Chapter Thirty

"Hey."Damien said as he joined my taboe at the cafeteria. From what I heard, our team had the highest score. I wasn't there. I was late to school. I had argument with Jude that morning and that was a huge turn off for me. I just wanted to be alone, throughout the day.

"Hey."I adjusted my glasses an fixed my gaze back on the good I wasn't eating.

"We made it. Why were you so late today? You should have been there."

"Hm. Something came up."I tried not to sound as cold as I felt.

"Okay."He began to eat and I could not help but watch him. There's this hope I get when I look at his face, his words rings in my head, tels me I'm not worthless, that I am enough. I just could not take my face off him, like he was my source of life.

"Paige? Are you okay?"

"Of course I am."

"You don't look like you are. You've been cold all morning, even now."

I winced. "Shouldn't you be at the class teacher's office, collating results?"

"I've done that already..."

"What about, the basketball team? They won't be complete without you."

He arched his brow. "Are you trying to send me away now? Huh?"

"No. I'm just reminding your of some priorities you seem to have forgotten."I pointed out.

I saw him struggle to get some words out of his mouth. He must have been completed taken aback by what I said.

"Did you just say priority?"

"Hm"I nodded.

"What else is my priority if not caring for my best friend?"

I was speechless.

"You didn't reply my texts the whole weekend. I didn't see you at your usual spot. That got me worried and today you came in very late. Why shouldn't I worry?"

"I was at home all weekend. I'm good. Don't get worried unnecessarily."

His eyes scanned the room for a while. "We don't have any more classes today, besides it's too noisy in here. Let's go to the music room."

"Sure."I packed up my food and followed him. We took a seat at the far end of the hall in other not to get distracted by the other students who were rehearsing.

"Did you get the scholarship Damien?"I've been meaning to ask. It might be inappropriate at this time but I just needed to ask as soon as I remembered.

"Oh my bad!" he exclaimed. "I should have told you the good news first. While we were on vacation, my parents recieved a letter that I'd been nominated. Still under watch though. My marks in this exams would determined whether I'll get it or not."

"Congratulations Damien."

"C'mon."He laughed. "I haven't gotten it yet."

"You'll get it anyways."I tried to smile. We were quiet for a while and he was staring at me.

"I've always known that I will. "He paused. "You should stop by at my house some other day, my lil brother craves to see you."

"You told him about me?"

"Not really." He said. "What about you? Have you told your uncle about me?"

I almost choked. "We're not close. Besides, he barely stays at home. Business and all."

"I understand." He was staring at my hair. "You need to learn how to dress your hair."

"Oh really."I shouldn't be embarrassed. Or should I? He just said ...

"I barely look in the mirror before leaving the house."

"I can help you..."

"With what?"

"Dressing your hair. I'll teach you. I do my mum's. I'm an expert."He winked. I wanted to laugh.

"I...I don't know what to say. You're such a jerk!"

"I am?"

"You just told me I didn't look good, or rather my hair doesn't? And ..."

"I didn't say that."He grinned. "I'm just kinda obsessed with your hairstyle during the video shoot and would like to see you on it everyday."

I blushed. 

"Is it that nice?"I finally smiled. I guess that's his goal.

"It was perfect. And I can make it."

"The stylist made it that day."

"And I learnt it from her. I tried it on my mum. I'm an expert now. Trust me."

"Well, you can't style my hair."I spat.

"Why?"

"I don't like guys touching my hair."

He laughed. "You've said that before."

He rolled my chair with his feet, I could not stop him. After so much struggle, I allowed him. We were quiet and I just silently wished no one was watching.

"Can I ask you a question Paige?"

"Sure "

"Do you know Jesus?"

"I'm not a Christian."I said bluntly. "I don't serve anything. But I've heard that name before."

"What did you hear?"

"Fables. Unbelievable things. Those things don't exist, do they?"

"God exists and Jesus is His son."

Is he trying to preach to me right now? Wtf!

"And we're His servants born to suffer and even die!"I completed his statement.

"No!"He said. "He made us and called us his children Paige. I think he's the only one who's really ready listen to our pain"

"You think so?"

"I know so." He said. "I brought you a Bible. Will you take it from me?"He placed the holy book on my lap.

"I do not believe in these things."

"But you need to. It's obvious he's the only one who can help us when no one is there to help. He's a spirit and he stays with us every minute. All we need to do is talk to him. Talk to him."

I had to believe, because it was coming from him. I would do as ye say cause he's my light.

"I know a lot about God. My mum was a Christian, I use to be. But I really do not agree with what you are saying. If God..."I swallowed. "If he really existed, why did he take my mum away? Why did he..."

I had to stop.

"It's so cruel. You can't understand. "

"I wish I could."He said. "But I ask you for a favor Paige. Please talk to Jesus, today. I see you're not good and you won't talk to me about it."

He still isn't convinced. I'm never in a good mood!

"I'll try to. On one condition."

"What?"

"Please stay away from my house. Don't try to visit. Please."

"Why?"

"Do we have a deal?"

"Sure."