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*******

Early morning exercise! That is, trekking to school and standing for the school assembly. I just went through that now.

As soon as the assembly was over, I headed to my classroom.

Join me and rejoice. I am not a late comer anymore. Anita's slaps have been working well.

I got to class and sat on my chair. Today, we would be having our midterm test.

Guess what, I'm super prepared for this test but I'm not sure about Freddy. I don't know if he will read. Sha....I sent him messages to tell him to read and also threatened him. Let's see if that will make him read.

"Naomi," a disembodied voice whispered behind me. I craned my head and saw Ijeoma. "You have forgotten about your friend abi?"

"No na! How can I forget you?" I replied and smiled at her.

"I think you have," she pouted and batted her lashes.

"I have not"

"Naomi, I have a question to ask you"

"What?"

"Do you trust Freddy?"

"What kind of question is that na?" I chuckled. "Of course I do. He's my boyfriend".

"Oh!" she exclaimed and sent a critical look at me. "Be careful. I think he is a player"

"Freddy is a player. A football player" I chuckled and winked at her.

"No! I mean that he is a player. I think he is dating you and Kate at the same time"

"Where did you get that information?"

"Everyone in our class group chat are saying so" Ijeoma whispered and nodded her head. "It looks like our class boys are doing some kind of bet. I think you are their target".

"That's enough, Ijeoma. I trust Freddy and I know about the bet. He is not cheating on me and he is not dating Kate. I am sure of that"

"Naomi, I will get evidence to prove what I just said. Freddy is playing with your feelings"

"Ijeoma, thank you for your concern but I'll be fine" I got to my feet and left her presence.

I don't want to listen to rumors. Other guys may be players but Freddy is not.

"Good morning, Cupcake" Freddy's voice pulled me out of my thought.

However, I pretended like I didn't hear him and kept making my way down the hall.

"Hey!" he called out and I could hear his feet stomping towards me. Surprisingly, he wrapped his arm around my waist and ceased my movement. "What's up, babe?" he smirked.

"Oh, I didn't see you there" I gasped and giggled like a child.

"I knew it! So you heard me and ignored abi?"

"No oo...Yes!" I snickered and leaned on his chest.

He was still standing at my back with his arm on my waist. "How was your night? Did you dream about me?"

With a smile, I confidently replied, "No! I didn't"

Yeah! This time I didn't dream about him. I just had a dream of me being a popstar.

"Are you sure?" he waggled his brows.

"I'm sure" I turned to face him. "Freddy, did you read your book? You know we are having a test, right?"

"I do"

"Did you read?"

His eyes widened and he rubbed his neck with his hand. "Um..."

"You didn't read" I yelled and the hallway echoed. I looked around me and realized we were close to the Principal's office. I quickly grasped Freddy's hand and ran towards our class. As soon as we reached the door, I paused and narrowed my eyes at him. "After all my warnings, you didn't read. What is the use of reading after school everyday if you aren't going to read for a test. Your mum won't be happy to hear this. Make her proud na!"

"I will make her proud" he said with a soft voice and stared at his feet.

"I've taught you a lot during our reading time but if you don't read, you might not remember them," I responded.

"Did I say I didn't read my book?" he cocked a brow, tilted his head to one side and smirked.

"Your expression says it all"

He chuckled and stroking his chin. "I'm really good at acting, aren't I?"

"What do you mean?"

"I read my book. I was just acting. Maybe I should be an actor," he winked and chortled. "Beside why won't I read my book when you threatened me"

"My threat worked?"

"Yeah! How can you say you won't be my girlfriend if I don't read my book? That was harsh, men!"

"So you read your book because of that threat? I never thought it would work"

"It worked. I had to read my book because I don't want to lose you"

"Awwn!" I pouted and placed my hand on his shoulder. "You are such a darling"

"Let's make a bet"

"A bet? Why?"

"If I should pass you in this mid-term test, you are going to kiss me but if I don't....err..."  he trailed off and shrugged.

