Freddy's arms where still around me when Dami cleared his throat. I patted Freddy's back and he leaned away.

"How are you?" I asked awkwardly. I was still conscious of his mother's presence.

"I'm not fine!" Freddy replied and pouted.

I smiled and said, "I'm here to cheer you up".

He slipped his hand into mine and voiced, "Come into my room".

"Wait!" I exclaimed. "Mrs Okoro, can you please prepare some food? Freddy needs to eat".

Freddy rolled his eyes.

"Yes oo! You have to eat" I pointed at him and pursed my lips. "Don't even dare say no to me".

"Fine!" he threw his arms in the air in mock surreder. He slipped his hand back into mine and pulled me to his room.

"I will prepare the food!" His mother exclaimed and left.

Freddy's room was nice. There was a wallpaper of a bright white, red and black colour. It was plastered at all side of the room. It had that teenage boy atmosphere. Video games, comics, CDs and few novels were placed at different corner of the room. He had a large plasma TV hung on the wall of his room, a play station sat on a television stand and his bed was not made. The duvet and bedsheet were in a mess. His wardrobe was locked so there was no clothes lying around. The part of the room that shocked me was his drawer that had a mirror. I looked at the set of cologne, hair sprays and creams that were displayed on it.

"Freddy, haba!" I cried out.

"Yes?"

"What are you...I mean....Look!" I gestured at the cologne, hair spray and creams.

"I don't use all of them oo! It's my mom. She likes shopping so she buys them! Some of them are still new because I haven't used them" he explained and pulled me to the black couch closed to the television.

"What kind of PS is that?" I pointed at the controllers and rose a brow.

"PS 4!" he smirked.

"And I'm going to play!" Dami yelled as he walked to the front of the TV. He sat on the blue plastic chairs in front of it and picked one controller.

I dragged my glance to Freddy and my heart squeezed. His gloomy look and red puffy eyes touched me. He had his gaze fixed on the red rug on the floor. I lifted my hand and stroked his cheek. "I'm...I'm sorry about your grandma"

He cringed and looked at me. "It's...It's...It's not fair!" he stuttered. He bit his bottom lip and sniffed. "I promised my grandma that I would visit her during Christmas. I was looking forward to it. I can't believe she is gone. It's unbelievable and painful".

"Um..."

My brain is blank. How do you comfort a person? Hm...

"It is seriously not fair! My grandma was okay the last time I called her. That was last week" he mumbled and a tear escaped from his eyes.

After reading novels for years, I'm sure I should have something to say to comfort him.

"Freddy, death cannot take away our memory. I know that wherever your grandma is, she won't want to see you like this. I'm pretty sure your grandma loves to see you cheerful. You are always energetic and happy. It's one of your best qualities. Please cheer up"

I hope what I said makes sense.

He frowned and shook his head fiercely. "I can't cheer up. I will never see my grandma again. She's gone"

"Hmm...What about your memory of her? You can make her alive through those memories," I disclosed and rubbed his hand.

"That's nonsense! The fact is that she is gone," he sighed. "I feel sorry for my mother. She must be really affected by this".

"That's why you have to be strong for her. She needs you now. She needs the cheerful, energetic Freddy!"

"You don't understand!"

I cocked a brow. "How?"

He leaned forward to me and whispered, "My mom thinks my dad went to America to work and earn money for us".

"What's wrong with that?"

"You remember that day I was angry in school, right?"

"Err...Yeah! Why?"

"I found out that my dad had married a white woman and they have a seven months baby boy," he divulged and sighed. "He has forgotten about us. My mom still loves him and believes that he will come back for her. That truth hurts"

Geez! This is devastating!

I wrapped my hands around his shoulder and hugged him. He actually burst into tears.

Chai! I don't think I can control my tears in this kind of situation.

I rubbed his back and whispered every soothing words my brain could produce. After a while, I leaned away and wiped his tears. "Everything will be okay, Freddy! I promise you that. Now, it's time to be strong. Your mom needs you".

"Dude, why were you crying?" Dami walked up to us.

"It's nothing much!" Freddy shrugged and sent a tight smile.

"I heard your grandma died," Dami said bluntly.

"Fool!" I glared at him. "Why are you so annoying?"

Dami waved his hands and said, "No oo! I am actually sorry about that. Freddy is my guy nah! Seeing him sad doesn't make me happy".

"No need to stress. I'm fine" Freddy clenched his fist for a fist bump. Dami bumped it with his fist, nodded and strolled off.

Freddy sat silent with a dull expression. He sniffed and got to his feet. He made his way to his drawer and picked a tissue.

I need to make him laugh. I want to change his mood to a good one. How will I do that? I'm not even funny.

"Hey, Freddy!" I called. "Err..."

He came to me and sat down. "Yeah?"

"Um...Last time I tried to make you laugh, you laughed because of an expression I did. Can you remember it? Is it this one?" I tried a funny expression.

Freddy forced a smile and nodded. "Kinda funny!"

"But you didn't laugh" I pouted.

"I'm not in the mood"

"But I need you to laugh"

He shrugged and stared at the television. Dami was playing a FIFA video game.

"Idiot! Dami, you be moron!" Freddy exclaimed with a dull face. "Why didn't you pass the ball?"

"Abegi! I will still win!" Damilola hissed.

"Freddy, smile na!" I tickled him a little. "Come on"

"I can't for now"

"You mean there is nothing that can make you smile right now?"

"Yes! There is nothing"

I bit my lip and sank into a deep thought. An idea popped into my mind.

I think I know what to do. I didn't plan of this but I will.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. Then, I placed it below his chin and turned him to face me. I leaned and my lips touched his. His eyes widened in shock. I quickly pulled away and stared at the ground. "I...I...I want to kiss you to cheer up but...um...I don't have experience in that".

"Hey!" Freddy exclaimed. I looked at him and he was smirking. "I can teach you".

"If it makes you happy...um...sure!" I whispered and stared at my finger.

"Jesu! Lord of mercy! What is going on here?" Damilola's voice echoed.

I ignored him. At that moment, the world ceased to exist.

"Cupcake!" his voice came out soft.

"Mhm?" I bit my bottom lip and gazed into his eyes.

"Thank you!"

I giggled and leaned towards his ear. "Are you in a good mood now?"

"Duh!"

"My eyes have seen oo! Chai!" Dami exclaimed.

Self-control is really important in this life. You need to have it.

A satisfied sigh escaped Freddy's lips and I cocked a brow at him.

"Today is one of the best day of my life," he announced and placed his hand on his chest. "I think I'm in love".

My eyes widened and I slapped his stomach. "Stop saying rubbish jor! Stupid boy!" I hissed, feigning anger. Warmth spread on my cheek as I blushed.

"This calls for celebration. At last my girlfriend kissed me" he rejoiced and bounced to his feet. "I need to play some music and dance".

Mission accomplished, Naomi! He is in a good mood.

Freddy played a music on his phone and danced. He hopped on his bed and then danced towards me.

"Let's celebrate!" he pulled me to my feet and spun me around.

I thought he said nothing can change his mood. This guy is a funny dude but I like him like that.

     ~~~Author's Note~~~

At last ooo! They have kissed! 😋😊

What do you think of this chapter? Did you enjoy it?

What do you think of their kiss?

(2022 version of the writer, Mabel, cringed at the last scenes of this chapter. I've removed it though. Beware: do not offer your lips or kiss anyone like the way Naomi did in this story. It's an act that can bring a regrettable consequence).

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