The pic above is my craving right now, so yummy.

Grace

I haven't been home since the run in with my dad and that woman. Its Friday now and I was wondering if I could get away with staying here for the weekend.

The Bamiloye's house felt like a home, maybe it was because they all loved each other. There were no lies or betrayal and there was certainly no hate or deceit. At least I hoped so, you can never tell these days with how good people are at pretending.

There was the harmless teasing though, loads of it.

Like the way uncle teased Anita about how clothes being tight because she was eating his money, even though it was obvious he loved how healthy she looked and the way she was spending his money.

It was the way aunty teased Anita for struggling her husband with her and asking her to grow up fast so she could move out and give them space.

It was in the way brother Dare complained that his stay in the university has made him become an outsider because he didn't get most of the inside jokes anymore.

There was always laughter or comfortable silences that just made you feel...good to put it simply.

It was as enchanting as it was annoying to me. I wanted it but I knew that my only chance at having it was destroyed.

I shook my head as I tried to focus on the conversation on the table. We were having breakfast and as usual, the conversation flowed endlessly.

"So Grace, will you be going home today or would you like to stay for the weekend?" Aunty asked.

I turned my attention to her while others focused on me. I wasn't surprised at the question, in fact I was expecting it.

When I had followed Anita home on Monday, I had said I will go back home on Friday and well, it was Friday.

"Grace, you should stay. We can have a fun filled weekend together. We'll go shopping and meet some guys. Don't worry, I'll be your wing man or woman. Whatever you want." Anita chipped in and uncle choked on his food while aunty and brother Dare just laughed.

"There'll be no meeting with guys Anita. I told you, you'll only meet guys when you are thirty." Everyone chuckled.

"But dad, according to my plan, I should be married with three kids by that time. Besides, I already meet boys in school and I'm trying to convince Grace to set me up with the new guy in her class. You need to see him, he's so good looking." She fanned herself with her hand at the last part.

Both uncle and Dare gave her bewildered looks. Aunty and I just laughed. You can say we were used to Anita by now but these two refused to accept it.  They keep getting shocked by her everyday.

"Are you introducing her to boys Grace?"

"Three kids at thirty? What is wrong with you?"

Uncle and brother Dare sputtered at the same time while the lady in question just giggled at them. Like she enjoyed frustrating them and somehow she had added me to the mix.

"No uncle, I don't introduce her to boys. I don't even talk to any." I tried to convince him but I am sure he didn't believe me now. I flashed a mock glare at Anita who just sent me air kisses.

"Kids these days. I swear one day I'm going to lock you both up until you are thirty. Then your prince charmings will come and rescue you and you'll live happily ever after." Uncle said seriously while the rest of us erupted with laughter.

"I wonder why my father didn't think of that . I wonder if you'll have seen me to marry." Aunty teased her husband and he took the bait.

"Ah no babe, our case is different." He gazed at her lovingly.

I shook my head at their display of affection. Some years ago, I had this but now it was only a figment of my imagination.

"But seriously, are you gonna stay for the weekend?" Brother Dare asked and I knew he probably wanted to treat Anita and I out.

"I should go home, its been a while and my dad must miss me." The words were bitter on my tongue as they rolled out of my mouth. They didn't believe me but they nodded anyway. I noticed they never tried to push conversation about my dad and her and I was glad because what did I have to say?

School was the same with Amira always on Aaron's tail, you'll think she was tied to him. I didn't get her obsession with him though especially since she didn't care for Avery much but she never cared much about my friends anyways.

It was the end of the school day and I was dreading returning home. My friends and I lounged in our classroom like we didn't have homes to get to.

In a way, I didn't. I may have a house but it certainly doesn't feel like home. Maybe it was the same for my friends and our other classmates who seemed reluctant to leave.

While I surfed the net and pretended to listen to the weird conversation my friends were having ( something about a trending video of a woman using fufu to make pizza), I spied Amira and Aaron at the far end of the classroom. Aaron has been nice throughout the week. It was almost as though he was walking on eggshells around me and it confused me. I had expected him to follow me around bugging me about being friends and getting to know each other or something but all I got were greetings and a few smiles, waves and nods here and there.

He seemed perfectly content hanging out with David Uzoigwe and David Archibong who have been best friends since Jss1. He gladly hung with Idara, Beauty and his sister. I could even see him making moves to get to know all my classmates except me and I briefly wondered if I was the problem.

