Samson's POV

A week had passed already, which meant that it was getting closer to the competition. To be honest, Anita and I had been burning our midnight candles. Actually I 'cause I didn't know if Anita was studying like I was. However, we had been studying together.

Also, during this few weeks we'd been together, we became closer and very good friends. We laughed, talked about a lot of things, well asides from ourselves. We never for once talked our personal life with each other. Although, sometimes I tried broaching up the topic but i never succeeded. She always had a way of turning it down. But why? What was she hiding? I wanted to know Anita more.

"Mummy, I'm going already!" I hollered to mum who was in the bed room, while I was in the living room.

It was Monday morning. I was preparing to leave for school. The time was 7:14am.

"Okay my boy." She responded.

"Pocket money nko?"

She hesitated before answering. "I don't have money dear. Please manage yourself today." She pleaded.

"Ah! Mummy no o..." I whined. "I've not even had breakfast." I complained.

"Why?!" She questioned immediately yet with a lot of concern.

"There's no food in the house." I was frowning my face now. She had to give me something to eat because I was so hungry.

"Okay. Let me check if I have any money in my bag."

That said, I waited patiently for her in the living room. Minutes later, she came out of the bed room. The living room and the bed room were close to each other. In fact, it was just a door that separated them.

"My son, it's only twenty naira I could find in my purse. Please manage this." She stretched out her hand for me to collect the money, but I did other wise.

I folded my arms around my chest and looked away with a stern look on my face. "I can't take it."

"This is all I have. Please just manage it. Don't worry, tomorrow I would give you enough money." She pleaded.

At her tone of voice, I knew she was sad. Instantly, I pitied her and felt guilty for not receiving the money at once. I looked at her and grudgingly collected the money. As soon as I collected the money, Sarah walked in.

"Ehen Sarah, come and give me transport money and food money." I told her immediately.

"Hasn't mum given you yet?" She looked at me suspiciously.

"No o." I denied. "She has not."

"See, the money I have with me, I'm managing it o." She started complaining as she searched her handbag. "Take." She handed me a hundred naira note.

"Correct sister." I teased her. "Bye mum." I waved.

"Bye dear." Mum retaliated with an adorned smile.

I scurried out of the house and kicked off with my journey. As I walked along my street, which was a bit fogged up and quiet due to it being morning, I greeted some old folks that were sitted outside their corridors. Some were with a chewing stick in their mouths, some were just sitting and probably studying their environment. 

Finally, I was out of my street. I was at the road side now. I decided to trek to school so as to save money for lunch and also for transport to get back home. I was just so grateful to God that I was given scholarship, and so I only had to spend money on what to eat in school and for transport. The rest was left for the school to take care of– my school fees, my exercise and text books, a new uniform when I get to ss3 and the likes.

The time was 7:31am when I got to school. I was sweating profusely due to how fast I was walking. In fact, I ran a few time. To be honest, right now I didn't smell so pleasant. I just hope no one would find my odour unpleasant.

"Hey Sammy boy." Someone said behind me. It sure sounded like a female's voice but definitely not Anita's.

I turned back to see who that was. Surprisedly, it was Ola. "Wait, are you the one who greeted me just now?" I cocked an eyebrow with a wry smirk.

He narrowed his eyes. "Duh! Who else is here?" He cat-walked to me. "So how are you?" He nudged me a little on the shoulder.

"Uhm...I'm fine." I wasn't so comfortable with him. I mean, this was my first time alone with the dude, having a conversation for that matter.

"Even though you're not fine, would you say so?" He rolled his eyes and gestured like a girl. He was just so amusing.

I chuckled. Out of loss of what to say to him, I managed to ask. "So how are you?"

He sighed dramatically. "Well...what can I say? The cliché right? I'm fine too." He shrugged afterwards.

I shook my head a little. "So–" What do I say to this dude now? I scratched my head in search of what to say. Could you believe I was nervous with him? This was a weird feeling, trust me. "So...you and Anita are friends right?" I mentally face palmed. Really Samson? This was the best you could come up with?

He stopped in his track, making me stop with him, and looked at me like I'd just asked a stupid question. Actually, I did ask a dumb question. He giggled. "Samson?!" He looked elsewhere and shook his head with a smile on his face. "Did you just ask that?"

"Well..." I thrust both my hands into my trouser pockets and shrugged, with a sheepish smile on my face. "I just wanna know how close you both are."

"We are very close." Right now the way we stood made it look like I was asking the dude out, which earned some weird stares from the students who passed by. I mean, he was girlish and I was all manly. So...it probably would arouse suspicion.

"Can we just keep walking?" I whispered to me.

"Okay."

We strolled to the class, talking. He was quite an interesting and intelligent talker. At least from the little time we were together talking, I enjoyed myself.

I made my way to my seat. Anita hadn't come yet. "Hey bro." I turned to Ola who was sitting behind Anita's seat opposite me.

"Don't call me bro." He retorted. "I have a name." He sounded offended that I called him 'bro.' But it wasn't a bad thing, or was it? Anyways...

"Sorry."

"Better."

I smiled at him. "Anyways, did Anita tell you she wasn't gonna come today?"

"What's with you and Anita sef? You've been talking about her ever since our meeting this morning. Do you like her?" He looked at me squarely, with a mischievous smile worn on his face.

