Chapter Four

KHALEEL'S POV

8:12 am

"Morning Mr. McKinley" I greeted our math teacher when I entered the class.

-Mr. Mckinley: Morning, Mr. Kamara. You are late for my class.

"I know Mr. Mckinley"

-Me. Mckinley: may I know your reason?

"Sure sir"

"My grandfather twisted his ankle and I had to walk to school"

-Mr. Mckinley: Mr. Kamara, you know...if making an excuse was a subject, you'll get an F. I like your bravery, find a seat.

"Thank you sir"

-Mr. Mckinley: Not so fast, you'll pay for that

"[Groaned]"

I looked up to the class trying to find a seat and I saw my other buddy Mike waving at me on the last seat in the middle row. I knew he'd save me a seat. He is a loyal and good friend, mostly because he's punctual and he always saves a spot for me, so I don't have to be punctual.

I saw a new face on the seat before him, her eyes stuck to me as I walked down the row. "Urgh, she looks pale" I thought. She's cute thou, but her stare gives me chills. I walked past her and said 'hi', she doesn't bother to answer.

"Who's that girl" I whispered to Mike.

"She is the new girl and she's on scholarship. Ain't she cute?"

Mike is an emophilist, he falls in love in 0.01 seconds with any girl.

"Yeah she is"

"But she's kind of rude"

"Why do you say that?"

"I said hi to her and she did not even bother to say back"

"Dude, your appearance makes every girl freeze. She definitely froze. Stop being a kid"

"Ok I will work with that"

"What's up? How was your holiday?"

"Bruh my holiday was lit. Amelia agreed to go out with me"

"As a friend?"

"No! As a boyfriend"

"We almost kissed the other day"

"And you still haven't changed your status"

"Ok. We still have not labeled ourselves, but it's true we almost kissed"

"Hahh. Congrats"

9:02 am

"you go guys I'll see you at practice" I said to mike and Kyle when we got out of maths class. I had to go see Ms. Grace at her office as she asked. I knew things might be hectic or she might make me do something embarrassing, that was why I wouldn't let them go with me.

****

"Miss, you asked to see me after class"

-Ms. Grace: Mr. Kamara, please have a seat. As I told you, some of your scores are too poor to be ignored.

"I know Miss. We just resumed, I will work hard and adjust"

-Ms. Grace: I can't trust that.

"So...what do we do now?"

-Ms. Grace: Good. That was what I've been waiting to hear.

I will give you a project and some work.

"Miss!"

-Ms. Grace: Mr. Kamara! Do you want to fail?

"No miss. I will work hard and if I can't pull it, I'll just take it next year"

-Ms. Grace: Khaleel...darling, you still can't understand what I am trying to help you with.

I sighed

-Ms. Grace: This is your first year here, and you can't just start with a fail. Failing in the first year can lead to a huge downfall in your junior year GPA and with a low GPA you know you can never make it to the football team. Do you not want to get into the team?

Getting into the Diamond Crown football team had always been my dream and I cannot just afford to lose the opportunity. I knew Ms. Grace was just threatening me to do what she wanted and I have to, football is my life.

"[Sighed] I will do it"

She looked through the student's records

"From what I see here...you failed Art History, how did that happen, and you also failed environmental science. These subjects are not hard, how did you...fail?"

"That was why I failed"

"Well...the project will be based on art history. You should make a presentation focusing on censorship, materialism, and body image.

" Miss, these topics are huge"

"Yeah I know, and I want a perfect presentation with a demonstration of good art.

"How will I do that!?"

"Well, luckily your grandfather is a popular artist, and don't worry I will pair you up with another student.

You may excuse yourself now.

She was just a pain in the ass. Am glad it's over.

" Oh! Mr. Kamara..." She called out.

"God take me now" I thought

"Do you know the new scholarship student? I heard that she take the same maths class as you"

"Yes Miss"

"Please don't pair me up with that girl" I thought.

"If you happen to see her anywhere around the school, could you let her know that I want to see her please?

" okay"

****

"Where are you guys" I texted mike

"At the cafeteria* he texted back

I was heading to the cafeteria when Ava Melania blocked my way.

-Ava: Hi Khaleel

"Ava, how are you doing?"

"Good"

"Where are you heading to?"

"The cafeteria"

"Need company?"

"No don't mind"

"Okay. Who are you watching tonight football with?"

"My grandfather. I guess"

"I was thinking if your grandfather would let you bail this night...maybe we can watch together at my place?"

"But you don't like football"

"Uh...I am a curious girl, I like trying new things"

"Okay"

"So do we have a date?"

"Ah...I guess?"

"I will check with my grandfather"

"Ight, I will see you tonight"

"Okay?"

****

"Where are you guys?" I texted Mike

"At the cafeteria" he texted back

I was heading to the cafeteria when Ava Melania blocked my way

-Ava: Hi Khaleel

"Ava, how are you doing?"

"Good"

"Where are you heading to?"

"The cafeteria"

"Need company?"

"No don't mind"

"Okay"

"Who are you watching tonight's game with?"

"What game?"

"Football"

"My grandfather, I guess"

"I was thinking if your grandfather would let you bail this night...maybe we can watch together at my place?"

"But you don't like football"

"Uhh...I am a curious girl, I like trying new things"

"Okay"

"So do we have a date?"

"Ah...I guess?"

"I will check with my grandfather"

"Ight I will see you tonight"

"Okay?"

Ava was my lab partner, she never stopped flirting and fixing unnecessary dates. I could not say no to her because I kind of like her but I don't know if I was comfortable with her, especially when she flirts, it makes things awkward.

Moving on, I sighted Sophie Goldman and the scholarship girl walking towards my way, the two of them seemed to be very close, and everyone can tell how nerdy they are, especially the scholarship girl. She looked more okay and comfortable than before and she's a lot cuter than I thought. I walked to them and said 'hi' to Sophie Goldman. She squealed which startled me.

"What's wrong?" I asked

"Nothing...noth...nothing" she said and greeted back "Hi Khaleel".

Those girls are unbelievable.

I turned to the scholarship girl and asked " are you Tonaya Whitley?" even though I knew she was, but I was just keeping my cool.

She hesitated for a long time, I'd say she's being rude but the way she froze proved mike's words. Sophie had to yell her name for her to regain consciousness.

"What happened" she asked.

"Are you sure everything is fine?" I asked them. They were acting so unusual.

"Absolutely fine" Sophie said.

"I assume you are Tonaya Whitley, the scholarship student?" I asked again.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Great! Ms. Grace wanted to see you at her office"

"Ok...I will be there" she answered.

I nodded and left rethinking how weird they were. I knew girls lose control when they see me, but those girls were extra. Mostly, girls either flirt or try to avoid conversation with me.