But I knew better, this was just an attempt of his to get a rise from me. He was perfectly content breathing the same air as Amira.

And I meant that literally. They were sitting so close that they had to be breathing the same air. I don't know why I watched them but I did and I hated it.

I hated that I was so invested in them that it annoyed me because I shouldn't care. They meant nothing to me.

"I'm bored. Do you guys want to go to Choco hearts and creams?" Avery asked and Idara perked up at that. Choco hearts and creams had to be the best place on earth. It was so beautiful and filled with delicious treats. Needless to say, it was my favourite place and I didn't need convincing to go there.

I shrugged my shoulders to show that I didn't have a problem with it. I loved the place because the had almost everything in chocolate flavour and I loved chocolate.

Beauty was a bit hesitant and I knew it was because the place was expensive. How could it not be, after all it was close to our school which was filled with rich kids plus they made amazing everything.

"Its settled then, I'll treat everyone since I'm practically begging for this." Avery clapped her hands in glee. I noticed the guilty yet grateful smile that Beauty sported. We all suffer differently, I guess. Money wasn't a problem to me but it was all the other things money couldn't buy that kept me up at night. While Beauty who had the brains, looks and curves, didn't have the money to compliment it.

We gathered our bags and were about to leave when Aaron stopped us.

"Where are you guys going?" He raised a brow at his sister who I realized was going to leave without informing him.

"We are going to choco hearts and creams, I'm having sugar cravings." I watched Aarons eyes dance around our circle, his yes landing briefly on me before he smiled teasingly at his sister.

"And you were going without me, you aren't the only one with a sweet tooth in the family you know." He pulled to his feet and stepped away from Amira towards us.

My eyes immediately trailed from him to the lady who had only moments ago had his full attention, to gauge her reaction. And boy was she pissed. Her lips squeezed together in a very annoyed pout.

"So you keep saying but you looked busy." Avery rolled her eyes and gestured to the still annoyed Amira.

"I'm not busy, we weren't talking about anything important." He shrugged, his hands smoothly falling in place in his trouser pockets.

I frowned as Amira scampered to her feet, picked her things and left the class sourly. He also frowned as if he didn't do any wrong and couldn't understand why she left so suddenly.

"Not such a gentleman now, are you?" Beauty eyed him curiously. I knew she was trying to figure him out. Heck even I was.

"What?" He choked out seemingly clueless.

"That was rude, that's what. You were obviously enjoying each others company and suddenly you ditch her without a backwards glance. That was rude." Idara sternly explained while Avery just glared at him as though she couldn't believe they were related.

I couldn't help but agree with them though, as annoying as Amira was, I didn't think she deserved that. Which only fuels my dislike for the said devils spawn.

"I was going to invite her to hang with us, I didn't know she was going to up and leave so abruptly." He said sincerely.

Well that just changes things.

"Oh! You should have said that earlier, especially to her." I didn't understand why everyone was staring at me until I realized that I was the one who just spoke.

Dang it! I was supposed to ignore him like he has been ignoring me but I guess my mind didn't get the memo. I turned my cold gaze to him mentally hoping I was giving the I could care less vibe and caught him scratching his head thoughtfully.

"I should have huh? I'll sort things out later. Right now I need some chocolate in my system."

I don't know how it happened but I found my self seating next to Aaron at the cafe. It wasn't like he was seating opposite me like a date setting. Obviously, we had a table for four but it was because we were seating so close he could easily whisper into my ears. Which was what he was doing now.

"Hey." His voice floated into my ears as the hairs on my skin rose, goose bumps covered my exposed body and I felt myself still.

"What are your plans for the weekend?" His  chocolate like voice floated into my ears as I willed myself not to melt. I blame my like for his voice on my love for chocolate.

"Why are you asking?" I raised a brow when I finally got control of my mind and thoughts.

"Just because I have nothing planned and if you don't, we could plan something together." My mind seemed to do a double take at his words.

Was he seriously asking me to hang out with him? Alone? As in, just the two of us?

"It doesn't have to be just us, you know. We could make it a group thing if you want." He chuckled softly as he said this.

"What are you two whispering and laughing about?" Beauty asked and I was glad she interrupted because I didn't know what to say.

