CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: ME OR DANIEL?
As expected, the dormitory was bathed in sunlight, and there was ample water for bathing and washing up.
I flopped back onto my bed, feigning sleep, since everything around me seemed dull and uninspiring. Victoria had already slipped into a deep slumber, while Morayo was diligently copying her notes. I, on the other hand, lay idly, staring at the ceiling, doing absolutely nothing.
Just as I closed my eyes, I heard someone shout my name, "Who is Flora from J.S 1D?"
I jolted upright, hastily sliding my crocs on, and rushed to the corridor where the voice had come from.
"I'm here!" I responded, standing firmly in front of the girl.
"Your brother is asking for you. He's in the relaxation garden," she replied, attempting to leave.
"Wait, please! Where is the relaxation garden?" I asked, confused.
"Are you joking?" she asked, disbelief in her tone. "You don't know the relaxation garden?"
"I'm not joking!" I insisted, nodding earnestly. "I only arrived this Sunday, so I'm still new to the school environment."
Her eyes softened with understanding. "Alright, I'll take you there myself. I can't explain the directions properly—I don't want you to get lost."
"Thank you!" I smiled, following her down the corridor.
"Is he your biological brother or a stepbrother?" she asked casually as we walked.
"Blood brother," I said without hesitation.
"I'm Hannah, from J.S 2A," she added, smiling warmly.
"So… you're my senior?" I asked, astonished at her petite stature.
"Height is just a measure, it doesn't define who you are," she replied, as if reading my mind.
"Fair enough," I muttered, shrugging my shoulders.
"Do you know Daniel?" she asked, turning to face me.
"Which Daniel?" I replied, puzzled.
"The half-Chinese boy," she clarified, still walking alongside me.
"If he's in J.S 1, then yes," I answered cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
"Because he's with your brother, over there," she pointed towards a garden where the grass was neatly trimmed, the trees provided ample shade, and sturdy chairs and tables were fixed underneath—perfect for avoiding the sun or a light drizzle.
I realised immediately: this must be the famous relaxation garden. It certainly lived up to its name.
"That's the relaxation garden. Go meet them there!" she said.
"Thanks again!" I smiled before heading toward my brother and, reluctantly, my ex-crush, Daniel.
"Hey, what do you want?" I asked, sitting opposite them.
"Is that how you greet your brother?" Francis asked, feigning surprise.
"How else should I greet you, when you disturbed my peaceful rest?" I replied, irritation lacing my tone. My annoyance was less with my brother and more with Daniel beside him.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Francis said, nudging a sack towards me with his leg.
"For goodness' sake, what's this?" I asked, hesitant to touch it but curious.
Daniel waved at me, smiling. "Hi," he said politely.
"I asked my brother!" I said, ignoring Daniel.
"Ah, don't mind her," Francis said, smiling. "Mom dropped these sacks at the gate with the gatemen. I've taken mine, and that's yours. I haven't looked inside yours yet."
I picked up my sack and opened it.
Inside were cartons of Fesco biscuits, my absolute favourite milky biscuits popular in Nigeria, along with bars of foreign chocolate, likely sent from my aunt in the United States. Finally, there was money tucked neatly inside.
"What did she leave for you?" I asked Francis after closing my sack.
"Two cartons of Superbite with some money," he replied briefly.
"Boring!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes.
"How much did Mom leave for you?" Francis asked, curious.
"I didn't count," I replied nonchalantly.
"Come on, count it!" he urged.
"No. If Mom gave me more than you, you'll say I cheated! I'm not counting," I replied firmly. "I might as well leave it."
"You and your exaggerations, eh?" he shook his head, amused.
"Yes, I know, right?" I said, smirking at him. Then, I unexpectedly turned to face Daniel. "I wonder why you brought him here," I remarked, though it wasn't exactly a question.
"I brought him because he's my school son. What else?" Francis said with a teasing grin.
"Okay o," I muttered, standing up.
"Why did you snub him just now?" Francis asked, genuinely curious.
"Are you even supposed to ask that?" I retorted, giving him a sharp look.
"Is there anything wrong with my question?" he replied, locking eyes with me.
I sighed internally. That look from my brother meant I should rein in my attitude.
"Goodness, here?" I muttered under my breath. Publicly, he wouldn't punish me, so I could afford to be brazen for the moment.
Besides, why was he annoyed? Was it me at fault, or was Daniel? I was utterly confused, trying to decipher where the tension was coming from.
---
I took a deep breath, determined to remain composed. Sitting opposite Daniel, I studied him closely: his sharp, half-Chinese features, the mischievous glint in his eyes, and that smug, knowing smile he always seemed to wear. My thoughts became a tangle of irritation and reluctant curiosity.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Daniel asked, leaning back casually.
"Am I not allowed to observe my ex-crush?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I wouldn't call it that… yet," he replied cryptically, tilting his head.
Francis snorted at our subtle exchange, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"I swear, Francis, you plan these little traps to annoy me, don't you?" I asked.
"I? Never. I just like seeing my little sister interact with interesting people," he said slyly.
"Interesting people, eh?" I muttered, my mind racing. Why did Daniel have to be so infuriatingly composed and infuriatingly charming at the same time?
The morning breeze drifted through the garden, carrying the scent of freshly trimmed grass and flowers. Birds chirped from the nearby trees, and for a fleeting moment, the irritation and awkwardness melted away. But as soon as I glanced at Daniel, the tension returned.
"Are we going to sit here all day, or are you going to speak to me properly?" he asked, a teasing edge in his voice.
"I've been speaking to you!" I retorted. "I just don't appreciate the way you arrived here with my brother unannounced."
"Unannounced?" he asked, feigning innocence.
"Yes. You could have just waited for me at the hostel. Now you've caught me off guard," I explained, exasperated.
Daniel leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "So… you're upset because I'm here?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed, a little too loudly, realising immediately I'd let my frustration slip.
Francis chuckled, clearly entertained. "Careful, Flora. You might start confessing your feelings without realising it," he teased.
"Shut up!" I shot back, my cheeks flushing.
Daniel smirked knowingly. "Well, whatever your feelings are, you can't change the fact that I'm here now. So, you might as well get used to it."
I rolled my eyes and sat back, inwardly groaning. Boarding school life was never simple, but today it felt particularly complicated. Between my brother's teasing, Daniel's calm provocations, and my own swirling thoughts, I had no idea whether I was annoyed, curious, or… slightly intrigued.
One thing was clear: this day would test my patience and perhaps my heart in ways I hadn't anticipated.