Toby had been late for breakfast again. He dressed up quickly before he received a scolding from his aunt. He loved his guardians so much that he tried by all means not to disappoint them. They were more than just guardians to him despite them being his aunt and uncle. He treated them like his own biological parents. They had had the liberty of taking care of him since infancy, after all.

He ran down the stairs like a mad man nearly falling on the last step. He had woken up to the smell of sizzling bacon, eggs, and toast and actively took a short bath. He always loved the scent of slightly burnt toast in the morning. Toby preferred toast to newly baked bread from the oven that was deeply loved by Aunt Mary. Breakfast was her favorite meal of the day. Unfortunately today Toby did not have enough time to sit for breakfast.

''Ah Toby you're still here?'' asked his uncle Gerald, running his eyes up and down the famous newspaper called The Herald.

''I'm late again,'' said Toby fixing his tie and taking a seat at the dining table. Breakfast was already served. He took his time delighting himself to the sight before his eyes.

''You still have to eat Ballie. Don't you dare skip breakfast again!'' said Mary serving eggs to Gerald.

''I have to, I'm sorry. I got to go now,'' picks up his plate, ''Will eat in the car.''

''Ballie!'' called Mary running to the door where Toby swiftly passed.

''Yes!'' he responded after removing his car keys from the patched pocket on his trousers.

''We won't be here when you get back from school. I will leave your suit ready in your room. And...''

''I won't ask Natalie mom'' he said running back to Mary and kissing her forehead. ''Don't worry about me. Make sure you take those meds okay.''

He ran back to his car and drove off. It was 0800hrs and he was in trouble. Traffic was low making it easier for him to get to school in at least fifteen minutes. He held the steering wheel tight as he increased the weight on the pedal resulting in the car's highest speed. He stopped his car in front of the big closed gate and waited for the gate-keeper to open it. The look on the guard's face made Toby even more anxious.

He was really late.

The corridors were all empty and quiet. He ran so hard and stopped a few steps away from his classroom door to catch a breath. The door creaked loudly to his push and was busted by the Geography teacher halfway through her lesson. Toby feared his break time privileges were going to be taken away from him for the day. If that happened, he knew he was going to be fine because of the breakfast he had had in his car.

''Ma'am I can explain,'' pleaded Toby.

''What exactly Toby Davis? You've been coming in late for two weeks now! I'm afraid I'll have to take strict measures. I suspend you from going to the Social tonight.'' A bit overdramatic but he did not care. He was not interested anyways.

''Ma'am I'm so sorry but you cannot do that,'' interrupted Keith. He was Toby's classmate and best friend.

''Why not Keith?'' she asked playing with her pen rhythmically beating it on her palm. Toby was asking himself the exact same question.

''Ma'am as the chief organizer of the Social he was made the guest speaker and he has to be there.''

Toby was torn between relief and confusion.

Guest speaker?

''Okay, Toby you won't be suspended all thanks to your friend. Now sit down!''

Toby walked to his seat at the back, responding to the silly giggles with an unapologetic smile. He gave Keith a cold smile because of what he had said. Keith never told Toby about him giving a speech at the Social. Maybe because he knew that Toby would refuse his request. He was angry with him but got over it. Out of the blue, Keith mentioned Natalie's name and Toby changed his mind about going to the get-together. There was a reason he wanted.

''You want me to do what?'' yelled Toby. Then Keith forced him to shut up. The teacher cast glance in their direction to which the boys immediately responded. So close!

''I have to get there earlier so I can't take her to the Social. Please go with Natalie.''

''Only because I love you and you've saved my ass a lot of times. When should I pick her up?''

***

''Dude I don't even understand why you brought your bike here. Toby I'm in a dress for crying out loud,'' complained Natalie getting off the motorbike after having stopped at the zebra crossing line for all the other students to cross.

Toby could not believe the small zebra crossing line within school premises. Theirs was bigger and more spacious for easier parking. He stopped thinking about all of this when a girl with her funky and huge afro hairstyle crossed the road. There was something different about the way she walked. Her hair was beautiful although it seemed unpolished. Her posture caught his eye. Rich boy tendencies. This time he felt it were different.

''Nat please don't start, not right now. I was just doing your boyfriend a favor. Please I don't want to fight.''

Everyone knew Toby Davis. Girls worshipped him whereas guys loathed him. He was simply gorgeous. Light fair skin, strong and sexy jawline, and thin-lined lips. He was tall and had broad shoulders that had developed from his sporting career. He was a famous young and successful basketball player. One of the Top 3 best male basketball players in Zimbabwe. He was not only good in sports but also extremely intelligent. Always pressured into taking a different career route by his parents. Lucky for him they have come to terms with his decision to focus on basketball for now. He is one of the lucky ones who never value their talents and usefulness.

A bad boy with a bad reputation he was. It came along with his popularity. He became the center of attention to either teenagers or adults on his first breakthrough as a basketballer in the Zimbabwe's match with Malawi three years ago.  His skills are worthy to be praised. Toby was very handsome. Rumors stated that he had declined three marriage proposals already at the age of eighteen. He only hooked up with people but never committed to them despite their anticipated relationship in return. The thought of commitment or marriage made him cringe.

