<I want you. You want her. She wants him. He wants me. . .>

|13|

"HELLO, MY name is Jayden Ross. I'm 17 just like you all and. . ." That was the only thing I got as he spoke because I was too mesmerized staring at him to hear the rest.

His demeanor screamed nerd.

Standing tall, his hands encircled the back strap that hung on his shoulder. Atop his head, were tofee brown curly strands bursting of lustre thanks to the fluorescent tube on the ceiling.

He had the type of face and body that stopped you in your tracks; lithe body with skin shining like bronze, strong and defined face seemingly molded from granite, full lips that bloomed of rose and a nose that pointed upwards. All these were framed by thick dark eyebrows.

I looked down, noting what he wore. His plain jean trouser, turtleneck and black loafers didn't remove any bit of beauty from him. They rather enhanced his nerdy style of dressing.

The only thing lessening his gorgeous appeal was the thick frame glasses he wore. That was a piece of steak amongst platters of pastries because I really wanted to know the color of his eyes.

Ached even.

Pfffff. Another hot breeze was targeted my way again. This time around, in my delicate ears. A tiny frown etched itself on my face as I whirled to glare at whoever had interrupted my observing session of the hot new guy.

Kian. He had a guilty expression on his face which confirmed my suspicions. I stopped myself from face palming. So it was him who had made me shiver earlier, and by the way, what was up with him blowing air on my body?

"Why did you do that?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. At first to my dismay, I wondered if he had noticed me slavering at the new boy.

"You looked so lost in thoughts and what better way to get you back than that?" he said, lips drawn back in a smile. Thank goodness, he didn't know I had been almost drooling at someone new.

His statement reminded me about what I had been thinking before now. I hung my face down, mortification drifting through me, as I recalled yesterday's embarrassing activities.

"Hey, don't you dare think about what happened again. That was yesterday, this is today and running your mind through it all over again will give you nothing but an ache in your pretty head." He tapped his temple and made his facial features contort into a funny face. He looked so hilarious, with the way his eyes popped out and all.

Kian, the "Golden Boy" was behaving strangely these few days he said he had changed. Maybe that's what change does to a person. It makes you do things you don't usually see yourself doing.

I put my hands to my mouth, trying to muffle the turmoil of mirth threatening to spill out of me. I managed to mutter out, my fingers still sticking to my lips, "Oh my God Kian! Stop it!"

"You say what? I ain't hearing you clearly." He cupped a hand to his right ear, that funny face of his still intact. This added gesture finally brought out the laughter welling inside.

You see girls are meant to have dainty tinkling laughter that sounds like music to the ears but not mine. Mine had the sound or noise, since it was unpleasant, of a vulture cackling at its new found corpse. And that was why I had been preventing myself from bursting out.

The whole class became tranquility itself, extremely silent that you could actually hear a needle drop. Everyone including the new boy turned to stare at me. Oops! I sat motionless, unable to say or do anything.

Way to make a first impression Olay, bad mind whispered hotly.

"Was there anything I said that was funny? And if so, why didn't the class laugh along with you?" Mr. Bentley demanded raising both brows up.

"I uh. . . It was an. . ." I stammered, my heart throbbing furiously. He seemed like he was about to grant me detention. No, I didn't want that. Not now. Not ever!

"I made her do it so I'll take the blame," Kian uttered harshly, earning a curious gaze from the teacher and students. Mr. Bentley's annoyed glare changed into a friendly expression.

"Anyways, I have no time to waste in doling out punishment, we've wasted enough as it is already." Yeah, right. He reverted his very nearly given sanction back because he didn't want to enter Kian's black book. Oh the joys of being the Principal's son.

I glanced at Kian, my face showing how grateful I was.

"Thank you," I called softly to him.

"You're always welcome. At least I made you smile," he whispered, and gave me a playful wink.

I met the window once more, like that he wouldn't see me grinning like a fool. He had played the comedian so I would forget about my sad predicament. It was indeed sweet and kind of him.

