The next day came with the usual campus chaos, students moving in all directions, some laughing in small groups, others rushing to meet up with classes. By mid-morning, the sun was already high, casting sharp shadows across the walkways.
Star and Lizzy made their way to the school canteen, their hunger evident in their pace.
"That Mathematics lecturer is a complete witch," Lizzy hissed as they approached the counter.
Star chuckled.
"Why do you always say that?"
"Her class was scheduled for 8 to 10, right? Why did we leave at 11? The old lady was busy drawing her father's ugly head on the whiteboard," Lizzy ranted, her face twisted in exaggerated irritation.
Star laughed, grabbing her notes tighter to her chest.
"I enjoyed his class, to be honest."
Lizzy shot her a dramatic look. "Of course, you did. Bookworm like you."
"Call me whatever you want, I came here to learn," Star smirked.
"Now, biko, buy the meat pie and let's get going. EDC 1103 is next."
Lizzy groaned. "And what on earth is that again?"
"'Teaching as a Profession.' Don't pretend you don't know."
"Do we seriously have to attend that class? Star, I'm tired. My brain is screaming. Can't you feel it?" Lizzy clutched her head as
though in pain.
Star rolled her eyes.
"Come on, let's go joor. Don't forget there's an attendance list, and that lecturer doesn't play. You miss a class, he marks you down for life."
Reluctantly, Lizzy followed, still muttering about needing an academic break.
Unnoticed by the girls, Miguel had been seated at a table deep inside the canteen, sipping a bottle of malt. But the drink was the last thing on his mind. His eyes were glued to Star. He watched her every move, her calmness, the way her brows arched when she smiled, the confidence in her stride. Something about her tugged at his memory and stirred emotions he didn't expect.
Sitting across from him, Purple noticed. She leaned in and gently touched his arm.
"Miguel," she said quietly. "Why are you staring at them?"
Miguel blinked and sat up straight.
"I think… I like one of them."
Purple tilted her head. "Like?" Her voice thinned. "I don't understand. You don't like me?"
"Don't say that. You know I care about you," Miguel replied, his voice low.
"Then what am I to you?" Purple asked, a sudden tension in her tone.
Miguel sighed, not meeting her eyes. "You're my friend."
At that, Purple's hand slammed against the table before she quickly caught herself. Realizing they were in public and a few heads had already turned, she sat back down and forced a laugh, but her eyes burned.
"All these years, Miguel?" she said, her voice tight with pain.
"All the time we spent together, back in secondary school, all our memories, and now you say we're just friends?"
"Purple, please don't be childish. Just because we were classmates doesn't mean we were anything more than that."
Purple paused, and she said, this time softly,
"Miguel, the fact that we ended up in the same university and the same department is not a coincidence."
"No, Miguel. It's not," she whispered, shaking her head. "I told my dad I wanted this school because of you. You always talked about it back then, how you were going to attend after our WAEC exam. I followed that dream because of you. I love you, Miguel. I've always loved you. I thought coming to this university would show you how serious I am."
Miguel stared at her, unmoved but not unkind.
"I respect your feelings, and I appreciate what you did. But there's no us, Purple. There never was. I've never seen you that way. I thought we were cool as friends, that's all."
She looked away, biting her lower lip to stop it from trembling.
Miguel took a breath, trying to steer the conversation away.
"Anyway, back to what I was saying, I think I like that fair girl. But this her friend who always follows her is more like a soldier; her blood too dey hot. Can you help me talk to her?"
Purple's heart sank, but she tried to mask it.
"The fair girl?" she repeated slowly. "You mean Star? My step-sister?"
Miguel's face lit up.
"Wow, that makes everything easier. Sweetheart, that's even better. Can I have her phone number, please?"
Purple's tone changed. "Sorry, I don't have it."
Miguel frowned. "What do you mean? You just said she's your step-sister."
"Yes," Purple said, her voice colder now, "but we're not close. We live under the same roof, but that's it. We have boundaries."
He stared at her for a moment, trying to process what she was saying.
"And I want you to know something, Miguel," she said as she slowly stood up, her eyes gleaming with tears she refused to shed.
"If I can't have you… Nobody else will. Especially not my half-sister."
With that, Purple turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor, each step echoing her fury.
Miguel exhaled deeply and sat back. He hadn't expected that reaction, but one thing was certain now: this wasn't just about attraction anymore. It was about crossing into forbidden territory, especially as he knows how tricky Purple can be.