Read Erased :: SAY IT STRAIGHT

Tobi finds Zion alone. She’s seated near the back steps behind the Arts block, eating puff-puff out of a nylon. Her usual escape from crowds.

Tobi waits until Zion notices her. Then she sits beside her like it’s just another afternoon.

“Hey,” Zion says, mouth full.

“Hey.”

Tobi watched her chew

She swallowed. Wiped her fingers on tissue. “You good?”

"Just tired."

Zion nodded. "You dey act funny lately sha."

"You’ve been talking to Lanre."

Zion slowed her chewing. "Huh?"

"I saw you. By the library."

A shrug. "We are in the same project group for Aluko’s seminar."

"Didn’t know."

"No mean say e be secret."

Tobi leaned forward.

"You didn’t tell me about the note."

Zion blinked. "Which note?"

"The one Lanre said I wrote."

She looked confused. Maybe surprised. Definitely something. A pause. Then slowly: "I didn’t know there was one."

Tobi’s voice dropped. "You know I didn’t write it."

"How would I?"

"Because if I did… you’d be in danger, right?"

Her lips parted like she’s about to answer.

Then she closed them.

"Tobi, you’re acting strange. Like you don’t trust me."

Tobi blinked. Slowly.

“Should I?”

Zion stood.

Didn’t say another word. Just walked away.

And somehow, that felt worse than yelling.