This chapter is dedicated to Fame_lanky for supporting this book since I first started. Thanks very much ❤️❤️

Chapter Eleven

CYNTHIA

My response is followed by astounding silence.

I stare down at my shoes, refusing to look at his face. Is he hurt? Annoyed? Or is he just surprised? I wonder what he must be thinking right now.

He removes his hand from my face and I can hear the shuffling of his feet, "You don't think I'm the one for you?" He asks, his voice uncertain.

I raise my head to look at him and I see that he is studying me carefully, a questioning look on his face and his eyes demanding an explanation.

How do I even begin to explain?

"John, I'm really sorry that I had to turn you down and I know you're confused by my response." He only watches me with a hurt expression, not saying anything. "I like you, I really do. You are nice, friendly and very cute. Most of our female classmates have a crush on you and some would even die to be in my position right now." He looks surprised at that statement and I smile.

Of course, he doesn't know all those lessons they are asking from him are just excuses to get closer to him.

"I feel lucky and even privileged that you like me and consider me worth having a relationship with but still, I just don't feel that connection with you. I honestly believe dating you will be a waste of time. I mean, we've known each other for two years and yet, I'm not in love with you. I don't want to waste our time."

My words are met with astounding silence. Did I say too much? I feel a pang of guilt within me and can't bear to look at him. How must he be feeling right now?

He surprises me by pulling me into a hug, "I understand." He murmurs into my hair and I start to breathe a sigh of relief until I realize what he just said.

What? He does?

I break out of his embrace and look at him with bewildered eyes, "You understand?"

"Yeah, I do. Your feelings aren't strong enough for me and you don't want to build a relationship on that so yeah, I understand. I only have to make you fall in love with me right? I only have to make you feel connected to me and get you convinced that I'm the one for you."

"And that's what I will do." He declares.

"From now on, I'm going to court you, Cynthia Williams." He announces with that cute, boyish, mischievous smile of his and I can only stare blankly at him.

Did he just say he is going to court me? And do I want that? For him to court me?

Grace's words suddenly rings in my ear; You can end up falling in love with someone that isn't your soulmate.

If that's true then can I end up falling in love with John even though I don't feel connected to him? Can his actions really make me fall for him? Grace said it's possible, so maybe I can really fall for him?

"I'll make you fall in love with me, Cynthia. Even if it takes years from now." He mutters silently, the words strangely sounding like a promise and honestly, it does nothing to sooth me.

Because what if I end up not falling in love with him?! Is he just going to keep trying? And he really just said years!

He smiles down at me and I return the smile. Only my smile isn't real at all, I'm actually weeping mentally.

What's this mess I've gotten myself into?

I meet his gaze and notice that he is looking at me in a weird way. I raise an eyebrow in question and he smiles unsurely at me.

"Are you okay? You look... err... disturbed." He questions worriedly.

Oh, you don't know the half of it. Disturbed doesn't even begin to qualify what I'm feeling right now.

And why do I feel disturbed instead of happy that he now wants to show his affection to me openly, I should be feeling all giddy and excited right now.

I try to give him a reassuring smile, hoping it doesn't look like a grimace. "Yes, I'm okay."

"I'm glad." He responds, starting to caress me again. "I am not happy with what happened between you and Michael yesterday." He says, suddenly changing the topic. "It took all of my willpower to not confront him but then I thought it wasn't my place to do so since we aren't even together."

You could have still defended me though.

I lean into his caress, loving the feel of his hands on my skin, "It's okay. I can defend myself and I think he learnt his lesson."

"Yeah, that was really brave of you but I don't want you getting involved with him. It'd be best for you to steer clear of him."

"He actually apologized today."

His hand freezes on my cheek and he stares down at me with astonishment, "He did? And you forgave him?"

He sighs in relief when he sees the shake of my head.

"Don't listen to him. I don't know what he is getting at by apologizing to you but I do know that the apology isn't sincere."

A phone suddenly rings and he groans, dropping his hands from my cheek and around me, he removes his phone from his pocket and rolls his eyes, "I probably should get going." He declares, sounding almost annoyed.

"Oh, okay." I respond. He says nothing for a while, his look softening as he looks at me and then suddenly pulls me closer to him again. I blink up at him, my heart jolting unsteadily at the unexpected movement and then my eyes widen slightly when he bends his head towards me.

Is he really going to kiss me right now?

"Breathe, Cynthia." He whispers and that's when I realize I'm holding my breath. I release it shakily and he chuckles, giving me an amused look. "You look like you are about to be devoured." He teases and I can only smile at him, unsure of how to react.

I'm pretty sure the reason I panicked was because I was about to have my first kiss and I had no experience at all. I didn't want to make a fool of myself.

