Slowly Adjusting

 CHAPTER FIVE

 SLOWLY ADJUSTING

 Two weeks later, the four friends were getting closer. Michael kept his distance from Michelle but was on good terms with her. One day, he got a call from the principal and went with Michelle. She had relayed the call to him, and per the principal's instructions, she followed him back to the principal's office. She was in front while Michael was walking behind her, slowly.

 Michelle felt awkward. She almost missed a step. She knew his gaze was on her. She could feel it. And that wasn't a lie because Michael, on the other hand, was looking at her. Sizing her from head to toe.

 "She's very small—like a bunny", He said to himself.

 He sees Odelia coming from the front.

 "Hi!!!", Her loud voice rang as she walked up to him and held one of his hands.

 "Hi", He replied looking at her.

 "How are you doing today, Michael?!" She asked, squirming.

 "I'm very fine", Michael answered again.

 Michelle paused and furrowed her brows in amusement. To herself, she said,

 "Is Michael becoming this friendly?",

 "Okay", Odelia said to Michael. Almost inaudibly.

 He heard a familiar voice call his name. It was his father. There were two other men behind him.

 "Dad", He called out on turning around. His father was wearing a black nose mask, as he strode to where Michael stood with Odelia and Michelle. They could tell from his body and eyes that Michael was just as gorgeous as his dad.

 "Michael, is this your girlfriend?", His father asked slyly.

 Odelia smiled broadly.

 "Dad! She's just a classmate", Michael said and eyed Odelia before walking out with his dad following him.

 After the principal had given the instructions to Michelle, she stepped out of the office. She wished she had seen Michael's father's face, but the man didn't remove his mask until she left the office.

 Outside, she walked a few paces before Odelia stopped her.

 "Michelle," She stood, hands akimbo.

 Michelle only stared at her.

 "Head girl or whatever, I see what you are doing with Michael. Or you think I don't know".

 Michelle didn't reply. Odelia eyed her.

 "I saw you walking side by side with him. I want you to stop following him around. I don't want to see you around him again".

 "Why?", Michelle asked.

 "Because he's mine and mine alone".

 "Really", She pursed her lips

 "Yes!", Odelia frowned. She was not expecting these answers.

 "I didn't think so", Michelle said and walked out.

 "I hate her nerves", Odelia scoffed and stomped out.

 * * * *

 Later on, back in their class, Odelia was busy applying makeup. Pamela walks into the class and stops at where Odelia sat.

 "Odelia, why are you applying all this makeup? What's happening today?", She asked.

 "I'm applying it for Michael" " she said, twirling her body and saying it to the hearing of everyone in the class, "He almost confessed I'm his girlfriend today." She chuckled.

 Michelle sneered, while Kelvin and Sylvester looked at each other and smiled.

 "Let Michael hear that from you. Flibbertigibbet", Kelvin said and the trio laughed.

 Just then, Michael entered the class with a very mean countenance. Probably upset.

 Immediately Odelia looked up and saw him, she didn't mind his countenance she just ran up to him and held his arm,

 "How do I look, Michael?".

 Michael didn't even spare her a glance. He made a step forward but was held back by Odelia.

 "Please, tell me", She pestered.

 Kelvin whispers to Sylvester, "The fool won't let him be",

 "I'm very sure of what Michael's reaction would be. Let's watch out", Sylvester whispered back.

 Odelia was caught unaware when Michael sprung up his hand to step out of her hold. Unbalanced, she fell down. Embarrassed and hurt, her cry made others complain or cover their ears with their palms.

 "Sorry", Was all Michael muttered and went over to his seat.

 * * * *

 The next week in school, Raymond returned back to school. He was from a very wealthy home but had not been in class because of a crime he had committed during resumption week. His family's money could only help him get suspended instead of expelled. He was the leader of a gang that bullied other students. He never bullied anyone himself, his boys did that. A boy once insulted him and he felt his ego trampled upon. To retaliate, he had his boys beat up the boy, but then the boy reported him instead of the boys, and that was how he got suspended. The boy had transferred to another school immediately after reporting them to the school authorities. 

 His return made the class too rowdy, as his boys had thrown a small welcome party for him, which made other students complain; some even left the class.

 Raymond liked Michelle a lot but he knew she disliked him so much. She always told him that to his face, but then he didn't know why he never concurred with what his boys would always say about threatening Michelle. To him, she was small, beautiful, and irresistible. He even saw that she was the new head girl. He saw her when she was giving a speech at the hall that morning. All he did was stare at her. He didn't even hear all she said. Now, he's back to have her for himself. Kelvin and Sylvester or not, by hook or by crook. After some days, he noticed Michael. He noticed how close he was to Sylvester and Kelvin. Somehow, Michelle. This pained him a lot. He had asked his boys about Michael but they told him they had no information about him. He also felt Michael was familiar and confronted him one day.

