Tyler's POV

"Wait, is the dress code for the cultural night decided yet?" Charles asked.

We were in a prefects meeting with every single prefect in attendance, except me... Mentally. We were trying to put finishing touches to the upcoming cultural night. Everyone had spoken their views about the cultural night. Well everyone except me. I was the quiet one. My hand was scribbling on my sketch pad, sketching the face of that one person that has plagued my mind. I was paying little attention to what they were saying.

"I feel we should use Yoruba as the theme." Shalewa said and that got disapproving murmurs from some guys that were obviously not Yoruba.

"That is being tribe biased." Kingsley, an Igbo guy said.

"I just said that because I feel it's easier to get that any other tribal cloths." Shalewa shrugged. A murmur broke out.

"Alright. Quiet guys. We really don't need to argue." Christopher, our Head boy said and the noise died down. Zaria stood up and was saying something but well of course I didn't hear. Kelvin that was beside me nudged my rib with his elbow and my face jerked up. I saw everyone staring at me, Zaria's eyebrow raised.

"What? Sorry, I wasn't listening. Can you repeat the question please?" I asked.

"Tyler, you are the only one that has not spoken. Can we hear your view on matter at hand?" Zaria asked again. I looked around and tried to gather my thoughts together.

"Well, I feel we should wear any traditional attire that we have and feel comfortable with. We really don't need to have a theme for the night. The last sets did that, fine but I know Ada and Charles wants something different for our set so why maintain the status quo." I stated and I got a major nod of approval from a number of them.

"For instance; Zaria you are going with Joel right?" I asked and she nodded, sneaking a smile at Joel.

"You might decided to probably in a Yoruba or Hausa attire, depending on which one you want to. In fact you can decide to go in an Igbo attire if you want. Isoken, you can decide to go in an Edo attire. You get what I'm saying? I feel we shouldn't theme this cultural night. It's called cultural night because we have to depict the different cultural ethnic groups in our dressing." I said.

"Thank you Tyler." Christopher gave me a smile and I nodded as I sat down. "So what do you guys think?" He asked

"The idea is an excellent idea." Maya said.

"There is this Edo dress have been wanting to wear. This is the opportunity. I second Tyler's idea." Isoken said. The others nodded in approval.

"Anyone against the idea?" Christopher asked and no one replied.

"Good. It's been settled. Thank you guys for coming today." Zaria said and everyone stood up to move. I sat down and kept drawing.

My mind was actually on Tiana. I wanted to ask her to be my date to the Cultural night but for some reasons that might get the guys suspicious. They are already suspicious as it is with Joel subtly dishing me with warnings. I was already playing out how things would turn out when I tell them. I wasn't ready to start answering questions about my feelings.

And I definitely wasn't ready to tell them about my feelings for her.

Do I have feelings for her?

"You ain't going yet?" Joel asked and I looked up. The guys were seated too, probably they were not ready to go as well.

"Nah. Too lazy to stand up and start walking back to class. Plus, it's almost closing time and I'm not having class in last period. So I rather stay here" I replied with a shrug.

"So we all have our dates for Cultural night." Lyla chirped in excitement, clasping Kelvin's hand in hers. I internally groaned, seeing where this discussion was leading to.

"Obviously. Well, everyone except Tyler." Ada said and I rolled my eyes.

And there it is...

"Tyler, you haven't told us your date. You are just sitting down there and listening, you won't talk. Oya who is your date." Charles asked.

Exactly the question I was avoiding.

It's not so wrong if you tell them you are taking Tiana as your date. They will have to deal with it. It's practically your life. My subconscious said.

"That's true, Tyler. Who is your date? Isoken? Mary, Charity...?" Lyla kept listing the names of potential girls and I rolled my eyes again

"Actually, it's Tiana." I deadpanned and in a second the room was graveyard silent. I looked up from my sketch pad and saw them staring at me, awestruck.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get what you said. You said who?" Kelvin asked.

"Tiana. As in Tiana Dakoba." I clarified.

"I said it!" Ada chirped rather in excitement and I turned to look at her like she had gone bananas, so did everyone. "I called it, didn't I." She nudged Zaria who suddenly didn't seem like she was in the mood, a scowl across her face.

Now that was the expression I was hoping to get.

"Why the hell are you excited, Ada?" Zaria chided and I frowned. "There is absolutely nothing to be excited about." She added and my frown deepened.

"And why is that?" I asked, closing my sketch pad.

"Dude, she's Tiana Dakoba." Joel lamented. "You of all people should know that she's not someone you should even befriend not to talk of taking her has your date." He added. I had to bite back against my lips to keep me from saying something nasty.

"You guys should stop giving him an hard time na." Ada said, looking at me pitifully but no one paid her any heed. Lyla had not said anything since the banter started and I really needed her to speak right now.

