Empire High School Episode 17

EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL Episode 17

By Ademide

Jeffrey’s POV
The moments we spent together at the Cinema was awesome! Kate finished her popcorn before mine, so i had to pass my popcorn to her. And several times we touched whenever we both end up dipping our hands into the bowl.
To be Honest, I was happy Kate agreed to ride in my car and watch a movie with us. Now I’m super excited Kate wants to come along to the mall!
“Let’s go to the book section first!”
Deji screamed when we all stepped into the Mall. I exchanged glances with Katherine to see if it was fine to pick out books for Deji first before buying our items. She answered with a short nod.
“Won’t we take pictures today? Mom always make a video of us too!” Semilore said when we got to the book section.
“I’ll definitely take pictures of you and Deji” I answered
Semilore jerked free and raced to Kate where she’d picked a novel. Deji was busy searching the small shelves. I was interested in Superstrikers comic books.
“Can I read that book too?”
I heard Semilore say to Kate.
My head snapped up from the book I was holding. My gaze locked with Kate’s. Semilore can be funny at times! She doesn’t think that she was still a little girl who needs guidance.
“You can’t read this sort of book”
“Why?”
“Its.. For older people” Kate replied
“I’m 5” Semilore grumbled
“You’re a little girl Semilore”
Oh! Oh! She shouldn’t have said those words to Semi.
“That’s not cool! I’m a big girl!” Semi Said loudly with her arms folded.
I hope she doesn’t throw up tantrums. She started to walk away.
Kate was stunned by Semilore’s attitude. I dropped the book and went to Kate.
“Sorry” I whispered before following Semilore.
“Baby, Kate didn’t mean to call you a little girl!”
“Don’t follow me or call me Baby!”
She screamed back at me
“You’re a big girl” I said the words her dad used to say to her.
She stopped on track
“I’ll get you a big girl story”
Then she faced me with a frown on her face.
“Come here” I called to her with a frown.
And slowly she walked back to me. I held her hand and took her to Kate who quickly focused on the novel in her hand.
“Apologize to Kate”
“I didn’t do anything wrong” Semilore said
“Its bad to raise your voice at an elderly one” I said
she shot me a sober look before looking on at Kate.
“I’m.. so.. Sorry..” She apologized
“No.. Offense” She stuttered
“Now lemme take you to the big girl section!”
I took Semilore to the shelf filled with animated princess Stories. Sofia the first, Cinderella and so on.
“You can read these ones”
Semi flashed me a bright smile. It’s so hard to understand this little girl. She claimed to be a big girl but she can’t hide her excitement anytime she sees books like Sofia the first!
“Oh! Wow!They are beautiful!”
“Pick out the ones you love” I said and walked back to Kate. I didn’t see any look of annoyance on her expression when Semilore screamed at her.
“I’m sorry about Semilore’s attitude”
“You really don’t have to apologize” she replied
I nodded
“You are going to read all of that..” I pointed to the five novels in her hands.
“Yes.. I need to kill boredom” she replied
“Don’t you have siblings?”
“I do.. But elderly ones who are not in the country”
“Oh! Last born?’
“Yeah and the only female child”
She gave me a small smile when she looked at me.
“Lucky you” i said
“Why?”
“You have siblings.. Big brothers who are ready to protect you”
Yeah! Big brothers are always overprotective!
“Well I wish I had younger ones like Semi and Deji. Atleast our house won’t be boring”
“So you read novels anytime you are bored at home”
“Not.. Really. And I read books at the school library”
Yea! I knew Kate was always leaving class to the library whenever we are free and Elena and Temi are in their classes.
“What about you?”she asked
“What?”
“You said Deji and Semi are your cousins”
I nodded
“They are Aunty Joke’s children. Do you remember her?” I asked
“The woman at the store”
I nodded again
“I thought she was your boss”
“No, she’s my Aunt” I replied
“Oh! Really! Actually, I thought you’re working for her. Perhaps are you attending EHS on welfare?”
“No.. Someone told you right?”
Deji’s voice Interrupted Kate when she was about to speak.
“I’ve picked out interesting ones!” he said loudly
We both looked at him.
Deji was holding few books in his hands.
“Me too!” Semilore waved hers in the air
“Are you done?!” I asked Kate
“Sure”
“Okay.. Kids let’s move on”
“I want cupcake Uncle Jeff. Can I get it?!” Semilore asked
“Sure” I replied
Then she and Deji raced off
“Lemme help you with the books”
