I'm not gonna make it alone

I enjoyed all those privileges until I got admitted into the University and had to leave for a different state. For the first time, I saw two of my guys who had claimed to be strong men struggling to hold back tears and display emotions.

I kept my space when I got to school, avoiding the set of people who resumed first and acted like the matrons for others like me who resumed later. They would walk around seeking unfamiliar faces, ask if you were a new student, and offer to show you around or fill you in on what had occurred during your absence. Most of those people became friends after a while. I wasn't in for all that drama.

The only form of relationship I had was with the representative of my class whom I constantly went to meet for whatever detail or information I needed.

Then I met Treasure.

I sat beside her in class one afternoon when the sun was flexing its hot muscles upon us. There was no power supply so we were all distracted and uncomfortable. In that unhealthy environment, Treasure rose, excused herself from the class, and returned a few minutes later with some cold sachets of water in a paper bag.

"Here" she took one out and offered it to me, a smile uplifting her beautiful, chubby cheeks. I turned questioning eyes to her

"You're sweating profusely, this would help".

I couldn't refuse because I needed some relief from the heat, so I took it, thanked her, and had a sip. My teeth rattled but I barely noticed because there was a refreshing feeling going through my entire body. It was like someone turned an AC on after a long walk in the desert.

I thanked her again and took greedy gulps until the entire sachet was gone. I caught her staring at me in wonder and gave a sheepish smile, quite embarrassed. She giggled and I joined in. That class was over for us.

"Did you just resume? I don't think I've seen you in class before" She kept that smile on her face making it so comfortable talking with her.

"What? No. I resumed about a month ago"

"You've got to be kidding me" We stopped instantly, pretending to be taking notes when the lecturer began walking down the aisle as if toward us.

"You know what?" She whispered "We'll talk after the class. Let's not attract this man's wrath"

That was exactly what I had been trying to avoid all semester; unnecessary familiarity with my female colleagues.

"Umm…I don't know about that. I have to hurry home. But we'll get to talk eventually"

She shrugged, no hint of disappointment evident in her expression. When the class was over and I rose to leave, she called me back.

"Wait…what is your name?"

"Treasure" I answered nonchalantly. I was going to leave but when I saw the mesmerized look on her face, I knew something was wrong.

"Is everything okay?"

"My name is Treasure too". And that was the jinx.

As she sat before me now with tears dripping endlessly from her eyes after seeing the video of us I had compiled and sent for her birthday, I remember all the times we sat together to make plans on how we would make a lot of money, take care of our moms, get the latest cars, be up to date with our wardrobes, travel to anywhere we wanted and find love…together.

Truly, I had found a companion and couldn't have made it this far with my writing or acting career without her voice cheering me in the background;

"It's what you've loved since you were little, you have done it excellently several times and you will do it better this time. Go for it!"

"Happy birthday Treasure" There were tears in my eyes too.

I hoped the song I had used for the video would adequately communicate how I felt about her and our friendship. So as she turned her eyes back to see it for the umpteenth time, I mouthed the lyrics along not because I wanted to impress her, but because I truly meant the words.

Cause you are that someone who gets me like no one else right when I need it the most Alan Walker & Ava Max - Alone, Pt. II

And I'll be the one you rely on, a shoulder to cry on, a friend through the highs and the lows

I'm not gonna make it alone…".