"Don't think we having noticed y'all little redenvous all over school. We just decided to close our eyes to it. It's totally unacceptable." Zaria chipped in again and I got really pissed.

"What makes you think I need your permission to hang out with whoever I want to hang out with?" I asked, my voice surprisingly calm. They all stopped talking and looked at me.

"We are not asking you not to hang out with anyone, we are just saying Tiana is off limits. You don't know her." Charles stated and I scoffed

"I'm pretty sure I know her more than you all do." I stood up, not missing the look on their faces. "I'm out of here." I muttered.

"We are just trying to look out for you." Lyla spoke up for once and I turned around to look at her, shock and disappointment written all over my face.

"Even you Lyla? Wow." I muttered.

"I'm just trying to..." She started but I stopped her.

"You know what? Save it. I don't need your judgemental comments. You guys don't even know her!" I snapped.

"We know enough." Kelvin snapped back.

"You think you do." I spat back. "You think you know about her because of everything Joel told us but then you didn't even get to know her before judging her."

"You got a black eye and a busted lip because of her for God sake. That's enough reason to stay away from her." Lyla lamented. Ada had stopped talking when she realised no one was on our side.

"I got a black eye and a busted lip because some fucked up dim wits were harassing her  in the damn library because of a stereotype you all created!" I snapped and the room became graveyard silent.

"We are just trying to look out for you, Tyler." Joel stopped.

"Stop saying that. Because you guys are just trying to look after your reputation and me liking Tiana or even hanging out with her soils it." I shook my head.

"I'm going to ask her to be my date and there is absolutely nothing you guys can do about it and if you are really my friends, you'll accept it just like I have always accepted you guys even in your short comings." I concluded and walked out, slamming the door behind me, suddenly feeling like the weight of the world was off my shoulder.

I suddenly felt the need to find Tiana.

****

Tiana's POV

For the past one week and first time since I came to Limelight's High, I felt like I belonged. People didn't pass cruel comments whenever I walk by. Some actually do greet me, even the guys... Good naturedly like I was different from the Tiana in the viral video. I loved the change and I knew the reason for all this change. A certain guy has been on my mind for weeks. I tried so hard to get him off but I couldn't so I just let myself think about him.

Tyler

I smiled again as his face appeared in my mind while I tried my best to read the novel in my hand but it was obvious my thoughts about him would take over. We got to know more about each other and we had began to grow really close. I couldn't explain it but I loved who I was around me. A foreign feeling I welcomed it wholeheartedly.

What are you doing to me, Ty?

I felt someone pass and I looked up to see Tyler going into his class room. He seemed upset. Without a second thought, I stood up and went after him. I saw him inside his class, he was the only one inside. I slowed down my walking step at the door and looked at him. He was forcefully forcing his stuffs into his back pack. Some were falling to the floor and he just groaned loud.

"You okay?" A voice said and it took me a moment to know that was my voice. He looked up and his eyes met mine.

"I'm fine." He replied.

"You are not. You are upset. Tell me what's wrong." I mover closer to him.

"It doesn't matter. I'll be fine. I promise." He replied.

"Well at least smile. Frowning doesn't exactly fit you." I teased him and he let out a hearty chuckle. "There it is." I added. He looked at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Thank you, Tiana. You always know how to make me smile." He said and I swear, I felt my heart swell. I looked away shyly.

"You are going home already?' I asked him.

"There is practically nothing to do in school. We are as jobless as it is." He replied and I chuckled.

"Could you chill for me, let me get my bag so we can go together." I said.

"Sure. I'll be right here." He said and I smiled, skipping out of the class to get my bag. Soon I was back and we were out of the school in no time, walking all the way home. It was about 25 minutes walk to my estate, Tyler's estate was a few blocks away from mine. We engaged in small talks as we neared by estate. We got to the front of my estate and he offered to walk me to my house.

Soon we got to the front of my house and I stopped.

"This is my house. Do you want to come in?" I asked him.

"Nah. I need to get home real quick." He said and I nodded.

"I'll see you in school on Monday then." I said.

"Sure. Absolutely." He smiled and I waved, trying to make my way inside.

"Tiana." I heard Tyler call. I turned around and looked at him.

"Yeah." I replied. I saw him take a deep breath and fix his gaze on me.

"Would you be my date to the cultural night?" He asked and I widened my eyes. I thought no one would actually ask me. I can't read believe Tyler was asking me right now.

"I would really love to be your date." I replied. He fished his palm and said a slightly audible 'yes'.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." I said.

"I'm counting on it." He smiled. I smiled back and walked into the house.

Immediately I closed the gate and looked in, I saw another car in the drive way apart from the one my parents left behind before they travelled. It looked oddly familiar. I walked towards the door and into the house.

Immediately I got in, I widened my eyes at who I saw, smiling back at me.

"Ciara?"

"Hello baby sis." Her smirk was as malicious as always.

I gulped.