Helloooo! How are y'all doing?

Hope Ramadan is going well for those that are fasting? The Lord is your strength 🤲🏾.

So sorry for the late update 😪. Another apology as usual.

Let's hope you like the chapter.

Happy reading!!!

Chapter Forty Four

MICHAEL

You could say I was pretty much out of it for the rest of the day.

And what makes it even better is the fact that Cynthia seems to be feeling the same way.

I can't believe I kissed her.

And what's even harder to believe is that she allowed it.

That scene keeps replaying itself like a broken CD in my head. All through the late lunch Wole decided to sponsor and through our ride back home, it was all I could think about.

The guys probably asked me up to a thousand times if something was wrong with me and Wole being Wole had this skeptical look on his face the whole time as he looks from me to Cynthia numerous times, trying to piece whatever puzzle is in his head together.

Although I didn't tell them what had happened because I want the moment to solely be mine, I can't help thinking of how Peter or John would feel if they find out.

Would that give them enough reason to back off?

We finally arrive in school and people's respective rides to their homes are already waiting. I could see Kunle leaning against the familiar BMW and I'm grateful that he didn't bring the other bodyguards along.

Cynthia and Grace linger around the class teacher for a while before the class teacher finally leaves. I watch Femi approach Grace boldly and give her a peck on the lips.

I smile as Grace bursts into giggles, hitting Femi playfully and almost burst out laughing when Cynthia rolls her eyes and gives them a dead look.

Like I didn't just kiss her far more intensely than that moments ago.

Like I wouldn't give anything to approach her and kiss her again.

I tell everyone goodbye and they all reply except Cynthia who only looks at me. We share eye contact for five seconds, her face unreadable before she finally looks away.

An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach as I watch her walk away with Grace and it keeps growing as I walk towards Kunle.

Does she regret it?

Was that why she looked like that?

The drive home is in total silence with Kunle sending glances at me through the rearview mirror but he knows better than to try to ask me what's wrong.

"How was your reach out program?" Is the first thing Maggie asks me as soon as I step into the house and she sees me.

"Fine." I reply absentmindedly and trudge towards my room, not waiting for whatever more questions I know she has for me.

I see her throw a questioning look at Kunle who enters into the house after me and he just shrugs in response.

As soon as I get to my room, I lay down on my bed thinking about everything that had happened today.

From getting ignored by her in the beginning of the day and then getting scared when she suddenly went missing to finally kissing her, today was surely a rollercoaster of emotions.

But the excitement that is buzzing in my body from kissing her is slowly being diminished by the look in her face when she had looked at me.

Is she annoyed at me?

Does she not like the fact that I kissed her?

Was that why she gave me that blank look?

But she kissed me back. She even kissed me the second time.

So am I just over thinking it?

Ugh! It has never been so hard to kiss a girl. There's just nothing that comes easy with her.

At this rate, I might end up losing my mind.

I sit upright on my bed and take in a deep breath before exhaling slowly.

'Let's be positive and focus on the good aspect.' I tell myself and nod in agreement.

Whatever might have gone through her mind at that moment, I don't know but what I do know is that I had kissed her and she had kissed me and it was one hell of a kiss and that mean she is at least attracted to me.

What I have to do now is to make good use of this period and make her fall even deeper for me until she is finally mine.

Only then do I feel that all those boys surrounding her will leave her alone.

And only then will Peter end whatever sick game he is insisting on playing.

With that determination in mind, I head towards the bathroom.

***

CYNTHIA

I kissed him.

I kissed him.

I kissed him!

I KISSED HIM!

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

I muffle that scream into my palms, totally pretending not to notice the weird look Grace is giving me and the fact that Michael is glancing at me occasionally.

Well, to his credit he also seem out of it.

"What exactly did you guys talk about?"

Grace asks and I can hear the underlying meaning in the tone she just used with me.

She knows something happened but I guess she doesn't want to make assumptions.

And I honestly don't know how or what to feel or what to even tell her.

I kissed him and yes, it felt amazing. I always knew I was connected to him, it wasn't hard to realise that and the kiss we just shared?

It only confirmed that.

The problem is how do I deal with the aftermath.

For crying out loud, he is still in a relationship. He might say he's tired of her but it doesn't necessarily mean he is breaking up with her.

And then John?

I don't even know where to start thinking from about him.

I let out a small whimper, my palms still covering my face.

Why did we just complicate things?

Throughout the journey back to school, I keep wallowing in self pity and thinking of what to do.

