I woke up with a splitting headache, it seemed as though there were an invisible person whose duty it was to continue hitting my head, nonstop.
As opened my eyes, I carefully scanned my surroundings, while placing my hands on my head. Arggghh, it hurts so bad.
I tried remembering everything that had happened yesterday, and smiled when I remembered Mike..it's funny how I had given out my number to him, yet I hadn't done same for Kylie.
I enjoyed the ride back home with him, though we didn't talk much. And, no..I do not have a crush on him, I just like his physical features, how he looks, how he talks. God, everything, maybe?.
I wanted him to call, or maybe send a text last night. I waited almost for eternity, yet he never called. Did he forget that he got my number saved? Or, did he fall asleep? Or, was I just like the other girls, those girls who he would ask for their number, and they'd readily give it to him?
"Selena, get a grip of yourself!", I said to myself, while mentally slapping myself. Why should I care if he called or not? It didn't matter, right?.
I got up slowly from my bed, I needed to freshen up and get ready for lectures today.
Just as I was about turning the door knob of my bathroom, I heard my phone ring, and yes, aloud. My heart raced, I prayed it was Mike Simpson calling.
"Lord, let him be the one calling. I won't ever miss Mid-week or Sunday services. Pleaseeeee!" I prayed to God, with my palms joined together. With my heart in my mouth, I walked over to my bed, and slowly picked up my phone.
Lo and behold, it was indeed the Mike Simpson calling. How did I know who he was, even when I didn't have his number saved? I had an app, called "TrueCaller", which my Mother literally forced me to install in my phone. This app helps in making it easier to identify the persons who call, even if the number wasn't saved as a contact in your phone.
There's is this saying, "just speaking of the Devil", I didn't know how he knew he needed to call, at the exact time I thought of him. Are we telepathic now? "How's that even possible, we met just yesterday." I said to myself.
I really didn't care if he was a playboy or not, I was ready to play this game. I mean, It's not as if I would fall in love with him or date him, we could just be friends? "Friends?" I asked myself in my head.
I took a deep breath, before sliding my fingers over 'receive' button of my phone's screen. "Hey", I started, "who is this?" I asked, while biting on my pinky fingers nervously.
"Hi, Selena. This is Mike Simpson, Kylie's elder brother." He said, introducing himself so I knew who he was.
"Oh, Mike...how're you? Why did you call?" I asked, while pretending that I didn't know it was he who called.
"Good, good. You?" He started, asking out of sheer concern. "And about why I called, well..I was thinking if it'd be possible to give you a ride to school." A ride to school in Mike's car, wouldn't be all that bad. But, I did have my car, so agreeing to go in his car, even when I had mine, might give him the impression that I just wanted to be clingy. So I guess I'd turn him down this time, and go in my car. I was about telling him that I didn't want a ride with him to school, when I realized something..my car was not parked in my house's parking lot.
It was at that moment that it hit me, I freaking left my car at the parking lot in school!
"What the actual heck, Selena !?" I cussed at myself. How in the world did I forget that I drove to school, and should have driven back home in my car, just because of a boy? Am I this beclouded in my head with thoughts of Mike, that I couldn't reason clearly?
Goodness gracious.
Was I good? No! But was I going to tell him? No, I most definitely wasn't going to do that. Or maybe I should? I don't know.
"I'm doing just fine, thank you. How's Kylie? Could u maybe give me her contact?", I asked. Kylie was the only person I could explain this to. If I told my mom, she'd castigate me for being so negligent and careless, and if I told Mike, he'd assume that I had purposely abandoned my car, just to have him drive me home. Wouldn't that make me seem desperate? , I hated the idea of being seen as a clingy, desperate or an attention-seeking person.
"What? You don't have Kylie's contact , yet you have mine?", he asked, chuckling.
And trust me when I say, that was the sexiest chuckle I have ever heard.
"Oh, come on. I gave you mine, and you called. Your number isn't even saved, so don't get too excited." I said, sarcastically. I needed to break whatever masculine ego that was, before it grows.
"You didn't have to put it so bluntly, now I'm hurt." He said, in an extremely child like voice, which made me roll my eyes.
"I needed to remind you, so you don't believe you are more special to me, than Kylie is." I said, as a matter of factly.
"Well...I'm not as special as Kylie is, but you do admit that I am special to you, So..." He said, still chuckling. How do I save myself now?!!
"I didn't mean it the way you think, but whatever" I said, shrugging him off. Continuing, I said, "Can I get her number now?" I asked, impatiently. I needed to be sure my car was safe and in good working condition, else my mother would kill me! Well, not literally kill me, just that she'd be really mad at me. I couldn't afford to have her feel that way towards me, I knew how much buying this car for me, meant to her. She was willing to completely exhaust the monies she had, just to get me whatever I needed. The least I could do was to at least keep the things she gets for me safe, and in perfect working condition.