He kisses me on the cheek just then and lets go of me again and I begin to feel a little pang of disappointment and... relief?

"I'll kiss you on your lips once you are my girlfriend." He states quietly and finally leaves the class. I place my hand on my chest to control the pounding of my heart. It was beating so fast from the near-kiss experience that I think it might just explode.

I'll kiss you on your lips once you are my girlfriend.

It had sounded like a promise. And in all honesty, I don't know if it will ever come to pass 'cause what if I never end up falling in love with him.

Why did I not think of the fact that he might propose to court me? It never even occurred to me.

The door to the classroom opens and I find myself turning immediately to see who it is.

Did he change his mind and decide to kiss me after all?

"Girlfriend!" A high-pitched voice calls out and I roll my eyes.

Never mind. It's just Grace.

I could hear her voice before I can actually see her and I'm already at the door before she decided it's time to step into the classroom.

"I was worried you fainted or something since John was already out of the classroom and you still remained there." She says and I can't help rolling my eyes. She hands me my school bag then we both step out of the classroom and she won't stop giving me this weird look and wiggling her eyebrows.

"So, you guys spoke, uhn?" She questions, still wiggling those damn eyebrows and having a sly smile on her face. "Tell me everything. I need to know."

"Don't smile like that." I say, hitting her gently on the arm.

She pauses all of a sudden and lets out an excited squeal, "Oh- My- God! Are you guys dating now?!" She asks, looking thoroughly delighted and I roll my eyes.

She's about to get very disappointed.

"No, we are not." I reply and the excitement drains so fast from her face, it's hilarious. I stifle back a laugh, just looking at her.

"Oh, so what happened then?" She asks with less enthusiasm. "Just tell me all the details."

I tell her everything that happened, not leaving any details like she wants. And when I told her that I had told him about how I really felt about us having no connection and him not being my soulmate, my response was a murderous glare.

"I really can't believe this." She huffs frustratingly. "So that's it? You guys are totally over? You decided being friends with him is better or what?"

"He said he's going to court me." I reply and she looks totally surprised.

"Are you for real? He's going to court you? Go back to the 90s?" I can see that she's beginning to get excited again.

"Yeah, probably." I reply and she grins.

"Now, that's what I'm talking about. I really like the guy's spirit, you know? He never gives up." She states like a proud mother.

Yeah, right.

We are already in the school compound and Grace goes quiet as we both notice a large number of students gathered around something.

Not interested in knowing what it is that has gotten their attention, I decide to continue towards the school gate but that's until I realize that Grace is no longer beside me but making her way towards the crowd.

God, that girl. I sigh and reluctantly follow her.

I get to where she is standing and as if she is waiting for me, she immediately grabs my hand and we gently push our way through the crowd until we are standing in front of what has the attention of the students. I stare in horror at the sight in front of me, my mouth falling open in shock.

Michael is hitting a guy who looks like he is going to pass out any minute and he doesn't look like he is going to stop soon. The look in his eyes is terrifying and it looks like he won't even care if the guy dies any minute.

I look around for his friends and see them in one corner, their faces mirroring mine, well, except Peter who doesn't really look terrified like the rest of his friends, but it is obvious he will rather be elsewhere.

Instinctively, I move forward to stop Michael from hitting the guy so he won't commit murder but Grace stops me.

"You are not getting involved with him again." She warns, giving me a stern look.

I look at her with astonishment, "He is going to kill the guy and no one is doing anything."

"Cynthia, you are already in a lot of trouble with him already and I don't want you to be at the receiving end of his fists instead. He is notorious for diverting his anger on whomever tries to stop him while he hits someone so just don't go."She explains but her explanation only riles me up.

"So you are saying I should just keep watching until he kills someone?"

She shrugs and I see a disappointed look on her face as she glances at where Femi and the others were standing, "Well, his friends aren't even doing anything. I don't think it's your place to stop him."

I look at the boy he is hitting and start to feel sorry for him. He is probably a junior judging by how young he is. There is blood splattered on his face and clothes but that doesn't seem to stop Michael as he still continues to throw punches at him.

I can't believe this was the same person who was asking me for forgiveness so meekly and quietly a while ago. I know he only apologized for show and looking at him right now, I don't regret rejecting his apology straight to his face.

"I wonder what the poor guy had done to deserve this kind of beating?" Grace asks concernedly as she watches the scene.

"I heard he stepped on Michael's shoe." The guy beside her answers and I turn to look at the guy with bewilderment. He just shrugs in response.

"What?!" Grace whisper-yells, a look of both confusion and astonishment on her face that I was sure mine mirrored.

Seriously?! He is going to kill someone because he stepped on his shoe?

