"Maybe later we could...I don-no, go out? Maybe to an arcade or something." Lex Said just after or laughter died at yet another story he told. He does seem like the free kind, that's regulars less of what people think about him.

Turns out, he was Alex's brother, he had told me when I asked constantly about Alex's on our way to my house. We walked. Taking slow and steady steps in the evening.

"Depends on my Dad though. Not sure if he's okay with the whole walking from school."

"Oh he'll say yes, once he see's me," A clumsy confidence he said.

"Why do you say so?"

"I made you laugh on your first day at SA! That's a heck of an encounter." He hyped, something I noticed that he does whenever he's absolutely sure about something, and it gives me joy from an angle.

He chuckled with his arms holding on to the shoulder pads of his bag, and oh that arrogant person sweeps my head again, Alex. He hasn't left my head ever since the cafeteria, and I'm afraid Lex has noticed, because he answers all my questions about him with no hesitation, except I asked anything sensitive, and it's killing me.

I wanted to know allot about him.

"I see your point" I laughed back, turning my thought away from Alex, as he only makes me feel unhappy, and focused on Lex's conversation instead.

"I'll try to talk the old man to letting me go."

"He's American, he will don't worry." He assured richly as we stopped before my front door. Where I remember Esther and Adam constantly made arguments before they left.

He hissed and looked up at the house. "Your home's pretty." He only said. "Now I can sneak up anytime." He laughed and I giggled. "Anyways, see you in class tomorrow." He went down a step, "Oh and uh hay!" He called back just before I could make a turn on the door knob. "Alex is...sentimental, so it not his fault when he's penny wise."

"M....sentimental isn't really the word-" I laugh at his ridiculous words and shook my head, even thought sent a heavy heartbeat.

"I'm just saying, it's going to take someone like you to show him what's what." He smirks at the night before he turned away, and by doing so, he took a rubber and pulled his hair behind and the muscular side of him was only visible before he fades into the American busy evening.

***

I didn't know what outfit to put on after taking a shower, so I just went with what I had on the day of my arrival. A knee high skit and a tucked in white shoulder length top. My body still hasn't adapted to the cold, and at night, I still wasn't able to sleep as the time I usually do was not the-same back in Nigeria.

I arrived at school few minutes late to my English class. And to my surprise the class had already began, with everyone in place. I thought of what to say but the teacher only sighed and wiped the words 'surprise test' on the chalk board.

"I'm exempting you, because it your first time Miss. Anderson" he said, and the class was dismissed by the bell.

"I'd hate to be you the next time this happens." People walked past me and I only saw flashes of his view. "Leave." I turned immediately, just loosing a whole first class.

"You know, it's bad luck if you miss a first class," I just knew that was Lex, he always sneaks up behind me. Without giving his words a chance to settle in, I asked immediately;

"Why?"

"Don't ask me, it's like a Myth parent tell their kids just so they'd be early to school."

I laughed.

"My parents didn't tell me that." I objected as we followed the mob of teens into the hall. I'm Nigeria I remember mum vividly pouring cold water down my body the minute I'm late for school, so their actions speak louder than words.

"Oh..about tonight, you down? Lisa's coming if it makes things better, so it won't be just you and a bunch of stupid guys."

I totally forgot.

"About that, I haven't asked him yet,"

"Why? You're African. I thought African teen girls are always besties to their dads."

If only he knew.

"I know, I'll text him, he's on duty today, so going home won't help."

He nods as I swiftly swapped my books and took out my phone.

Me: Dad, it's okay if I hang out with a few friends tonight yeah?

It took a few minutes before I see his contact on 'typing.....'

Dad: what friends? You just got here.

Me: I know, but they're from school and they're really nice. I promise I'll be careful.

Dad: No drugs, No alcohol, No sex, No kissing, No smut, and definitely no twerking.

Me:  so....that's a yes?

Dad: Not professionally.

I could Only smile at his reply, drafting my head to when he'd tell me that whenever I suggested a night out with Esther and Adam, he's never in support of me going out unsupervised, so he wouldn't give an easy 'yes.'

Instead, he's just say that so he wouldn't feel guilty of letting me go if something bad happens. But I know it's a yes anyway.

"I'll take that smile as a yes?" Lex said, and I nodded.

"Amazing. Promise, you'll have a blast."

"I hope so."

***
Under the bright lights and colorful rays of the Mall, stood the luminous image of Alex, across the table where I stood. The bright yellow lights, shiny signs and Game Center's, with people of different kind, he stood still, in his try of fruits; an apple, grape, and an open strawberry.

As always, he was beautiful. Although I didn't like that he had come with us, and or suggested it in anyway. When Lex told me this was his suggestion,I was extremely surprised, which kept me confused about this whole Character of his.

On moment he talks,the other he's cold as ice. One moment he's suggesting a public gathering, the other he's like  people are viruses he just had to bear.

Why?!

"...and this total looser was just so short tempered! Like for real?! You stepped on me! Respect's supposed inform him to apologize." Lisa rakes beside the table, her perfectly carved brows knitted to her noes. She rolls her eyes as I see Drew try to calm her down.

"He's probably just like that, naturally." Drew, who I recall with the short broad shoulders and round face, lights skinned figure smiled at her, and I could see that he loves her, obviously.

Like, head over hills, and I wouldn't blame him, she's totally girlfriend material, especially with the expansive Gucci she always puts on, she could show off as a fashion fiesta herself.

"Okay, we all can agree he was a jerk who ever he was." Lex tried to end the situation. "I'm sure wherever he is, karma's probably getting him back."

"What's the fuss about you shoe anyway? He probably just made a little dirt on the sole," Finally the mouth moving statue spoke, his voice was very different, commanding and heart shaking. I literally got goosebumps just when his Voice echoed.

"My father gave me this shoe, it's more than precious to me, and having one little dirty could Ruin in, and I'd hate that."

"If it was that important, you shouldn't have worn it out." Alex said and I couldn't fully take in his words. Lisa's statement caught me off guard.

She made me feel like a terrible daughter, a failing child, that brings nothing but pain to her father, the one who chose to take care of me.

For refusing to give him a fair hearing, or to understand why he had done that. I also failed at respecting him for the one he loved.

If we were like that, he probably must have given me a gift like Lisa, a gift to keep and pound anyone who'd spoil it.

If he did love me that much as to give me something, that I don't actually know, so my happiness, feelings and love should be kept to myself, for now.

"...let us know when you're out of the trance..Earth to Ciara." My eyes rose and immediately met Alex, staring at me with a frown, a curious, disgusted, caring, annoyed frown.

"Oh yeah, sorry I just...thought of something back there."

"Oh." He nods, "so! Not that...were all...ya know..'hanging' tell us about yourself Ciara."

"Well Lex knows allot about me already." I say to Lisa.

"Yeah but we like the news from the source." She pouts out and I shrug. I let go of my fork on the chicken and ships that stood on my try and clears my throat, ready to lie about my life before I caught Alex gaze one me.

His eyes Only looked up with his chin in his try,and his hands cutting out a sliced apple. For some reason, I was perfectly fine when I was about to lie, but knowing he had those eyes on me I only felt like telling the truth.