This chapter is unedited but it's probably not as bad as I think it is.

Happy reading!!

***

Chapter Forty Six

CYNTHIA

John clears his throat loudly and that's when I look at him, realising he is still here and he just witnessed everything.

Crap!

"So... you agreed to the deal." He begins quietly and I nod in response, unable to say anything.

"Do you want to go on a date with him?" He asks.

"Not really." I reply, lying to him.

I don't know why I'm even lying to him. This could be the perfect time to tell him about my real feelings but instead, I find myself talking to make him feel better.

"And you know their team has to come first or either be in a position above us before we can go on a date so it isn't sure yet." I add, feeling the need to explain.

"Yeah, I know." He replies and sighs heavily. "I guess St. James will surely have to win this year."

"Of course we will be winning." I agree and he smiles faintly but his eyes look so sad.

I should probably comfort him, I'm soon going to break his heart anyway. So I reach out to hold his hand and squeeze it slightly.

I know what I'm doing at the moment is wrong and I can't keep stringing John along when I'm so very much attracted to Michael but what do I do?

How do I tell someone who is smiling this brilliantly at me just because I held his hand that I like someone else without breaking his heart.

Someone who saved me two years ago, someone who is willing to wait till I feel connected to him, someone who wants to court me.

Is that why it's so difficult?

His mouth begins to move, cutting my train of thought, "I'm going to make sure we win so you won't have to go on the date with him. I know if you end up going, it will only be because of the deal and not because you want to."

I feel like he added that last part because he wants me to assure him that it is exactly like that, but I'm unable to utter anything because I know if I do, whatever will come out of my mouth will be a lie again.

"Hey guys." Grace greets cheerfully as she joins us again and hands me my drink. She stares pointedly at my hand that is still holding John's and I quickly remove it but it doesn't go unnoticed as she wiggles her eyebrows.

Wole who is following closely behind her takes his seat beside her again.

"Did you by chance see Michael?" Grace asks as she opens her drink.

"Yeah." I reply, glancing at John who tenses at the mention of his name.

"Does it have anything to do with why he has a smile on his face?" She asks and that makes me chuckle.

"I guess he must be really happy that I agreed to his deal." I reply and she raises an eyebrow, interested.

"What deal?"

"I have to go on a date with him if his team should win or if they are in a position ahead of St. James by the end of the competition and if my team wins or is ahead of them, I get to ask him to do anything for a day." I explain.

"Oh my God!" She squeals.

"A date? Michael asked you on a date?" Wole asks, looking very surprised.

"You are going on a date with him?!" Grace asks excitedly, then as if she just realised John is here, goes mellow.

Sometimes I wonder whose side she is on, Michael's or John's.

"Well-" I start to say but I'm interrupted by John.

"-No, she isn't. At least, not until they win this competition which they are certainly not winning." He answers instead, surprising all of us.

"Okay?" Grace replies uncertainly and looks from me to John and I catch Wole rolling his eyes.

"They're coming out!" Someone sitting above us shouts, bringing our attention to the field and there is total silence.

The players from each team start to come out side by side with the referees in the middle just like in a real football game.

Once they are in a straight horizontal line and since their face is to us, I check the faces of all the players and I see the three of them, Peter, Femi and Michael. Femi looks around the stadium, searching for someone and when his eyes land on Grace, he blows her a kiss and she wastes no time in returning it even though many eyes are on her.

I chuckle because lately, she doesn't seem to care what anyone says about her and her relationship anymore.

I look away from Grace who is still busy smiling at her boyfriend and I make eye contact with Michael. He smiles at me and I find myself returning the smile.

John suddenly places his hand on mine and squeezes it which makes me look at him. He smiles at me too, causing me to give him an unsure smile in return.

But I soon realize the only person I want to smile at is on the field and is probably watching us.

After the singing of the national anthem and the school anthem, the handshakes from each member of both teams and the flipping of the coin, the players finally arrange themselves and it is time for kick-off.

Grace soon starts commenting on who is hot and who is not and Wole also contributes. They are making funny comments and I can't help laughing at some.

