Chapter 61 THE FIRST DAY
Godiva POV
“My girl looks so ecstatic this evening, what’s behind this beautiful smile?” Mama asked as we prepared our dinner.
If I tell you a man is behind this beautiful smile, will you be happy for me? I thought to myself.
“Nothing, Mama,” I finally replied, smiling sarcastically.
“Mama, can I tell you something?” I asked as we both munched on our dinner.
“Yes, girl, spill,” Mama replied.
“So, I may have sort of quit tutoring,” I said, waiting for her reaction.
“Oh great, you’ve finally come to your senses. You’ve done your part, let me do mine,” Mama replied, patting me as she continued feasting on her food.
“Mama, you didn’t even ask why I quit,” I said solemnly.
“Oops, my bad. I’m sorry, baby, really I am. Or did someone disrespect you?” she asked, suddenly blazing.
“I just felt like quitting,” I said, picking my plate up from the table.
“Baby, baby, I’m really sorry,” Mama called out as I walked to the kitchen.
I woke up very early the next morning to prepare for school, not because I wanted to study, but because I needed to look exceptionally beautiful. It was going to be my first day in an actual relationship.
“Today is gonna be a great day,” I sang, tearing open the box of the brand-new Jordan sneakers Mama got me on my last birthday. I had avoided using them because I was saving them for a special day.
“Wow, you finally wore your Jordan sneakers. Today must be a really special day,” Mama said, smiling.
“Yes, Mama, it is,” I replied coldly. As I walked to the fridge, picking up a slice of pizza, I turned to her. “See you when I return.”
“Damn, girl, you killed it!” Dina exclaimed the moment I stepped out wearing my new Jordans.
“Wait a minute, did you style your hair?” she asked in shock.
“You know this girl,” I said, turning 360 degrees.
“You look great. Did you put on pink lip gloss?” I exclaimed, my mouth wide open.
“You know this girl,” Dina replied, imitating me.
“Look, Mama’s watching through the window,” Dina whispered in my ear as we hurriedly walked away.
Dina and I did all we could to while away time before Jerald and Ben’s arrival.
“Good morning, class,” the history teacher announced, walking into the classroom.
“Damn, I’m now worried. If they aren’t in school yet, it only means they ain’t coming today also,” Dina whispered, sounding distraught.
“Speak of the devil,” I said, smiling the second Jerald walked into the class in his usual elegant manner.
“Who?” Dina asked, turning to the door in panic. Then, releasing a light smile, she gave me a thumbs up.
“Why is Jerald wearing shades?” Dina whispered after a while.
“And his lips sort of look bruised,” I added, staring at him intensely.
“Why isn’t he looking this way?” Dina asked.
“And why is he not smiling?” I chipped in, still staring at him.
My excitement gradually turned to concern. I had a hunch that the bruise on his lip was caused by his parents. And the shades? I was sure they were to cover up a bruised eye.
All through the lecture, I kept clearing my throat to get his attention, but he didn’t even flinch. I ended up drawing the attention of Hakeem, who blew me a kiss.
“Eww,” I said, brushing his so-called kiss aside.
During break, Dina and I struggled with ourselves to stay back and not go after them.
“Come on, girl, we are royalty. We can’t be the ones going to check on some so-called boys,” Dina said, trying to motivate us.
“Yes, we can’t, even if they are our boyfriends?” I teased, faking a cry.
“Why is Ben stopping at Jerald’s desk?” Dina exclaimed as Ben walked into our class.
“Look, both of them are approaching,” I said in panic, trying to arrange my sitting position.
“Action, girl, we need to put in a little attitude,” Dina whispered hurriedly as she adjusted her posture too.
“Can we have a word, briefly?” Ben’s deep but calm voice rang out.
“Oh hey, Ben.”
“Hey, Jerald.”
We chorused simultaneously, pretending to be unaware of their presence.
“I must apologize about what happened yesterday with my mum,” Ben said. “No one deserved that, and we apologize on behalf of our parents, however…”
“However, we apologize for openly confessing to you and leading you on. There’s no relationship that can happen here,” Jerald chipped in seriously, as though drawing an invisible circle around us.
My heart stopped, then began beating ridiculously fast. I looked in shock as they both turned to leave. I couldn’t see Dina’s facial expression, but I was sure it was worse than mine.
“It’s a prank,” they both chorused. Ben went to Dina while Jerald came to me.
I wanted to smile, but the shock of what just happened held me back.
“Jeez!” Dina finally screamed. “Why did you do that?” she demanded, slapping Ben hard on his arm.
“Diva x,” Jerald said, smiling at me. “I missed calling you that.”
“What you did wasn’t even funny,” I warned sternly.
“But why were you even worried? I thought you rejected my proposal,” Jerald teased, stroking my hair with his fingers.
“Shut up,” I said, pressing my index finger against his lips.
“I guess it’s safe to say it’s our first day?” Jerald asked, grinning.
“Yes,” I replied hesitantly.
“Congrats, bro,” Ben suddenly said, extending a handshake to Jerald.
“How are you even hearing our conversation?” I barked at Ben, who was already laughing hard.
“Wait a second,” Jerald said, standing up from my desk as he walked to his.
I watched him ransack his backpack from my seat before he finally returned.
“Here,” he said, handing me a small box.
“What’s that?” I asked, looking at the box in confusion.
“Div, why don’t you take the box first?” Dina said eagerly.
“Curiosity kills the cat,” Jerald replied, still holding out the box.
“Well then, this cat can’t die,” I said, snatching the box from his hand and popping it open.