EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL Episode 15

EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL Episode 15 BY ADEMIDE

Katherine’s POV
I awoke to a cool morning. It was Thursday. I lay on my bed in silence for a moment. Thinking again of the face of the handsome black guy I saw at the MiniMart yesterday. Jeffrey! I thought of him before I drifted into sleep minutes after mom exited my room.
Jeffrey looked different on Mufti. So fresh looking, cute nose, tall with well built body features (tight muscles and broad shoulders)
I was indeed surprised to see Jeffrey at the Minimart. It seems that woman who introduced herself as Aunty Joke was his boss.
Does it mean that Jeffrey works to sustain himself?
Since Cullen once told me that People thinks Jeffrey attends EHS on welfare.
Was he really from a poor background?
I pondered deeply
I groaned in frustration when I recalled how I’d acted like a Fool! I couldn’t get my words out properly.
And I was fine with Aunty Joke before Jeffrey joined us. A sour expression and i noticed his eyes were red.. Like he had cried.
Kate you are so stupid! Acting like a dummy!
I slapped my cheeks
“How could you let go of such an opportunity?” I said
The truth was I’ve always wanted to speak to Jeffrey but it seems he wasn’t interested in being friends with anybody. Everytime we meet, all I do was stare and stare I did like an idiot as I tried to get words pass the tightness in my throat and Jeffrey ends up walking away from me. And I’m not always happy eactlh time he does it. He should have given me more time to pull my words together.
“What about yesterday? He greeted you but all you did was stare at the counter. He tried to talk to you but you ran off like someone who had seen a ghost”
I was so embarrassed!
I groaned again
“God, let there be another chance” I prayed in my mind. What?! Why am I praying to God because of Jeffrey?!
What the hell was wrong with me?
I can’t seem to get him out of my head.
I suddenly thought of visiting the store again just to see Jeffrey.
Do I want to see him?
Yes!
But it so sad that I can’t leave home. Where would I tell my parents I’m headed?
Dad would definitely add to my punishment if he finds out am visiting the store just to see a boy!
I slapped myself again
“Stop thinking about Jeffrey! You’re in school to read your book, mind your business and pass your exams”
I reminded
Then I heard footsteps by my door, followed by a soft knock.
“Come in” I said
And my mom walked in
“Good Morning Mom”
“How was your night?”
“I’m fine Ma”
She came to my bed and hugged me.
Mom drew back and stared at me
“What happened to your face?”
I touched my face
“I mean your cheeks.. I can see red lines on them”
Oh! I’ve been slapping my cheeks out of frustration and anger towards myself for behaving like a fool!
“It wasn’t there last night” she said
I sank under my blanket and covered my face.
“Did you hit your face?” Mom asked with a concerned tone
“You don’t want to know mom” I said
She pulled at the blanket but I held on tightly.
“Kate you know that you can always tell me anything” she persuaded
“Yes, I know but its different now”
“How?” She asked
I removed the blanket and pushed myself up to a comfortable sitting position.
“I hit myself out of frustration”
“What frustration?.. And why?”
“Oh mom.. I’m not okay”
She flared up and moved closer to me, checking my eyes, palms and temperature.
“Kate I trust you but you need to tell me what’s going on” she panicked
“Mom, I’m not sick..Or pregnant” the words rolled off my tongue.
She let out a sigh of relief
I stared at her and said
“I need to ask you something”
I needed to know what was true, if my mind was alright too.
“Go on.. I’m listening”
She said
“You see.. ” I paused and bit my lower lip
“What does it mean… when you see someone..No.. I mean.. Oh Mom -” I closed my eyes
Should I tell her about it?
What if it turns out to be a thing that is very bad to her?
My mom held my hands and squeezed them gently.
“No secrets” she reminded
I reopened my eyes and exhaled deeply.
“There’s a boy in my class named Jeffrey but everyone at school call him Ghost”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t talk to anybody” I explained Jeffrey’s personality to her.
