Happy new month....

It was noon the next day, and I was at Mo's place, we were preparing for the competition. Semiloore was all set and all we needed to do was get her to the venue on time.

There were no doubts that Semiloore was definitely going to be the most beautiful amongst the contestants. Her smile alone was enough to capture the judges heart, her dress was sent to her from her mom in Lagos and it was top notch, she would be wearing it when we get to the hall. The finest make up artist in school did her make up already, making her face look angelic.

I couldn't help but stare at her as I wore my clothes. I and Mo'agreed to wear matching outfits, the outfit was so so cute, and I also appreciated the thought of it. These girls didn't make me bother much about Toni, sincerely I was beginning to forget about her if not for the call I got yesterday.

I still couldn't find a reason why she acted that way towards me, my best friend for years? It was definitely not my fault, all I could really do was wonder why she reacted that way.

Why?

" The program will be starting in forty fiveminutes you guys should hurry up" Semiloore yelped. She was definitely nervous, because she had been on that high pitched voice for some time now.

" Calm down madam, we are done already" Mo' said. I smiled as I packed my essentials into my small bag.

" You seem so nervous ooo" I said

" Huh? My palm is all sweaty, I can't stop thinking of the different ways I'm going to embarrass myself" Semiloore said.

" You'll do great okay, just be yourself" Mo' encouraged.

" My real self is clumsy" Semiloore yelped again and I couldn't hold my laughter.

" It's okay ehn" I said.

" Will Ephraim be there?” Mo asked me.

" How am I supposed to know" I responded.

" Hmm, your names have become topics for gossip amongst the girls in our department ooo" Semiloore said.

" What are they saying?" I asked. This wasn't the first time I'm being gossiped about, infact I believe all my whole life what most people know about me must be from the gists they got from someone else. But this was the first time a gossip about me involved the opposite sex, so I was very curious.

" You want to know? I thought you didn't care ni" Mo' laughed.

I hissed " Just tell me already".

" Okay". Semiloore started. " Some people are saying that you guys are in a relationship. Other's are saying he really really likes you. And there are also some very very very very negative rumors flying around about you". She added.

" So those once are not the only thing they say about me? Interesting" I smirked as I sat down on the chair.

" Yeah, Fikayo and her friends are spreading it around that you're loose. You know nah, all those pastor's children that are really terrible. She said you follow boys around. Example, Ephraim and Damilare. She said really really horrible things dear". Mo' added.

" Fikayo as always said horrible things about me so I'm not surprised. It's just so annoying how many people will be saying same things about me, when they've never even spoken to me". I said, I was really frustrated and upset.

Fikayo was the one always spreading rumors about me, I don't know what wrong I had ever done to her. In my secondary school days, she took delight in sitting people down and telling them how proud and arrogant I was. She will tell them I'm fake and obsessed with always being the head.

As a perfect while in secondary school, one way or the other, she had gotten punishment from me because of her normal unruly behavior. She would go out telling others how I had intentionally wanted her punished and how my being perfect wasn't because I deserved it but because my parents were influential people.

Looking back now, I believe I've had enough reason to dig my fingers deep into her neck and yanking her head off.

" They don't deserve to know you Jemi, they don't deserve all this awesomeness" Semiloore said and that made me smile.

" Thanks" I muttered " okay let's go, you still have to wear your clothes at the back stage o". I said.

And with that, the three of us marched out of the room and into the car, my thoughts all through the drive being about Ephraim. I had to admit I had developed a soft spot for him, but I couldn't seem to place where those feelings belong, a simple crush, an infatuation or Love as my friends were guessing.

••••••••••••••

We arrived at the venue of the program, every where was all bubbly and all already. We walked into the hall and straight to the back stage, as we were about to enter, I heard someone call my name. I turned back and it was Ephraim jogging towards us, all eyes were now fixed on us, as most girls were giving me death glares.

That's what you get for stealing the heart of the school's prince.

I smiled as he approached us, the girls were already giggling behind me.

