Theodore's house in the media.

THEODORE

I had the nightmares few nights after that night but I decided not to inform anyone about it. Not even Kazeem my therapist. Whenever I woke up from the nightmare, I'd resort to taking coffee or some sleeping pills to wade off sleep.

Irene and I didn't have any encounters throughout the week. Just the glares she sent my way and the impassive stares I sent her way. The week had gone by faster than I expected and as uneventful as I desired.

Monday morning of my second week in Claret High School, I was walking out of the building when I heard my name. I knew who that was. That unmistakable baritone belonged to Bernard Oyedele-Thompson, my father. I turned to see him walking towards me.

"Son!" He said as he stood before me. My dad was an inch or two taller than I was. I stood at 6'2 tall. Dad was a very serious minded person, prim and proper, very authoritative and a perfectionist. But above all, he was a loving husband and an awesome dad. He cared a lot about the well being of his family and for that, I admired him a lot.

"How have you been?" He said looking at me as though trying to read my expression. "I've been good. Just adjusting to the new school environment and Senior finalist stress." I shrugged and he took a minute or two before nodding.

Unlike my brothers, I shared more resemblance to my mum. My brothers had dad's looks. From his oval shaped dark orbs to his high cheekbone and sharp jaw.

"If there's anything bothering you, make sure you open up. I'm your father Theodore, I care." I nodded and him and he smiled. "Have a nice day at school." he said before walking away.

I walked out of the mansion and to my car. Already seated at the wheel, My designated driver took to the road as soon as I got in.

The ride was silent and peaceful just the way I liked it. The weekend was barely as uneventful as the past week. Asides from the conversations I had with a few people from the gang, and surfing the internet, I spent the whole time studying.

The car came to a halt and I got down from the 2019 Benz GLE-class and took a stroll to the school's multipurpose hall where the assembly would take place.

The hall was almost empty when I got in as the assembly had not started yet. I sighted Osaze at a corner with her laptop and walked to her taking a seat beside her. She had not noticed I was seated beside her as she was typing furiously on her laptop a deep scowl graced her sleek features."Good morning." I uttered simply.

She turned to me, her face melting into a heartwarming smile. "Theodore! Howdy?"

"I'm good."

She hummed at my reply taking her attention back to her laptop. The scowl appeared on her face again and I was compelled to ask questions. "Why the long face?"

"I'm having some issues with the website I had created over the weekend." she said. "Let me see." She handed the laptop over to me and I squinted a bit from the blinding light emanating from the device.

I tapped a few keys, moved the cursor a few times and clicked my tongue. "Done." I said and handed the laptop back to her. She looked at the screen for a few seconds and her eyes widened. "You're a genius Teo." She said all smiles.

I chuckled nonchalantly. "Seriously, you're a computer genius. That's cool. We're so going to click." she grinned putting her glasses back in place.

Osaze was one of many high school girls that wore glasses but she wasn't a nerd. In fact,she was far from one, she was a computer freak instead and she carried herself with so much confidence just like Irene just without the unnecessary drama and sass that followed the latter.

In a split second, the bell for assembly went off and I could see students trooping in. Osaze left my side to join the other prefects at the back of the hall but not before waving at me.

                                •••••
Classes were as slow as a slug taking part in a hundred meter race. The irony of it all was that break time was really fast that it felt like it never happened. We were seated in the cafeteria, the normals. With Ola talking about the latest dress or makeup collection and Kiki reading a novel all through. Irene was on her phone as always with Desmond seated beside her stroking her head gently. If one didn't know them personally, he'd think they're in a relationship whereas what they share is a brother- sister bond.

Osaze was busy with her laptop but joined in the conversation once in a while. Zion and TY were busy arguing about football. The former said Manchester city had better players than Liverpool FC and the latter said the opposite.

