"Of course it's cute, I just wanted to surprise her".
"Ain't you a real nice person". He turned to face me and held my hands.
"I don't know, sometimes I am not so sure of myself".
"You should be, I mean I wouldn't vote for an unconfident candidate". He said making light of the situation.
"Hmm hmm". I barely said.
"So.....".
"So?".
"Are you going to step down for Angie?".
"Isn't it so nice of you to ask considering the fact that you were making decisions for me back there".
"I'm very sorry". He apologized.
"It's fine, it just sucks that you would do something like that".
"It's not something I usually do. I was just thinking in your best interests".
"Thanks for looking out for me, I really appreciate but I don't like people making decisions for me and I have had enough since I moved to Duncan Town".
"I guess it's a thing about the people here".
"Everyone seemed to love sticking their noses around. No one ever minds their own business and nothing is what it looks like".
"You are not wrong, gossip goes around quickly in Duncan Town. It's a wonder what the adults know about what happens among the teens. Teenage relationships, rivalry and all of that".
"I am not surprised".
"Back to our earlier discussion, what are you going to do about the nomination?".
"Truth be told, I haven't decided yet. It's a tough one isn't it?".
"No, it is not. You are entitled to your opinion and can make your decisions yourself. Plus Angie has been occupying the position for so long that I can't even remember and I think it's time for a change".
"Why didn't you ever contest?".
"Two reasons. First, I have never been nominated. Secondly, Reggie is my friend".
"What does that have to do with it?".
"Reggie and Angie are in a relationship and they have just started to progress. Angie can be bitter about things like this and Reggie doesn't want something that will upset her..."
"So he is just being selfish". I interrupted
"... especially from me". He completed his sentence.
"So he is just being selfish". I repeated.
"I wouldn't say selfish, he likes her that's all".
"I wouldn't rely on high school love if I was him".
"So you don't believe in high school love that is?".
"Put it that way".
"Wow".
"What?".
"What about us?".
"You think we are an example of high school love?".
"What do you think?".
"I don't know, am lost".
"I'm sorry, I thought we had something going on".
"You have a knack for changing subjects, don't you? A while ago we were talking about the nomination then we switched to Angie's obsession for attention and then Reggie's love for Angie came next and now we're discussing highschool love. Wow, you do know how to make a conversation". I said in an attempt to change the topic.
"Maybe I do but let's focus on our major starting conversation. Are you contesting or not?".
"I will like to know what you think about this".
"I will say I am confident that if you contest then Angie won't stand a chance which is a good thing 'cos we have all had enough of her dictatorship and I personally think that change is not a bad thing".
"Change is constant they say".
"Not in this case. I think she deserves to have occupied the position for a long time but shouldn't there be an end to everything. Sue has done a lot for the club and in actual fact, she founded the club".
"Wait really? I don't get".
"Well not actually. There has been a newspaper before the Duncan something..."
"Appeal". I helped him out.
"What?".
"The Duncan Appeal, the old school newspaper". I clarified and he had that look on his face that said: "How come you know?".
"My mum used to write for the paper. She attended this school".
"Oh, that's cool. Anyways, the old newspaper was the town newspaper but all the printing was done in the school so it was often referred to as the school newspaper. There was no press club and any article written on the paper had to be approved by the information officer in the Mayor's office. Angie's mom is the town historian and so she knew a lot of things about the town. Her great grandparents were one of the founding members of the town. She had a privilege and used it to her advantage. I will say she has had her fair share of power and should hand over to someone else. The bitter part is that she is not a very good leader, she doesn't take to corrections and can be very rude when giving out orders. She thinks because she found the club she deserves to be the editor in chief forever. Nothing ever published goes past her and she singlehandedly decides all the category that features on the newspaper".
"She sounds like a mini she Adolf Hitler".
"Funny". He smiled. "Anyways, you have every right to make your decision yourself so I promise to stay completely out of it".
"Thanks, Ryan, that means a lot to me".
"So let's go find that great gift for a great mom". He said holding the door to the school entrance for me.
"Thanks".
We stepped out and I stood still for a few seconds sniffing the warm fresh air.
"You have great hair, it's lovely especially when the wind blows it".
"Really, I was thinking of dying it blonde".
"You will definitely look good in any hair colour".
"Oh, I am so flattered".
"Don't be it's the truth".
"So where do we meet?".
"I don't get you".
"I thought you were going to help me get a gift for my mom".
"Yes, I was".
"Then we will have to meet somewhere before we head to a store or someplace".
"I thought we were walking home together".
"You did?".
"Yes".
"I can call my brother and tell him not to bother picking me up". I said eager to walk home with him again.
I called Simon that I had someone to walk home with and he didn't even argue or counter me.
"We have a lot to talk about when you get home". I told him over the phone.
"I am not sure if I will make it home today or not but please don't tell on me"
"What, are you kidding?".
"I am being serious I will explain when I get home".
"But.....". He hung up on me.
"Is everything alright?". Ryan asked.
"Yes," I assured.
We walked home together holding hands, talking and laughing all the way. It was bliss, I am in love.
"So you don't believe in high school love?". Ryan's words rang in my head.
I need to clear things up with him, I didn't want to give him the wrong idea and end up getting crushed. I can't be so rock hard and emotionless with everyone and he deserves all the honesty I can offer, he had always been down to earth with me.
"Ryan".
"What's that Babe".
"There is something I need to tell you".
"Is it serious?". He asked and walked to the roadside bench. He sat down and motioned for me to do the same.
"Depends on how you see it". I sat down.
"Wow am scared".
"Don't be". I assured. "Here is the thing, earlier when you asked me if I believe in high school love....". I couldn't finish my sentence but I knew I had to. I couldn't back out, not now that I started the conversation.
"You were saying something?". He said half asking half saying.
"I do believe in high school love".
"Now that's interesting. I thought you said earlier that you didn't".
"I didn't actually say that in words".
"But you do say it with actions and actions they say speak louder than words".
"I am not a very open person okay, so don't judge me".
"I'm not".
"I don't give much of me away and I don't usually tell a lot of people about me. I am cold, expressionless and emotionless".
"Yes I am and that's why I don't want to freeze your heart with my coldness".
"What are you talking about?".
"I think we are an example of high school love and I believe in high school love you. This is something I never told anyone but my mom and stepdad met in high school. I see us together, as a couple but I am afraid I might make you not want to love again".
"What do you mean?".
"I am not really the relationship kind of a person".
"Have you ever being in a relationship before?".
"No, and that's enough reason".
"Don't jump into conclusions Babe".
"Listen, you are the first person I have ever told about my feelings ever since I lost my dad so don't make me regret it". "Now hear me out". He said so calmly that it was almost a whisper. "I really like you and I think we give this a try. I am a good guy and I promise to be there for you. I will support you through everything and even if a relationship doesn't work out, we can still be best of friends".
"You think?".
"I know". He kissed me on the cheek.
"Is it okay if I want to take things steady?".
"Well, you are lucky. My friends call me the steady guy". We both stood up simultaneously and continued walking.
"I have never heard anyone call you that". We both laughed.
"That's because you don't listen when I talk to my friends". He said still laughing.
"Hmm hmm".