The young boy slumps all of a sudden and everyone begins to panic. His friends take a step forward but they don't go further. They look helpless and at loss to do, all except Peter who wasn't even looking at the both of them anymore but is staring at... me?

Goodness! Why is he looking at me like that?

Without any expression. Just blankly.

I don't get to wonder about that for long as my attention returns to Michael who has now switched from punches to kicks and is kicking the boy all over.

Someone has to do something or this boy is really going to die.

"Enough!" I scream before I can talk myself out of it. Everyone immediately goes silent and turns to look at me. Even Michael's leg pauses in mid-air as he is about to deliver another kick to the boy.

"Cynthia, what are you doing?" Grace asks with a note of panic but I ignore her, she's not stopping me.

I rush over to the boy and bend over him, sitting him up and tapping him gently to see if he is still conscious. He groans in pain and winces when I touch his hands and I stare pitifully at him. I'm sure he has enough injuries to last a lifetime and all for something that isn't even reasonable.

"This is none of your business." Michael states coldly and I ignore him, gently helping the boy stand from where he is on the floor. When I see that he can stand alone, I walk towards Michael.

"What is your problem?!" I shout again, startling him and everyone else. "The boy didn't even do anything wrong and you want to kill him? That's so sick."

"Of course, he didn't do anything." He replies without a hint of remorse and my hands slowly fold into fists. I wasn't expecting him to admit that he beat him up for nothing and it makes me even more annoyed.

Just how much of a jerk is he?!

"So you knew he did nothing wrong to you and you still beat him up like he was a thief? Who do you think you are to go around beating people just because you feel like it?!"

Anger flashes in his eyes and he takes a step closer, "No, who do YOU think you are to keep embarrassing me in front of the students?!"

"What?" I ask, completely taken aback.

"You heard me. You think I hit him because I felt like it, well, yes I did. But do you want to know why I suddenly felt like hitting someone? It was because I was angry, angry that you - he says and points a finger at me - would turn down my heartfelt apology like that in front of everyone when in fact, you should be the one apologizing for slapping me!" He ends, raising his voice.

Heartfelt apology? Really?

"Everything that happened here is because of you." He concludes.

I look at him with disbelief, "Are you sure you are mentally okay? You just hit a boy who did nothing wrong to you and you are telling me now that you vented out your anger on the innocent boy because you felt like it? You are trying to make me feel guilty because it was my fault that I made you angry?" I ask with amazement.

He scoffs, "At least you understand."

Wow. Just wow.

I really just want to punch him in the face right now.

"You know, I have never seen someone as shameless as you are and it angers me to think you are someone students in this school actually look up to and see as an idol." I say but he only raises an eyebrow, an uninterested expression on his face.

"I never thought I would ever feel this kind of way towards someone but I guess you make it easy for me. And now, I say it with absolute conviction that I totally and utterly despise you. You disgust me." I spit in his face.

I make sure he can see just how much I loathe him by looking in my eyes and to let him know that I had meant everything I said.

The students scream all of a sudden and I turn around to see that the guy that was beaten has fainted.

Grace is bent over him and I quickly go to meet her.

"We should probably take him to the School Nurse." She says.

"No, school is closed. The Nurse has probably gone home, it would be better to have him taken to a hospital." I suggest and she nods in agreement.

"How do we get him there?"

I glance at the school gate, "My ride should be here already. I will ask Lanre to drive us to the hospital."

Together, we support him on our shoulders and walk with him to the school entrance. The rest of the students - including Michael and his friends - only watch as we struggle to carry him. None of them offers their assistance.

Thankfully, both our rides are already waiting at the entrance and we hurriedly put him in my car with the help of Lanre who looks confused at what is going on but doesn't ask any questions.

"How about Sam? Would he go with you?" Grace asks anxiously, glancing at the unconscious boy that is lying next to me in the car.

"No. You will have to give him a ride in your car from his school to my place."

"What do I tell Nanny if she asks for you?"

"Tell her we stayed for after-school lesson or practical. Just come up with something and tell her you offered to pick Sam instead, so Lanre waited for me."

Grace gives me an unsure look, "Why don't you just tell her the truth?"

"Because I would have a lot of explaining to do and I'm not ready for that."

"Lanre, let's go to the nearest hospital." I tell him and he nods, immediately starting the ignition of the car.

"Alright, take care of yourself. I really hope he doesn't die before you get to the hospital." Grace says and I give her a dead look.

"Why do you always think of the worse in any situation?"

"I'm just scared. I don't want you tagged as a murderer." She responds with concern.

"So what? Should I leave him here then?" I ask and she immediately shakes her head.

"No, of course not." She answers in a downcast manner. "Just be careful."

I smile reassuringly at her. "I will."

Lanre starts to drive but I hear her voice, "Let me know how it goes, okay?" She calls out.