They asked me to contribute to their conversation which I immediately declined as I didn't want to be in the middle of the whole drama. Minutes later, I joined Osaze on her laptop, teaching her what to do the next time a problem like the one she encountered before assembly occurred.

I had taken a quick course in web programming during my home school days and that kept me busy when I wasn't studying. I happened to know how to handle the computer pretty well you'd think I designed the device myself. Osaze seemed a bit excited that she had someone to share such interest with. I couldn't blame her, such happens.

We had our meals in a flash and I watched Ola did take Irene away for a while and when they returned, the bell for end of recess went off and we all made our way to our classrooms but not without getting a laser shooting glare from Irene. What gives?

IRENE

Seated in the cafeteria having our meals, everyone was doing their thing and I was busy on my phone. Going through my IG feed, replying to tons of WhatsApp messages and going through my twitter account.

Desmond sat beside me stroking my hair gently. He had told me he liked the scent of my hair cream earlier in the morning. He also mentioned that I had changed it and that he preferred the present to the former.

Ola stood up to leave the cafeteria signalled me to come with her. I stood up and followed her out the door. She turned to me her hands folded beneath her bosom.

"Why are you being this stubborn?" She asked arching a brow. "Excuse me." I said confusion the only expression I had on. "After the speech I gave you during the weekend, you still defied me."

I rolled my eyes when I realized was she was talking about. After my shoot on Saturday, Ola called me and we talked over the phone for a while. She made me see reasons as to why I should apologize to Theodore for my behavior with him the previous week.

In my defense, I had done nothing wrong and I was apologizing to absolutely no one. "I didn't do a thing. Why should I apologize?" I shrugged.

"Irene." Ola breathed out touching her forehead with the heel of her hands. "That's where you're wrong darling, First impression always leaves a lasting effect. You were wrong and you know it. You just don't want to apologize because of your ego."

I scoffed. "If he asked you to tell me this then go ahead and tell him I'm not gonna." She sighed "He didn't ask me to tell you. Kiki, Osaze and I wanted to talk to you about it ever since it happened but we decided to give you the benefit of doubt." she paused for a while and continued. "Apparently, we were wrong to think that you'd realize your mistake so I was sent to talk to you since I'm the less blunt one of all four of us."

I grunted. "Can you not be so dramatic about this."

"What! You're being dramatic not me."

I frowned. "Ola you know I don't apologize to anyone."

"He's not just anyone, he's now our friend and he deserves an apology." She ended catching her breath. "Whatever!" I muttered. "You'll do it Irene, I'll make sure you do." She said pulling me by my hand as we walked back into the cafeteria.

I sent a glare Theodore's way as we approached our table and just then, the bell went off indicating break over.

                               •••••

Students gathered round at different spots. I was aware of what was going on. The past set came to school to collect their testimonials and some students went to welcome them as they were happy to see them.

I never really hung with anyone aside my friends So I didn't bother going to welcome any of them but I got a few hey's, hi's, hello's and waves from a few of them which I had returned.

I was on my way back from the restroom, when I bumped into a masculine figure. I was aware of that as a result of the hardness of their chest against mine.

"If it isn't our little la modella." A scowl clouded my face as I heard that voice. My eyes landed on his and he smiled. I hissed and made to walk away but he blocked the way. "You aren't going anywhere just yet." He said a smirk playing on his lips. "Will you let me go in peace or do you want to get in trouble?"

His loud cackling filled the air. "Feisty much." he commented and stared at me. His eyes raked my body and I immediately felt uncomfortable. I knew that stare, I got it a lot from producers and a lot of people of the opposite sex.

"Banji." I growled. He was blocking the passage and the air around was beginning to suffocate me.

He ignored my little attempt at a threat. "Look at you, I've been seeing you all over the social media looking breathtaking by the day." he smirked moving closer to me and in my head I knew what was going to happen next.

Banji was one of the most notorious students in the history of Claret High School. He was a pass out from last set and was rumored to be into drugs.