Mr. Bentley boded further with his speech, "We have twenty minutes remaining before this class ends so Jayden I'll like for you to sit down on the empty seat next to Jamila."

What?! My glee evaporated away and I instantly arched my neck to the front where they two stood.

Me, Olay the girl who sat alone before was now sandwiched in between two hot guys. Where did my goodluck come from? No, not goodluck. It was bad luck now because I wouldn't be able to look out of my window any time I chose to. I silently wailed inside, mourning the loss of that window.

Waving a stunted finger to indicate where my seat was, Mr. Bentley said, "That's all for now, let our class begin." As usual he began droning about boring topics.

Seeing that Jayden, the cute boy with the glasses was arriving my way, I hastily brought out my English textbook, opened up to a random page and stuck my nose to it pretending I was reading.

"Hi."

Shocked, I loosened my tight hold on the pencil I held. It fell to the ground and rolled a few feets to the left, coming to a stop at Jayden's shoe.

Bending downwards, he picked it up.

"Here." He handed it over to me, his earthenware complexion fingers laying on mine. They felt warm and rough to touch. I immediately retrieved my pencil.

"Thank you and I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner," I apologized, suddenly feeling stupid that I had ignored him.

"It's okay. You appeared to be busy though." A tiny smile playing on those rosy lips of his, he removed a black note book and displayed it on the desk.

If only he knew. I blurted out, not wanting him to have a bad opinion of me, "My name's Jamila Kincade." I left Olayinka so he wouldn't feel weirded out like people did whenever I told them my African name.

"I would have told you my name but you already know that. Nice to meet you Jamila." He took out a hand.

Ouhh, he's the old-fashioned type, good mine chortled. Agreed.

"Nice to meet you too Jayden."

He smiled at me, teeth sparkling white and the light reflecting on his glasses. Not only was he cute, he was nice and gentle too. I smiled back and shook his hand.

***

I sat down with Kian during lunch time. He insisted I join his table instead of sitting alone at my table. I had obviously refused but he had asserted so here I was eating along with him on the table meant for the populars. Of course, his dear friend's face looked like shit. We overlooked them and ate our food silently.

I remembered the jacket and clothes he gave me the other day.

"About the jacket and---"

"I'll give you your cap---"

We both started at the same time. Glancing at each other, we immediately hooted in laughter, our chests trembling with humor. A tiny part of me still couldn't get a hold of the fact Kian was laughing along with me.

"Okay you go first," I said, when we were done guffawing.

"No you first."

"No you!"

"You!"

Our bickering brought the attention of a few people. We didn't care to see who. It would probably be some bitches.

"Okay okay, so what I wanted to say was that I'm returning your jacket and those dresses you gave me and I know I've said this before today but---"

I was about to thank him when I saw Jayden standing looking confused, like he didn't know where to sit. I knew exactly how he felt, I had gone through that too.

"Hey Jayden, this way!" I waved at him. This was my chance to show him I was a pleasant person.

Hearing his name, he wheeled enroute towards us, a relieved mien on his striking face.

"No," Kian said stoutly when Jayden reached the table.

"And why not?" I peered at him, wondering what was up with Kian.

"This table's not for nerds."

Wait what? That's stupid. About to tell him what I thought of his dense statement, I opened my mouth.

"No, it's okay. I can sit somewhere else." Giving me a little nod, Jayden went over to sit on the table I usually sat on. Before Kian became good.

I felt bad. This wasn't fair. Acting on impulse, I stood, wanting to stay with Jayden.

Carrying my steel tray up with me, I was close to leaving there. Until someone seized the tray.

Kian clasped my left palm. "Stay. Please?"

I wavered between my decision. Who should I sit with? Kian or Jayden?

A/N: While writing the part Kian blew on Olay's skin, I was smiling like a fool lol. So what dyu think of Jayden, the quiet guy? Did his description meet up to your expectations? Please don't forget to vote and comment. Thanks!
Sweet appreciations to ahanstasia miss_onyinye_ for helping with Jayden's description and dheenmah for actively supporting and commenting on this book. Check out their works too, extremely marvelous I tell you!

Nita.