We watch as the players dribble and pass the balls to the members of their team. Michael turns out to be a very good player and I'll be lying to myself if I say my attention isn't on him. I watch as he plays several shots to the goal post and misses. People groan every time he misses a shot as they shout and cheer for their respective teams.

Femi is also a good player and he dribbles perfectly, the only difference is while he is playing as a mid-fielder, Michael is playing as a striker.

The game has been going on for ten minutes now and no team is yet to score. The St. Paul's players are in control of the ball but it isn't for long as Peter skillfully collects it from one of them and passes it to one of the players of St. Joseph. The player continues to push the ball forward, dodging it from the opposing team players and then passes it to one of the strikers. Everyone watches with bated breath as the player passes it to Michael and he - upon seeing an opening - kicks the ball which slightly misses the goal keeper's hand and enters the net.

The resounding shout of goal is heard as almost everyone - including me - stands up to jubilate. Even Grace who I thought would be in more support of her boyfriend stands and screams like crazy.

She is enjoying herself just like I should be enjoying myself but John's longer than necessary stare has been making me uncomfortable.

The team members playing gather around Michael, some jumping on him, hugging him and even patting him on his head but then to the far end of where they are celebrating, one of their team members stands alone and doesn't join in the celebration.

Looking carefully, I discover that person is Peter.

Why is he not cheering for his team especially if the one who scored the goal is his friend?

I want to ask Wole about it but he is in a discussion with Grace, explaining some things to her about football and they probably didn't notice it.

The score is now 1-0 in favour of St. Joseph and the game continues. All they have to do is to win this match and the final match on the day of the competition and they will find it easier to win the football competition as only the gold medal is awarded in football.

And if they win the competition, I will be going on a date with Michael.

Just the thought of it makes me giddy.

Soon, it is half time and the score is still 1-0. The players leave the field for a fifteen-minute break and some of the students begin to get up, probably to buy snacks or to use the restroom.

"I honestly think our team is going to win." Grace says to me, a smile in her face.

"So you are no longer supporting your boyfriend's team?" I ask.

"I support his team but I have to support my team too." She replies. "And besides whether our team wins or his team wins, it's a win-win situation for me." She finishes and I chuckle.

"Wole, what do you think?" I ask him and he shrugs.

"I believe St. Joseph might end up playing against us in the finals." He responds.

"I think you are forgetting that your team has to play with our team before they get into the finals."

"I know and I only said that because I know our team is going to win against St. James." He continues nonchalantly.

I start to reply but I'm once again interrupted by John.

"I beg to differ." He says, causing all of us to look at him. "I strongly believe our team is winning against yours in the match this coming Thursday."

We then look at Wole, expecting him to respond to what John has just said but he says nothing. He just settles into his seat and faces the field.

I turn to look at John and see him looking at Wole with so much anger that I'm momentarily taken aback. I've never seen that deadly look in his eyes before and it scares me because John doesn't look like someone who is capable of having that kind of feeling.

He turns to me with that same look and I feel a chill in my spine. When he sees that I'm looking at him, his eyes quickly soften and he smiles at me but I'm unable to reciprocate, still shocked.

He turns to the field, leaving me frozen in my position and when I finally blink into reality and turn to the field, I remember the look in his eyes and shudder.

What the hell was that?

Grace who isn't aware of what I had just seen is still trying to break the tension in the air. "Well, like they always say, may the best team win." She mentions awkwardly and then nudges me at the side.

I give her a blank look and she looks at me expectantly. "Yeah, may the best team win." I add monotonously.

She then scoots nearer to me and gestures for me to bring my head closer.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" She whispers in my ear and I shake my head.

I'm definitely not thinking what you are thinking because you didn't see what I just saw.

"I mean, can you also feel the friction between John and Wole?" She asks. "It's like they aren't on good terms." She continues. "Do you think they know each other?"

"They do. John once mentioned that he knows the boys and Michael also mentioned that he knows John." I reply.

"Then maybe they don't like each other."

I definitely don't think they do.

"If you're done talking about us, you can sit upright. The game is about to start." Wole says and Grace and I give him a guilty smile before sitting properly. John doesn't say a word beside me and I can't help remembering that look on his face. I'm even more uncomfortable now.

