Four

Andy's POV

I was really glad when the final bell rang, I hurried out with my bag towards my car. I didn't have much friends. Not because I had pride though, but because I loved my own company more.  

Then I heard Loretta calling me 

Loretta: Andy, wait up 

I halted and turned then smiled. She's going to force me to a coffee shop, good thing I'm actually heading there 

Me: hey

Loretta: where are you hurrying to Andy? Is someone after you?

Me: I don't think anyone would be so jobless to go after me

Loretta: your father is the richest man in Cebu, he has a lot of enemies 

Me: that's his problem.... not mine 

Loretta: whatever... Can you accompany me to the coffee shop? 

I gave out a little chuckle. What's with Loretta and coffee shops? 

Me: okay

We got to the car and entered then I drove to the nearest coffee shop 

We got down and entered the shop. Just as we sat down and began to place our orders, Daniel and Miguel walked in 

Me: great

I said sarcastically 

Loretta: what's that for? 

I didn't answer her and I glued my eyes to my menu 

They sat few tables away from us without knowing we were there

Loretta: I'm ordering something expensive, not the usual 

I smirked 

Me: order heaven and earth. I'll pay 

I winked at her and she laughed. Loretta's mom and my mom are sisters. My mom got lucky by getting married to a multimillionaire. Loretta's mom was not that lucky, her husband was just a medical assistant manager in a small hospital when they got married. After their wedding, my mom personally helped him get a business venture. So they're a little bit rich to the average person 

The waiter came and took our orders then left. Afterwards, my mind went back to that black girl. It's not my first time seeing a black person, I was raised in USA. I've been to Brazil too and England. Also, I've been to South Africa. So it's not my first time 

But, I was surprised to see her in our school. I think I've seen black people in Manila before, mostly business personnel but never in Cebu 

That black girl today was somehow weird, too quiet for my liking. And she seemed shy earlier in class. At first,I didn't notice we had a new comer in class until the teacher directed a question at her. She had even looked at her fingers and fiddled with them when I glanced at her. 

I'm the quiet type and I love to associate with extroverts. That's why Loretta's like my best friend, though my actual best friend is Roberto. He is not back from South Korea yet 

Loretta: earth to Andy 

My attention came back 

Me: huh 

Loretta: what's it that has taken your whole mind? Thinking of photography? No, photography doesn't take your mind that far. Except if you're thinking of taking a picture of the moon 

Me: what's that black girl's name? 

She furrowed her eye brows. I immediately regretted asking that question. I knew who Loretta was, she wouldn't let me breathe anymore. She'd start asking questions until my ears bleed

Loretta: so that's why you've been thinking so far. You're thinking about the black girl 

Me: nope, not that. Just forget it

Loretta : she's attractive right? Do you want to take a picture of her? She'd make a pretty picture right?

Me: what? No. Not that

Loretta : then what? 

Me: just wondering what she's doing in our school 

Loretta : well, she relocated from USA here with her family. Her name is Unugwa 

My eye brows furrowed this time 

Me: Unugwa? That's not a name for an American. Or is it?

Loretta : she's not American. She's pure African. Though she has American citizenship. She's been there for about sixteen years 

Me: how come you know so much about her? 

Loretta: she's my friend already. And she's really kind 

Me: I trust you with making friends 

She chuckled and looked around then at me 

Loretta: OMG, Daniel is here 

Me: I know 

I relaxed on the chair and caressed my camera 

Loretta: I don't think he knows we're here 

Me: and I don't think I care if he does 

Loretta shrugged and took the tray of steaming drinks from the waiter. She kept mine in front of me

I looked at Daniel and got irritated. Daniel is too full of himself, acting like he owns the nation 

I rolled my eyes to the cup of steaming cappuccino. I wasn't in the mood for swallowing anything. I looked at Loretta, she had fries and milk shakes, a cup of laté, and cappuccino. Trust Loretta with food combos

Me: you're going to feel really heavy when you take all that 

Loretta : it's fun

I sighed and closed my eyes, I feel a little headache. All I need now is a warm long bath 

 Daniel's POV

Miguel: look behind you 

Me: what? 

Miguel: it's Andy and Loretta, that girl in class 

Me: then I'm not looking

I sipped my black coffee and dropped the cup. My mind went back to what my dad told me, I should make friends with the black girl. 

I don't like making friends, I love being on my own. People irritate me and I get angered easily. There's no way I'm going to stoop so low by going to a girl all in the name of friendship. And it isn't like I'm gonna benefit from it. It's all my dad's stupid ego that I'm going to feed. Sometimes, I hate to see my father. He cares only about himself and his reputation. He keeps trying to be the number one rich man in this city and he always tries to beat Andy's father. 

