Early the next morning, I woke up, showered, and dressed up. Then after calling an Uber, I sat on my bed reading a novel like I always did when I got bored, and then the driver called, telling me that he was at the school gate. I took my backpack and little luggage bag with wheels and headed out of the hostel. As I approached the school gate, I could see a figure sitting down on the pavement, head on lap and arms stretched out. On getting closer, I saw that it was Josiah.
"Joan" he yawned sleepily. "How long have you been sitting here?" I stared at him, amused.
"Uh- not long" he said.
"Define not long"
He scratched his hair "Since the hostel gates opened" he mumbled.
"Which is 5:30 and it's past seven now" I laughed "Some would define that as long"
"Whatever" he said "I just wanted to see you before you go"
I stared at him, I was touched "Wow, I-" I stuttered "That's sweet".
"Don't go writing novels about it" he laughed at me and all the sweet feelings vanished and I suddenly wanted to smack him across the head.
"You're impossible" I said, rolling my eyes, and just then I heard footsteps behind me.
"I saw you sneaking out early" a voice said "Hope I'm not crashing anything?" I turned around to face Tony whose words were directed at Josiah.
"Joan's going home now" Josiah said. Tony turned to me "Oh really" he intoned "Right now?".
"Yeah, my Uber's right outside" I rubbed my arms nervously.
"Aren't you too young to be riding alone in an Uber anyway?" Josiah asked.
"Well, my uncle doesn't pick me and I've been riding alone since my first year here" I said "I think I can handle it"
Josiah didn't look too convinced, he seemed deep in thought and his eyebrows were drawn together like he was worried, and it was like he zoned out in his thinking. I tapped his shoulder "Josiah".
"Huh" he responded, peering down at me. "I'll be fine, if that's what you're worried about" I let my arm rest on his shoulder in a reassuring way and he gave me a smile in return.
I dropped my arms and turned to look at Tony and we began to talk, small talk but talk nonetheless. I noticed how he gestured with his long veiny fingers and how his skin radiated in the early sun, the dimple in his smile, and the calm, chill way he spoke. Then I realized that I had a crush on him. I began to think even while talking with him.
My first crush... I had never had a crush before, it was a tingly and light feeling. I wondered if he liked me too, or if he was just talking to me as a friend. He did come out to see me but he could have also come out because he was sneaking up on Josiah. Thinking of Josiah immediately brought me to my senses and I turned to look at him, awkwardly standing aside while Tony and I talked.
"I'm sorry" I interrupted Tony, still facing Josiah and Josiah looked at me with a small reassuring smile like he understood what was going on, I returned the smile with one of my own but I couldn't keep talking to Tony while Josiah stood aside like a third wheel, he did meet me here first.
"I have to go to my Uber" I told Tony, gesturing to the gates "I'll see you later" I tried to wave him goodbye but as he turned to go, Josiah also turned to go. "Wait" I called "Josiah".
He turned around "Yeah?".
"Stay" I could see Tony in my peripheral vision, staring between me and Josiah, and then he turned around and left.
Josiah took my wheeled bag from me and helped me pull it out the gate. As soon as we crossed the gate, he asked "So, you like Tony?". I felt my cheeks light up and my lips twitch as I stared up at him "And if I do?" I said.
He smirked "Just storing that information" he said "that you can actually like somebody"
"Oh whatever"
"For the record, I think he likes you too" He smiled and looked up at the sky.
"You think he does?" I asked despite myself.
"Yeah, I mean" he said "he knew I was coming to see you, so he snuck up on me to come here. He was probably hiding till you showed up".
"Yeah, but you were also waiting for me" I sighed "I need a better sign".
Josiah looked at me "And then what?" he asked "You wanna date Tony?"
"Is that bad?" my brows shot up.
"Mehh" he made a weird sound "I don't know"
"If there's something wrong, you should tell me. Come on" I pushed him lightly.
"I just don't think he's your type"
I looked at him with wide eyes "So what, you're the expert on my type now?"
He chuckled "I suppose"
"And pray tell who you think my type is?"
"Could be that short bro at the back of our further math class?" He laughed.
"What?" I smacked his shoulder "he's like nothing like me. I'm pretty sure I'm older than him too"
"Well, either him or me" We were in front of the Uber car.
I narrowed my eyes at him "I'd choose him in a heartbeat" I smiled "What's his name again, Jimi something"
"Akinjimi Williams" Josiah said.
"How do you know that?"
"Cause he has a crush on you" he said and my mouth hung open in surprise.
"How do you know this?"
"I observe you and by extension your surroundings and everyone who observes you" He said smoothly.
"You're a creep" I rolled my eyes just as the driver came down to help me get my stuff "Sorry for the wait" I apologized.
"It's quite alright" He licked his lips in a cringe manner. He was a fat man with a beer belly and something about him made my skin crawl. Just then, Josiah leaned in to whisper "Still think I'm the creep?" I elbowed his side and took my bag from him to the car trunk but as soon as I dropped the bag and began to shut the trunk, I heard a commotion behind me.
I turned around to see Josiah holding the driver by the collar to the side of the car, as I reached out to pull Josiah back, the driver shoved Josiah to the ground. Hard.
He was about to jump him when I used all my body weight to shove him out of the way and I picked Josiah up from the ground.
"What the heck is this all about?" I asked, dusting Josiah's shirt.
"Ask him, ask him why he was checking you out when you bent over" Josiah pointed at the man with disdain.
"What?" I looked at the driver with disgust.
"Are we going or what?" the driver said, opening the passenger seat.
"You are not going with him" Josiah huffed "We are calling another Uber and we are reporting this filth" he spat on the ground.
"Josiah..." I dragged out.
"Don't tell me that you're actually considering going with him?" Josiah's brows were furrowed.
"I- I don't want to" I explained "But my uncle gave me an ultimatum and no matter the reason, if I don't make it in time, he'll be indifferent about it and lock me out"
Josiah's frown deepened "So, the reason that your driver is a pedo isn't good enough?"
"Not for my uncle, no"
Josiah laughed, full of tension "Joan, the way I see it you have two options" he leaned in "Either we call another Uber-"
"Uh-huh"
"Or I go with you" he finished.
No brainer.
"Fine" I turned around to enter the passenger side.
"And we're sitting in the back" he folded his arms at me. Jeez, he was so not playing.
We both entered the backseat and with a sneer, the driver got in the car and we drove off.