Then just before we get to school, I come to a decision. Until everything is sorted out, whatever happened today was a mistake.

'It wasn't a mistake and you know it.'

I ignore my all righteous sub-conscious, sticking my decision.

The first step is to act cold towards him so he won't start getting ideas.

And that's what I did.

When he bid goodbye to all of us just after Grace and Femi unnecessary PDA, I will myself to stay expressionless before ignoring him.

I watch him walk away in uncertainty and I almost start to feel guilty but then it has to happen.

After all, a kiss doesn't have to mean anything.

***

I get home in the evening and see Nanny waiting for me by the entrance. As soon as I get down from the car and reach the door, she pulls me into a hug.

I chuckle as I wrap my hands around her, "Nanny, what's that for?"

She releases me and beams at me, "Tunde, my ex-boyfriend, called me"

"The chief's son?" I ask and she nods.

"He told me you gave him my number." She replies, still smiling.

"And it makes you happy?" I ask with a smile of my own, seeing Nanny this happy is so satisfying.

"Well, I'm not sure since he told me he is married now." Her smile dwindling. "And I don't know whether to be happy for finally being in contact with him or to mourn our already lost relationship." She completes and my smile turns into a sad one.

"I understand." I reply, rubbing her shoulders in comfort but then I suddenly remember the whole tied to a tree issue.

Did he tell her?

"Was that all he told you?" I ask, trying not to give anything away but she's quick to raise an eyebrow.

"Is there something he didn't tell me?"

I shake my head instantly and she only tilts her head to the side, a funny look on her face before she nods and ushers me inside.

"Are you hungry?" She asks as I sit on the couch and I shake my head again.

"Oh, I should have known. I saw the picture of you and your friends at the neighbourhood and the restaurant. You probably ate there."

"Yeah, I did." I yawn.

She doesn't need to know that Grace and Femi ended up eating almost all of my food because I couldn't eat it as my mind was preoccupied.

She smiles, "You should rest now. You've had a long day."

I nod gratefully.

"Where is Sam?" I ask as I stand up.

"He is sleeping in his room." She replies and I head upstairs.

I bring out my phone from my pocket to check my WhatsApp status again. I had posted the pictures that were taken today at the neighbourhood on Grace's insistence and I had hoped my parents won't be too busy to see it. I hardly post on my WhatsApp status but it shouldn't mean they won't check right?

I try not to be too disappointed when I check the viewers and none of them is yet to check it.

I enter my room and head straight to my bathroom to take a shower. I spend almost an hour in the bathroom washing up my body after remembering how Dorcas and her friends got the better of me and made me spend so much time in the forest.

I should have done more than slap her and strangle her friend. They are really sickening.

When I finally come out of the bathroom and change to my pajamas, I lay on my bed and take my phone to see if there is now a message from my parents but there is none.

My mind starts to wander to the kiss but I immediately shut it out. Thinking about it is only going to lead to me daydreaming about something else and daydreaming is going to make it hard to act cold towards him.

I distract myself to see if anyone is online and I find that Grace and John are both online with some messages from them. I click on Grace's message first;

Grace: Did you get home safe? I'm so exhausted I can sleep anytime. And I still don't understand whatever you displayed in the bus on our way back.

Me: Same here. I'm also on bed and can fall asleep any minute.

I purposely ignore the last part of her message because I don't want her to find out about it yet.

After waiting for a minute and not seeing any response from her, I decide to check John's message. He sent the picture of me that he took while I was combing the little girl's hair and wrote a message under.

The girl of my dreams, beautiful in and out.

My lips begin to rise up to a smile but I just had to remember the kiss at that moment and the smile stops.

I know I will have to tell him the truth about my feelings sooner or later but maybe not right now.

Not when I still can't accept the fact that I really kissed him.

I type in a response to him.

Me: Thank you. Did you get home safe?

His reply comes in immediately.

John: Of course. I won't be able to chat you otherwise. What are you doing?

Me: Nothing, just lying in bed. I can sleep anytime though.

John: I understand. You went through a lot today.

Me: Yeah, I did.

His online status changes to typing and I quickly check to see if Grace has responded to my message which she has.

Grace: So you want to tell me the last sentence in that message is invisble, abi? No wahala. Have your parents said anything about the pictures yet?

Me: No, they haven't.

Grace: Maybe they will do so later.

Me: Maybe.

Grace: So, Peter was your knight in shining armor today. Did anything happen between the both of you in the forest? Or you won't answer that one too.

