SURVIVAL GAME

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ava just figured out something. She hated Biology. Maybe it's because Kofi is sitting next to her or because it's just Biology.

Ava sighed loudly, making the teacher and Kofi give her this not- everyone -is-dumb- like - you look. Ava stared at Kofi and looked away sheepishly.

Ava was glad when the teacher left, she quickly stood up

" Where are you going?" Kofi asked seriously.

Ava stared at Kofi and frowned

" I'm going outside, if you can't see" Ava said rudely.

The words Kofi said that night has still not left her . And she hated him.

" Leaving after class is too early, wait for a while" Kofi said coldly.

Ava stared at Kofi annoyingly then sat down. She had nothing to do and she hated that. she stared at Kofi

" Since you like putting your nose into people's business" Ava paused " can I ask you a question?" Ava asked cautiously.

Kofi stared at Ava, unreadable as usual until Ava could actually read an emotion from his face. Ava smiled, it was frustration.

" What? Question?" Kofi asked confused. Ava nodded in affirmation, Kofi sighed

" Sure, go ahead"

Ava stood up and moved her chair closer to Kofi's. She sat down and stared at Kofi looking very curious

" Who beat you up?" Ava asked sharply.

Kofi frowned then smiled, he moved his face closer to Ava's

" Thieves" he said softly.

Ava frowned

" I knew you would lie, you always like to know things about people but you keep yourself hidden" Ava said getting upset .

Kofi looked away from Ava and removed the smile on his face , he stood up, surprising Ava.

" Lock the door when you are done " Kofi said detached. Ava sighed, she shouldn't have asked. Ava watched Kofi leave then stop. He tuned around and stared at Ava

" Just like you, I'm not in control of my own life. But unlike you...I don't even have a choice...I don't even even have alternative ...and...I don't have those that can protect me. I don't have a family." Kofi said warmly and slowly. Kofi smiled " close the door when you are done " Kofi said and walked away.

A little bit of her pitied him, a little bit of her told her he was different. But she brushed it off. Well brushed some off.

One thing still baffled her was that she never questioned herself about Kofi's family. She just came to the conclusion that they were in Paris, the city of love. Or a better and well influential county .

Kofi was working for someone, he just indirectly said it. And the person was the one who beat him up. She was confused.

Who and why?

* * *

She smiled and stared at him, they were on an outing. But Ava secretly calls it a date. They were in an arcade playing games. Femi was trying to win a teddy bear for Ava . But Femi really had poor aim, he hasn't even busted one ballon with the pin for the past twenty minutes.

" You sure you don't want to give up? " Ava asked teasingly .

Femi stared at her and smiled

" No, this is for you" Femi said confidently.

Ava watched Femi try to win. She found it hilarious. Femi was just failing with pride .

" I'm done" Femi said a little upset " the game is rigged" Femi said childishly not accepting defeat and dropped the pin on the table and stared at Ava.

Ava smiled

" Accepting defeat takes a lot of courage. I'm proud of you" Ava said mockingly.

Femi frowned then laughed

" Giving me a taste of my medicine. Good job" Femi said cheerfully.

" Let's do something else" Femi said then he slowly slipped his hand to Ava's and held it firmly .

Ava shivered, and stared at Femi,he wasn't actually looking at her but the karaoke machine.

" Should we go there!" Ava asked softly.

Femi stared at Ava then smiled widely

" Only if you can manage my terrible voice"

Ava laughed

" It can't be worst than mine" Ava said smiling.

Then their eyes locked. Ava smiled and blushed, something she rarely do. She already liked Femi. A guy she just met for like five month. She reminded herself that she was dating someone, either it's fake or real she needed to control her feelings.

The way Femi stared at her urge her on, Ava slowly put her hands around Femi's shoulder, held his collar and drag his face closer to hers. She could feel his warm breath on her. And just as she was about to feel his lips.

He pulled away.

Ava stared at Femi confused. She became more confused when Femi removed her hands from his shoulder

" Let's ... let's not do this " Femi said a little bit quiet.

" Why? " Ava asked very confused.

Femi sighed

" You are dating someone and I don't want to ruin it" Femi said forcefully.

Ava looked around annoyed then stared at Femi

" Stop pretending as if You don't know that from the start. You keep taking me out. You give me this signal and now you... you want to pretend like you have always respected my relationship" Ava said angrily " stop giving me this signal"

" That's not it" Femi said softly and sadly.

Ava frowned

" Then what?" She asked angrily " then what is it" she shouted angrily " why do you keep giving me green signal then...then throw it all away!" Ava was hurt and she showed it" why? Just..."