 Michael was about to walk over to his seat when Raymond stood in his way. Michael immediately shifts to make space for him to pass but Raymond still blocks him.

 "I heard your name is Michael. And you're the new student." Michael didn't reply, just stared at him.

 "You look very familiar—like I've seen you somewhere," Raymond said, looking directly at his face.

 Michael was slightly taken aback and had to look away so Raymond wouldn't try to recognize him.

 "Besides, why are you wearing a cap and Rolex to school—it doesn't make any sense?" Raymond paused and looked around. Every eye was on them, "Do you know me?".

 "No, I don't", Michael finally replies.

 "Listen", Raymond begins quietly, "You know Michelle, right?" He paused for a reaction and when he got none, he continued. 

"That's my girl. I just want you to steer away from her. Why do I feel you're the one seducing her?".

 This elicited murmurs, whispers,, and chuckles from others. Michelle was disgusted and she said,

 "What's that fool saying?"

 "She's soon going to be my girlfriend, and we're gonna date", He stated, slightly amused. Michael replied,

 "I see, but then, she's my girlfriend, so why do I feel you're intruding the wrong space or your info didn't tell you?".

 There were wooooooosss!!! And wows!!! From everyone in the class. Michelle sat transfixed.

 Kelvin and Sylvester were also surprised. They couldn't believe their ears.

 "I think he's starting to adjust. If he's really gay as we'd suspected".

 "I'd be so happy if that happens", Kelvin replied, smiling.

 Raymond angrily stomped out of the class. He walked out but gave Michael a shoulder jab. Kelvin and Sylvester stood up immediately but Michael gave them a nod and strode over to where they sat.

 Michael made sure to avoid eye contact with Michelle throughout the day until classes were over. He even refused to go to the cafeteria with them. Kelvin and Sylvester found it very funny and cute.

 After school, Michael waited for Michelle to be done with school duties. Kelvin and Sylvester had already gone home including most of the students. They were the only ones there while his driver was inside the car.

Michelle followed him to where his car was parked. He then turned to her.

 "Um! I'm really sorry about what happened earlier", He apologized, his head bent.

 Michelle smiles, "It's fine, Michael. Raymond can be like that sometimes, and we are so used to it".

 Michael paused for a while as he stared at her.

 "For real, Michael, it's fine, and I mean it. I know you just said that to defend me. Kelvin and Sylvester have said that for like—uncountable times" " she said, rolling her eyes while smiling.

 "Thanks for understanding", Michael said calmly.

 Michael looks at her hair. It was scattered. Some strands were all over her face.

 "Why is your hair scattered? You didn't comb it?" He said, opening his bag to take out a beautiful comb as he handed it to her.

"Here".

 "Thanks. I'll have to go to the salon this weekend, or else the principal may have to cut my hair. He already complained about it this afternoon" " she said and hissed while combing the hair. Michael gave a short laugh.

 "My hair's very long too. When my mom was alive, she would comb it every night while telling me bedtime stories. Because she loved the hair so much, it's been hard for me to cut it. Somehow it reminds me of her warmth. Would you like to have a glimpse of it?", He asked.

 "I've seen it before," She replied, smiling.

 "Where?" Michael asked, surprised and smiling.

 "Kelvin's phone. You took a photo without your cap on. You're very handsome, Michael" " she said the last part shyly.

Michael chuckled softly at her cuteness.

 "But then, can I touch it?" She asked, "Can I? "Michael nodded, and gently took off the cap. Removed the ribbon holding the hair. Michelle gasped. The hair was a silky mass of long dark hair that fell below the nape of his neck. Michelle slowly reached out and touched it. Michael had to bend slightly so Michelle's hand would reach his hair.

 "How's it?" He asked, looking up at her.

 Michelle was in a world of awe.

 "It's beautiful. Wow!" To herself, she said, "How can a man be this beautiful?" Her eyes met his own. He smiled and she smiled back.

 His driver came down from the car, he was surprised to see that Michael had his hair uncovered.

 "Michael!" He called out and waited for Michael to turn his attention to him. "Your father said, the man is ready to meet you. He's waiting for you".

 "Okay! But I'll need to change", Michael said.

 "Don't worry. Mr. George already made all of that available at the company before you met him. He brought in your size".

 Michael nodded and turned to Michelle.

 "Let my driver drop you off first" " he offered.

 "I can hear clearly, Michael. Someone's waiting for you. And if I arrive home on this kind of ride, I guess I'll be in for a lot of questions. I'll just take a cab home", Michelle said.

 "Okay", Michael nods, "I'll go first. See you later".

 The driver quickly opened the door, and Michael entered. Michelle stood until the car had left. She smiled widely.