Me and Myself

Chapter Seven

"What's that suppose to mean?" I frown.

"Uhmm I think you should see it for yourself." She leads the way and I follow. When we reach the separate class where all the cards were collected she opened the door and followed me as I enter the room. They all looked at me like I was some alien. I slowly reach the table where the cards were scattered. I pick one and read. I froze! I snapped my head back to her and she shrugg. I quickly pick another one and another and another but they were all the same. I shook my head hoping it was a dream or something.

"This can't be it. This is not supposed to happen!" I half yelled.

"Look Olive I think the students truly want this." A brown hairy dude suggested.

"THIS!" I slammed the piece of card on the table hard and pointed. No one answered.

"How could this even be possible?" I ask.

"Wish I know the answer too." Layla answered.

"Huh!" I sighed in exhaustion. I looked around and grabbed a sit. Seconds later our director entered the class.

"Are you-? Wait why are you not working? I thought you have already started counting? And why is the card scattered every-?" He stopped picking a card from the table. "I didn't know you were running for the election." He faced me.

"Me neither." I mumbled.

"And why does all the cards have your name?" He asked frowning. I sat straight raising my hands in defeat.

"I don't know." I sighed.

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"It means the students wanted me to be the president for some reason which I still don't get. Plus the rest are pretty good too. I don't know why they specifically chose me." I whined.

"Okay we'll have this discussion in the meeting room." He stated and left the class.

I don't get it! Why do peoples manipulate you to do something that you don't want? This is my life! I am in charge of making my own decisions. And being the centre of attention was never my intention. Yes I am an extrovert, but I don't wanna be the one in the spot light. Specially not in highschool where every teen is obsessed with your life, from the way you eat, dress, talk, date...! I don't want stalkers in my life I've already had enough.

I reached the meeting hall, I can hear students talking. Layla rubbed my back and entered the room. I was about to turn and run until I feel safe again, but my bad, can't do that. I took a deep breath and stepped in. The room went silent making walking difficult for me. I said my prayers silently not to trip infront of them and look clumsy. I took a sit in the front row and the director started talking.

"So we've seen the result and it was truly unexpected. But it's good to know that everyone's on the same page..." Not me! Hell if we were in a book I would have been on epilogue! Why do peoples need to be selfish? Ouch! I snapped my head to the direction I was elbowed. Layla? I frown.

"Go." She whispered. What? Where? I turn to our director who was staring at me like I was some kind of freak.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Olive do you wanna say something?" He extends the mic for me. Oh hell ya I have plenty to say. I took the mic and faced the crowd.

"Hi umm" I started feeling dizzy and nauseous, I feel like puking. "Uh umm.." no words left my mouth making me more nervous. I haven't felt this feeling for a long time and I thought it was gone, but look at me now!

"You're smart Olive!" Someone yelled pulling me back to reality. I knew I heard the voice somewhere but I can't remember anything in the situation I am know.

"And caring!" A girl yelled seconds after the first. I'm sure it was Stella.

"Funny!" Another voice added. Greck!

"And pretty!" I laughed recovering from all the mixture of feelings.

"And mostly we believe in you!" Loo! I smiled.

"I believe in you, Olive!" Pat stood from her seat.

"I believe in you!" Stella joined.

"I believe in you!" Loo followed.

"I believe in you!" , "I believe in you!", "I believe in you!" The next thing I know every teen was on his feet rooting for me.

"You can do this." A man whispered from behind. I turn and saw Naod nodding. I smiled and I can feel tears forming in my eyes. I brought the mic closer and opened my mouth to speak.

"Okay." I state simply and everyone cheered. I thought it was a dream or some stupid clichè boring pg 13 movie, but no it wasn't. Then why is it so dramatic? Well it's highschool, the best place for a drama!

Everyone left the hall and our director gave me the keys to my now office. The girls came and engulfed me with their hug. We were talking until Sage starts heading our way. The girls waved leaving me alone with the guy I hate and want to punch on the guts. Traitors!

