Loving Felix

Episode 3| Assurance

When I saw the time table for second year’s, I mentally dread Wednesday, it was packed. I literally had two hour classes from 10am to 4pm and the only lively thing about that was seeing Felix. I had Literature at the LT (Lecture Theater), Naa took turns to the back as Vera and I marched to the second row seats.

 Naa didn’t want to risk being asked a question so thought it save to swerve. Felix was not in yet so I watched up some videos on YouTube to kill time- well our literature lecture was a fun person and a busy one. His TA mostly stood in for him and at the initial stages we didn’t like it, I didn’t like it, a Taurus didn’t like change. But it got better over time and to say he was good was an understatement.

Felix Collin walked in the moment my eyes wondered for him. Christian was with him alongside Lilly Smith. I had known Lilly since first year, we were affiliated to the same hall and she was in the room next to mine. We became friends a little while when we both realize we were reading the same course as our major and when she disclosed to me she would move from campus; it really didn’t bother me- besides she wanted to explore the life outside campus. But now it did, I was bothered and troubled! Why in the universe did she have to share a hostel with Felix? Just why?

 Wasn’t it enough that he didn’t even notice me? And now what, a competition! Lilly had this petite body, smooth beautiful brown skin and a pretty smile. She was simply beautiful and I admired her for being that and smart. I noticed a couple of weeks how Felix was all around her and it turns out they met at their present hostel and found out they both were doing the same majors and minors. 2 points for Lilly!

Lilly took the upper left fourth row seat followed by Felix and Christian, I quickly averted my attention from them, a piece of me wanted to cry at the site of Felix whispering into Lilly ears making her giggle. I felt hurt and disappointed, for a spilt second I wanted to hate on her but that would make me the bad guy and I knew whatever was going on was not her making. Class begun shortly but not before I caught him whispering again in her ears.

The first class was over thank God, I had to rush to the second class at Casley Hayford a 5 minutes’ walk from the LT. The casley hayford building could not take the capacity as LT did, so if I wanted to make the front row I really didn’t have time to spear, all social work students knew that.

 During my first year when I had to choose my minor course I didn’t know what to opt for- politics, French, CRS or whatever. I just told the professor I wanted to be a broker and he said then its social work then! That had been the best decision I had ever made. Social work was more than trying to be a broker it was giving more to the society, advocating for justice, equality – in the space of time I grew to love it, it was my passion to support the vulnerable and social wok presented that opportunity in diverse intriguing way, the policies, the steps, ethics.

 I made my way to the class but the chairs were all occupied, luckily for Vera she had a seat saved. I quickly went to the next class for one ready and prepared for the lesson.

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I was already exhausted hoping for the next class to be cancelled but also not, I had the class with Felix and I needed him to notice me, every Wednesdays I tried to step up my clothes, a bit of pony tail, high waist trousers and lip gloss. Yes, my way of stepping things up. I took a quick turn to the coke stand for something refreshing, I was not ready to die out of hunger.

“Have you seen Felix” Vera asked as I sat next to her

“No, have you?” I asked enjoying my plantain chips

“Yes, he came with Lilly, have you started out your plan yet?”

“No, I don’t want to come out desperate”. God this chips!

“But you are desperate” she said making both of us burst into laughter.

“Exactly, what if they are dating? God like it will bash me” I said, a mental picture of them together dancing in my head.

“You de3 dey der (joke around), she’ll take him and you will still be here dreaming about him, your Felix”

“I know; I’ll start today” I said with a new conviction. I mean what’s the worst that could happen? It was better to go clean than sit here all day wishing.

“Felix” he turned to me showing off his perfect smile, and at that moment I wanted all for myself, I didn’t want anybody realizing how beautiful he could be, I wanted to be selfish this one time. Just me.

“Cleo, how are you?”

“Fine thank you, how are you too?” Gosh I couldn’t stop smiling!

“You know me, I’m good”

“I see, and how is the lady?” I quickly asked, the problem was we actually had nothing to say to each other and it turns to be a little awkward every time!

“What? who are you talking about?” his smiles gave him away. He knew exactly what I was pointing to. I took my chance and gently held his hands. Butterflies was an understatement for what I felt, it was a different win for me and for a second I could have sworn I blushed.

“C’mon Cleo I don’t have any, you would have known, after what happened with my ex I don’t think I will even date.”

 A flash of sadness was evident in those beautiful shade of black eyes. The little information made me happy and a bit mad, why would anyone hurt him or even think of losing him? God this guy right here was a different kind of blessing; I would never think of hurting him or lose him. But like they say, one man’s loss is another man’s gain. Ditto.

He excused himself when his male friends called for him. I didn’t know if to leave or wait but it seemed whatever they were discussion was going to take longer than necessary. I took my turns to leave only to meet with Lilly. She was in a yellow mid-length skirt and a white summer top. She looked pretty in her braids. Competition.

“Lilly! wow it’s been long!”

“Cleo! you don’t look for me!” she accused, her little dimples making their presence known

“What about you, do you? I’ve missed you, like a lot and yes- how is David?”

 David was a friend I met in the sociology class group, I later got to know they were best friends. They used to do almost everything together especially studying. I thought just maybe they were more than they let out and right this minute I hoped my assumptions were correct.

“I don’t know, have you talked with him lately?”

“No, but I thought you would know, why what’s going on?”

“We are not talking to each other” she simply stated.  On earth?!

“But why! you guys were like the perfect couple, please sort out whatever. You looked good together, don’t hurt me” I said trying to be cute. Trying!

“Well I tried, he is mad I went off campus.”  I was mad too! If only she had listened, Felix would not have known her, making it easier for me.

“That’s sad, I hope you really work things out. Your friendship was pretty” we both laughed as I emphasized on the last word.

“You know each other?” we both turned to the voice behind us nodding in response. Before we could react his male friends came pulling him off our reach

“Lately I have been seeing you two together” I said wiggling my eyebrows

“Oh come on, Felix is just a friend.”

“Are you sure you’re not replacing him with David?” I asked trying as much as possible not be bothered.

“I’m not replacing anyone. We are in the same hostel that’s why” I still wiggled my eyebrows, I wasn’t leaving till I was satisfied with her answer.

“For real Felix is just a friend”

“I hear you, please don’t hurt David” I teased.

“Oh whatever, text me okay?”

“Sure, then take care, I’ll get going”

 We bid our goodbyes as I turned to leave. A victory smile made its way to my lips. I had a chance with him- with Collin.