“No need… thanks” she said we walked slowly to meet up with my cousins.
“That’s a silly rumor.. I mean am not attending EHS on welfare. And did they tell you am from an Orphanage home?”
She nodded
“Well I’m not from an orphanage home. I have my parents. They only said that because I don’t relate with anybody”
“Why?” She asked
I was silent
I didn’t want to discuss about my family with Kate. I wasn’t ready to tell her my mom’s death caused the sour expression.
“I Believe there’s a reason why you always move around looking unhappy” Kate stopped and stood in front of me. She covered the gap between us. We stood face to face.
“Even now, I can see the pain in your eyes. And I just hope that someday you will be able to take on the courage to talk about it” she bit her lower lip.
I stared at her!
Like I couldn’t believe kate was saying all these words to me.
“You see.. It doesn’t have to me but it could be someone else. And I think you’ll get better if you discuss it with someone” she said in a low tone
“Ahm.. I’ll join the kids”
She said with a half smile. Kate turned and walked away.
At that moment, I felt like telling her everything but I couldn’t.. Something kept holding me back.
Will I ever be able to summon that courage to tell someone about my pains and anger towards my father and Stepmom?
Even if I want to discuss it then it would definitely be Kate!
Two minutes passed before I joined Kate and my cousins. They already picked out items into their respective baskets. I could see the paper in Semilore’s hand as she jumped up in the air.
“Wow!you’re so pretty!” She exclaimed
Deji took a shot of Kate on my phone as she tiptoed to pick an item on a shelf. She stopped trying to look at Deji and semilore.
“Uncle Jeffrey come and see her” Semilore snatched my phone from Deji and rushed to me. She almost bumped into someone but she apologized in a rush.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?!” Deji was already with us. I collected the phone and looked at the image.
“I took a lot of pictures for you as she was helping us with our list” Deji whispered to me.
I don’t remember giving him the task of a photographer. Deji really tried, the pictures are cool!
“Thanks Bro” I said giving him a High five as I looked down at Kate’s unaware images on my phone.
“Are you done?” I asked Kate when we got to her. She was still trying to pick an item on the shelf.
“Yes but the shampoo” she pointed. I inched close to her. I accidentally brushed her side as i reached for the Shampoo. I felt her freeze on spot when I touched her and I managed to control the jolt of electricity that ran through my body in a rush.
Our gaze locked as I took the shampoo. Kate stepped aside from me. I wasn’t happy she moved away and I suddenly wished she could stay that way till I get the shampoo off the shelf.
“Here..” I gave it to her
Kate avoided an eye contact with me.
“Thanks” she said before dropping it in her basket on the floor. Deji was still taking pictures. I just hoped he snapped us when we were close.
“Let’s go to the payment desk Kids” I called out to them
“Won’t you take a better picture with her?” Semi said loudly.
We looked at each other. Kate wasn’t aware Deji was taking pictures of us cause he back was turned to them. Deji was smart enough to hide the phone when she turned to them.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea” she said
“Why?” Semi asked
“I don’t like.. Taking pictures. Its not my thing”
“Why?” Semi demanded again
Kate looked at me, her eyes begging me to save her.
“Ahmm Semi..”
“I’m not photogenic” she cuts in sharply
That’s not true! Kate was damn pretty in reality and in pictures! I don’t know where she got such impression!
“One shot..with uncle Jeffrey.. Please” Semilore pleaded
“It won’t take time” Deji screamed
Omo! Why Is everything working in my favour today?!
“Well..I don’t have any.. Choice” she responded
“Hurray! So stand together!” Semilore positioned Kate to my side.
“You look good together” A female shopper winked at us before walking away.
Wow! We look good together! Sounds good!
“Smile sister Kate!” Semi said as she walked back to us.
“Mom and dad used to hold hands, So uncle Jeff hold her hand..It will make the picture pretty!” She pushed my hand in Kate’s. And kate did the most surprising thing. She leaned into me, her arms going around me as she gave me a wink.
“Perfect!” They cheered
Unbelievable! She just touched me willingly!
“Just to make them happy.. ” she said
We all snapped pictures with Kate’s selfie stick which was in her bag.
Today was a great Day for Me!
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