Hate and Hearts

Chapter 4

Camilla dropped her brother off at his and hurriedly picked up her pace, she sighted a busstop and waited there to reorganize herself. The wind kept raising her skirt up and picking up sand particle. She would be all dusty when she got to school. The harmattan was getting worse by the day. The previous day's weather forecast had warned the citizens of Abuja of a very cold and windy Monday

"Don't forget to put on your cardigans" her mum had yelled from the kitchen that morning. Camilla made sure to apply lip balm to her cracked lips. Her dry skin was thoroughly moisturized to prevent it from breaking and turning white. She continued her trekking after the wind eased up a little.

The school was scanty when she entered, even the ever punctual disciplinarian Mr Bade was yet to resume. Camilla was grateful since she had escaped the contraband search routine that morning.

She walked into her class which she was sure was empty only to find Evans sitting casually on one of the front seat desk. She debated walking past him to her seat but her good manners didn't let her.

"Good morning" woah her voice pitched up a little higher.

"Good morning" he replied with a small smile

Camilla walked to her seat and dropped her bag. The silence was awkward and she felt little uneasy her so she decided to start a conversation hoping he would contribute.

"I gathered you're from the United states but your mum is a Nigerian"

Evans turned to face her"Have you seen feezah's blog this morning"

"No, what about that"

"Then, I daresay you listen to gossips"

"What!! Everyone knows that you're half Nigerian"

"Oh really, but I've only given that information to Feezah in an interview on friday, which I helped her put up this morning"

Camilla smiled a little uneasy, it was suddenly too hot and her cardigan felt like it would choke her. 'I was only trying to start a conversation you know'

'You could have asked how I was faring but what else should I expect from someone who stares at random people while on her job'

She wished the ground would open up and swallow her. He should have been matured and never should have spoken about it.

'I think you and I have run out of pleasantries' she made to leave the class but Evans words stopped her in her tracks.

'It takes so little to rile you up, I like that'

She turned around 'I would have said you were a psycho but my good manners are impeccable so I'll let it slide'

She left the class quickly before he could think of a sharp rejoinder

The school was filling up gradually and a small crowd was forming at the notice board. Camilla joined the crowd to check feezah's blog. There was the much awaited interview with Evans Landon and a question of his nose ring which he felt was fashion, he also made the tenth student on the Icons list.

Assembly was conducted and the student dispersed. The class representative collected the previous week's assignment and took it to the staff room to submit it. They had Chemistry practicals to which they had to put on their lab coat.

Camilla had forgotten her labcoat and handgloves at home. She still gotten familiar with the new timetable. Peter offered to let her borrow his old lab coat which had his name written on it.

They were paired up in twos for the qualitative analysis practical which each pair of student would have to report individually.

Audrey was paired with Evans while Camilla was paired with Norman another student.

'Ouch' Audrey had burnt her hand a little while they were conducting flame test. Evans was already attending to her, fanning her hand.

They also had a general class which was Civic education. All in all Camilla's mind kept going back to the conversation she had with Evans.

Evans and Audrey were going stronger by the passing week much to Camilla's dismay. He would drop by 'just Ricky' so he and Audrey would walk home together. Camilla was fed up with talks of Evans from Audrey. Almost everyday Audrey would relate their nightly conversation to Camilla.

'I'm still trying to think about it' Audrey told Camilla at one of their usual nightly girls convo

'Why are you holding back, you told me you would say yes if he asked you out' Camilla replied her while turning over on her bed. The conversation was taking an interesting turn.

'I did, but now I'm thinking– his exchange only last for a year, which means after this year we might not meet each other again'

Camilla could understand her fears, he was temporary. But Joel would always be in Nigeria. Well how complicating could it get.

'We also went on a date yunno'

'What!!!! Audrey, and you failed to tell me' the disappointment was evident in her voice

'You always said I would dress you up for your first date'

'Sorry Cam,she apologized

Camilla came to know they had kissed nd Evans had asked her to be his girl friend but she was holding back.

Evans was getting impatient, Audrey said she needed time, which he was running out of. He didn't want Joel to beat him to it. He knew exactly what to do, maybe, just maybe he could kill two birds with one stone.

Getting closer to Camilla would do the trick. He just needed to turn on the right charm. Right now he needed to blow off some steam. He needed someone he could relate to on a more personal note.

He picked up his phone and dialled Feezah.

'Hey feez, wanna hangout at my place'

'Sure Evs, let me round up things and I'll be right there'

'Sure, should I order pizza or chips and onion dips'

'Pizza, dumdum'

'Ok, and we have a lot to talk about'

'You just reminded me to bring my listening ear'

Evans laughed and ended the call. Feezah was always fun to talk to anyday. They had been hanging out for almost a month sjnce he came to Nigeria. He was once on a video call with his mum and sister when feezah had walked in.They teased him about his girlfriend until feezah came and clarified everything. Eversince then, Jessica his sister always requested to talk to her.

He quickly called dialled pizza hut to place an order for two medium sized pizza which got delivered after 30minutes.

He heard the doorbell again–that must be feezah he thought. He immediately went to open the door

'What's up Evs' feezah walked in not sparing him another glance.

'Glad you're here feez' feezah smiled ruefully and threw Evans a friendly punch

'Hope you already ordered the pizza' she held her hips like she was ready to fight if he hadn't

'You taekwando skills still sucks but i can't endure even the slightest hit today' he made a funny face at her to which she laughed. True she learnt taekwando because she was the only female child her parent had out of five children. Her brothers always made her their sparring partner each time they were rehearsing whatever new skill they learnt. She took up taekwando because she couldn't continue getting beaten up. Evans laughed when she told him and she even demonstrated few of moves she learnt.

She made a distressed face while demonstrating it and Evans had never laughed so hard.

Someone else rang the doorbell again and Evans was surprised, he wasn't expecting anyone and his uncle and cousin were not going to be back till early the next day. The help had also left since so who could it be. Maybe the gateman wanted something.

'Let me answer it' feezah turned around 'go get the drinks ready and your maths note, I came with mine'

'You have to pay feez' he grinned while shaking his head slightly

'I would have gone to Camilla's you know but one certain baby needed momma so badly' she made circled her hands on each eyes 'so here I am attending to that baby'

The doorbell rang again and Feezah immediately went to open the door

'Audrey! ' she exclaimed

Evans stopped in his track

'Hafeezah' Audrey quirked her brows

You didn't do anything wrong Evans now man up, invite Audrey in and provide her with a thorough explanation over pizza why Hafeezah is here.

'Only if it were that easy' Evans murmured a little to himself