"I don't like what you did."

Vincent paused for a moment and looked at me. Confusion was etched on his features. Since it was library time, a new period on Fridays before school ends, I suggested we had our session now. It was because I was considering visiting the court to watch the girls practice just for the fun off it. Entertainment was not something I got everyday in my life and Amanda said I could come so why not?

While flipping through the pages of a physics textbook as he sat quietly beside me, what happened earlier was playing in my head. Since that time when I left the table, this was the first direct contact I was having with Vincent and I wanted to say my mind.

"Huh?"

"During break. You let Olamide talk down on Chijioke and I."

Confusion morphed to a frown. "She didn't do that."

I laughed humorlessly at his attempt at defending her. "Yeah right, she didn't. You even said something wrong to Chijioke and you didn't have the decency to go after him and apologize."

His brows drew closer deepening his frown. "Don't talk like that–"

"What you said made him sad. I know what you said was deeper than I understand. You knew it was deeper too yet you chose Olamide over him."

"Don't talk like that. I saw him later. Besides I only meant it to be a harmless tease of his crush on Jessica. It was only later I realized that it sounded like I was talking about his other issues."

"His sister?"

"Part of it. He didn't tell you about his mum, did he?"

No.

I was curious now but I knew Vincent won't tell me. I wouldn't want him to. If Chijioke who shared a lot didn't tell me, maybe he had good reasons. Though I couldn't think of any.

"Friends with benefits?"

That look of confusion came again.

"Are you and Olamide friends with benefits? What's your dynamics?"

The frown came again, this time uglier.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you jealous or something?"

I stared at him unbelievably. I scoffed at his audacity. "Jealous? Of who? Please why would I be jealous? Olamide always wants to push my buttons. I just don't like the fact that you helped her do it and offended Chijioke in the process."

Vincent seemed to think for a while, thick brows knitting together.

"I'm sorry."

If I said I wasn't surprised by the apoloy, I'd be a big liar. I had brought up the subject with no intention of receiving an apology. I just wanted to say my mind not caring about the consequences.

"You're right. I tend to overlook the things Olamide do most times. It's not intentional. Most times I'm like if she is good for me then her actions to others don't matter to me." Vincent looked at me with dark brown eyes and sighed. "That sounds somehow when I say it out. I'm sorry if you were offended by how I handled the situation. I guess I was just interested in hearing a good apology and forgiving her because I was honestly tired of our beef."

I blinked once, and twice. Vincent beat my expectation and I unashamedly liked it.

I offered a tiny smile. "I was offended but apology accepted."

Unlike me, Vincent's lips lifted in a very bright smile I always forgot he was capable of. Pearly white teeth against dark brown skin, the sight was beautiful I have to admit. Vincent's smile always took me off guard and it was beginning to have an effect I didn't understand on me.

I turned back to the textbook I had been flipping earlier.

"I like how far we've come," Vincent said to me. It sounded cautious. Like he needed to understand if it was mutual.

Me too Vincent. But I didn't admit it out loud.

Vincent continued playing with his fingers. "I remember when it seemed like we were sworn enemies from our mother's womb. Constance birthday was a blessing in disguise, no cap."

I guess I did do something right after all.

He placed his elbow on the desk and propped his cheek on his palm so that he was looking at me. "Now that I think of it, you know a lot about me but I only know your name and that you like drawing. That awfully wrong you know."

"That's all there is to me Vince. I'm Nairobi Chielo and I love art." I pushed the textbook closer to him. "Let's start."

"What's your middle name?"

"My middle name?"

He hummed in affirmation. "What's your traditional name? Let me guess, Chiamaka?" I know he said that to humor me but it just made me feel bad. I only bore Naomi because it was my mother's name.

Vincent seemed to notice that I was not in the same mood with him. "You can give me your WhatsApp number so that we can chat more. It would even help with our tutoring," he suggested.

"I'm not on WhatsApp."

His eyes got wide in surprise. "How can you not be on WhatsApp?"

I simply shrugged.

"Do you always call your friends when you want to talk to them?" He asked again. I didn't give him a response.

"You need WhatsApp. This tutorials would even be a lot easier if you used WhatsApp."

I was becoming slightly annoyed that Vincent was being talkative. Since when did Vincent become talkative?

"I use a button phone," I told him with my attention still on the textbook. I scolded myself for admitting that. They already knew I was on scholarship, there was no need to hint them on my financial status.

Vincent didn't say anything for a while and I had to look at him.

"Well, I have to get you a proper phone then," he said to me.

I furrowed my brow not wanting to believe him. "I hope you're joking."

