Empire High School Episode 9

Empire High School Episode 9

Katherine’s POV
“Kate! Kate! Kate!” I heard my name as I made my way out of class. I turned and Emeka was there. He waved but I continued walking.
What does he want from me?
“Hello” he said when he got to my side
I didn’t respond
“Are you heading home now?” He asked
No response came from me as I stared at the road ahead.
“Come on Kate.. ” he blocked my pathway. I tried to move away but he blocked me. And on the third trial, I gave up and folded my arms.
“What do you want?” I asked with a frown on my face.
“Listen to me Kate, I’m a very nice guy even though am a bit rowdy and noisy for your gentle soul” he said
“Go straight to the point. I’m running late”
I checked my wrist watch 4:10pm
“Okay.. Okay.. Why don’t just move together? I have a Car, so lemme give you a ride home” He said calmly
And wow! I have never seen him this cool or talk gently like this before! Emeka was a never the cool sort! And he was fond of speaking pidgin! But right now, I’m seeing a different Emeka!
I studied his expression
“So what do you say? ” he asked
Well I wasn’t interested in driving in his car!
“Please.. Trust me I mean no harm” he raised his hands up in surrender.
I was interrupted by someone calling my name again. This time I knew who it was.Elena.
“Hi girl” Elena said
Temi was there too
“We looked for you in class” Temi said
“Sorry.. But I thought you girls left with Jones the other time” I said
“Yes, Mr Danny called us to help him record Junior class Maths scripts” Temi said with a loud sigh
“So where is Jones? ” I asked “He is not coming with me today, He’s in for the final basketball practice. So Elena offered to give me a ride in her car” Temi explained
I knew Elena had a car but she wasn’t the driving it. A driver picks and drops her at school like some other students. Temi was always going home on Jones Scooter and sometimes her own power bike. She’s weird right? But she own a Power bike and she could drive it.
“Lemme drop you off at the junction” Elena offered
I looked at Emeka who was still waiting for a response from me.
What do I do?
He was really polite towards me and turning him down like that seems harsh. And at the same time I couldn’t bring myself to say no to Elena because i had turned down her request so many times before now.
“Its okay if you want to go with them” Emeka soft voice snapped me out of thought. I didn’t know what to say to him.
“I understand.. The girl’s thing. You girls might need to discuss some big issues and I’m sure you don’t want to miss out in the gist” he said with a smile.
I nodded
“We can do that some other time” he said again
And I nodded again
“Bye Girls” he waved and walked off.
“What were you guys discussing?” Temi asked
“I was also surprised to see you with him” Elena added
Then my voice returned to it box. And I told them about it.
“So would you have said yes to him if we didn’t show up?” Temi asked
I was Indecisive about it.. But I would have agreed if Emeka had pestered me politely if they didn’t show up.
Hold up.. What would people think?.
A big No for Emeka!
“Thank God you girls showed up. I can’t imagine the look on his face if I’d rejected him even after he asked politely”
“But.. that’s weird. Emeka didn’t relate with pidgin and he even acted calm” Elena wondered
“He didn’t even interrupt our discussion” Temi clapped her hands
“Oh Lord please let Emeka continue to began like this o” Elena prayed
“Yeah it suit him perfectly” Temi said
And we laughed
?
Emeka’s POV
I was super excited after my discussion with Kate. It wasn’t hard to talk to her but it was only hard to get her to talk back. I realized that acting cool would grant me an audience with Katherine and it really worked!
My initial plans was to give her a ride, discuss about things… Like I’m sure Kate would be interested in school stuffs so i was prepared for it and probably finding out where she stays. And I felt it, Kate wanted to say yes but I sensed she was doubting me. Then Elena and Temi interrupted us and ruined my plans. I would have convinced her in a gentle manner until she accepts my free ride. I guess I really pulled up a good act back there since she didn’t yell at me. And I kinda notice the sorry look on her face after I asked her to go with her friends. I really wanted to hear say something..Atleast a word to be sure she won’t turn me down next time. All she did was nod her head in response.
I danced into the locker room to share the good news to my closet buddy Joseph. He was alone in the room when I came in. His palms pressed together.
“Oh boy wetin do you?Practice time never reach?” I asked
“Emeka, I’m not happy”
He said in a low tone
“Why?” I sat down beside him on the lone beach in the room.
“Angella won’t let me rest in peace”
“Wetin the girl do you again?”
“She complained that
I’ve changed and she thinks am seeing Kate” Joseph rubbed his palm furiously.
“Kate? Which Kate?” I asked
I was a bit confused
“The same Katherine Adebowale”
I scratched my neck
“Ehn.. are you seeing Kate?”
