58

"Amanda"

"Amanda"

When I raised my head from the place where I had been resting it, I found Frederick standing directly in front of me. Oh my goodness, this young man's determination was astounding.

"What exactly are you doing here? in the library, to which no one ever comes" I rubbed my sleepy eyes and glared at him with daggers. He was starting to irritate me, regardless of how attractive he was.

He spoke while grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, obviously I came to see you, Amanda," he said. I gave him a blank look and went back to resting my head on my laps. " Thank goodness our school allowed us to wear leggings under our skirts.

"Amanda, please na,  I really need to speak with you." he said.

I really need to speak with you." he said.

I sighed and averted my gaze from my laps. I hadn't gotten much sleep yesterday—well, I don't usually get much sleep—and lunch break was the only time I got a wink of sleep, and apparently Frederick wasn't going to let me do that anytime soon.

"Shoot," I instructed.

He gave me an odd look with a perfectly raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"It means tell me what you want to say to me," I said with a smile, a little puzzled by his expression. I really hope he didn't see that.

He only laughed slightly.

"Right," he said as he scratched his hands awkwardly. Frederick's hair was his one physical unique feature, and it had girls swooning over him. With the jet midnight color and silky texture, it's no surprise that girls adore the ground he walks on. His hair was naturally full but had been cut flat by the sides, giving him a black American appearance.

"I want us to be friends," he said with a ridiculously beautiful smile.

I frowned slightly, thinking that after yesterday at the mall, he'd finally give up, but I guess he didn't.

"I thought I had already responded to you. No" I was glaring at him now, couldn't he just leave me alone? He hadn't approached me once in the previous years I'd been at this school, so what's changed now?

"And I'll keep asking until you give me a positive response." His persistence was unaffected by my rude response. " Rainbows for breakfast? Is it what this guys eats before coming to school?  Because he is far too happy and upbeat for a teenager. Or perhaps I was the one who was far too pessimistic.

"Why?" Curiosity blazed within me as I asked him.

"How come?"

"why me? Why would you like to be my friend?" I was curious as to what was going on inside his head that he chose me out of the student population to be his friend.

A distant look flashed across his face, and I was almost convinced he was about to respond seriously until he spoke.

He spoke with a devilish grin.

"Because Y has a long tail and two branches," despite being rumored to be extremely intelligent, he was far more childish than I gave him credit for.

"DID YOU KNOW THAT WAS EXTREMELY CHILDISH?" I said, raising an eyebrow at him. He only chuckled slightly and replied, 'I know.'

"Are you going to tell me the truth or not?" I attempted once more. I still couldn't understand why he'd want to be friends with me; I was practically ruined and damaged.

A certain expression crossed his face, giving him a dark appearance. "I don't think the right time has come yet, Amanda, and believe me, when you find out, you'll be furious." I couldn't hear what he said at the end because he muttered it so quietly.

"All right, then." "When the 'right time' comes, you know where to find me, after all, we're in the same class," I said as I stood up and began to pack my belongings into my school bag. I rolled my eyes and walked away, leaving him standing there. It's come to my attention that I do this to him quite frequently.

"Wait, Amanda!" His voice rang out throughout the library. I turned around and gave him a crazy look; after all, didn't he know the librarian, Mrs Jibola, was a no-nonsense woman who could ban us from the Library for good?

Frederick might not have given a hoot about it, but I did. In school, the library was my only safe haven, and I was determined to keep it that way.

"I don't think the people at Zuma Rock heard you well, why not be a little louder ehn," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

He, in turn, displayed a grin, his dimples protruding. Rainbows, he definitely ate rainbows for breakfast every day.

"Oh, okay," he said loudly again, but I instinctively ran up to him and covered his mouth with my palm. I realized my error far too late; it was as if my body had its own mind.

Frederick's eyes widened slightly, most likely as a result of my unexpected action.

"Shh," I said quietly, "do you want to be kicked out of the library, this boy?" I was beyond annoyed with him when I asked.

"ifwntmifdbeungthrawnoutigfifdyau," he said, but it sounded mumbled because my hand was still on his mouth.

With a nervous chuckle and a slight blush, I quickly retracted my hand from his mouth. I thank Jesus for my dark skin once more.

"Excuse me, what did you say?" Frederick sighed in response to my inquiry.

"I said, I don't mind being thrown out if it's with you," he said, winking at me. I instantly turned beet red. What a jerk.

I coughed awkwardly and resumed my walk, determined to leave this time; unfortunately for me, Frederick joined me. The entire Qatass academy would freak out if they saw the most loved boy in the school walking with the all-too-familiar deranged girl from Qatass high.

"You know, for a short girl, you really walk fast," Frederick mumbled beside me. I turned to face him, giving him the meanest glare I could muster. Didn't he know it was an unspoken rule not to refer to someone as short?

"No, I think it's just because you're not athletic enough," I mumbled. And what a load of nonsense that was, he was a member of almost every single sport club at our school, basketball, football, volleyball, you name it. The boy had more blessings than the majority of Abuja's population. He was a fantastic catch, both in terms of brains and bronze.

His only reaction was an amused snort, most likely calling me out on my nonsense.

We finally arrived at the library exit door, and just as I was about to open it, Frederick opened it for me.

"Ladies first," he said with a sly grin. I wanted to say every cliche sentence in the book, 'Hmm who said chivalry was dead,' but I bit my tongue just in time and walked out the door, Frederick not far behind.

"Oh, what have we got here, Fatty, how are you?" As we exited, I heard an all too familiar voice say.

"Silver," I muttered in a monotone voice. The inferior complex with which I have become all too familiar suddenly engulfed me whole, as if an automatic switch had been flipped. I looked down at the floor, unable to look her in the eyes despite the fact that she was alone and not with her other two friends.

She let out a small surprise gasp.

"Di-di-Frederick?" She retreated into her shell. Did I mention Silver had a thing for the school's golden boy? What am I even saying? Almost every girl in the school had a crush on him, and I wouldn't be surprised if they all did.

I was perplexed because I hadn't heard Frederick say anything, so I looked up. I expected Frederick to give her a friendly smile or even flirt with her, but he did the opposite, glaring menacingly at her. I looked at him, baffled; what could he possibly have against her?

Silver was as caught off guard as I was. Then she abruptly turned and stared at me.

"You!" she yelled angrily.

"I'm sure you've told him something horrible about me abi, I don't know what you did to make him hang around someone no, something like you, but don't worry, I will get you back for this, just you wait!" I wanted to scream, 'When have you ever gone easy on me Silver?' but I quickly held my tongue and looked down once more.

She quickly walked away after her lengthy speech, probably embarrassed that her crush had no mutual feelings for her. The hard look he was giving her suggested that he disliked her.

"Now that's what we call a b**ch in the flesh," Frederick said from beside me. I had no idea he cursed. What am I saying? I didn't know anything about him except that he was academically sound and athletic.

I didn't say anything in response to what he said, instead looking down and sighing relieved. Thank the gods she was no longer there.

"Wait, did I hear correctly or did she just say both of you were once friends?" Frederick asked again, clearly surprised. It's not like I wasn't expecting this kind of reaction; after all, anyone who heard this would probably react similarly.

I nodded, raising my head with a sad smile.