"No."

Vincent Adebayo wanted to get me a phone. Hell, no way. I'd be showing myself as charity.

"I don't want you to buy me a phone."

"I'm buying it for me."

I shot him a questioning look.

"I want to get better grades and to do that this tutorials has to be more effective. We don't have to wait till we see in school before you can review the exercise you give me. We can do that with WhatsApp."

"I really don't want you buying me a phone, Vince."

"If I say I expected your response I'd be dragging the father of lies title with the devil. What happened to you smiling and thanking me in advance?"

I fought back a smile. Vincent looked puzzled and confused. It was just funny. But I couldn't let him get me a phone. I didn't want to be indebted to anyone.

"Don't buy me a phone Vincent, I won't take it."

Vincent raised his hands in surrender. "Okay ma'am."

I hoped he was really surrendering. First, he gifts me a beautiful and definitely expensive bracelet now he wants to get me a phone? I didn't want to be taking all the time and I couldn't afford to give either.

When the last bell for the day rang, we headed to class together in a not-so-awkward silence. I still hadn't decided about going to watch the practice game but I had to go to class first to take my school bag. I noticed that Amanda was not in class so also Olamide so I assumed that they had left for the practice.

"Yo!" The human sat on my desk smiling with his honey brown eyes twinkling.

"What are you so hyped about?" I asked not matching his vibe.

"Talking to you."

I laughed at that and shook my head. His smile widened.

"So you really went to the library for Library?"

"Of course. And Vincent and I had a tutorial too. Let me guess you stayed in class sleeping?"

He put his hand in his chest and gasped in mock shock. "How did you know?"

"You look it. And please don't do that next time, leave the drama for Chijioke."

"First, ouch. Second, Vincent sent me to tell you that he wants to watch the practice."

I frowned a little. "Why didn't he come directly to me?"

"It's along the lines of you not agreeing because your plan is to fill his head with all textbooks on physics, chemistry and mathematics before mock exams."

I looked towards Vincent's seat and caught him staring. He looked away immediately and I turned back to Stephen.

"He didn't say the part of you filling his head with textbooks though."

I rolled my eyes at Stephen. "I was planning on going anyway. Amanda said I could come."

"Great. Let's get going we're late already."

Jessica came to my desk when I was about to carry my bag. "Hey Steve," she acknowledged Stephen.  There was no stiffness or malice in her tone and I was grateful. Maybe she really was getting over him like she told me. Jessica explained that before they walked into class together earlier, they had a talk. Stephen explained that they were better off as friends so she had given up chasing after him. She didn't give me all the details but she didn't sound so happy about the development.

"Are you going to the court?" She asked me.

"I am."

"Okay, tell Mandy I didn't come because of cramps."

"Oh. No problemo."

"Yeah goodbye. Good bye Stephen."

When she left, Stephen waved at Vincent and beckoned him to come over. Vincent looked reluctant.

"Hey Ro," he greeted me like we didn't just leave the library together.

"You could have just told me you wanted to watch the practice instead of sending an intercessor," I told him

Vincent facepalmed and looked at Stephen who gave him a silly smile. I understood that Stephen must have acted out of plan.

"I'll note that for next time," Vincent said shooting daggers at his cousin.

When we reached the court, the girls had already started practicing. Some were wearing yellow jersey while the others wore blue. A woman stood on a side of the court watching the girls with a grim expression. She was on a track suit so I assumed that she was the coach for the ladies. I was happy for them. The school finally understood their worth.

We joined some other spectators and watched the game. When I got thirsty, Stephen suggested we met the female health prefect who was present and was in charge of glucose, water and first aid.

"See as you they gulp the water," Stephen teased me. I glared at him and threatened to pour the remaining water on him.

"So you and Jessica are good now," I said to start a conversation.

Stephen drew a deep breath. "Yeah. I'm honestly surprised. With the way our conversation went I felt like she would hate me. She was acting like I was breaking up with her."

"She really likes you. You making it clear that you didn't want her was bound to make her act like that."

"She kissed me. What was she thinking that it would automatically make me like her? I know she likes me but she was being too cheap, no offense."

"Offense taken. My friend is not cheap. She just acts on her emotions most times."

"Reason why we're better off as friends." He shrugged.  "I prefer girls who act with reason and keep their emotions in check. Girls that play hard to get are my absolute favorite."

"Good for you."

Chimamanda waved at us when she was free and continued her game.

We went back to our seat beside Vincent and continued talking from time to time about the game. When practice match was over, a sweaty Olamide came over to where we were and sat on the other side of Vincent.

