Love in High school.

Chapter 1: Second Floor and back row. Amara transferred to our school in second term. Everyone noticed because she didn't try to blend in. She wore her hair how she wanted, she raised her hand even when she wasn't sure, and she sat in front. I sat at the back. Back row was our territory. Me and the boys. We didn't do much — we just existed there. Our class teacher, Mrs. Boma, decided to punish us both at once. "Jayden, you will help Amara catch up in Chemistry. Amara, you will help Jayden with English essay." So after school, we were stuck in the empty lab. First week, we didn't talk except "bring your note" and "this is wrong." Second week, I noticed she bites her pen when she is thinking. She noticed I drum my fingers when I'm nervous. Third week, she said, "Why do you always act like you don't care?" I didn't have an answer. At home, my dad always says a man has to be tough, be dominant, don't show softness. In school, I copied that. Back row, loud, unbothered. But with her, that act didn't work. "You care a lot," she said, looking at my Chemistry notes that I had actually rewritten neatly for her. "You just don't want people to know." That was the first time someone saw through me. By fourth week, we weren't doing homework anymore. We were just talking. About JAMB, about how Port Harcourt floods when it rains, about how she misses her old school, about how I actually want to write lyrics — that's why they call me Phillyrics — but I never show anyone. One afternoon, it rained heavy. School closed early. Everyone ran. She forgot her umbrella. I had one. "Let's wait," I said. We waited under the small corridor near the lab. Rain was loud on the roof. Her uniform sleeve touched mine. "I like you," she said suddenly. No games. Just straight. My heart beat fast. "I like you too. Since that first day." She smiled. "Then why are you acting so dominant? Let me like you back properly." I laughed. I realized I didn't need to be the hard guy. I just needed to be honest. We walked home under one umbrella. Not holding hands yet, just close enough that if anyone saw us, they'd know. And from that day, back row wasn't my place anymore. I moved to second row, just behind her. So I could see her, and she could turn and see me.