Hate and Hearts

Chapter 3

Evans got home and went straight to his room. The room apportioned to him was almost as big as his room back in the States but it had all the essentials. A four poster bed took a quarter of the room. His window overlooked the low side fenced backyard.

The neighbors planted a tall tree of heaven's know what which was peeping into the backyard. He was never good at Botany so he couldn't tell what tree it was. His reading table and chair were facing the window. His table consisted of a reading lamp, a few Nigerian magazines which he bought at the airport, schoolbooks, stationeries, his system and Tab. There was a socket by the wall into which he had plugged in an adapter. The bedside also had a socket. His wardrobe was big enough to accommodate all his clothes, it also had a lower section which he converted to a shoe rack. A small shelf adjoining the wardrobe and a mini fridge. The room was painted in taper tones and gave off manly vibes. His uncle must have changed the curtains and had the room repainted. The room was tiled much to his appreciation and there was a rug placed in the middle of the room on which there was a center table and two chairs opposite each other. There was also an adjoining washroom. He had put up random pictures of art works that one would think he actually had a thing for it and a small frame which said 'Now'. He procrastinated a lot and he needed something to always motivate him. He slumped down on the sofa for a while before he stood up to go video call his mum.

"Evans Prudence Landon!" His mum's shrill voice and angered contorted face told him he was in for a earful today. He had better started apologizing

"Sorry mum, It longer than expected getting a new number, setting up the internet and syncing my contacts" His mum was still angry from the expression on her face.

"You're still mad at me mum?" He asked

"I was worried sick Evans, I couldn't get through to you, thank God for James who told me you went to school today"

Evans kept apologizing to his mum, who still seemed a little unsatisfied. This wasn't the first time he travelled out of the country but going back to his mother land was a big leap to which his mum couldn't come to terms with. After all she knew what Nigeria was like. Evans had badgered her about going to Nigeria for a year and his dad was in support of it.

"I hope you're keeping well" her face reflected genuine motherly affection

"Yes mum and you'll be happy to know James is quite the guide, I can already find my way to a restaurant around here"

"Really, how about school, how were the classes, did you make any friend" she bombarded him, she couldn't wait to hear all he had done.

Evans told her everything he could but he omitted his soon to be love interest, his mum was a blabber mouth sometimes and he was sure his sister would find out from her. He couldn't stand their teasing him. He ended the call with a promise to call more often.

James his cousin walked into the room and crashed on his bed. "Wow man, your room is actually nice"

"We set it up together" Evans replied

"But I haven't seen it with so much light pouring in, I still have to come here tonight to see that chandelier in all it glory"

"Then you might be tempted to oust me out of my room" Evans smiled

"You're right, so how was school today, any hot girl spinned her waist bead round you?" James wiggled his eyebrows

"No" Evans replied sharply

"well there always tomorrow but I bet all of those girls be wishing you were their boyfriend"

Evans laughed loudly "That's true" remembering how a girl was accusing another of a terrible mouth odour

"Incase you need my services when you get a girl" he smacked Evans shoulder "you know where to find me"

Evans began reviewing the days note which only took 45 minutes after coming up with a schedule for his convenience

★★★★★

"Hey Evans" feezah waved him while quickening her pace to catch up with him

"Hi" Evans greeted her

"Can you accompany me to the auditorium, I need to talk to you before the break is over"

"Lead the way"

As they walked down to the auditorium , Hafeezah briefed him on the interview she wanted to conduct with him which he agreed to. Friday was usually a very short day and she needed to have put up the interview before the morning assembly on Monday.

The interview took longer than expected to which feezah treated him to ice cream to makeup for his time loss.

"So, feezah with the sizzle hun" Evans said over a mouthful of ice cream

"You don't like" she quirked an eyebrow

"I do, infact I think the name is phenomenal and it suits you if you are anything like what you displayed in the auditorium" her interview conduction skills were topnotch

Feezah laughed,

"You wouldn't be saying this if the interview was a negative blot on your persona, and I could be "nasty" she air quoted the word

"Can't wait to see that other side" Evans smiled and sat on a bench which was backing a tree trunk

"I hope you don't run for the hills then" Feezah took a sit beside him

"I like your vibes, can we hangout sometimes. I know a restaurant around. "Just Ricky""

"You already know that place, you're quite the discoverer, one of our school mates work there. Her name is Camilla, I'm sure you already met her"

"Yes, and her friend Audrey" Evans smirked

"Well she is one of my favorite person, she always make my Icons list every week" Feezah kept on rambling about Camilla's personality and intelligence which amazed Evans. He was surprised to know she had won the best student the previous year. Such impeccable mix not to mention an exceptional beauty.

"You sure know her so well" He commented

"Of course I do" she smiled "Break will soon be over, and club activities are going to commence after"

"I still can't makeup my mind which club to choose" Evans stood up swiftly

"I'll advise you choose something you've never done or something you have little knowledge of, it's better that way"

"I'll choose the drama club then, since I'm so terrible at it" He concluded

"But you seem like a natural to me"

******

Camilla and Audrey were up on their feet making sure not to mix up the orders. Friday was usually very busy since it was weekend. Customers were trooping in and out of 'Just Ricky' making the whole place packed. Audrey still maintained calling customers 'Hun' which faded away when customers became too much to serve.

Evans popped in and chose a far table by the window. He signaled for a waitress to which Mercy answered. She took his order and Audrey came serving him.

"Hi Evans" Audrey smiled at him

"I was hoping I would see you" Evans smiled back "Hi yourself"

"I'm afraid I have to get back to work, we have a lot of customers today"

"I'll wait for you, let walk home together" He suggested to which she agreed and hurriedly left to attend to other customers.

It bothered Evans that he had not seen Camilla once, unknowing to him, Camilla was at great pains avoiding him.