chapter 14

*** The Following Week ***

I went through the week in a sombre mood, barely talking to my dad or mom -- except for the times when I'll have to say 'thank you' after a meal or greet them 'Good morning' when I woke or before going to bed. But asides that, we held no solid conversation.

My gladness today was that it was Monday, and not just because I was going back to school but that I'd duly served my punishment till end; atleast now, I could go outside.

I was really itching to speak with Nora, it's been days since we saw eachother.

"Henry, you almost forgot this" my mom walked up to me, holding a geography textbook I'd forgetten on the dinning table after breakfast.

"Thanks Mom" I smiled and collected it, putting it inside my school bag before hanging on my shoulders. Then my mom moved closer and adjusted my tie with both hands; smiling softly as she did so before saying almost in a whisper. "Make sure you pay attention to every word your teacher has to say"

"Mm-hmm" I nodded and was about saying something when my dad came out of the dining room and interrupted, "I'll drop you off at school before moving to work."

"No dad, I can go alone" I countered politely without looking at his direction.

"I'll get my car keys, you wait for me outside" He replied almost immediately in a command tone. But I wasn't willing to accept -- infact, I became a bit vexed than composed.

"No!... I don't want you driving me to school like some kid" I blurted in annoyance, raising my gaze to give my dad a serious frown.

Then he took a step forward, pointing his right hand directly at me and warned. "I won't tolerate you talki..."

"Hunnie for chrissake, stop!" My mom cut in sharply with her voice raised in disappointment and then turned to give him a pleading stare before adding. "Please -- it's too early for all these"

My dad stood mute for a while, lowering his right hand to his side as he gave me a hard confronting stare that almost made me question my resolve. Then he looked at my mom and said to her in a low voice, "I'm off to work."

I could still hear the annoyance in his tone of voice no matter how hard he tried to sound calm, even his fast steps hinted that he was still angry as he walked past us and left.

"Am sorry mom" I apologized, feeling remorseful for having to raise my voice at him.

"It's uh, it's fine son..." She shook her head in a consoling manner and cupped my cheeks with both hands before adding in a somewhat playful tease "Now, get going before you force me to take you there myself."

"Love you mom" I chuckled; giving her a quick hug before turning to leave the house. And when I came out, I saw Nora standing in front of their house entrance; waving at her parents as they drove off in their black Ford car.

"Hey Nora..." I called out immediately and jogged forward to meet her.

"What do you want?" She folded her arms the moment I paused in her front.

"I - I came to apologize" I cleared my throat while leveling my gaze on hers. But she didn't appear to have any interest with what I'd just said and turned around. And when she was about taking a step towards her front door, I asked "Why act this way" sounding a bit disappointed by the sudden change in her attitude.

"Act this way --" She repeated with a sarcastic scoff and turned to face me. "How?"

"Like we are enemies... Like we were never friends" I answered with a shrug of

my shoulders.

"Well, it's what your parents wanted" she replied, taking a step closer with her eyes boring into mine. Then she whispered in a plain voice and said, "Am good with it, and you should too"

"No... I can't" My head shook in refusal as i heaved in a low breathless voice. Then I moved closer and clamped her shoulders with both hands and whispered to her face. "What do I have to do -- or say for you to know that I'm truly sorry?"

Nora was quiet for a while and stood without protesting. Even her eyes flickered with empathy as though my words had gotten into her. Well, that's what I thought -- not until she opened her mouth to speak.

"It's too late for that Henry, am sorry" She lowered her gaze and slowly removed my hands off her shoulders.

I felt my heart shudder on hearing her response, and to be honest, I wasn't happy-- but neither was I going to let it ruin my morning.

So I forced a smile and said. "I guess you never truly had feelings for me" watching as she raised her head to give me a gloomy look.

"Just go to school Henry" she sighed and looked away.

"yeah... I need to do that" I nodded and retreated a step from her, bitting my lower lip to fight back any feelings of bitterness whatsoever.

"Bye" Nora finally said and turned to enter her house. And instead of groaning or lamenting, I found myself smiling after she left because her voice sounded a bit shaky when she told me 'bye' -- that could only mean one thing, she still had feelings for me no matter how hard she tries to lie to herself about it!

So I walked away and boarded a taxi that took me straight to school.

*****

Almost every kid in the community went to Valmont High School. And when I got to class, I realised Brian was also admitted into the school -- infact, he was in my very class!

I was actually excited on seeing him, but then my excitement turned to disappointment when he avoided speaking to me or even refused sharing my seat when I offered. It was then I realised that I was now enemy -- not only to Nora, but to the whole family.

'Who cares if they talk to me or not' I muttered to myself in annoyance as I placed my school bag ontop the desk to pull out my English note.

"Good morning sir" the whole class chorused; startling me as a teacher walked in. Then I quickly zipped my bag and lifted my gaze to see our male English teacher standing in front of the class with a girl by his side. And judging by the school bag on her shoulder with the casual gown she was wearing, I just knew she was a new student.

"I want y'all to say hi to your new classmate Kimberly" Mr George smiled at us and placed his right palm on the girl's left shoulder.

"Hi" the whole class chorused again.

Then our English teacher nodded, casting a quick glance at the girl before addressing the class. "Kimberly here is on transfer from her previous school, and will be taking her final exa..."

The rest of what Mr George said slowly faded in my ears as my attention drifted to Kimberly who stood shy with both hands clamped in front of her thighs. She wore glasses and made a French braided hair that matched well with her face to highlight her beauty.

She was just about Nora's height -- well, maybe an inch shorter. Her complexion was light creamed chocolate and as for her body, she was neither thin nor fat -- just healthy. Although I couldn't say much for her curves or shape which was hidden by the pleated gown she was wearing.

And then suddenly, my attention returned to Mr George when he concluded with a loud laugh; making me wonder just what he was laughing about. Well, I would have known if I was actually paying attention to what he was saying. Then he gently edged Kimberly forward to go find herself a seat mate.

"Kimmie ... Kim Kim, nerd girl" some boys at the back made fun and giggled amongst themselves. She didn't pay attention to them but kept walking, looking for someone to share a seat with.

'I don't know what's always wrong with those guys' I rolled my eyes in disgust, and was about opening my English notebook when Kimberly paused beside my desk.

"Um, please -- can I share a seat with you?" She asked in a low polite voice.

My whole face froze immediately that I couldn't even blink -- I just sat there staring at her in shock that she would actually consider sharing a seat with me instead of picking some other hot handsome guy!

'What am I even saying?' I snapped out of my foolish thinking and answered, "Yeah, sure -- you can" clearing my throat as I shifted for her to sit.

I stylishly watched her from the corner of my eyes as she unpacked some books from her school bag. And I could swear that she was the most orderly person I have ever seen.

"So...um" I started with a nervous breath, looking at my notebook as I tried initiating a conversation. "My name is Henry"

Kimberly paused and answered without turning her head to look at me. "Nice meeting you Henry"

I managed to suppress the smile that wanted to break out my lips. Maybe my day wasn't going to be so bad after all.

"So, do have you have like a brother or sister joining the school or just you?" I asked, trying to sound friendly in every possible way I could.

"No... Um, just me" she gave a faint chuckle and later added. "But I actually do have a cousin who's attending this school"

"Oh, really" I gave her a surprised look.

"Yes" Kimberly smiled, quickly removing her eyes from mine as she zipped her bag. Then she continued, "His name is Brian"

My eyes went wide in doubtful shock when she revealed. Then a lot of disturbing thoughts began clouding my head like 'Why she didn't sit with him or how long before her cousin Brian finally convinces her to stop talking to me!'