I ran straight to Freddy. He was gasping the words, "Inhaler!"

I froze and cocked a brow. "Inhaler?"

"He is asthmatic!" one of the boys screamed. "Who has inhaler oo?"

Seeing Freddy unable to breathe made me run mad. When someone said he had one and it was close by. I literally ran with him towards his bag, snatched the inhaler and ran back to Freddy. He was at the middle of the large field so yep! I ran a big distance three times. I think I have burnt all the fats I have in my body. I gave it to him and he inhaled the content in the inhaler.

"How are you? Are you better?" One boy asked as Freddy leaned on him.

Freddy coughed and gave a thumbs up.

Freddy didn't tell me he was asthmatic! He has to explain why he hid that from me!

He made an attempt to move and dropped lifelessly to the ground. I fell to my knees and shook him. "Freddy, what's wrong? Wake up!" I paincked. The boys turned Freddy around to see his face. He was unconscious.

Once again, my brain went blank and fear gripped all my muscles. I was doing my best not to burst into tears. Seeing him like that was affecting my heart and soul.

If anything happens to Freddy, gosh....I can never remain the same!

A teacher arrived and the boys carried Freddy to the sick bay. I refused to attend any class and sat in the room, praying that he would wake up. The nurse in the sick bay said he just fainted.

I just want him to wake up. That's all. As long as he is unconscious, I can't have peace of mind.

I sat on a plastic chair beside the bed Freddy lay on. I kept shaking my legs while rubbing my sweaty hands together. This moment was unbearable for me. The door swung open and the nurse walked in.

"Ah ahan! What are you still doing here? Don't you have class to attend?" she quirked a brow.

I didn't reply. Is it not obvious that my boyfriend is lying unconscious? How will I concentrate in class? See me see trouble oo!

"Go to your class now!"

"But ma, I wanted..."

She cut me short, "Mr Ade will be angry if he sees you here!"

"But my boyfr...um...friend is unconscious. I am worried. I can't concentrate in class" I implored.

"Just go! He is fine!"

"Please ma!" I clasped my hands together.

"Leave! He is fine!" she sent a disgusted look and sat on the chair beside her desk.

Why is this woman so annoying? Aren't they paying her well?

I glanced at Freddy and sighed. I will have to go now. If you like yourself and you don't want us to fight, just wake up and say Hey cupcake! You are getting me so worried.

I stood up and my whole body was seething with anger. Normally, I'm a polite, well-disciplined girl but today, this woman deserves a well structured Naomi glare. The one that would seem like an insult to her.

I frowned and glared at her. She looked shocked and frowned. "Leave nah!"

I kept glaring at her as I made my way to the door. I shut it and hissed, "Mtchew!"
It was loud enough for her to hear from inside the room.

I went to my class and apologized to my government teacher for coming late to class. Like I had said before, I couldn't concentrate. Every words entered through my right ear and left from the other side.

Hours later, the closing bell rang and I ran to the sick bay. I almost had an heart attack when I saw the bed empty. The nurse snorted and said, "His mother came and took him to the hospital".

"Has he waken up?"

"No!"

I nodded and left the room.

I'm pretty sure he is okay! I will call him tonight. I need to stay positive.

Two sleepless night later, I gave up. Freddy and his mother's line were unreachable. I kept having hope that he would come to school but he hadn't. Today, I must visit Freddy by all means.

Mom, dad! Forgive me but Freddy means a lot to me and I will visit him without your permission. If I get caught, I'm going to be a roasted chicken!

The school bell was rung and this marked the end of the classes for the day. I strode to one of Freddy's closest male friends.

"Damilola," I called his name and patted his back. "I need to ask you something!"

He turned to me and rose a brow, "What?"

"Do you know Freddy's house?"

"Yes!"

"You have noticed that he hasn't been in school since that incident in the field, right?"

"Yes nah! He is my guy! I am even worried now!"

"Have you visited him?"

"I will visit him tomorrow!"

"How about today?"

"Freddy's house is far oo! I no get money!" he replied.

"Can you take me to his house?"

"Ah! I said I don't have money!" he sneered.

"I will pay your transport fee!" I insisted.

"But I am hungry na!"

"I will buy you something to eat!"

"I dey thirsty!"

"Fine oo! I will buy you water!"

