DANIEL'S POV

After a lot of convincing, my robotics team finally allowed me to go for my football practice. I'm the leader of the team. Actually, I am the founder. I have always loved anything related to robotics. In fact, I want to be a robotics engineer in future.

However, I go to the field and wave at the coach from a distance. The coach, Mr Balogun, is not too happy with me joining the team because he knows my interest is in robotics and that can cause clashes in my schedule. I know he is right about that but then again, I can't lose to Sam. My ego won't let me. It's not that I'm supercilious but I've got a good amount of pride in me. The kind that boosts my self-confidence.

As I stride down the field, I spot Sam who is about to shoot a ball to a guy. Our eyes meet and she scowls. In a blink of an eye, she shoots the ball at my direction. I decided to head it. The most foolish decision ever! The ball was like, "Never! You must drop down". I fall backwards as it slams my forehead. Everywhere becomes blurry as my head spins in milliseconds. Soon, everyone is around me.

"Are you okay?" Mr Balogun's voice echoes. "Samantha, what is wrong with you? Why will you do that?"

"I actually thought he will catch it," she says nonchalantly.

Some boys help me to my feet and I couldn't suppress the splitting headache that began to surface. I shake my head a little to see if that would help. It just got worst.

"You need to go to the infirmary now," the coach commands. "Samantha, take him there now!"

"But sir...I have practice na," she grumbles. "I haven't done my laps".

"You will do thrice of it if you don't take him there NOW!" he lowers his face to meet hers. She cringes with a snarl on her face, eyes me and says, "Let's go".

I move but stagger.

"Hold him," The coach adds and walks away, beckoning the other team players to him.

Sam scoffs. "Are you a handicap? Your legs no dey work again?"

A smirk creeps to my face and I intentionally fall to the ground with a cry, "My head!"

The coach lunge to our side. "Help him up! What's wrong with you, Sam? You don't know how powerful your kicks can be? What if you have injury him?"

"If he goes mental, she go marry him las las," A boy teases.

"Shut up. Is this where you are training? Get out," Coach barks.

"Sir, I will take him. Go!" Sam hisses. He narrows his eyes at her while she helps me up. She puts my arm over her shoulder and her arms around my waist. "Walk, idiot".

I smirk and follow her movement as we walk into the school.

"It is sweet seeing you care for me," I whisper into her ears and my voice is at its huskiest.

"You wish," she snarls.

"But serious, were you trying to damage my pretty face?" I chuckle. "Why shoot the ball at me?"

"Your face disgusts me!" she snaps.

"Or it is too handsome for you to comprehend? I'm sure that's what happened"

"You like to whine yourself"

"Why won't I?" A spurt of laughter echoes from me. "My crush ain't ready to do that for me".

"Continue with this and your crush will break your nose"

"And how do you know you are my crush? What if it is someone else?"

"Ehhh....So? What if I threaten your crush to break your nose? That's if it is someone else"

"So you are saying you are my crush?"

"Wo...I don't care. Don't stress me"

I snicker and she tackles me, making me fall unto the ground. I slam my back and cough out. Unfortunately, my legs bump her hard that she falls too. Not on me though. Don't let your mind be corrupt. She fell beside me. If only the scenes in Bollywood was easy to act out with Sam, we suppose dey stare into each other's eyes.

Sam springs to her feet. "Shebi the infirmary no far? You go walk there yourself. Bye" she hisses and begins to stomp down the hall.

"I'll report"

"The coach is in the field. Feel free to go there too. Ode!"

I shake my head and rise to my feet. I trudge to the infirmary and meet up with Sam who is already inside. After a while with the nurse, she concludes "You seem fine. Take this painkiller for your headache and rest. You can take a nap here". I glance at the bed lying in the corner of the room.

"Don't worry. I will just take the pills and head to class. Thank you ma"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes ma"

"Ma, he is not sure. Maybe we can call a psychiatrist to check him. I'm just suggesting oo"

"Samantha, what are you still doing here?" The nurse, Mrs Odili quizzes.

Sam chuckles, "It is my fault he is going nuts na. That's why Mr Balogun said I should follow him".

"He is not going nuts. Mind your words. Why will you be insulting your mate like that?"

"Ma, I won't lie oo. He has been acting mad since"

"This girl mind your words oo"

"Don't mind her. That's how she use to insult me. She almost disfigure my fine face"

"It is good for you"

"Samantha, thank you. Please leave this place"

"Ah! Oshey! Thank you oo. Me I don't even want to be here sef" Sam hops to her feet, straight her skirt and march out of the room. Mrs Odili shakes her head as she mumbles some words to herself. She goes to her cupboard and gets the painkiller for me. She hands me two pills and I down it with a gulp of water. The school bell rings and I rise to my feet.

"Thank you ma. I have to go now"

"It's alright. Thank God. Take care of yourself oo. I know your mother very well oo. She won't like anything to happen to you. Be careful with that Samantha. She plays roughly alot. I think it was last term that she fought a guy and he broke his front teeth. Just stay away from her for your own good".

"Ah! I'm not scared of her," I reply.

"Did I ask you if you are? Her dad is rich. No one can really penalize her if she injuries anyone. Keep your distance from her. She is a spoilt brat"

"Is that what all the staffs in this school think of her?"

"You said you have class, right?"

"Is that...."

She cuts me short. "Bye bye! Go for your class".

I study her stern face and could tell she is not interested in answering my question. I bow my head as I thank her again and leave the room.

I want to check the field if anyone was still there but I don't have the energy to head there. I decide to go upstairs to the balcony because I know I would be able to see the football field from there. I get there but the door is already unlocked. Someone was inside. This made me hesitant. What if it was the Principal? He gave a clear warning that he doesn't want to see anyone there. Though I am the Head boy, it doesn't give me an excuse to disobey his order.

I'm about to leave but I hear sobbing, a thin voice that rings in the air. I want to walk away but I didn't have the heart to. Someone is hurt and I wish to help. I consider missing my chemistry class and then, my mind goes to the crying girl. She needs someone's help and I want to be available. I go in and the sweet wind whispers a welcome to me. I spot the girl as she folds herself to the wall, wiping the tears that streamed out of her bloodshot eyes.

I wave at her and she ignores me, hiding her face with her hands. I sigh and come to sit beside her.

"What are you doing here?" She snaps.

"I'm here to watch and wait"

"For what?"

"For you to share with me what happened? You are crying. I won't leave here till you stop crying and you are fine"

"Get out! I don't need your help"

"A problem half shared is half solved"

She drags her eyes to me and our eyes meet. I send a small smile at her and she bursts into fresh tears.

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Thank you for reading. I really appreciate. Sadly, I'm facing writer's block oo. And it looks like all the English I had in my head has gone oo😭😭🤣💔💔😭😭

Wahala dey oo. You guys should pray for me oo.🙏🙏🙏

Pls Comment and Vote. Thanks again.

Your sincerely,
Mabel 💃