"Omo!... See the way she was downloading everything for us in class" Faramade exclaimed.

"At a point, i thought she wasn't breathing because she was so fast" Evans added.

"And very accurate, very accurate. I was checking the internet to see if she was correct but was shocked when I discovered she was hundred percent accurate" Bankole said stealing a glance at her table, something we had been doing ever since she entered the dining hall.

"She practically hijacked the class from Mr James" Theresa mumbled.

"And he enjoyed every bit of it, i think he knows her capacity that was why he allowed her to take the reins in class" Bankole explained.

I smile as my friends gushed about Omotolani's intelligence.

I am also shocked.

I know she was very intelligent but i didn't know she was a walking, talking human google.

Who would have ever thought that talking nerdy will be that hot?

"I asked her to have lunch with us"

"What did she say?" Faramade asked.

"She turned down my request. Something about how she can't ditch her friend" i murmured looking down at my food.

Theresa snickered.

"When i told you guys, you all thought i was joking" she boasted.

"What is she made of? Steel? I can't believe she turned down your offer" Bankole said with a frown gracing his face.

"I told you she was different" Evans told me with a knowing look.

"So what are you going to do now?" Theresa asked.

That is a good question.

What am i going to do now?

                       📒📰📔

Staring at the school year book in awe, i gave my geography note book a side look before making my decision.

"Sorry hon... But I will come back for you later" I said placing my note on the textbook, muttering a string of apology to the book who had been my buddy for the past one hour.

I take a quick glance through the quiet library. I saw a junior student stare at me with a freaked out look in her eyes.

See? Even the juniors thinks am weird.

I look away, going back to the school year book i snag from the shelf. A year book that belonged to a particular set that i love so much.

"THE TRAILBLAZERS... Hmmm"

The Golden Era... What students popularly calls it.

I skimmed through the pages knowing i have read it a billion times. The very day i found it in my Ss1, it was like i hit a gold mine.

I stopped at the particular page gracing his picture.

Olashubomi Lewis Cole...

Damn. That guy was a snack. I was practically fan girling over a married man but don't blame.

He looked ridiculously hot in his uniform then.

A born leader.

Rugged to the core.

I skimmed to the next page.

I sighed. If I have a girl crush. It would be Teniola Enitan Coker, sorry Cole...

They are married to each other young lady.

How was he able to do it?

This exotic beauty. A very lucky man i tell you...

Teniola Cole is the Stealer of Hearts...

I jumped to another familiar page which caused me to awe.

It was a group picture.

Teniola, Adeola and Ewatomi were sitting on a high stool while the boys stood behind them. What melt my heart was the big smile on their faces as they were laughing at something one of them said.

A perfect timing for the picture.

This was not meant to be a part of the year book but the photographer added it to the pictures. He must have also felt the connection.

The next picture was of them looking very serious and collected. I think this was the picture they were trying to take, it must have come after that lovely one.

Each page was dedicated to every student graduating together with data and facts about the student.

"Why are you smiling at a yearbook?"

I let out a tiny shriek at the sudden voice but relaxed at the face i saw.

"You scared the shit out of me!" I whisper yelled, he shrugged taking a seat beside me. "and why won't i smile at the yearbook?"

"Normal students will probably glare at, pointing out seniors who they had an unsettled rift before cursing them out, directing all their anger to a single picture"

"Are you trying to say am not normal?" i gave him an annoyed look.

"Why will i say that?"  he laughs nervously before taking a good look at the yearbook "what are you reading about the trailblazers? "

I shrugged my fingers skimming through the thick pages.

"I don't know really, i find this set really enthralling. Don't you find them enthralling?" I asked looking up at him to find him already staring at me.

"The only enthralling thing i see here is you..." I froze up at his statement.

Why will he say things like that? I avoided his eyes, he took a seat closest to me, placing his hands on the table, i watch his long nimble fingers drum quietly against the hard wooden surface at a balanced rhythm.

"What are you doing here?" I asked sounding suspicious, i closed the magazine turning to give him my full attention.

"Why does it sound like you don't want me here?"

Do i sound that way?

"I don't sound like that" I defended. "I don't see you with any books so i am just surprised you would come to the library empty handed"

"Just because... " I raise an eyebrow at his reply knowing it was bullshit "okay... Maybe i just wanted to spend some time with you? Considering the fact that you have been avoiding me ever since i told you i like you"

I stared at his honey brown eyes which complimented his skin greatly.

How can he claim he likes me when he has a girl like Celine at his disposal? Something is not adding up.

"You can't like me, in fact you don't" I said shaking my head, finding the theory absolutely ridiculous and exciting at the same time.

"But i do"

I sigh avoiding eye contacts with him for a while. I don't know what to say to him to make him stop repeating that statement.