Everything about him screamed danger and I dreaded being around him talk more of breathing the same air as him as he inched closer to me eyes gazing into mine. He had asked me to go out with him the previous session but I refused blatantly and even embarrassed him in the cafeteria where all the students were present when he tried to make me reason with him.

Looking straight in his eyes, I knew he wanted revenge so bad as it was written in his expression but above all, I saw lust in his eyes. Raw and rugged to the core. I winced when his cold hands grazed my exposed thigh as large terrifying goosebumps followed his touch.

"Let me go." I cried hitting his chest with all of my might. My touch had no effect on him at all. It was as though a housefly just perched on him continuously.

"Keep shut." He ordered and I flinched. The whole area was empty as school had closed and everyone was either on their way home or roaming around their favourite ex seniors.

"Let me go!" I demanded harshly and I saw him fume in anger.

"You heard the girl, let her go." I heard the voice. Banji did too and he turned giving me the leverage to glance at the speaker. And behold it was the least person I had expected to see, Theodore.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Banji demanded walking towards Theodore. "The name's Theodore." He said and glanced at me for a moment before returning his gaze to Banji.

"You won't tell me what to do and what not to do." Banji growled taking quicker steps towards Theodore.

Theodore walked round Banji and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Why be so dramatic at this time of life! I almost snapped.

In a minute, Theodore was standing right in front of me. Walking round Banji was a tactic to get to me without the giving the former any reason to act. "I'll advice you leave and never come back."

Banji chuckled loudly. "I guess you're her new boy toy. She's probably done with that skunk head, Desmond." My blood boiled as he spoke of Desmond in that manner but I knew better than to talk back at him. He was really dangerous.

"He was playing this very role you are playing a year ago." Banji said and glanced towards me. "Trust me, she'll get tired of you sooner than you think."

"I don't think that should be your concern." Theodore said folding his hands across his chest. "Leave before I do something drastic." Theodore said waving his phone in the air as an indication that he could call the police or the school authority and everyone knew Banji didn't want to get in trouble again as he had been arrested severally.

I watched him clench his fists. "I'll be back for you." I said shooting fireballs and hailstones my way. "Leave!" Theodore said and he shot us both one last glare before walking away.

Though Theodore was taller than Banji, Banji still looked bigger as Theodore was on the slimmer side. The confidence with which Theodore spoke to Banji with was astonishing. I was in awe of the boy I definitely wanted nothing to do with.

He turned to me staring at me for a while before saying something. "Did he hurt you?" I shook my head not looking up as I didn't want to meet his eyes. I was beyond embarrassed not only because he saved me even though I had been nothing but mean to him, but because he saw me in a vulnerable state.

I felt stupid. I was mean all these while and he still saved me from that devil incarnate.

"Thank you." I squeaked out. It felt strange coming from my mouth as I hardly said sorry or thank you to anyone.

I actually considered taking Ola's advice but I couldn't. I was beyond embarrassed.

"Let's go." he said and led me out of the now secluded part of the school. Walking behind him, I was contemplating whether to apologize to him or not.

We stopped walking as we had reached the love garden. "Theodore." I called and he rested his gaze on me as if urging me to speak. "Can we talk?" I managed to speak out.

He looked straight ahead. "I have to leave now, we can talk some other time." he said to me his look impassively calm and walked away.

I stood there trying to digest what just happened. "Babes!" I turned to see Ola walking towards me with Kiki and Osaze walking behind her like zombies.

"Where have you been? We've been searching the whole school for you." Kiki said as soon as they got to where I stood. "I just saw Theodore leave now, did you apologize?" Osaze asked point blank. Sometimes I felt the girl didn't like me at all, that she was just putting up with me for some reason that's still very hazy to me.

I sighed. "I couldn't. He was in a hurry." I said to them excluding the details of Banji and how Theodore intervened. They didn't need to know how vulnerable I could be. No one needed to.

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Word Count: 2643