Jospeh hissed and stood up
“You know Angella and her silly assumptions” he said
Joseph opened his locker to change into his Jersey.
“Oh boy..This one wey Angella dey assume -” I stopped
I hope it isn’t true! Angella wouldn’t have said anything to him if she hasn’t noticed his change in attitude truly.
I thought deeply
“Everytime she does that.. Whoever is involves isn’t safe” I completed
He nodded in agreement
Angella must be planning against Kate, just to keep Joseph. Mehn! This is an advantage for me o!
“Oh boy no think am..”
“I’m concerned” he said
“About Who? Kate or Angella?”
“Kate”
Why?.. Why Kate and not Angella?!
“You know Angella very well. I’m afraid she might try to hurt Kate”
“Ehn Joseph.. You too stay away from the girl na. See don’t let Angella matter distract you o. Remember we have to collect Cup tomorrow” I reminded
“So no let one girl matter collect cup for your hand” I added
He nodded
“That reminds me, you danced in the other time Like you were happy about something” Joseph Said
“Oh boy! Na good news!” My smile grew broader at the image of Kate’s beautiful face in my mind’s eye.
“Tell me about it” Joseph laced his sneakers. And I pondered if I should tell him.
“Are you keeping secrets Emeka?”
“Sho see you o! You be my bestest so I can’t hide anything from you”
“Well thank goodness you know that”
“I got the chance to talk to Kate today” I said
It was better to talk him so he won’t forget I liked Kate and end up liking her too. He better stick to his girlfriend Angella. I won’t even bother him about breaking up with her or finding him a good girlfriend.
So I told Joseph how It happened. He stared at me.
“Sounds like a plan” he whispered
“It was actually my plan”
“But she rejected you” he said in a sarcastic tone.
I frowned at him.
“She didn’t reject me”
“Well to me it looks like rejection”
He placed his hand on my shoulder blade.
“Do you think Kate would say yes to if you asked her out?”
I didn’t respond
Joseph laughed
“Oh boy try another babe” He said and moved out of the room.
I clenched my fist as fury crashed over me. Joseph looked down on me! He was so full of himself, always thinking that he was the best in everything. I felt Joseph was hiding something. On a normal ground, the way we used to do as friends, if we are crushing on any girl we’d help each other. I’ve helped Jospeh with many girls even though he was in a relationship with Angella. Now he was different, acting strange in my own turn.
I would definitely surprise Joseph! I was determined to prove to him that I wasn’t dumb. I stormed out of the locker room, deciding that I would get close to Kate, even though it wouldn’t be on a relationship level.. Just being friends with her was fine with me.
?
Katherine’s POV
It was the D-Day for the Basketball competition. Kingsley Academy Basketball Players arrived about an hour before the set time. They came with few of their students too.
“We’ll flog them today” Elena said as we walked down the crowded hallway.
“Better don’t make mouth yet” I said
“No I’m not making mouth, its what I know” Elena replied
“She’s right. We won against them in mathematics competition” Temi said
“40 points” Elena added
And they laughed.
“Hmm you better pray for your players. This isn’t Mathematics but Basketball. And Some of those schools that are not academically buoyant, they always turn out the best in sport activities”
I said
“You’re right but stop being pessimistic” Temi said
“I believe with Joseph on the team EHS will get the cup. Mark my words” Elena said
There she goes again.. Mrs James!
I stopped walking and said
“You girls can go ahead to the court”
They stopped too and looked at me.
“Aren’t you coming with us?”
“Uhmm.. I’ll join you”
“Where are you going?” Elena asked
I’d picked interest in a novel I saw in the library “One Night”. I wanted to complete it before the end of the day. Going to watch the game won’t make me achieve it. And I can’t scream to encourage the players.
“I want to buy something at the tuck shop” I lied
I can’t tell them my plans to go to the library. They will drag me along with them again.
“Let’s all go together” Temi said
Oops! That not cool!
“I want to buy chewing gum so I can give Jones. He’s playing today” Temi added
What do I do?
“No, we let’s go and take seats for us and let Kate buy the bubble gum” Elena said
“Oh that’s fine!” I replied with an half smile
Temi opened her purse and gave me #100
“Please don’t buy Mint bubble gum. Jones doesn’t like it” Temi said
“Okay” I replied
“We’ll reserve a seat for you” Elena said
And they walked off. It wasn’t my plan to visit the tuck shop but I have to anyways. I’ll find a junior student to deliver it to them.
