Lolade stood near the edge of the open air venue, just far enough for the music to feel distant, just close enough for it to hurt. The lights from the stage flickered across her face in broken colors purple, gold, blue but none of them softened the anger burning in her chest.
Around her, students laughed, danced, screamed lyrics into the night like nothing was wrong.
But something was wrong.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. This was not how the night was supposed to feel. Not after everything they had done. Not after everything AllStars Foundation College had proven since the festival began. The award, the voting, the group, the access it all felt twisted, unfair, and worst of all humiliating.
People were begging for access like it was charity.
She hated that.
Behind her, the bass thumped harder and the crowd erupted in cheers. Lolade scoffed under her breath and walked farther from the lights until the noise softened into distant echoes.
That was when she heard footsteps.
She did not turn.
"MideFlex," she said quietly.
He slowed behind her. "You did not even let me announce myself."
She spun around sharply. "What do you want?"
"To talk," he replied calmly. "You walked away angry."
"Because I am angry," she shot back. "And do not act like you do not know why."
He nodded once. "I do."
Silence fell between them. Not awkward. Heavy.
Lolade folded her arms. "Everyone keeps acting like this award does not matter. Like we should just relax and enjoy the night."
"And you do not agree," he said.
"I do not," she snapped. "This is our senior year, Mide. Our last time representing ASF like this. After tonight, the spotlight moves on. If we let this slide, nobody will remember how hard we worked."
He studied her face. "So this is not about Studlist 3.0 alone."
"No," she admitted quietly. "It is about being seen."
That hit him.
MideFlex exhaled slowly. "You think I do not feel that pressure?"
She looked at him properly then. "You are inside ZETACIRCLE. You are already seen."
"And trapped," he said softly.
Her brows creased. "Trapped?"
"Every move I make now looks political," he said. "If I speak for ASF, I am biased. If I stay quiet, I betray my people. Peace made it sound like being inside was enough."
"And it is not," Lolade said instantly.
He nodded. "It is not."
Something in her posture softened.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked.
"I want you to remember us," she said firmly. "Not the circle. Not the hype. Us."
The music surged again as another artist was announced. The crowd screamed. Lolade barely reacted.
"This night is not just for dancing," she continued. "It is a test. Of boldness. Of unity. Of whether schools like ours can still matter without begging."
MideFlex's phone vibrated in his pocket.
He ignored it.
Lolade noticed. "Your group?"
"Probably," he said.
She locked eyes with him. "Then stop hesitating."
Another vibration. Stronger.
He pulled out his phone.
A notification glowed.
ZETACIRCLE Admin activity in progress
His jaw tightened.
Lolade smiled. Not happy. Not cruel. Determined 😌🔥
"Good," she said. "Maybe tonight will finally show who really belongs."
Behind them, the concert roared on, unaware that somewhere between friendship, loyalty, and power, a decision was forming. One that could either elevate AllStars or isolate them completely.
And this time, MideFlex knew one thing clearly.
Standing still was no longer an option.
He refreshed his screen.
YOU ARE NOW A ZETACIRCLE ADMIN Added by Peace
"Peace?" Lolade leaned closer to his phone. "Is she not the one who added you?"
"I do not even know," he frowned. "She sounded uninterested when I asked her. How much power or connection does she even have?"
Before doubt could settle, his fingers moved fast.
He added Lolade.
Then BigDave.
Gift.
Arabaddie.
Khadijat.
ZaraBliss.
Oscar.
Jayden.
One after the other.
Instant members.
The group had a capacity of fifty thousand.
It filled up immediately 💥📲
"This is the best I can do," MideFlex said quietly.
Lolade's phone exploded with nonstop notifications. Bing. Bing. Bing. Her smile spread slowly 😏✨
"You happy now?" he asked.
"Of course not," she replied smiling. "You still need to ask your cousin why she suddenly wants to help."
He sighed. "Alright. Can we go back to the venue and find our friends?"
She stared at him.
He stared back.
"Has anyone told you that top is beautiful though?" MideFlex said suddenly, grinning, clearly trying to break the tension.
"Oh really?" she raised a brow. "You are the first."
"I am just being honest."
"Honest?" She smiled softly. "Do you like me, MideFlex?"
He froze. "Is that a question or a trap?"
"Now I am being honest."
"Can we skip this?"
"No," she said, stepping closer.
"Why are you asking me this like you are not scared of my answer?"
"Scared?"
"Who talks to you when you are down? Who buys you food? Who takes you out? Who makes you laugh? Who stares at you when you are not looking?" he asked quietly. "Me. Not your boyfriend."
Her breath hitched.
"And who gets jealous when I move closer to other guys?" she whispered.
He chuckled softly. "So we are doing that now?"
She tilted her head. "Or do you just see me as a best friend?"
She stepped closer. "But that is not even my question."
She looked him dead in the eyes.
"Do you like me, Adeniran Olamide?"
He held her gaze for a long moment.
"I will answer when it is time," he said finally. "Meet me at the venue."
Then he turned and walked away.
Leaving her standing there.
Shocked.
Breathing.
Smiling.
Confused.
Hopeful 💫💔
But the main focus is who will get Studlist 3.0🥇🎖️