The last bell rang and students poured out of SS2B.
"Cultural Day is next week!" someone called down the hall. "Don't forget your outfits."
Charlotte was putting her books in her bag when Vivian Andrew stopped by her desk.
"We're leaving together Charl," Vivian said.
Charlotte nodded. "Okay Viv."
They walked out side by side. Happy with each other.The tension from before was gone, they were busy chatting and laughing at the same time.
At the school gate, two other people were already waiting.
Caleb stood with his hands in his pockets. Adam was leaning against the fence, scrolling on his phone.
The moment they saw Charlotte and Vivian, they both looked up smiling.
Mr. Philip opened the SUV door. "Good afternoon, ladies."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Philip," Charlotte and Vivian said.
Charlotte turned to the boys and gave a small wave. "I'm going home with Vivian."
Caleb nodded at Vivian. "Okay. See you on Monday."
Adam smiled at Charlotte. "Have fun picking dresses. Don't let Vivian choose something too loud." he said jokingly and Charlotte smiling
"Don't let Adam choose your dance partner," Vivian teased back.
The four of them waved goodbye. Then Charlotte and Vivian slid into the car.
---
The ride was quiet and cool.
"Are you hungry?" Vivian asked.
"A little," Charlotte said.
"My mom made jollof," Vivian said happily. "She's been asking about you."
"Oh really?"asked Charlotte eyes widened
"Yeah,"she replied absentmindedly pressing her phone
"So what did you tell her?"asked Charlotte curiously
"Nothing, I just said you're busy with school work."she said softly
"Hmm.i see."said Charlotte quietly
"Yeah, I'm happy you're going home with me Charl, I miss us."said Vivian sincerely
"Me too."agreed Charlotte
Ten minutes later, they pulled into Vivian's compound.
The front door opened before they reached it.
Mrs. Andrew, Vivian's mother.She was wearing a simple dress, her hair neatly tied. The smell of food drifted out with her.
When she saw Charlotte, her face softened.
"Charlotte." She hugged her. "It's been a while. I've been asking Vivian about you."
Charlotte hugged her back. "Good afternoon, Ma'am. I missed you too."
Mrs. Andrew held her at arm's length. "You're still so slim. Are they feeding you at school?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Charlotte laughed.
"Good. Come inside."
The living room was bright and cool. Charlotte sat on the couch while Mrs. Andrew looked between her and Vivian.
"So," Mrs. Andrew said. "Are you two okay?"
"Yes, Mom," Vivian answered brightly.
"Yes, Ma'am," Charlotte said smiling.
Mrs. Andrew nodded. "I'm glad. Friendship is important." and turned to Vivian "Baby girl. Go and change and meet us at the dinning table.
"Okay mom," said Vivian softly and turned to Charlotte "I will be alright back Charl." She said and Charlotte nodded softly. After some minute, Vivian joined her mom with her best friend at the dinning table. On the dinning table were jollof, chicken wings,salad, plantain.
"Mom, can the food wait, Charlotte and I want to...."said Vivian and her mom quickly cut in
"Let's eat first Viv. I made jollof and chicken. And plantain. I remember you like it, Charlotte."said Mrs Andrew turned, to Charlotte
"I do, Ma'am," Charlotte said.
"What about me, mom?"asked Vivian teasingly
"What about you?"asked mother grinning
"You didn't asked if I like it too,"she said chuckled
"Oh I get you dear, you are foodie there's nothing you don't like."said her mom jokingly
"Mom,"screamed Vivian eyes widened and Charlotte was smiling softly
"Yes baby,"replied mother serving the food "Let's pray girls."
They finished praying and they started eating. Mrs. Andrew kept adding more to Charlotte's plate.
"Eat well," she said cheerfully.
Charlotte smiled. "Thank you, Ma'am."
After eating, they went to Vivian's room. The bed was covered with clothes for Cultural Day next week.
