Hate and Hearts

Chapter 7

Dedicated to Lovesavvy21

'Split'

'Splat'

'Swish'

'Swosh'

'Screed'

'Scrood'

'Hey man, there's nothing like scrood' Peter hissed while his face turned into an annoyed scowl

'That's your problem' Evans batted the tennis ball hardly and lightly threw his bat in the air 'and I win again, woohoo'

'You broke one of the rules Evans' Peter eyed Evans and clicked his tongue.

Evans laughed loudly 'you sore loser' he walked over to his side and patted him on the back 'I'll go easy on you on the next round if you're up for it' Evans whispered in his ears.

'No thanks' Peter picked up his bag and Evan's 'Let's get back to class, but I promise you tomorrow I'll whoop your ass' Peter gave him a mocking smile. It was obvious playing tennis while rhyming wasn't Peter's thing.

'Camilla, please listen to me' Joel pleaded for the umpteenth time

'I'm sorry Joel, it just can't work out. You're a good guy but I'm sorry NO' Camilla emphasized on her refusal

'Why Camilla, all you've been saying is 'it just can't work out', I want to know why' Joel moved closer to Camilla and was towering over her

Camilla moved slightly away from him 'You used to like my friend Joel'

Joel moved closer till her back was to the wall 'Now I like you' he placed a hand on her shoulder and slightly massaged it. He trailed a finger down her cheek. 'I find your very beautiful Camilla' his voice was husky

Camilla looked everywhere but at Joel. She swallowed hurriedly. 'Joel,hmmn le let's talk about this some other time'

Joel smirked and bent his head low to whisper in her ear'Whatever happened to smart mouthed Camilla that's making her stutter' he bit her earlobe

Camilla's inside were in a riot, his voice was heavenly just like Evans. She pushed hard at his chest and left the class.

Joel smiled to himself, this was getting interesting. Joel heard disturbance from the window, was someone spying on him. He quickly went to check the window but no one was there.

Camilla was sweating when she got back to her class. She was feeling uneasy.

'Whatever the matter is Cam' Audrey casted a worried glance at her

'Nothing' Camilla answered sharply

'Lesson began about 35 minutes ago, Evans said he saw you through the window in of the classes in C building' Audrey eyed her friend

Camilla turned back to look at Evans and he smirked at her. 'Did he see her with Joel' she thought to herself

'I was just meditating, nothing you should worry about' Camilla smiled wryly

'I'll be coming over this evening Cam' Audrey murmured 'around six'

Camilla turned to Audrey 'What should I prepare upon your arrival' she was happy Audrey was finally coming over after a long time.

'I'll decide when I come' Audrey smiled

Camilla was so excited while walking home till she bumped into someone. 'Oh, I'm sorry'

'Camilla' the voice gasped

'Martins' Camilla exclaimed 'it's like you just disappeared'

'You didn't look for me, so you must think I disappeared' Martins retorted

'Who said I didn't, Hafeezah and I tried our best to look for you' she paused and gazed at him subtly, he looked a little older and thinner 'to know how you we're faring after that incident' Camilla's very voice came out almost a whisper.

'I'm fine Camilla, I've been holding up quite well and my new school is bomb' Martins mood was slowly coming back

'I'm glad to hear that, Could I entice you to a meal at 'Just Ricky' We have a new addition to the menu you know' Camilla smiled widely at him

'Ever the goody two shoes, I'll take you up on that offer anyway' He nodded at her and winked 'catch you later, I've got to be somewhere now'

Camilla waved him and continued walking but Martins had stopped. He just stared at her back. He couldn't believe he just came face to face with his nemesis. Camilla Michaels. The one reason he was kicked out of Bonville high. The miss goody two shoes who shunned every immorality. After he was kicked out of Bonville high, no school wanted to accept him after all Bonville high was the best around. No school would want to admit you when you were already kicked out the best. He was going to get even regardless of the consequence.

Camilla on the other hand was glad she saw Martins after a long time. Oh, how her heart went out to him. He was a promising student but his s*x scandal ruined everything. Now that she saw him, she wondered about Martha, the girl he was caught with. No one even heard from her at all. Some rumors were she moved out of town.

Camilla felt off when she entered the house, the door was wide open and everything was scattered. She walked in with as minimal noise as possible one would think she was a prodigal child returning from an all night party.

