Tyler's POV

I laced my fingers in between Tiana's as we made our way into the nicely decorated multipurpose hall at around 7:30pm. The hall was dimly lit and the only thing illuminating it was the different lights. At least it was bright enough for everyone to see each other.

"Wow! This is huge!" Tiana commented as she looked around.

"Ada and Charles did a really good job. I'm impressed." I nodded my head and looked around. I sighted the guys talking close to a round table for probably ten people, dressed on their own cultural wear.

"Speaking of which, there they are. Come on." I held her hand for us to go but I felt she was hesitant. I looked back and saw her looking uneasy. "What's wrong, Tiana." I asked in concern.

"I don't think they would want me sitting with them." She told me and I realized she wasn't the groups favourite person. I sighed.

"Look, forget about them. You are here with me, focused on me. I won't let them spoil our night, I promise." I told her and she sighed, nodding. I smiled and walked with her to where the guys were.

Charles spotted us first and signaled the others who turned and gave us a one over. I felt Tiana wince uncomfortably and I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, my thumb drawing sooting circles at back of her palm.

I quickly accessed everyone and their dressing. They were all matching with different colours. Kelvin and Lyla had matching coral coloured lace. Charles was in a red and champagne gold attire, probably matching with Ada who was no where in sight. Then the power couple, Joel and Zaria matching with a blue and red lace.

Damn, they went all out!

"Hey guys." I smiled, giving the guys a bromance hug.

"What's up na. We were thinking you bailed." Joel said.

"Of course. I just had a little bit of issues to handle with. Then I had to pick up Tiana." I looked at her and gave her a smile. She smiled back genuinely. Their attention turned to her.

"Hi Tiana." Charles gave a curt wave and small smile.

"Hey. Hi guys." She smiled at everyone who decided to give her a curt wave or a 'what's up' nod. It was better than nothing anyway.

"Oh my God!" Ada suddenly exclaimed as she walked up to us. Apparently she went to check if everything was set. She was dressed in a red and gold lace Charles had on. We looked at her and I saw her eyes were on Tiana.

"I love your dress." She moved close to Tiana and accessed her from head to toe. Not in a weird way but in a more admirable way.

"Thank you. I made it myself." Tiana smiled.

"Shut up!" Lyla suddenly exclaimed from no where and accessed the dress. I looked up and saw Zaria scowling a little. "It's beautiful." Lyla added.

"Thanks." Tiana smiled.

"Don't tell me you did your makeup and styled your hair by yourself. I'll just die!" Ada grinned wider.

"I actually did." Tiana replied.

"Gosh!! You helping me with mine. You look so hot!" Ada squeaked.

"I don't mind actually. Did you bring your makeup knits?" Tiana asked.

"Yes. Follow me." Ada held Tiana's hand and pulled her along.

"I'm coming too." Lyla screamed out and followed behind. I smiled as I felt a little lightheaded that Ada and Lyla were kinda warming up to her.

"Ladies and dress up." Kelvin smirked.

"I know right!" I grinned.

"Tyler, can I talk to you for a moment." It was Zaria that spoke now. She hasn't said a word since Tiana and I got here.

"Sure, of course." I replied and she led me away from the others. As soon as we were alone she turned to me.

"Yes?" I looked at her she scoffed.

"I actually thought probably you would come to your senses and realize that Tiana isn't good for you but I was wrong. You actually brought her as your date." She grimaced. I frowned.

Just when I thought the night was starting well?

"I told you guys I would bring her as my date. What made you think I would change my mind? The fact that you don't like her or the fact that you said you don't want her as my date? Which one?" I asked, folding my hand across my chest and she let out a snotty laugh.

"Don't tell me she's sitting with us because I really can't stand her." She said and I was suddenly pissed off.

"And it's not your place to say if she sits with us or not. She would obviously want to sit with me and if I decide to sit with you guys she gets to sit with me and there is definitely nothing you can do about it." I sternly told her and she looked at me, quietly.

"Zaria, I really don't know what's up with you this past few weeks but I really don't appreciate the fact that you are acting like the boss of everyone and if you haven't noticed, neither does everyone..." I started but she cut me off.

"Tyler, I'm not asking like a boss. Believe it or not, I'm trying to look out for you. That girl is bad news." She said and I shook my head.

"And have you actually tried getting to know her? Of course not. All you do is judge. If Joel was to act the way you are doing now I doubt if both if you would be together." I said matter of factly and a flash of hurt went through her eyes.