I made my way to the tuck shop. It was like a minimart. I stepped in and went straight to the shelf where I had seen bubble gum the last time we came here. Everything we bought that day was on Temi. She treated us because that day was her elder sister’s birthday.
“Oh kate!” I heard a voice say my name.
The store was surprisingly silent and I’d thought no one was here except for the old lady at the paying desk. I looked and Emeka was there. A huge smile on his face. And I must admit that Emeka has a charming smile. It looks good on him.
Emeka came over and said
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.. Thanks”
My gaze fell on the items in his basket. A box of chocolate, Mirinda, shortbread biscuits and one green apple.
Then I looked at him.
“I’m just picking out stuffs I need this break” he said
I nodded slowly
“Is that all you want?” He pointed to the gum.
“This.. Is.. for.. Temi. She wants to give to -“
“Jones” he said
“Yes”
“Are you going to watch the game. Its in five minutes times” he said
“No” I answered
“Why?” He asked in a surprised tone
“I have to finish a book at the library”
I placed a finger on my lips
“Sh, you can’t tell Elena and Temi if you see them in the court”
Emeka gave me a short nod.
“Aren’t you interested in watching Joseph play today?”
He asked
“I’m not his fan” I answered
Moreover, completing my super romance novel was important than the game. Emeka forehead creased as he stared intensely at me. I felt uncomfortable.
“I’ll.. I’ll… Go ahead”
“You’re different” he said when I was almost leaving. I looked back at him.
“Sorry.. I am surprised to find a girl who is not thrilled by Joseph” he said
I couldn’t say anything as we stared awkwardly at each other.
“About yesterday.. “
“I’m sorry” I apologized
Why am apologizing to him?
Ahmm.. Maybe because I don’t know what to say to him.
“How about I give you a ride today?” He asked
And without thinking I heard myself say “Okay”.
Then a huge smile formed on his lips. A bright beam across his face. Why was he so happy about it?
I wondered
“Thanks. I’ll wait for you at the garage” he said
“Is it a bike?”
“No, my car” He said
I nodded
“Don’t you need anything?” He asked
“Like what?”
“You’re going to the library to read a book. So don’t you want something you can munch on while reading the book?”
Pinpop sweet! That’s my favorite! But I can’t buy it simply because I don’t have any money on me. I didn’t bring my purse to school today. Even though dad has refused to give me feeding allowance, I still have enough money in my account but he doesn’t know about it. My brother transferred #20,000 to me before he travelled back to Italy. Banjo said my eldest brother (okunola) asked him to give it me. Everyone was aware of the incident at my previous school and dad’s strictness towards me. My mom did her best at explaining to Okunola that it wasn’t my fault.
“No” I whispered
I should take my leave now. I was fair enough by accepting his offer to drive me home.
“What? -“
“Lets talk later” I said quickly Recalling the incidence at Linda Girls College changed my mood. It took so many things away from me.. Freedom, Money, Love, Trust.. And my first Kiss.
Emeka didn’t say anything.
I motioned towards the paydesk. The old lady was there.
What her name again?..Mrs Jeremiah!
“Why bubble gum Kate?” She said
Mrs Jeremiah knew I was a new student the first day I stepped in, that was on the third day at school. She asked for my name and I told her.
“Temi sent me” I answered
“Okay.. For the game right?”
“Yes Ma”
She collected the money and gave me #50 change
“Thank you Ma”
“You’re welcome”
I stepped out of the store. Looking around to see if I could find any Junior but I found none. Everywhere was silent. The hallway wasn’t crowded.. I could hear my footsteps.
“Senior Kate!” Someone called. It was a familiar voice! I could tell who it was without looking. It was Nora! She raced to my side.
“Why are you still outside?”
“I came to find you. Senior Elena reserved a seat for you”
“Has the game started?”
“The referee is introducing the players” she said
I handed her the gum and #50 note.
“Give it to Temi” I said
“Aren’t you coming?”she asked
“No”
“Why?”
“I.. I.. Think.. I need to use.. the toilet” I stuttered
Nora shot me a confused look.
“Okay” she said with a shrug
“Bye” she walked away
I exhaled roughly.
And made my way to the library.
?°°°° ?°°°° ?°°°° ?
?
Emeka on the move to get close to Kate. thank God he’s not considering a relationship, I think he’s nice.
But Don’t you sense some chemistry between them. Imagine Kate falling for Emeka. ?
But Joseph, hmm.. I reserve my comment.
That moment you expected your bestfriend to ginger you, but then he killed your spirit for his own selfish interest ?‍♀
What would you do to Joseph if you were in Emeka’s shoes?
Lemme know Via comment!