After that conversation with me, I just couldn't stay at home because I felt he was planning to control me again. I needed fresh air so I called up Miguel.

Miguel: so why did you leave the house just as you arrived. I'm sure you just changed clothes, no shower 

Me: because the house was too hot

Miguel: dude, you have air conditioning 

Me: yes

Miguel: but I thought you liked heat compared to cold

I sighed. This idiot is getting on my nerves and I don't plan on explaining the type of 'hot' I meant.

I stood up and walked away, he didn't say anything but I know his eyes followed me out 

I got outside and heaved a sigh, where should I go now? I didn't want to return home neither did I want to go to the gym 

Nevertheless, I entered my car and zoomed off 

 Unugwa's POV

I was dressed in a light blue floral dress with a pair of white flat shoes. My phone was in my hand as I climbed down the stairs gently 

Chubi was coming with Mr Whyte 

Chubi : sister, do you know where mom kept my green sandals?

Me: probably in your glass shoe box 

Chubi : I don't think so 

He bit his lower lip and looked into space like he was thinking. I chuckled 

Me: you should just check

Chubi : you look like you're going out 

Me: nope, just heading to the pool. I wanna check it out 

Chubi: it's massive 

He ran past me, up the stairs. I shook my head and continued climbing down. Just as I finished, Anibe came out 

Anibe: there's my little sister. Come with me 

He held my wrist 

Me: to where 

Anibe: just come 

I jerked my hand off from him 

He carried me up on his shoulder and began to walk outside 

Me: hey Anibe put me down 

I struggled to come down but I couldn't, his grip was too strong 

Finally, I found myself in his car. How I got here so fast, I don't know 

Anibe: sit well

He slammed the door then quickly got in through the other side 

Me: this is kidnapping 

Anibe : we're going to see Demi 

Me: you should have just asked 

Anibe: well, I felt like doing that

He started the car and drove off 

I began to arrange my hair 

Anibe : so tell me, when are you going to give out your virginity? 

I sighed 

Me: I don't know.... Marriage I guess 

He laughed 

Anibe : are you sure about that? 

Me: why are you even asking? 

I wasn't surprised though, Anibe and I talk a lot. Most of the things I know, mom didn't tell me. Anibe did. 

Then when he was a serious student, he read a lot and tought me about the body system of a girl 

Anibe : babe, you're eighteen already. You're not a kid anymore 

Me: what are you trying to say? 

Anibe : I'm just saying you should know what you want already 

I looked out the window. My friends in the USA, none of them were virgins. They all slept with guys who were their boyfriends. Though they break up, but they get new ones

I wanted to stand out from them. I wanted to be different. I never really had a boyfriend, I just had someone I was tripping over. I also had dates, like prom date, carnival date, a date to the fun fair, etc. 

Sometimes I kiss them on the cheek, but never on the lips. 

Anibe : does dad still get you checked? 

Me: no, he stopped when I was sixteen 

My dad always brought a medical professional to check me up. To make sure my virginity was intact and that I had no disease or virus. 

His mother died early because of cancer which was with her from childhood, he said he's not gonna let that happen to me.

Anibe : you know what babe? 

I looked at him 

Anibe : keep your virginity 

Me: may I ask why? 

Anibe : apart from the Biblical truth about fornication, keeping your virginity is a great virtue. It's hard to see virgins these days and the few ones have a lot of advantages. It keeps you from fear of unwanted pregnancy, diseases and even heart break 

I smiled. Anibe finally shows that he has a brain. This happens once in a blue moon 

Me: thanks bro 

Anibe : so please, don't give in to any stupid boy out there. Most of them are just like me, we eat and go 

I chuckled 

Me: most of those girls are restaurants. Letting everyone in, eat, pay, leave 

He chuckled and parked the car. 

Anibe: we're here. Please make sure you tell her nice things about me. Please don't tell her that I don't know how to use a knife 

I chuckled and got out gently. 

Yes, he doesn't know how to use a knife to cut anything. In fact, he doesn't know how to slice bread 

We got out of the car and he held my hand as we walked towards the door. I looked to my left and saw that guy from my class, Daniel. He saw me, I thought he would look away but he didn't. I just gently looked to my front as the door opened 

I looked back again and my eyes met with his again. 

Oh shoot! 

I followed Anibe in then the door closed. Immediately I heaved a sigh of relief

Anibe: why that sigh? Are you worried?

Me: what? No. Of course not

Anibe: you're just stressed out from school, right?

Me: yeah. You know, trying to fit in. Especially with the fact I'm the only black person in the entire school. They always stare at me and it's creepy you know

Anibe: they like you. Thank your stars it's not the other way round

I smiled and sighed again. I wanted to open the door and check if Daniel was still there but I decided against it because Demi would be out any minute. 

I don't know why, but something about that Daniel gives me the creeps

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