Zaria's POV

It's a week to the exams and we have stopped tutoring the juniors to at least get time for ourselves to read. Suddenly the school grew from very noisy to very quiet. Even people that we didn't expect to be reading were reading like no man's business. We were having study groups and class discussions to help everyone.

Exam was not the only thing on my mind. I still couldn't get my mind off what happened last week between Joel and I in the hall. It felt so intense and to be honest I love the feeling of having him close to me.

I have never felt that way towards any guy. Since we became friends, we haven't exactly hugged and that was the closest I have ever gotten to him. What would now happen if we hug... Or do something more?

What the hell are you thinking, Zaria?! I scolded myself.

I faced my book again and tried to concentrate on reading but my mind wandered again. I haven't exactly had a boyfriend. Actually I have never had a boyfriend. Uncle Sam used to be the closest guy to me, well that was before....

Don't remember it, Zaria. Don't! My subconscious said and I listened to it.

"Zee! " A familiar voice successful snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up and saw Lyla and she looked concerned.

"Hey." I faked a sweet smile.

"Don't give me that smile, okay? It has fake written all over it." She said, folding her hands across her chest.

Damn! This girl reads me like a book.

"Why would you think that?" I tried my best to look natural but my best friend of almost ten years wouldn't buy my fake act. I wonder how she still hasn't seen beneath my mask of perfection.

"Because I have been standing here for the past seven minutes calling your name and you were just staring out into space." She replied.

And now I have been caught.

She sighed and pulled out a chair to sit beside me. "There is something bothering you. What is wrong?" She asked me, concern laced at every corner of her face.

"It's just the exam. I am getting really stressed trying to solve this particular equation." I shoved my note towards her and showed her a random chemistry question.

I'm guessing she would buy this excuse...

She scoffed.

....Or not.

"Zaria, you taught me this exact equation two days ago. You are obviously covering up something. Spill it. I am your best friend." She looked at me with her baby doll eyes. I sighed.

"I've just got a lot of things on my mind, Lyla. That's all." I replied with a tone of finality.

"Something you can't share with your BFF?" Lyla looked slightly hurt.

"Maybe later, after the exams. Definitely not now. Please just let it go." I pleaded with her with my eyes. Knowing Lyla, She would likely forget before the exams even start.

"Alright. If you say so." She finally let it go. "By the way. I saw you and Joel last week in the hall." She added, a sly smirk on her lips. I widened my eyes.

The fuck?!

"You what?!" I whispered harshly.

"Yup, I saw both of you. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She winked at me and pulled an imaginary zip through her mouth. I gapped at her.

"What freaking secret?" I asked her.

"That you are attracted to him. You can deny it all you want, but it's pretty obvious, I wonder how Ada has not figured yet." She stated.

"For one, I am not attracted to him." I denied and Lyla scoffed. "Two, Ada actually threatened me to stay away from Joel." I added and immediately, Lyla's eyes became wide as saucers.

"How come I'm just hearing about this?" She asked incredulously.

"Because I didn't want to tell you. You know how Ada can get all worked up over a guy she hasn't even started to date. Remember when she actually beat Caroline up one time like that because of Temitayo." I told her.

"Honestly, babe needs to chill. It's not like she actually likes Joel sef. She just wants to add him to her list of conquests." Lyla kissed her teeth.

"Whatever madness Ada has set for this term, I don't want to be part of it. I have decided that whenever Joel and I are together, I'll make sure to mention Ada every time."I decided and Lyla shot me a skeptical look.

"I don't agree to that one bit but whatever." Lyla stated and I sighed. I didn't like my decision either

But the last thing I wanted was to get on Ada's bad side.

***

It was 6:30pm and I was just coming back from a study section at Lyla's house. Lyla's house was on the island so I took an Uber. I even wanted to step out of the house because Sam was around at the time I was about to leave. Coming back home at this time, I was sure that Aisha would be around and he can't try anything nasty to me with her around.

I paid my fare, walked into my estate and started to trek to my house which was several blocks away from the gate. I was on my phone, walking on the side walk when I suddenly heard my name.

I looked up and turned around to see someone running towards me. It was getting dark so I could hardly see a thing. When the person came close I realized it was someone I least expected to see in this estate.

"Joel?!" I was really surprised. I have never seen him in this estate.

"Hey, Zaria. Wow, what a coincidence. What are you doing here?" He asked, his naturally beautiful smile playing on his natural pink pale lips.

"I live here." I chuckled.

"Shut up! I live in this estate!" He exclaimed and we both laughed.

"How come I didn't know?" I asked.

"I should be asking you the exact same thing. Where are you coming from by the way?" He asked.

"I had a study section at Lyla's. I'm on my way to home. It's down the street." I explained.

"Mind if I walk you home?" He asked good-naturedly.

"I don't. I could use the company." I smiled and we both started to walk down the side work in a very comfortable silence.

"Zaria, about what happened in the hall last week....I'm sorry I put you in a tight corner like that. I shouldn't have made a move on you like that, at least without your permission." He said.

I'm not exactly sorry. But I can't tell him that.

