C12 TWELVE

Fikayo adjusted the powder on her face as they walked out of the class. Ibukun checked her wristwatch and squinted at the amount of sun rays attempting to enter her eyes.

“Almost everyone is going” Blessing said as they walked into the bus.

“It’s unusual for Lashe to schedule his concerts in the evening what do you think caused it?” Fikayo asked and Ibukun shrugged.

“He’s in university now. He has to manage his time and his lecture time varies as well; this time might be when he has time or the most convenient” Ibukun replied and Fikayo smiled.

“Sometimes they way you talk about him makes me think like you are in his head” Fikayo said and Blessing burst into laughter while Ibukun smiled and looked outside the bus window as the bus began to move.

The event centre was filled to brim and students in different uniforms dominated the places. Different press officers could be seen making videos and reports.

Lashe was a sensation not just in the country but abroad as well. It wasn’t all that rare to see a well talented young musician with extraordinary good looks and even combined with too good brains but Lashe just stood out for too many reasons.

Despite how popular he was, Lashe’s life was private. No broadcasting station could get any news about him unless he wanted them to. There was practically no scandal about him even after four years since he started singing. All the news concerning him was always released by him or his agency before any broadcasting station could get their hands on it.

At a time; everyone thought he definitely had someone behind him and everyone waited and dug to see whoever was behind him but everyone was shocked to discover that the soon to be 18-year-old teenager was the one who took care of the news about him, himself.

Lashe could said to be one of the few celebrities in Nigeria and in the world with a stable fan base. He had crazy, obsessed fans that were at his back like a rock. They supported him all the time, his posts was always forwarded and shared over thousands of times. Lashe as well interacted with his fans once in a while. He held a live video every month where he talked and replied the fans questions he saw on social media.

They were also allowed to send him gifts at any point in time. Lashe was respectful. Despite his fame and rising popularity; he still remained the same and even liked to keep a low profile. He smiled a lot in most of his pictures and his smiles came with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Everyone started yelling on top of their voices as Lashe climbed the stage. Fikayo, Blessing and Ibukun were also shouting on top of their voices and jumping as Lashe climbed the stairs with a smile.

Lashe wore his signature smile seeing the amount of fans in the hall, it was thrice the audience he expected. Seeing most of them in uniforms, he let out a soft sigh.

“Hello everyone” Lashe said into the microphone fixed to his mouth.

“Hellooooooooo” everyone chorused.

“I apologise for making you guys come here right after school. School must have been so tiring yet I made you guys come over here. I apologise” Lashe said with a small smile.

“We love youuuuuu” everyone chorused and Lashe laughed.

“I love you too” Lashe said and the noise in the hall increased and Lashe smiled. The noise died down after the lights in the hall went off and the only light on was on Lashe. Lashe took a calm breath as he started singing.

I want to go somewhere far away,

But if I go, will you wait for me?

When I come back, will you be here for me?

Even if the sunsets has changed,

Even when the sky becomes bluer,

Will you still be there for me?

As if hypnotised, everyone listened with rapt attention. Lashe sang with his emotions aligning with the song. Many of them had tears rushing to their eyes. Lashe sang all types of songs. His songs could make you go ballistic, his song could make you unable to keep your feet on the ground and you wouldn’t stop dancing, his song could make you moody and warm at the same time, his song could make you smile or even improve your mood while listening to the lyrics, his song could make you cry your eyes out for no reason.

And that was what was going on, Blessing wiped the tears running down her cheeks with the back of her hands but the tears wouldn’t stop coming or falling. She turned to see Ibukun also crying but the difference was that she wasn’t trying to stop hers or wipe them off.

Lashe opened his eyes as soon as he finished singing “Thank you” he said and bowed.

The hall was silent for a nanosecond before they burst out with loud applause. Lashe pouted as he looked around seeing the tear stained face.

“Seems like I made everyone cry again, we’ll all be fine. Get home safely” Lashe said as he smiled and turned to walk out of the stage.

“Lashe, we love you!” everyone started chanting till Lashe walked off the stage. Ibukun sniffed as she picked her handkerchief from her bag and dampened her eyes.

“Fikayo you didn’t cry?” Blessing asked and Fikayo gave a puzzled look.

“It was just a song even Lashe didn’t cry. Why should I cry?” Fikayo asked and Blessing scoffed.

“You are so heartless” Blessing said and Fikayo clapped her hands.

“Lashe that didn’t cry. Does that mean he’s also heartless?” Fikayo asked and Blessing sighed.

“Don’t put words in my mouth. I’m talking about you; you are naturally heartless” Blessing replied and Fikayo looked at Blessing with her mouth agape.