FACADE

Chapter Fifteen

Jason POV

My friends sat in a corner murmuring something to themselves. They just told me what Laila had done. The whole school is already talking about it.

I see the way the students stare at them when they walk into the class. Christian just keep smiling looking at Laila direction.

Infact he is not the only one who is amused by what Laila did. I am. I can't stop myself from laughing when they tell me what she had said and done. Favour busted lips top it all. And they thought I was crazy. 

A girl had threw a ball at him and he is crying because he have a bursted lips. He keep touching it and the others keep telling him it will be fine. It just sounds and look funny. He is more ashamed and he didn't come to school a day after that.

I don't know how I feel about it myself. I don't know if I am angry, surprise or happy about it.

Honestly I had thought something like this will happen. I didn't know it will be so soon. My friends have been quiet since. They are scared of her. I have never seen them scared of any student. They imitate me. But this is totally different.

The fear was lace in their voice. They had the strength to beat her but there is something that make them feel weak to hurt her. 

"You should have seen her eyes. It means hell." George said.

"She didn't blink when I move close to her. All she had been doing is hiding under a facade." Saheed said.

"She showed her real self that day." Favour said quietly. "I didn't know she was so tough."

"She is really from the ghetto. What girl hand is so strong? My mom had to put ice on it. " Saheed said and he unconsciously touch his cheek. I couldn't help but smile.

No one had amuse me like this in a long time.

"She is just like Vicki." Obinna said and the others nodded.

Vicki was in junior class two then and we were a year higher than her in class. She is the first and only girl; in fact the only student before Laila to confront us. 

She was a very fat girl who does nothing than to write story. The girls usually make fun of her. Even the teachers sometimes call her funny names. Me and my friends also found her amazing. She was too dull and she just hover and watch people make jest of her.

George and I decide to make her our little doll. But everything change.

Vicki stood up for herself.

She wrote some stupid stuff about us in the school magazine making me more angry and I added her to my blacklist.

She had yelled at me and said some things I never knew she could say. I was more than shocked and for the first time in my entire life I apologize. With the way she talked with tears, I felt a little guilty and I apologize to her in a letter.

She left for London after that day. And No one had challenged us since her..... until Laila. 

**

I was standing next to my locker reading some messages on my tab when I noticed Laila approaching. I put my tab inside my school bag and watch her approach. Her hair is still wet. And I know she just finish her swimming practice.

She usually have swimming practice after school. 

I clap my hands when she was within arm reach. She stop and look at me. She gave me a look that says 'I don't want trouble.' 

"Here comes the queen of the school. Bravo Sofela." I said. I move closer to her and I could hear her heartbeat in the silent hallway. I smile. Maybe she isn't as tough as she seem. 

"You know... you surprise me. My friends are so scared of you." I said. 

Funny but it is still amusing. 

Laila POV

Jason moves closer to me and I move away from him. He keep staring at me with that ever-cold eyes and it make me shiver. I try to move away from him but my back meet the locker. I saw his expression change and he try to suppress a smirk.

His presence brought this churn in my stomach and my heart beat faster. It is not because i am afraid of him. I don't feel afraid of his look and his presence, I am just uncomfortable and at the same time love his proximity. Seeing him close to me makes me speechless. He is so handsome. His face is so smooth and his hair is thick and very dark. His brow had a nice curve. I don't know if he shave them but there look great. I can also perceive his perfume. His sport wear is spotless.

I don't know how some one so handsome could have such a cold eyes. But despite the eyes he is still handsome.

Why am I thinking about his beauty? I said cursing myself within me. Why am i even having this feelings around him? Have got to let him know i won't watch and let him have his way with me anymore. I need to tell him, I am not afraid of him. Because I am not. I'm just having a different feeling right now which I can't explain.

"You know ...you surprise me. My friends are scared of you." He said.

When he mention his friends,I can't help but get angry. I just dislike those boys so much. So I said to him

"They got half of what they deserve." 

"You've got some nerve Sofela." Jason said.

"They started it. You started it. I'm not just going to sit and watch." I said. I don't know where the courage is coming from for me to talk to the almighty Jason but I am grateful for the courage to talk to him.

He stare at me for what seem like forever. I don't know if he is angry or sad or amuse or confuse. His face is just so expressionless. Just like it was the first time I confronted him in the old music room to save those junior student.

How could his face not read any emotion? Is he truly an alien? He can't be. I know he can show emotions except been angry and cold. Its just that I have never seen it.

He finally said something relieving me of the pain on my chest.

"Stay. Out. Of. My way." He said in a warning tone and he move back away from me. 

He look at me one last time and he begin to walk away from me.

I kind of felt like a fool. I should have told him what I need to say to him. I have try to tell him to let me be and also that he can be better than how he think of him self. But several times i just let it go. And now I've got the chance. He is here close to me, alone with no one here. But here I am with the crazy feeling and I can't. I've got to say something. Anything.

I feel like I can help him. 

From what? My subconsciousness asked. I don't know .

"Jason." I called and I pray he hear me. Fortunately,he did because he stop. To my surprise, he turn around and look at me. He is not angry that I called his name. He just look at me and wait to hear whatever I have to say.

"You can be better you know. You don't always have to be like this." He was quiet. "People change."

"Not every one want to change." He said without that hint of coldness for the first time. And he turn away and leave.

He doesn't seem to be move about me telling him to 'change' but I am a little please that he try to listen to what I want to say and he replied without getting angry.

I always have my doubt but I also know that deep down that cold and handsome face,there is someone better.