~ TILDA'S POV ~
"What's going on?" He gazed down at me in question.
I clicked my tongue and pouted for a brief moment as though I couldn't understand what he was saying.
"We're friends," I finally said in a tone that made it sound more like a question.
"I don't feel hungry," He plainly said but I held onto his arm.
"Friend, don't act like this," I laughed.
He looked at me with an expression of defeat. I could guess he was thinking, "God where did this pest come from?"
We went up to Kiki who had been waiting for me outside the class in the lobby.
The moment her eyes fell on me pulling Miles by the arm, her hands moved over her mouth and a loud gasp escaped her.
"I can't believe my eyes! Have you two finally realized your feelings for each other?" She sounded so excited.
This girl ehn...
"He's just a friend, Kiki," I sighed and let go of his arm.
"Oh so we're in the friend stage now going to the true love stage," Kiki smiled sheepishly. Then she proceeded to hold out her hand to Miles.
"Hi, I'm Kiki. I know we've been classmates for like a month now and we haven't really talked or anything but nice to finally meet you, Miles," She said, the smile never leaving her face.
"Thanks," He took her hand for a brief shake.
"Let's go eat already. I'm hungry you two," I chipped in, placing my hand over my rumbling stomach.
"I want fried chicken," Kiki pouted and clung to my arm. "Bills on you and your boyfriend."
This girl was no different than she had been in the dream when she first saw Miles and I together.
"I will cut your long mouth for you one day," I told her.
Miles walked beside us, hands in his pockets. I was very sure he didn't enjoy being forced to do something he didn't want to do. Maybe he was actually playing along with me just so he could perhaps make me stop pestering him any further. I didn't really know...
As we walked down the lobby and even down the multiple stairways, we received stares. Stares, a large number of which were fixated on the curly-haired mocha brown skinned boy with blue eyes.
"You're quite popular," Kiki teased him.
He simply pulled up a half smile in response. Something was still bothering him and I could tell. The true reason I had invited him to come eat with us was because I felt it would be enough to cheer him up.
Soon, we got to the Cafeteria. Kiki ordered chicken and chips, I went for jollof rice and turkey, and picked the same as mine for Miles.
The three of us then moved to sit at the same table after getting our orders ready.
"So," Kiki began, popping a fry into her mouth. "We're in a place where we can actually talk without having to bother about anyone. Now tell me, are you two dating?"
Ah God! This girl was never going to back down.
I simply ignored her as I ate but Miles took the honour of muttering a "no."
It sounded so plain and at the same time so sharp. To be honest, the thought of it made me feel a little small. We weren't each other's type, I guess.
Surprisingly, Kiki was done eating in the matter of a few minutes - very unlike her. She was usually a slow eater.
"See you two later," She sent me the "wink" and scurried off with her empty mini tray back to the counter of the Cafeteria before leaving.
So that was why she finished eating so fast...
My eyes reached for Miles who sat directly opposite me. He stared at his food and used his spoon to stir about, without directing it into his mouth. When he did, he would chew for long and then resume the same manner of staring and stirring.
"You claim everything is ok but you don't act like it," I said, slowly chewing.
His gaze met mine. "I said I wasn't hungry."
"I didn't mean any harm, did I?" I protested.
"Why?" He suddenly asked.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you doing all of this? Aren't you scared that this boy who has the ability to manipulate dreams, can also hurt you?" He asked.
"I am..." I paused eating. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not... You helped me out of my suicidal self and all of this is how I can repay you."
He heaved a sigh.
"You shouldn't repay me. It was nothing I did. You only realized that things can't be solved by harming yourself because at the end of the day, you aren't hurting those who hurt you. You're only hurting yourself and I'm glad you realized that."
"I wish you could tell me what's wrong but you seem to always want to know what's up with me and refuse to tell me about you," I shrugged and continued eating.
"Do you really want to know?" He asked, his gaze on me getting stronger with time.
"Yes..." I quickly looked back at my food. Staring at him for a long time was a dangerous feat. It was as if his features, especially his eyes were all chanting the siren song. I still had little assurance that he was a mami water... sorry, Papi water! Yes!
"It's you, Tilda."
At that moment, I forgot about getting drowned in his eyes and my gaze flew to him.
~ KIKI'S POV ~
After I had left Tilda and Miles at the Cafeteria, I made way my to the music class.
On my way, I caught sight of Amahle and Tobi. They were talking about something and laughing. It seemed like they were headed to the staff room, considering the fact that they both held stacks of books in their arms.
I knew Amahle liked Tobi as I did but she never made it as known as I did either. Now that I thought about it, What if Amahle was the "someone else" Tobi had referred to?
He seemed happy as they both walked forward and laughed. Amahle was beautiful, maybe even more than I was. She was far more intelligent than I was and was even the assistant class prefect.
Maybe that was enough reason for Tobi to choose her over me.
I didn't realize when I had stopped walking to stare at the two of them as they moved closer to my direction until I heard him call out to me.
"Kiki."
I immediately snapped out of my daze and sent him a weak smile.
"Hey, what are you standing here for?" Tobi asked, a little surprised.
"I-I was hoping to see Tilda but never mind," I blabbered.
"Oh ok. See you later," He nodded and moved along with Amahle.
As they moved past me, my eyes watched their backs.
I felt a burning sensation go through my chest and I tightly clutched it. Tears were threatening to fall out of my eyes.
How could I ever forget Tobi? Right now, it was just so impossible. I had never liked anyone as much as I liked Tobi and it was hard to let go.
"Take it easy. Keep it calm," I shut my eyes for a moment and huffed a load of air.
The music class was always quiet during the break period and I really enjoyed it there. I was good at playing the guitar and piano so it was something I always found calming and soothing to do.
When I reached the doors of the room, I halted in my steps from the voices I was hearing from the room.
"You don't f*cking pick my calls! You barely text me! You don't even know if I even exist anymore. An, I thought we were in love. I thought you loved me. Where did all that go to?" It was Annabelle's voice.
I peeped through the glass top of the door to see her and Aaron standing opposite each other. Although I couldn't see her face properly, I could tell she was crying.
Aaron just stood there like a mannequin as she hit him on the chest. He appeared stunned and speechless.
"Tell me, An. Why?" Annabelle pushed on.
Now tell me, why these two had been quarrelling lately? The Annabelle and Aaron I used to remember were deeply in love. Even though Aaron had always been a quiet boy, he didn't fail to express his feelings for the girl anywhere.
"I told you already. Things haven't been easy for me lately and I need you to understand," Aaron finally spoke. Though, he was yet to overcome the shock he had received from his girlfriend's seemingly over dramatic behaviour.
"You're always saying that. What about me? Don't I deserved to be loved?"
Ehh...This girl nor get mama for house to love am?
I was too shocked beyond words.
"You know what, let's just put an end to this bullsh*t," Annabelle dropped the bomb that surprised Aaron even more. "It's over, Aaron."
Seeing that she was headed for the door, I quickly ran to the stairs and pretending to going up to the music class as though I had never been there.
Annabelle scurried past me and down the stairs. Her face was wet with tears.
I made my way into the music class to see Aaron still standing like a mannequin.
"You and your girlfriend...ex-girlfriend," I quickly corrected. "Should stop turning our school into your war ground."
His eyes fell on me at those words and I didn't care.
"I guess we're even now," I sighed and moved to sit in front of one of the many grand pianos. "We aren't with the people we like."