“I feel concerned about him about him, and I think there’s more to that sad look”
“So have you tried talking to him?”
“Yes but each time I try, I can’t seem to get my words out. I saw him at the store yesterday, Jeff spoke to me for the first time but I couldn’t say anything and I ran out of the store”
I placed my head on the headboard.
“How do you feel anytime you see him? I mean do you have any special feelings whenever you see him”
“Yes Mom”
“A feeling you get anytime you are with other boys?”
“No! Its different”
“Your heartbeat rapidly like it going to pop out and you feel drawn to him. And you wish that you could just get him to talk to you”
“Yes…”
A smile formed on her lips.
“Mom this is not a time to joke”
I couldn’t talk to Jeffrey but I was happy he spoke to me. I existed for that momet as I fought the urge to touch his face. I felt this jolt of electricity run down my spine as my fingers brush his when I snatched the money from him.
“Mom.. What’s going on with me?”
She was silent
“Mo.. ooommmm” I was almost crying.
She spread her arms out and I hugged her.
“Morenikeji Mi, humans only have this feeling when they’re falling in love”
“What?!” I pulled away from her quickly
She nodded
“That’s imposible!” I said
“It’s possible you’re falling for Jeffrey”
“Oh no.. Why is everything so complicated?”
I fell back on my bed
“Falling in love wasn’t on my plan”
“You can’t do anything about it. Human are bound to fall in love”
Now I was falling in love with the school most gentle boy.
What if he doesn’t feel the same for me? And he was secretly in love with another girl in class?
That means unrequited love again!
I so much hate it!
“Falling in love isn’t a bad thing. You only have to control yourself so you won’t end up doing the wrong thing..like falling into sin all in the name of love” my mom said
I sat up quickly and shot her a pleading look.
“Mom don’t tell dad I’m in love with a boy in my class” I pleaded
“Come on..This is between us”
I hugged her
“Thanks Mom”
“Don’t let that feeling distract you. Remember old soldier want the best result”
“Yes Mom”
“Don’t let love get into your head”
“But.. Mom don’t you think I should avoid Jeffrey”
“Why?”
“I’m just thinking about it.. Avoiding him..might..kill the.. Feelings”
“That’s not a right thing to do. Aside loving him, you know Jeffrey needs someone to help him out of that lone shell. So why don’t you work on getting close to him so you can find out why he’s unhappy?” Mom said
“Okay.. I’ll try”
She hugged me again. I was feeling thankful to God for giving me such a good and caring Mother.
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Jeffrey’s POV
I pushed myself up and got out of bed when i remembered that Aunty Joke was coming to our home this morning.
Last night i thought of Kate till I fell asleep. I apologized to my dad and Stepmom when I came in last night but I didn’t eat her food because I ate bread and groundnut before closing the shop. My dad called my aunt to confirm if I was telling the truth and Aunt joke told him I had taken dinner. And she used that chance to tell him that I would be staying at her place till monday. Dad said there was no problem. I packed my clothes into an hold all bag last night, fully prepared to work on my well structured plans.
“Jeff”
My step mom called behind the door. I went to the door and opened it.
“Good Morning Jeff” she greeted
I flashed her a half smile
“How was your night?”
“Fine..Thanks”
She was happy I apologized to her last night. Dad made me promise him that I would be nice to his wife. And I did even though I won’t be all that nice to her. I still don’t trust her.
“Your Aunt is here” she said
“Oh tell her I’ll be downstairs soon”
I said and closed my door before she could say anything. I took a quick shower and opted in for a blue fitted jeans and black Louis Vinton top.
I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed few slices of bread and a cup of tea. I carried it to the dinning room. I saw Aunty Joke, she came with semilore.
“Uncle Jeffrey!” She rushed to me
Semilore was 5years old.
“Hey baby cousin!” I gave her a high five and carried her up in my arms as I made my way to the sitting room.
“Good Morning Dad” I greeted him
“Uncle Jeffrey are you coming to our home today?”
“Yes.. Aunty good morning”
“How are you?”