"Congratulations!" He congrats me scratching the back of his neck. Hmm....that's something new.

"That was supposed to be my line."I arched a brow.

"Apparently, yes." We laughed. "So wanna talk about the other night?" He asked.

"No." I shook my head simply.

"Okay. Well get ready, I'll be in the drive way infront of the compound." What?

"Wait? What?" I frown not getting his point.

"Oh Olive, I know you were busy, but don't tell me you forgot?" He groans.

"Forgot what?" Trying to remember anything. Nothing helpful though.

"Our date Olive?" Expecting oh's or ah's from me .

"Date?" I laughed but his face was dead serious. "Are you serious right now?"

"Yeah we texted this morning. Don't tell me you forgot that." He cross his arms on his chest. Right now I'm feeling like I'm reading a book with pages left out. I'm so confused.

"Sage what are you talking about?" I repeated the same position as his.

"Huh," he sighed pulling out his phone from his side jean pocket and scrolling over like he's searching for something. He gave me his phone.

"What's it?"I ask

"Read it." He ordered.

Sorry for last night. Didn't saw it was that late.

Received 8:15 am

         It's coo. But mad u hanged up          without a proper goodnight.?

             Received 8:18 am

Wanna make it up to u...if u want??  Received 8:19 am

          Who wld turn an offer from a   

          girl like u... wat's it?

              Received 8:21 am

Date still available??

Received 8:22 am

           Always...

               Received 8:22 am

I'm down

Received 8:23 am

           Dinner?

               Received 8:23 am

Awesome! Where?

Received 8:23 am

            That's....? a surprise....   

           1 pm?

                Received 8:24 am

Kk

Received 8:24

             Can't wait pumpkin!

                 Received 8:25 am

??

Received 8:25

I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked at the number to check if it was truly mine and sure it was. I haven't even checked my phone at the time the text was sent. Plus this is completely not the way I text. And what's with the emojis? A kissing emoji? For sage? I glanced at Sage who was waiting for an answer and back to the phone. What the heck happened?

"I uh I don't know what this is Sage, I swear." I stuttered blinking quickly to clear mind and also not believing my eyes.

"So you're saying I wasn't texting with you?" He frown as I was about to explain my phone beat me to it. A text popped up. I swiped and texts started flooding.

"Needed to hack your cell.

Gurl say yes!

Plz plz!

Save my hair???!!!" Texts kept flooding. GIRLS!

"I'll be there in a minute. We need to talk!" I texted back. Sage cleared his throat reminding me he was still there. I gathered my senses and met his gaze. Green! Green! The eye colour? It's green! I haven't noticed it until now. It's... it's....beautiful. Just like a forest with tall green trees surrounded by beautiful creatures, butterflies flying and a lake in the middle, you know those places you find peace and helps you meditate? I want to-

"Olive?" He pulled me back to reality.

"Umm haha" I cleared my throat. "I was just messing with you. How would I forget about that? Pfft" I chuckled and he arched a brow.

"So...your going?" He frown.

"No. We," I swayed my index finger between the two of us, " are going." I smiled. He nods.

"See you at 1." He winked. I gave him a salute similar to scout's style. "Bye pumpkin." He wriggled his brows which I found entertaining.

"I told you not to give me pet names." I teased. Truly speaking I wanted to roll my eyes and groan.

"You're right you deserve better than a pet name." Woah! Now his a charmer? I chuckled and he left.

I walked back to my dorm rehearsing the scenarios that happened today. I'm the 12 graders student's body president of the year and thanks to the girls I got a date. I smiled as I remember those beautiful eyes. They were different. Different in their own way, different from the blue ones I can't stop thinking about. I reached my room, inserted a key, turned the knob and stepped in. BOOM! I heard a blast. I jumped and yelled covering my eyes. I removed my hands to scan my environment. Loo, Ella and Pat were staring at me with tooth all over their faces and a party popper in their hands.

"You got yourself a date!" Loo chirps.

