I was going to do a double update as an apology for taking so long but-

•••

After a very long minute of awkward silence, Philips clears his throat before heading out of the class. The other boys follow behind him like bodyguards.

Nonso is about exiting the class but I pull him back by his sleeve. "What happened again?" I ask.

He yanks his arm from my hold somewhat aggressively making me blink in surprise. "Leave me. I'm coming." He says, hurrying along to close the distance between him and his friends.

"Did I say something wrong?" Joy asks once they're out of sight.

"Let's go see what's up." Enny says.

They leave the class at once and I follow a little sluggishly. Nonso hardly ever acts coldly towards me. He only acts that way when he's really upset about something. I wonder what it is about Philips' aunt that has him this upset.

We get to the school's driveway just in time to see Philips slap his aunt's hand from his shoulder.

"Philips, why would you do that?" Joy yells from beside me.

My neck snaps to her, shocked that she would interfere. She doesn't even look to care as she holds her repremanding look in place.

"Joy, I suggest you mind your business." Nonso says.

"Are you Philips? Is your name Philips?" She turns her scowl to my cousin.

I thought these ones already made up.

"I'm not going with you." Philips says, cutting off whatever reply Nonso was about to give Joy.

Janet doesn't seem affected by Philips' attitude towards her as she continues to smile. "Time is going. I'm your only ride home so just get in."

She enters into the driver's seat and slams the door. "Get your bag. I'll wait for you here." She calls through the car's window.

Sam scoffs, reminding me of his presence. He has a dark look in his eyes as he stares straight at the woman.

Even Steve seems to hold the same expression.

Nonso as well.

What am I missing?

And why exactly are we all standing in the school's driveway? I start to feel uncomfortable and intrusive. This is obviously a family issue.

"Joy, Eniola let's go. You people like amebo."

"Wait first. Why doesn't Philips want to follow her?" Enny asks.

"Didn't we come here together? How am I supposed to know?" I ask, my voice coming out a little irritated.

"Then shut up and let's find out."

Wow.

A familiar car enters into the school compound distracting everyone for a second.

"Is that not your mum's car?" Enny asks.

I nod, looking closer at the chubby woman navigating her way through the school's compound.

"Did your mum tell you she was picking us up today?" Nonso asks, suddenly appearing beside me.

"No." I reply, leaving to get my school bag.

When I return, mum is done parking her car.

"Ahan, my children! How are you all doing?" She asks in her oh-so-motherly tone. She comes down from her car before giving everyone except Nonso and I a hug.

My friends and Nonso's friends greet my mum with wide smiles. The tension from earlier on seems to have eased a whole lot and I send my mum an appreciative smile.

"You're now very big boys and girls o. Joy, Joy! How is mummy?" She asks, sending Joy a huge grin.

"She's fine ma." Joy replies, bending her knees a little.

"Eniola, my love. Oya come let's go, Chinonso, Amaka." She beckons for Nonso and I to follow her to the car.

I say a quick goodbye to Enny and Joy before following after my mum.

"Mummy, I didn't know you were coming to pick us today."

"Ehn. It's because I went to pick the little ones up from their own school. I just said let me pass by and pick you up as well."

Only when she says this do I notice my younger brother and Nonso's sister in the back seat of mum's car.

"Oh, okay ma."

"Aunty, Philips is coming with us." Nonso calls out from behind me.

I burst into a cough fit after accidentally choking on my own spit.

"Oh of course. Amy, are you okay?" Mum asks, directing her attention to me.

Ignoring her question, I turn to Nonso. "Coming with who to where?"

"His house is close to ours. Your mum is just going to drop him off. Philips, come!"

"Wait, what of his aunt? Let him follow her nau!" I whisper loudly to prevent Philips from hearing. Speaking of his aunt, I see her getting down from her car.

"What's your own? Enter car abeg." He replies just as Philips comes over.

"Thanks man." I hear Philips mumur to Nonso before shaking him.

"Anytime." He replies.

I turn to the eyes that are now on us.  The girls are giving me questioning looks. I simply sigh in annoyance.

Janet has a smile on her face, causing some amount of confusion settle in my head. Why is she smiling? She shakes her head before getting back into her car. She drives out of the school compound, leaving a small trail of dust flying behind her.

I shrug and am about to turn when I lock eyes with Sam. A smile involuntary finds it's way to my face.

He makes his palm into a telephone and places it on his ear. "I'll call you." His lips read.

My tummy flutters as I nod in reply.

"Amaka! Ogini di gi? Enter this car osiso!"[Trans: what is wrong with you? Enter this car fast!] I cringe at my mum's voice before hurriedly entering the car.

Maybe too hurriedly because immediately I enter the car, the feel of someone else underneath me causes me to squeal and jump out.

"Sorry. I didn't see you there." I blurt.

The smirk on Philips' face embarrasses me further.

"Enter this car nau!" My mum yells.

I grunt. "Yes ma. Shift please."

He scoots to the side, allowing a considerable amount of space for me to sit.

"Nonso, why can't you just go to the front seat?" I ask after shutting the door.

Mum's car is a Toyota Corolla which means we're all squeezed in the four seater back seat.

Nonso and I are at opposite ends while my little brother, cousin and Philips are in between us.

"Are you blind? Can't you see what is packed there?" He asks while scrolling through his phone.

I stretch my neck to see loads of bags containing God-knows-what propped on the front seat.

I sigh, letting my back rest behind me. In the process, my shoulder brushes Philips' causing my insides to tense.

This is going to be one long ride.

–

"Amy can you see? I told you University of Ibadan is a good school." Mum says and I suppress the urge to groan.

How many more minutes until Philips gets to his house? This is the most awkward ride I've ever been on.

Asides from the way my mum has been annoyingly trying to engage Philips in several conversations; from the course he wants to study in the university to what university he wants to go to and all that, my insides feel a little tight being this close to Philips.

I don't know why. Maybe it's just my hormones reacting to being in so close proximity with someone of the opposite gender– a very attractive one, might I add– or maybe it's because of what I'd seen him do in that class with Beatrice.

"Yes ma. University of Ibadan to me is the best federal university in Nigeria. No other school comes close. I've dreamt of going there since I was in JSS3." Philips says with a proud smile.

Shior.

"Can you see your mate? Amaka and Nonso, can you? I'm very sure the both of you don't even know what you want to study." My mum says without taking her eyes off the road.

This time, I don't suppress my groan. Philips has on a satisfied smile, making me feel like punching him in the face.

"Idiot." Nonso says to Philips and they both laugh.

Philips' phone rings and my eyes are fast enough to catch the caller ID before he can turn it off.

Why doesn't he want to answer Janet's call?

"Ma, would you mind if I stopped by your house instead? I need to collect my Government note from Amaka." Philips suddenly says.

Oh God.

"There's no problem. That is even very good. You can also join us for dinner."

Ehn??

"Thank you ma." Philips replies before glancing at me.

I don't even know what to say so I just bury my face in my palms.

Great. Just great.

•••

A/n

Keep spamming me with votes and comments. I love it! I literally squeal every time that happens.

See you in the next chapter <3