FACADE

Chapter Sixteen

Laila POV 

I stood outside the library waiting for Matthias. We had agree to meet here after lunch. We have a free period after our lunch break. I had plan to meet with him after lunch. He had gone to met someone I didn't know. I plan on teaching him chemistry and biology. He is really lacking in those two subjects. 

I was still waiting for him when I saw Jason standing under a mango tree. His headphone is drape over his head as usual. I had not talk with him since last Friday that we spoke.

Favour and George walk over to him. They said something to him which he reply to quietly. He talk so fluently and easily. The way he talk with ease always entice me that I couldn't help but stare at him from far.

I didn't know when someone walk behind me. 

"Hey it's you Laila." Mary voice sounded behind me.

I quickly turn around to look at her pretty fair face. She was smiling. I don't know why she is smiling. But I said

"Hi." 

"Hi." She smile. "What were you looking at?"She asked. I don't want her to know I was staring at Jason. I don't need any one to start spreading rumour about me having feelings for Jason. I just finish dealing with the talk about the drama between me and his friends.

"Nothing." I replied and I hope she believe me.

She just nodded. I begin to turn away and wait for my friend when she said to me.

"You waiting for someone?" She asked me.

I nodded. I'm still surprise that she is talking to me. She hasn't talk to me once since I came to this school and since I don't pass my boundary i haven't talk to her either. She is born with a silver spoon and she is practically the queen of the school.

No, she is the queen of the school. Her words are command. She command respect from everyone. 

"I want to ask for your advice." She said. 

Ask for my advice?

Is she is sick? 

Or blind?

Or am I dreaming?

Why will Mary of all people ask for my advice? She have bunch of friends that could help with anything she ask for. Anything. Even the beauty queen Ivy follow her around like a minion. So why will she want advice from me that is just an ordinary girl who is not born into wealth.

"Okay. I'm all ears." I said. I don't want her to think I don't want to help her so I will listen to her. And help if I could. Since it is actually something I derive pleasure from - helping others. 

She smile broadly." My dad want to have his birthday soon and I don't know what to get for him."

Really?

Is that possible? That someone like her don't know what to get for her father for his birthday. She had the money to get him any damn thing in the world.

She answered my thought." I can get him any thing. I have the money. But he is also rich,he can have anything he want too. So I want to give him something that he will really appreciate and will love."

"I'm sure he will love and appreciate anything you give him. " I said.

"Yes but not when it is different." She said. "I want to give him something that he never expect. Something that isn't too expensive. Something he will cherish forever. That's why I need your help."

I don't know if she will like my idea but I won't tell her right away. I will think about it more. I can even ask Uncle Femi for help.

"Do you mind if I think about it first." I asked.

"No. I will wait. Thanks."

"No problem." I wave it off and she smile. And she walk away. I saw Matthias leaning on the pillar looking at me.

"What took you so long? The break is almost over." I complain.

"I have been waiting here for a while now."

I roll my eyes at him. He grin." Its the truth. I'm not lieing. I was watching the two of you talking." He said as I lead the way into the library.

The woman at the desk look at our library I.D cards and let us in.

"Why was the queen of the school talking to you? I haven't seen her talk to you before." Mathias said surprise clear in his voice. 

I chuckled."I'm surprise myself." 

"So you two are friends now." He asked. I nudge him and he chuckles lightly not to disturb the few people reading in the library.

****

Jason POV

Mr Bola, the P.H.E teacher just finish with his lesson then he announce what most of the students are waiting to hear since the beginning of the term.

"We will be having our annual interschool competition next month. The date hasn't been picked but I can assure you that the principal will give you the date before the ending of this week. So each houses should prepare. Those who will be competing in mathematics, spellings and debate should start preparing and should meet Mrs Akanni and Mr Prosper on those things you will love to present during the event and which competition you will be joining. As you know your parents are expected to be there. The vice principal finance will come to announce the fee when the time is due."

"I can't wait for it." Prince said in front of me.

" Me too." His girlfriend said grinning.

I roll my eyes. It's not fun for me. It is just another day of noise, anger,tension and crowdedness.

"There are going to be hot girls. I'm looking forward to it." Christian said beside me. He is always excited about the event. He can showcase his talent and meet new girls since other school will be invited. Its about time he have a new girlfriend.

He look at me. He suddenly look sympathetic toward me. I know why he is looking at me that way. But i have stop caring about it. Before i would have been angry and i will want a lot of pities. But that i had over grown. And now i hate people looking at me with sympathy. And he knew that.

"Don't look at me like that." I growl at him.

"Okay. Are you going to join any of the competitions this year?" He asked half hoping.

"I don't know."I answered honestly to him because he is my bestfriend. If it was another person I would have ignore the question or replied harshly.

"Why don't you paint something? You need to showcase that talent of yours." He said with a smile.

I shrug." I don't know."

He shake his head and look back at the new guy sitting beside him. Both of them are becoming close. Their mouth doesn't stop talking except when the teacher is in class.

Deep down I'm a little jealous about it. But I can't blame him if he need to have new friend that is willing to talk continuously and doesn't have short reply to his question.

I suddenly felt lonely.

I am mostly lonely but I feel it more now.

I look at Laila direction. She is laughing at what Matthias is saying to her. She look cute like that and I can't help but smile.

I hit my head to come back to reality. Why am I smiling because a girl is looking cute. There are a lot of pretty girls in the class but she struck me to be different.

She is amazing.

A lot of things had happened in the few time that she had been in our class. Starting from challenging me,to throwing a ball at my friend and giving them a life threat. She even challenge those spoilt girls in the class that know nothing except snapchat,** and their expensive shoes and bags. 

I admit the fact that I admire her a lot. Whenever I am angry and see her I could feel the anger dissolving but just like always I will never admit to such feeling.

I wish things are not the way there are. I wish I had not become the untouchable and fearsome person I am now. Because that is what i thought about when she told me about change last Friday but I'm afraid it is too late. I've done alot that I know I can't possibly receive forgiveness for. And that is why i said that reply to her.

Yet again, I never felt guilty for the things I did to students but since she challenge my friends I begin to feel guilty. Every thing had begin with her. Everything change with her. The feelings. The guilt. The hope. Its started when I meet this girl.

With Laila Sofela.

She change everything around her. Like the most quiet boy in the class that now always have things to say to her. And now become more active.

I find myself wishing for things that in the last three month I would never thought of it. 

I close my eyes and sigh. I could feel Christian turn to look at me. When I open my eyes he was still looking at me then he turn back to his new friend when I said nothing.