"I just sent you Kylie's number as a text, so you can save it up later. And about giving you a ride, are you down or nah?" He asked, I knew he'd have his eyebrows arched, as he asked this question. I noticed he did that quite a lot of times yesterday
"How am I more observant of a boy I met just yesterday, than I am of my books? Damn, girl!" cussed again at myself.
"Um, Mike..about getting a ride. That would be nice, you know. But I do have my personal car, a Toyota Corolla 2014 model. So.." I said, hoping he didn't ask me further questions.
"Really? So why didn't you drive back home yesterday?", He asked, curiously. I bit my fingers again nervously, I knew how stupid it'd sound to say I forgot my car in school. But I was going to tell him anyways, it wasn't going to hurt anyone if I did. Deep down in my heart, I knew for sure that it would hurt my ego, so bad.
"About my car, the thing is..." I started, continuing I said, "I kinda forgot it at the parking lot in school". I said, finally. I listened, waiting to hear his reply. There was none, an awkward silence which I didn't bargain for, existed for a few seconds.
"How did that happen? Did you intentionally leave it, so I could give you a ride?" He asked, chuckling slightly, as if not to offend me.
"In your dreams, you wish. I forgot my car, I didn't intentionally leave it behind. Besides, it was Kylie who called you over, I didn't. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't make such assumptions." I said seriously, hoping that made him believe that I really forgot my car, and not otherwise.
"Touché . I would still give you a ride, since your car is at the school's parking lot. Be ready by 9am, I'd come get you. See you later, pretty." He said, and ended the call, without giving me an opportunity to reply back. The confidence of this man! how could he assume that I would readily want to go with him?
Well, I would though, but he shouldn't know that.
I got up from my bed again, as I had resat initially during my call with Mike. I rushed to the bathroom to refreshen up, and get ready to see Mike...and attend classes of course.
After I exited the bathroom, I carried out my usual skincare routine, which involved me making use of; a face toner, serum, face cream and sunscreen.
I chose to wear a blue denim jacket, over a white tank top, blue ripped jeans, and a white Nike sneakers.
I had my hair rolled up in a bun, with two loose curls dropping down my face.
After applying some lip gloss on my full lips, I stared at the mirror, I looked so beautiful, I was obsessed with myself for sure!
"All done." I said to myself, as I walked towards my bedroom door. I turned the door knob, and pulled the door towards myself, as I exited my bedroom, carefully shutting the door behind me.
"Good morning, Mommy" I said to my mom, as I walked down the stairs, towards the living room.
"A beautiful morning to you, my sweetheart. Are you staying for breakfast? I prepared your other favorite, Fried rice" She said, knowing fully well how I couldn't reject food, good food.
Oh, well..there's something about my mother's cookings. And the Nigerian fried rice was also on my top 10 most favorite food, so I was tempted to seat and eat with her. But, Mike...nah. I'd eat with Mommy some other time.
"I'm sorry, Mommy. Some other time, I have someone to meet up with right now." I said to her, as I stood in front of her.
"Mhm, and who could this 'someone' be, Selena?" She asked, while gesticulating the 'in quote' with her fingers.
"Not someone who you should worry about, Mama. He's just a friend." I said, disregarding whatever made up love stories she had in her head, of me and my 'someone'.
Like a miracle, my phone suddenly began to ring. I dipped my hands into my tote bags, and pulled out my phone. I checked the caller ID, and it read 'Mike Simpson'.
This man had better told me how exactly he knew when to call me, when I needed him the most.
I breathed out a 'thank you, Mike', as I took his call.
My eyes met my Mom's eyes, as she watched me closely.
"Hi, Mike. Are you already close by?" I asked, I was desperate to get out of my mother's house, before she asked me 1 million questions about Mike. I couldn't blame my Mother, as she had always been a lover girl from day one.
Which was why she was willing to continue forgiving the excesses of my Father, despite the fact that he hurt her so bad.
"Close by? Pretty, I have my car parked outside your house. You ready? or should I come in to get you?" He asked. This man was extremely ridiculous! Come get me? With my mother around?, she would literally get us married if he dared to do that.
"No, my feet are quite fine, I can walk." I said, continuing I added, "I'd be out in five."
"Sure, pretty. I'm waiting." he said, which made roll my eyes. Why was he acting all cute all of a sudden? This must be his usual behavior towards girls, whenever he wanted to play games with them.
"Whatever." I said, ending the call.
"Is he the 'someone' whom you spoke of?", my Mother asked me, smiling, as she held my hands.
"Yes, Mom. He is the 'someone', the guy who dropped me off last night", I said to my Mom, I watched as she smiled again. Okay, what is going on??
"I see. When do you plan on introducing him? Let him come on in", Mom said, as she made for the door.
"No!!" I screamed, feeling embarrassed already. Why would my Mom think I had something with Mike? We just met yesterday! Sweet Jesus!