"Tyler..." She said.

"No one is really complaining about her being here with me except you. Ada and Lyla seem to be warming up to her already. She's sitting with us and you had better deal with her being around." I said with a tone of finality.

"Oh my God. You look amazing!" We heard Charles exclaim and turned to see a him admiring a beautifully made up Ada who kept blushing.

"You like it?" She asked.

"I love it. You look so perfect. Come here." He moved closer to her and pecked her lips gently.

"Uhhhh! Get a room." Taju groaned.

"Thanks Tiana." Charles smiled genuinely at her and she smiled back.

"Come on let's take a selfie." Lyla brought out her phone with a selfie stick and stretched it. We all huddled together including Tiana. "Smile!!!" She said and we took different shots.

"Tiana, are you sitting with us?" Kelvin asked.

"I don't know." She looked at me for help and I smiled. "I guess so." She said.

"Awesome." Lyla squealed and pulled her along, me following behind. I saw Joel move to Zaria, whispering to her and her nodding.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen!!!" The M.C said and everyone started settling down.

"Oh great, they are starting. Come on." Joel said and we sat down, Tiana and I sitting together. Tiana leaned close and whispered to me.

"Why are they acting really nice to me? The only person acting normal enough for me is still Zaria. Them being nice is really weird." She told me. I smiled and looked at her.

"Don't worry about it. I think they are warming up to you. Don't bother about Zaria either. She has to deal you being here. I want you to be here with me." I replied looking at her. She nodded. I laced my fingers in between her, brought it up to my lips and placed a soft kiss on it. She smiled and we sat back to enjoy the program.

****

Third person POV

The program ended by 12 midnight and the prefects got everyone to the hostels. There were only two hostels left in the girls hostel and one in the guys hostel.

"So unlucky for you guys." Ada smirked.

"Yeah yeah whatever. You guys will be two in a room then. Which one of you would be bunking with the other?" Kelvin asked.

"I'm bunking with Lyla obviously." Zaria quickly said. It was obvious she was trying not to get bunked with Tiana.

"Great. I'll be bunking with Tiana then." Ada smiled genuinely at Tiana and Tiana smiled back.

"Alright. Let's call it a night." Joel said, pulling Zaria to his side and hugging her. They greeted each other good night and went their way.

Tiana changed to her pyjama and sat on the bed, reading Rugged to the Core by cranky Chris on Wattpad. Ada entered, coming from Zaria's room. Tiana looked up and smiled at her. Ada smiled back.

"Hi." Tiana said.

"Hey." Ada replied and that was the end of discussion. Tiana went back to her novel and Ada went to back to changing her dress. Ada soon plopped on her bed and took her phone too.

"Tiana, can I talk to you for a minute. I really won't take your time." Ada said and Tiana dropped her phone and paid her attention to Ada.

"Sure, why not." She replied.

"I don't want it to seem as if I'm not minding my business and all but I'm really observant and I can't help but notice and wonder why you suddenly became nice." Ada said. Tiana chuckled.

"Actually...I'd say it's because of Tyler." She replied.

"Tyler asked you to be nice to us?" Ada asked.

"No. Not exactly tho. Tyler...Tyler decided to get to know me. He didn't judge me based on what someone else said. Do you know he actually said I'm not a bad person." Tiana smiled genuinely and Ada felt bad.

"I guess I'm slacking in that part of not getting to know you right?" Ada chuckled.

"Well, you were really nice to me tonight and I really appreciate it."  Tiana smiled again.

"One last question tho..." Ada said.

"Sure, go on." Tiana replied.

"Do you have feelings for Tyler? Don't worry you can trust me I won't tell anyone." Ada reassured her.

"I thinking am falling for him." Tiana admitted and Ada smiled.

This girl ain't bad after all.

A/N

Hello guys!

Here is another update. I hope it was worth the short wait tho.

Okay. Here is a very important announcement. Okay, it might seem that I'm changing the title too much and all but orex366 suggested a better title "Building Bridges." It makes so much sense and it's like a metaphor for all their complicated love lives and if their love will last.

I just need you guys to tell me what you think about the title, it's all up to you guys and I trust your judgement.

Also check out orex366 book titled "Twain became one" and FiifiiAj book titled "Where I begin." You guys will love the books.

Please get back to me about the title and don't forget to vote and comment.

Peace.