The players are entering the field now to continue the second half. All the students are starting to settle down and everyone is quiet.

Then the second half begins.

***

Immediately the final whistle is blown for the match, St. Joseph team members jubilate across the field. They had won the game with three goals to one. Michael had scored two out of the goals and the students had named him man of the match. Although Femi's team lost and some had sad faces, they are still congratulated for a game well played.

It isn't long that friends and girlfriends go down to the field to congratulate them. Even Grace has disappeared from my side only to be seen next to Femi on the field.

Wole has also gone down to meet the rest of the boys leaving me with John. From where I'm seated, I watch as they all form a group. Femi's hand is on Grace's waist, Peter has a bored expression on his face while Wole and Michael seem to be saying something funny as all of them except Peter bursts into laughter.

I smile as I watch their faces one by one, lingering on Michael's face and I realize that they are all my friends now. It's no longer just me and Grace.

John coughs as if he can hear my thoughts.

And John too.

I stand up to join them and John also stands. I glance at him and I instantly remember how he looked at Wole.

I'm sure I didn't imagine it but why did he look at him like that?

What exactly is between them?

All of them?

He tries to touch me but I flinch and a look of hurt flickers on his face, "Cynthia, don't try to judge me with what you just saw. There are a lot of things you still don't understand."

Well, thank God he is bringing that up because I sure as hell don't understand what's going on.

"Exactly. There are a lot of things I don't know and understand. Do you mind explaining?" I ask but he says nothing. "Well, you don't have to say anything." I  add after a stretch of silence. "I'm going to meet the guys, do you want to come with me?" I ask and as expected, he immediately shakes his head.

"No, I don't think I would be wanted there and I don't actually belong there." He replies.

"At least that's what they say." He adds quietly but I still hear it.

Was he at a point friends with them and became an outcast?

I remember how John had joined us when we were in SS1 and know immediately that it was nothing like that.

I let out a huge breath, deciding to stop thinking about it for now.

"I guess we'll see later." I tell him and for a fleeting moment, he looks disappointed.

He gives me a sad smile, "I'll call you later." He says and turns away before I can reply.

I watch as he walks away and I start to feel guilty. He looks really sad just now and I'm afraid I might be the cause.

I contemplate going after him to comfort him but I glance at the guys and see them looking at me. Femi gestures for me to come to them and I sigh.

I can always talk to John later.

"Hey guys." I wave as I join them on the field.

"Hi, Cynthia." Femi greets me.

"We won." Michael announces happily and I smile.

"Yeah, you did. Congratulations."

"I told you we will be winning this competition and if we do, you will be going on a date with this gorgeous boy." He winks and I chuckle.

"You said it yourself, if  you win." I say, placing emphasis on 'if'.

"They just might, Cynthia. I guess we should start preparing you for a date." Grace counters with a sly smile.

"You guys are going on a date?" Peter asks, gaining all our attention.

"I know right? Is something going on that I don't know about?" Femi asks, looking from me to Michael.

"Yeah." Michael says smugly and I notice he is only looking at Peter. "When we win this competition, she goes on a date with me."

Peter doesn't say a word but he has this look on his face that might mean what Michael said doesn't settle well with him. But he is one to keep words and emotions to himself so there is nothing but a blank look on his face now.

I'm although certain that he isn't happy about the news.

"But how?" Femi asks with a confused look on his face.

"It's a deal." Grace replies him. "Michael made a deal with Cynthia."

"Oh." He drawls, wiggling his eyebrows at Michael then turns to Grace.

"How about we make our own deal?" He asks in a flirty voice and dips his head so that their foreheads are touching.

"Tell me about it." Grace replies with a small smile.

I stare at them with pretended disgust. But seriously, they are both so shameless.

"Both of you should cut it out." Wole mutters and gives them an irritated look. I see him hide a sad smile though and I find myself wondering if he misses his girlfriend in moments like this.

He really has to stop holding on to her and move on. He can't continue like this.

Grace giggles, evading Femi's attempt to kiss her again and glances at her watch, "Gosh, it's half past 4 already. Cynthia, we should get going."

I check my watch and realize she is saying the truth then turn to the guys, "I guess we have to go now."

