<Keep calm and dab on>

|19|

EXACTLY ONE month after that distasteful dinner I sat, interfixed between two hot boys who happened to be the only friends I had in this school; one quiet and the other, not so quiet. You guessed right, Kian was the noisy one.

He made little taps with the blue ball pen he grasped in his right hand, hitting it continuously on the arm of his chair. Since I sat next to him, I was the only one misfortuned to hear those annoying beats.

Here's why he was bugging me. He'd video called me yesterday night but I had declined all for the sole reason of hating video calls. I looked so ugly in them and me being darn stupid as usual, made the mistake of spilling that very fact to him once. Every now and then, he called me almost every night to verify if I truly was ugly as I had claimed. And if I didn't pick, he always had something up his sleeve for me the next day. So it really wasn't a surprise that this was his revenge, albeit a very subtle one.

His taps became louder and more irritating by the second. With the way he kept on striking the seat, I couldn't help but pity the straitened chair for suffering such a sad fate. Unheeding of my vexation, he persisted in his absurd deed and I just couldn't take it anymore. I've literally heard enough!

"Can you please stop that?!" I whispered furiously, whipping my head around so fast and almost breaking my neck in the process. This boy will probably be the death of me one day. Honestly.

"Make me." He speared me an annoying smirk, one that I immediately wanted to slap off his face. Apparently he's in taunting mode, sheesh.

Jayden poked me gently on my elbow and brought me back to Planet Earth for I was already on Planet OAK (Operation Annihilate Kian), planning his murder. I peered directly at him---definitely not happy he'd interrupted my master plan which was to flay Kian and throw him to a den crammed full with extremely hungry lions---my irritated face on display.

"Yes?" I inquired, curious as to why he'd poked me. Bruh shouldn't add to my troubles.

"Kian's disturbing you right?" He had a smile in his voice, the bright fluorescent bulbs overhead giving him a cheerful aura and highlighting the smooth bronze of his skin. If you're wondering, Jayden was Kian's friend too although he wasn't as 'close' as I was to him. I could sense a slight animosity in the air whenever I happened to be in the same room with them. The origin of that, I wasn't sure.

"Yes, he's so annoying!" I exclaimed, hushing my voice lest Mr. Bentley overhear me. The said teacher in question wasn't even interested in what we the students were doing because he utterly fixed his whole being on his lesson notes.

Jayden made a weird sound in his throat and nodded his head in a knowing jab. Couldn't he say something? He faced down, hair bobbing and I knew he was trying to hide a smile. Asshat.

Kian began beating his chair faster, the noise ear-splitting.

Suddenly an idea of exchanging seats with Jayden lit up in my head. That was perfect because there was no way Kian's ruckus could get to me if someone sat between us.

"Want to exchange seats? I can't bear his hassle any longer. Please," I pleaded, clasping my palms together as if I was earnestly praying for divine intervention. And indeed I was.

The reply Jayden gave me was to adjust his exceptionally hideous glasses that neither enhanced his countenance nor gave me the opportunity of seeing the colour of his eyes. Yes, it's been four weeks and 12 days(sue me if I'm counting) and I still haven't seen the colour of my friend's eyes. How weird is that?

"Uhmm. . . hello there mister," I waved at him desperately. "I'm talking to you. Can you please stay in my seat? Pretty please. Even if it's for now?" I pouted and batted my eyelashes together in the hope that he would agree. Fat chance. Dude didn't even budge.

"Nah, I'm good, and you know how he is. Besides, it's between you guys, I ain't gonna be involved. Sorry," Jayden quipped---raising both of his arms in surrender---grinning wickedly. Turning to his desk, he went back to doodling on a plain white sheet, and left me to the elements. The elements which were in the form of Kian and his dumb musicals.

I rolled my eyes, pissed. Instead of the doofus to help out, he'd flinged me to the dogs. It's really not a wonder that I muse about the breed of friends I had.

The next thing I heard while trying to ignore the pest aka Kian besides me was, "Are you done seeking help?"

Kian's breathy voice tickled the insides of my ears and I quivered as I inhaled that exasperating rosemary essence of his, my pulse throbbing a notch. Putting on my resting bitchy face, I elbowed him in the ribs and he doubled back in pain, hopefully a severe one, from the way he blurted, "Oof!" Ha! Serves you right, bonehead.

Still bent, he gave me a slow teasing perusal and managed to mouth out amidst huge gulps of air, "You'll be paying for this Jamila. Just you wait."

I gave him a small smirk and snorted, "If you ever try it, I'll upload your baby pictures on the internet. Dare me."

The moment I said that, he gaped at me and wanted to say something but thought better of it. I knew that would scare him a little, after all he was the Golden Boy and wouldn't want his embarrassing baby pics to be seen by his friends. I was fibbing---where would I get his baby pics from?---but he didn't need to know that. At least the dude's mouth was kept shut now.

Satisfied, I turned back to the topic boldly written on the white board, Novel Analysis, Mood and Themes. Hmm, fascinating. Not. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be one of those old boring books.

