Jack has been my friend for almost two years now, we lived in the same hostel and we got to school together, Jack was the funny, party and enjoyable type of guy that loves to go out and party. He wasn't dumb neither was he intelligent as I have never seen him read his books for an exam but somehow he finds a way to pass, at first I thought it was malpractice but as I watched him closely in the exam hall Jack never participated in such.
It was the final year and we were given an assignment to defend and I have been tirelessly reading for this project meanwhile my friend Jack has been going to party all night Long.
"This one that you are reading like this what's happening" Jack asked
"Have you forgotten that we have a project to defend in the next three days" i said reminding him of what is at stake
"Oooh that, leave that thing abeg we get our runnings to do" he said in pidgin language confident of himself
"Na u sabi "(its your choice). I replied him.
The D day was upon us and we were all shaking with fear from what may happen, because the project was a huge determinant in our result for the final year and most of us were not yet ready.
Two hours gone and the teacher was not yet in the class, we were all wondering and curious about why he hasn't come. While we were still talking and unaware of his sudden lateness suddenly our principal arrived to the class and announced the shift of the project to the next two days, we all were Happy and most especially it gave us more time to prepare.
A day to the presentation and I was concerned about what Jack would present as he has been living like a drunker and always going to party late in the night and so I talked to him out of concern
"Jack, I called out of concern"
"Yes bro any problem" he replied staggering like a drunker as he was preparing to go out.
"Since they gave us this project to work on I have never seen you open your books to read" i confidently asked him waiting for his reply.
"I have been busy lately" he replied me
"Doing what, or is it the party that you go every night that keeps you busy" i answered him trying to put some sense into his head.
" Look my movement is not your concern and I don't like being monitored " he said while keeping his head up high behaving in an absurd manner.
" You can't keep on living like this" I said still concerned about him but he didn't feel any remorse for himself.
"Bro I have my life figured out, I don't need your concern" he replied me and moved out.
I spent all night reading and studying the tactics on how to give a well detailed and good presentation while my friend was busy flexing life. In order not for me to forget anything I wrote all my thoughts, my opinion and the main presentation on a book where I usually keep close to me.
I knew I was going to present one of the best ideas in the presentation but it all changed in a day.
"Bro how far, have you done your project finish" jack asked me
Curious as to why he was suddenly interested in the project I answered him " yes am done, this one that you are now interested in the project what changed you mind"
"Nothing bro, i was just confirming if you were ready for the project presentation" he answered feeling more concerned.
I wondered why he had such a change of attitude and concern towards the project, maybe it was because of the talk I talked to him i assumed in my head not knowing there was more to his sudden swing of attitude.
As I sat confidently in front of my classmate, about to present my project i felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. Days of hard work and dedication has gone into producing this project and I was eager to share it with the whole class. For an unknown reason my friend name was before mine and just as he began to speak I felt a sense of betrayal as I watched him presenting an eerily similar idea as his own.
My heart sank and my mind was racing , as he continued with his presentation i realized that he has not only stolen my thunder but robbed me of a chance to prove myself. I tried to compose myself but the feeling of being undermined lingered. The class praised Jack, and i felt like I have been robbed of an opportunity.
When my turn came I presented the same thing and it looked like I was the thief while Jack was the source and I was marked poorly for that. Later I confronted Jack who claimed to have been working on the project independently but I wasn't convinced.
"Jack, why did you present my idea as yours" I asked still Furious at what he did.
"What are you talking about, i didn't steal your idea" he said trying to deny it but the truth was very clear.
"The day before the presentation I saw you going through my bag, what were you doing that day" i asked wanting to get to the final end of this matter
"I was only checking your stuff for my pen" he replied with an expression on his face that he was obviously lieing.
In an effort to convince me ge didn't do anything i was still sure that he was the one and so I didn't even try talking much or listen to what he has to say because the handwriting was already on the wall and I saw it clearly and so I took a decision to leave the hostel and that was how our friendship ended.
Weeks passed and I didn't see Jack in school not that I cared but I was only curious,after much enquiry from his friends i found out that Jack was in prison why? Because he was found stealing someone work as his own and I wasn't surprised because it was what he did to me, weeks turned to months and months turned to years and I never saw Jack up till today.