Chapter 10 SIDE TALKS
Godiva’s POV
Leo looked especially handsome today. His demeanour, his charisma, it filled every room.
I whispered to Dina, “We are going to trend in school throughout the week.”
“Yes, baby,” Dina replied.
His voice suddenly interrupted. “I need to know where you angels live,” Leo said while taking my backpack.
Dina and I kept looking at each other, communicating with our eyes.
I kept wondering why Dina did not discourage Leo from coming over. She knew better than anyone how Mama would react if she returned from work and met Leo in the house.
With a nod, Dina assured me she had it all figured out.
I felt less burdened and joined the interaction fully as we strolled toward the quarters.
He continued bombarding Dina with lots of questions.
“I would need to get both of your contacts, so I do not pay you a surprise visit and end up getting surprised myself,” he said laughing.
“Surprise what!” Dina and I shouted at the same time.
“Can’t I surprise my girl and her friend?” he said, looking shocked.
“That is absolutely not what we meant,” I said, clapping and laughing sarcastically.
“We do not have cell phones,” Dina added.
“What!” Leo shouted, his deep voice echoing through the quarters. “How is it that pretty teenagers like you do not own a cell phone?” he added, a little gentler this time.
“No, we do not,” Dina replied. “How about we stop by my house for some cake and coffee?” she added with a smile.
“That would be a great idea,” Leo said.
“Yes!” I calmly celebrated while giving Dina a high five.
At Dina’s house, we played lots of games. We had an imaginary karaoke session while eating.
Dina’s mum’s signature chocolate cake.
That night was perfect until he tried to reach for a kiss. That was when everything went south.
I dodged and gave him a big hug instead.
I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He had never anticipated such coldness.
I was glad he did not take it personally, because I ran home awkwardly after the hug.
…………
I went to school the next day moody and exhausted from heavy cramps.
“Please excuse me,” I calmly said to Jerald and Hakeem, who were sitting at my desk.
“Seems like your relationship is already depressing you,” Jerald said, laughing hard.
“Damn bro, can you be nicer next time?” Hakeem added as they both continued laughing.
“I am not in the mood for your tantrums,” I warned sternly.
“Why do you look pale?” Jerald asked, putting on a concerned face.
“I do not feel well…”
I had barely finished my sentence when Jerald’s loud voice echoed.
“Are you pregnant already!”They both laughed in an ugly manner as they stood up to leave.
I gave them a cold stare as I watched them return to their seats, laughing loudly.
I slept through all the classes that day. It was all thanks to Dina, who made sure to inform the teachers who tried waking me up about my health.
At the Youngs’, I was barely holding up as I tutored Jenny, who never stopped asking in her tiny voice, “Are you alright, Diva?”
I had barely tutored for an hour when Jerald walked into the study with a tray holding a cup of hot chocolate milk and oat cookies.
“Have some of it before you continue,” Jerald said, dropping the tray on the table.
I looked at him, confused. I was not sure if he was talking to me. I mean, people do not change that easily, or do they?
“You look very pale, worse than you did in school, so eat up,” he added.
“I appreciate it. I really needed this,” I said as I took a sip of the hot chocolate.
“Thank you again. I did not think you were this thoughtful,” I said, dropping the empty mug on the tray.
He smiled broadly again, revealing his one sided dimple.
“I am usually nice to women,” he said, raising his well carved brows.
I was about to give a comment when he interrupted.
“I ain’t nice to you because you’re a man,” he said while walking out of the study, laughing.
He suddenly stopped as if he had forgotten something.
“Pops said you could leave after eating,” he added as he shut the door to the study.
“You are laughing at me too, Jenny?” I asked, tapping her behind while putting my stuffs into my backpack.
She pouted and frowned.
I could not stop smiling at Jerald’s once in a lifetime nice gesture.
Leaving the Youngs’ mansion felt liberating.
Though I liked Jenny, I had started to grow resentment toward the Youngs. That singular betrayal, that false allegation, deeply scarred me.
I just needed to get my money and stop working for them.
“Babes, babes!” Dina called out from behind, interrupting my thoughts.
“Where are you coming from looking like this?”
I asked, pointing at the yellow shorts she wore with a brown faded top.
She looked at herself and burst out laughing.
“Forget my outfit, girl. Guess who came by,” she said.
“Babes, you know I am not good at guessing, so spill,” I said calmly as we kept walking.
“Leooo, girl! Leo was here earlier on,” she replied excitedly.
“What? What Leo? How?” I asked, looking around to make sure Mama was not in sight, because she could hear whispers from ten blocks away.
“He really came to pay you a surprise visit and wanted to know your house. Thank God you were not home. Anyways, he stayed a while at my place before leaving,” she continued.
“That is crazy,” I said.
“Good crazy or bad crazy?” Dina asked, laughing.
“Why are you back so early again?” Dina asked, looking at me as we stopped in front of their block.
“It is all thanks to Jerald,” I replied with a smile as I narrated what happened earlier at the Youngs’.
The next day at school, I bumped into Jerald and Lis at the entrance to our classroom.
“Sorry,” I said as I walked past them.
I knew better than to thank Jerald in front of Lis. I was not ready for her drama.
I waited for Lis to walk off before ambushing him with my gratitude.
“Thanks a whole lot for yesterday,” I said, handing Jerald a bag of chips.
“What is she talking about, dude?” Hakeem asked in his husky voice.
“Learn to mind your business, dude,” I snapped at Hakeem aggressively.
“It’s not what you think, bro. I can’t try getting down with this,” Jerald said, pointing at me in a filthy manner.
“You are both psychos,” I said as I snatched my bag of chips from Jerald and walked away.
But what the hell is wrong with Hakeem?
His next action stuns me.