"God, this woman is mean!" I heard her say "Can you believe she says she can't believe how we made it to finals? I don't like her."

I rolled my eyes at that.

"Pretty boy, how did I do?" She asked Stephen. She was definitely going to come for me next. Better be prepared to give her a comeback.

"You owned the court as usual," Stephen smiled at her.

"Cuz I'm the queen of that court," she said sassily. They laughed. I didn't. What exactly was funny?

"Kenya, I'm surprised you're here. What do you know about basketball?"

"Mide," Vincent called, warning in his tone.

She shot him an innocent look. "I'm just curious."

Olamide never failed to meet my expectations and I was prepared. "Well, I know that you're very short for it. It's no wonder you couldn't make even one basket," I clapped back with a smirk. If I had done my nails, I would be inspecting it while speaking to make her madder than she was already looking.

Olamide's face morphed into a glare. "I don't actually blame you–"

"You can't actually. You have to blame yourself for being mad enough to think of annoying me," I interrupted with a glare of my own.

Before Olamide could get any words out again, I stood and told Stephen I wanted to meet Amanda before leaving. I didn't care what Olamide's reaction would be.

***

"How do I know if I like a boy?"

There was a long pause at the other end of the line. I sat up from the bed and went to the window

"Hello, Richard are you still there?" I asked as I raised the curtain.

"I didn't get what you said."

"I said how do I know if I like a boy?" I repeated my question before going back to lay on the bed.

"You liked me, so you should know." I could imagine him shrugging.

"I didn't. I just enjoyed your attention and I was falsely led by my stupid brain to believe I liked you." It was true. He was the first guy to offer me real attention, I was bound to get attracted.

Richard chuckled lightly. "Who's making you ask this question by the way? I never imagined we would get to talk about a boy you like."

I scoffed unable to help my smile. "Don't misquote me mister. I didn't say I like anybody. I am just asking how I'll know if I do."

"Why?"

"Remember Vincent?" I asked staring at the wooden ceiling of the room.

"Of course! When I'm not amnesiac. You talk about him all the time."

"I guess I've told you how we're good now."

"Yeah. I still find it hard to believe. You always sounded like you would shoot him without thinking twice if you had a gun. I'm happy for you though."

I laughed at that. Change was a crazy thing. "My friends think that we're transitioning into lovers. I obviously don't agree to that but I am curious." I told him.

"Really? You already have a crush on him?" Richard sounded amused.

I groaned. "Richard did you even hear the last statement I made?"

Richard laughed briefly. "I wouldn't be surprised. I used to suspect that you didn't like him because you actually liked him. You know that stuff happens."

"Richard."

That made him laugh more. "Okay back to business. Well with my experience I can say that you will find yourself enjoying every little time you spend close to them. You want to hear them talk all the time and you sort of crave their attention. They occupy most of your thoughts and you appreciate every little physical contact because the tingles it gives is sort of addictive. You want to do all to please them–"

"Oh great. I don't like him," I said. I don't know why a wave of relief washed over me. "Vincent can't fill my thoughts all the time sef, I've got way too much on my mind and no space to think about a boy."

Richard laughed harder this time. I wondered what was funny. "This girl sef. Really?"

"Yes. Really. Besides that like would have to die somehow if I actually do like him. Not when Olamide is his best girl friend. I cannot be stressing my mental health because of a stupid like."

"Oh Christ. Nairobi, you're a character. But is there anyone you're interested in? Gist me na."

I thought for a while just for the sake of it. "Nope." Cautiously, I asked, "you?"

"Well yes." My heart lodged in my throat. I wished he said no. "She works here too but she's higher in position. She's really nice and pretty. My guys at work say she seems to like me too. I'm considering asking her out for lunch one day but I'm scared she'll turn me down. I'm not up to her level. I mean she drives a Lexus . . ." I zoned out as Richard ranted on about his crush. I didn't like it. If he started concentrating on this girl, he wouldn't have time for me. He would forget me. I didn't want that. I didn't like it at all.

"Just forget her," I said interrupting whatever he was saying.

"What?" Richard sounded surprised.

"Just focus on work now. Abuja girls are wild," I told him.

"And how do you know that?" I heard the amusement in his voice.

"I just know. Die whatever you think you have for her."

Richard laughed. "No way. I'm definitely shooting my shot. It's just the matter of when."

I deflated but I forced a cheer into my voice. "Good luck then. Keep me updated Sha."

"You bet I would."

Richard and I talked about life. Life was treating him very well. He sounded happier and had more friends just like me. I was partly glad for his job in Abuja. It was a blessing in disguise for the both of us.