The Skirt........ Envy

ME AND AN OLD CLASSMATE...

I met a few new students who, like me, had transferred from federal schools. We bonded almost immediately. It felt familiar. Safe.

Not long after, I got a school mother.  she gave me one of her skirt, she thought the school skirt i wore made me look like a jew........ I remember walking around school, swinging my little hips with full federal steeze, feeling myself.

That was the begining of my troubles.....

Even before she officially left, that skirt became the skirt.

My skirt made a statement, Plus I was very particular about my looks and surroundings, My white was screaming WHITE, My shoes always black, and that skirt was .....

Around that time, I grew close to a particular girl. She seemed really nice at first. After midterm, she would bring me gifts often. Slowly, I fell for her spirit. I knew I wanted her as my best friend, and she became exactly that.

I confided in her about everything. She had access to my locker. She didn’t even need to ask if she needed something, it was that free between us.

That was our friendship.

At school, I was a certain kind of person, the way I carried myself drew attention. A lot of guys liked me. Somewhere along the line, my friend got carried away.

That was when my skirts started disappearing.

One Monday morning, a day I will never forget, I woke up ready for classes. My white shirt was neatly hung by the side of my bunk. My shoes were polished and placed exactly where I left them. Everything I needed was there, except my skirt.

It was gone.

I searched everywhere. I cried. I was confused. I couldn’t go to class because I had no extra skirt. I ended up in the sick bay, pretending to be ill.

After school, I reported the issue to my school mother and one of her friends, who was visibly upset. My mates even got punished as the Seniors knew it had to be taken by one of them, Eventually, one of her classmates lent me a skirt, which I wore for some time.

Half is better than none, abi?

Then, two days later, a student called out.

“Senior Nero, we’ve seen your skirt.”

By this time, the whole hostel knew about the drama. Some people probably thought I was possessed. Someone even told me this was how water spirits the so called Mami water people called their own.

She ltterary called me mami water, CHCHI I am coming for you.... lol

When the skirt was found, it was soaked in green spirogyra, slimy, irritating, and foul-smelling. Till today, I can still remember the stench.

My mates rallied around me, soaked it in detergents to get rid of the smell, Oh they did a lot, just to make sure "Nero's Skirt no loss"

After that incident, the skirts kept disappearing. Over and over again.

Eventually, a teacher got involved. He said,

“I will use my own money to replace this skirt. Let’s see who steals it.”

It almost felt like he placed jazz on that skirt, because for two whole terms, it did not go missing once.

Then I had a fight with that girl.

And suddenly, the skirt disappeared again.

This time, I found it before classes. It was hidden inside a classroom ceiling.

After that, I lost three medicated glasses and several items of clothing. But the disappearing skirt remained the highlight of it all.

I wouldn’t even call her a kleptomaniac. This was deliberate. She knew exactly what she wanted and exactly who she wanted it from.

My skirt never went missing when we were on good terms.

That’s when I understood who she really was.

The envy was loud.

Lessons From the Almighty Missing Skirt

1. Not everyone close to you is for you. Access does not equal loyalty. Sometimes the people who smile with you know exactly how to hurt you.

2. Envy often hides behind affection. Gifts, attention, and closeness can sometimes be masks for jealousy and resentment.

3. Pay attention to patterns, not apologies. What keeps repeating is usually the truth trying to reveal itself.

4. Boundaries protect what matters. Being generous with access does not make you kind, it can make you vulnerable.

5. Your light will always disturb insecure people. When someone cannot dim you, they may try to take from you instead.

This wasn’t just about a missing skirt. It was about discernment, self awareness, and learning early that not every friendship is rooted in love.

I have forgiven her anyways, i hope she has forgiven herself....