I STARED at my phone while blushing.

I had every reason to be flattered because a girl just texted me first.

“What time can we discuss the project?”

I read the text out loud and placed my phone to my chest, trying to embrace it. I was happy because that was a big deal for me. I know she only texted me about the project, but I ignored that and considered that even if it was for that reason, she still texted me first.

“We can discuss it whenever you are free.” I texted back, grinning widely.

A second later, I received her reply. “How about after classes?”

I couldn’t meet her after classes because I needed to visit my father at the hospital.

“I don’t think I can make it after classes,” I replied and sent it.

“Oh, then we can talk about it at lunchtime.”

“Okay, no problem.” I was excited about going to school for once. Something would change.

For most of the time I had been in senior secondary school, I sat in the cafeteria alone without a single friend. I never once had a friend I would sit next to or talk to, so I ate my lunch on my own and continued to go to classes that way, so it made school more boring. But now she would sit next to me for a change.

I excitedly prepared myself for school with the same routine I always have. I took a bath, then wore my ugly uniform.

For a school uniform, I think the school authorities did a terrible job. The complete uniform was green and not that good green.

I walked into my kitchen, grabbing my already cooked lunch and eating the breakfast cooked for me by one of the maids.

She did a great job because I effortlessly munched on my French toast. I didn’t want an enormous meal or I would end up pooping at school again. Which, at that point, was not something I would like to go through again.

I entered my car and drove off to school. The moment I arrived, I parked my car in the teacher’s parking lot. It’s not a shocker that the school never created a students’ parking lot. I guess very few students in Nigeria drive themselves to school.

I came out of my car, locked it, and placed the keys in my pocket.

The building was not so far, so I walked to the school. I carefully adjusted my glasses and tried my best to place my hands in the straps of my school bag as I walked.

Because the straps were so short, I found difficulties adjusting them.

As I walked, I suddenly bumped into something that sent me tumbling to the ground. I fell so hard my glasses fell too. I tilted my head to the side and noticed a leg sticking out.

Akin Musa, the most annoying being in the universe, stood laughing from behind me. That guy was just an average bully that fed on the pain of others. I deeply dreaded and hated him.

“If it ain’t Luca, the loner.” He chuckled and gave a high five to both his friends. Just like him, Kwento and Liam were some useless bullies.  It seems that they really wanted to pick on me  that they had to come to the teacher’s parking lot just to do so.

I gazed at all three of them and tried to ignore the remark he made and got up from the ground. I was not interested in their bullying, so I wanted nothing to do with them at that moment.

My glasses were still laying on the ground so I tried to pick them up but Kwento smashed them with his foot, which made me angry.

“Why did you do that? Don’t you know how expensive glasses are?” I voiced out and regretted saying that out loud.

“Can you shut up before we end up beating you right here?” Akin commanded. These boys had no fear because they could easily get caught by any teacher, but even when they bullied other students in that way, it never reached the concern of the school authorities, which was not a good thing for a weak student like me.

“Besides, you’re rich you can easily get new ones even the next minute,” Liam added fiercely.

It was a good thing I could still see without my glasses, so I just glanced at them one more time. “I am sorry for answering you back. Please do not hit me.”

They all laughed like the losers they are. I wonder why they would even bully a weak person like me. They were all giants compared to me and I did nothing wrong, but they still picked on me. It always puzzled me because I have always been the quiet student that rarely talks to other students and for that reason I never expected them to notice me, but yet they did and took advantage of how pitiful I am.

I walked away from them, acting as though I never had such a weird encounter. It felt so weird to move without my glasses on because I had gotten so used to wearing them.

I got out my biology textbook from my locker, then locked it. My first class was biology.

*****

“During meiosis, diploid cells undergo DNA replication, followed by two rounds of cell division, producing four haploid sex cells. Do you understand that?” Mrs. Sani, the teacher of biology, asked.

Kwento raised his hand. I had a feeling he was going to ask a stupid question. It’s like in every school, there is always that one student that asks the teacher too many stupid questions.

“With all honesty Madam, what you said makes little sense.” He said, causing everyone to laugh.

“Yes, madam. You used too many big words.” Zelie, the girl seated behind Kwento, added.

“Okay, can someone explain what I said more simply?” Mrs. Sani asked, glancing at all the students whose hands were down.

I knew what she meant because I studied the topic before she taught it.

“Seriously, no one?” She asked once more, which forced my hand up.

“Yes, Luca, please explain.” She grinned in relief.

“She is saying meiosis is when a single cell divides twice to form four cells with half the original amount of genetic information,” I explained trying not to stutter as I did so because I can be nervous when expressing myself in front of many people.