"Yeah." Grace nods.

"Not without my goodbye kiss." Femi says and pulls her to him. He then gives her a peck on her lips.

I roll my eyes. Seriously.

"You guys are so sweet, it's sickening." Wole comments and the rest of us chuckle.

"Get used to it." Femi grins as Grace leans forward to kiss him on the lips again.

"Okay, enough of this cuteness, we have to go." I groan, pulling her away from Femi. "Bye, everyone."

I glance at Michael and see him staring at me but his mind is somewhere else. I smile at him though as I pull Grace out of the stadium.

"Bye guys. Bye, baby boo. I'll call you later." Grace says, and of course all the guys burst into laughter. They are definitely teasing Femi about that name.

"Baby boo?" I ask Grace myself as soon as they are out of earshot.

"He asked me to call him that and I didn't agree to it at first but now I find it cute and I'm getting used to it." She replies with a smile and I chuckle.

I'm not even surprised.

"And what does he call you?" I ask with amusement.

"He calls me baby." She replies.

"So, it's baby and baby boo."

She chuckles, shaking her head as I repeat the words, "It sounds funny when you say it that way."

"Of course, it's funny. Baby and baby boo." I repeat again and we both burst into laughter.

"But I'm glad you're happy." I ask once we stop laughing. "He makes you happy, right?"

"Of course, he does." She smiles and looks at me. "And I want the same for you."

"All in due time." I reply with a smile of my own and we both head back to our class to get our bags before heading to the school entrance.

On our way to the entrance, Grace clears her throat and I know without doubt that she is about to say something.

"So, I'm listening." She starts and I glance at her with a questioning look. "You thought I was going to forget but I didn't. You promised to tell me everything that is going on that I don't know about so, I'm listening."

I had totally forgotten about it. But I guess it's time I told her about my true feelings.

"What did you and Michael discuss back at that neighbourhood?" Grace asks and I don't know how to reply. She really had to start with that question.

"Seeing how you are hesitating so much, I'm guessing it's something serious." She adds and I sigh. I can already hear her scream.

"He told me he will really begin to like me." I start but she doesn't look surprised.

"Is that all?" She asks and I shake my head.

"We kissed."

I wait for the scream to come as I continue towards the gate but it isn't forthcoming and when I glance beside me to see what is wrong, I realise Grace is still standing at the point at which I had told her.

This girl and her drama.

"Grace?" I call out to her and she looks at me dazed, then she begins to approach me with a purpose, looking betrayed.

"What is today?" She asks when she gets to me.

"Tuesday." I reply, not understanding the random question.

"The kiss happened when?"

I think I know where she's getting with this.

"Saturday. But-

She doesn't even let me finish before she finally screams, "And you didn't think that was an important detail to tell me?!!"

I wince and then look at her. She still looks betrayed.

"I'm sorry. It was just really hard to believe that we really kissed." I tell her.

"Well, I could have helped you believe it." She replies and then dramatically inhales and exhales. She then continues towards the gate and I quickly fall into step next go her.

"Are you annoyed?" I ask with a patronising smile and she shoots me a dead look before releasing a sigh.

"Not anymore." She replies and I latch on to her arm, smiling. "So how was the kiss?"

I chuckle, knowing she's really not angry anymore, "It was fantastic."

"Hmm." She groans but says nothing.

"I kissed him back though and I'm sure he knows I like him now."

"Well, it's about time." She responds.

"Don't tell me you already know I like him?" I ask and she shrugs.

"I know you well, Cynthia." She answers simply and we are both quiet.

"What about John?" She finally asks and I stare into space.

What about him?

I think about all the times he had told me he loves me. The way he had looked so sincere. Would it be safe for me to crush his feelings for someone who is only just beginning to like me? For someone who I actually feel connected with.

"I don't know anymore. I don't think I want to hurt him but that must mean I still also care for him right?" I ask unsurely and Grace gives me an unimpressed look.

"You know, you will only end up hurting him the way you're behaving. He believes you still like him and that you will end up being his girlfriend one day but the truth is you don't like him like you used to and you are never going to be his girlfriend." She responds without hesitation and I start to feel guilty because she is saying the truth.