"No oo! I need drink!"

"Fine!"

"I also need..."

"Sarap ya mouth jare! I be Central Bank? See mouth like fish one! Mtchew!" I hissed, placed my hands on my hip and glared at him.

"You have to pay for my service!" he folded his arms over his chest and smirked.

"No try me! This is not a joke oo! I am serious"

"Chillax, babe! I will take you there!"

I narrowed my eyes at him and groaned, "Don't ever call me babe!"

"But Freddy can call you cupcake?" he tilted his head and regarded me.

"Freddy is my boyfriend!"

"That dude is going to win our money!" he whispered.

I heard him and smirked. Yeah! He is gonna win the bet and your money. I plan of being Freddy's girlfriend for a long time.

"Let's go! I will take you to his house! Lemme go and pack my bag!" he announced and departed.

I walked to the door of our classroom and waited for him. I was ready to go. My bag was strapped to my back. I had brought all my savings with me.

I'm willing to spend it all for Freddy.

Damilola showed up and we left the school building. We walked for a while in silence before Dami broke it.

"The sun is hot!" he exclaimed.

"The sun has always been hot! It's not a new thing" I hissed.

"I am hungry!" he whined.

"We haven't gone far!"

"That's why I need to eat. Freddy's house is far!"

"Would you like to eat gala (sausage roll)?" I pursed my lips and glared at him.

"Yes! Two!"

"No! One!"

"Two!"

"Why?"

"I am a man. How can two gala full my stomach?"

"You? A man? In your dreams, mister!"

"I'm not joking! If you cannot give me two gala then why am I wasting my time here? I will just go home" he grumbled and turned back towards a different street.

"Where are you going?" I questioned with a firm voice.

"Home!"

I paused and stared at him in disbelief. He was actually leaving me behind.

These are the kind of guys that makes me realize how important and different Freddy is.

"Stupid boy!" I whispered and grunted. "Damilola!" I called his name with a sour voice.

"Yes?" he smirked.

"I will buy you two gala!"

"Oya na! Let's go!" he made his way to a shop at the other side of the street and I followed him. "I am thirsty oo!"

"Water then!"

"Which water? I no need water!"

"You said that you are thirsty, right? Water quenches thirst!"

"I need drink!"

"No way! I am not some president's daughter! I don't have much money with me!"

"You said that you would buy it for me!"

"Ode! I said I will buy something to quench your thirsty!"

"You are the ode among us! Mtchew!" he frowned and crossed his arms.

"Fine oo! Because I want to see Freddy, I will buy you a drink!" I sighed in defeat.

"Five alive oo" he exclaimed.

I stretched out my five fingers and placed them on his face. "Waka! Ole! Thief! Eat me nah! I resemble money making machine!"

He slapped my hand off his face and chuckled. "Oya na! Coke!"

"What about fifty naira Hollandia yogurt?" I batted my lashes with a hope to persuade him.

"Do I look like a baby to you?"

"Yogurt is for everyone!"

"Buy me coke jor! Na wa oo"

I disliked this guy. He is so annoying. "How is Freddy surviving with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You are so annoying!"

"Freddy is going to chop (take) my money by the end of this term. It is better I chop (take) yours!"

I shook my head in disappointment and pulled out some naira notes to buy his snacks. I couldn't buy anything for myself. My money wouldn't be enough if I do. I got to know that Damilola was a selfish guy. He didn't even share any of the snacks with me. I was getting thirsty and hungry.

Geez, I want to bury this guy alive. This is dark face is annoying me.

After entering different tricycles (kekenape) and public buses, we got to Freddy's estate. The security guard of the place was alert. He didn't plan of letting us in because no one from Freddy's family had informed him of our visit. Dami had to persuade him to understand that it was a surprise visit.

The estate was large and had modern building at every corner. Every house beats mine hands down. My house isn't as amazing and beautiful like the ones that were woven in each street. At last, we got to Freddy's house. My mouth fell. It was a big building...I think it is a mansion. It was painted white and grey with glass windows and a huge black gate. It was magnificent.

I can't believe I'm entering such a house. When last did I enter a mansion? I don't know!

Damilola knocked on the gate. He slid a piece of the gate that allowed him to see us. "Mohammed, Good afternoon!" Damilola greeted.

