Seven

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           🧡Daniel💙

Dad: have you started the friendship yet? 

I didn't answer, I just faced my food 

Dad: Daniel 

I looked up 

Dad: you're joking with my business. 

I sighed

Me: how do you expect me to approach a girl for Friendship 

Dad: boys your age are experts in that 

Me: boys my age are stupid and idle. That's why 

Dad: I don't care how you want to do it. But make sure she comes here before the end of next week 

My eyes widened. Then I sarcastically said 

Me: oh come on 

This time he faced his food while I dropped my cutlery and stared at him 

Me: but... What if she doesn't want to make friends with me. Besides she might have heard about my character. I'm not nice 

Dad: then fix it. Make her see a good you. Look Daniel, Mr Del Solo should not get Mr Achimugu's partnership, you hear me? I need him in my company. Don't you know I'm relying on you, try to make this girl your friend. Get close to her family, that way I can build a friendship with her father over your own friendship 

Me: so you want our families to be friends in other to gain the partnership

Dad: exactly 

I sighed 

Me: okay, I'll talk to her today at school 

Dad: good 

I drank water and stood up 

Me: I'll be going now 

I bowed slightly and took my bag then left for school 

When I entered the class, I sighed and sat at the back where she usually sits. I felt cold blood being pumped from my heart. Each person that enters the glass gives me cold shivers. 

How should I even start? 

Hi, I'm Daniel. What's your name? 

I shook my head, I'm not that nice. And the whole class would stare at me, wondering if I'm in my right mind. 

I leaned back and stared at the door. Maybe I should meet her when she's alone. But how will I know when? I can't be following her around 

I squeezed my face and covered it with my palm. Then I felt someone standing in front of me, I removed my hand and almost hissed aloud

Agnes: Daniel I want to talk to you? 

Me: no, not in the mood 

She sat down beside me, the same place the black girl always sits 

Agnes: how are you 

Me: I'm not in the mood to talk 

Agnes: okay I'll let you be for now. But I'll see you later 

She stood up and went back to her usual seat at the front row. I scoffed and looked at the table, tapping my fingers on it impatiently 

Then two girls walked in, the black girl and Loretta. I sighed nervously. If she was a Filipina, it would be so damn easy to make her my friend. But her, the look of her face shows she's tough. And rich kids are usually tough

I sighed as she made towards the seat. My breathing rate doubled.

Then a hand pulled her back 

Loretta : let's stay in the front today 

I clenched my teeth. Spoiler 

I looked as they sat down. I saw Agnes looking at me through my peripheral vision. I slowly turned and looked at her. She glared at me then looked away 

What's this one thinking? I looked away from her. 

Miguel entered the class and saw me, he came and sat beside me 

Miguel: hey man

I didn't answer 

I was staring blankly at the board. 

Miguel: will you like to come to my house after school. My mom is going to prepare some chicken with coconut flakes 

I looked at him immediately. I'm so coming to his house 

    💙Unugwa🧡

I got dressed for school and strolled down the stairs to the dinning area. 

My family were all gathered, already eating. I guess I'm the late comer today

Me: good morning everyone 

Everyone answered me with smiles, everyone except Anibe who had eye bags and closing red eyes. 

I sat opposite him and a maid came up to dish out the food. I stared at him, did he party overnight again 

My little brother tapped me

Chubi : I think he's going to fall into that plate 

He was talking about Anibe who was gently dozing off with his head coming down. I chuckled and let my spoon fall on the floor. 

The bell-like sound jerked him up and he kicked his glass of water which poured out and spilled on him

Chubi and I laughed 

Dad: you will tell me the work I gave you to do overnight 

Anibe : I was doing my college assignment 

Everyone stopped eating and stared at him. Suddenly we all began to laugh including daddy

Anibe: what? 

Chubi : assignment? You? Assignment? 

Me: (amidst laughter) even Chubi knows you 

Mom: please, let him be. Anibe is beginning to change and we should all encourage him

Anibe: hey I'm not that lazy okay. I've been doing my.... 

