SAMANTHA's POV

Daniel was right. My choleric years need to end. I should have full control of my emotions, most especially my anger. I go into the class and suck in deep breaths. Everyone are staring at me with their hawkish eyes.

"Come and fight him na," Nora sneers, hands on her waist. I ignore her and sit on my chair. Daniel walks in and also takes his seat. Class begins with our physics teacher's arrival and I listen to every word, praying I'll ace all my exams. There is no way I'll let those annoying boys ruin my dreams. Classes go smoothly and soon, the bell for lunch break is rung. On cue, my stomach growls. As soon as the Economics teacher walks out of the class, I yawn.

What a boring class!

I dash to the cafeteria. I'm craving Jollof rice and fried plantain. Hunger had its claws and has eaten deep in my belly, digging holes worst than the potholes I had ran past in the morning to meet assembly. I eat with Benjamin, Obinna and Dennis. We make plans for my academics and Dennis concludes, "Daniel is the best person for the job. Trust me, that guy is a genius. Befriend him."

"We are already friends"

"Then you have hit jackpot!" he exclaims and burst into bubbles of laughter.  

I smile. "You no trust me? I cannot carry last."

"Let's eat fast so you can use the remaining time to read. I want to see you achieve your dreams. You're my bestie," Obinna says and bats his lashes.

"Bro, no way! Don't look at me like that. Don't give me that sorry look," I tell him and thwack his arm.

"I feel bad you won't be playing with us," Obinna adds.

"Forget that. Now, I want to play with the best girls out there," I chuckle and wink.

"I love your never-give-up spirit," he replies.

"I inherited from my dad," I say with a swell of undiluted pride.

"How's your relationship with your mom?" Benjamin asks, a straw in his mouth and a bottle of fanta in the air as he had raised his hand.

I let out a hiss, long and sinister like the hiss of a snake. "My mom and I can never get along. It's a fact I've accepted."

"Chai" he responds. "That's not good. Shouldn't you try to reconcile with her?"

"To reconcile with a mother that calls me a bastard? Let me tell you something. My mom regrets bringing me to this world. There is nothing I can do about that and that's why I have chosen not to see as a mother but someone I'm forced to live with," I disclose and ball my hands into a fist, my brows knitted. "I'm leaving."

"Ben, see what you have caused. You spoilt her mood," Obinna scowls. "Couldn't you leave the question?"

"I'm concerned about her. There is no way she won't be hurting about that. No one can be happy when rejected by their mother. It hurts a lot. I know what I'm saying," Benjamin retorts and sips out of his drink. He sends a look of concern to me and I roll my eyes.

"We can talk later," I announce and rise up.

"You're leaving?" Obinna questions.

"Yes. To read."

"Ohh....." he trails off.

"What about your food?" Dennis cocks a brow and glances at the food. "And the meat?"

"You can have it. I'm full."

"I like that talk," Dennis says mirthfully and draws the plate to himself.

I march out of the crowded and decorative cafeteria, different aromas wafting around me. Walking down the hallway to my class, Nora slides to my front. She stabs my chest with her thumb and groans.

"Hello," I say and pull a smile on my face. "Did you see your crush with me today? He is in support of my dream. He doesn't even care about what you have to say."

"You are so petty, Sam. How can you play with Daniel's heart like that?"

"How am I playing with his heart? I didn't do anything"

"So why are you dating him?"

I bite my bottom lip. We aren't dating but she thinks we are. That's good. I smirk and shrug. "Why can't I? Maybe I like him."

"You don't and we both know that," she says, her voice plummeting with a weak tone.

"You're smart," I reply. I just want to see her in pain. She's the reason my dad is disappointed in me. I only have my dad's love and she wants to ruin that too. My mom talks about her nonstop and compares her with me all day. I deserve a sweet revenge.

"Stay away from him," she mumbles and now her head. She exhales and looks into my eyes. She's struggling with a broken heart. I can see that. She must be hurt that I'm the one in Daniel's heart.

"Oh my! I'm so scared. I'll have to avoid him then," I exclaim with a note of sarcasm.

She grimaces. "Stop this Sam. I care about Daniel a lot. I know he likes you and anything you do will hurt him. He is so kindhearted. This is not fair."

I spot Daniel coming down the hall and I leap within me. Great timing!

"You've broken my heart. Are you saying I'm a bad person and that I don't deserve him? Ah! I need a hug right now."

She furrows her brows in confusion.

"Hey, Daniel" I wave at him. He pause his talk with Boma and waves back.

I eye Nora and jog to him. I embrace him warmly, my arms around his neck. He doesn't hug back and that irks me. I force a husky voice and whisper, "Thank you for today." I let the hug last for a while and let go. I glance at Nora. Pain is in her eyes and she walks away.

Boma chuckles. "Is there something I'm missing here?"

"Yeah!" I tell him.

"What? Cos I helped you today. Where is my hug?"

I roll my eyes. "Daniel is more than a friend to me."

His eyes go round so does Daniel's. I chuckle. "Don't you like me, Daniel? We can be more than friends."

"Oh my goodness! Dude," Boma barks and slams his back. "She's asking you out. Say yes."

He opens his mouth but all his words fall as babbles but no concrete meaning. He rubs his neck nervously.

"He needs time to comprehend all these," Boma says on his behalf.

I nod. "I'm going to the library. We can talk later."

"Sure," Boma responds.

Daniel gawks. His expression is knotted in a way I can't read. I don't know if he's happy or scared about my new confession.

I wave and stroll off.

        Is Sam fair to Daniel? What do you think will be Daniel's reply?

Thank you for reading. God bless.