Things We Left Unsaid

Something I Couldn't Explain

Folani

I had always thought people exaggerated when they talked about liking someone.

The whole thing sounded dramatic.

You meet someone.You talk. You like them.Simple.

At least. That's what I thought.

Until Viola.

There wasn't one particular moment I could point out and say. That was when it happened.

It had been happening quietly.

Maybe it's the way she never tried too hard to fit in.

Most people change depending on who they were around with. Viola didn't.

She could be quiet when she wanted to be, sarcastic when she was comfortable, a d completely impossible when she decided she didn't like something.

The funny part was that I liked all of it.

Even the impossible part.

Especially that part.

I sat at my desk, staring at the board while our teacher talked about something I had stopped listening to five minutes ago.

My eyes moved towards the window.

Viola was sitting a few rows away.

She was writing something on her notebook.

I looked away.

Then looked back.

She was still writing.

I smiled to myself.

" What was wrong with me? "

" Folani."

I looked up.

The teacher was staring at me.

" Yes,ma."

" Since you seem to be very interested in whatever is happening outside, perhaps you can tell us what I just explained."

The class laughed.

I cleared my throat.

" Yes,ma."

She waited.

I had no idea what she had been explaining.

" It's... important."

The laughter got louder.

She shook her head.

" Sir properly."

" Yes,ma."

I lowered my head trying not to laugh.

When I glanced towards Viola again she was smiling.

Not laughing.

Just smiling.

And somehow that made me feel better.

The bell rang a few minutes later.

Everyone immediately started talking.

Our teacher raised his voice.

" Before you leave, there are two announcements."

The room became quiet.

" First you mid term examination starts next month."

The entire class groaned.

Someone shouted, " Next week? "

She nodded.

" Yes, next week."

A boy behind me whispered, " We're finished.

The teacher continued.

" You timetable will be posted outside the staff room."

More complaints.

" And secondly, the school will be holding its end-of-term prom."

The room exploded.

I laughed.

Everyone suddenly forgot about the examinations.

" Quiet."

Nobody listened.

" Quiet! "

Eventually the noise reduced.

" The school will provided more information about the date and arrangements For now, students will be divided into different committees for the preparation."

I looked across the room.

Viola was talking to the girl besides her.

She looked genuinely interested in the prom announcement.

I wondered if she would go.

Then I wondered why I cared.

I looked down at my desk.

That was becoming a problem.

At lunch, I found myself sitting beside Dami.

He eating while complaining about the examination timetable.

" Why would they put Mathematics and Chemistry so close together? "

I laughed.

" Maybe, they want to finish us."

" They definitely do."

I opened my drink.

" You'll be fine."

" You're saying that because you're good at chemistry."

" So? "

" So don't talk to me."

I laughed.

Dami looked towards the courtyard.

" Where's Viola? "

I shrugged.

" With her friends, probably."

He looked at me.

Then he smiled.

" What? "

" Nothing."

I sighed.

" Don't start."

" I haven't said anything."

" You don't have to."

He laughed.

" Relax."

I looked away.

For a while, we ate in silence.

Then Dami said, " You've changed."

I looked at him.

" How? "

" You're quieter."

" I'm always quiet."

" No, you're not."

I smiled.

" Maybe, I'm tired."

He shook his head.

" You're not tired."

I waited.

He didn't continue.

" Then what am I? "

He took another bite.

" Distracted."

I looked at him.

" By what? "

He shrugged.

" You tell me."

I laughed.

" You're imagining things."

" Maybe."

He went back to eating.

I thought the conversation was over.

Then he said, casually. " You spend a lot of time around Viola.

I looked at him.

" So? "

" Nothing."

There it was again.

That word.

I leaned back.

" Why does everyone say nothing when it's obviously something? "

Dami smiled.

" Maybe, cause it's none of your business."

I laughed.

" Fair."

He looked at me for a moment.

Then he said, " Just be careful."

I frowned.

" With what? "

He didn't answer immediately.

" She's not as simple as you think."

I stared at him.

" I never said she was."

" I know."

" Then why are you telling me? "

Dami looked towards the courtyard again.

" I've known her longer than you."

I noticed.

" I know."

" And I'm just saying.... "

He stopped.

" Just saying what? "

He sighed.

" Nothing."

I laughed.

" You're doing it again."

He smiled, but there was something different about his expression.

Not anger.

Not exactly.

Something I couldn't read.

I didn't push him.

After lunch, we were asked to gather in the hall to discuss the prom committees.

I ended up in the same group as Viola.

She looked at the sheet in her hand.

" So we're handling the decorations."

" Looks like it."

She sighed.

" That's unfortunate."

" Why? "

" Because I have no idea what I'm doing."

" You're creative."

" How do you know? "

" I've seen your drawings."

" When? "

" During class."

" You were looking? "

I smiled.

" Sometimes."

" She shook her head."

" You're strange."

" I have heard that too."

She laughed.

There it was again.

That laugh.

I didn't know why I liked hearing it that much.

Maybe, because it wasn't forced.

When Viola laughed, she didn't care who was listening.

She just laughed.

We started discussing ideas with the others.

Someone suggested balloons.

Someone suggested flowers.

Viola rejected both.

" Too much."

" What do you want then? " I asked.

" Something simple."

" Simple is boring."

" Not if you do it properly."

I smiled.

" You've everything planned out."

" No I just know what I don't want."

" That sounds like planning."

She looked at me.

" Are you always this annoying? "

" Only around you."

The words came out before I could stop them.

She stared at me.

I stared back.

For a second, neither of us spoke.

Then she smiled.

I looked away.

My heart was beating faster than it should have.

And suddenly, I understood.

It wasn't just that I liked talking to her.

It wasn't just that I liked making her laugh.

I liked her.

And the realization was quiet.

Almost embarrassing.

I didn't need anyone to tell me.

I already knew.

I liked Viola.

And I had absolutely no idea what to do about it.

But I knew I cared about her.

And for now, I knew that was enough.