<When people are lonely, they stoop to any companionship - Lew Wallace>

|14|

"PARAMAGNETISM IN a transition element is due to the presence of unpaired electrons in the d-orbitals of its atom, or ion, example. . ."

Mrs. Nora's voice rang out loud, snapping me away from my thoughts.

Frowning a little bit at her, I thrust aside her speech and elapsed once more into thinking about what happened during break.

I eventually sat with Kian and it was bugging me because I wanted to know why I chose him. Jayden was the one I was meant to sit with, notwithstanding that I just met him today. How could I forget who Kian was? The guy who made my life miserable?

Thank goodness you mentioned 'was' because Olay my dear, his drastic behaviour took place in the past, bad mind chided. Yeah. But seriously though? Why did I stay with him?

"Jamila! Jamila!" a voice that seemed far away was calling my name. I woke up from my day dream to see a sneer on my chemistry teacher's lips. Bagged!

Mrs. Nora's sallow face glared at me. "I've been calling you for sometime now and it seems you haven't been paying attention."

I stood and tried to placate her. "No Ma'am, I've been present and paying very strict attention."

I was sure the few students in class were looking at me coupled with the fact that they murmured to each other.

Oh God. I've been so absent-minded in classes these days. What was happening to me? Senior year was the year of final exams and I needed to get my act right or else I wouldn't make it. And that was a no. I'm definitely not staying in this stupid school for another year.

She placed her flabby arms on her waist, taking a defensive stance. "If that's so, why don't you tell me an example of a transition metal that's not attracted to an external magnetic field?"

Uh oh. I had not been listening to a word she had been saying so I didn't know the answer to that.

"Yes? I'm waiting." Her thin lips formed a straight line, making them almost nonexistent.

"Can you please repeat your question? I didn't get it the first time," I said. I was stalling to give me ample time in racking my brain for the response needed.

Mrs. Nora repeated her question, this time around in a snarky tone.

"I think it's. . ." I started, twisting my index fingers together, a thing I did when I was nervous and I was extremely nervous right now. It was beyond doubt that punishment loomed around the corner.

"Zinc! Say Zinc," a hushed voice nearby urged. I didn't turn my head to see who. It might give me away.

"Zinc," I ventured, hoping that the unknown helper was right.

"Correct. It shows you were really paying attention or someone tattled." She gave me a knowing glance when she said that.

Although her manner made it seem like she was still suspicious, she left me. "You may sit."

Relieved, I sat down and whirled around to thank whoever had helped me out.

Jayden.

I was stumped. When had he taken the seat next to me? He took chemistry classes? I didn't know that. And after what occurred during break time he still assisted me. Extremely noble of him.

"Thank you," I whispered gingerly, trying to not only keep the amazement away from my voice but to prevent Mrs. Nora from overhearing me. I didn't want to be ensnared again.

"You're welcome and you were trapped so I helped out." Jayden wiggled his dark brows, slightly shaking his head and making those toffee brown curls of his bounce.

Mama mia!

Even his wiggle is hot, bad mind whistled. Get outta my head bish!

But that movement was enthralling and I was swamped by the urge to feel those chocolate strands.

"You're staring. Do I have something stuck on my hair?" he asked me, touching his head. A puzzled look marred his stunning facial features.

Embarrased I was caught, I stuttered, "No you don't have anything on your hair and I was staring because you ehh---"

Spying a tuft of his espresso brown hair stand out from the rest, I seized an opportunity. No way was I telling him that I was staring because he was mama mia hot.

"Some curls of your hair fell to the side," I said and attempting to prove my point, I smoothed his hair down, finally getting my wish of feeling them.

In the process of patting it down, I interlaced my fingers into his kinky hair. Just like how it appeared to the eyes, it was truly silky and soft to touch.

"Uhh okay. Thank you," he murmured in a somewhat breathy voice.

I realized what I was doing and quickly retrieved my fingers back. What was wrong with me? Touching a guy's hair during lessons?! A guy you just met today, Lord have mercy!

Have a chill pill Olay. It's not everyday you get to feel a hot guy's hair, bad mind huffed.

No thanks. I don't need you justifying my actions, I retorted.

"My pleasure," Yeah, your pleasure. You more than enjoyed feeling him, bad mind cut in.

I ignored that remark, continuing in a resigned tone, "And you're right. I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking of stuff."

"Okay. Anyways you should forget whatever you were thinking about and try to focus. Mrs. Nora said she's giving us a test right after this lesson."

"What?!" I exclaimed a little loudly. I checked to see whether anyone had heard me. No one did, they were all busy reading or paying rapt attention to whatever Mrs. Nora was saying.

A test?! I was neither attentive nor present throughout her class. Lord help me.

"Yeah. I knew you were not following so I jotted down some important notes. You can read with me before the test starts," he offered, opening up to a page in his book.

Thanking him once more, I shifted my seat closer and started reading.

The handwriting on the page was neat and sturdy, just like its owner. They say you can know a person's character from his writings and with what I saw, it gave the idea that it was true.

I glanced at him. He appeared to be actually reading.

What did you expect?! He's a nerd, good mind piped up.

A hot one despite those stupid glasses and old fashioned clothes, bad mind followed closely.

Please shut it! I'm trying to read here! Liar! I wasn't reading a single thing. I was still looking at him.

Since I sat next to him, my eyes trailed over the tiny dots of freckles blooming on his cheeks. Those sprinkles of beauty made him look cute, adding to his already attractive mien. I itched to count each and every one of them.

"Your freckles are cute." No, I didn't just say that out loud, did I?

He glanced up at me, bronze face turning a bit red. Wait! Was he actually blushing? Wow! I was pretty sure I reddened too, except that my ebony skin tone hardly showed I did.

"Uh thanks?" His appreciation was in a question-like form as if he couldn't believe I complimented him. Ha!

"You're welcome. I guess we should continue reading. You know the test," I suggested, aiming to break the awkward air between us. I was still chagrined.

"Yeah right, the test." He bent his dark head and started studying once more.

It was my cue to actually read now. I faced down and went back to reading or more like breathing in his patchouli scent. For real though, I don't think I'm gonna ace this test with the way things are going.

A/N: Who likes the scene btwn Olay and Jayden? Olayinka's getting too flustered mehn! Btw, thanks to my isi aki friend grungyradish for insisting I update today. Bish, I love you❤ And oh, Wattpad Ambassador NG added my book to their reading list and also gave me a sticker which I added to my book cover. It in the picture above. What dyu think? Btw, chapter was too long! I just had to cut it short. Next update coming soon :-)

Nita.