JOEL'S POV

"Dude, that was really cruel, you know." Charles said as we walked into the hall together. My parents were yet to come and Charles was going home on his own so we still had time for a little chat

"What did I do wrong?" I feigned innocence.

"You know what you did wrong. You intentionally asked her about her score in public just to embarrass her." Charles replied. I looked at him and saw that he was a little annoyed. Then I remembered that he liked her.

I chuckled. "I didn't do it because of fun, Charles. I did it to put her in a place, something you guys can't do."

"Okay, maybe Zaria is a bit selfish and all, still you shouldn't have done that." He countered.

"If someone doesn't do it then she will keep walking over us. She will think she's better than everyone so someone has to prove her wrong. I had to do it and again, I didn't do it for fun." I said with a tone of finality.

My mum walked in through the door, "Hey sweetie." She hugged me and planted a kiss on my cheek. "I have been looking everywhere for you. I'm so sorry I came by late, I had to finish some things at work."

"It's okay mum, Charles kept me company." I nudged Charles in the side. He had been staring at my mum since she walked in. I wouldn't blame him though, the woman was too pretty for her own good.

"Oh, so this is the Charles I have been hearing about." Mum smiled at Charles. Charles suddenly turned a slight red and because of his complexion it was obvious.

"Good afternoon ma." He bowed his head slightly.

"How are you boy?"

"Fine, ma." Charles replied. After the pleasantries, mum offered to drop Charles off since his house was close to our estate. As we walked to the car, Mum was in front while Charles and I walked behind her.

"Guy, you mum is fine as fuck!" Charles said just loud enough for only me to hear.

"Thanks. But seriously dude, she is my mum. That's a no-no." I teased
.
"What do you take me for na?" He elbowed me in the side. I laughed as I moved forward to catch up with my Mum

***

Soon we got home and I went to my room. Dad was still at work so it was just my mum and I at home. I sat on my bed and brought out my laptop.

Opening Facebook, I searched for Zaria Coker. I just want to know more about her, I whispered to as if trying to convince myself that I wasn't acting like a stalker.

I found her account easily, her pictures weren't something that could be missed. I went through her profile; there were lots of pictures of her representing Limes Light in competitions and her getting trophies and medals at the end. I also saw pictures of her with Lyla, Ada and some other guys from school.

The knock on my door interrupted me.

"Come in." I said before shutting my laptop. My mum's head popped in with a smile playing on her natural pink lips.

"Sweetie, I need your help to prepare dinner." She stated.

"Alright mum. I would be down in a minute." She nodded and left.

I got down to the kitchen and started helping mum make dinner. With the looks of it, we would be eating Amala for lunch. She has gotten so good in cooking Nigerian traditional meals.

"So, Joel. Tell me about school today." Mum said.

I chuckled. "Well school was fun and uneventful. We had our physics test today and I had a ten. Almost everyone did though." I replied.

"Well done. If you keep this good grades up, I am pretty sure you would be the best student in your set." Mum said.

I decided to talk to her about Zaria, I could use the opinion of an adult. "Mum, I want to talk to you about something. I need your opinion." I leaned against the kitchen island.

"You know you can talk to me about anything." She smiled and went on to ruffle my hair with her free hand.

"Okay." I nodded. "There is this girl..." I started. Her eyes widened.

"There is a girl already?! Joel, I love you and I want your happiness but I wouldn't want another Tiana in your life." She said sharply. I laughed, she never stops to amaze me.

"Mum, I don't have a girlfriend neither am I crushing on any one at the moment." I told her.

"Well, that's better. Though I am not against you being in a relationship, I just want you to be sure about it and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know, mum." I smiled.

"So tell me about this particular girl you do not have a crush on." She smirked.

"Okay. Well, her name is Zaria Coker. I am not going to lie mum, she's beautiful but she hates me." I started.

Her face pulled into a grimace, "Why? I mean who wouldn't love you? You are so adorable."

"Well, someone that has been the best in the set all her life and feels threatened that I would take it away from her, which I actually might." I replied.

