Kevin wanted to clear everything up with Chantel and tell her that there is nothing going on between him and Nadia but Chantel was not ready to listen to him. It had been a week already since he last saw her and he really wanted to see her and tell her the truth. Not being able to talk to Chantel was affecting his studies and affecting his skills on the basket ball court. His best friend, Bismarck, had noticed this. He decided to talk to him, one day, after their last class.
"Hey man, what's up? Are you up for our training today?" Bismarck asked him excitedly.
"No, I don't feel like playing today. Actually, I don't feel like doing anything apart from sleeping." Kevin replied.
"What's wrong, man? You have been looking so sad for some days now. Is everything alright with you?" Bismarck looked very worried now.
Kevin did not know if it was a good idea to tell Bismarck the truth. He sighed and patted to the space beside him on the chair. Bismarck sat beside him, still with the worried look on his face.
"Tell me. What's going on?"
"It's just... I met this girl. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She is really nice and there is something about her I really can't place but really draws me to her, you know. I really like this girl, but, I think I already lost her," Kevin explained.
"Who is this girl? Do I know her?" Bismarck asked.
"No. Actually she just started the Queens senior high school. I met her when I went to visit Naa Shika and her friend, Nadia," Kevin said.
"I see. So, she is a form one girl? Okay. If you like this girl, why do you say you have already lost her?" Bismarck asked, looking confused now.
"It's because, Nadia warned her to stay away from me. She went as far as to tell Chantel that she and I were in a relationship. And, you and I know very well that I never asked Nadia to be my girl. I just don't get why she did that. Now, Chantel does not want to see me because she believes Nadia and I are really dating."
"Oh, that's really bad. But, have you tried talking to this Chantel?"
"I tried talking to her a day after I went to warn Nadia to stop spreading rumors about me but she refused to talk to me. I don't know what to do. I really want to clear things up with her and tell her how much I care about her. I just hope she will listen to me." Kevin was so worried that Chantel would not want anything to do with him.
"I think you should go back there and talk to her. Listen, just find a way to get her alone, and I promise you, she will listen to you. Take my word for it."
"You think so?" Kevin asked, looking a bit skeptical.
"Of course. Believe me. Tomorrow is Saturday, right? Go there and speak with her. Just open up your heart to her and she will listen to you."
Kevin smiled. He was so happy he was able to share his problem with Bismarck. He now knew what to do. He had to see Chantel and speak to her.
"Kevin, why did you send for me? I thought I already told you I did not want to talk to you?" Chantel said, when she met Kevin under the mango tree.
"Chantel, please, I called you here because I wanted us to be alone when we talk. I just want to clear up the misunderstandings between us. I beg you, Chantel, just listen to me," he begged her.
Chantel finally came down. She leaned towards the tree and folded her arms. She faced Kevin who seemed more relaxed now.
"So, what do you want to tell me? I am listening to you."
"Chantel, before I say anything, I want you to know that I really care about you. I like you a lot. You are the first girl I have ever liked and it hurts me a lot that this misunderstanding is breaking us apart. Chantel, I am not dating Nadia, believe me. She and I are just friends. It is my cousin, Naa Shika who has been trying so hard to pair us up. The truth of the matter is, I don't have feelings for her. I only see her as my friend, that's it. Believe me, Chantel," Kevin started to say.
"So, you and senior Nadia never dated?" Chantel asked.
"No, we are just friends. It is you I want to date, if only you will give me a chance. I really want to get to know you better," Kevin said in a low voice.
Chantel finally smiled. "I like you too. It's just that, when Nadia said you guys were dating, I did not want to get in between you, that is why I kept my distance."
"Really? Chantel, please, be my girlfriend and make me the happiest guy in the world."
Chantel was dumbfounded. She did not know what to say. True, she really did like Kevin and wanted to know him more but she did not know if she wanted to be his girlfriend, right now.
"Kevin, as I said, I like you. But, I don't know if I really want to be your girlfriend. I came to this school with one goal in mind, and that is to become one of the most renowned fashion designers in the world. That is the goal I want to achieve and I don't want anything else to distract me from it."
"I understand you, Chantel. I also have dreams. But, I really like you, and I can't help it. Chantel, I can't get you out of my mind no matter what I do. I see you everywhere. I can't even sleep, Chantel. I think I have fallen madly in love with you. I don't know how it happened, but it just did. Chantel, please, just give me a chance and I promise you, I will not disappoint you, ever. Just give me a chance, please," Kevin cried out.
Chantel has never had anyone tell her these things before. She had never had someone tell her how he felt about her before. So, hearing Kevin confess his love for her, moved her deeply that she almost cried. She decided to give Kevin a chance.
"I am going to give you a chance, but I ask you to please give me some more time to process and understand this whole thing. I will get back to you once I decide what I really want, okay?"
"You will really give me a chance? Thank you so much. I am not going to rush you, Chantel. Just take all the time you need. I just hope that your final answer will be a positive one. But, thank you again for at least getting me a chance. So, can I hug you?" Kevin drew closer to Chantel who kept looking around to see if anyone was watching them.
When she saw that no one was around, watching them, she drew closer to him as well. Kevin held her waist and held her closer to him. He was taller than her, so it was easy for him to place his head on her shoulder.
"I love you, Chantel," he whispered into her ear.