Dad cleared his throat. Time to stop talking 

I smiled inwardly. Anibe might have lied or maybe not 

When breakfast was over, I gently stood up and took my bags 

Me: I'm off to school 

I pecked my little brother and headed out. Anibe was leaning against the wall outside 

Me: Mr assignment 

Anibe: the course representative is so pretty. I wanted to summit first you know 

I knew it. He's up to no good 

Me: and Demi? 

He scoffed. 

Me: I'm off to school 

Anibe: my regards to that girl. That classmate of yours

Me: she's just a teenager mister 

Anibe: last year, I was a teenager 

He winked at me. I rolled my eyes and walked to where my car was parked. I'm not allowed to drive her yet so I have a driver

Immediately I entered school, I met Loretta waiting for me 

Loretta : hey blackie

Me: hi whitie 

Loretta : haha, come on. Let's head out 

She held my hand and we hurried in, when we got to class. I saw Daniel sitting close to my seat. So I'm gonna seat beside him? I hope he doesn't yell at me 

Then Loretta pulled my hand 

Loretta : let's stay in the front today 

I nodded and we sat on the second row. 

Loretta : do you have plans after school today? 

Me: not really? Why do you ask? 

Loretta : so we'll go to a coffee shop. Or maybe a cake store

Me: uhh okay. What time? 

Loretta : immediately after school 

I bit my lower lip. Will dad permit that? Though he allowed me to do that in USA 

Me: no problem, we'll go 

Loretta : thank you 

She then began to arrange her books. I leaned back and played with my hair which was in a tie-up bun 

Andy came into class and sat in front of Loretta. I don't think he saw me or Loretta. 

Loretta : hey Andy. What's up with you this morning? 

He gently looked back and sighed softly 

Andy: oh ...you're here? 

Loretta : did someone annoy you? 

He smiled and shook his head 

Andy: I'm okay. 

He looked at my side and raised a brow 

Me: uhh hi 

He smiled sweetly 

Andy: hi

I smiled and looked at my fingers on the table. First time I spoke with him 

       💙Andy🧡

My dad came back this morning from Manila. His business meeting didn't go well and of course he lashed out the anger on me. Like I cursed his business 

Mom tried to cut him shut when he was complaining that I was a rebel and he slapped her . I became angry but I didn't know what to do 

I just left the house since I was already ready for school. 

When I entered class, I didn't see anyone. I only saw an empty seat and I sat down. I began to think why my father was becoming vulgar

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked back 

Loretta : hey Andy what's up with you this morning? 

I gently looked back. I didn't even know she was sitting there 

Me: ohh.. You're here? 

I guess the look on my face made I guess I wasn't okay

Loretta : did someone annoy you? 

I faked a smile 

Me: I'm okay 

My head diverted to the left and I saw the black girl biting her lower lip. Her hair was up in a loose bun and she was staring at me with bright eyes 

Girl: uh hi 

I smiled 

Me: hi 

She returned my smile and began to look at her fingers. I heard girls do that when they're nervous 

She's nervous? 

Loretta : how's Auntie 

Me: she's fine. 

I faced the board and heaved a deep sigh, putting all of today's home event behind me 

After class that morning, I headed for the photography class. I walked past Daniel without even acting like I knew him. I even purposely kicked down the book his friend was holding but I didn't look back. 

Just as I was about entering the class, Loretta came and asked for my phone 

Me: what for? 

Loretta : I forgot to do my Biology assignment and my phone's at home. Please lend me yours. 

I brought it out and gave it to her 

Me: but you won't be able to finish today and we're to summit it in two hours from now 

Loretta : I know. I'm going to summit it tomorrow or maybe next. I'll beg Unugwa to use her freedom card to take permission from the teacher. Bye and thanks for the phone 

She turned back and left. 

Did I hear right? The black girl has a freedom card? 

Me: Loretta wait....