CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX: I AM SITTING NEXT TO HIM
"I admire guys like him… his curly hair, his dimples, his swag, and goddamnit… his voice," Gift murmured, staring at the ceiling like she was daydreaming.
What did I just hear?
I blinked rapidly, trying to process her words.
"I heard him speak to Bola this evening," she added, turning her face toward me.
Bola—one of her closest friends in that clique.
"He's bound to grow older and change," I muttered, unsure why my chest felt a little tighter.
Honestly, I was completely drawn into her admiration story. Deep down, I knew Daniel couldn't like someone like her, no matter how hard she tried. Still… part of me wanted to know his green and red flags in girls.
"Yeah, and it's so cute," she added, her eyes sparkling.
"Why are you even telling me this?" I asked, confused. Why was she sharing all of this with me?
"I don't know," she shrugged, turning back to the ceiling. "I just feel like telling you. You give me a chance to talk."
"Because… because of Daniel?" I asked, my voice calm but my eyebrows raised.
"Yes, I guess," she said with another shrug. "And also because I want us to be friends," she quickly added with a smile.
"Friends… without even working for it? What a joke!" I hissed, looking away.
"Working for it? Wetin you even mean?" she asked, her expression suddenly confused, like she could snap at any moment.
"Your character, your… everything. You can't just be friends with me. Just can't!" I replied firmly, nodding and refusing to look at her.
"You talk as if you are some big trophy I need to win," she said, her eyes fixed on me. I could feel her stare.
"If you take it like that, then… that's it!" I shrugged, still not facing her.
"I'll just overlook it because you're friends with Daniel," she said casually.
"See… I want to sleep," I said, rolling onto my side with my back toward her.
For the first time since she started talking, she was silent. I silently appreciated the peace.
…
The next day—Monday—our senior school orientation began. Teachers guided us through introductions, rules, and procedures, and we were shown our notice board where class and seat assignments were posted.
Back in J.S.S. 3, we had taken an aptitude test that determined departmental classes—Arts, Sciences, Engineering, and Commercial. My score fit the Engineering department perfectly.
Each department had two classes because of overpopulation. I was assigned to Engineering B.
I quickly searched for Samuel's and Daniel's names. Both were in my class.
I didn't know how to feel about that.
"Hey!"
A hand rested lightly on the back of my shoulder.
"What the hell?!" I exclaimed, my heart skipping a beat.
"Hahaha! Sorry," Daniel laughed, still standing behind me as he looked at the notice board.
"We're in the same class, dumdum!!" I said, removing his hand and walking away.
"Hey! Are you annoyed?" Daniel asked, falling into step beside me.
"I'm not! I just want to go to class," I muttered.
"You mean… our class?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yeah, whatever you take it as," I said, brushing it off.
Suddenly, Gift appeared, striding toward us with her usual smile.
"You two are in the same class as me?" she asked, sounding surprised.
What the hell? Why now?
"You have a new friend already?" Daniel muttered quietly, eyes darting to her as we waited.
"Nah, she's just my corner mate," I whispered back, keeping my tone low.
"Okay," he said flatly, his expression unreadable. "Should we keep walking to class, or wait for her?"
"Let's just go," I replied, and we continued down the corridor. Gift caught up with us near the classroom entrance.
"You're in the same class as us?" she asked again, clearly trying to confirm.
"Yes," I said cautiously.
"Engineering B," she confirmed with a smile.
What? She's really in our class?
"See you inside, Floral," Daniel said, excusing himself and walking into the classroom. I quickly followed him.
"Isn't that cool?" Gift asked behind me.
"Why would you ask me that? We barely know each other. We're just corner mates who started talking yesterday," I replied, maintaining a neutral tone. I didn't want her to think I was arguing.
I walked inside before she could respond.
And that's when I saw it. The desks had numbers assigned to them. A paper with our seat numbers was pasted in front of the classroom.
Gift stood behind me. "I heard we're to sit according to our numbers," she said casually.
I ignored her and went straight to the front of the class, searching for my seat number.
She followed me, making me increasingly uncomfortable.
"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
"Guess what?" she said, leaning closer. "I'm sitting next to Daniel."