Love me or Ruin Me

The things he doesn't say

chapter 2 — The Things He Doesn’t Say

I don’t fall easily.

Not because I can’t…

but because I’ve seen what happens when people do.

“Blessing, they were talking about you again,” Amara said, dropping into the seat beside me.

I didn’t look up. “They’re always talking.”

“That you’re proud.”

I turned a page calmly. “If being quiet is now pride, then okay.”

Amara laughed a little. “You don’t even try to defend yourself.”

“What’s the point?”

She didn’t answer that.

Because she knew.

Girls in my class didn’t really like me.

Not openly. Not loudly.

But it was there.

In the way they looked at me.

In the way their voices dropped when I walked past.

In the small comments that sounded harmless… but weren’t.

And the funny thing?

I wasn’t even doing anything.

—

“Blessing.”

I didn’t need to look up.

Daniel.

He always said my name like it meant something.

I closed my book slowly. “Hmm?”

“You didn’t reply my message.”

I tilted my head slightly. “Which one?”

He smiled. “Don’t stress me.”

That made me laugh a little.

“I was busy.”

“With what?” he asked.

“Breathing.”

Amara burst out laughing.

Daniel shook his head, smiling like he had already accepted defeat but still refused to leave. “You’re actually impossible.”

“And yet, you’re still here.”

“Because I like you,” he said, just like that.

No hesitation.

No fear.

Just words.

Clear and direct.

I didn’t respond.

Before I could even think of something to say, someone stepped closer to my desk.

“Move.”

I glanced up.

Richard.

I shifted my chair slightly. “You could say please.”

He didn’t argue.

“Please,” he said this time, softer.

I blinked slightly, surprised.

Then moved properly.

“Thank you,” he added before walking past.

It was small.

Very small.

But I noticed.

—

By lunch, the whole class was its usual noisy self.

I sat with Amara and a few others, listening more than talking.

“Daniel, you’re wasting your time,” one of the girls teased. “She’s not going to say yes.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Watch me.”

I shook my head slightly. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t ‘watch me.’ Just rest.”

The table laughed.

“You see?” he said. “She likes me small.”

“I don’t,” I replied calmly.

More laughter.

It was easy with Daniel.

Light. Simple.

Nothing serious.

“Then who do you like?” someone asked suddenly.

The table went quiet again.

I didn’t even pause. “No one.”

A lie.

But a necessary one.

“Cap,” another girl said immediately.

“Believe what you want.”

I picked up my drink, ending the conversation.

Or at least… trying to.

“Richard likes you sha.”

My hand froze slightly.

I didn’t look up.

“Everybody knows,” she continued. “He’s just forming.”

“I’m not forming,” a voice said from behind.

My heart skipped.

Richard.

I didn’t turn immediately.

I didn’t need to.

“You don’t talk,” the girl replied. “That one is forming.”

“I talk,” he said calmly. “Just not too much.”

“Especially around Blessing,” another one added, laughing.

Now I looked up.

He was already looking at me.

Not quickly.

Not shyly.

Just… looking.

Soft.

Like he wasn’t even trying to hide it.

I looked away first.

Of course I did.

“Do you have a pen?” he asked, stepping closer.

Out of everyone.

Again.

“You always ask me,” I said, trying to sound normal.

“And you always have one.”

I handed it to him.

This time, our fingers brushed longer than necessary.

Not by accident.

I felt it.

He didn’t rush.

Didn’t pull away immediately.

Then he took it. “Thanks.”

He still didn’t leave.

“Did you understand what was taught in math?” he asked.

I blinked. “A little.”

He pulled a chair slightly closer. “Let me show you.”

My chest tightened.

“You don’t have your own friends?” I said.

“I do.”

“Then go and teach them.”

“They didn’t ask.”

“And I did?”

“You didn’t,” he admitted. “But you need it.”

I stared at him.

Amara was quiet beside me.

Very quiet.

“Fine,” I said eventually, sliding my book toward him.

For the next few minutes, he explained everything calmly.

Patiently.

Like he had all the time in the world.

And the crazy part?

I actually understood.

“Better?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He tapped the book lightly. “Good.”

Then he stood up.

But before he left, he dropped something on my table.

A drink.

Cold.

Still sealed.

I frowned. “What’s this?”

“You didn’t finish yours,” he said simply.

I hadn’t even noticed.

“I’m not hungry,” I replied.

“It’s not food.”

I almost smiled.

“Thank you.”

He nodded once… then walked away.

Just like that.

No big deal.

No extra words.

But everyone had seen it.

“Wow,” one of the girls said. “Acts of service.”

“Very intentional,” another added.

I kept my face neutral, but inside…

nothing felt normal.

Because Daniel would say everything.

Over and over again.

But Richard?

Richard didn’t say anything.

He just showed up.

Paid attention.

Noticed things I didn’t even say.

And somehow…

that felt more dangerous.

—

After school, I found another letter in my bag.

Daniel.

“I’m serious about you. One day, you’ll believe me.”

I folded it slowly.

Carefully.

Then kept it aside.

Because the truth was…

I already believed him.

I just didn’t feel the same.

And that was the problem.

Because the one person I did feel something for…

had never said it out loud.

Not once.

But the way he looked at me…

The way he stayed close…

The way he cared without asking…

It was obvious.

To everyone.

Including me.

And maybe that was why I kept my distance.

Because it wasn’t just my feelings anymore.

It was Amara’s too.

T B C...