He arrived at the swimming pool site with Natalie. As expected everyone looked at them with silly questions running in their minds. Are they back together? What about Keith? Who is the next girl in line? At that moment Keith appeared in sight and kissed Natalie softly clearing people's confusion. Natalie was no longer Toby's but Keith's.

''Ladies and gentlemen I'd like to give to you Toby Davis!''

The crowd went wild! The opening remarks went well and so did the games and activities that were planned. Laughter dominated the atmosphere leaving everyone satisfied with the night. People danced, had amazing food and met new people. Everyone except Toby. Being around so many ladies wanting him overwhelmed him. He somehow glorified the attention but hated the lies brought along with it. 

When it's just the two of us
You tell me that I'm what you've always wanted
But lately, love if I'm being honest
I think your promises are built to break my mistake...

''Whoa!'' screamed the girl startled by a guy standing there smirking at her loud singing.

''James Smith?'' he says swallowing his laugh.

''What?'' she asks nervously, removing her headphones and lowering them onto her shoulders.

''You dance like my sister. So hilarious,'' softly laughs. Toby was sure it was the girl from the Zebra line.

''Can I help you?''

''Yes. My mom wants a babysitter and I was hoping you would want the job? So you want to work for me? Perhaps?'' he asks, surprised by the unpleasant look this girl cast on him. He had never in a long time gotten such a reaction from someone.

''I'm sorry do I know you?'' she asks again. 

Suddenly Lizzy came to the basketball court Olivia was cleaning and threw that 'don't you dare' eye.

''Toby we need you back in there,'' she sweetly said moving her hand up and down his muscular arm. He was gorgeous. At the mention of his name she  suddenly remembered there was a guy with such a name and it was the douche bag laughing at her singing although it was expected. She was hilarious when she sang.

''Think about it,'' suggested Toby about his proposal. He was overconfident that he was going to hear from her soon.

They both walked away back to the swimming pool up the field. She had finally seen Toby Davis after failing to stalk him on Instagram earlier because of the chores she had to complete at home. He was too good looking to be her type. Babysitting? Olivia did not even know him or his mother. She did not waste any more time thinking about him and finished up sweeping the last court. In thirty minutes she was done with the storeroom and was dismissed at around 2030hrs.

She walked up the field and up the concrete-tiled stairs. They were couples making out and others taking pictures. The music was beautiful, playing in there. She was really tired and hungry when she walked up from the playgrounds to the classrooms. It was really late for her to catch the bus. So she sat at one seat of the terrazzo tables waiting for time to pass her by. The bus was going to be arriving at the stop in an hour. Sitting there alone was better than waiting for the bus alone in the middle of the streets on a Friday night.

The motorbike she had seen earlier stopped a few feet away from her. It was the medium-sized black 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2R. How did that end up in the hands of this guy?

''Want a ride?''

''Are kidding me? That's your pick-up line?''

''Did it work? You impressed?''

''Should I be?''

''I just realized we haven't said a simple straightforward non-question sentence.''

''Probably a sign you should not talk to me.'' Olivia was not interested but after the few seconds of intense staring and teasing, she was made powerless and weak to defend herself from the feeling. The feeling of being noticed.

''I'm hungry! You wanna get something to eat?'' he gets off the bike.

''Why would I do that?''

''Another question! Lady just get on the bike,'' Toby instructed, trying to convince her using his dangerous sexy smile. It worked.

''Can I ride it?'' asked Olivia, loving the view of his motorbike.

''Sure. Steers?''

''Okay.''

Olivia felt a combination of exhilaration, pleasure, and fear. This was her first time on a bike since she was twelve years old. She had not imagined herself dying with a stranger. She could feel his body move closer to hers as he put his hands in her shirt and clasped onto her waist. She had put herself in this position and could not help but feel a tingle escape her body.

Parking in front of Steers located on 12th Street ignited their appetite further more. The food smelt amazing even from a distance. Olivia was surprised by how Toby was also known at Steers. By the way, this was her first time in a fast-food restaurant.

Her nerves were all over the place so she said nothing to him. Absolutely nothing. She had chips, salad, chicken and a coke. She was starving. When she checked the time and it was already too late for her to catch the last bus.

Toby offered to take her home. Olivia was tired, really exhausted. She gave him her address and slept on his back on the way. He noticed this when he tried to start a conversation with her concerning her ability to ride a motorbike. When they arrived at her place, Toby tried to wake her up but could not. She was sleeping so peacefully that he felt the guilt he was going to feel after she had been woken up and chose not to. He asked the guard of the flat texting on his phone for her flat number and used her keys to unlock the doors.

He tripped over a couple of beer bottles on the floor whilst carrying Olivia. The house was a mess. Her room was so easy to locate because of the clothes on the floor and all over the place. After setting her on the old and uncomfortable bed he left.

**Is Toby a relatable character? Vote and comment😊**