"You think I'm leading him on?" I ask and she nods.

"But I will hurt him if I tell him I'm no longer interested. You told me yourself that he was my knight in shining armour. He rescued me two years ago and he has been nothing but sweet to me."

The look he gave Wole comes to mind at that moment and I frown.

Is he only sweet to me?

"You will only hurt him more if you continue to give him false hope." She replies.

A car parks in front of us and horns. I look up and see that it is my driver.

"I'll think about what you just said."

"Yeah, do that."

"Thanks for always being there for me." I tell her with a smile.

"I wouldn't like it any other way." She replies and hugs me.

"Bye." I say as she releases me and I walk towards the car.

"Bye." She replies and waves at me.

I smile at the driver who greets me and settle into the car seat, making myself comfortable.

Grace had a point in our discussion earlier but I already made my decision.

I won't be telling John any such thing, not when I'm still unsure of my feelings for him. Or Michael.

***

It's Thursday, the second Heat day and the day of the football match between St. James and St. Matthew. This time around, Grace and I are left with Michael, Peter and Femi.

I'm wearing my green St. James vest just like everyone whose teams are playing. We go into the stadium early to avoid looking for seats like the previous match and we see Wole and John and the other players of their team warming up on the field for the match.

I'm sitting in between Peter and Michael while Grace is sitting in between Michael and Femi. Girls who pass by us throw envious glares at me and I understand it's because I'm sitting with Michael.

Peter is sitting beside me and is quiet as usual just observing. Femi and Grace seem unable to keep their hands off each other and I'm not surprised since it's a sight I'm used to.

Michael is looking down at the players and Wole too seems to be looking for us. Immediately he sees us, he raises his hands to wave. We wave back at him and we see him grinning.

John, on the other hand, refuse to look at anyone except for his team players and the ball he is practicing with. I watch as he plays and start to wonder what it is I really feel for him.

"You sure like him a lot, don't you?" Michael says quietly beside me.

I look at him and see that his face is void of any emotion. He only seems interested in what I'm going to say.

I didn't realize I was still looking at John until Michael spoke.

How do I explain to him that I don't like him as much as I do before and it's because of him?

"I'm guessing you do." He says, taking my silence as a yes.

"It's complicated." I reply.

There is silence until Femi asks, "Who do you think is going to win?"

"Wole's team is winning." Michael says.

"No, John's team is going to win." Peter says and I groan. They are always opposing each other.

They exchange cold looks but it is nothing compared to the look John gave to Wole. It still gives me the chills whenever I remember him looking at me like that.

"Why do you think so, Peter?" Grace asks him but he just shrugs and that's all.

I look at Peter and wonder why he keeps quiet a lot.

"Was he always like that?"

"No, I wasn't always like that." He replies and I realize I said it out loud.

"Then why do you say so little?" I ask and he gives me a sad smile and that's it. I'm left to wonder.

Did he experience a traumatizing event when he was small?

Or did something really bad happen to him?

Or did he just chose to be quiet?

I don't know how but I found that I had dozed off and my head is on Peter's shoulder. The announcement from the speakers that the game will be starting in ten minutes wakes me up.

Immediately I realize my head is on his shoulder, I sit upright and apologize.

"I'm sorry." I tell him.

"It's nothing and besides you don't drool." He says and I unconsciously bring my hand to the side of my mouth and glance at his clothes.

"You wouldn't be saying that if I had slept on your shoulder throughout the night." I say and he raises an eyebrow.

"I'm not saying I want to sleep on your shoulder through the night, of course, it's nothing like that. I'm just saying if I had slept on your shoulder through the night-" I pause when I realize I'm speaking nonsense. The look of amusement on his face doesn't help and I groan.

"You're cute." He grins and I find myself smiling. If I'm not mistaken, this is the second time I'm seeing him smile so carefree. The first time was the empty classroom.

"You should smile a lot more. It suits you." I say and his grin turns into a smile but he nods.

I hit Michael who is busy talking to both Grace and Femi and he turns to me.

"Oh, you've woken up." He says and I give him a dead look.