"Good morning class, it's time to go down to business. I have a project for you all to do and for your participation in it, you have to have a partner," Mr. Bentley announced finally, after wasting like ten minutes of his period going through a green pamphlet.

Bummer. I hate group assignments because in the end I'm usually the one who actually does it and not my uninterested partner.

He looked around. "The person sitting next to you will be your partner throughout this week for English classes. That said, Jayden and Jamila, you're partners. Kian and Becky. . ." Mr. Bentley continued in this manner.

So, I was partnered with Jayden. That was good because I wouldn't do everything alone this time around, and if it's possible he'll do more of the task than I would.

"What do you think our topic is gonna be?" Jayden asked me. Guess he now wants to be involved. Let's see if I'll reply.

I played deaf and hummed to myself. Jayden laid his palm on mine, our skin colour a sharp contrast. "Jamila."

"I'm not hearing you." I slipped out my palm and brought both of my hands to my ears. I know I sounded petulant and immature but he deserved it.

"Okay I'm sorry," Jayden apologized, protruding his lower lips and giving me the puppy eyes. Nope, I ain't falling for that.

"Nah," I mimicked. "I'm not accepting sorry. You have to back it up with something. Let me see." I made a show of stroking my chin like I was thinking deeply of the task I was about to give him.

"How about you do twice your workload in this upcoming project, if you really want me to forgive you?" I cheekily demanded of him, my lips curling up in a smirk.

He grimaced playfully and consented, "Okay. I'll do that."

"Deal?"

"Deal." And just like true weirdos, we decided to shake hands.

"So what do you think he's gonna give us?" Jayden quizzed while we watched Mr. Bentley accord to people their topics.

"I'm not really sure though. You know, Mr. Bentley can be weird sometimes," I replied, looking at Kian as he flirted with Becky, a plain redhead. Poor Becky. I'm pretty sure she's gonna be the one doing everything in their project.

"Jayden. Jamila." We each gazed up.

"You guys will be analyzing the Iliad and you'll be among the first to deliver it pronto," Mr. Bentley called out. I knew it, an old boring book.

We nodded our heads simultaneously, already tired of the reading assignment. I know I've said this before but I'm repeating it again for emphasis, I hate school.

***

Jayden and I soon finished the tasking project amidst playful banter until a silence that wasn't awkward elaspsed.

Nestled deep in the farthest part of the library, we each had our head buried in a book. The pleasing scent of the books around us filled my nostrils with a refreshing sensation and I sighed happily, reading the novel I held with relish.

"You have a middle name," Jayden said, bringing me out of my reading reverie. How had he known? I looked at him and got my answer. The first page of my open notebook had my full name printed in cursive and he had obviously seen that.

He repeated his statement again. I wanted to lie but what was the use? I was caught already.

"Yeah," I commented quietly. I wasn't really comfortable telling people my African name. Incidents in the past had taught me that whenever I mentioned it, people usually looked at me all weird and asked for my other name, the one they could pronounce better. It hurt, the way they usually brushed it off so to be on the safe side I used my first name. Perhaps he'll not press more on the matter or even worse ask for a pronunciation.

"It's not English yeah?" he asked, toying with his felt tip pen as he thumbed the glossy cover of the Iliad.

"Yeah." I lowered my eyes to the novel I had in my hand. He must have sensed my downcast mood and left me alone.

Deciding it was stupid of me not to talk, I mustered the courage to tell him. After all he was my friend and if he wanted to be like all those people, so be it.

"Olayinka."

"Huh?" he probed, knitting his brows.

"Olayinka. It's a Yoruba name, an ethnic group in Nigeria."

"Woah, you're from Nigeria?!" Jayden exclaimed quietly, aware of the fact we were still in the library.

"Not particularly from there but I'm, if not fully, then partially a Nigerian yeah. You know about the country?" I questioned, surprised that he actually knew Nigeria existed.

"Mhmm, I do. My dad went there a year ago for some construction project. Have you ever been there before?" The Iliad was forgotten now and he placed his chin on his right palm, staring at me curiously.

"No but I'll be, perhaps one day," I told him, smiling.

He nodded his head, the lush curls stirring in agreement. "You're lucky, at least you know your roots. So how did you come by your middle name? Everyone has a story."

I dropped the book I had been holding ever since, the knot in my stomach untying by the second as I narrated mom's version, "My mom's Ibo."

I wrote it down and let Jayden glance at it. "Another ethnic group in Nigeria, just like the Yoruba. You may be wondering why she gave me a Yoruba name when she's an Ibo."

I continued when I saw I caught his attention, "Mom told me that before I was born, even before she got married, that there was an aunt of hers, her uncle's wife. This aunt was much more caring than my mother's parents were and took care of my mom till she turned eighteen. I don't really know what she did for mom to be honest, but mom was so grateful to her aunt that she decided to name me after her, despite the fact Aunt was a Yoruba. So that was how I got the name, Olayinka. You're not bored are you?"

"Yes, I am. I'm so so bored," he replied, yawning. There, I knew it. My face drooped down in sadness.