Vivian's outfit was already laid out on a chair. A deep green Edo blouse with gold embroidery, a matching wrapper, coral beads, and a gele on a stand.
"You're wearing Edo," Charlotte said.
Vivian smiled and picked up the coral beads. "My grandmother sent these from Benin. I'm wearing them with it."
"You're going to look amazing, Viv" Charlotte said.
Vivian pulled out a red and gold aso-oke set and handed it to Charlotte. Iro, buba, gele.
"This is for you," Vivian said. "Try it."
Charlotte went behind the screen. The iro wrapped neatly at her waist. The buba fit perfectly.
When she stepped out, Vivian stared.
"Wow."
"What?" Charlotte tugged at the sleeve.
"You look like a Yoruba queen. The gold looks so good on you."
Charlotte felt her cheeks warm. "Stop."
"I'm serious. Mom, come see!" Vivian called.
Mrs. Andrew came in. She looked at Charlotte and smiled.
"Oh, Charlotte. You look beautiful."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Charlotte said.
Mrs. Andrew adjusted the gele on the stand. "This will be perfect on you. Both of you will represent your cultures well."
After Mrs. Andrew left, the room went quiet.
Charlotte sat on the bed. Vivian sat on the floor in front of her.
For a moment, Charlotte's mind went back — to the silence, the hurt, the rumor.
Then she looked at Vivian, laughing softly to herself as she arranged her beads, and the tightness in her chest eased.
They were here. Together.
Vivian glanced up. "What?"
"Nothing," Charlotte said. "I'm just glad we're back."
Vivian smiled. "Me too."
Mrs. Andrew called from downstairs. "Charlotte, come downstairs it's getting late."
After few minutes, Mr. Philip drove Charlotte home.
When she got there, Debbie was in the living room, marking scripts.
"Hey," Debbie said, looking up. "How was it?"
Charlotte dropped her bag and sat beside her. "It was good. Vivian and I made up."
Debbie smiled. "I'm proud of you."
"We also picked our outfits for Cultural Day," Charlotte said. "I'm wearing aso-oke. She's wearing Edo."
Debbie laughed. "You two are going to look amazing."
"Thanks Deb."replied Charlotte happily
"Can I see the outfit Charl?"asked Deborah eagerly
"Sure,"replied Charlotte, she brought out the aso-oke and Deborah ran her hands on the fabric
"Wow, this is beautiful Charl."remarked Deborah greatly
"Yes, you can say that again."said Charlotte smiling cheerfully
"Vivian is such a sweet girl, I think she used this to make up with you, don't you think, Charlotte."said Deborah sweetly
"Yeah she promised to make it up to me and I guess this is it."agreed Charlotte gladly
"I'm happy you guys made up, please don't let anything comes in between you too Charl."said Deborah softly
Charlotte leaned her head on Debbie's shoulder. "Thanks sis,
for always being here."
"Always," Debbie said, squeezing her hand.
Later in her room, Charlotte laid the aso-oke on her bed and ran her hand over the fabric.
Cultural Day. Next week.
With Vivian.
_Yeah,_ she thought. _I'm good. and she placed the aso-oke gently on the wardrobe
---
*Charlotte's Room.*
Morning light filled the room.
The red and gold aso-oke Vivian had given her was spread across the bed. Iro, buba, and the gele.
Charlotte stood still as her mom moved around her, adjusting everything with careful hands.
"I'm so grateful for this, Mom," Charlotte said quietly, running her fingers over the fabric. "For the aso-oke Vivian gave me. It's beautiful."
Her mom smiled and smoothed the iro at Charlotte's waist. "Vivian is a good friend, my dear. I'm grateful to her too."
The door opened and Deborah walked in.
Debbie.
She had her hair in a neat bun and a makeup bag in her hand.
"I'm here to help," Debbie said. "You can't go to Cultural Day without proper makeup."
Charlotte laughed. "I was going to try."
For the next twenty minutes, the room was soft and warm.