" Hey girls" he said as he got closer to us. He looked breathtaking and I had to be intentional about my next breath as my heart skipped beatsss. He was wearing a white T-shirt designed in the front. Denim jacket and trousers, and a white sneakers. The smell of his cologne was what was needed to make me droll over him. I couldn't take my eyes off him for a moment, even when he had started talking to my friends I just stood there staring and smiling sheepishly.

" Jemi, Jemi, Jemima" he called me, he had to tap my shoulders before I could get back to my right senses.

" I'm sorry", I said embarrassed, my face all flushed.

He didn't respond to me but just faced the girls. " I need to borrow Jemima, all of this night".

" What?” the three of us said simultaneously.

" Huh, Ephraim, you seem to have forgotten that I'm contesting and my friends have to be with me" Semiloore said.

" Yeah, and ALL the night?” Mo' asked.

" Yes Semiloore and Mo'. She'll still be here, but with me".  He said. " Like a date?" He added

My friends gasped in shock and laughed heartily. "If that's the case, please take her. We release her wholeheartedly" Semiloore said.

" Huh, guys. You know I'm still here right? I have my rights, right?" I said, as I looked at my friends.

" It's just for the night. The thing is I have something to tell you, more like to remind you". He said and the look in his eyes didn't help, there was no way I was rejecting his offer.

" Okay, okay then".

I watched my friends leave us and walk into the back stage. I stepped down the stage with Ephraim, as he walked me to where he was sitting.

Sitting down I asked.
" So what do you want to tell me" I asked as I was becoming nervous. I had never gotten such attention from an opposite sex since I was born. My hands were glued together as I was beginning to sweat. We were sitting really close to each other on the long beach and I could feel his hands brush mine at intervals.

" Chillax, it's still a long night" he said staring me in the eye and smiling. " You know there's a party right after the program right?" I nodded as my mind went to the numerous lectures my mom gave me about party and boys. On how I must not in anyway attend any party in school, on how boys device many many tricks to get their girls 'where they wanted them' in parties.

My mind went through all this as I wondered if I was about to be trapped or not. My head was telling me to get up and leave, but I remained glued on my seat staring at his face.

" What would you love to eat, let me get it while you watch the seats".

" Anything, anything" I stuttered as I swallowed my saliva.

" Okay, let me go get something for you". He said as he stood up and walked away. I took my phone from inside my bag and dialled Anne's number. I needed a confirmation that my worries were normal.

She picked up the call on the third ring.

" Heyy babe", she greeted in her cheerful voice.

" Hey Anne" I responded.

" How's your day going babe"

" Great, great. I want to ask you a quick question".

" Okay?"

" Should I be worried about Ephraim's asking me to hang out with him  all the night. And he said he has something to say to me".

She giggled and then responded. " Calm down baby sis, he might just want to hang out really. Don't let all the bad things mom told you about boys get to you". She explained " not all boys are perverts, and from all you've told me about this Ephraim guy he doesn't seem like that kind of person, so just calm down and enjoy the night".

"Okay"

" At least, you guys are around people right?”

"Yes"

" Just enjoy the program and root for your friend. And tell her I'm rooting for her too".

" Okay, I'll tell her".

" Enjoy your night with your crush" she said as she laughed loudly.

" No nahhhh, he's not my crush ooo" I argued.

" Continue lieing to yourself ehn. I have to go now. Take care of yourself my love".

" Bye" I ended the call.

Just then Ephraim arrived with a nylon, I smiled as he gave it to me. "Thank you, Ephraim" I said as I checked the content of the nylon. It was packed rice, some snacks and drinks in it.

" The snacks are for me" he said as he reached to take a snack, his hand slightly brushing mine. I felt a surge of excitement, and I smiled.

I took the rice and started eating, after I was done, the program started official. I was all charged for the cheers and claps, but I couldn't act out my plan totally as Ephraim stared at me.

I'm so grateful to all my reader's, you guys are really amazing. You sincerely don't know how I feel when I see your votesssss and your comments. That's the greatest reward a writer can get here on Wattpad. Hearing your opinions about the book makes me smile and I'm really grateful.

I can't mention you all, but my heart goes out to all of you.

But I'll love to appreciate these four people who have always made my day with their participation.

proudly_taurean  Yovela_avia oluwatobi_ DaniellaOgbole

I love you all.

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