The next thing I heard was a tiny chortle from Jayden. "Come on, I was just joking. I'm not bored. How can I be? Can you repeat your name again?"

I glanced up and beamed gleefully at him, happy that he'd only been joking. "Olayinka."

"Olayinka," he repeated and to say I wasn't taken aback he'd gotten it right on the first try would be a lie. "Nice name, I like it. I'll be calling you that from now on," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Thank you, Jayden and it's no problem if you do. So what's your middle name? Do you have any?" I asked in a playful, saucy kind of way.

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you. My parents named me Malachi," Jayden groaned and looked upwards.

"Malachi, oh my God. What's your own story?" I started laughing, my fingers trying to muffle the sound.

He cracked a tiny smile and shrugged. "They just liked it. I'm very lucky it was my uncle who gave me Jayden, or else I might be answering some other odd name."

"Very lucky. Malachi's not that bad either. Can I call you Malachi though?" I wiggled my brows in a suggestive manner.

"No, please," Jayden said and shaking his head in negation, removed his glasses and blinked rapidly.

Hallelujah, somebody, my mind yelled. Just when I thought they'd eventually left me to be at peace. But I wouldn't blame good and bad minds though for I finally saw the colour of his eyes.

Hazel. A mesmerizing combination of rich vivid green and honey brown with an infusion of beautiful golden flecks swimming in them, framed by long thick black eyelashes, those hooded eyes stared right at mine. They were warm and charming to behold, enveloping me in a dreamy feeling of wanting to sink into them. Honestly, if I was given a chance to stare at his eyes, I'll definitely do that all day long.

"You're staring at me like you want to. . ." Jayden drawled, putting on his stupid glasses again. Noooooo. Take them off.

"Nope, I'm not," I lied blatantly in the bid to save myself.

"So what genre of books do you read?" I asked quickly before he countered my statement.

"Mystery, adventure, fantasy and hold your horses, romance."

"Seriously?! You actually read romance?!!" I gushed, not believing him. Boys hardly read books to talk more about romantic books.

"Yeah, romance. It's like my guilty pleasure. And just like your 'spontaneous'," He made air quotes, "reaction when I made that statement, many people don't believe it either and usually call me a sissy."

"Sissy? Bruh, that's low."

He shrugged and I knew it hurt him. "The boys, in any school I go, think I'm a sissy because I'm not interested in most boyish things. I'm even surprised that Kian's my friend, honestly."

"They're fools, all those people. Just because you read romance or books or don't do whatever the hell those stupid boys do, doesn't make you less or make them greater. It's each to his own." I reached out and placed my hand on his, giving him a warm firm squeeze.

"Thanks Olayinka." He flashed me a grateful smile and squeezed my palm too.

"You're welcome Malachi," I said, hooting in laughter. Later, we talked about everything and anything, getting so carried away in our little tête à tête that we didn't know when closing time reached. After packing our books and signing out, we continued conversing on our way out. About to reply to Jayden's comment, I stopped midway in astonishment on seeing Kian standing in the doorway.

Kian, the cool breeze billowing his gray jacket, greeted us, "Yoo, Jayden and Jamila! How are you guys?"

"We're alright, just finished our project. You?" Jayden asked good-naturedly.

"I'm good too, Becky was giving finishing touches to ours while I went for soccer practice," Kian explained putting his hands in his black jean pockets. I was right, Becky did all the work.

We stood there for a minute, golden silence prevailing between us. Jayden looked at his watch and then at Kian and I. "Gotta run peeps, told Mom I'll be buying the grocery today. Bye." He waved at us and left immediately, his loafers muted on the ground.

Yippee, I'm stuck with Kian. I had a quick scan of the school building, a trickle of students were coming out, cheerful yells and noises escaping them every now and then.

"What's up Kian? Why aren't you gone yet?" I inquired, adjusting the strap of my backpack and began walking forward. Kian followed suit.

He grinned at me. "I was waiting for you."

I grinned back. "Oh really? I thought you were threatening me earlier."

He laughed out loudly, his pitch a tad strangled almost as if it was forced out of him. I was slightly puzzled because I didn't see what was funny in what I had just said.

"Dry boy," I told him, shaking my head. We were almost at the school entrance.

"Mhmm."

Weird. Kian never ever agreed to my insults. What was actually up with him this evening?

"Anyways, here's why I'm really here." He paused for a second, hesitating vaguely.

I came to a stop, sensing that this was very important to him and it had to be of high calibre if it made him that nervous. I observed him as he stood straight, the evening sun setting his almost perfect features in intense blazes. He stood like a god, like he knew he could get anything he wanted.

"Will you go out on a date with me?"

A/N: Yoo!!!! I'm back! And with full force!!!! After one week of laying around, I finally decided to grant to you chap 19! And guess what, it's 3016 words, yep! I broke my own record!!! 3000+ words! Woohooo. Sooo, hehe dyu think Olay will agree?! I missed you all btw and so did Olay, Kian and Jayden♡♡

Nita.