Jay first noticed it in the smallest ways.
A nod from a shop owner who never used to look twice at him.
A pause in conversation when he walked past a group of boys on the corner.
Someone whispering his name like it carried weight now.
It was strange.
Nothing about him had changed on the outside. Same hoodie. Same worn sneakers. Same streets. But the air around him felt different, like the city was paying closer attention.
And Jay didn't know how he felt about that.
---
He walked slowly that morning, letting the noise of the city wash over him. Hawkers shouted prices. Buses argued with traffic. Life moved fast, as always.
Yet people seemed to notice him moving through it.
"You be Jay, abi?"
Jay turned. A guy about his age stood near a food stall, curiosity written on his face.
"Yeah," Jay replied carefully.
The guy smiled. "I hear say you dey move smart."
Jay gave a small nod and walked on, his chest tightening.
Hear from who? he wondered.
---
Kemi was waiting where they usually met, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.
"You see am?" Kemi asked immediately.
"See what?"
Kemi smirked. "The way people dey look you."
Jay scoffed. "You dey imagine things."
"No," Kemi said, serious now. "I've lived here my whole life. I know when the wind dey change."
Jay sighed. "I don't even know what I did."
"That's how it starts," Kemi replied. "You don't do anything special. People just decide you matter."
Jay stared down the road. "And when they decide wrong?"
Kemi shrugged. "Then you make sure you don't forget yourself."
That line stuck.
---
Later in the afternoon, Jay found himself at the café again. Not because he planned to be there, but because his feet seemed to remember the place better than his mind did.
Zara was already inside.
She noticed him instantly.
"You're early," she said.
He smiled. "Didn't want to think too much today."
She raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"
He sat across from her. "It's like people are watching me differently."
Zara studied him for a moment. "Sometimes attention comes before understanding."
Jay leaned back. "That doesn't sound comforting."
She smiled softly. "It's not meant to be."
They shared a quiet laugh.
Then Zara's expression turned thoughtful. "Just promise me something."
Jay looked at her. "What?"
"If things start moving fast… don't let them move you without your consent."
Jay held her gaze. "I'll try."
It wasn't a promise. But it was honest.
---
That evening, Jay passed by his parents' old place again. He didn't go in this time. He just stood outside, listening to the echo of memories.
His father's voice.
His mother's laughter.
The life that was supposed to be simple.
"Na so it be," Jay murmured.
He turned to leave—and froze.
Across the street, someone stood still. Watching. Not hiding. Not approaching.
Just watching.
Their eyes met briefly.
Then the figure walked away.
Jay's heart pounded, but he didn't chase. He didn't panic.
He remembered Kemi's words.
Don't act like prey.
---
Back in his room, Jay lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone buzzed.
Zara:
You okay?
He smiled slightly.
Jay:
Yeah. Just thinking.
Zara:
Try resting too.
Jay put the phone down.
For the first time, he understood something clearly.
Attention wasn't power.
It was responsibility.
And whether he liked it or not, the city had started paying attention to him.
The question was no longer if things would change.
It was how he would change with them.