Chapter 20: Chapter 20

NINETEEN- PARTNERS

I walked inside the house with dozie trailing behind me.kelechi and Uju stared at us with a questioning look but the difference was that while Uju had a small smirk playing on her lips, kelechi was busy glaring at dozie who seemed abit amused at the glare.

That's good anyway cause as crazy as kelechi was I hope dozie would match up to his craziness.

I introduced " ahem..Uju, kelechi.meet dozie mattew from Berley high and he's also my classmate..."

"... study partner and boyfriend " he added with a wink and that earned him a slap at his head

" ouch what was that nah?" He whined and I glare at him

" stop dreaming of me becoming your girlfriend. You know that's the least impossible thing to do shebi "

He smirked.tugging his hands in his pocket " least impossible huh?"

I rolled my eyes at him and faced kelechi and Uju " don't mind the idiot..we are just study partners for the presentation "

" what presentation? " kelechi asked. Eyeing dozie

" it's something we are going to do at Melviks High..." I responded

" okay ooh..presentation is it? Mimi..take care " Uju said in a singsong tone .standing up from the couch which she sat earlier as she gave me a lopsided grin

" you two should start.I'll be here watching " kelechi said and I quickly shot him a glare

" no worries. It's not like I plan to get into her pants anyway " dozie said smirking and my mouth hang open

" you wouldn't dare " kelechi said in a threatening manner

" trust me. I wouldn't...she'll personally kill me before you even do it " Dozie replied using his arms to wrap around his torso

Kelechi grinned " you're good man.but I'm still watching you " he used his index fingers to point at his eyes and then back at dozie's before leaving the sitting room

I sighed " what was all that ?"

" you're bro is cool tho..just when I thought I'd die from his death glare he actually grinned " he said with a small smile

I laughed " he's totally being lenient with you.you need to see him wading off toasters "

" right.no wonder you never had a boyfriend "

" who says I never did ? " I asked with a hint of amusement laced in my voice

" you..with your a brother like that.it's totally impossible " he said and I laughed

" you're right though " I looked up at him " how about you? Did you have a girlfriend ?" I asked

He shrugged " maybe yes.maybe no " he answered not looking at me

" what does that reply mean ?" I asked and he turned to me with a mischevious glint

" it means get your book let's start our work " he replied and I huffed

" I was starting to wonder if it was a new you that I was talking to..turns out that you're still the jerk " I said sighing and he laughed

" chin chin.. what's with the nicknames today.at one point I'm called a demon and the next I'm the jerk " he feigned a whine

" what's with your own nicknames. Tell me who calls another,chin chin?..you deserve all nicknames I give you sha " I replied and he shrugged

" really. Tsk tsk.that's why you're my chin chin anyway...how's your cramps?"he asked

" I'm better. "

" maybe that kiss was a healing kiss I guess " he said not looking at me as I smack his head

" ouch..what nah?" He whined with his pink lips formed into a pout.I felt my gaze linger on it before I gulped. Lazily tearing my eyes away from his lips as I stood up abruptly

" I'll go and get my books " I said. Walking away to my room

*****

" so my sister now has a boyfriend?" Uju said with a small mischevious smile

I rolled my eyes at her " I told you not to listen to him.he says things like that when truly nothing is going on between us "

She laughed " hmm..so there is an 'us' nah "

" I didn't mean that..as in nothing is going on between dozie and I.geez" I say raising my hands in frustration

" that means you want something to go on between both of you " she said smirking

" when did I say something like that?"

" I don't know but by your looks and all.that's the implication of your statement " she replied and I huffed

" why does it feel like I'm wasting my time trying to get you to understand me " I said more to myself as I grabbed my book along with me

" keep denying it. He's so good looking I wonder why you're wasting time sef" she said

" you of all people should give me a good advice " I muttered and she chuckles

" it's all for the best kid sis. " she replied ad she laughed out

She's been in a good mood today.I wonder who buttered her cake anyway.

*****

" that took longer than expected. It's not like your house is that big " dozie said as soon as I came out

" of course. It's nothing compared to your house " I replied.I've been to dozie's house before. That was in SS1, when the guys hosted a party there.also dozie had been to my house but he never got in cause I never gave him a chance to.but today was quite different

" don't get me wrong.your house is beautiful " he complimented and I smiled

" thank you.so let's get started. What and what are the topics we are to choose from? "I asked

" cultural appropriations. Art therapy or.." he paused and riggled his eyebrows " candy striper"

I gave him a stink eye "ewww....pervert"

He laughed " seriously!!!"

" let's just choose simple topics like how to save money and effects of drug abuse, sexual harassment and fight against bullies..." I paused then wriggled my eyebrows at him "...like you "

He held his hands to his chest in mock hurt " I'm so disappointed...you think I'm a bully ?"

" why else would I get into trouble if not for you...problems with that ecomns teacher, food and nut, you staining my uniforms...c'mon..." my voice trailed off and he chuckled

" well..isn't it obvious? " he asked giving me an intense gaze. I coughed nervously

" obvious that what?" I asked. He stared at me not tearing his eyes from mine as though he wanted me to read something from his gaze.then as if he suddenly remembered himself. He quickly looked away

" You're so dense..let's just go ahead with the project anyway " he said and I hiss

" so..are we going with the ones I mentioned. Besides, students need to know these more..." I said

"Chin chin do you hate me that much? " he asked and I titled my head to one side

" maybe yes.maybe no " I replied and he smiled seeing that I used his words against him

" that explains why you want principal Jordan to chop off our heads" he replied

" okay..so.I guess we are going with..."

".....candy striper "

" pervert!!!! "

" another nickname " he replied smirking and I huffed

" we are going with cultural appropriation "

"Or.... "He drawled

"Or your head " I snapped and he laughed

" why do you hate the candy striping topic ?" He asked and I bit my lips from replying him

" strippers I think " I said and he raised his eyebrows at me

" if you think..the school wouldn't want us to go talking about strippers in another school " he said

It really made sense and I face-palmed my face in embarrassment

" yeah..."

" so you see..you're more perverted in thinking " he said smirking and I throw him a punch as he laughed

" so what's candy striping? "I asked

" candy striping is a kind of hospital volunteer which started in the 1994 in East Orange in U.S..they kind of help with janitorial duties like stripping and remaking beds with clean linens, help visitors transport lab specimens and others so long as they're helping around the hospital "

" why is it called candy striper then?"

" cause of their uniforms which was red and white stripped. You know those red and white stripped candies " he said and i nodded

" wow..should I ask how you knew about this ?" I asked with a smirk

" I read alright..." he replied feigning a hurt look and I laughed

"Anyway nice info..but let's choose another topic " I said

" and that is?"

" Art therapy...let's use that.." i said with a small smile and his expression morphed into that of a thankful one. He suddenly pulled me into a hug

I was startled. As I inhaled the floral scent of rose and lily.he smelt so much like fresh-cut flowers which had a soothing effect

" thanks...."

" for what...?"I asked still startled

" for saying that " he muffled into my hair as I smiled. Why was he so happy about it anyway.

" what the fuck is going on there ?? "A stern voice called making both of us to pull off