Truly... (bxb)

Truly... I Need Space

Pretty eyes.

That was the first thing I thought when he opened his eyes.

Is it normal to think a guy's eyes are pretty? It's normal…right?

"What?"

Your eyes are pretty.

"Class is over", I said instead.

"Oh?"

I was uncomfortable with the looks grazing our table. It was uncomfortable how they kept looking at us. If I weren't sitting with him, would they look away? Because I was really tired of all the attention. I barely did anything to get it.

"We were even given assignments", I continued. "Must be nice to be pardoned by the lecturer for sleeping throughout lectures".

Charles leaned back, a smile playing on his lips. "Someone's jealous".

"Of your unseriousness? Never".

I arranged my notes inside my bag and turned to see him smiling at me. It startled me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, totally forgetting that we were supposed to rush out because my coursemates' gazes were pissing me off.

"I don't know", he responded, confusing me.

It was my turn to stare again. His eyes were really pretty. They were brown yet yellow… gold? Just so pretty. It fit his long lashes and smooth face.

I tend to ignore comments on how handsome he was because I had better things to think about but for some reason, now I could see why girls were crazy for him. His face was so…

"You're staring, you know".

My eyes darted. "Yeah… you need to shave".

That was a lie. But he accepted it easily I was glad .

I stood up. "Let's go".

What the hell was wrong with me anyway? Was I sick? Thinking eyes are pretty, and looking at a boy the way I was with others attention on us.

"Ali didn't come to class today", Charles said out of the blue.

We were now settled outside on a bench, because the time to meet my brother hadn't reached and Charles didn't feel like going anywhere.

"Yeah…" I trailed off, wondering how that was any of our problem. We never talked about anyone else besides ourselves and I wasn't interested in changing the pattern. "And why do you care about a classmate all of a sudden? You barely know ten names".

Charles chuckled, then he did something that made my mouth fall open. He placed his head on my lap.

"Uh… Charles?"

"Yes?"

"Don't you think that this is a little too… intimate?" I asked, looking around in fear that someone would see us.

The last thing I needed was to be all over the school's blog, whether for good or bad.

"I'm just laying on your lap, I'm sure everyone does this with their friends".

I was doubtful. "Charles, people are already saying we're in a relationship, don't you think if they see us like this it'll confirm the rumours?"

And did he really not care about what they were saying? I thought rich people were focused on not tarnishing their image and whatnot. He was so different. Well, a lot of the rich people I've been seeing are different. Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

My phone rang, automatically pushing Charles to sit up. I couldn't see his expression because I was excited to talk to my brother.

"I'll be waiting for you at your hostel, okay?" Nduka said. "I'm just going to sit down".

"Okay then. I'll be there", I said.

It wouldn't take long to reach there with Charles car.

"Would you like to talk about this later?" Charles asked when we got into his car. "About the gay thing".

I blinked in surprise.

"Uh… Yeah", I responded. "After my time with my brother. I'll call you".

He nodded. "Cool".

He didn't seem disgusted or irritated, so, I guess he wasn't angry. Which was cool, because I wasn't a fan of people who hated others for useless reasons. But him saying we'd 'talk' was confusing because… what exactly are we to talk about? So, people are saying we're gay but we're not. Are we going to talk about how we'll beat them up or…

"Ike?"

I tried to temper my shock as I felt cold fingers graze my arm.

"You good?"

"Huh?"

He gave me a worried look.

"I've been calling…" he sighed. "Just tell me the location, where your brother is".

"Oh. My hostel".

"Okay, thanks".

The car ride was silent and it was worse when it seemed like Charles wasn't interested in putting any music. It wasn't my car, so, I didn't do anything. Just being his friend didn't give me that kind of privilege. We hadn't even been friends for long anyway.

"We're here".

What an awkward as hell ride. Geez. The way I rushed out of the car even surprised me. Usually he'd stop me to say something random but he didn't this time.

Hmm.

I didn't close the door though, because I was trying to remember something.

"Uhh… I don't really have airtime to call you", I said, remembering why I stopped in my rushing. "So I don't know how we'll talk later since you won't know– "

Charles lifted a brow. "Message me, on any social media–or messenger app, I'll get a notification. I can't really stay here since I don't know how long you'll be".

"Yeah… I don't have data either", I nervously said.

It bothered me to say it. I really could ask my brother, but I felt like he didn't need the burden.

The only way I usually able to go online is through school Wi-Fi and the hostel Wi-Fi– which hasn't worked for a full day now.

It felt a little embarrassing telling him something that might seem like nothing to him but I couldn't help it. Better to say the truth. He knew I barely had money.

"How much do you sub?"

I blinked. "How much?"

"How much do you usually subscribe data and airtime?" He asked, no longer looking at me but going through his phone. Maybe looking for something important?

"Sometimes one thousand, other times– "

"This line, right? The one you use for calls, it's your main line, right?"

