Chapter 8: Signals Or Silence?
226 Words
Maria couldn't sleep.
She clutched the book Daniel gave her, flipping through pages she had no interest in reading. His voice echoed in her head — “You’re welcome.”
Was it genuine? Or just part of his confusing, hot-and-cold attitude?
At school the next day, she walked in prepared to ignore him. But Emeka wasn’t having it.
“So, bookworm… are we falling for the boy who smells like trouble?”
Maria groaned. “Emeka, stop.”
He laughed. “I’m just saying. You and Daniel? It would make a great plot twist.”
As they entered the Literature class, Mr. Tunde announced a new project — paired essay presentations.
“Partners will be selected randomly,” he said, eyes twinkling like he was hiding a surprise.
Maria held her breath.
“Maria and… Daniel.”
The class gasped. Even Emeka let out a dramatic “Wow.”
Daniel didn’t react. He was leaning back in his seat, unreadable. Maria, on the other hand, felt heat rise to her cheeks.
Later, as they sat together to plan their project, he finally looked at her and asked, “Do I make you nervous?”
Maria rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
But her fingers nervously fiddled with the corner of her notebook. Daniel caught it and smirked.
“Oh, I don’t wish. I know.”
- Writer