" Because you keep misinterpreting me" Femi shouted, frustratedly. Surprising Ava. She has never seen him shout and she didn't like it.

He looked dark and dangerous when he's angry, like psychopath anger. He didn't hit anything but those word came out with darkness, anger and frustration. If words could kill, she would be in hell right now. His words was like a warning but it's isn't. She knew he was getting impatient.

Ava sighed

" Misinterpreting? " Ava asked sadly and confused.

" Yes, Ava try to understand" Femi said softly

" Understand?"

"Yes"

" Understand that you are playing with me"

" No" Femi said a little bit angry and frustrated.

" Then what?" Ava yelled frustratedly.

" That I don't like you" Femi shouted then quickly sighed, remorseful. He just realized what he said. But he couldn't change it. Ava heard it loud and clear. Maybe to loud.

"Wow" Ava said sadly.

He didn't like her and that was the truth. She was turned down and it hurt like hell. She scoffed sadly

" Do not ever...ever play with me like this" Ava looked away from Femi, his emotions annoyed her. He looked remorseful and she hated that. He has said it, so no need to regret it.

" And you know what... maybe Kofi was right about you. You only pretend to care because you want something" Ava chuckled sadly " and it's definitely not me... it's not"

Femi moved closer to Ava

" That's not true, I care ...I really do" Femi said warmly.

Ava scoffed and walked away.

Femi sighed quietly. He has always wanted to keep Ava away from Kofi. But he just can't love her like that.he just can't.

And it seems that the only way.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ava smiled at obi's joke. He was talking about his childhood. Well she was happy, at least obi's childhood is not filled with guns ,blood and hiding - running away without looking back .

Obi sat down and stared at Ava

" Am I boring you?" He asked pretending to be pained.

Ava snapped out of her thought, stared at Obi and smiled

" Not at all" Ava sighed " you alone can make me smile " Ava said warmly.

Obi sat down beside Ava and sighed

" I know something is wrong...but if you are not ready to tell me. It's no problem. But just chill girl. Everything gonna be okay." Obi smiled widely " I got you"

Ava smiled genuinely

" Thanks " she paused" how is Shade?" She asked even though she doesn't care.

Obi smirked, bit his lips and smiled widely

" She good...and pretty" Obi said proudly.

Ava frowned but quickly smiled before Obi could see her reaction.

" She's so special. And beautiful. And sexy. And..."

" Okay I get it" Ava said frustrated, cutting Obi off. Obi faced her, confused

" That was abrupt"

Ava smiled

" What was? Have you seen Precious?" Ava asked changing the topic.

Obi looked away, kinda confused but he brushed it off. He faced Ava

" Not really. She actually asked me to come to this KMA event but I was busy"

Ava sighed. Although they are three friends. She isn't really close to Precious. It's not that Precious isn't good but Precious only see the good side of people, she doesn't think outside the box. And the worst part is she is so dramatic. When Ava told Precious that she was actually Yoruba not igbo, Ava knew how long and dramatic Precious talked about it.

Ava knew she wasn't the only one who isn't really close to Precious. Obi to isn't.

He hated Precious attitude, especially when it comes to Kofi.

" Do you want ice cream?" Obi asked after a brief of silence.

Ava faced Obi and smiled deviously. She knew what he was talking about .

They were going to steal from his dad . Obi Father actually owns a successful ice cream shop. And his ice cream is actually, very , amazingly good. Ava stood up

" Shall we?" Ava asked dramatically.

Obi chuckled lightly

" We shall" Obi said dramatically.

* * *

Ava laughed at Kenny's joke, very hard, very loud, even though it wasn't funny. She had to do that.pretend like everything is fine. Because Femi is just a few steps away from her, and she was sure he was staring at her.

Kenny stared at Ava

" You okay" he asked confused.

Ava stopped laughing and realized that Kenny was done joking since a long time and was talking about his sick cancer mum.

Shit! You made yourself weird. Ava forced a little smile

" I better go" Ava said sheepishly and walked away. Well she didn't really walked far because Femi stopped her.

" Ava"

" What?" Ava asked still not removing the fake I'm okay smile on her face.

" You ok?" Femi asked very worried like as if he believed Ava was going mad.

Ava scoffed a little bit angry then laughed and smiled and laughed and smiled. And that went on for a while.

" So are you okay " Femi asked slowly and worriedly.

" I'm fine, seriously. I'm really fine " Ava said smiling and shouting. She wished she could stop shouting. But she can't. " I'm Soo fine. It's like I've been reborn."

Yeah sure. Reborn with rejection.

Ava chuckled

" Don't worry about me. " Ava walked away still giggling" don't worry!" She shouted before she entered her classroom.