"It's okay. We were just caught up in the moment, that's all." I replied and he nodded, a smile playing on his lips. I saw this as a good time to bring up Ada.

"So... You and Ada, uhn?" I stated in a teasing tone and he looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"What about me and Ada?" He asked and I shrugged in response.

"You two seem really close. It's obvious she likes you." I chipped in. He responded to that by letting out a deep rumbling chuckle.

"Well, that's too bad. I don't like her that way." He replied and I frowned.

"You don't? But you are always..." I started but he cut me short.

"I was trying to be polite. I can't just talk her off. I'm not that kind of person." He replied.

"But leading her on isn't cool either. She probably thinks you like her too." I told him. He looked at me for a while before shaking his head.

"I wasn't trying to lead her on. I am not ready to be in a relationship, I've had my fair share of bad relationships." He muttered the last part and I looked at him to see pain flash through his green orbs.

Must have really done a number on him.

"Even if I was ready to be in a relationship..." His voice jerked me back to reality and I looked at him. He was looking at me intently.

"I think I have someone else in mind." He whispered and I felt my breath get caught in my throat. It seemed like he was talking about me, I might be wrong though. But for the sake of friendship, I shook away that thought and flashed him a small smile.

"Give Ada a chance. She's harmless, trust me." I told him and I saw a glint on disappointment flash through his eyes, but it was gone with a blink.

"I'll consider it." He replied with an equal smile. "Let's get you home." He added and we walked together.

Soon we got to the gate of my house and we stopped.

"This is my stop." I told him. He didn't let my hand go. Instead he took the other one.

"Even tho it was quite short, I really enjoyed tonight." He said, searching my eyes. Even in the dim street lights, I could see his beautiful green eyes shine.

"Me too. I would love to invite you In but I am pretty sure you need to read. Plus my father is really protective when it comes to boys being with his daughter." I explained.

"I'm pretty sure he will love me." Joel wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed

"Go home, Joel." I slightly shoved him on the shoulder.

"Not without a hug." He said, staring at me intensely. I giggled and nodded, moving closer to him.

He closed the gap between us and enveloped me in a passionate hug. My hands found it's way around his neck and his were around my tiny waist.

God.

I leaned into him and closed my eyes, savoring our first hug ever while he nuzzled his face in my neck. For some reasons it was like he was protecting me because for the first time in a very long while, I felt very safe.

"Aheeem!" Someone cleared his throat behind us. I broke away from him and turned around to meet Sam glaring at Joel. Joel looked confused.

I spoke way too soon. Since when is it Sam's job to open the gate?!

"Your dad looks really young. What's his secret?" Joel whispered to me jokingly.

"That's not my dad. That's my Uncle." I whispered back.

"Zaria, you should be inside." Sam said. Then he looked at Joel with so much disdain. "Who is this?" He gestured.

"This is my friend, Joel. Joel, my uncle Sam." I said. Joel smiled good-naturedly and stretched his hand towards Sam.

"Hi man." He said. Sam completely ignored Joel and turned to me.

"You, inside, Now!" He snapped. I rolled my eyes.

"I gotta go, Joel." I smiled at him.

"I will give you a call before I go to bed. Is that okay?" He asked. I nodded. He caressed my hand with his thumb before letting it go. "Good night." He waved at me. I waved back before entering.

Sam slammed the gate and turned towards me, his eyes flaming with anger.

"Who is he?!" He snapped.

"I thought I answered that question. He is a friend." I turned to walk into the house. The maids must have gone home because I can't see anyone around. Suddenly, Sam held my hand and roughly dragged me back, I almost fell.

"Don't you dare go sassy and walk out on me, Zaria. He is a friend and you guys were hugging like lovers." He glared.

Okay, now I am furious.

"So you were watching us. Stalker Alert! Even if we were hugging like lovers it's none of your business. It's my life, Sam. Stay out of it!" I snapped back and started to walk away but I wasn't fast enough because Sam dragged me back, again.

"I own you, Zaria. I own every bit and part of you. I always have and I always will. I don't want to see you with any fucked up guy again, do you understand." He growled. The fact that Aisha is around gave me the boldness to talk back to this ass.

"That's where you are wrong, Sam. You do not own me. You never did and you never will. The sooner you know that the better for you." I poked his chest with my index as I said every word.

"Don't push me Zaria." He said through gritted teeth. He was backing the door.

"What will you do with Aisha right behind you." I gestured behind him. He looked back and saw Aisha making her way towards us so he moved away from me, not before sending a glare my way. I just scoffed and looked at Aisha.

"It's everything alright?" She asked, so clueless.

"Everything is fine, sis." I smiled at her and walked away from both of them into the house.

Immediately I got to my room, I locked my door and leaned against it.

Pheew! That's was really close.

I don't know where I got such balls to talk to him like that. As I was changing, my phone made a sound indicating I had a text message. Thinking it was Joel I rushed to it but the message I saw instead made my blood turn cold.

*I don't share what rightfully belongs to me, pumpkin. I own you.
You are Mine!*