Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Nathaniel seems to be very nice and considerate and I mentally scold myself for the way I acted towards him on our first meeting. Goodness knows what he thinks of me now.

The rest of the day goes smoothly and Nathaniel and I mostly chat the time away. Being a very social and jovial person, Nathaniel seems to hide behind me and ditch his newcomer title as he tries his best to be free and open to all those who show interest.

Unlike when I first met Victor, he is the one to start conversations.

Nathaniel is very free and also good-looking. He tells me about why his mother makes him carry the biggest bottle of Eva water around, his age, how many siblings he has, and the name of his old school, and that too without me asking.

He does not look Nigerian maybe that's why his surname is Briggs and his hair is extremely curly. Also his exceptional accent. But I know better than to ask. Not cause he won't tell but cause I do not want to seem like the nosy type.

Unlike Victor, he does not seize every opportunity to hold my hand. But he does not seat the right way, instead, he faces me and maintains that seating position for a long as possible.

I am beginning to sweat as there has been a power outage for quite some time and I always carry my bandana around. I reach into my bag and get it out. I then use it to clean my face.

While doing this, I can feel my system tense. My heart rate picks up and I begin to find it difficult to breathe so I drag as much air as possible in to fill my lungs, before letting it out again but this doesn't help.

I begin to sense prickles of sweat form on my forehead, neck, and along my back. I can't help the discomfort so I try to dry the sweat on my head with the bandana again.

Before all this, I saw Nathaniel staring at me While I drew my bandana out of my bag. My breathing is beginning to deteriorate and I need more air than I am getting.

I look up at the ceiling and give a deep sigh trying to let out as much air as possible to create more space for my next intake of air. Amidst all this, I can feel Nathaniels eyes on me but I dare not look at him. I begin to feel tears form in my eyes.

I don't know why, maybe cause I'm scared of being exposed, angry at the type of life I'm living, living with such a predicament for 14years and still no change, the fact that I do not know what caused this sudden attack or the fear of being mocked by Silvia.

All this comes together to form one big trigger for my tears.

My head is still facing the ceiling cause I fear that if I bring it down, my tears would pour uncontrollably anyways... My tears still fall but I catch it with my bandana when it has gotten halfway down my cheeks.

As I am dabbing at my tears, I take the bandana past my nose and my nostrils get filled with a familiar, pleasant yet discomforting sent. Then I realize it's my perfume!

Remember I said I don't like mild perfumes? well, my harsh pef is what is causing all this. Initially, whenever I spray my clothes, I put them out in the sun so that the air can work on it by reducing the strength of the pef but still leave it's sent but cause I was so excited yesterday, I forgot to put my uniform and bandana out after spraying.

I am nearing the point where I would start gasping for air. I throw my bandana on the floor cause I realized that it is what is making it hard for me to breathe.

All of a sudden a white handkerchief is stretched to me. I turn to see it's Nathaniel, he gives me a comforting smile and points at his handkerchief with his eyes.

I take it from him and put it over my nose, I begin to breathe in and the smell of fabric fills my nose. It's clear through its smell that it's new and hasn't been used. For some reason, the pure smell of the fabric seems to soothe the burning pain in my chest.

I hold this over my nose for quite some time and my breathing slowly returns to normal. All this time, Nathaniel does not take his eyes off me.

When I'm done, I hand his handkerchief back to him and he smiles;

"It may come in handy later so you should keep it. "I look at him wondering what he is going to use and he answers my question with yet another smile.

"No worries, I've got like three more in my bag. One for my shoes, one for my locker and seat, one for when I touch something nasty, and two for my face"

My eyes grow wide with alarm as I wonder which of the above I just used to clean my face and he laughs at the expression on my face and tells me.

"Nothing to worry bout pup. That's a new one. The one for my face that has been used is in my breast pocket."

I laugh a little to show the relief and as I am taking it back, I wondering if he just called me a puppy or if I heard wrong

" I also don't mind bringing another handkerchief to school tomorrow to get your autograph," He says

I laugh and ask "and why is that? "

"Is it wrong to have a damsel's autograph?" He says with a confident smile. I am beyond flattered and dumbfounded.

If I was fair, I am sure I would be as red as a tomato by now. One reason I thank God for my perfect skin color which hides a lot. I give a simple smile as I have nothing to say.

"Thank you," I say without making eye contact.

"Wanna talk bout it? " He asks and the concern in his voice seems truly genuine.

I look up at him and at Faith's seat. She isn't there and I thank God for that, although I do not know when she left. I just hope she didn't see me when I was

... Well... You know...

Perhaps he notices me looking at her seat and he says to me;

"No worries. Maybe some other time. "There is no trace of anger whatsoever in his voice. He is a nice person and seems super friendly.

He seems to notice I am staring at him and his cheeks flush. He is fair so it's very obvious.

It's so cute to watch a guy blush but... why is he blushing? Even if I was staring, that's not enough to make him blush.

He is very nice and now I don't know what to do. A few minutes ago, I was sure that I would stand him up as soon as Victor shows up, but now... I'm not so sure...

The school has been dismissed. The bell has been rung and now it's time to go home. Nathaniel waves me goodbye as he walks out of the class. He lives close by but his driver still comes to pick him up. His parents are known for maintaining personal hygiene so they don't think it's a bright idea to have their son cramped in a bus with so many other kids or have him walk home on the road when kidnappers are everywhere.

Another info he let me in on without me asking.

On the bus, I tell Faith about my uncertainty and confusion at the moment. About how I don't know if to stand Nathaniel up or if to leave him be. About how I am not certain about my feelings for Victor. About how I'm not sure if Nathaniel likes me. About how I am not sure if I am just making a mountain out of a molehill, and about the possibility of both victor and Nathaniel turning out to like me. Who would I pick... And why?... And what if I end up liking both of them like in those teen novels.

These were all questions that had popped up in my mind over just two days and over two boys that possibly do not see things the way I see them.

Although I am dead serious, Faith takes the matter with much Facetiousness and this makes me get angry cause my best friend is unable to see my plight.

She seems to see that she has angered me and tries to be a bit more serious to calm me.

"Look, sis... There ain't no need to get yourself worked up about two stranger boys you just met. I mean... If anything was meant to be... It would be. And if not... Who are we to argue with Fate? I mean... You're pretty, kind, nice, intelligent... Ugggh... I can't go down fa la la lane right now trying to list the endless abilities you have.

(I am flattered). All you have to do is be yourself, let life roll, do not push anything.... cause no offense sis buh... You are really cheesy, do not be bias in your judgment, and get some popcorn and soda and watch the movie life chooses to present. And of course, do not forget to chip in where needed." she finishes off with a broad smile that shows satisfaction.

She is proud to have hit the nail on the head and she did. Faith is more mature than I am in experience, age, and mentality. I am 14 and she, 15...

I give a smile back and lay my head back to let all she said sink in. But how do I tell her? ... How do I tell her that I don't want fate to be against Victor and me... How do I tell her that I want Victor? How do I say it and still make sense? And not sound like a lunatic that I am sure I sound a lot like.

Showing this much desire for a guy I just met... And Nathaniel, he is soo nice... Do I just overlook his qualities because I like Victor?

My feelings are all jumbled up and I need to clear them out. These boys may not see me the way I see them so why am I being so overdramatic about it? I am indeed cheesy.

Let's see... Only time would expose what life has in store for me.

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