It's like every morning; a cock crowed in a distance, the birds singing and playing up and down the trees and the early morning sun radiated through Ella's room and even through her eyes which were shut in a very peaceful sleep. She quickly lifted her hands to cover her face in response to the sun rays, then she realizes it was time she got up and get ready for school.

She got up and said quick prayers, then rushed into the bath tub realizing its half past eight in the morning. She has never been this late for school; she wondered what made her sleep like that. Then she remembered what had happened the previous day.

"No wonder" she said as she came out of the bathroom and quickly wore her uniform, took her bag and rushed out to the sitting room. The maid had already served her breakfast, her mom was in the kitchen and her dad was watching early morning cartoons. She wondered why, because he always grumbled whenever he found her watching anything other than the news.

"Good morning daddy," Ella said, but got no response. He was sleeping on the couch while the television watched him. She went to the kitchen and greeted her mother, "good morning my angel," her mom said with a smile that showed her opens teeth. "How was your night?" she added.

"It was fine mom." Ella replied rushing out of the kitchen.

"Aren't you taking your breakfast? The maid served it since and said you were sleeping. I told her not to wake you up, I'm sure you were tired after yesterday's late class."

Ella smiled mischievously and said, "Yes, but am not hungry. I'll see you when I get back, bye I love you"

At school, the students had already gone to their respective classes and lessons were about to commence when Ella arrived.

The gateman, Mallam Audu was surprise to see her, "Ella you are late?"

"Good morning Audu, you won't understand," she said not even looking at him as she entered the school premises.

Mr Dan was just going to his first class, when he saw her walked in. He was actually heading for her class, "Ella" he called out, " the head girl is late today," "hope all is well?" he added.

"Good morning sir. Everything is fine; I had to run an errand for my mum before coming to school."

Just then Clara, Ella's best friend came out of the classroom. She gave Ella a questioning smile and said, "What's up girl, hope everything is fine?" she said laughing, Ella also joined her. Mr Dan wondered what was funny, but did not bother asking. He entered the class, the whole student stood up to greet as usual.

"Today we are going to look at a different aspect of the course physics....."

Throughout the class, Ella paid no attention. She was deep in thought about last night.

Clara's boyfriend Sam had invited them to his birthday party; Ella refused to go with them until Clara persisted. She lied to her parent that she was attending a night tutorials.

When she got to the party she felt like everyone's eyes was on her and she regret her coming.

She had barely took her sit when the first victim came, it was Kola her school mates and also Clara's friend, "would you like to dance?" he asked.

"Not at all, sorry" she replied politely,

One after the other guys kept asking the same question until she thought like screaming for help. "No!" she kept saying not minding if she was polite or not.

The harsh beat of the speakers were dulling on her brain so she went out to take some air. She felt at peace and relief. Suddenly, she heard a male voice from behind, "excuse me" the voice said, tapping her.

Out of frustration she yelled, "I don't want to dance, please leave me alone"

He smiled and said he was not asking for a dance. He quickly whispered in her ears, "I don't even know how to dance."

She was calm now and smiled back at him, then he added, "I only wanted to inform you that you are on my seat"

"Oh" she said standing abruptly "I'm sorry"

"No, please sit. Apparently you need it more than I do." He said smiling

"Thank you" she said smiling too. "Am comfortable in places like this"

"Oh same with me" he said, "that's why I sat down here before I went in to get a glass of wine. By the way I am Kevin Johnson" just then Ella couldn't help looking at him, he was tall, handsome and has an innocent face which made her think of it more like a 'sexy eye' she kept staring until he interrupted, "hey"

"Oh, sorry I'm Ella, Ella Badmus" she said quickly.

"It's nice meeting you Ella," he said

"Nice meeting you too Kevin"

"Hmm, but Ella, has any ever told you how beautiful you are?" she smiled shyly and said, "Yes, my mom. She always tells me that."

"Wow you're gorgeous" he said

"Thank you"

He offered her his glass of wine which she refused and said she is a Christian, "and am not allowed to take things like this" he laughed and said, "it's just wine even Jesus turned water to wine." He was able to convince her and she took a sip. She felt normal, as they continued chatting and laughing she never realised they've finish three bottles by the time the party was over. She stood up a bit unsteady and told him she enjoyed her time hanging out with him but she had to go home. He asked for her contact but she said, "I don't have a phone."

"A big girl like you?" he said and they both laughed

She got home late and decided to sneak through the back door.

"Ella, Ella." Mr Dan kept shouting until her sit mate touched her and she realised she has been in the class all this while, "oh" she said, "I'm sorry sir." She quickly added

"Are you okay?" Mr. Dan asked,

"I'm fine sir"

"No you are not" he emphasised, "you have been acting really weird today. First you came to school late and now you are not concentrating, are you married? Are you thinking about your children at home?" Mr. Dan said laughing at his own joke,

"No sir, I'm sorry." She said.

Ella couldn't concentrate at all throughout classes. She kept thinking about Kevin, is she ever going to meet him again?

It's a rare thing for her to be thinking about a guy, is she in love? "Of course,"she affirmed to herself, "I barely know him but she couldn't get him off her mind.

Clara found her during break sitting glumly under a tree behind the classes; it was one of Ella's favourite spot in school.

"What's up girl?"She said, sitting beside Ella. "Is it the drinks you took?"

"No, it's not. It's just that I can't stop thinking about that guy I told you about. His smile, the way he talks..."

Clara laughed heartily before saying, "babe, I think you are in love with Kevin"

"No, I'm not" Ella said firmly, as if she was actually trying to convince herself not clear, "okay oh" Clara said giving up. "The principal wants to see us in her office. All the prefects" she concluded.