I turn to look around the quiet library, few students littered different tables, either reading or conversing in low tones with their partners.

I caught sight of two female students, definitely in senior class due to their uniform but i don't think we are in the same year. Probably Ss2.

They were conversing in low tones alright, but they keep stealing glances our way. Their eyes filled with questions at our close proximity, once they caught me watching them, one covered her mouth with the palm of her hand before whispering furiously into the ear of her friend who was staring at me with wide eyes.

See what i mean?

"How can you like me? We have been together in the same school for over two years. Why now?"

I asked quietly. I am baffled at the prospect of him liking me as a person. Why now?

"Because you always look at me. You never saw me"

"I don't understand" I muttered in confusion.

"I have always saw you Omotolani" my brain became fuzzy at his warm voice. "You think no one sees you but i do. I see you"

My mind had been foggy after I left the library and it was due to the words Akorede said to me.

I see you.

Who could have thought that those three words can leave an impact?

He saw me...

How?

When?

Why?

I can't even concentrate in my physics class in peace. His words kept playing like a broken record in my mind.

When did he become so distracting? After few meetings?

Girl you are in trouble.

"Penny for thoughts?" i look up from my desk to see Evans staring down at me.

He has been really friendly lately and i don't know what to make of it. I smiled shaking my head. Then i noticed he had his bag strapped on his shoulder.

"Where are you going?"

"Didn't you hear the bell?" I shook my head "it just rang. It is closing time"

"Oh... " I look around the lab to see it was empty of students.

Why am i being absent minded all of a sudden?

You know why... Probably because of one handsome fellow in art class.

"Why are you still here?" I asked putting my note into my bag. There will be no need of me going to class again, i already packed up my stuff knowing it was the last period i have for the day.

"The physics teacher gave me the key to lock the lab since the lab prefect is feeling indisposed"

We both walked out the lab, him locking the door after us. We walked through the quiet hallway with no words spoken between us.

"So... The first CA test is coming up next week. Are you prepared?" he was looking straight up as the words flows out of his mouth.

"I won't call myself prepared, i prefer gearing up" he gave me a look.

"I saw your chemistry homework today Tolani. You had a nine and half over ten and I am sure you didn't score everything because the teacher does not give a full mark" he said, the look he gave me made me feel like an alien.

"You scored nine" I deadpanned.

If he was going to play 'peek a score' so can I. I watch a smile play on his lips.

"You checked my scripts"

He sounded amused, maybe to the fact that i grew some balls or should i say brea- never mind. You know what i mean. I was bold enough to check his script.

"I just stole a glance. Like a peek" my voice sounding small.

"Hmm... And i believe you"

We both left the block heading out only to bump into his friends. I watch him exchange bro handshakes with the guys.

"You are ready?" Theresa asked while throwing a glance at my bag, i nodded "let's go freshen up"

She exchanged her goodbyes with the guys all the while i was avoiding eye contact with a particular someone.

He can't expect me to behave like nothing is going on after him speaking those words to me.

I see you...

I had always seen you...

You try as much as possible to stay unnoticed but it is quite impossible for someone like you..

"What are you thinking about?" Theresa's voice came directly in to my ear as we walked with linked arms through the main school blocks.

I don't think i will ever get comfortable with the stares handed my way. And the hush conversations too.

"Am not thinking about anything"

"Liar... Is it Korede?" I freeze at the name and i guess she noticed this due to the quiet laughs escaping her lips.

"There is nothing going on between us" I defended only to realize my mistake as she threw me a smirk.

"Did i say anything was going on between you two?" she teased and i felt my cheeks heat up. "let me advice you, don't answer him immediately o. Make sure he works hard to have you by his side. Show him pepper small, hmm?"

I don't know what to make of her advise but i only stared at her with a shocked expression while she merely pulled me along.

We got to the hostel, heading straight to our room. Our room, am the roommate to the school head girl who was a total hotshot.

Interesting.

I went ahead to quickly undress before taking my bath, after that i took my afternoon nap during siesta.

Before i know it, it was time for dinner.

"You are seating with me today" she said defiantly.

"You know i can't "

"Why?!" she asked looking very annoyed all of a sudden.

How can a girl go from being happy to being sad all of a sudden?

"It will look weird and i will be the odd one out and i don't think your friends would be comfortable with it. I can't leave Ejiro behind"

"They are okay with it. You can bring your friend to tag along and get rid of that hideous sweater" she said giving the brown sweater i was wearing on my house wear a disgusting look like it was a sacrilege to her eyes.

I don't blame her. This sweater had being through hell and back. And did she just say i could bring Ejiro along?

"I have nothing to wear" I complained.

"Do you have to wear something on your house wear? The weather is good enough. The cafeteria will be at a steady temperature now get rid of that!"

Begrudgingly, I took off the sweater. Why so snappy?

