Tiara POV
It's been a week since my encounter with Jason. I've stayed out of his way as much as possible, I tried to avoid Janet too which made me feel bad all the time, but I don't need drama in my life and if staying away from her is all it takes, no problem.
I opened my locker to get a book and a note that was stuck in the locker fell, I didn't even bother to read it, I know what to expect. The buzz about the upcoming costume party echoed through the school corridors. Girls were inundated with date requests, it all felt so juvenile to me. I just couldn't fathom the hype and excitement for such cliché events, preferring to concentrate on my studies.
Paula, my classmate, bombarded me with chatter about the party preparations. "Hi, Tiara! How's preparation for the party? Which costume are you wearing? I'm going for Barbie, but up till now I don't have a date. Can you imagine? I don't know what to do. Tiara! Are you listening to me at all?" she exclaimed.
Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't registered a word she said. Homesickness lingered, I miss my parents so much, I've not heard from them for a week now, it's so strange because they usually call me every single day. Paula, noticing my distraction, questioned my well-being. "I am fine, I promise," I assured her with a smile.
Paula continued, "Okay, so what are you wearing for the costume party? I think I want to come as Barbie. I already have this beautiful pink gown, and the only thing missing is a date."
"If you ask me, you don't need a date to enjoy the party. We can hang together at the party" I suggested.
She laughed off the idea, stating, "I like you, Tiara, but everyone is coming with a date, we'd just look so pathetic. Nah, I'll just go with Peter; he's not my first choice, but it's better than being alone."
I inquired, "I thought you didn't have a date to the party? And what's wrong with Peter? I think he likes you."
Her dismissive response was swift, "Peter? He is not as good looking, lacks finesse, and... see, he's just a boring nerd."
"That 'boring nerd' tops the physics class. Remove the glasses and braces, and he's not bad at all," I defended.
Paula, unimpressed, dismissed the idea. "Okay, who would you have preferred to go with?" I probed.
Blushing, she replied, "No need to tell you. He'd never ask me, so what's the point."
In the midst of our conversation, a junior student handed me a card. It was an invitation to the costume party - a direct request to be someone's date. Paula eagerly suggested I open it, but I brushed off the idea, claiming disinterest. However, upon discovering a flurry of cards and flowers in my locker, Paula uncovered the truth. The last card revealed.
"BE MY DATE TO THE COSTUME PARTY."
~Folu
"Oh my God! Folu? Like Senior Folu, Jason's best friend? How?" Paula exclaimed, her surprise echoing in the hallway.
"Keep it down Paula. I don't know, and I don't care. I'd rather go to the party alone than with him," I declared, collecting the cards and locking them away.
Paula, persistently seeking an explanation, chased after me as I headed to the library. The constant fascination with Jason and his friends bewildered me.
In the library, I immersed myself in a book, trying to escape the party drama. Unexpectedly, Jason entered, carrying a stack of science books, the guys sure like to study, but he said some dumb things for someone who is intelligent. It's been a week since my last conversation with Jason and I've stayed away from anything that has to do with him, this library seem to be the only place we see. I know I might be overreacting but I hate the feeling of a guy thinking I'm trying to get his attention. I see how girls gush about him, I don't ever want to be part of the mushy lot.
He sat a distance from me, I decided to concentrate on my studies. Someone knocked down some books on the library shelf and I looked to check but at that point I locked eye contact with Jason, he looked at me as if he's been left alone all by himself in the world. To be honest Jason is very cute and I like that he is very studious, most rich brats in my former school wouldn't care less about studying. I quickly diverted my gaze from him.
As I engrossed myself in reading, I felt Jason's gaze on me. Whether real or imagined, the distraction prompted me to leave the library. On my way back to class, I encountered Janet in the hallway.
"Tiara, you've been scarce lately. It's like all you do is read in the library all day. I don't even see you in the cafeteria. Are you avoiding me?" she inquired.
"Of course not. I just like studying, and the library is always quiet," I explained, attempting to brush off any suspicion.
"You're such a nerd, like my brother. Aside from football, he also likes studying," she remarked, bringing up Jason once again.
"Who are you going with to the costume party, by the way? I heard a lot of seniors are asking you to be their date. Tell me, who and who have asked you?" Janet probed.
"No one important. Tell me, who has asked you?" I deflected the question.
"No one important too. I wish my crush would ask me, though," she admitted, her tone now tinged with disappointment.
"Who is that?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Promise not to tell anyone. It's Senior Folu."
~JASON'S POV~
Planning the costume party has been very hectic, not to talk of all the cards I've received from girls asking me to be their date, I think I'll just go solo this time around, I don't need a girl breathing down my neck throughout the party, I just want to enjoy it without any drama. I feel like my life is all about drama, in school, at home, everywhere, I only feel like myself around my guys. Talking about my guys, Folu has been talking nonstop about Tiara, I think he likes her and wants to take her to the party. I can't blame him, she's pretty. Since she told me I am not her type, I've started seeing her in a new light, and true to her words, she has totally avoided me, she doesn't even hang with Janet like before, it sucks. I only get to see her in the library, that's why I have been going there more than usual, these days.
"Guy, its Tiara, she's coming this way" Folu said, jolting me out of my thoughts. I sort of like seeing her around lately even though she's not talking to me at all.
"Hi Folu, sorry Senior Folu" she said totally ignoring me like I was invisible.
"Folu is fine" Lanre responded
"I saw your card and I am sorry, I don't want to be your date to the party, I think I'd be going alone. thanks for asking anyway" she walked away not even allowing him to respond, this girl is something else.
Folu was speechless, he just looked at her walking away.
"Sorry guy" I patted him on the shoulder.
"Sorry for what? There are many fishes in the ocean for me, if she doesn't want to go as my date, it's her loss jor, I'll just go with Jasmine, she's my next choice after Tiara" he started walking away.
I know he is hurt, he is just saying all that to hide he's bruised ego, "My Guy!" I hailed him as I followed after him, looking back to see Tiara long gone.