"The way I remember it...you manipulated me on to having the what so called date, blaming dare without minding to tell me." I sighed laying down on my bed glaring at the ceiling. A white ceiling? Similar as the one health centres got.

"Same s**t girl." Ella waves it off.

"How is forcing someone to do something and that someone willing to do something be the same?" I ask struggling to sit back straight.

"Cause they're both doing it." Ella rolls her eyes taking a sit on a chair while Loo and Pat bounced on the bed.

"Now...I need a drum roll!" Pat requested and Loo started hitting her tummy to fulfill her wish.

"Guys I'm the victim here! Hello!" I waved both of my hands to get their attention. We have unfinished business. But they ignored me.

"What are you going to wear?" Pat smirks while the girls do the same. I quickly shook my head knowing their intention. After hours or so of the usual eye poking, some hair burning and pulling, trying different outfits later I settled on wide neckline partially showing my left shoulder, long sleeved maroon dress with white boots having the features of timberland and holding a white simple handbag across my chest down to my waist, also hair tied in a tight high ponytail and makeup kept natural.

I sighed glancing at myself once again on the mirror hanged on my cupboard.

"Are you sure this ain't to much?" I frown asking it for the hundredth time now. They groan pushing me to the door.

"Yes we are! Now go you took so long already." Loo whines.

"And it ain't a good manner to keep a tall sexy hormoned young man alone, in the night, probably thinking his being stood up-"

"Okay okay I'm going." I cut Ella off while she was pretending to count down her reasons. "But we will talk about this when I get back!" I warned pointing at them turn by turn.

"Fine fine. Now go!" Pat beams giving me one last push as she was starting a dead car. I groan and waved them a goodbye. My phone rings for what? A million times tonight? Damn boys are so hasty. I picked the phone holding it against my ear.

"Olive! My God! Why are you taking so long?" Sage groans through the phone.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. I'll be there in a minute." I groan back.

"You've said that almost an hour ago!" He whines.

"Yes. But I swear I'm coming this time." Trying to calm him.

"And you've said that for the 6th time now!" He keeps whining.

"Oh my God Sage! Stop being a baby or do you want me to run and trip and then break a leg or an arm?" I questioned.

"No." He stated.

"Now calm down and I'll be there with in 2 minutes."

"To make sure...I want you to be on the phone the whole walk with me." He didn't ask he requested. I sighed.

"Okay. Fine." I gave in.

"Good."

"So what do you wanna talk about?" I ask being uncomfortable with the silence between us even if it was on the phone.

"Were you dressing to impress me? Is that why you took so long?" They were trying to impress you! I scoffed.

"You wish! I told you I was doing some assignments and I wasn't gonna leave until I finished it. Simple." I lied.

"Don't worry there is no shame in trying to impress me. Many girls die to go on a date with me." I can imagine his face with a smirk.

"I don't need to impress you, even if I'm in my pj's I can still get the date." Damn girl.

"True. But what you're saying is-" he stopped. I waited for him to continue but nada.

"Hey you okay?"

No answer.

"Sage-?" I was cut off by a man's voice.

"You look stunning." I turn around to the direction and met my gaze with Sage's.

He looked surprised, I can tell. His eyes running up and down my body. If it wasn't him I would've been shivering by now. His eyes drifted back to mine slowly approaching. As he was a feet away he stopped looking deep inside my eyes as he wanted to know something. I cleared my throat feeling awkward by the situation.

"Uh umm..." he cleared his throat before speaking "....you....you look beautiful." He then took my hand and placed a kiss. A kiss on my palm! Isn't that suppose to be the reverse like on the back of my hand? Still it was cute.

"This way." He holds my hand gesturing me where his car was parked. We walk to the direction our hands still holding each other's. I should feel creeped and disgusted since I hate him but I don't. We stopped infront of a big bike.

