CHAPTER 17- HEART- RACING MOMENT

  I got to school the next day putting on my English attire. I hardly chose as my daddy and younger brother helped me with it. My elder brother, Matthew did not say anything in regards to the attire, still the old Matthew.

   I later settled for a  sky blue shirt, black trousers, a waistcoat with a bow tie to match. I also had to put on a black hat, pair of glasses, and a rocking black pair of shoes. I must confess I looked like a Professor.

   As I walked through the corridors, some of the juniors walked up to me to take selfies with me.

  "Senior Michael, you look 'take away'. I do not mind being your date for today," Adesewa, a junior said as I wore a shocked expression. What The Heck is she saying?

 "Hun?' I looked at her, my brows raising a bit.

  " I am just joking. I admire your attire, it is lovely," she stated and I said a 'thank you before taking my leave.

    I sighed as I noticed the students taking pictures of themselves. I thought the use of phones is not allowed in Beatitude College, I guess today will be an exception, as the occasion probably brought up the usage.

    I was some feet away from the class and I could not help but breathe in and out trying to get over my nervous self. I wonder how my classmates would look at me today, I might get tons of nicknames for dressing this way, lol.

   I entered the class with my face down a bit.  I stood transfixed not until I felt a warm hand lift my face a little.

  "Oh, my world Hero! You look hot", Marvellous, one of my classmates said.

  "Like seriously? Is that the right word to use?. Nah, Nah, Nah, please don't corrupt the mind of Hero, and as a matter of fact, he is someone else's property," Joyce said as Marvellous did an eye roll.

   I could not help but blush at their compliments. 

"You look handsome Michael," Joyce added and I smiled. These girls should just stop it, they are making my mouth hurt due to too much blushing.

  Before I could say 'Jack Robinson', they collected my bag and moved me to a seat at the rear, where I sat down before.

  "Let us look at you for today, you can go back to your seat tomorrow", Marvellous declared as I sighed, defenseless.

  My eyes met with Ethan who winked and smiled at me making my face flush against my will.

   As much as I wanted to regret sitting with the girls, I was happy spending time with them. It brought back memories of how Rachael and I used to chat, discuss, and encourage each other, I miss her a lot. She is the best female friend I have ever had in my life history.

   The girls kept talking about how they spent hours choosing the clothes they are to put on. I must confess they feel quite comfortable around me even though I am a boy.

   I removed my hat, and Marvellous collected it, placing it on her head, showing different styles. My glasses were seized by Joyce. Aargh," I cried inwardly as I placed my head on the desk.

   A few hours later, I perceived the smell of cologne. I closed my eyes tighter not until I heard that voice.

  "Are you avoiding me? Ethan whispered as I slowly raised my head only for our faces to brush each other.

   I moved back a little, as I felt my heart race. I do not like this a bit, the closeness, the blushing, my heartbeat, and everything surrounding this feeling. I looked at his calm aura as he kept staring at me.

  " Why do you think I am avoiding you?" I asked, my gaze on my fingers as I tap it lightly on the desk.

  "Uhm, you look pale, are you sick??" he asked and I felt like punching his face for being too observant.

  "I am getting better, just headaches and fever," I said half truthfully. At least I said the result of the terrible nightmare that is haunting me.

  "Oh! I hope you are using your drugs', he said 

  " Yeah, thanks. I won't forget that", I deadpanned, hoping he will go back to his seat. I'm feeling those emotions stirring up again and I don't like it one bit.

    "It seems you are still angry with me. I am sorry for waking you", he said, as he prepared to stand up

   I'm not sure whether I showed an angry expression some seconds ago, but I feel terrible for how I treated Ethan these few days. I was trying to get over my feelings for him, at the expense of our friendship.

   I always smile nicely at others, treat them well, and have a high tolerance for those that offended me but Ethan's case is different. I guess I should just accept the fact that I am deeply attracted to him.

  Ethan", I called as he stopped on his track, turning.

    I called him back as he sat down.

  " I am sorry, just in a bad mood," I said as I looked at him.

  

   He smiled brightly at me and I could not help but turn red.

  "You are blushing. I cannot get angry at you, no matter what you do. You are very special to me," he confessed making my heart skip a bit as I smiled to cover my shocked state

  "You look good in your clothes, you sure look like a Professor," he concluded and I said a 'thank you.

   My eyes ran through his simple self and he was putting on something weird to me. A black trouser, a white V neck which exposed some part of his broad chest, and a black waistcoat to complement his look. His collar bones were exposed. He chuckled, bringing me back to each, as my face flushed instantly. He would think I was checking him out, 'I thought.

  " So, let us get to know each other, your likes, dislikes, any weird thing about you, anything….," he draws out and I nodded, adjusting my sitting posture.

  

   "I am 16 years old, a lover of thriller and drama novels. I hate jealousy and pride in others. I love these zee world series especially 'Lies of the Heart and King of Hearts," I stopped when I saw him wore a look

  "You like the zee world series?', he asked.

  " Yes, why did you ask?"I asked.

  "Nothing, books are not for me, I just like having fun. Books are not my friend, Facebook and Football are," he stated and I laughed at his straightforwardness.

  "You are weird", I started.

   " And you are special", he replied looking into my eyes.

  "Why am I special?', I asked half-jokingly, raising my hand dramatically.

  "You behave like a girl even though you are a boy",

   I let out a stifled laugh. 

  " Thanks for teasing me", I said smiling.

  "I like your male part when I am happy and your female side when I need someone to counsel and advise me," he confessed, making me feel giddy, my heart skipping at each word he said. This is sure to be a heart-racing moment.

  "Stop being cheesy", I said and he smiled.

  " I'm not being cheesy, just stating the fact", he replied.

   "I give up", I replied and he chuckled

    Most times I have been taunted because of my female characters. I could still remember that I once prayed to God to remove my female characteristics.  I later stopped requesting that kind of prayer by accepting myself. Even if I am a boy and have female characteristics, many people like me for it. There must be a reason why I am like that. Maybe some hormone secretion, who knows? I am right the way I am. With time, everything will be back to normal.

    Ethan and I talked for quite a long time and to be honest, my cheeks hurt from too much blushing, grinning, smiling, and laughing.

    We took tons of pictures which were issued by the school and done by photographers. We watched some Nigerian movies titled Sugar Rush and Your Excellency. I won the best attire in my class which has a prize for a 'woven cotton cloth material'.

     After school, Joshua and I made our way to Rachael's house. To say I was worn out is not an understatement. My waistcoat, tie, and glasses are all in my bag.

  "It is a good thing we would soon get to your crush house", Joshua voiced out, and for some reason, I remained calm. Remembering how he let out my little secret of developing a crush on Rachael still makes me angry, but here is Joshua, the blabbermouth.

  " Learn to mind your business dear friend or I might end up telling Khadijat you are crushing on her," I revealed with a smile on my face. 

   His face revealed an angry look which later turned into a snicker.

  "Okay, mabinu(Don't be angry). Don't try anything", he said and I smiled.

    Khadijat is a tall girl who Joshua has a crush on. He never told me but I figured it out.

  " Let us take some selfies", Joshua announced as he brought out an Android phone which looks quite expensive.

  "Is that your phone?" I asked with shock written on my face.

  "No, I stole it", he deadpanned.