FACADE

Chapter Twenty One

Jason POV

I was angry after talking to my mother when I get to school. She just ruin my mood. She didn't try calling back after then. I went to the class room to sit. Some students begin to troop in after some time which didn't make it any more convenient and private for me.

I went to my usual spot - the old music room and fortunately no one was there. I could hear the noise coming from the hall in the room. I didn't go back to the hall for almost all the programme. It wasn't long afterward that Christian came looking for me. He told me to come to the hall that he will be presenting with his group soon. So I did.

I follow him back to the hall which was filled with parents, students and teachers. I can feel the anxiousness and excitement around me. I wish I could be like one of them and feel the same but I couldn't.

It's hard to be happy in my life. There are a lot of things that are happening in my life and they can't make me happy.

I watch as Christian performed and after him was Laila debate performance. I watch as she dispaly her talent. The girl is good at talking. She talk with so much confidence and I could see the judges and some of the parents impressed with her performance. She really know how to get into people. 

Maybe that is how she got a scholarship into this school.

After Laila and her colleagues performance, I left the hall back to my safe haven. I slept for almost two and half hours. Grateful, I was able to sleep well.

When I wake up, the sound had reduce and I assume that the event is over. I got up and pick my bag and leave for the hall. On my way to the hall, I called Christian to tell him I was coming to the hall to meet him so he could hurry up with whatever he was doing. Its not like he does anything important than talk to girls.

I'm certain he will get lot of new numbers today.

As I approach the hall, a boy with his friends bump into me. I was ready to let it go since he isn't from my school. He doesn't know the rules and he don't know me. I just huff and try to avoid not punching him on the face.

But then the guy stop and said to me. "Hey dude. Are you blind or something?"

Is this guy crazy?! He bump into me - one of the things I hate and he had the gut to ask if I was blind.

"What did you just say?" I huffed.

"You heard me dumb head." He said and his friends laugh. " Or had your beauty get into your ears." He smirk when my frown get deeper. His friend laugh and one of them push me back.

Who the hell does he think he is? 

How dare he touch me with his filthy hand?

I was about to punch him when Christian appear out of nowhere. He came in between us. And he try pushing the guy back.

Christian whispered something to me which make me stopped but still threw the fool a scowl. Then my friends came to stand at my back. 

"What should we do to the i***t?" George who had little patience asked me cracking his bone ready to punch any time.

"Just say the word." Saheed said. I could feel that he is smirking right now. He is so eager. He hadn't punch or laugh at anyone in a while now and he is anxious to do that. And like one of the few time I was glad they got my back.

I was still furious at the guy so I didn't say any thing.

"Don't do anything." Christian said still looking at the boys who think this is just a joke. They do not know what they are into. They are so damn lucky that my bestfriend is in the middle.

"What..."

"Shut the hell up you." Christian try to keep the guy that had bump into me quiet.

He still have the gut to talk when he see my scowl and my friend's. Its seem the guy want a death wish. I got angry and was ready to punch his stupid mouth when someone get into my front. 

It happens to be Laila.

What the hell is she doing here? She better not meddle in this. Can't she learn to stay away from me? Anytime I try not to think about her, she find a way to come back into my thought.

Fuck! Why am I thinking about this? 

"Jason please don't mind them." She begged almost in a whisper.

I didn't look at her. I saw Christian turn around and he look at Laila in relief. I'm sure he is glad someone could help him to control I and my friends from doing what I had in mind.

"What are you looking at? Come at me." The animal said with a smirk. I guess he is enjoying me getting angry and scowling at him but I can't do anything because of Laila and Christian.

I clench my hand into a fist and I can feel the pain that my nails are doing to my palm. Then a hand touch me. It was Laila.

She touch my hand and I look at her. Her hand is cold on mine. My fist release a little and I suddenly felt my anger begin to slide away. 

How did she manage to do it?

I was still thinking about Laila hands on my hand and the feelings I am getting from them when the boy talk again.

This guy really want to lose a part of his body before leaving Greater Height School today. Then I saw Laila left my front and she gently push Christian away and then she was standing in front of the big mouth and she slap him on the face.

His face went to the side and he involuntary touch the side of his cheeks. He look shocked. So were his friends. I could hear the exclamation from the students around us. I'm sure my friend are also surprise without looking at them.

My mouth tug up into a small smile. This is why i admire this girl. This is why I found her amazing.

But why did she do so?

Why did she help me?

I don't think she is on any one side now. She is just trying to avoid trouble that I and my friend won't hesitate to make.

"Wh...wh...what did you just do?" The girl beside the boy Laila just slap said. She look angry.

"You better keep your mouth shut unless I won't hesitate to do the same to you." Laila threaten the girl and I saw her flinch before her friend put her hand on her shoulder to keep her quiet from saying more words.

I guess they are afraid of Laila.

I think I and Laila are quite the same when it come to intimidating people. I guess she don't know that.

I saw the boy she slap move closer to her and I move to her side and I said when he was about to open that f*****g mouth of his that would have been busted if not for Laila and Christian. "Don't you dare." I warned as my boil boiled.

I don't think I will be able to control my self if he dare lay a hand on Laila.

He move back. I guess he is more shocked when he heard my cold voice. My look didn't seem to intimidate them but I guess my voice did.

They quickly move back. Laila touch my hand again and I felt that coldness bringing calmness to me.

"You better leave." Christian advise them angrily. This time they did not try to talk at him. They did after they touch each other and then walk away.

The students shake their heads and begins to walk away.

Great! 

I've had enough of the stare.

I felt Laila hand drop from mine and I suddenly miss the coldness of her hand. I look at her and then turn to my friends gesturing for them that we should leave.

They nodded and we turn to leave. I walk away with my friends without saying a word to Laila.

The truth is I don't know what to say. I don't know what she is thinking and I didn't want her to have the wrong idea.

"Thank you Laila. I owe you." I heard Christian said to her. I guess that is what I should have said. She save me from my self. She save me from my anger. She save me from doing what I might regret to those guy.

She also save their asses from getting beating.

But it is too late now. I had already walk away and my pride won't make me turn back to say anything. I heard Christian following after us.

We stood in the almost empty car park. My driver is not here yet. Obinna ride is already at the car park. We stood at the side of the car.

"What was that about?" Favour said.

"Is Laila crazy?" George asked. I can hear the amusement in his voice.

"The girl is crazy." Obinna and Saheed chorused.

" That guy could have hurt her." Saheed said.

"Yes." Christian agreed. They turn to look at him standing by my side.

"I wish I had punch the son of a bitch." George said. "He keep opening his smelling mouth."

The others nodded in agreement.

"He should thank Laila that save his ass." Favour said rubbing his fist.

He is right about that. I thought.

"She is one hell of a girl that Laila." George said shaking his head. I guess he still thinking about what Laila did. The others nodded in agreement.

"She is." Christian agreed.

My phone ring in my pocket and I hunch to bring it out from my pocket. It was my driver. I answered the call. He said he is at the gate and that He is not allow to come in so we should meet him at the gate. 

The stupid security are already tired I guess.

"Thanks guys." I said and they look shocked even Christian is surprise. I never appreciate what they do to me. But now I do for the first time."I will see you guys on Monday."

They nod. I guess they are still surprise that their mouth was shut.

"Let go Christian." I said to my bestfriend.