~•FISAYO•~

"He said you wanted to talk," I say to Wale, referring to Korede who is now at the tile of the pool, having a tongue war with Nini. I face Wale once more. "What's up with you?" I ask. "You barely said a thing in the bus," I continue, starting at his brown eyes. I try not to get lost.

"I uh, I know," he says. "And I wanted to apologize to you," he says. I'm confused.

"Apologize for what?" I ask, wondering what the hell is up.

"For, um..." he scratches his head a bit. "Nifemi and I are dating,"

I laugh. It's really funny.

"I'm serious," he says. "I didn't want to tell you because I just feel I need a little space and you do too. I dunno, do you ever feel you can't do anything else outside..." he trails off. "Nevermind," he shrugs.

"I never restricted you from dating anyone. You sound like being friends was like a cage to you," I say, truly hurt by his words.

"That's not what I said!" he declares.

"But that's what it meant," I retort angrily, fighting back the tears that try to betray me. It's hard to conceal them beneath my eyeballs but as always, I try.

"No, Fisayo. I didn't mean that. I just feel we need some space," he says rather apologetically.

"Away?" I ask silently, almost a faint whisper. Almost as if wanting him to not hear me so I don't have to hear that 'yes'.

"You obviously don't feel the same way I do," he says and looks down.

Because I'm into you.

"Maybe," I said, mustering up all courage and dignity in me to not let these tears fall. A gentle breeze blows by and dries my eyes up.

"Fisayo, I'm sorry if it came out wrongly. It just always feels different," he says and I don't know what to say anymore. "If you want me to break up with her, I will. Because you're my best friend," he smiles.

"That'd be stupid," I roll my eyes. "She's really into you," I add with a smile. "I'm your best friend and I say you'd date her if it really makes you happy," I smile. "I mean, now I can say yes to Daniel," I say and realize I just let it slip.

Oh shit!

"What? Daniel asked you out?" he asks immediately. "You're joking," he adds. I smile lightly.

"I turned him down because..." I trail off. "I wasn't sure. You should totally take Nifemi to prom," I add, still fighting back those hot aggressive bowls of tears.

"Fine then,"

"Cool,"

"Okay,"

"See you," I say last and walk away.

•••

"It hurts so much!" I say, tears rushing down my face like adrenaline through a five-year-olds body. Well, not if that five-year-old got nothing for Christmas. I feel like I'm that five-year-old.

"Stop crying already," Dara says. "He doesn't know you like him. How do you want him to know when you act so uptight around him," she adds and sighs.

"I don't act so uptight," I argue between sniffs of tears, my chest aching anytime I remember Nifemi is going to be the one holding Wale, kissing him, being with him most of the time. I'm just gonna be some pesky third wheel.

"Then smack him on the lips to prove your point!" she says acidly and shuffles her slippers, putting them on. "I have to check the spaghetti," she says and leaves the room. Adeola walks in.

"You're acting very foolish by sitting here and crying," Adeola says as she refills my cupboard with sanitary pads and sits beside me. "He's just a guy to start with. Your best friend for that matter. What's so wrong with telling him how you really feel?" she asks.

"What if he doesn't feel the same way?" I reason with uneasiness in my tone.

"Then he should fuck off!" she fires acidly.

"I don't want to lose a best friend,"

"And what if you gain a boyfriend in the process?" she asks with her lips pursed in a single line. "What if, Fisayo?"

"I don't know!" I whine once again and let the tears roll down my eyes.

"Well you should," Seun says as she finally gets her face from her phone. I turn to her.

"So just like that, you aren't going to prom with Wale? Just because of your sheer act of stupidity?" she says and I eye her mercilessly before hissing. Although I look possessed while at it.

"It's the truth," she says. "Ask him to the prom! Even if he's decided to date that Nifemi girl I don't like even if we haven't met. Ask that boy out!" she says firmly like it's so easy to stand in front of Wale and blurt out those heavy words.

"I can't. I'm scared- "

"Of what?" Adeola and Seun thunder.

"He makes me stutter," I reply shyly and they both hiss heavily at me.

"Stutter ni stutter kor," Adeola says and rolls her eyes. "It's because you're still a teenager," she says and I sigh.

"I'm serious," I plead. "He brings these butterflies at the depth of my tummy, he makes my head go dumb - "

"Like it naturally is," Seun interrupts. I hiss and continue.

"He makes me smile at every word he says and stare at his lips lustfully every time he's talking to me. He makes me yearn for his body. My brain slows down when he's around. I don't know. I just - "

"Tell the boy. Just walk up to him and say, Wale I don't know exactly how you're gonna take this, but I have a big crush on you. Simple. Now you go to that door and act like it's wale. Tell him how you feel," Adeola says and I hesitantly stand up and head to the door.

"Wale - Wale I don't know how to say this. I think I - I think I - "

"Stop thinking and tell him how you feel already!" Seun yells. I sigh.

"I think I have a crush on you. I really, really like you. Trust me," I finally blurt and wait for his reply. I can already imagine his stunned expression.

The door opens and the first thing I see is Wale's face popping into my scattered bedroom. "You do?"

My face flushes red in embarrassment as I turn away immediately, hoping it's all just a dream. What if he doesn't feel the same and I just wasted my time? What if -

"I feel the same,"

Don't forget to vote and comment❤💨