"Naomi, where is your boyfriend na?" Peggy queried.

I glanced at Freddy's empty seat, sucked in some air and sighed.

"Is he sick?" Peggy gasped.

I bit my lip and shook my head a little.

"I don't know! I hope he is okay!" I replied. Then a scary thought crawled into my mind. "What if something happened to him?"

"Like a road accident on his way to school?" Peggy screamed in a panicky voice.

"Tufia! I reject it for him! What kind of talk be that?" I wanted to grip Peggy's collar  but I just clenched my fist and said the words.

"Sorry oo! You know those okada riders (motorists!) can't be trusted!" she disposed.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She threw her hands in the air and exclaimed, "God forbid oo! Nothing will happen to Freddy! I don't want his girlfriend to kill me!"

"Good morning, sir!" my classmate rose to their feet, leaving me in my sitting position. I quickly scurried to my feet and watched as our English teacher strode to our class. He slammed his lesson note on my desk and walked to the board. I'm still sitting at the front! He scribbled the words 'English Studies' on the board and faced the class.

"Good morning, students!" he greeted.

"Good morning sir!" we chorused, still on our feet.

"How was your weekend?"

"It was good, sir! And yours?" some people replied while others secretly rolled their eyes.

"I forgot to give you assignment to take for the weekend. You should thank me!" he gave a smug smile and folded his arms.

I could hear some students hiss but the good children, like me replied "Thank you sir!"

While my Inner me would say 'That one concerns you, Mister!'

"You can have your seats!" he beckoned.

I slammed my butt when I had sat down in a hurry.

I forgot that we sat on wooden chairs! Geez, my butt aches!

I wiggled on the chair to ease the pain.

Stupid, me!

"Bring out your notes!" Our teacher's voice vibrated in the classroom. "Write a letter to your president on the..."

My face scrunched up and I rolled my eyes.

I'm not a fan of formal letter writing! Why should we learn how to write a letter to our president? Does how president even know how to speak English not to talk of read it? Sha, Lemme stop being overdramatic. Who knows maybe I will become a senator and would need to write a letter to the president. Hehe! Just joking. But to think of it, I would love to eat from the national cake.

"I give you thirty minutes to do that!" our teacher yelled and walked to the back of the class. He leaned on the wall and sent glares to anyone who looked at him. "Don't write! Look at my face!" he hissed.

A knock reverberated on the black wooden door of our class. Our heads snapped to the door and then to Mr Chima, our English teacher.

"Look! Just be looking! Let me see rubbish on your note. You will.." the knock echoed, interrupting Me Chima.

"What if it is the Principal?" someone asked.

Mr Chima stiffened and he trod to the door. He opened it and groaned. We were all staring at the door, hoping he would move aside so that we could see the visitor.

"What's the time?" Mr China asked us. His towering figure still covered the visitor.

"10:23 am!" Dickson yelled.

Mr Chima's countenance changed into a terrifying one. He opened the door wider and Freddy stood at the door with an inifference look.

"Look at the time your fellow classmate is coming to school!" Mr Chima thundered.

I noticed Freddy scoff. A big smile spread on my face.

At least he is not dead or in a hospital! Phew!

I glanced at Peggy who was also happy to see him.

"Gilbert, get my cane for me!" Mr Chima commanded. "The rest of you should submit now"

I squinted my eyes at my book and studied the letter I wrote to my invisible president.

Yeah, Mr president! We need new roads! If only he could read this!

I stood up and submitted my book. My eyes travelled to Freddy's but he averted my gaze. He had a scowl on his face.

What happened to him? He is in a really bad mood! Why?

I settled on my chair and sent a concerned look at him. He rolled his eyes at me and dug his hands into his pocket.

Gilbert ran back to the class with the cane. I felt like stabbing him when I saw the wide grin on his face.

"Sir, your cane!" he chuckled.

Some people just enjoy seeing others suffer! Mtchew!

"Give me your hand?" Mr Chima bellowed.

Okay, sir! Should I cut it off? Cos that's the only way I can give it to you.

"Sir, you haven't asked me why I came late!" Freddy spoke up. My eyes widened.

Does Freddy want to be caned to death? How can he ask Mr Chima that question?

Mr Chima glared at him and snarled, "Give me your hand. I'm giving you five strokes. If you talk again, it will increase".

"But you need to know the reason why I came to school late" Freddy insisted.

I knew it! I knew Freddy was a stubborn child. See the way he is signing his death will. Don't talk, he is talking.

"Shut up! Six strokes!" Mr Chima yelled and bent his cane. He wiggled it and glared at Freddy. When he noticed Freddy's hands were dug in his pocket. He rose his hand to slap Freddy but stopped himself midway. "Remove your hand from your pocket!"

Freddy removed it begrudgingly.

Na wa! What spoilt his mood?

"It is either you take this cane or leave my class!" Mr Chima roared.

Freddy shrugged and left. Mr Chima's mouth dropped and everyone pressed their lips together to hold their laughter.

Whoa! Freddy's got guts!

Few minutes later, the class was over and Mr Chima stomped out. We all burst into a howling laughter.

Soon Freddy walked in. Some people complimented his audacious act but he ignored them. He slumped into his seat with a loud thud and rested his head on his desk.

I glanced at Peggy. She shrugged and mouthed "Ask him!"

I tapped his shoulder gently. He rose his head. I yelped when his icy glare pierced into my eyes.

Dude, take a chill pill na!

