Vulnerable

Chapter 5

Tomiwa

is a very free spirited human but I put a long distance from her because my brother instructed me to.

"How can I help you, Tomiwa? Are you in search of a book and can't find it?" I inquired without looking at her as I kept my face buried in my book.

I really don't have the strength to hold any conversation of any kind.

I just want to get the school day over and done with.

"Well, How about I treat you to lunch and then you can help me find the book, I'm looking for?" She suggested

"What makes you think I'm hungry?" I asked and just then, my stomach made a loud grumbling sound.

Tomiwa gave me a knowing look and I flushed.

"Well, I... I... I... " I stuttered, thinking of a good lie.

"You're what?" She said still giving me 'that' look

"Well... I ... I am Fasting!" I said quite cheerily at my good found lie.

"Say that to the birds, they would believe you. Com'on let's go." She pestered.

"I don't want to and I don't want to be rude, but when did we become friends that buy meals for each other? I remember you calling me a blood sucked anti-social nerd. We are not friends and its very suspicious that you want to buy me lunch out of the blue" I spilled my thoughts.

"Well, I still think you're a blood sucked antisocial nerd, I tried being a friend but you kept shutting me out and now that you're friends with Derrick Osunde, its a priority that we become friends too" she said

"Why? To get closer to him?" I asked with a frown.

Tomiwa chuckled and said

"Please, I'm close enough to him. I am dating his friend and Derrick pleaded I become more friendly with you so that you can be a bit more open to socializing. He seems to have an interest in you"Tomiwa explained.

"So, you want to be friends with me, Because Derrick asked you to?" I asked for clarity.

Tomiwa groaned and rolled her eyes

"I always wanted to be friends with you because you are quite an interesting person to hang out with but because you kept brushing me off, I stopped trying and now that Derrick asked, I see no harm in trying again" she explained as she blew her bubble gum in defiance.

"Okay. I can find you the book you need without getting lunch from you. So which book do you want?" I asked.

And she rolled her eyes.

"But you're hungry!" she stated the obvious.

"Its normal, it won't kill me..." I did not complete my statement because a familiar gruff tone chipped in.

"Ugh! Come here, Audrey!" Derrick said as he gripped my wrist and dragged me out of the Library.

"Where are you dragging me off to?" I asked

"Out of school" he answered curtly.

"But school isn't over" I pointed out

"Obviously" he replied curtly, again

"Then, you should know I do not appreciate leaving school before its over" I said

"Audrey... One day of skipping half a school day wont harm you. You are smart and can ace the exams with your eyes closed." He finished as we got to his car that was parked outside the school premises.

It was a red car, I don't know the name but it looks cool.

The car beeped and he opened the door for me to go in.

I did

Why did I?

"Where are we going to?" I asked as we drove off

"firstly, to a restaurant."He said.

"I didn't notice you were present in school today" I broke the silence.

"I wasn't, I came to school for you" he said, eyes focused on the road.

I blushed

On arriving the restaurant, Benny's Place, Derrick ordered for a plate of fried rice, plantain and turkey meat alongside a drink for both of us.

Benny's Place is a popular eatery and quite pricey but its still everybody's favorite eating place and I really wonder why.

"Since, you haven't been in school all day, what have you been doing all morning?" I asked curiously.

"Handling business" he replied.

"Okay..."

"What did your brother tell you about me?" He queried, his eyes piercing mine.

"Well... He said you're a bad influence" I replied, facing everywhere else but him

"Do you believe him?"he asked

I bit my lower lip and gave the question a thought.

"Well, are you?" I asked

"Depends on you" he replied

And we fell into an uncomfortable silence as we completed our meal.

When we were done eating, we took another ride in his car

The atmosphere seemed tense as none of us said nothing to each other.

So, I broke the silence.

"Where are we going to?" I asked

"Back to school" he replied curtly

"I thought you wanted to take me somewhere" I said

"I don't want to be a BAD INFLUENCE" he said, his eyes stayed on the road as he gripped the steering wheel more tightly.

"I never said you were a bad influence" I said quietly.

"But you think so, don't you?" He asked, his voice sounding a bit restrained.

Is he angry?

"Are you angry? If you're, I would advise you take in deep breaths or park the car somewhere till your anger subsides" I advised

"What do you care?" He said, as he stepped on the gear and made the car speed up twice than it was before and it seemed to be increasing.

He diverted into a different less busy road.

My heart began beating fast

"Please stop, you're scaring me" I pleaded

"Am I? Why do I even care if you see me like everyone else does, huh?" The car increased its speed again

"Please Stop!" I said with my hands on the arm rest and my heart pounding in fear

"I 've only known you for a freaking day and here I am, caring the hell what you think about me! What does it matter??? Everyone sees me as some sort of ritualist or probably paints an evil image of me in their heads and I've never given a f**k! Here I am, stupidly caring if you saw me as a BAD influence! I AM NOT!" He said with anger obviously seeping out of him and the car speeding so fast that my heart was pounding 10 times what it was.

"DERRICK!" I yelled at the top of my lungs for the first time ever! Hoping it would snap him out of his loud thoughts.

Immediately, the car came to a sudden halt.

"s**t!" I heard him mutter as he turned his attention towards me.

"I'm so sorry, I forgot you were in here! f**k!" He said in between breaths.

"Are you okay?" He asked quickly as he inspected me.

But I stopped him.

Cupped his face in my little palm

And...

"Are you okay?" I asked as I surveyed his face and got stuck in his dark drowning eyes.

So clouded with a rage of emotions

He looked...

Vulnerable.