"He wants us to plan a group outing this weekend. You guys up for it?" I asked as my eyes took in the worker bringing in our orders which was more or less everything.

There was the chocolate mousse, the chocolate pound cake, the chocolate chip skillet, the chocolate tart, the chocolate glazed cupcakes and donuts.

God it was heaven and it smelled like it. The tantalizing aroma filled my nostrils and I felt lightheaded. It was like I was high on chocolate and I haven't even started eating yet.

The conversation was forgotten and we all dug in and I'm glad to say I wasn't the only chocoholic on to table. Moans of appreciation filled the table and I paid no attention to them only moving from one chocolatey goodness to the other. I swear I look like a junkie right now but who cares.

"For the love of all things chocolate, I'm stuffed." Beauty moaned and I spared a few seconds to laugh at her misery before digging into my chocolate ice cream.

"Yeah, I think I'll throw up of I dare move from this position." Idara added and her eyes glazed over with unshed tears. Idara's eyes always hurt when she ate a lot.

"I'm never eating chocolate again." She mused before excusing herself to the wash room.

Avery looked satisfied and although she paid, well Aaron paid (he insisted on paying since he was the only guy), she did not eat too much. It was like she was the most sensible one among us.

I glanced at Aaron and saw him munching the chocolate glazed donuts happily, so happily that he didn't notice the smear on his left cheek. It looked so out of place on his usually put together frame that I giggled.

Maybe I was really high on the chocolate because what was that giggle.

"What?" He asked when he noticed my amused glance was solely on him.

"You have a little something here." I pointed to my own left cheek and he attempted to clean up with a serviette.

"Lower stupid. How could it have gotten there?" I rolled my eyes as he widely missed the spot.

"Ugh, just help me then." He turned his cheek towards me and drew nearer. His face was practically in my face. So I did the only logical thing my brain could think of with such little distance between us. I froze.

"Get it off." He flicked his eyes to mine and I quickly grabbed the napkin and proceeded to clean his face before I could even comprehend what I was doing.

I took in his entire face as I mighty cleaned the chocolate smear and wondered how he could be so good looking for a guy. My eyes moved to his eyes and I realized he was watching me watch him. The corner of his lips tilted into a tiny smile.

"Thanks." He whispered and I nodded before dropping my hand from his face. I turned to the others and saw them sporting shocked yet amused expressions.

"Didn't think I'll see that anytime soon but colour me surprised." Avery giggled.

"Yeah. Are you two friends now or what? Ive never seen you so close to a guy like that before." Beauty questioned curiosity glistening her eyes.

"Please. I was only being helpful. We aren't friends or anything." I dragged out annoyed that her words were kind of suggestive.

She just nodded and looked to Avery who looked back at her, then giggled.

"Sure. What she said." Aaron mused and it sounded as if he was teasing and even he didn't believe me. I glared at him and was about to question it when Idara returned from the restroom seeming better.

"What did I miss?" She asked and someone walked to her to request a picture which she obliged. She never said no and I briefly wondered if she even understood its concept.

"Oh nothing much. Just some friendships budding and the likes." Beauty answered. Idara looked surprised and she glanced at Aaron and I before smiling.

"Oh I see." I rolled my eyes and ignored them though because I didn't see anything they claimed to see so its whatever.

"About your question earlier, I won't be available this weekend. I have a shoot in New York on Sunday and I have to practice my line for my guest appearance in that Hollywood movie. Sorry guys." She shook her head. I was proud of her, she worked hard and it paid.

"Its all good, the rest of us can hang or just reshedule." Aaron replied.

"Yeah. Goodluck with your shoot." Beauty cheered to which Idara just smiled.

Beauty followed me home, something about not wanting to go home yet and I didn't mind. Her company will certainly help me endure the others.

While I mused on what happened between Aaron and I at the cafe and what it would mean, I wasn't prepared for the shit show waiting for me at home.

Hey!

So I changed a couple of things.
Firstly, Ameenah is now Amira.
I noticed that I was making a couple of mistakes with some names so I corrected that.

Grace's driver name is Mr Sango, the headboy is David Uzoigwe and the name of the school is Wooden Heights Academy. I hope I've sorted out the confusion. Let me now if I missed anything.

And yeah, how was this chapter?