"Yeah, it's obvious. My concern is why you allowed me fall asleep on Peter's shoulder." I whisper the last part so as not to hurt Peter's feelings.

"You looked comfortable." He replies cooly and turns towards Grace and Femi.

What is his problem?

The players from each team start to come out side by side, forming a horizontal line. They sing the school anthem and the national anthem and the crowd cheers for them.

Immediately the crowd is quiet as they wait with anticipation for the referee to flip the coin, I see John cup his mouth with his palms as if he wants to shout.

What's he doing?

"Cynthia!" He screams my name, startling and surprising me at the same time. The little murmurs coming from the spectators quiets down, and everyone is now focused on him.

He doesn't even know where I'm sitting around but he keeps turning around.

What in heaven's name is he doing?

"Cynthia!!" He shouts again and I start to panic.

Is he going to...?

I immediately shake my head. No, no, he surely won't do that, not in front of the whole school.

But what if-

"Cynthia! I love you!" He shouts the third time and I freeze where I'm sitting.

Oh My God!

He did it. He really did it.

I glance at Grace and see that she's giving me a reprimanding look. She must have figured out that I didn't tell him anything.

Oh, no.

I look at John again and see that he is waiting expectantly.

Is he waiting for my reply? Waiting for me to scream I love you too?!

"What do you think you are doing?" Grace asks with a note of urgency. I glance beside me and see that she has taken Michael's seat.

"What should I do?" I ask nervously.

"Well, you can't just leave him hanging. You have to acknowledge his gesture. Stand and wave or something." She tells me and I give her an incredulous look.

"That's the only thing I can think of right now." She adds with a note of finality and I sigh.

Michael doesn't look too happy beside Grace when I glance at him and even Peter seems tense.

Do they hate hearing confessions of love?

"We need to talk after this." She says and I give her a tensed look. I then stand awkwardly and wave at John and immediately, everyone cheers and hoots. He smiles but I'm sure he noticed that I didn't say 'I love you too' in response.

I sit and breathe a sigh of relief as everyone's attention is now diverted to the players that are shaking hands and then to the referee who is busy flipping the coin.

"Looks like lover-boy decided to go public with his feelings." Michael comments beside me and earn an unimpressed look from me. Grace has gone back to her seat and she gives me a disappointed look from there.

"What?" Michael asks and I turn to him. "I'm just stating the obvious." He says but I decide to just ignore him.

"But why didn't you reply him with an 'I love you' of your own. You know, it's just three words, I - love - you." He continues and my delusional heart skips a beat. For a moment, I allow myself to think he is actually saying those words to me and I smile.

"Someone might think you are confessing your love to me." I tell him, still smiling and he bursts into laughter like I uttered something ridiculous.

"I don't believe in love, Cynthia. That fairytale part of me died a long time ago." He assures me and my smile instantly vanishes.

"You don't believe in love?" I ask, barely keeping the disappointment out of my voice and he nods.

My stomach plunges and I feel like my heart is breaking into pieces.

"Cynth, are you not feeling well?" He asks worriedly and I nod.

"I'm very fine actually." I reply and give him a fake smile for emphasis. He watches me intently but says nothing and I quickly turn to the field, my stomach in turmoil.

He literally just told me that I have no chance of receiving love from him and he expects me to be fine?

But he told me that he will begin to like me and even asked me out on a date, is that not supposed to mean anything?

'He probably likes you but according to him, he might never fall in love with you just like how you liked John and never fell in love with him,' my subconscious tells me and I frown.

I really, really do not like how that sounds.

"Cynth, you look lost in thought, are you sure you are okay?" He asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"Is something wrong?" He asks again and I shake my head.

"No, nothing is wrong." I manage to response but my voice sounds so tiny that I shrink back in my chair. He starts to say something but I quickly interrupt him.

"The game is about to start." I say and it is actually true. The players are arranged on the field and it is time for kick-off.

***

I don't know why but this chapter feels rushed for a reason. I just hope it wasn't too bad.

I think Cynthia needs y'all advice right now. Any words for her?

The next chapter should be up by Thursday and I think you guys are going to like that chapter.

Please, make me happy by tapping on that vote button and leave your comments.

Until next time,

See ya ☺️.