“Does that make sense to you now?” Mrs. Sani interrogated Kwento, glancing at him sternly. 

“It still doesn’t.” He said without shame.

“Did any of you understand what he said?” She asked, her eyes squinting in frustration.

“No, madam,” Zelie replied, making me wonder what exactly people were failing to understand.

“You guys do not study your notes. How do you expect to understand this?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I believe Luca explained it in such a simple way. You guys should try working as hard as Luca does. No wonder he always comes out the best in this class.”

“He just has no life,” Zelie said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone laughed at her statement. She wasn’t wrong. I guess I don’t have a life.

“He is just hardworking and you’re all jealous.” Mrs. Sani defended. “In my next class, I will need both Kwento and Zelie to explain meiosis to all of you.”

“That’s not fair, madam,” Kwento complained.

“I don’t care. Just do it. I end this class. You guys have irritated me.” She said, grabbing her handbag.

Both Zelie and Kwento eyed me with a death glare. I wondered what exactly I did wrong to get such a glare.

*****

I entered the cafeteria, feeling excited about getting my food.

After grabbing my lunch, I walked over to the empty table I always find myself at.

I sat there and waited for Aretta to arrive. Normally, it wouldn’t bother me to be alone, but after minutes, I wondered if she was ever going to arrive.

I munched on my food in so much thought.

If she arrived, what would I say to her to start a conversation?

My thoughts were immediately warped when I saw James suddenly sit next to me.

“Dude, it’s been so long since I saw your weird self. How are you doing?”

I narrowed my brows. “Are you trying to start a conversation with me?”

“Honestly, I just felt pity seeing you sit alone like that. Doesn’t it ever bother you that others have a friend next to them and you’re all alone?”

It bothered me but I couldn’t do anything about it so I tried to accept it.

“What are you talking about? You’re always alone also?” I said, trying to avoid answering his question.

“Except, I intentionally make myself alone, but it doesn’t seem like you do. So what do you say about us being friends?”

I hadn’t made a friend in a while and even though it was a very weird way to become someone’s friend, I mentally agreed to it.

“Sure, but why do you want to be my friend?” It was strange that he wanted to be my friend. There must have been a catch.

“You’re weird like me. I am sure we can make good pals, and it was kinda tiring being alone all the time.” He smiled.

“Okay, in that case, I guess we can be friends,” I replied, and then it hit me that Aretta was not coming to my table.

I searched for her in the cafeteria, then I caught sight of her walking quickly. It seemed like she spotted me.

“Hey, Luca.” She said, taking a seat next to me. James stared in awe.

“You have a girlfriend?” He asked, grinning widely.

I wish.  “She is my project partner. Aretta this is James, James this is Aretta.”

“Nice to meet you.” They both said in unison.

“I am so sorry about being late. I got caught up with something and it looks like lunchtime will be over soon.”

“It’s alright we can meet up tomorrow to discuss the project,” I suggested and noticed James wink at me. What’s wrong with him?

“So, where can we meet up?” She asked, making me wonder if it would be alright to invite her to my house.

“We can meet at an art museum. That way, we can even have ideas.” I suggested.

She grinned.  “Yes, that sounds fun. Since tomorrow is Saturday so I guess we can go early in the morning.”

“I will pick you up. Just send me the details of where I can find you.”

“Wow, you’re going to pick her up. Isn’t this just a date?” James asked, causing us both to laugh.

“It’s just two classmates trying to do their school work.” She replied, causing James to raise his brows dramatically.

“If you say so. I will believe it for now.” He replied, laughing. I guess James wasn’t as creepy as I thought.

The sound of the bell interrupted our conversation.

“It was nice meeting you, James. See you tomorrow Luca.”

“It was nice meeting you too,” James smirked deviously.

“You guys would make a good couple, you know. Take that date seriously bro.” James whispered into my ear when Aretta walked away.

I furrowed my brows. “It’s not a da--- ”

James immediately walked away from me before I could even complete my sentence.

I laughed as I watched him walk hastily. I guess he didn’t want me to argue with him.

But his words made me think. If two random people meet up, is that considered a date?

I don’t think it is, but in an event that it is a date, then that would be my first date with a girl.

______Authors Note______

It is kinda sad to know Luca goes through that kind of bullying every day. Don't you think so?

Away from that...

Is it just me or are you getting more good-looking with each chapter you read?

Okay, I am just really happy you stuck around with me to the fifth chapter.

Did you know this book is based on a true story?

Yes, the book is completely fictional because I created all events and characters but it is based on a true story that I just added some tweaks.

Hence the reason why I tell you that there is more to this story that you might even learn from.

Anyways keep reading. Who knows, maybe you can become ×50 more good looking.*wink, wink.