I got to school, on my way to the lecture hall I saw Elijah laughing with that girl I saw him with at the club the other night. Oh so this is why he has been avoiding me

I felt a pang of jealousy... what's wrong with me? I shouldn't be feeling this way coz he doesn't care about me. Our eyes met for a while, I looked away first and headed to my class, totally ignoring him

As usual my baby girl Sarah reserved a seat for me. "Hey best friend, where have you been?" She asked side hugging me

I rested my head on her shoulder feeling so exhausted. "What's wrong? Are you okay and how was work?"

I chuckled "I'm just tired, but I'll be fine, thanks for always being there"
"Awwww look at you, come on... what are friends for, we're more like sisters now baby gee, just take it easy and don't overwork yourself alright?"

I nodded and hugged her tightly before we started our lectures. We were done with lectures for today, so we headed for our night shift at Biggies'

The group came in cause our shift is almost over, it has been happening like that for the past two months, they always come for I, Sarah and Jess when we're about leaving...Yes Jess is one of us now

Shockingly, Elijah is here with them today, he has also been distant from the group too.... thank God he's alone, but what do I care anyway....

He looked like he was searching for something or perhaps someone, then his eyes landed on me. We stared at each other until he smirked, I got pissed and looked away, rolling my eyes in the process

Jess said she would attend to them... thank God.... and it's always easy to attend to them because they order takeouts since they just come to pick us up

After Jess attended to them, we tidied up since the night shift is majorly our own working hours, we changed and packed our things making us set to go.

We went to bid Henry goodbye. I was the only one without a car, the rest of them did because they live here, so I just always tag along... I can't wait to work hard enough and get my own car and place, I thought to myself promisingly

Sarah then snapped her fingers in front of me "Nina what's really wrong? You're always zoning out, is there a problem? You can always talk to me, you know?" She whispered the last statement

I looked at everyone shyly, noticing their attention on me, I forced a smile "Guys quit staring, I'm really fine"

I don't know why they all looked worried, even Elijah looked concerned
Trish sighed " Anyway we were saying you and Elijah are going together since you stay together and Sarah didn't bring her car today since she's going with Lami "

My eyes widened and I looked at Elijah, smirking mischievously as usual... Oh God, nooo I need to think fast, great!!....

"Yeah that reminds me, I need to hit the store,I have some things to get from there, so no need, you guys should carry on" I quickly said... it's true, I needed to get some snacks and other things

They all looked at me already understanding why I'm denying the ride, then they burst out laughing

"But you know Elijah can drop you right?.... Right dude? Lami said directing the question at the both of us

"Nah, I don't wanna stress..." I started to say
"Who said I was stressed? That reminds me too, I need to get those things we talked about from the store, right Lami?" Elijah cut me short

"Yeah bro, you can do that... Anyway see you both tomorrow " Lami said hopping in his car with Sarah, the sneaky traitor that didn't bring her ride... I sighed sadly, this is going to be a long ride

Every other person got into their rides and drove off, leaving me standing there with my worst nightmare. I looked at him and he was also staring back

"Well don't you plan on getting in?" He asked
I rolled my eyes "You know they're not here again, you can go and stop acting like you care or have something to do at the store "

He started laughing "Nina get in the car, the store won't be waiting for us, you know that right?"

He's right and apart from that, it's freezing, so I swallowed my pride and got in. "Fasten your seat belt " he ordered

"Is it necessary? I mean I don't like seat belts" I said
"Do you want me to get in trouble with the cops?" He asked raising an eyebrow

I sighed "Fine" and I buckled up. The drive was silent, it took me back to the years when our friendship started taking a rocky path.... We met coincidentally at the place we were meant to submit some documents for our industrial training, but we weren't good before then, I was so pissed cause he was acting all cool like nothing happened between us before, he offered me a ride but I couldn't turn it down because of the scorching sun. He tried to impress me, but I gave him the silent treatment throughout the ride, never knowing my demeanour hurt him so much.

I wanted to spite him, "Wow, never thought you would ever give me a ride in your car again "

He smiled and looked at me "Yeah I never thought so too, but I don't know why I like seeing you around me".... Well he didn't look affected by it

I was surprised and speechless, I just sat there blinking my eyes and staring at him... No he got jokes, he's just trying to get a reaction from me, he's trying to play with my heart and head

I noticed the look of hurt which he masked with a straight look, he was expecting a reply from me... but why? He hates me right?

I cleared my throat and looked out the window throughout. We got to the store and got in, I took a basket and went to the food section. I noticed he was following me, but I kept mute, I got some sausages, munchy snacks, eggs and the other things I needed

I turned to look at him, then his hands in his hoodie pockets. "So you're not getting anything?" I asked with one eyebrow raised

He muttered 'nope'.... Then why the hell did he follow me? I wondered

"Alright I'm done" I headed to the counter and stayed on the cue while Elijah was at my back, he was standing too close that I could feel his cold breath on my neck

His close proximity was messing with my head, I couldn't handle it anymore. I had to move closer to the customer in front of me, I didn't know I moved too close that I hit her, she gave me a glare

I muttered sorry to her and smiled apologetically. I looked at Elijah to find him trying to hold his laughter, I snared at him and looked forward. It was my turn to get cleared, the cashier looked to be in her late forties

She smiled at me "Hello dear" I smiled back cheekily and started arranging my stuffs on the counter while she was calculating them.. Next thing I knew Elijah whispered in my ears "Time is going"

I almost dropped the crate of eggs in my hands, thank God it was on the counter instead. I turned to glare at him and he smirked... the idiot actually smirked after he almost cost me my money

"Aww aren't you two cute lovebirds" the cashier said
I chuckled "No it's nothing like that, we're just..."
"Sorry ma'am, how much is everything in total" Eli cut me short again

I looked at him in horror, I stopped him from getting his card "thank you, but I can pay for my own things, ma'am please how much?"

"Oh honey, he's being a gentleman and good boyfriend, let him pay" she said

I laughed nervously "No ma'am you don't understand, we're not.."
"Oh stop it dear, I understand, couples' fight right? But you'll settle it, have a splendid night" she said handing me my plastic bags.... when did she pack those and most importantly, when did he pay?

We said our byes and headed out of the store, I didn't say a word until we got into the car, I was really fuming "What the hell was that for? I have money, I have money okay?!! Don't ever pull the whole stunt you pulled in there again or else.."

"Or else what? Come on say it, or else what? You should be thankful I paid for you, most girls wish that I do so for them" he retorted

I laughed "Do you think I care, I'm not a charity case that I should be thankful, tell me the amount you paid, I'll give it back now, tell me!!"

He said nothing and just started the car
"No way in hell are we moving from here, tell me the amount now!!"

He ignored me and drove off, I was so furious throughout the ride that I felt like jumping out of the car. This is gonna be a long night of frustration

...........................

Awww Elijah🥺🥺🥰

I didn't introduce Trevor, my bad... Trevor is Nina's new friend and co-worker, but he also has his own roles to play. Stay tuned to find out 🤗

Uhmm I just wanted to make it known that they're few grammatical errors in this book. That's why there'll be a thorough edition after the book has finished, so guys bear with me🥰🥰

Please keep supporting... Xo xo xo❤