My brows knitted together. What was going on?

"Ike?"

"Yes", I answered, seeing no big deal in the question, though a bit confused.

"Okaaaay!"

I jumped. "What?"

"I sent you a little something", he told me, smiling. "Call me when you're done".

Then he zoomed off.

"A little something, he said", I muttered, flabbergasted at what I was seeing.

Hundred thousand for data and airtime!?

"My god". I felt myself choking on air. "Oh my f*****g– "

What the f**k?!

A hundred thousand that I could use to buy provisions was what he was calling 'little'.

I didn't know how to act. Do I jump in excitement? Should I be worried? I just didn't know how to react.

If the money was sent to my account, then maybe I'd be able to keep a bit of it, but it wasn't. I had to show him my thanks though, when we meet later. What the hell would I even be able to give in return? Or do?

I sent him a message immediately.

Thank you sooooooo much! That's a lot of money just for data and airtime though. But thank you sooooooo much!

He really was acting like a sugar daddy. A really rich one, too.

"Ike!"

That was most definitely my brother's voice I'd heard.

I left where I stood, turning to running into the arms of my brother. People weren't much, if not I knew that they'd be wondering why two guys were hugging each other and laughing. With no amusement of course.

He smelled so nice and comfortable. Just like home.

"How are you, small boy?" The shorter man smirked.

I laughed out loud at that familiar nickname.

"I'm taller than you now, just so you know", I responded.

"I know. By two inches".

That was something, as far as I was concerned. All those years of mockery, I end up being the champion. If you could put it like that.

"Let's go up to my room. We could stay there… if you'd like".

"How about we go out for some food?" Nduka offered. "We could take my bike".

Oh yes, his bike. I hated that bike. It was a monster. Expensive-looking and all, fast but…

I forced a smile. "Okay".

Anything to make my dear brother happy. It's not like I always rode the bike with him. No problems.

"Okay! Let's go".

I said my last prayers as I got on the bike, wrapping my arms around him as I waited for death.

Yes, death.

*****

"So you got a rich friend to buy you data?"

"Yeah. He usually buys me food, drives me– "

"He owned that fancy car that dropped you off then?"

"Wow. You sure you're not getting yourself into something?" Nduka asked, worried. "From his last name which is recognizable, I already know just how much power he has, Ike".

"What exactly do I have that he'd want, eh?"

I found myself wanting to defend my friend, Charles. He hadn't even done anything wrong yet he was under such suspicions. Though, they weren't unwarranted.

"Just ask him what he wants, for real. Since you're meeting him later, it'll be perfect".

"Okay. I'll do that".

Yes, I said I'd tell him whenever I was done but for some reason I still hadn't called him.

What hadn't I called him yet? It was almost 10 PM and I was settled in bed, still contemplating what to say, what to do.

Then I decided that my first step would be to send a message.

Sorry, we can't meet today. I'm tired.

Charles: Then I'm going to call you.

I picked up at the first ring. Better to get straight to the point than waste time.

"You finished with your brother late", was the first thing he said when I picked up.

"Yeah. We were having fun".

We finished way early, but I wasn't about to tell him that.

"That's good".

I cleared my throat loudly, preparing myself as I silently started biting my fingers.

"Charles, I have a question to ask you".

"Did I do something wrong?" He breathed out as he asked.

My eyes widened. Was my tone different? "N– no. Why would you think that? It's just something that I talked to my brother about today".

"Nothing bad then". He paused. "So you talked to your brother about me, huh?" He sounded smug, making me smile.

He was lucky, I barely ever did that with anyone.

"Ask your question".

I took another deep breath.

"What do you want from me?" I finally let out.

"Huh?"

"What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?"

There was silence at the end of the other line that if I didn't look at my phone, I'd have thought that he'd hung up.

"You buy me a lot of things, and while I enjoy free things, I think it's proper to ask you what's your reasons for all of these", I said. "Why are you doing all of these things?"

There was silence again.

I only asked so I'd have something to tell my brother. Maybe after this, he'd stop getting worried. I was sure his answer wouldn't be too bad.

"Charles?"

"I like you".

Either this guy enjoyed shocking the life out of me or he was just too honest because I definitely didn't expect that to be his answer.

"I'm confused".

He sighed. "About the gay thing. The reason I was never bothered about the rumours, was because I wanted them to be my reality. If it was possible".

"I…"

"I know you're not homophobic and so that's why I'm comfortable telling you that I like you. I wanted to tell you today, face-to-face, but I'll settle for a call instead".

What. The. f**k?!!?

"I…"

"Ike?"

I hung up.

Nope. This wasn't how I expected my night to go.

I laid down on my bed and looked up at my ceiling, right after putting my phone on airplane mode.

I needed to think. I needed to process what I just f*****g heard. From a guy. From him.

"Jesus".