"Hmm....Kawasaki ninja H2, nice!" I purred sliding my fingers tracing the hot black motor cycle. I picked up a helmet and inserted my head. My hands gripped the throttle and I hopped on. I grabbed another helmet that was hanged on the throttle and handed it to Sage who was standing there with a hell lot of expressions and emotions all over his face. I smirked. "Are we going or what?" I sent him a wink and he chuckled.

"Wow!" He blinked continuously if things would change.

"I'm riding this pretty horse so know hurry and hop on. And if you continue blinking I'll leave without you." I patted the sit behind me.

"Are you su-?"

"Shut up and get on the damn bike!" I ordered.

"Yes ma'am." He did as told. After he put on his helmet he asked. "So how are we doing this?"

"Hold me tight but not too tight. I don't wanna run out of oxygen. It's going to be a harsh drive." I warned.

"Okay," he chuckled. He handed me his phone "we're going here." He pointed the location on the map and set it on the bike. I nod. "Hey pumpkin?" He called and I turn to hear what he was going to say next. "I've never let anyone drive my bike before." He admitted. I wasn't expecting it so I was surprised but I quickly hid it with a smile still failed because MY FACE WAS COVERED BY THE HELMET!

I started the engine. It roared filling the silence in the lot. I remembered the old days back in Uganda and smiled for my self. I tightened my grip on the throttle ready to take off.

"You need to tighten your grip on my waist or else you might end up with a broken neck!" I yelled since the bike was loud. He laughed and did as told and with that I took off.

Minutes later we parked infront of pizza hut and ordered a take away. The cashier told us to have a sit until they bring our order. We went to a less crowded spot in the restaurant and grabbed our seats.

"So where's our next stop, the market?" I smirked.

"Do you by any chance read minds?" He frown. I nod creepy smile forming on my lips. "Then why did you ask?" He retorted.

"Just to be sure." I shrugged.

"That means you didn't read my mind, you just guessed." He smirked. I let out a soft chuckle.

"I'll next time." I assured him by a quick nod.

"Next time?" He raised a brow slightly turning his left corner of his lips turning upwards and I was lost of words. What the heck was I thinking! Next time? What does that even mean?

"It's okay don't over think it. It's nice to know you're having fun." He winked and I dramatically rolled my eyes.

The waiter arrived with our order in paper bags which have their logo in the middle. We thanked him and left. Sage didn't allow me to ride his motorcycle this time so I ended up sitting behind hugging him and resting my head on his back. A minute ride later we parked infront of a market. We stepped inside and went to the cold drinks section. We grabbed two bottle of coke and that was it Sage was ready to leave, but I as always refused to leave with out chocolate bars on my hand. I excused myself to the section telling him I'll meet him in the line. The place was pretty big for a market plus I haven't been here before, you know where this is going? Right? I got lost. I tried to find the sweets section but nada. So I started to walk straight finding my way back. I heard footsteps behind me I snapped my head to see who it was and Bang! I bumped on to someone or something. I was expecting to feel the exact pain on my a*s as last time instead a strong as an iron hand made me not lose my balance. My hands moved to the foreign hand curled up on my waist causing foreign feelings all over my spine. My hand touched his and it was skin not an iron. I slowly traced my way up checking out every blood vessels on my way to the shoulder. I brought my eye from his feet to his eyes. Sage. It was him? All the time it was him? What the hell is happening in this world? Isn't he supposed to be Iron man or Tom Cruise or something like that? Ugh I hate my-

"Aren't you kids too young for this?" An old woman startled us. I quickly shoved him aside and started to fix my hair in order to look decent enough for the old woman with the glasses infront of us. "The movies you watch are messing and playing with your head. Young man, you might be older than her and know certain things that she doesn't. You came just right on time as her age is the age where the hormones works gently and effectively to try out new things, experience new feelings whether they're good or bad doesn't matter. Because all she cares is about have fun by trying wild things." She faced me "Do you know how many young girls at your age end up in unwanted pregnancy and have an abortion risking their lives?" What is she talking about? She sighed fixing her glasses, "s*x is natural both in science and religion, but only when the time is right. Lord knows why this generation doesn't believe in God or have a decent religion? Oh yes the movies!" She answered it for herself. "You see these days lord knows what the internet teaches the upcoming generation..." she blabbed and blabbed. While me and Sage both were shocked. I cleared my throat to explain myself and the situation.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I think you misunderstood us. I was walking and I tripped and he saved me from falling on the floor and hit my Uh bottom hard." I tried to watch my language and be polite as possible at a time.

