My Friendly Enemy Chp IV

Chapter Four: The First Warning Monday mornings always came too quickly.After a wonderful weekend, the thought of waking up early for school was enough to make any child grumble. That morning was no different. Before the sun had fully risen, my adopted mother was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast while humming one of her favorite hymns.The aroma of pap and akara filled the house."Clement!" she called. "You'll be late for school.""I'm awake!" I replied lazily, though I was still wrapped in my blanket.A few minutes later, I emerged from my room in my neatly ironed school uniform. My shoes had been polished until they shone, and my school bag was already waiting by the door."Eat first," my mother said, placing a plate before me.I hurried through my breakfast, not because I was hungry, but because I couldn't wait to meet Andrew. Every school day began with him knocking on our gate.As if on cue, I heard his familiar voice."CEO! Come out! We'll be late!"I sprang to my feet. "I'm coming!"Before I could rush outside, my mother gently held my wrist."Clement."I turned around."Yes, Mum?"She looked into my eyes with the same seriousness she had worn the previous day."Never forget what I told you."I smiled innocently. "I know, Mum.""No, you don't know." She sighed. "Just promise me one thing.""What is it?""No matter how much you love your friend, never allow anyone to replace your relationship with God or your ability to think for yourself."I nodded, though I barely understood what she meant."I promise."She kissed my forehead before opening the door.Andrew stood outside with his school bag hanging over one shoulder and a wide grin on his face."You're too slow!" he teased."I'm not slow. You're just too early."We both laughed and began our usual walk to school.The journey was one we knew by heart. We greeted elderly neighbours, avoided muddy puddles from the previous night's rain, and stopped briefly at a small shop where an old woman always smiled and gave us groundnuts."You two are always together," she said cheerfully."We're best friends!" I answered proudly.Andrew smiled but remained unusually quiet.When we arrived at school, our classmates welcomed us as they always did."CEO and Andrew have arrived!"Some of them laughed, while others joked that if one of us was absent, the other would probably stay home too.Our class teacher, Mrs. Adebayo, walked into the classroom shortly after the morning assembly."Good morning, class.""Good morning, ma!"She smiled."Today, we'll be choosing class prefects."Immediately, the classroom buzzed with excitement.Mrs. Adebayo explained that every pupil would write the name of one classmate they believed was responsible enough to lead.After everyone had voted, she counted the slips of paper one by one.The room fell silent.Finally, she looked up with a smile."The new class prefect is... Olaoshebikan Clement Enitan."My classmates clapped enthusiastically.I was too surprised to speak.Mrs. Adebayo called me to the front of the class and placed the small prefect badge on my uniform."Congratulations, Clement. I believe you'll be a good leader.""Thank you, ma."As I returned to my seat, I instinctively looked at Andrew.He smiled.He even clapped louder than everyone else."Congratulations, CEO," he said."Thank you!" I replied happily.I believed he was genuinely happy for me.I didn't notice the brief look that crossed his face when everyone else turned away.It lasted only a second.A smile on his lips...But disappointment in his eyes.No one noticed it. Not our teacher. Not our classmates.And certainly not me.That afternoon, as we walked home together, Andrew suddenly asked, "CEO... if we both wanted the same thing someday, who do you think would get it?"I laughed without thinking."Both of us."He looked ahead quietly."What if only one person could have it?"I smiled and threw an arm around his shoulder."Then I'd let you have it. That's what brothers do."Andrew smiled back."You're a good friend.""I know," I joked, making both of us laugh.But years later, whenever I remembered that conversation, I realized it wasn't an ordinary question.It was the first glimpse into a heart I never truly knew.

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