence 💭
To the right, the garden looked like a scene from a movie roses, lilies, and sunflowers lined in perfect rows 🌹🌷🌻
Soft classical music played faintly from inside the house 🎶
And somewhere upstairs, a curtain shifted... like someone was watching 👀
"Guys, even their compound get AC," BigDave muttered, wiping sweat off his face.
MideFlex barely heard him. His eyes were fixed upstairs, where the curtain moved again.
There she was.
Lolade.
Sitting quietly, head bent, wrapped in an oversized hoodie.
She looked smaller... almost fragile 🥺
"Na there she dey[2]," Mama Jide said softly. "Go gently, abeg. She's been quiet all week."
Gift adjusted her sunglasses. "Let's go, team. No drama this time."
They walked toward the garden, hearts heavy, footsteps soft against the marble floor 🥀
Lolade saw them from her window. Her eyes widened. They came?!
She rushed to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, grabbed her Eva soap, and jumped into the shower 🚿
Knock knock knock!
"Lolade!" MideFlex called from the door. He knew she was in but waited.
Once, he'd entered without waiting, caught her in a towel and nearly lost his life that day 😳
It took a month of apologies and gifts before she forgave him 💐
Now he always knocked properly.
Knock knock!
"Let the girls go in," BigDave said.
"But she's supposed to reply first," MideFlex muttered, anxious.
"Shift jare," AraBaddie said, pushing the door open with Gift.
"Lola! Where are you?" Gift called out.
"I'm taking my bath!" a small voice replied from the bathroom. "Hope the boys aren't in the room?"
"No!" Gift replied...
AraBaddie's eyes sparkled as she looked around. "Omo, her room is extremely beautiful, Is that the latest Dior perfume I didn't see in the mall yesterday?!" 😍
Gift chuckled, sitting on the pink velvet sofa. "Rich girls' problems."
A few minutes later, Lolade stepped out clean but pale, her red afro damp, eyes tired.
"Poor dear," AraBaddie whispered.
Gift helped her sit by the mirror. "You okay, babe?"
Lolade gave a weak smile. "Sorry girls, I've not been in my best mood lately."
AraBaddie twirled a pair of scissors. "What are babes for? We got you 💋"
She trimmed Lolade's afro gently while Gift opened her skincare box, dabbing her face like a pro 💄
A few brush strokes, a touch of gloss, and a cropped top with bum shorts later and boom! She was back 💅✨
They stepped into the living room together, chatting softly.
Something smelled amazing 😋
"Wait… who's frying eggs?" Lolade asked, her appetite finally awake.
They followed the scent to the dining area and there were the boys 🍳
BigDave was setting the plates like a pro waiter.
"So you boys can cook?" Gift teased.
BigDave smirked. "What do you think?" 😏
Then the real chef appeared...MideFlex! wearing an apron, grinning proudly.
"Hello ladies," he said dramatically. "Welcome to Lolade's Dining, today's special: Chef Flex's 3-Star Yam & Egg Combo!" 🍽️✨
Everyone burst into laughter 😂
"Take it slowly and feel the flow in" he added, bowing playfully.
The laughter, the warmth, the comfort, it felt like the first real joy in the week 💖
They ate, gisted, and smiled again ✨ a blend of food, laughter, and healing all in one moment 🌈
Afterward, they handed Lolade her study notes, hugged her tight, and promised to come back soon.
As they waved goodbye at the gate, she smiled for the first time since her suspension 😊
The storm wasn't over yet...
But at least, the sun had started to shine again 🌤️💛
[1] my own is that she is grounded. no entrance for you
[2] that's where she is