'Kevin' she called out to her brother but she got no response. Her fear heightened. 'What if he was kidn*pped' she thought

'Kevin' she called out a little louder but still nothing. She was going in the direction of her room which was open when she got the surprise of the day.

'Kevin' she shrieked. What are you doing in my room with all of my makeup

He cowered and refused to speak a word. 'Will you speak up right this moment?' She said angryily 'you even left the door wide open and scattered the house'

'I'm sorry Camilla' Kevin said while looking at his sister's leg

'Go clean up all this mess right this instant, Obun oshi'

Camilla watched him run off to start cleaning 'silly boy' she thought. What was an eleven year old applying make up for. A boy at that.

Camilla quickly undressed and put on a faded jean and a yellow tee. She started baking cupcakes seeing as Audrey always loved them and she didn't want to stress herself preparing them when Audrey decided on them. She also kept two cupcakes for Kevin.

'how are you?' Audrey smiled up at Kevin and he muttered a low 'fine thanks'

Camilla turned to see Audrey patting Kevin's head 'Oh, sweetie you're here already, let me quickly finish this up'

Audrey walked into Camilla's bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Camilla joined her and towered over her with a tray of Cupcakes and fruit juice. 'Get up missy, hope your taste buds are in for cupcakes, I've made some and it's even still remaining'

Audrey sat up and they both began to chat the evening away. Audrey complained about Evans wanting to go public to which she wasn't ready yet.

'When will you be ready then?' Camilla looked at her friend in a way that said 'what are you hiding'

'Cam, try to understand. I don't want anyone to know yet, it will be better that way. Besides our test and Mock examinations are just around the corner'

'You have your reasons and I'm in support of whatever decision you take'

'What about you Cam, no one is eyeing you? 'Audrey wiggled her eyebrows

Camilla smacked her with a pillow instead of giving her a reply.

Audrey gasped and also smacked her back, 'it means you're hiding something'

Camilla smacked her and ran out of the room panting heavily. The panting was getting worse. She entered her mum's room and locked the door. She was thrashing badly till some minutes later. She steadied her breathing and came out.

'You chicken, so you were hiding' Audrey made to hit her again with the pillow but Camilla raised her hand 'please Audrey, that's enough' Her eyes were watering but she was laughing so no one would suspect anything.

Audrey stuck out her tongue at her and went into Camilla's room. She munched on the cake Camilla had served her.

Camilla was watching her eat till Audrey suddenly said 'Joel said to call him'

'Why' Camilla's heart skipped a bit

'Something along the lines of your Civic Education's note being with him' Audrey shrugged

'Ok, I will' Camilla heaved a sigh of relief.

'Oya get up and come escort me before my folks start blowing up my phone'

Camilla stood up and checked the time. It was past seven. 'Let's go'

Audrey was smiled to herself when Camilla had turned around. 'Oh little miss perfect'

******

'I knew I would find you here' Camilla turned to see who had spoken.

'You don't work at 'Just Ricky' anymore'

Camilla huffed and looked at him 'Have you been monitoring me'

Evans smiled and bent his head 'And why would I do that, I just happen to take most of my meals at 'Just Ricky'.

'Why exactly are you here?' Camilla asked

He smiled wryly 'Oh, nothing much, I just want to partake in the upcoming art exhibition'

'Like everyone else' Camilla eyed him

'Great, so tell me what I have to do' Evans stretched his legs on the table.

'Move your feets, and no you can't join it's packed, plus it's this Saturday' Camilla wrinkled her nose

'Why, I already have my painting' He furrowed his eyebrows

'Sorry, but the paintings to be exhibited that day are already complete' Camilla apologized

'What is the dress code for that day' He asked again

'You can ask Mr Temitope, he is the teacher in charge, Now please leave'

'Have I done anything to your displeasure Your highness'

'Can you just not bother me, I'm trying to read' Camilla said with annoyance brewing in her.

'I promise to stay mute ' He puckered his lips and sealed it with his hand. Camilla continued reading and tried focusing on her reading but to no avail. Evans was staring at her again.

'Please face your front' her uneasiness was evident

'Why did you put your hair up again, I told you not to' His voice came out a whisper

Camilla turned away to hide the rising blush on her face 'you're not the boss of me'

'Very well then' Evans stood up and unfastened the ribbon she tied her hair up with and it came flowing down.

