Tony checked his time again and sighed. They had been waiting for close to thirty minutes. “Don’t you think she is done by now?” Sammy hesitated. “I doubt it. Dr. Okala’s lectures last long.” “How long are we going to wait? She’s the reason I’m in school and wouldn’t find it funny if I miss her.” Sammy looked at his watch. “You won’t miss her. She told me she would call as soon as she is free. But why don’t you call her again?”  “She’s not picking up her calls,” he grumbled. Tony is in his 300 level and a point man for the Ayoni fraternity, a group of deadly cultists that wrecks havoc and reign of terror on members of the university community and its environs. He hardly comes to school or attends lectures, yet he passes his exams.Whenever he comes to school, it is either there is a new girl he is after, there is a hit, or to show off his new shirt, phone or car. Sammy’s phone rang, slicing through the tension. It was Mabel, one of his latest catches and a 100 level Economics student. “Hi babe, where are you?” “At the car park.” “Okay, walk right in.”  A few minutes later, she walked in. “Hi,” she said to Tony. “Hello,”hemuttered. She gave Sammy a hug. “Hi, baby. Have you been waiting long?” “Oh, yeah. How far? Did you melt it?” “Yes. It was as easy as ABC.”  He took the money and counted it before stuffing it into his pocket. “That’s my girl.” “I have to run along. Got some assignments to do.” “Okay, babe. See you later.” Tony’s phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and his face brightened. “Who’s that?” “Guess?” “Cynthia?” He nodded as he answered the call. “Hello Cynthia, been trying to reach you?” “Yes, I saw your missed call. I was in class then.”  “I thought as much.”  “Where are you?” “Edu block.” “Okay. I’m on my way.” Minutes later, she appeared. “Hi guys.     “Hi Cynthia,” Sammy said. “Babe, how far?” There was an expectant look on his face. “Did you tell her?” “Yes.She said she needs time.” He ran his hand through his hair and stamped his feet on the ground. “Time? What time again?” “Calm down. You don’t rush her type.” He swallowed hard. “But … but you should know how much I care for that babe. Look, we are wasting valuable time.” “I know. I will do my best. Just give me time.” He clenched and unclenched his fists. He had done everything humanly possible to attract Maya’s attention but all his efforts were like water off a duck’s back, so, he turned to Cynthia. He knew if anyone could do it, it would be Cynthia. Sammy clicked his tongue. “That girl’s too dey pretend joor.” Cynthia blinked. “What’s that?” “Don’t tell me say that her guy no dey straffam?” “Oh, shut the fuck up,” Tony barked. He was on edge. With his reputation in the campus, he could have any girl he wants, but Maya was proving a very bad example.  Cynthia let out a short laugh. “That babe is a virgin.” Tony’s eyes narrowed. “Serious?” “What kind talk be that?” Sammy smirked. “Lie, lie. I no fit believe that kind story.” “Na true I dey tell you.” He scratched his hair. “Just a sec, Cynthia do you mean she never do am before?” “Trust me. She is my friend. She be correct born-again.” He brought out his wallet, and selecting two one thousand naira notes, pressed it into her hand.“Buy yourself lunch with that.” Her eyes lit up. “Oh, thanks. Yes, that reminds me. She said I should thank you for the money.” Tony beamed. “Really?” She nodded. He counted out more money. “Give this to her. Tell her to buy lunch with that.” *** Many things were on her mind as she hurried to class. It was only two weeks away before the second semester examination began and she had yet to pay her school fees. Her daddy’s health, on the other hand, had not shown any sign of improvement and finances were tight. Chances were that she might not be allowed to write the examination unless a miracle happened. “Maya,” she heard Cynthia calling. She turned and saw Cynthia, Rose, and Oluchi. “Hi.” “Looks like you are in a hurry?” “Yeah, I have a computer class right now and you know how difficult he is,” she wailed. “Five minutes late and you won’t be allowed in.” “That man is a real pain in the neck,” Oluchi said. “I’ve not been to his lecture since this semester commenced and you know how he behaves. He will not pass you, no matter what you write in the examination if you did not put in, at least, 50% attendance and do all his assignments.” Rose chuckled. “Who told you that? No lecturer in this school is un-sortable if you know your way around.” “Lie, lie,” she cried. “Not J U. I was told he … he.” Cynthia laughed. “That’s a lie. If you know your way, you won’t fail any course.” Her eyes narrowed. “How?” “I made a B in his course last semester, yet I didn’t do any assignments or attend lectures.” She opened and shut her mouth. She thought Professor James Ugbaja or J U as he was fondly called was un-sortable. This was certainly coming to her as a surprise. “Are you serious?” “Do I look like a joker to you? Every lecturer has a price tag. It could be in cash or in kind.” “Or both, it depends,” Oluchi chipped in. “I …I can’t believe it,” she stammered, completely confused. If Cynthia who hardly stays in class or read her book could make a B in J U’s course, then they must be saying the truth. “You’d better believe it. But come, that’s not the reason why I am looking for you. I have a message for you.” “A message? For me?” “Yes.” “From whom?”  