"Kiss you where?" I squinted my eyes and regarded him.

"Here!" he patted his lips with his index finger.

"No way! That bet is not happening. I can't kiss you"

"Why? We have kissed before. Two times! Why can't you kiss me again?" he whined and pushed his pink bottom lip out.

"Sorry but that's not going to happen. Bye!" I waved and skipped into the class.

We had our test and when the school bell was rang for closing, Freddy and I walked home together. At 10pm in the night, I went online to send a message to Freddy through my whatsapp.

Me: You better read ur book. Or else...😈😈

I realized he was not online so I decided to check other messages from my few friends.

I hope you guys haven't forgotten. I'm a boring person and whatsapp is boring for me. I don't have much friends.

I saw a message Ijeoma sent me. It says I will show you a video, promise me you won't tell anyone about it. I reread the message and a confused expression slipped onto my face.

Me: What's in the video?

Ijeoma: Evidence

Me: 🤨 What are you talking about?

Ijeoma: Evidence dat Freddy is playing u. He is dating Kate while dating u. He's a player.

Me: Ijeoma, I told u that Freddy is not a player.

Ijeoma: See this video I am going to send to u, don't show him oo. He will deny it. I am sure about dat.

Me: Fine! I promise not to tell anyone. Just send the video.

Ijeoma: You promise. Don't break it. I will send the video.

She sent it and I tapped play the moment I saw it. An image of Freddy popped up. He waved at the camera and exclaimed, "I'm on a date with my girlfriend. She looks so hot and sexy today". It was clear that he was using his phone to video because he suddenly turned the camera to Kate who waved and blew an air kiss. "Love you, babe," he voiced.

I froze as a low temor ran through her. I replayed the video. I watched it again and again and again. I found it hard to believe what I just saw. The next idea that came to my mind was to ask Freddy. He needs to explain himself.

My phone ringtone slashed the deafening silence in the room. Ijeoma was the person calling. I tapped the green icon and pressed my phone on my ear. My hands were already shaking. If Freddy was actually playing with my feeling, then I'm in big trouble. I'll have to get myself ready for a painful heartbreak because I really like him.

"Hello? Naomi, are you there?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Don't show Freddy the video. He is going to lie to you. He will say that Kate dared him to say so. That's his cooked up lie. I heard him tell some boys his plan. Naomi, I'm your close friend. I want what's best for you that's why I am telling you this. Please believe me. You need to be smart around him or he will break your heart," she said and gasped. She had rushed out all the words that she began to pant.

I looked at my phone and sighed, "Ijeoma, I won't lie to you. I still trust Freddy and I believe that video is a fake. Freddy is not a player"

"Seriously? Are you actually going to trust that liar? All Nigerian boys are the same. They love money. Stop deceiving yourself!" she yelled and it blasted into my ear. "Don't come running to me when you find out the bitter truth. I've told you my own. You know Kate is far finer than you. Fine guys like fine girls. Use your sense. Don't be their pawn. Good night".

She terminated the call before I could reply. I held my breathe and stared at my phone.

A relationship should have trust. What if someone is trying to destroy my relationship with Freddy? Maybe everything I'm hearing is just a lie to separate us. I need to be strong.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I woke up with my eyes hollow and red. I was weak and cranky. Today was horrible. Freddy and I hardly communicated because of the test. We were both so busy. My test seemed difficult because I couldn't think straight. I believe I'll pass though. What actually made my day horrible was the fact that I noticed Kate and Freddy hanging around each other. Maybe they are just ftiend and I am just interpreting everything wrong, It was a mantra I kept repeating to myself. To sum it all, someone appeared to destroy my mood and spoil my day and that person was Kate.

Ijeoma and Kate stood at the front of my desk. Their hawkish eyes settled on me.

"What do you want?" I sneered.

"I want to prove to you that Freddy is a player," Ijeoma responded. "Kate, tell her the truth"

"I can't. I promised Freddy that I won't," she said in a soft voice and fiddled with her fingers. "I don't want to cause any problem"

"Just tell her the truth"

"No!"