"Then if that's the case what are you doing in the c****m section? Where all types are available and displayed so you can pic flavour?" She speaks with a harsh tone. I gasped turning to see what was behind me and true it was the wrong section. "I might be old but I am not a fool to buy your lies. Spoiled generations!" She cursed and walked away. I couldn't find the right words to explain the situation so I just glared on the man who was chose to be silent the whole time. He shrugged and burst into laughter while I shook my head in disbelief.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Did you hear the old lady? Why in the merciful world are you still laughing?" He didn't bother to stop. We paid and went to our bike. You won't believe me when I say this, but sage was laughing the whole time.

"Huh, thanks pumpkin you made my day." He wiped his tears with his thumb letting out a soft chuckle.

"Haven't you noticed?" I asked.

"What?"

"It's already late, far from day." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay smart girl now aren't you hungry?"

"I'm starving." I admitted.

"Well let's go surprise you." He climbed on the bike and passed me the spare helmet.

"Surprise?" I asked.

"You'll see." He started the engine and we took off.

After 30 minutes or so we reached a sky high building. He grabbed my hand and started walking to the back of the building.

"Hey? Are we allowed back here?" I asked.

"Shhh" he shushed me.

"Don't shhsh me! Are you abducting me? Are you going to kill me?" I fired questions.

"God would you shut up!" He whisper barked checking whether everything was clear or not. I stopped snatching my hand from his grip. He turned to meet my infuriated face.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way." He explained, but I'm game so he need to play hard. I turned my heels and started walking out. I can hear his footsteps getting closer so I fastened my pace. Unlucky me, he spun me by my hand till our chests meet one another. I can hear his heartbeat and I'm pretty sure he does mine. We stared at each other for a beautiful seconds or so, but the he cleared his throat and started speaking "I'm sorry pumpkin. I was just trying not to get caught. Just believe me this time please? I wanna show you something." He begged.

"I don't wanna be with a boy treating me like that. I know I deserve better and I know you know that too." One thing I learned about boys is that if you want them to respect you need to play hard to get.

"Yes you're right. I was caught off guard. You were bombarding questions instead of trusting me. And I couldn't concentrate so I snapped. And I regret that. I wish I could take that back." He speak with pleading eyes. How adorable. I gave him a tight smile. "Now let's not kill our time arguing. I'm sure you'll love it." He smiled and extended a hand. I looked at his hand and then up to his eyes. They looked safe. I accepted and we started sneaking into the back of the building.

After a long tiring stairways later we reached the rooftop of the building. At first I felt nauseous, but my mind started adopting and I felt better. The wind is slightly blowing flicking my ponytail to the side. The VIEW! Oh my oh my, it's priceless. Everything looks so small and quite. The darkness plus the lights from the houses make it look like a sky with stars of different colours. I looked back to Sage and found him standing near a tent. Wait a tent? TENT? On a building?

"Uh Sage what is that?" I asked slowly approaching him.

"What your saying is that my pumpkin have never been to a camping before?" He faked an accent. I rolled my eyes.

"I know what a tent is. I'm saying how did it end up here?"

"I have my ways." He shrugged.

"And what are your ways?" I asked.

"God! Do you need to know everything?" His voice exhausted.

"No, but I need to know what I'm getting myself into." I defend myself.

"I'll tell you about that when the time comes. Now get in." He gestured me the way, I sighed. I walked to the tent and he opened the tent pulling the canvas aside enough for me to get in. I got in and he followed. He zipped the tent and switched the light. I couldn't believe my eyes.