"Oh, but that's not enough reason to hate you." Mum chipped.

"She's really bent on being the best. She is really conceited and selfish sometimes, I actually feel there is more to it."

"I guess you are right because for her to feel that way about her scores then there must be something else to it. Maybe being the best was her escape from something only known to her. You coming into the picture as ruined it for her and she's scared of being vulnerable. It might not be her fault." mum explained.

"True that." I nodded in understanding.

"Try and get to know her. I am pretty sure she's a nice girl on the inside." Mum, kissed my cheek and returned to cooking.

"Thanks mum." I smiled at her and she smiled back.

Seems like operation 'get to know Zaria' is a go!

☆☆☆☆

Zaria's POV.

I was frozen on the stairway. His eyes bore into mine with that sly smirk still on his lips and the familiar glint in his eyes. My eyes accessed him.

He muscular than when I last saw him five years ago. He now had so much facial hair than the goatee he was keeping that time. He pierced his ear as well, I could see the studs on both ear. I could also see the tattoos on his right arm, peeking from underneath his sleeve.

He looked different.

And no, not in a good way.

"Won't you come and greet him properly?" Father's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Uncle." I muttered, looking away from him.

"It's really nice to see you again, Zaria. We have a whole lot of catching up to do." Sam said and winked slightly. I didn't miss the tone in his voice, it was one he had used on me so many times.

"Father, I would be in my room." I said. I didn't wait for his reply before I sprinted back to my room, I closed my door and leaned against it.

What the hell is he doing here? Why did he come? What does he want? Questions ran through my mind.

I walked to my mirror and stood in front of it, speaking to myself. "Calm down Zaria. Everything would be fine, just ignore him and stand strong. Don't let him see a weak side of you. You are brave, you are smart, you are beautiful, you can get through this. You can stand up to him." I rapped.

"Seems like you are still doing your routine."

I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard the deep voice behind me. I saw Sam through the mirror, leaning against my door.

Why the hell didn't I lock the door?!

"You are not supposed to be in my room. So please, can you excuse me?" I snapped. He chuckled as he walked in and closed the door behind him. I stiffened as a flash of memory went through my mind. It was like deja vu. I tried to intimidate him by standing my ground but he was doing the exact same thing by moving closer to me.

"Can't I say hi to my favorite niece? This is no way to treat your uncle." He feigned sadness.

"You have said hi already. Can you now please leave my room?!" As much as I tried to look strong, my voice quivered. Sam chuckled, the sound was deep and rich. He closed the distance between us and ran a finger down my exposed arm. I cringed at the contact.

"Like I said earlier, my sweet pumpkin, we have a lot of catching up to do." He leaned in, his lips brushed my ear lobe making a chill run down my spine. "I have so missed this..." He kissed my neck, running his tongue slightly on it. I whimpered.

"Zaria, I'm home." Aisha's voice called from the living room. I sighed in relief, pushed Sam away from me and ran as fast as I could down the stairs.
"Oh Aisha! I have missed you so much." I hugged her. There was a surprised look on her face but she hugged me back.

"Okay... this is really weird. How much do you need?" She asked me because the only times I hugged her like that was when I was in desperate need of money but at that moment, I was just so glad she was back.

"I don't need any money, I am just so glad you are back!" I replied her.

"But you saw me this morning." She still looked shocked.

"Aisha." Sam's voice rang from the foot of the stairs.

"Sam! Wow, you are here." Aisha went to him and both of them hugged. Sam was the last born from my father's side and he was in his late twenties. My granddad was a strong polygamist which gave him children young enough to be his grandchild.

"Yup. I am spending some time with you guys, at least till I am done with my PHD program." He looked at me with a sly smile on his face. I looked away feeling uneasy.

"That's good then. I need someone around my age to talk to." She pouted her lips at me and I made a face.

"No problem. I will be here for a very long time." He glanced at me subtly.

I am in so much trouble.

A/N

I am just going to say few words

Things are a getting interesting.

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Kisses.