BESSIE'S pov "

" see Richard I've told her about your intentions and she was like you should talk to her about it yourself so I think you should go and see her yourself since it's break time already " he says to me and I can see a trace of fright on his handsome features

"Don't worry , she wont bite" I say in an attempt to lighten his mood.

" okay thanks ..I'll see you later " he says and leaves and I walk away as well

RHODA'S pov

I feel someone walking towards me through the back door ...maybe Bessie is back but I really doubt it though

" Hello Rhoda" the gentleman says as he takes a seat beside me .......I wonder who this is ..then I remember having caught myself staring at him once .....but I couldn't really see his face ....wait a second ..this is Richard

" hello pretty " he says again as he noticed it was like I was lost on thought ..." Hy " I answer unsure of how I was expected to answer

He stares at the ground for a few seconds apparently short of words ...i decide to help him out. " you are Richard right" I say to him and he nods finally bringing himself to look at me in the face but I quickly look away to avoid a direct eye contact. " um...Bessie told me that you wanted to see me "

" yeah that's right " he says finally gaining courage " actually , I like you and I would want us to be friends...like I would like to know you more than this " he says probably after an after thought

" um...um " I mutter as I'm now the one at loss for words " Actually Bessie told me something like that earlier..um the thing is ..um " I say again and mentally smack myself for my choice of words

" there's no problem with that ...afterall I haven't made any boyfriends so it isn't bad if I start with you " I say eventually flashing him a smile

His face is lit up instantly with a wide grin dancing round his lips...of relief of course...what else

" um ...so I hope you don't mind if I take you out for break " I start to make a response but remember that break would be over in the next ..probably 5 minutes " um...actually , I would have loved to but break is almost over "

" Do you mind skipping a class ., moreover it's a maths class and I know how much you loathe the class" he says with a smile playing on his lips

" how on earth do you know that ...don't tell me that you've been spying on me ' I say with a sincere surprise on my face

" of course yes ...who else would I spy on if not you " he says " so lets quickly leave the class before the teacher gets in " he says and makes to stand up

" actually , I cant remember telling you that I've agreed to follow you " I say and roll my eyes at him

" would you please " he says and gives me a pleading look

" yeah sure ..' I say as we stand up together

As we step out of the classroom I accidentally bump into Kira

" oh my gosh I'm so sorry " I say to her nearly freaking out . She doesn't say anything as her eyes just dances to Richard, then to me, back to Richard then finally rests on me

" it's okay no one's hurt " she eventually says smiling at me ..as she walks away hurriedly we were just lucky to have left the class cos we had barely left the class when I heard the class greet the teacher ..if I don't recognize everyone's voice ..Bessie's voice is surely outstanding

So much of a tattle tale and smile at herself for the nickname I gave her

' Bessie's voice right " he says to me laughing as if he were reading my thoughts . " yeah I say ' laughing as well

In no time we are sitted at the canteen battling with our ..is it lunch or breakfast ..brunch should be better ..yeah battling with our brunch

" so tell me about yourself " he finally says in an attempt to start a conversation I guess

" hmn....nothing much anyway ....my name is Baileys Rhoda chineye ...." I add the third name wincing as usual " I'm biracial like you already know ...i love taking ice cream..., I love reading novels ..in fact they make my life complete

.

My best colour is lemon ..what else " I say concluding ...." Um , you only told me you were biracial ,you haven't told me about the two countries you are in between and the ties connecting you in between both ....moreover you haven't told me where you live and all those things " he adds and I smile a little before continuing

" As for my being biracial , my mum 's Nigerian from the Eastern part of the country .my dad is from the United states of America ..California to be precise and that's where I lived till some months back " I conclude finally

" so what exactly brought you here" he asks again.

" my mum did ...she was always complaining about me too being American.she said she wanted to inculcate the culture and all that into me...my dad told her to do that to me over there but she strongly resisted ..so according to agreement I'm going back in the next four years cos am going to college here "

" " oh ..so how old are you " he asks again

" actually am 18 " I answer " your turn " I add

" um my name is Richard Wilson.....i stay around here ...never met my mum ..only her pictures .....um .."

My countenance change instantly at his mention of that" I'm so sorry about that " I say to him

" its okay really...i never knew her anyway so no cause for alarm..as I was saying I have a step mom now .nd she's the best mom ever ....i have a younger brother and I'm 3 years older than him

My best colour is white ..i read novels as well but ain't really that deep into it ....um what else what else ..." He says like he's thinking " um ...I love music and football" I think that's all " he says and then nods like he just remembered something

" my mum that's my step mum and my dad are both from the Eastern part of the country ..but i heard my real mum once lived in New York or so ..not like its my business though " he adds

Bessie walks in and gives us a Blinding ' smile if there's anything like that

" I can see you two are getting along ..i actually don't mean to interrupt ...its just that the English teacher would be around soon " she says flashing me a knowing smile

" you've got to be kidding me " I say to myself panicking " don't tell me that maths teacher is through already " I ask hoping she won't confirm my fears

" of course ...English teacher is probably not coming cos normally we are meant to be halfway into his period right now " she adds ,.." So lets go .." She says to me and then smiles at Richard as jf to say you'll see her tomorrow

The rest of the periods practically flies as my mind is focused on the discussion I and Richard had earlier in the day ....i keep smiling to myself ...and am pretty sure Richard is doing the same

Maybe because its being long I've had encounters with guys ..cos at least I've had a couple of boyfriends and I don't think anyone has made nr feel this way ..not even Collins...well maybe because I can see a future with him though

KIRA'S pov

Who the hell does Rhoda thinks she is ..an usurper right ..she thinks she can steal everything from me .....first the attention I get ..now Richard ...to hell with attention but Richard ...hell NO I really wont allow anyone take Richie from me ..not even a best friend ........

Since I'm waiting for my chauffeur and she's waiting for hers.....i better go and get the ball rolling

"hello Rhoda" I say to her flashing her a smile and i really hope she doesn't know that its not a sincere one

"She's always busy with her phone ....such a lame ass" my subconscious says to me

" Did you just get this phone ....i bought it once but when I discovered that it was an old model ..i had to throw it away cos I didn't think it befits me" I say in an attempt to make her feel awkward and her friend. ....bessie just looks at me

" oh ..this phone , its not really mine , my dad sent about 20 of it for my birthday party ...i was just wondering why he would go for something as low classed as this but I got over it since its just a birthday party ..moreover that's not gonna be the only gift " she says and I try not to allow the shock show on my face at how she took my supposed to be abuse as an advantage

"you are invited" she says flashing a smile

" oh when is that " ..i ask her " its on the 27 th of this month " she answers unbothered

" mine is on the 29th ..so I come for yours and you come for mine "

" yeah...no problem" she says standing up with Bessie as her chauffeur is already honking downstairs

" Bye " I say to her and she waves back ....did she just try to make a fool of me or what ...no problem..very soon she ll know she ain't no match with me ....