Her mom fixed the gele, pinning it until it sat tall and elegant. She clasped coral and gold beads around Charlotte's wrists and neck.
Debbie worked on her face — light foundation, soft eyeshadow, a touch of gloss.
"Turn," Debbie said. "Perfect."
Her mom stepped back and looked at her. "Wow! You look beautiful, Charlotte."
"Thanks mommy!"replied Charlotte smiling face
She stood and turned to the mirror. The red and gold made her skin glow. The gele framed her face. The beads caught the light.
She looked like a Yoruba queen. "Wow I love this,"she said happily
She felt grateful. For Vivian. For her mom. For Debbie.
For this day.
---
In the sitting room when Charlotte walked in, her dad was sitting on the couch with the newspaper.
Mr. Peter. Her father, he looked up. And then he stood.
"Charlotte," he said. His eyes softened. "Wow. You're looking stunning dear."
Charlotte smiled, suddenly shy. "Thank you, Dad."
Her father walked around her once. "The aso-oke suits you very well. You look elegant. You look like you're representing us well."
"Yes, daddy."agreed Deborah smiling cheerfully
He turned to Debbie. "Deborah, please order a cab for your sister. Not a taxi. A proper cab. I want her to get to school safely."
"Yes, Dad," Debbie said smiling, already on her phone.
Charlotte's mom came in and stood beside her.
"She looks lovely," her mom said.
"She does," Mr. Peter said. He put a hand on Charlotte's shoulder. "Have fun today. Make us proud."
"I will, Dad," Charlotte said, cheerfully. She was happy. Really happy.
Debbie looked up from her phone. "Cab will be here in ten minutes Charl."
Charlotte nodded and sat next to her mom while they waited. Her heart felt full. She was happy.
---
At the School Gate.
The cab pulled up and Charlotte stepped out.
The school compound was alive with color. Music played from speakers. Students walked around in different cultural outfits.
And right by the entrance was Vivian.
Vivian Andrew was in full Edo regalia.
A deep emerald blouse with gold embroidery. A matching wrapper tied neatly. Coral beads at her neck, on her wrists, and in her hair. Her gele was tall and perfect.
She looked regal.
When Vivian saw Charlotte, she smiled wide.
"You look amazing," Vivian said.
"So do you," Charlotte said cheerfully. "You look like a queen."
They linked arms and walked through the gate together.
---
Inside the Cultural Hall.
The hall was decorated with fabrics from different tribes. Drums played in the background. The air smelled like food and excitement.
Charlotte and Vivian stopped for a moment to take it in.
Near the stage stood *Caleb*.
He was in simple English attire. A crisp white shirt tucked into black fitted trousers. Polished black shoes. His hair was neatly cut.
He looked clean and calm. But the moment he saw Vivian, his whole face changed.
"You look beautiful," he said softly.
Vivian looked down and smiled. "Thank you." and she said added "You look handsome too."
Next to him was *Adam*.
Adam was in a navy blue agbada with gold embroidery along the neckline and sleeves. The fabric flowed to his ankles. His matching cap sat perfectly on his head.
When he saw Charlotte, he walked straight to her.
He looked her up and down, then grinned.
"Okay," Adam said. "The aso-oke. It looks really good on you."
Charlotte felt her cheeks warm. "Thanks Adam."
Adam glanced at Vivian too. "Both of you look like you're here to own Cultural Day."
Vivian laughed. "That's the plan."
The cultural dance was about to start. Students were gathering in the center of the hall.
Caleb held out his hand to Vivian. "Dance with me?"
Vivian looked at Charlotte.
"Go," Charlotte said. "I will manage."
Caleb and Vivian walked to the floor.
Adam turned to Charlotte. "So. Dance?"
Charlotte took a breath. "Okay."
The music started.
And as they moved, Charlotte could feel Adam watching her.
Like he wanted to say something.
Like he was deciding whether to say it.