CHAPTER 6- I WILL BE LEAVING SOON

   I sulked in my breath, trying not to get angry at Ethan's use of words. He is kinda right, I am 15 years old and yet to have a crush. I stay with girls 24/7, and nothing to show off concerning any growing feelings for the opposite sex.

    Yet, I had a liking for 5 boys already, not sure the reason why I am developing that affection for them. One thing I wish for is to be led to a spotlight about this admiration I am developing, it is making my heart Quaver. ' Oh God of mercy, please guide my thoughts and give me a solution to my problem', I prayed silently as I made my way into Rachael's class meant for her test.

    She was revising for her next subject, pretty engrossed in its reading. She looked up and waved at me as I made my way to her seat.

"I hope I am not disturbing you, you seemed engrossed in the book you are revising," I said.

  "Oh, Oyedele, not really, just trying to figure out a particular topic in Chemistry. It has been giving me a headache but it is not a big deal if I score 15 out of 20 marks," she stated and I chuckled.

   She is the only one that used to call me by my surname and I must confess it sounds perfect from the way she pronounces it.

  "Try not to give yourself a headache, chemistry is a hard nut to crack', I replied and she smiled covering the book as she looked up at me.

  " You seem to be close with Ethan, are you guys getting along now?" she asked, pausing a little to see my reaction.

   I hid my blush, as I remembered the moment we shared this afternoon.

  "Yeah, we talked for some time. We are good I guess," I tried to sound genuine, only for Rachael to look at me with the eyes 'There is more to it'.

  "What? Why are you looking at me that way? Ok, we apologized to each other, we made up for our wrongdoings," I said, raising my hands slightly to show my conviction.

  "Great, it is a good thing you guys made up. Apart from the part that he was trying to go naughty with you, that slap is a big atonement for the sin he committed," she said as I did an eye roll.

   I slapped him right? Why did he apologize? He would simply have been on his own, same with me. I am not the type that holds grudges but I can't help but feel we should be FRENEMIES if that word even exists.

  "Ahem, was I bad for slapping him?" I asked.

  "Maybe, it depends on you. People see things differently. I might have pushed him if such a thing happens to me. Just try not to think about it. It is all in the past." Rachael counseled as I nodded.

  "Thanks for the advice, but you should continue with your reading now before you develop a massive headache from late reading," I joked as she punched me lightly which earned a snicker from me.

  "Jokes apart, I need to tell you something, hope you are waiting after school," she said and I told her I would be waiting.

   I was about to stand up to leave when Gloria came inside the class, as she hugged Rachael. Quite a drama queen, didn't she see me here?

  "Hi Rachael, hey Michael," she greeted before facing Rachael.

  "Can you believe that rascal Ethan kept on disturbing me, teasing the daylight out of me?" Gloria said foaming in anger.

  "Calm down sis, the rascal is Ethan, and according to Oyedele here, he calls him Psycho. So Psychorascal or RascalPsycho is the new set of names for him," Rachael contributed and we started laughing.

   We ended our discussion a few minutes to the end of the break, as I headed straight to my class to do my last-minute revision. I sat down revising when I heard a voice.

  "Are you still angry at me?" Ethan asked.

   I turned to my side as I saw him draw a chair beside me, my eyes scanning through his face which has beads of sweat, making him more handsome.  His face depicts someone that feels guilty for doing something wrong. He moved closer as I felt rather smitten at our proximity as I darted my face to my book.

  "I am not angry about what you said, you were only teasing me. It is normal for me not to have any feelings for the opposite sex yet. I will surely develop one maybe now or in my 'sweet sixteen", I said, trying not to move my gaze.

   He sighed as he asked me to explain a particular topic to him. He just kept looking at me, smiling throughout the whole explanation. He stated he loves how I raised my hands when explaining things. I hope he understands what I was explaining.

*****

   I concluded my test for that day as I waited for Rachael. She wanted to tell me something important, I guess. Sitting in the class, as the whole place was empty, I could not help but wonder what she wanted to tell me about.

   I stared at the ceiling as boredom hit me, as I made my hand to my backpack to get my chocolate biscuit which I munched at. She walked into the class a few minutes later looking tired.

   She grabbed the remaining chocolate in my hand. She ate and drank water to it which left me speechless, as I just stared at her.

  " You look shocked, any problem?" she asked.

  ", Why not? You have never collected anything from me and mostly the other boys," I said darting my eyes in another direction.

    She used a tissue to wipe the crumbs around her mouth.

  "Do you know why I collected it from you? she asked and I shook my head.

  " Well number one, I trust you. You are not like those other guys that will give a girl something and expect something in return. And secondly, I am hungry," she said, making a funny face and I could not help but blush at the compliments.

 "Thanks, I am flattered," I replied 

  "You are welcome," she said as she dragged me off my seat.

    We walked out of the school as that little memory of what she said earlier came back to my head, as my stomach churns with happiness.

  "How was your test today?" I asked trying to break the ice of silence'.

  "It was okay. The Chemistry was not that bad too, but I had to struggle a little bit with Geography," she said

  "Oh, but I am pretty sure you will score more than me even with that complaint of yours," I said.

  "Ha! You think quite fast Oyedele. I hope your prayer gets answered," she deadpanned and started laughing.

  "Prayer?" I asked.

  "Yes, your prayer of me getting more marks than you," she replied and I was speechless. She sure knows how to place one in a tight corner.

  "Oyedele, I want to tell you something," she said as I felt my heart race for a few seconds. I breathe out slowly.

"Ok, I am all ears," I replied.

  "Oyedele, I will be leaving soon. I might not be able to complete my studies here at Beatitude College," she stated.

   The only thing I knew was that I felt drained out of energy instantly. My stance almost died down at that statement. 'She will be leaving soon?