I frowned and groaned, "Don't tell me anything. I don't care about what you have to say".

"Kate, what you are doing is bad. You know Freddy is playing with Naomi's feelings and you aren't helping her. That's bad of you" Ijeoma pursed her lips and shook her head.

"I don't want Freddy to lose the bet. He has been working hard for it. He even spent a lot of money on Naomi" Kate's british accent rang in the air. "I don't want to ruin his plan".

"Ruin what plan?" I asked and rose from my chair.

"The truth is that the bet is all about making a girl fall in love with you. At the end of the team, the golden sun boys and the regular school boys will contribute a big sum of money to give the winner. You are Freddy's target," Kate replied and stared at me with her black eyes. "Please, don't tell him I told you. He will be angry with me".

"Is Freddy really dating you?" I quizzed, stood erect and clenched my fists.

"Yes! I am his real girlfriend. His mother knows about me. I visit him a lot. We go on dates. He also said he likes me"

"Naomi, I told you. He is playing with your feelings" Ijeoma exclaimed.

"Freddy likes me," I stated firmly.

"No! He likes me. I'm his real girlfriend. He is just dating you because of the bet and he calls you Cupcake to make you fall for him. That's the real truth," Kate voiced in a calm tone.

"You guys should just leave. Go away! Leave me alone" I said with a quavering voice. When school closed for the day, I went straight home. I didn't even wait for Freddy. My mood was bad and I knew staying with Freddy might make me explode. That night, I decided that I'll have to talk to him about it. I needed to know the truth.

The next day was on a wednesday. We would be having our last test. Results will be out soon and we will go on our little break, that is our midterm break.( short holiday) Freddy was extremely busy. During our lunch break, I walked up to him.

"Hey, Freddy" I forced my words out in a dry tone.

He glanced at me and paused. "What's wrong, Cupcake? Did someone offend you? Tell me! I will beat the hell out of him," he growled.

"I'm fine"

"You don't look fine"

"I'm fine"

He smirked and said, "I know you are fine. You are a beautiful girl but what I am trying to say is that you don't look well. Should we go to the sick bay? The nurse might be there. Are you sick?"  He placed his palm on my forehead. His worried eyes swayed around my face.

Maybe Freddy actually likes me and Ijeoma and Kate are just lying to me. That's possible. Friends can betray. I can only find answers to my question when I speak to Freddy.

"We need to talk," I stated and fixed a hard gaze on him.

"What have I done? I'm reading my book, you know. Why do you look angry?"

"We need to talk about something important"

"You want to break up with me?" he gasped and he had an expression that said he was hurt.

"No!" I slapped his arm lightly and smiled. "No way! I just hope our relationship is genuine and not filled with lies"

"Good!" he let out a sigh of relief. "I don't want to lose you"

Now, I am confuse. Can it be that Freddy is lying to me?

"After school, let's meet in that empty class. We need to talk about something urgent"

"Okay! I'll be there," he nodded in agreement and left.

Few hours later, the bell was rung and students rushed home. I arranged my books into my bag and ran to the exact classroom Freddy and I were meant to met. I saw the door was ajar and pushed it open. The moment I glanced into the classroom, my jaw dropped. Freddy was kissing Kate. The moans that left her lips and the way she leaned on him, it was clear they were both enjoying their kiss. Freddy was leaning on the wall while Kate had her stupid arms on his shoulder. I just stood like a statue....speechless. I was dumbfounded. Too shock to say a word.

I felt a sharp pain at my chest. It was like I was stabbed at my heart. The sight of seeing Freddy with another girl hurts...so bad!

       ~~~Author's Note~~~

What do you have to say? Do you think Freddy is a player? Is he playing with Naomi's feeling?

What do you think she should do?

Could it be Kate and Ijeoma are lying?

If Freddy is a player, what would you do to him?

How are my readers? How is your life?

Thanks for reading! Love y'all. Don't FORGET To VOTE

From your dear,
Mabel 🙋🏾