Chapter 45 WINKS AND WARNING
Godiva POV
“How did you know Leo and Lis signed up?” I asked.
“It’s everywhere in school, dude. Everyone knows about it,” he said nonchalantly.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked nonchalantly, as though his plan didn’t matter to me, but deep inside I was excited.
“I’ll tell you my plan only after you tell me why you shut me out in class today,” he whispered in an unusually serious tone.
“Mtcheww,” I hissed and turned back to Jenny, ignoring him after he said that.
“I mean it. Tell me why, and I’ll give you a perfect plan to deal with both of them,” he said, sounding like a villain and even more serious.
I didn’t want to say anything about it, but remembering the confidence Lis used in saying Jerald would cheer her on provoked me to speak.
“Why wouldn’t I shut you out when the alliance formed against Dina and me was all because of you?”
“Why do you think it’s because of me?” Jerald asked. “Leo is your foe. Why didn’t you see it as Leo paying you back for embarrassing him?”
“That’s because Lis mentioned you in the conversation, and if Lis wasn’t hell bent on destroying me because of you, that alliance wouldn’t have been possible,” I replied. “Plus, Leo also doesn’t like you,” I reminded him, making both of us burst out laughing.
“But on a more serious note, why do you think Lis is doing anything to you because of me?” he asked.
I kept mute and turned back to check Jenny’s progress with the exercise I had given her. While checking her work, I kept contemplating whether to continue the discussion or just leave it at that.
“Apparently, someone sent her a picture of us in the bus and they fed her with lies of us flirting during the school trip,” I said suddenly.
I could see shock written all over his face as he kept silent, probably trying to process everything.
“Is that the only reason?” he asked, looking unconcerned.
“Isn’t that reason enough?” I asked angrily.
“Wow!” Jerald exclaimed, taking a deep breath.
“I didn’t know there was ever a confrontation like that. I’ll clear the air so this drama stops,” he said, looking pale.
“Thank you,” I replied keenly. “So over to you.”
The manner in which Jerald burst out laughing told me he had just tricked me to hear all that happened and didn’t have any plan at all.
“Wow, can’t believe I fell for your trick again,” I said, sounding very upset.
“Take a deep breath, Diva X. You weren’t totally tricked,” he said, trying hard to stop himself from laughing.
“What I have is more of an advice than a plan,” he managed to say.
“I don’t care,” I thundered, turning to Jenny, who was equally laughing.
“I’ll let you in on the advice when you close tutorial for the day,” he said as he walked out of the study.
It was as though he laid ambush waiting for me. He popped out of nowhere, making me jumpy, just when I was about closing the door.
“You tried running away, which makes us even,” he said, stretching his hand to me for a handshake, which I ignored.
We walked for a few minutes in silence before he finally spoke.
“Can I now give my advice?”
“No one stopped you from talking,” I arrogantly responded.
“So here’s what I have to say about Leo and Lis alignment. Firstly, don’t get intimidated by them. Instead, see it as a challenge. To be sincere, you’re better in math than the two of them combined, not to talk of Dina, whom you’re partners with. You’re the best in math at our school, Dina is the third best, Leo is just the second best, and Lis is not even amongst the best ten. I even perform better than her, and you know the winner is definitely coming from our school since we are the best in the state, so why worry?” he asked.
I looked at him in shock. I never thought Jerald had a mature and collected side to him.
“Well, if they are able to manipulate their way into registering even after registration has ended, what makes you think they can’t manipulate the results?” I said, throwing a question back at him.
“Manipulating the result is almost impossible, so form a strong alliance with Dina and double your study too,” he said.
“Wow!” I exclaimed, clapping. “What a wonderful speech,” I teased, making him smile. We kept discussing random things, mostly about the school trip.
“Anyways, see you at school tomorrow,” he said with a wink as he turned to leave.
He walked me home, winked at me, and left me close to the bridge separating our side of town.
“AHHHH!” I screamed aloud the moment I crossed the bridge to the slum area. “How can someone be that beautiful and still know how to wink?” I spoke aloud to myself.
I stopped abruptly the second I noticed people giving me an eye that was only given to mentally disabled patients. That was when I realized I was still in the streets and was acting crazy.
“Babe, babe, watch this,” I said, attempting to wink at Dina, who was obviously not in my mood.
“What made you so excited?” Dina said, still sounding distraught.
“Jerald cleared all of my fears,” I said excitedly, holding her hands tightly.
“Really!” she exclaimed.
“Yes, girl,” I replied as I updated her on all Jerald said. “So have no fears, girl. Our results cannot be manipulated easily,” I added, hugging her.
Seeing her release a calm smile, I asked again, “What do you think about my wink?” attempting to wink again.
“What is this, dude?” Dina asked, looking at me disgusted.
“How can one person be so cute, having dimples and can wink at the same time!” I screamed while pretending to be in tears.
“You’re finished, bro,” Dina nodded from left to right and walked out of my room. I ran after her and kept shouting in her ear until she took off and I chased after her.
.............
I went to school the next day without Dina. I needed to start preparing for the competition. I was surprised when I saw Jerald already in class and on my seat.
“What are you doing so early in school?” I asked him, looking shocked.
“I knew you’d come early after our talk yesterday,” he replied, smiling.
“Have a seat,” he said, pointing to the chair opposite mine.
I sat down, still looking confused.
“You are really beautiful,” Jerald said, looking me in the eyes.
Shying away, I said, “That’s random.”
“It isn’t. I’m just telling you my heart,” he said.
Silence fell in the class. All I could hear was the loud sound of my heart beating. My heart began beating even faster the second he approached me with his lips and eyes closed, ready for a kiss.