I let out a chuckle at her message. This girl.

Me: Lol. No, it didn't.

Grace: How about Michael? You never told me if you guys have settled whatever happened between you. What is even going on between you two?

My fingers hover on the keys as I ponder on whether to go into details or to keep it vague.

How do I even begin to tell her that I like Michael? And that we had kissed when she left us back there?

Me: You are too inquisitive. I already told you nothing happened with either Michael or Peter. Nothing.

Grace: Hmm, okay. How about John?

Me: What about him?

Grace: Have you spoken with him?

Me: I'm chatting with him presently.

Grace: Did you ask him if he was able to get to where he was needed urgently in time?

Me: I'm not inquisitive like you. And I don't think it's any of my business.

Grace: I still think it's strange that he left like that.

Me: Of course. It's your hobby to make drama out of everything.

Grace: Ugh, talking to you is making me feel sleepy.

Me: Are you saying I'm boring?

Grace: Yes, since you refused to tell me anything juicy.

Me: Seriously?

Grace: I want to speak to my boyfriend over the phone. Goodnight.

And before I can type in a reply, she is offline. I shake my head and decide to send the message all the same.

Me: Goodnight.

I see John is no longer online but has left a message and I click on it.

John: You should go to sleep early and rest well. Tomorrow is a Sunday after all. Goodnight and have sweet dreams of me. I'll talk to you later. I love you.

I stare at the last three words and sigh.

I clearly don't love him.

And even worse, I'm no longer sure of my feelings for him.

I sink into my pillow and think of the current situation I've found myself in. And the truth is I don't like it.

Not one bit.

I glance at his message again and decide to reply. I might not be able to say I love you too but I can at least say goodnight.

Me: Goodnight and sleep tight.

After that, I check my WhatsApp status again and look at my viewers. Neither my dad nor mum has seen it and I go offline sadly.

I drop my phone on the bed and settle in under my duvet to sleep. I switch off the light and as I lay my head on my pillow, I hear the notification of a message.

Already half asleep, I ignore it and go to sleep.

I'll check it tomorrow.

***

It's Monday morning and Lanre is driving me to school. He dropped Sam at his school just few minutes ago.

I still can't stop smiling whenever I remember the message I had gotten yesterday afternoon.

My mum had viewed my status and sent me a message. She wrote:

Well done, my baby girl. Your nanny just told me about what you and your classmates have done to help those people and she told me it was your idea too. I'm so proud of you, keep up the good work. Mum loves you.

I had almost burst into tears when I saw the message for the first time. I can't remember the last time she had texted me and it makes me more glad that her text was one saying she is proud of me.

If only she and Dad will be around on the school's Inter-House Sport day to see me run and win medals, I'm sure they will be more proud of me.

Lanre announces that we are at school and with a grateful smile, I get down from the car and see Grace waiting for me by the school entrance as usual.

"Good morning." She greets cheerfully as I approach her.

"Good morning." I respond with a smile but when I notice that she's still grinning, I give her a wary look.

"You seem to be in a good mood." I comment and she nods enthusiastically.

"Of course. Didn't you read the messages on our school's group chat yesterday?"

"No, I didn't."

She sighs, "Why do you even have a phone?"

"Was there anything of interest there?"

"Someone posted on the group that the school's disciplinary committee will be discussing what to do with Dorcas and her friends." She announces and I raise an eyebrow.

"Really now?"

"And apparently, the least punishment she and her friends can get is suspension for two weeks." She adds excitedly and I smile.

That should teach them a very good lesson.

"That's good news." I reply just as the bell for assembly rings.

"Their punishment will be announced on the assembly tomorrow." She sighs happily. "I can't wait."

"Me either." I respond and together we head to the assembly hall.

After the morning devotion, the singing of the National Anthem, Pledge and School Anthem, it was time for announcements.

"Good morning, students." The principal greets.

"Good morning, ma." We chorus.

"As you all know, a week is gone out of the two weeks that would be used for sports practice. The Inter-House Sports competition will be holding next week Wednesday in the school's stadium." She announces and excited cheers from students interrupt her speech.

"Silence!" She shouts and instant quiet falls over the hall. She then continues, "As I was saying, the Sports competition will hold next week but before that, our Heat day, which is usually the demo competition to test the strength of teams will be coming up on Tuesday and Thursday. But of course, our Heat days aren't for testing strengths of team but for the semi-final of the teams' football match."