“Fine”
Semi clapped her hands excitedly.
“She didn’t allow me to rest after I told her you are coming to stay with us. She insisted that she wants to come with me to your place”
Aunty Joke explained
“I thought she was playing me again” Semilore said
And he laughed
“Semi the smart girl” my dad said
“Where is your bag?” Semi asked
“Its in my room”
“Are you ready to leave?” Aunty Joke asked
“Yes.. But I want to eat breakfast”
“I prepared rice and I dished yours in the cooler” my Stepmom said
“I’m fine with bread and tea. I don’t want to eat rice”
“Okay” she answered
“Go and eat” Aunty joke said
I moved away from them and I heard Aunty Joke apologizing to my stepmom. I placed Semilore on a chair and gave a slice of bread before I settled to eat my food.
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Katherine’s POV
It was Friday. I turned off the shower and stepped out of the bathroom only to find Pat in my room with my clothes neatly folded in her hands.
“Sorry Kate for coming in without your permission. I came in when I didn’t get any response”
“It’s okay Nanny Patricia” I said
She dropped the clothes in my wardrobe.
“Your dad wants to see you” she said
“Okay.. Please tell him I’ll be out soon”
She nodded and moved out of the room. My dad was traveling to Malaysia today on a business trip while mom was leaving to check the affairs of her boutique in Kaduna.
They were seated in the sitting room with their bags by their sides. I knew they would be gone for about 2-3 weeks.
“We’re leaving” my mom said
I nodded
She came to me and dropped few notes in my hands.
“Manage this token, I’ll send more into your account when I get to Kaduna”
“Thanks Mom”
Pat dragged their bags out of the house.
“Come closer” My dad ordered
“You’ve started again old soldier, give her what you have and stop scaring child with that voice” Mom said with a frown.
“Pele o Iya omo”
He opened his suitcase and brought out a bundle of money. I watched him count #15,000.
“This is your allowance for the last 6 weeks” he said
I was stunned
I exchanged glances with my mom. She signaled to me to collect it.
Dad said no allowance and now he was giving me my allowance. He counted another #10,000.
“Use this to sustain yourself in case you need to buy anything at school”
Another shocker!
I collected the money.
“I’ll send more money to your account if I don’t return in two weeks time”
I went on my knees and thanked him.
And while on my knees, dad did the most surprising thing.. He brought out my cellphone!
I tried to control myself myself from screaming out loud!
“You can have your cellphone before this woman will kill me. Look she has refused to give me my right because of you” He said
Mom laughed
“I know that’s your weakness” she said
“Thanks dad” I gave him a quick hug.
Has he forgiven me? I wondered
“We’ll talk when I return but for now stay safe and be a good girl” he said
I nodded
He stood up
“Don’t forget I want the best from you”
He gave me a stern look
“I’ll try my best” I said with a huge smile.
Dad moved out of the house.
“Thank you Mom!” I hugged her
“Anything for you Sunshine” she drew back and pinched my cheeks gently.
“I’m so happy Mom”
“Same here.. Even though I didn’t get to tell him the truth but I managed to persuade him to take back his rules”
“I love you too. Don’t forget to go and save your money in the bank”
“Can I go today?”
“Of course.. Just keep a token at home. And am sorry to inform you, no private car yet, Yusuf is coming with me to Kaduna but I promise you’ll have him back when I return home”
“No problem Mom”
“Take care of yourself and stay safe” she kissed my forehead.
And I followed her to the car. I thanked them before Yusuf drove out of the compound.. Now it was just me, Pat and Shehu(the gateman)
“Nanny I need to get to the bank” I said to pat
“Okay” she replied
I raced to my room to switch on my phone. I stuffed my money in a cross bag and changed my clothes to a better outfit. I will have a good time at the Cinema after saving some of the money in the bank.
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Thanks for reading!
Hmm Mrs Adebowale knows the Key to get her husband ? look at how he gave up easily because she refused to give him… Lemme not talk because of the children reading this Story ?
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