"What?" he growled.

"Hmm..."

Blood of .....!What happened to my vocabulary? Naomi, say something!

"Hmm...what's wrong?" I sent a sympathetic and concerned look at him.

"Nothing!" he snapped.

"But you can late today!"

"So?"

"I was just..." he cut me off.

"Shut up!"

"Why..."

"Leave me alone!" his words sliced into me with depth and hostility. My mouth was wide open as I stared at him in disbelief.

Why is he so mean to me? What did I do?

"But..."

"I said LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Oya na! Why am I even bothering myself? It's your business. Nonsense boy!" I hissed, folded my arms and faced the board.

I could hear his heavy breathing.

What if he strangles me from behind?

I stole a quick glance and his glare was still on me. I narrowed my eyes at him and hissed, "Mtchew!"

"Naomi!" Peggy whispered and pulled me out of my seat.

"What?" I glared at her.

Freddy just spoilt my mood.

"Aren't you supposed to make him happy? You're his girlfriend!"

"Can't you see that he is in a bad mood? Do you want him to slap me?"

"Just try na! A good girlfriend would put a smile on her boyfriend's face! Don't do this to my Fraomi love boat!" she whined.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay! Fine! I will try!"

I walked towards Freddy's desk and squatted at his side.

What should I do na? Wait! I think I have a clue!

"Freddy-boo boo bear!" I leered with a sweet soothing voice. "Why are you angry with your Cupcake?"

There was no reply from him.

"Please na! Talk to your Cupcake!" I whined like a baby and sniffed.

"I'm not in the mood to talk. Just leave me alone!" his muffled voice echoed.

I looked at his head that lay on his desk and sighed.

There is no way I am giving up now! He must laugh or at least smile!

I touched his jaw that was still buried in his folded arms and whispered "Prince Charming smile na!"

He groaned and lifted his head. "Stop this!"

I sent an innocent smile, "Stop what?"

"Just stop!"

"Stop what?" I pushed my bottom lip out and batted my lashes.

He rolled his eyes.

"Tickle time!" I squeaked and tickled him. He didn't even crack a smile. I ran my hand down his body, trying to get his tickle spot but there was none. "Seriously?" I gasped and cocked a brow at him.

His frown was still there.

"Are you made of steel? I don't understand. Why didn't you laugh?" I questioned.

His brows knitted as he gave me a 'what's wrong with you?' look.

I stood up from my squatting position. I bit my lip, puffed my cheek, folded my arms and squinted my eyes.

I need to sort through the files in my brain. Is there any file that could help me make a person laugh? Hmm...Let's see! First step, say a joke. Nope! I'm horrible in that! Next step, tickle! Whoops! I failed woefully in that one. Then, what next?

A light laugh pulled me out of my thoughts. I raised my brows as I stared at Freddy. He was laughing hard. He looked at my face and laughed some more. Soon he was clasping his stomach, slamming his desk and gasping for air. I sent a questioning look at Peggy. Once again, she shrugged in reply.

I pouted and asked, "What's so funny?"

"You!" he said between his laughter.

"Me? What did I do?"

He gasped some air and replied, "Seeing you trying to make me laugh is funny and that look on your face is funnier!"

He continued in his full-fledged laughter. I was happy that he was laughing. It warmed my heart to see him that way but what really confused me was the reason behind the laughter.

Do I look like a clown? No na! How can I look like a clown or do I? Now I am so confused!

I frowned but it softened when I saw Freddy's eyes twinkle with amusement.

Mission accomplished, Naomi! Time to make it fun!

"Are you calling me a clown?" I teased and playfully slapped him.

He laughed and nodded, "Obviously!"

"How dare you?" I pouted and smacked his arm again.

"Cupcake, you are too cute!" he laughed."I just can't stay angry with that face staring at me!"

My cheek pointed out as a big smile played on my face.

Awwwn! He is so adorable when he is happy!

Peggy burst into her own round of laughter.

"What's so funny?" I snapped.

"You guys look so cute together!" she laughed.

I think these people are confused with the true meaning of funny! God help them!

"Let's greet jor!" someone yelled.

We glanced at the person. She pointed at Daniel, the head boy and said "Let's greet our senior!"

My classmate and I rose to our feet and greeted him.

The real reason why they greeted him is because they like him. My classmate believes that he is the only senior that has sense in SS3. I think they love his calm and approachable character. They also like Anita too. I'm a proud sister. Hehe!

"Thank you so much! How are you?" Daniel asked.

"Fine!" some replied. "Not fine!" the others said.   "School is boring!" were that last words that hung on the air.

His eyes wondered in the class as if to search for someone. It fell on me and I blushed, feeling like The chosen one!

"Can I talk to you?" his words were directed to me. I smiled and nodded.

I made my way to him. He started walking out of the class with me following behind.

"Naomi!" Peggy called.

"Yeah?"

She ran to me and whispered "Don't forget you have a boyfriend!"

I glanced at Freddy who was staring at me. I shook my head and replied "I won't forget oo! Na wa for you!"

She chuckled and I left the class, blushing crazily.

    ~~~Author's note~~~

What do you think might be bothering Freddy? Are you enjoying Freddy and Naomi's relationship?

Did you enjoy this chapter?

How are you? What you up to?

Thanks for reading. Pls don't forget to VOTE ⭐ Feel free to leave any comment. Thanks. I love you guys 😘💓❤
                             By your......
                          Naija Babe 😉