Friends

   "Stuck on you" by Giveon and "Love me jeje" by Tems were soothing songs I listened to in the making of this chapter :")

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 There I stood before the tall duplex that was elegantly projected on firm grounds.

My heart was racing and every part of me was hurling curses at me for the decision I made.

My eyes went back to my phone on which my last chat with Chinedu was displayed.

"It's the right address," I muttered to myself and places my phone into my hand bag.

I was here already yet my legs were begging me to turn back. If I happened to meet him, what would I say?

In fact, what exactly did I want by coming here?

"Just take it easy, Tilda," I took deep breaths. "You're simply a concerned classmate, yes that's it!"

I straightened my tank top and proceeded to go close to the gates when someone suddenly emerged from behind the gates and my head bumped into his chest.

"Ouch!" I squinted and placed my hand over my head.

"You!" He sounded alarmed. "What are you doing here?! How did you even find my house?"

"Is that how to say sorry?" I winced in pain while still nursing my hurting forehead.

"What do you want?" The tension in his shoulders lessened and he sighed.

"You're too rude," I sneered.

He sighed once again, slid his hands into the pocket of his pants and starting walking off.

See me see this boy o!

While the thought of how stupid I was lingered in my head, I went after him.

"How could you leave your visitor like that?" I slapped him across the arm.

He glanced at me and returned his gaze ahead, almost as if I was some pest.

"You came to see me," A small chuckle escaped his lips.

"I didn't actually come to see you, dummy," I rolled my eyes. "After leaving me in suspense, I needed to come and know if I'm safe o because I don't still trust everything you said."

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised as we walked side by side. The street was quite peaceful so it was literally the two of us walking down the tiled road.

"I knew you weren't smart," He shook his head and returned his gaze ahead once again.

"What do you mean?" I sent him a glare.

"Just stop deceiving, yourself. It's not bad to miss a classmate," He sighed.

I clutched my hand bag and twisted my lips.

"I was just a little worried I guess. N-not about you but a-a-about what you said last time and then you just disappeared from school for three days."

"I've been ill," He simply answered, his forehead suddenly creasing.

"You don't seem like someone who's been ill but I hope you're fine now," I said.

"All I told you is true, Tilda. I'm no witch or whatever you think," He clicked his tongue.

"..."

I went silent. Hadn't he given me the answer I wanted? Shouldn't I be on my way home now? What even was I doing?

"You know, it's pretty funny how we used to be so close in your dream. I mean, we were friends and now all we do is fight," He chuckled lightly.

I remained silent, my hands fondling with my bag. Maybe he wasn't someone to be scared of?

God, I can't even think straight!

"Would you like to start over, Miss Tilda?" He paused and turned to face me who also paused. "I can't believe this is the fourth time I'm doing this."

"It's the third," I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed by his gesture. Thank God, the street was deserted.

"Would you like us to be friends again?" He raised both eyebrows.

I pursed my lips and squinted my eyes.

"Not until you smile. We've been battling this issue of your face always being straight," I mocked.

He rolled his eyes and revealed a perfect set of white teeth.

"Are you flaunting your teeth or smiling?" I giggled and used my hand to push his face away.

"You said to smile and I did," He protested.

"It's just because I don't want you to feel bad sha," I pouted my lips. "We can be friends."

"You're crazy," He shook his head and laughed.

"Shouldn't we head somewhere like we used to?" I nudged his elbow and flashed him a bright smile as we resumed walking.

"Why?" He suddenly asked.

"Ah ah which one is why? I thought we used to go out as friends," I glanced at him with wide eyes.

He heaved a deep breath.

"Since you woke up from your coma, have you gone to see your dad?" He asked.

My eyes fell to the ground and I could feel the heat in them.

"I...No," was all I said.

I expected him to say something instead he remained silent so I could get the chance to let out the burden in my heart.

I sighed. "It's my mum. She told me to stop bringing prints from the grave into her house and that I was bringing specks of death into it. I haven't gotten the chance to head there especially when my driver is under her and he will always give her information if I did. I don't blame the man, he doesn't want to lose his job."

Just then, I felt the warmth of his hand on mine. Instinctively, my eyes travelled up to his face with surprise written all over me.

"Let's head there," He said, his eyes giving me so much assurance and comfort. "I left my car at home but we can get a cab at the junction."

The heat in my eyes increased and I found my lips trembling. The tears I had been fighting back for some time now finally decided to overpower me and the heat adjusted from my eyes down to my cheeks.

"Don't cry," He chuckled and squeezed my hand a little.

I sniffed. Why did I always like embarassing myself in front of this boy?

"I'm not crying. Something just flew into my eyes," I said, the redness in my eyes contrasting with my words.

"Abeg shut up," He laughed and moved his hand over my shoulder.

Maybe I was glad that we were friends again, after all. Witch or no witch, wizard or no wizard, mami water or no mami water, Miles had done a lot to keep me happy more than my mum who was an ordinary human.