'Yes!' I wanted to scream. "No. I mean, yes. But just as a friend, nothing else." I lied. I definitely liked her more than just a friend. I wanted something more from her. I wanted us to date, but who was I kidding? It would never be possible. Apparently I wasn't her type, so I stood no chance.

"Hmm. So why do you keep asking of her?" He seemed not to have bought my lie.

"She's my friend like I said. And also, we study together. So it would just be stupid of me not to ask of her or after her." I half lied, half told the truth.

"Then why didn't you call her to know if she would be coming today?" He questioned.

"Er...I– I don't have a phone." I said shyly. I was embarrassed to even say it. I mean, I was a grown up guy and I didn't have a phone. Even though it was a touch light phone, it would be okay. But I had none. Although, I wasn't complaining 'cause I knew how my family background was.

He gasped. "You don't have a phone?! But why?" He frowned a bit.

"I– I don't just want one for now. I don't want any distractions. I need to face my studies." I kinda did lie, even though not completely.

"Serious boy...!" He teased.

"I'd be right back." I stood up and made my way out of the class.

Immediately I got out of the class, I bumped into someone. I looked at the face and realised it was Anita.

"Hey hey!" I held her firm so she wouldn't fall from my contact against her. "Sorry." I released her immediately. There was some kind of electricity that passed through my body when I held her, but as soon as I released her, the feel vanished instantly.

She smiled at me. "No problem." She made her way into the class, while I just stood still, smiling in lost, with my back facing her. "Hmm..." I heard her clear her throat. I jolted from my daydream. "Where were you rushing to by the way?" I turned to look at her as her glowing smile graced her face. She looked breathtakingly beautiful. Such beauty!

I was at a loss for words. I actually was going outside to wait for her, but fortunately, we bumped into each other. So where should I tell her I was going since she had come already? Should I lie or tell the truth?

Finally done contemplating, I said. "I– I actually want to go ease myself."

She nodded her head a little in approval. "Okay then. Run along." That said, she walked into the class.

I smiled before walking away, continuously turning back to see if she was looking at me.

–———————————

Break time came pretty quick today.

Anita and her squads had gone for break. In fact, the class was scanty. I was only the one in the class with just one boy who was searching his bag pack, probably for his money. He looked in a hurry to go out though.

I brought a book out of my bag and started reading it. From my appearance, one would think I was quite friendly, playful and all, which I was though. But in this school, the pupils intimidated me. So I rather kept to myself than got insulted while trying to get involved with them.

I continued to read the book before me. "Hey bro." The dude alone with me in the class said. I looked up and realised he was referring to me. I nodded my head a little, greeting him back.

He walked up to me and shook my hand. "How far? I'm David, and you are?" He asked politely.

"Samson." I replied with a smile.

"Nice." He paused a bit. "Ain't you going out for break?" He continued to speak. "You're just always alone in the class."

I smirked. "It's not a big deal. I just prefer my solitude." I told a lie. I'd been lying since today if you've noticed.

"Okay then. Later na." He shook my hand again before bouncing off. He seemed okay to be friends with.

"No qualms." I returned to reading my book.

Minutes of silence had passed, yet I was still in the class alone. Although, few students had strolled in and walked out. I decided to go outside and take a walk around the school. I was lonely.

I hadn't taken much steps out of the class when I heard someone say. "Hey you!' I turned back to see who that was. Surprisedly, it was Wale and his squads. And guess what? They were talking to me.

"Me?" I gestured at myself with a frown on my face.

"Duh! Who else? Of course it's you!" Wale said. They were walking up to me as I remained standing in my spot.

Finally, they got to me. "What do you want?" I folded my arms around my chest with a heavy scowl on my face. I stood dauntless. I was ready for whatever purpose they called me for. I was ready to play daredevil with them.

He scoffed sinisterly. "As a friend, I just want to warn you to stay away from Anita." He poked me on the chest. "She's mine, got that!" He threatened with a smug smirk, tapping me on the shoulder. I found his threat petty. I wasn't even moved by it.

I unapologetically brushed his hand off my shoulder. I disliked the dude so much, and it all started when he made a joke of Anita and I in the class. From then, I started studying him and I noticed he was a very notorious student. I also realised that he liked Anita.

"She's my study partner, so I can't stay away from her." I said firmly.

"I warned you politely today, but when next I warn you, it'd be brutal." He paused. "So just mind the way you be with her for the main time cause after the competition, you guys are done being together. You'd stay away from her completely, you get?"

"You can't tell me what to do." I retorted. "I mean, I'm a dude like you are, and I can be with anyone I want to be with. So fuck off man." I turned to leave but he abruptly stopped me.

"Don't test my patient young man." He said through gritted teeth. "And you don't dare walk out on me when I'm talking to you."

I laughed in the face of danger. "Wow. Such a person." I shook my head at him and gave him a disdained look. After which, I hissed and walked out of his midst.

No sooner had I left his midst than a heavy blow landed on my left cheek from behind. "I said, don't ever walk out on me!" He said before leaving.

I landed on the floor from the strong impact on my cheek. Honestly, his hand was very strong. I just hope my cheekbone hadn't been damaged.

* * * *

Hey guys! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while. School has me. I'm in school right now.
So sorry! 🙏

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