She smiled when i was left in my house wear dress. It wasn't too tight or too big. It was fitting... In contrast to last year. Something i realized just now.

"See... Filling in the right places" I look down at my form before turning to look at her now excited frame.

"I really don't know" i said sounding unsure.

"Oh come of it. You look sweet in the eyes" she said before picking her lip gloss, applying a nice portion on my lips, she plays around with my hair before nodding in approval at what she saw. "let's go"

******
"No"

"Why? " I almost wailed at his sharp reply.

"You were invited. I wasn't"

"But i need you there... "

"Why?"

"Because you are my plus one?"

He shook his head at my statement.

"Nope. Not a good reason"

"Please na. I can't go there all alone" he shook his head watching the woman dish out his food while waiting patiently "what is your problem na? Theresa has already given me a go ahead to bring you along"

He practically froze at that statement.

"Really?" he asked looking as if i don't know what i was saying. I nodded "You should have told me all along. So when are we going to seat with them?"

See this boy o...

"Now"

"What?! You are joking right?" he whispered yelled when he saw some students turning to us from their table.

"Does it look like am joking?" I deadpanned.

"Oh my God.. "  he basically fanned himself while holding his tray of food with the other hand "how do i look?"

I frowned at his words while collecting my food which was spaghetti and fish sauce.

"You look okay.. " I watch him play with his shirt collar while stealing a glances at the said table.

"Okay? That is it?"

"What do you want me to say?"

He huffs shaking his head.

"You are supposed to tell me i look hot and breathtaking. How am I supposed to catch Theresa's eyes if I don't look that way?"

This boy is a lost cause.

"Just let us go before she thinks am ditching her and decides to drag me by my hair to the table"

"She would do that?" i gave him a single look "of course she would"

We walk with our tray in our hands. Nobody paid us attention, we moved with calculated steps towards the table at the middle of the dining hall.

That was when everyone went quiet as they see what we were trying to do. They threw us different looks.

'What are those two trying to do?'

'Where are they going to?'

'Are they stupid?  Wait they are going towards the Elite table o'

Are we really stupid?

I turn to look at Ejiro's shaking form and i felt bad for dragging him to this.

What if they had changed their mind? It will be so embarrassing.

We stopped a feet away from them, watching them converse in low tones not until Bankole looked up from the conversation. His eyes grew wide.

"Tolani"

Their silent conversation seized as they all look at my form. His eyes solely on me got me feeling queasy.

"Omo-T! You came" Theresa gushed.

"Hi" I greeted shyly.

"Why are you standing? Sit down " she gestured towards the empty chair beside Korede. Seems she was prepared for my visit to their table.

Then i noticed that there was no chair for Ejiro to seat on and i can see his shoulder sag in discomfort and shame.

I won't allow this. If my friend is not welcome, then there is no need for me staying here.

"I brought my friend along" I directed my statement to Theresa ignoring the looks i was receiving from eighty percent of the school population.

"Oh... " she ran a single look through his form as if she was seeing him for the first time, then looking around the occupied table for an imaginary empty chair apart from mine "you!" she shouted at the nearest table to them because every table surrounding them was at least four feet away from theirs.

One of the students occupying the table, gaped at her pointing his index finger to himself.

"M-me? "

I am not surprised, maybe that was the first time she ever spoke to him.

"Yes you! Are you using that chair?"

"No" he said shaking his head before grabbing the chair by the neck, hauling it towards the elite's table.

When he got there he stood like a deer caught in headlights but Theresa's next instruction snapped him out of his thoughts. She didn't bother with a thank you and the guy does not look like he was expecting it because he gaped at her for good thirty seconds probably basking in her beauty and feeling honored to be in her presence. See what their presence does to you.

It was when Evans asked him what he was still doing there, that was when he snapped out of it. By that time, i was already seated beside Akorede who kept stealing glances my way while Theresa sat in the middle of Ejiro and Evans.

I look up to see Faramade giving me one of those his weird looks before letting a rare smile hit his face which was directed at me.

I would have smiled back if not for the view that greeted me behind him.

Celine and her friends, sat huddled together staring at the table, no staring at me with evil eyes. They keep talking in hushed tones which i find uncomfortable.

Don't tell me this is what Akorede sees every blessed day? And I guess their countenance to him must have been different from mine.

This is going to be one long dinner...

...............

Facts about me:

I was bullied back in my junior secondary school for so many reasons. First, because i was so skinny and scrawny that a fellow female student called me a 'twig'.  Most of my mates had already grown an ample amount of breast so imagine the scorn whenever a boy glared at my flat chest. I hated myself during that period but not anymore.

I always smile whenever i am reminiscing on those times 😏😏...there is nothing wrong in being a late bloomer... Just love yourself, it may be hard but just develop that self love, it goes a long way.