Him

#11 - Him and Putting It Behind Us

Kenneth Okoro was my pillow.

I could rely on him.

When I was stressed with school and my parents and I just needed someone to pour our everything to. Kenneth was the guy for the job.

We had been talking for a long period now and honestly, I did feel something for him. But I had long drawn the line between friendship and anything more to avoid chaos.

Kenneth had not done the same.

Or was it because I was now single?

Did he see me and Daniel's break up as a door to something more than a friendship with me?

I was still trying to understand my feelings for Joseph and how whenever I saw Daniel, my stomach would flutter with butterflies. Now, there was this?

Wasn't this just too much for me?

"Kolupo!"

I could feel my eardrum explode as I was dragged back into the reality that was my classroom.

My hand covered my left ear in an attempt to block out any other scream towards it. On my seat, I turned towards Mercy.

"Are you mental?" Was my instinctive response to Mercy's action. My nose was scrunched up in irritation, along with my brows.

Not paying any attention to any of the words that had escaped my mouth, Mercy pointed in the direction of the classroom door. "He's looking for you."

There was something about the way she talked that had me feeling uneasy. Something mischievous.

When I turned in the direction of the door, the piece fit into the puzzle. In all of his handsome glory stood Daniel.

There it was. The butterflies.

I couldn't understand why this was happening. Now that we were broken up, I thought about him more. I fantasized about different couplely scenarios and would blush when I remembered the cheek kisses and hand-holding from our dating days.

Taking a deep breath, I got off my seat and walked over to Daniel. This would be our first official conversation since we broke up.

"Hi." Yes Koko, be the most awkward person. Such a good strategy you idiot. I mentally smacked my forehead in embarrassment.

Daniel let out a little chuckle and gave a bright smile. This instantly had me taken aback as I had not expected this. "Are we strangers?"

I searched his eyes for any sort of resentment, anger, even revenge. All I found were his extremely attractive brown orbs that awoke the butterflies again. "Let's talk outside."

Daniel took hold of my wrist, setting goosebumps along my arms and pulled me out of the classroom. He then backed me into the wide wall that separated my class and the next class.

"How have you been? Wise strategy sha, ignoring me and all that. We didn't even chat on WhatsApp, you were in character 24/7." He ended with a small chuckle.

Trying my best to play it cool, I laughed too. "So you caught on. Yes nau, we can't have any flaws in our plans. I mean, what if Mercy took my phone and saw us texting or something."

Instantly, Daniel's smile faded.

"Did you really fall for that?"

His voice was as cold as ice and it sent shivers down my spine.

"Did you think everything would be fine?"

Daniel instantly slammed one hand onto the wall right beside my head and I instinctively jumped in fear. Just as I had predicted. He was going to murder me.  

"Dan-"

"Hearing your voice just gets me even angrier!"

He was raising his voice now. Students from the classroom across the hallway we're beginning to stare out of their classroom window.

He was glaring right down at me and I was mentally cursing my height. If only I was taller, if only I was inches taller, then he wouldn't be such a threat to me.

Who was I kidding? Tall or Short. Daniel worked out during the weekends at an actual gym, he could snap me with his fingers. I was in danger now.

"Beg me."

It was almost like a growl and for a second I thought I hadn't heard it.

Holding back the urge to say, 'ehn', I furrowed my brows and chewed on my lower lip. What did he mean by beg? Was he going to beat the shitaki mushrooms out of me? In broad daylight? With this much attention?

"What are you waiting for?"

Without much thought, I began to plead. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your pride!-" This was after all about his pride I assumed. "-I honestly shouldn't have acted too rashly. How about we date again and you can dump me then. Please I'm so-"

Daniel's hand slipped and his whole exterior became half of what it was before as he doubled over in laughter.

He looked to be in pain as he clutched his stomach hard. He began heaving and slapping his knees, laughing so hard, he now had the attention of not only one but the two classes across the hallway's attention.

I stood there looking like an idiot.

A complete fool.

He had been messing with me all along.

It was all a joke.

"I swear, I hate you!" I barked at him, shooting the nastiest glare I could muster.

Attempting to head back into my class, Daniel grabbed my hand to stop me. Once again, the goosebumps returned.

"I'm- I'm Sorry." He managed in between laughs.

"Sorry. Sorry!" He tightened his hold on my hand as he forcefully brought his laughter to a stop. "But guy did you see your face?" He laughed lightly. "Kai, I wish I had a camera."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and tried to set my hand free but Daniel wasn't budging. Putting his strength to good use.

"Calm down. That was revenge for breaking up with me without telling me."

I rolled my bottom lip in-between my teeth and stared at my feet in shame. I had been overcome by jealousy and had done something stupid, but I couldn't tell him that. After he had just made mockery of me.

"Sorry abeg." I managed to mutter.

"No Probs. It made sense sha. It looked mad real! Even me sef was shocked, like did you plan it?"

I smiled lightly and shrugged. "It's all in the past now." To which he nodded.

"What's up with you and Joseph?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because he's going to ask you out tomorrow."

~~~~~

Late. I know. I'm late. Really sorry, I just couldn't figure out how to put this into words and now I finally did. Here you are. 💜

What do you think of Kenneth?

What was your reaction to Daniel's reaction?

Do you think Daniel is really cool about it?

What is your ship!!!????!

Writing the next chapter already📝📝 💜❤🌸🦄