Chapter 3 : Feelings

In class, Samuel greeted us.

“Hi, bestie. How are you?” he said to Bella.

“I’m fine. You?”

“I got something for you—and Mariam.”

“Oh? For both of us?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Samuel!” I said.

“You’re welcome, Mariam. I hope you consider me your friend too.”

“Of course, I do.”

“Let’s sit. First class will start soon.”

Samuel turned to me, “Mariam, can we talk after this class?”

“Okay.”

“What about me?” Bella asked.

“This is just for Mariam. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to you later in the dining hall.”

Bella’s face changed instantly. She wasn’t happy.

“Bella, why did your face change?” I asked.

“Did it change? I didn’t notice.”

“You better tell me what he says to you.”

“I will. Aren’t we sisters?”

“Okay. But don’t get too close to Samuel. Only I’m meant to be close to him.”

“Hmm… you sound like you’re dating him. You’re friends, right? Unless you’re in love?”

“I’m not! He’s just my best friend.”

“Okay. But we’re all friends. It’s not wrong if he talks to me.”

“I hear you.”

It shocked me. My Bella—hiding things?

“Good morning, class!” Mr. Smith entered.

“Good morning, Sir.”

“Get your textbooks. The exam is in two weeks. Start reading.”

“Sir,” Fusayo shouted, “you’ve not even finished one topic, and you’re telling us to read. Read what? The whole textbook for nothing? You’re so funny, sir. You should have gone into comedy instead of being a teacher!”

The class erupted in laughter.

“You—what’s your name again? Burkina Faso? Or is it Fusayo?”

More laughter.

“Sir, it’s Fusayo. You don’t even remember names. And you’re our math teacher?”

“Are you okay?! Out of my class, broken child!”

“I’ll go. But at least I don’t have a broken family like yours.”

Silence fell. Mr. Smith’s face fell. His wife had left him with five kids. His eyes filled with tears.

“SS1 Science,” he said quietly. “None of you will pass my exams.”

He walked out.

Fusayo returned, mocking him. “SS1 Science, none of you will pass my exams!”

The class laughed again.

But Samuel signaled me to come out. I followed him.

“Mariam, thanks for coming.”

“It’s okay. What did you want to say?”

“Mariam… I know we’re just friends. But I admire how real you are. And your grades for your scholarship. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you, Samuel. I appreciate it.”

“There’s something I want to share. Please don’t tell anyone. My mum died when I was eight. Today’s the anniversary. I’ve never had anyone to share it with.”

“Oh, Samuel. I’m so sorry.”

“You’d never guess from how I behave, right?”

“No. But it’s okay to miss her. Let yourself feel it.”

“Thank you, Mariam. Can we go out after school? I just want to be with someone today.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll make an excuse to Bella. She takes me home.”

“Please don’t tell her. She might feel left out.”

“I understand.”

“You’re beautiful, Mariam.”

“Thank you, Samuel. But… are we going out in our uniform?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you something to wear.”

I was blushing so hard. My crush had just asked me out.

“Let’s go in. Mrs. Ajayi is coming.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

As we entered, Bella was already standing there. She cleared her throat.

“What’s happening here?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Samuel replied casually.

“Okay… Let’s go in. Mrs. Ajayi is in class.”

Inside, Bella whispered, “What was he telling you?”

“Oh, nothing serious. Just something I did that annoyed him before. He finally forgave me.”

“But he was smiling at you…”

“He was smiling because he finally accepted my apology.”

“Hmm… okay. I trust you.

The teacher began revision, but my eyes wandered to Amaka and Kingsley. They were holding hands underneath the table. I was jealous of the couple.

“Amaka,” the teacher said, “stop holding Kingsley’s hand. You can show love after class!”

………………………… page break………………………

Amaka and Kingsley slipped out of the crowded corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. Mrs Ajayi lingered in the shadows, curiosity tugging her forward until she could see them through the half-open door of a forgotten storeroom.

“Amaka…” Kingsley’s voice was a low murmur. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Amaka pressed closer, her heart hammering. “Why does Mrs. Ajayi always single us out?” she whispered, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. “It’s like she knows exactly what I’m feeling.”

Kingsley brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips grazed her cheek, sending a jolt through her. “Don’t mind her,” he said, “you’re mine now.”

She laughed—a soft, breathy sound—and lifted her arms around his neck. Their lips met tentatively at first, then with growing urgency. Amaka’s hands tangled in his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer. Kingsley’s arms wrapped around her waist; she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her palm.

Words tumbled between them in hurried whispers:

“Your skin…”

“You’re so beautiful…”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Their kisses deepened, each one sweeter and more insistent than the last. Amaka leaned into him, her breath catching as his fingers found the small of her back, drawing her even nearer. Every brush of skin against skin seemed to burn a new spark between them.

“Remember our first dance?” he murmured, resting his forehead against hers. “I’ve been replaying it in my head all week.”

Amaka’s smile trembled. “I knew it was special,” she said. “But I never imagined it would feel like this.”

He traced a gentle path down her arm. “Like what?”

“Like we’re the only two people in the world.”

They stood there for a long moment, caught in the soft glow filtering through a dusty window. Outside, the school bell rang distantly, but inside, time had stopped.

Then, almost reluctantly, Kingsley brushed his lips once more against hers. “We should go,” he whispered, though neither of them moved.

Amaka closed her eyes one last time, storing the warmth of his lips against hers. “Just one more,” she pleaded softly.

He smiled, and as they finally turned back toward the classroom door—fingers intertwined—they both knew everything had changed.

Behind them, hidden in the shadows… was Mrs. Ajayi. Watching.

She touched herself, whispering, “I must have him. I don’t care about the age difference.”

Then she quickly disappeared as Kingsley approached the door.

…………………………. Page break …………………….

“Bella, I won’t follow you home today. I need to get something from the market for my mum.”

“I can drop you off.”

“No, it’s out of your way.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll see tomorrow. Bye!”

Once she was gone, I called Samuel.

“She’s left.”

“Okay. Come. We’ll use my car.”

He held my hand. I was shocked—but thrilled. On our way, he kept looking at me.

“Why are you looking at me so much?” I asked.

“You’re beautiful, Mariam.”

We stopped by a boutique. My first time inside one.

“Pick anything you like.”

I tried on dresses. Samuel’s eyes never left me.

“I want the pink one.”

“I’ll buy everything you tried.”

Twenty dresses. Total—₦400,000.

Why was he spending so much on me? I was just a friend.

We had a beautiful meal at a fancy restaurant. He dropped me off at home.

As I stepped out of the car, I saw Bella.

She was standing in my compound, talking to my mum.

And now… everything would change.