"Okay." I call back, waving at her.

I glance at the boy again and begin to pray.

God, please don't let this boy die.

***

MICHAEL

I feel a hollowness inside my chest as I watch the both of them leave, carrying the boy that I was so close to killing just now.

The students that had gathered begin to disperse not long after, some of them murmuring something along the line of me ending up as a murderer.

The adrenaline I had felt while hitting the boy has worn off and in replacement is fear.

The fear that I might have actually killed someone.

The fear that I'm no different from my father.

I crouch and bury my face into my trembling palms and try to control my ragged breathing.

Why? Why do I lose control when I get angry? Why does my head scream bloody murder whenever I get annoyed?

I don't want that. I don't want to act like that when I'm angry, it makes me no different from my father.

And that's the last thing I want, doing the same thing I absolutely hate him for. Venting our anger on people that aren't even the cause.

I had even spoken out of annoyance to Cynthia and now, she probably hates me more than she already did.

Way to go, Michael.

"Are you satisfied now?" Wole asks, disappointment evident in his voice. I can already imagine the look on his face, the disapproval that is probably written all over it. And maybe also Femi's.

"He is probably regretting it. Don't make it worse for him." I hear Femi mutter gently.

"Then why do something he will regret in the first place? The worse thing is we can't even step in or else we will be at the receiving end of his fists and as someone who has been in that situation, that shit hurts."

"He has to stop behaving like he is the only one who has something going on for him. We all have family problems, as fucked up as that sounds, but do we go around acting like a brat because of that? No!" Wole rages.

"On top of that, he is trying his best to get involved with that Cynthia girl. I never supported it from the start and I still won't so I'd advise you to stop getting annoyed on issues concerning that girl and just get a grip on yourself. There's no way you can appeal to everyone in the first place."

He ends with annoyance and huffs, "Guys, you know what? I'm out of here."

The next thing I hear is his receding footstep and a groan from Femi as he mutters incoherent words to himself. I don't know if Peter is still standing next to Femi or is gone.

I remove my hands from my head, taking in a deep breath as I stand straight.

"Are you okay?" I hear Femi ask worriedly but I ignore him and head straight for the entrance. I'm in no mood to talk to anyone, I just want the privacy of my bedroom and the comfort of my bed.

He walks behind me for a while, calling after me but after getting no response from me, he stops and I'm the only one who continues to the entrance.

I wonder if Kunle and the guards are lurking nearby as I reach the gate but I don't see any sign of the cars. So I decide to walk the distance from school to our house, it isn't that far after all.

And so I begin my walk, taking slow strides as I go over the day's events in my mind.

Nothing went as planned. Nothing at all.

My plan to befriend Cynthia didn't work and I got into a fight with Dorcas, then to top it all, I just had to beat an innocent guy to a pulp.

I'm fucked up. So fucked up.

What even bothers me more is the fact that the most memorable thing that happened to me today was how Cynthia had rejected my apology.

Not the fact that I lost the person who helps me sleep at night or the fact that I hit a guy to the point of him possibly getting hospitalised but the fact that she had rejected my apology.

But why?

She doesn't look the least interested in me and it isn't supposed to bother me but it just does. And there's the fact that she humiliated me in the cafeteria. That's something I'm never letting go, not until I settle the score.

My mind goes to the boy again.

Is he alright? Did she get him hospitalised already?

I run my hands all over my head in frustration.

Just what is this mess?

A horn beeps next to me, startling me and I turn to see Kunle's head out of the Range Rover, watching me with uncertainty.

My eyebrows shoot up defensively as I meet his scrutinising gaze, "What?"

"I just saw you run your hands over your head and muttering something to yourself? Is everything okay?"

"Yes." I reply gruffly.

"Why are you trekking home? You could have just called me instead of walking."

What's with the annoying questions?

"Why do I have to call you? Isn't it your job to never leave my side? Why do I have to be the one looking for you?" I ask harshly.

He looks taken aback, hurt written all over his face.

Okay, maybe that was too harsh.

"Forget it." I add with a roll of my eyes and head towards the jeep. He scoots over for me in the car as I get into the car but not without occasionally glancing at my face.

He opens his mouth to say something but I quickly lean into the seat and close my eyes, telling him without words that I wasn't ready for any conversation.

I don't hear him say anything after that until he announces that we've gotten home.

***

So, thoughts anyone? Anyone?!!!

I've come to realise that many people don't like Michael's character and I really do not blame them. I just hope the chapters to come shed more light on his character and you begin to see just how fucked up he is.

Oh, and a lot of characters are going to end up getting hated in this book so... 😁😁. Lemme just keep quiet.

Don't forget to vote and comment o😌.

Until next time.

See ya 😘.