CHAPTER 18- THE REAL CRUSH

   My heart raced as my eyes scanned his facial expressions but I could not draw out that he was lying. He is telling the truth, no way, I'm freaking out.

  "What? You stole it?" my voice quivered as my eyes opened wide bewildered by the reply I got from him.

   He stood straight, looking at me confidently as my face crept into a frown.

  "Ha! I got you. I love that look on your face", he said.

   My muscle relaxed as I felt stupid for falling for his brainless tricks. I glared at him as he quickly apologized.

  " I took it from home. It is my sister's phone and after asking her a million times to lend me, I had to do something", he said as I furrowed my brows joining everything together.

  "Technically you stole it from her this morning, off it, and then put it on at this time, just so she won't have access to it today," I stated and he nodded touching his neck nervously, as he let out a nervous laugh.

  "Wow, Michael, that was exactly what happened. I never stole it, I took it without her permission but with my dad's consent. I just want to teach her a lesson not to always be on her phone 24\7", Joshua said smirking as I just gazed at his figure

  " You are stupid, you know. She will beat you black and blue once she knows you took her phone. As a matter of fact, how do you plan to take pictures with her phone? Do you plan to hold the phone as a charade or something?" I asked, getting pissed off by his nonchalant attitude.

   He stared at me as his right hand found its way to my arm, as I sigh, waiting for a reasonable reply.

  "Since my sister does not have my dad's WhatsApp number, I will add it then take some pictures, send it, then delete them as well as my dad's contact. As simple as ABC", he explained in one breath as I just stared at him.

  " I just hope your sister does not get to know, or else, you are dead meat", I said as he smiled.

   "Don't worry, my sister is just over a year older than I am. I am going to threaten her and she will leave me alone", Joshua stated with a level of confidence surrounding his aura.

   I looked at his tiny self as I walked around him with a taunting look.

  " You should try going to the gym or you might end up being trampled on due to your stature", I sneered as he gave out a laugh.

   We took some pictures which I happily posed to. At least, he would be the one to receive the beating, taking two or more pics won't hurt", I thought as I winked taking the last picture.

   He did what he thought was best, sending the pictures, deleting the contact, blah, blah, blah. We made our way towards Rachael's gate as the phone started ringing. Chills went down my spine as I turned only to see Joshua pick up the call.

   I felt a little relieved as I saw him responding well to the call.

 "Okay, I will be there", he said before hanging up.

  " I have to go now, my dad said it is urgent. Bye and greet your crush for me", he said speeding off before I could make any comment.

   My eyes trailed his back as he eventually was lost in my sight. I fumed, as my right hand went to my forehead as the thought of leaving too crept to mind.

    I gave out a sigh thinking of how I am going to trek alone. 

  "Just great Joshua, thanks for ditching your friend" I mumbled.

   The thought of staying alone, talking to Rachael was not something my body will reckon with. The nervousness, sweaty features, squirming will not take time to launch their full attack once my eyes meet with Rachael. After considering the pros and cons, I decided to walk to my dad's pharmacy without saying hi to Rachael.

   As I made my first step, my body flinched slightly as the sound of the gate caught me. The gate opened as I turned abruptly to face a smiling Rachael.

  "See who I just see. Long time Michael. How have you been?" 

  "I'm fine and you,?" I replied

  "Great. You look good in those dresses of yours. I would have borrowed it if I was a boy", she joked and I blush slightly.

   Thank God I have removed my waistcoat, which would have contributed to the sweaty condition of mine.

  "Thanks", I replied shyly.

  "You look nice. Is Joshua not around? I hope he is not disturbing you?", Rachael inquired as I let out a small laugh.

  " Joshua cannot change for now. He is not disturbing me that much. He had to rush somewhere a few minutes ago, that was why he was not able to meet you. He extends his greetings to you", I replied

  "That is good. I am going to a store close to your dad's Pharmacy shop, let us walk together", she offered as we both strode gently.

   We both walked side by side as I felt warmth down my body. I stared briefly at her short, yet chubby stature as I felt mesmerized.

  " So, any gist for me?" she asked coyly as I let out a smile.

  "Not much, it has been boring. But all thanks to Joshua. I don't have much gist", I said my face-scanning hers.

  " Okay then. How far with Ethan. Hope you are doing your best to help him", she added, and just hearing his name gave me goosebumps. I am attracted to him, at least the stupid part of me fell for him"I thought

   I raised my head a little, raising my head taking in some air as Rachael's eyes never left me.

  "Ethan is fine. We have been talking and I made a few observations about him. He is the fun type, though he listens to my advice, I am not sure he put it into practice. He is kinda complicated", I let the words out.

   The two-three times we have talked were mostly based on relationships. How he does not want to date but having the urge to.

  " I am not sure Ethan will be able to let go of the opportunity especially when almost all the girls have a thing for him"  Rachael stated.

  "I feel kinda the same but just as my favorite quote goes" Never forget the reality that the choice you make today is yours to make alone and not someone else'. No matter the advice I give to him, it all depends on him to make his decision", I said. 

   To be honest, I want to change him to be a better person but it is all up to him.

  "You are right. Just do your best and leave the rest. Oh! I learned Lekan and Temi are now dating" she said as I raised my eyebrows at how she got to know of information I never even thought about.

  "Hmmm, news travels fast. I Never knew you would have known what was happening in SSS3 Beta", I said as she giggled.

  " Don't mind me. I have ears everywhere. They developed a crush on each other and boom they are in a relationship. Temi is quite beautiful? Who wouldn't fall for her", she said showing off her sarcastic self?

  " I don't think developing feelings such as crush, or infatuation should always be based on beauty or handsomeness. I develop feelings on the opposite sex based on high moral standing, on a more serious note", I blurted out as Rachael's gaze landed on me for a while before she continued walking.

  ", You know, your kind of feelings presently is Real Crush", she said as I stifled my laugh biting the inside of my cheeks at her remarks.

  " Like seriously? Does something like that exist?" I asked as I kept my eyes lingering on her.

  "Michael, someone you regularly talk to, who happens to be of the opposite sex, you will surely develop a crush on that person", she asserted which left me wondering if she was indirectly talking to me or making a general statement.

   Does she even have any feelings for me?