"Damilola?" he said with a weird accent.

"Yes! My friend and I are here to see Freddy!"

"I go open the gate for us!" he spoke and we heard the clicking sounds of keys.

Freddy, I hope you are okay! Cupcake is here for you!

As soon as I placed one feet into the compound, my heart plummeted. A deep bark of a dog scared the crap out of me. I ran to the street and stared at the gate with wide eyes.

"There is a dangerous dog in there. I am not coming in" I yelled.

"We don chain am! (We have chained it!)" the man replied.

"Naomi, come nah!" Damilola hissed.

I moved close to the gate and peeped. The dog barked and was fighting with the chain. Its ultimate goal was to attack me.

I don die! See scary dog oo!

"It is chained!" Damilola insisted.

"Lock it in its cage!" I snapped and glared at them. "That dog is dangerous!"

"Suit yourself!" Dami snarled and strolled into the compound. I glared at him. Foolish boy!

I made attempt to enter the compound and the dog's barking increased. A small brown puppy stared to bark at a far end.

Freddy, why na? Why all this animals?

"Come inside!" the gatekeeper said to me.

"Lock it in its cage!" I folded my arms and squinted my eyes at him. He nodded and walked in. After a while, the dog was locked in its cage.

I am too young to die. You can never know, that dog might be strong enough to break its chain. I love my life.

I ran to the main door while the dog still barked. As soon as I got it, I shut the door behind me.

"Naomi?" a thin weak voice echoed. I turned and smiled.

"Good afternoon, ma!" I greeted and genuflected.

"Afternoon, my dear! How are you?" she said with a faint voice. She looked lean and weak as if with one push she would collapse. Dark rings encircled her red puffed eyes.

"Did something happen to Freddy?" I voiced my thought.

"No...um..." she sighed and rubbed her eyes. "No!"

"What's wrong, ma?"

"My mother...hmm...Actually, Freddy loves my mother, his grandma!"

"Yes! He always said good things about her. According to him, he is her favorite grandchild" I replied and forced a smile.

"She died two days ago!" she said and burst into tears.

"I..." I trailed off.

Too shocked to have a word to say. Freddy must be affected by this.

"I am sorry, ma!" I breathed. "Where is Freddy?"

"He refused to leave his room and he refused to eat! I am so worried about his health!" she sobbed. "I have lost my daughter before....I...I...I can't lose him too".

"Don't worry, ma! Everything will be fine. Prepare any meal. I will force Freddy to eat!"

She rose both brows at me and said, "He won't accept. I know him very well".

"Let's try, okay?"

She nodded and we climbed the stairs to Freddy's room. Damilola was still at the door. "Freddy, open the door na! I came to visit you, can't you just open the door and tell me why you weren't  in school?"

"Just get lost!" Freddy yelled from within. Damilola frowned and his gaze went to Freddy's mother.

"Good afternoon, ma!" he greeted her. "I came to visit Freddy. He hasn't been in school for some time. I knocked no one answered the door so I just came upstairs".

"It's alright!" she nodded. "Freddy, you have some visitors".

"Oo oo! You people should leave me alone jor!" he howled.

Damilola smirked at me. "Your cupcake is here oo! Naomi say hi to Freddy!"

I felt like slapping Damilola right there. Freddy's mother was just beside us. What will she say?

"Nice try! Continue lying! Idiot!" Freddy bellowed. "Mtchew!"

"Naomi," Damilola whispered. "Talk na!"

I cleared my throat and knocked on the door. "Freddy, open the door. The almighty Naomi has arrived!"

There was silence before we heard hurrying feet towards the door. The door swung open and Freddy's eyes widened.

"Hey," I smiled awkwardly. He walked to me, leaned forward and hugged me.

Yeah! I didn't expect that!

   ~~~Author's Note~~~

What do you think, my people? Did you enjoy this chapter?

Were you worried? What do you think of Damilola?

What would you have done to a person who demanded expensive snacks from you?

Do you think Naomi will be able to cheer Freddy up? What advice would you give a person that lost a family member?

Thanks for reading. Pls don't forget to SMASH that star button. 🔨🔨🔨 Take your hammer and smash the button. ⭐⭐⭐

Stay confident,
From Mabel 😘✌🏼