'How dare you' Camilla turned and stood up angrily.

'You look beautiful this way, why do you tie you hair up like a nun'

'It's my hair and I can do whatever I want with it' Camilla yelled at him. She hurriedly packed her books and left the auditorium. Evans followed her pace thinking she was going to class but he was surprised when he saw her coming out with her bag.

'Aren't you going to wait for lessons' Evans stopped her by the school gate. She walked past him and started walking in the direction of her home.

'Wait up Camilla' She ignored him and kept walking till she got home. She entered her room and crashed on the bed.

'It's just your hair he complimented'

'How childish of you Camilla'

Her mind was running riots and rethinking her earlier outburst. Maybe she overreacted.

Her phone rang and she stood up to check who it was.

'Hello baby' Joel mused

'I'm not your baby' Camilla rolled her eyes

'Ouch, you wound me Camilla' Camilla could picture his handsome face being hurt from her reply.

Not as handsome as Evans though. Her subconscious mocked

'Peter said you left early, I hope all is well'

'Nothing, just stressed out, that's all'

'Ok, I'll drop by later, see you later'

'No, I —' He hanged up before she could complete what she wanted to say

One stupid guy on another

'Good evening, please who are you' Camilla 's mum peered her head through the door.

'I'm Joel ma'am, Camilla's classmate' Joel bowed his head a little

'Kevin' Camilla's mum yelled. Kevin answered with a loud 'yes' 'Wake Camilla up, she has a visitor' She eyed him and muttered under her breath 'who apparently is a boy'

Camilla rubbed her sleepy eyes 'Joel, come in' she led him to the living area

Camilla's mum sat with them as a chaperone. Joel pretended not to have notice the glaring stare Camilla's mum was giving them. He felt a little uneasy when she kept fake coughing.

'Ok, Cam, see you tomorrow' Joel stood up to leave.

'Let me escort you' Camilla stood up too

'Goodbye ma'am' Joel bowed again and Camilla's mum acknowledged him with a nod.

'Come back quickly' Camilla's mum snickered.

'Sorry Joel about my mum's behavior, she usually isn't like this' Camilla was somewhat embarrassed that her mum thought she still needed to be chaperoned.

Joel grabbed her hands 'it's okay, all African mothers are that way'

She made to draw her hands back but Joel tightened his hold on her. 'Camilla, I like you, I really do'

Camilla turned her face away. 'Joel, Hmm, I think, hmmn, you know—'

'I know I came on too strong, but I'll give you time to adjust to my confession, in the meantime, don't push me away please. Let me get to know you' he smiled at her. Camilla slowly smiled too 'Ok'

'That's my angel' he bent his head forward a gave her quick peck on the cheek.

'Don't rub off my kisses' he stared intently at her and pecked her again 'You're gorgeous when you blush'

He turned and left quickly before he did something impulsive. Camilla lightly ran her hand over spot where Joel kissed her. She was smiling like a love struck teenager. She decided on the spot that she would actually give him a chance and see where it took them.

Camilla walked in to an un smiling mum by the door.

'Mum, I really don't like what you did when Joel was here' she twitched her lips

'Camilla, I just don't like the way he looks, sorry If it made you feel uncomfortable' Camilla's mum said

'Get used to it mum, That's her since forever crush' Kevin mocked

'Kevin' Camilla raised her voice and knocked him on the head.

Camilla's mum widened her eyes 'So is he your boyfriend?' she asked somewhat annoyed.

Camilla explained the whole scenario to her mum, she couldn't bear to hide anything from her. Her mum smiled at her. She was of the age where she ought to have caught the attention of teenage boys. 'Just be careful' her mum had warned her 'One cannot trust all this indomie generation boys'.

'Thanks mum'

'So my baby had her first peck, not bad from that good looking boy' she winked at her daughter.

'Mum!!, you said you didn't like his face' Camilla widened her eyes

'Better start getting me ready for my first date too mum' Kevin chipped in

'You are not even allowed to have a crush yet, you are still eleven' His mum chided

'African Mums' Kevin sighed

Glossary

*obun oshi – Dirty person

*Oya – a popular Nigerian prefix normally used to pre empt an action