This chapter is dedicated to Emy_Akpan for bring the best of the best ❤❤ Into poems? Then go over to her profile and check out Essence.

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. Both on my message board, Dm and also in the comment section on the last chapter. Really appreciate it.

Above is a pic of Jerry koko xD

Enjoy.

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                    °Uyai's POV°

Once I knew Jubilee won't chase after me, I exhaled loudly. I wasn't looking forward into being Jubilee's friend, cause he scared the shit out of me. But a promise was a promise, and I keep to my word. If he truly help find my stalker, then I'll be more than glad to take him as a friend.

Walking over to my class, I noticed two boys at the far end of the hall way. They had a stare down, and also looked like they were about to tear each others apart.

What was my business with them? I had even more stuff going on with my life. And what if I go separate them, and the much bigger guy punch me to death? I needed to mind my business in other to live long.

I moved upstairs. Walking into the classroom, I spotted Irene and Judith, sharing a snack. Judith spotted me first and waved for me to come over.

"What did Jubilee do to you?" Irene asked, even before I could have my seat.

"Nothing," I chuckled nervously.

"I told you nothing would happen," Judith rolled her eyes and handed me a malt. "You're just so paranoid."

"Well excuse you for looking after my own best friend." Irene replied annoyingly. Judith was already getting on her nerves.

"Guys," I stopped them, before their misunderstanding could go any further. "I'm fine."

Judith took some deep breaths, then looked at Irene. "I know you care a lot about T, but I don't think Jubilee would cause any harm."

"You've been here for how many days?" Irene said in her own defence. "Jubilee isn't trust worthy. He__"

"It's alright," Judith lifted her hands up, tired of listening to Irene's explanation. "Let's all talk about something else."

And we engaged ourselves with a lighter conversation. Irene and Judith automatically forgot about their differences and began to warm up with each other. Same goes with me. I totally forgot about Jubilee, and engrossed myself on the various tea Irene was about spilling.

Still listening to both girls talk I noticed a figure, who turned out to be Jeremiah.

"Where's Omonigho?" Irene asked, when it was only Jeremiah.

"With Miss Royal," He replied, eyes still on me. It was making me a bit nervous by the way. "Tatiana, could you come with me for a sec?"

I stared at Judith and Irene, before agreeing to Jeremiah's request. "Yeah, sure."

Jeremiah began to lead me out of the class. I didn't question him cause I trusted him. But curiosity, began to take the better part of me. "Where are we heading to?"

"You'd see," He replied. Everything became clear when I notice the routes he was using. We both finally arrived at the door leading to the indoor pool.

"Why'd you bring me here?" Our steps slowed down, since we were already in the room. "Do you want me to stay while you practice?"

"No," I furrowed my brows a bit, at his respond.

"Then why am I here?" I sat on a bench and stared at the pool.

Jeremiah moved to my front, but his attention was also directed to the pool. "I'm gonna teach you how to swim."

I promptly stood up and faced Jeremiah with bulge eyes. "What the actual fuck?!"

Jeremiah kept moving, like he hadn't said anything relating to swimming. I hated the water. Not my drinking, washing or having my bath with it. But the idea of actually being in it, like in a pool, ocean or the river, terrified me.

"I-I...." I stuttered, "But I can't swim."

"And that's why I said I'm gonna teach you how to." He stopped walking to stare at my face. "I'm not aiming for you to be the fastest or have quick reflect. But you need to at least float and not drown during the competition."

"But__"

"No more buts, Uyai." He stopped me from speaking further. "Now," He spun me around by placing both hands on my shoulder. "Go change."

I grumbled under my breath as I moved to the female locker room. Jeremiah was letting me die a second death. But this time, I won't miraculously survive it. Once in the changing room, I moved to T's locker and grasped her swim suit.

After putting it on, I moved to the mirror to gaze at my reflection. I wasn't adding any weight. Irrespective of the good meals given to me at home, the circumstances surrounding me because of Tatiana, was making me to loose the little weight I once had.

I walked out of the locker room to be greeted by the sight of Jeremiah, wearing nothing but a tight swim trunk.

Jeremiah was lean, but that didn't stop him from working out. His biceps were calling me and I had to shake my head to get the dirty thoughts off of my mind.

"I-I'm here," I said nervously, while walking to the pool. "To die."

"Stop exaggerating," Jeremiah dragged. He moved beside me and held my left hand. "I won't let you die."

I nodded, feeling too scared to even speak out. Slowly, Jeremiah guided me to the pool. When we finally arrived at the edge of the pool, Jeremiah let go of my hand and dived head in into the pool. It took him only three seconds to resurface. He graciously swam towards me like some merman, leaving me in complete awe. When he finally got beneath me, he stretched out his hands, urging me to get hold of it.

I shook my head like the coward I was, making Jeremiah to groan out loud.

"It's fine, Uyai." Jeremiah said to me. "The waters are your friend and not your enemy." He stretched out his hands towards me one last time. I hesitated a bit before getting hold of it. Jeremiah slowly pulled me into the water, close to him.

Without giving me a second to calm my nerves down, Jeremiah swam me to the center of the pool. My heart automatically felt like it had just left my chest. I began to panic, as my breathing became hard and heavy. I began to move my body frantically, making the waters to splash at every which way.

"T-This is a b-bad idea," I stuttered with laboured breath. I held Jeremiah tight like my life depended on it. Well technically, it did depend on it. If by chance I let go of him, then it's going to be bye bye to this world. "I-I think I-I might___"

"Be having a panic attack," Jeremiah helped complete my statement. He studied my frantic movement closely before adding. "You're right, this might be a bad idea. I shouldn't have brought you to the middle of the pool."

All his words wasn't getting to me at this very moment. I was just too scared to comprehend his words right.

"I-I'm gonna___"

"Calm down Uyai, I'm holding you." Jeremiah pointed out. I tried to listen but like before, it wasn't easy. "How will I let you drown?"

This wasn't just any phobia. I shouldn't be scared of the waters like the way I was behaving right now. This wasn't normal.

"Hey hey," Jeremiah's hands snaked around my waist pulling me close, while his other hand patted my cheek. "Calm down, please."

He couldn't swim me back, he needed me to calm down first so he could effortlessly swim me back to the hard concrete. I tried calming myself down, so I won't seem like a burden to him. But that was easier said than done.

"I'm going to die, I'm going to___" My words muffled, as I felt warm lips smashed against mine. There wasn't any movement of some sort, it just stayed still till my breathing began to slow down.

"W-Why'd you k-kiss me?" I stuttered looking at Jeremiah, once he pulled back.

"I once read somewhere that holding one's breath could stop a panic attack," He cleared his throat as he spoke. "So when I kissed you, you held your breath."

I would have praised him and hyped how smart he really was, but the after shock of Jeremiah kissing me, was still there.

I nodded my head slightly, feeling grateful. Jeremiah graciously swam, controlling the current as he went. I was grateful to feel the concrete floor once again. Though I was super happy I was no longer having a panic attack in the middle of the pool, I still couldn't get what had just happened to leave my head.

Jeremiah freaking Valentine, just kissed me.

Eddy : *cough cough*

Hey people of the earth, how's it going?

So, Jeremiah just did that..... *Sips tea*

How'd you see this chapter? Uyai's phobia is even worse than we thought. How would she do during the competition then?

Would love to read your theory.

Do you want to learn a magic trick? If you click on that star button below, it would magically turn orange! Don't believe me? Then try it!

Comment and also share to other readers.

Words : 1583

Till next time,

Much love,

Adios

X
-Eddy