There was an inquisitive look in her eyes. “Chief Waju. Remember him?” Her face lost the inquisitive look. “Yes, what does he want? Thought I told you I’m not interested?” She fumbled in her handbag and brought out a brand new Blackberry phone. “He said I should give you this.” “What for, I mean, why? I don’t need a phone.” “Take it and stop asking foolish questions. It’s just a small gift. After all, he is not asking for anything in return.” She was silent for a second or two as she contemplated the situation. She needed a new phone badly. Her Nokia phone was more or less a scrap. The battery was weak and the buttons worn out. She could not browse or do assignments with it. Therefore, the offer of a new blackberry phone was a big temptation. “Are you sure?” “Sure. It’s one of the thingshe brought back from his trip to the UK.” “Thanks,” she took the phone and admired it. It was one of the latest versions in the blackberry family, a sleek looking piece of technology. “Tell him I said thanks.” “There’s one more thing, however,” Cynthia said, zipping up her bag. She held her breath. “Chief is throwing a party this Saturday and asked me to bring you along. I’ll see you on Saturday at 9 pm on the dot, bye.” “Just a minute,” she cried. “You don’t even know if I’m coming before running into conclusions. Tell Chief I’m not coming and that he should go to hell for all I care.” “Listen, baby,” Cynthia said and came closer. “You are throwing away an opportunity many girls on campus are dying for.Don’t you understand you have nothing to lose? After all, it is just a party, besides how do you think we manage to stay afloat? One of my boyfriends paid my school fees this semester. Another bought the car I am using, and Alhaji promised to pay my house rent. Get wise, you need it. I’ll see you on Saturday.” “Can I ask you a question, Cynthia?” “Go on.” “Seriously speaking, all these things you dey flingo, you no dey fear catching AIDS or getting pregnant?” “Me? Catch AIDS?” she laughed loudly. “But …but that isn’t possible. AIDS is for small shit babes. See,” she brought out a packet of condoms and waved it at her. “I got protection always.Got it?” She clicked her tongue. “That means nothing to me.” “That’s to you. To me, it meansprotection and protection means freedom and freedom is everything because it is the power to do or be anything.” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.” “Oops! Why?” “Seriously, I don’t see how a nearly weightless piece of a latex condom can possibly offer freedom or protection against AIDS or unwanted pregnancies.” She squeezed her face. “Meaning?” “Condoms are not foolproof. Besides, it offers only 85% protection.” The furrows on her face deepened. “What are you implying?” “There is nothing like safe or protected sex. Sex can be either licit or illicit. The only way to avoid contracting AIDS or getting pregnant is by abstaining from sexual activities until you are married and restricting it within marriage.” “Oh, do not feed me that crap. Abstinence does not work in real life. And you, of all people, should know that. So, let’s stop paying lip service to it.” “It works, Cynthia. Stop deluding yourself. Besides, condoms do have manufacturing errors. You can snag it accidentally with your fingernails, teeth or use it wrongly. It also creates a false sense of security and could lead to an increase in sexual activities and less careful choice of sexual partners.” “What are you saying then? Are you not implying that those of us who cannot abstain from sex should go skin to skin?” she was visibly angry. “That’s hardly a better option if you ask me.” “No, no, no,” she said hurriedly. “What I’m saying is …is that having access to contraceptives, condoms, and pills does not give you the right to abuse sex or your body.” “See Maya, these things are all part of growing up. I mean, you should have fun while you can. How do you think most of us survive? Just come with me to this party and I will show you how easy it is to make ends meet. Besides, I think it’s the right environment to meet those in the industry.” She cocked her ears at the last statement. She was right. She could get to meet those in the industry at the party. The words formed pictures in her mind immediately, and soon, appeared real. “I’d love to attend, but I don’t have anything suitable for parties.” “That’s no problem. I have lots of beautiful party wear.”