At the mention of the football match, there are louder cheers from the student and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Football is by far the most engaging sports out of all the sports. Everyone is usually hyped for the football matches, even the teachers and it is usually fun to watch.

The cheers die down as soon as it has started because everyone knows the next thing the Principal will say is to announce who will be playing against whom in the Semi-finals. The two finalists will then play against each other on the Sports day and well, the winner wins.

"Tomorrow's semi-final match will hold between-" The principal starts to say but stops for dramatic effects, teasing the students that are eager to hear what she has to say. "-St. Paul and St. Joseph while Thursday's match will hold between St. Matthew and St. James." She finishes and there are instant murmurs.

People are already starting to guess who the two finalists will be and the principal is quick to silence them.

"Well, the winners from these two fixtures will play against each other on the Sports day and as you all know, only the gold medal is awarded in football so the team that wins will be very lucky. With all said and done, and as I know that the sports festivities is making everyone lax with their academic performances, don't you forget that after sports, school lessons will start to hold properly like it should."

She continues with how we should be good students that listen to instructions and blah, blah, blah. When we are finally allowed to go to class, most of the students sigh with relief.

When I enter the class, I see Michael on seat and I instantly pause. It's not the first time I meet him in class after coming in from the assembly but as I stare at his face, everything that happened on Saturday comes rushing back to me.

'I'll really begin to like you.' He had said.

'I'm sorry but I can't hold back anymore.' That was before he kissed me.

No, Cynthia. Do not think about it.

I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. Yes, the best thing to do will be to act cold to him. Maybe if I act cold enough, I might realise that what I feel for him is just-

"Cynth!" His voice cuts through my prep talk and my eyes open widely. "Why are you standing there, leaving your seat partner all alone?" He calls out causing everyone to look at me. I throw him a dirty look for drawing unnecessary attention to me and go to take my seat beside him.

"Good morning, Cynth. Hope you didn't miss me too much over the weekend?" He asks.

Oh, I did. I missed you a lot over the weekend and it's because I tried so hard to stop thinking about the kiss we shared on Saturday which only made me even think more about the kiss.

"No, I didn't." I reply coolly and start to bring out my book for the first lesson.

The first step in acting cold to him will be to not talk to him too much. I must engage in fewer conversations with him from now on.

He seems a little surprised by my way of responding and scoots closer to me. His smell invades my sense and I had to stop myself from doing something stupid like breathing in deeply to inhale more of his scent.

And why does his cologne smell so familiar?

"What's up? You don't look too cheerful this morning."

"Nothing." I respond, scooting away from him but he scoots even closer.

I shift closer to the wall to put space in between us but he wastes no time in closing it.

"Are you sure?" He asks gently and my heart skips from how close he had sounded.

If he continues to do this, I won't be able to act cold to him.

"Are you sure?" He asks again.

I turn to tell him to stop disturbing me but I soon find out it's a mistake. His face is so near to mine that the words get caught in my throat and I'm unable to do anything but stare at him.

Memories of Saturday invades my mind and my throat runs dry. I swallow nervously, unable to do anything than look at him. I will myself to not look at his lips.

Do not look at his lips!

"I'm here for you. If there's something bothering you, let me know. I'll try to help find a solution." He says tenderly and my heart starts to beat fast.

Why is he suddenly talking that way?

And why is his face so close?

And why is he so handsome?

Cynthia, seriously! Get a grip on yourself.

I don't reply him as I'm not able to form a word and he isn't really helping.

'Act cold, remember?', my subconscious tells me and that's when I blink.

Yes, I really shouldn't be encouraging him and my heart shouldn't be beating for him.

He cheated on his girlfriend, for crying out loud!

I look away from his face and stare ahead at two girls having a discussion.

"There's nothing bothering me." I reply tightly and he nods.

"Fine then." He tilts my head back to him with his finger. "But always remember I'm here for you." He adds quietly and my heart practically melted.

He really is not helping.

A teacher comes in to the class then and I'm thankful to have something else to put my mind on. I try to ignore him as much as I can but he makes it really hard for me.

I then realize that he might be acting true to his word.

He might actually begin to like me.

***

Immediately the bell for lunch rings, I don't give Michael the chance to talk to me before heading out of the classroom. I contemplate waiting for Grace but I know she will want to eat with her boyfriend at their table so I decide to go alone.

I buy my lunch and head for our usual table. I don't know if talking to John without feeling guilty is possible but I think he will be easier to talk to than Michael. At least he is yet to arrive and so is Grace with the other boys.