Continuing I said, "I have a class this morning Mom, so I gotta go."
I rushed out of my house, before my Mother calls Mike and asks him when we are getting married!
"Hi.." I said to him, as I stood outside the house, panting and trying to catch my breath, as if I had ran a mile.
"Hello there, pretty. You kept me waiting for so long you know.." Mike said, as he pushed the car door open, walked out and stood where I was.
"I'm sorry, I was preoccupied with something." I said, as I hurriedly walked towards the car. I suddenly felt awkward towards him, there was no way he was hitting on me.
"Here, let me help you", he said, as he took my hands, and intertwined them with his.
I stared at him, wondering why and what this whole charade was for.
"Like I said earlier, I can walk by myself", I said to him, wriggling my hands out of his. I won't deny this, I loved it when he held my hands, all of that. But I didn't like the fact that my body reacted to his touch so easily, gosh..
"Hold on, I'd get the door for you", he said, as I stood in front of the car. I watched as he opened the door to the passenger's seat, and made way for me to enter. Oh, well..very cute.
"Thank you, but I can do fine myself." I said to him, while he nodded.
I waited for him to occupy the driver's seat, and as he did, he shut the door.
I struggled with the seat belt, as despite how old I was, my Mom always helped me fix it whenever we went on a drive together.
"Let me help, okay?", he said, as his eyes begged that I agreed. Nodding my head, I replied, "Okay".
I watched as he leaned in towards me, he was so close that I could literally feel his breath on my face. He looked into my eyes, while I simply stared at him blankly. My brain stopped working, I was drawn by how beautiful this man was. His luscious lashes, perfect full lips, God!
He bent his head slightly, as he fixed the seat belt for me. Clearing his throat, he said, "All done".
I was jolted back to reality when he called out to me, "Selena, back to Earth", he said while chuckling slightly.
Clearing my throat, I said, "I'm sorry, I zoned out. You were saying?", I asked still staring at him, the Adonis in the University of Chicago!
He pointed to the seat belt, and I said, "Oh, seat belt. Thanks." He simply smiled at me, nodding his head before starting the ignition.
The ride was a quiet one, even quieter than that of last night.
I took out my phone, and dailed in Kylie's number. I waited for a ages before she took my call, a friend indeed I had.
"Hi, Kylie. This is your friend Selena, I hoped you could have answered my call after 25 years", I said sarcastically.
Just as I was about rolling my eyes, I heard her say, "Selena, if you roll your eyes, it'd get stuck." I chuckled, what a silly joke.
I told her about my car, and of course, she assumed that I purposely left it behind because I wanted to go home with her 'so-hot brother'. "Are you kidding me, Kylie?" I thought to myself.
"Kylie, from what I remember you were the one who were the one who asked if I wanted to go in your brother's car. So what are you saying?" I asked, curiously. She had better explained it to me.
"Okay, true. I guess you must have been so distracted by me, that you didn't remember you had a car! Oh, poor Selena." She said, laughing loudly.
"Oh, girl shut up." I said rolling my eyes again, I fear my eyes would really get stuck.
"Mike told me he's driving you to school, I'm still at my boyfriend's house. I'd be there in 30 mins, I believe the class scheduled for today is gonna start by 12pm, this is just 10:30am." Kylie said, assuring me that she would come soon. I knew for sure that 30 mins to Kylie, meant 1 hour.
"Whatever girl, do you. Save my contact too, bye." I said, and hung up before she continues telling about her boyfriend, relationships, no, not interested.
"Finally, we're here", Mike said, as he drove into the college's parking lot. I waited for him to park his car, and turn off the ignition before exiting.
"Thanks for the ride." I said, rearranging my hair, ensuring it didn't look like a bird's nest.
"Anytime, Pretty. About your car, I believe you have your car keys with you?" he asked, and I nodded in the affirmative.
I watched as he opened the door to the driver's seat, and got out. Then I realized he was walking towards the passenger's seat, to open up the door. Before I said "Jack robbinson", he already pulled the door open. Again, I mouthed a "thank you", and reminded him it really wasn't necessary, but oh well..he wasn't going to listen.
"I think you should try using your car keys to search for your car. I believe it's safe and secure here, so not to worry.." he said, and again I simply nodded.
I walked out of the car, with Mike following closely behind. My eyes scanned the parking lot, I found it difficult to find mine, because there were so many cars parked here, those of students, and lecturers as well.
So I pressed the button on my car key, and I heard my car bleep. I repeated the action again, so I can locate my car, and when I did, I spotted it. Finally, my baby!
I walked towards where it was packed, completely forgetting that I was with Mike.
"You found it?" I heard Mike say, so I turned and screamed "Yes" in excitement.
I was so excited that I kept walking, without completely turning back in the direction of my car.
My head crashed into a very broad chest, making me stop dead in my tracks. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to met those of this person, my eyes met the most beautiful person, The Nicholas Carson.