I continue to eat my lunch by myself until I feel someone's presence. I look up to see John as he takes a sit in front of me.

"Good afternoon." He greets with a smile.

"Good afternoon."

"It seems so long that we both had lunch at this table."

That's actually true.

"Yeah, it is." I reply and he starts to eat while I continue with my food.

How would he react if I told him I kissed Michael? He literally told me that he would wait for me till I'm sure he is the one for me.

But do I just tell him that I know now that he isn't the one for me and I might have found who that person is?

I think I'm having the same problem I did when he was asking for an answer and I wasn't ready to give him.

So do I keep avoiding it? Until when do I avoid it?

Let's just think about something else for now. What Grace said about his going home being strange comes to mind and I decide to ask him about it.

"Hope you weren't called home on Saturday because of something serious?" I ask and he looks at me confused.

"You said you were called home on Saturday urgently and that you had to go because of that." I remind him.

"Oh, that. It wasn't too serious. Apparently, my mum just wanted me to get her some things before the shop closes." He replies without looking at me and I nod.

But I can't shake the feeling that he just lied to me.

When we had first resumed too, he had been leaving early. His reason then too was that his mum wants him home.

Is something going on with him?

We continue to eat in silence until I hear Michael's voice.

"Oh, here she is." He announces and the next thing I know, he has taken the seat next to me.

I groan in frustration and start to talk but John beats me to it.

"You are not welcome here." He tells him, surprising me.

Michael raises an eyebrow at him challengely, "And who are you to say that?"

Before John can reply, I clear my throat loudly, stopping him.

They both turn to look at me and I glance at the two of them as I speak, "That exchange ends there."

I tell them sternly so they know I'm not joking, Michael pouts.

"But it has only just begun."

"Michael, stop." I repeat warningly.

"Isn't that true, John?" He continues anyway.

"What's your problem?" John asks him with disgust.

"I think the person with a problem here is you." Michael replies and John scoffs. Michael then turns to me, "Don't you think he is kind of creepy?" He smiles but I don't find it funny. He just disregarded my warning.

John stands abruptly, takes his plate of food to where the dishes are done and leaves the cafeteria, leaving me and a satisfied looking Michael at the table.

"What is your problem with him? Why do you hate him so much?" I ask him and he shrugs.

"Because he is a liar and a creep. And he does despicable things. If only you know half of the things he has done, you won't want to be associated with him."

I give him a skeptical look, trying hard to make reason of what he is saying.

This isn't the first time he has said something like this about John and honestly, John hasn't really done anything to make me see him in that light.

"Why are you so sure that he is despicable? What has he done to you?"

He waves it off, "No, not me. One of the other boys."

One of the guys?! He did something to one of them?! What's going on?

"Who is that person?" I ask but he is quick to shake his head, a sign that I wouldn't be finding that out soon.

"Cynthia, I'll rather be telling you how beautiful you look today." He whines and I narrow my eyes at him, not buying it. I know he's just trying to change topic.

"You surprise me every day with your beauty." He adds and I give him a dead look.

Deciding I've had enough, I take my plate of food to the dishes and start to head out of the cafeteria but I run into Grace, Femi, Wole and Peter as they come in.

After everything that Peter did and said to me yesterday, you would think he's going to be more open and talk to you freely.

But even now, he's refusing to make eye contact.

Whatever goes on in his head.

Grace stops me with questions all over her face, "Why didn't you wait for me as usual?" She asks and I glance back at Michael that's still at our table. He waves at the others and only Femi waves back.

"It's a long story." I sigh.

"You are done eating?" She asks and I nod.

"Already?" Femi asks and I give him a dry look.

"Not everyone is a heavy eater like you, Femi." I tell him and he pouts. "I'm going to the stadium now. See you all after sports practice."

I start to walk away but Grace pulls me back, staring at me intently.

"Go guys, I'll meet you." She tells them and they all leave. When we are alone, she narrows her eyes at me.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know there is something you aren't telling me and I'm going to find out about it sooner or later so just tell me now." She demands.

"I'll tell you soon, I promise." I tell her. She gives me one more look then nods before she finally let's me go.

"That's better. We'll talk later." She says before she leaves to join the boys.

***

Another chapter for you guys to enjoy. Hope you liked it!

I will try to update the next chapter as soon as I can and that's a promise I'm making you guys.

Who do you think is the person Michael was referring to when he said John had  done some bad things to him? Rereaders should not say 'pim' 🤫. Only first time readers can guess.

Don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Until next time.

See ya 🥰.