EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL - Episode 11

?Katherine’s POV?

It was the D-Day for the Basketball competition. Kingsley Academy Basketball Players arrived about an hour before the set time. They c@m£ with few of their students too.

“We’ll flog them today” Elena said as we walked down the crowded hallway.

“Better don’t make mouth yet” I said

“No I’m not ma-king mouth, its what I know” Elena replied

Online shopping for buyers and sellers in Ghana famirac.com is the answer.
“She’s right. We won against them in mathematics competition” Temi said

“40 points” Elena added

And they laughed.

“Hmm you better pray for your players. This isn’t Mathematics but Basketball. And Some of those schools that are not academically buoyant, they always turn out the best in sport activities”

I said

“You’re right but st©p being pessimistic” Temi said

“I believe with Joseph on the team EHS will get the cup. Mark my words” Elena said

There she goes again.. Mrs James!

I st©pped walking and said

“You girls can go ahead to the court”

They st©pped too and looked at me.

“Aren’t you coming with us?”

“Uhmm.. I’ll join you”

“Where are you going?” Elena asked

I’d picked interest in a novel I saw in the libr@ry “One Night”. I wanted to complete it before the end of the day. Going to watch the game won’t make me achieve it. And I can’t scream to encourage the players.

“I want to buy something at the tuck shop” I lied

I can’t tell them my plans to go to the libr@ry. They will drag me along with them again.

“Let’s all go together” Temi said

Oops! That not cool!

“I want to buy chewing gum so I can give Jones. He’s playing today” Temi added

What do I do?

“No, we let’s go and take seats for us and let Kate buy the bubble gum” Elena said

“Oh that’s fine!” I replied with an half smile

Temi opened her purse and gave me #100

“plea-se don’t buy Mint bubble gum. Jones doesn’t like it” Temi said

“Okay” I replied

“We’ll reserve a seat for you” Elena said

And they walked off. It wasn’t my plan to visit the tuck shop but I have to anyways. I’ll find a junior student to deliver it to them.

I made my way to the tuck shop. It was like a minimart. I stepped in and went straight to the shelf where I had seen bubble gum the last time we c@m£ here. Everything we bought that day was on

Temi. She treated us because that day was her elder sister’s birthday.

“Oh kate!” I heard a voice say my name.

The store was surprisingly silent and I’d thought no one was here except for the old lady at the paying desk. I looked and Emeka was there. A hvge smile on his face. And I must admit that Emeka has a charming smile. It looks good on him.

Emeka c@m£ over and said

“How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.. Thanks”

My gaze fell on the items in his basket. A box of chocolate, Mirinda, shortbre-ad biscuits and one green apple.

Then I looked at him.

“I’m just picking out stuffs I need this break” he said

I nodded slowly

“Is that all you want?” He pointed to the gum.

“This.. Is.. for.. Temi. She wants to give to -”

“Jones” he said

“Yes”

“Are you going to watch the game. Its in five minutes times” he said

“No” I answered

“Why?” He asked in a surprised tone

“I have to finish a book at the libr@ry”

I placed a f!nger on myl-ips

“Sh, you can’t tell Elena and Temi if you see them in the court”

Emeka gave me a short nod.

“Aren’t you interested in watching Joseph pl@ytoday?”

He asked

“I’m not his fan” I answered

Moreover, completing my super r0m@nç£novel was important than the game. Emeka creased forehead as he stared intensely at me. I felt uncomfortable.

“I’ll.. I’ll… Go ahead”

“You’re different” he said when I was almost leaving. I looked back at him.

“Sorry.. I am surprised to find a girl who is not thrilled by Joseph” he said

I couldn’t say anything as we stared awkwardly at each other.

“About yesterday.. ”

“I’m sorry” I apologized

Why am apologizing to him?

Ahmm.. Maybe because I don’t know what to say to him.

How about I give you a ride today?” He asked

And without thinking I heard myself say “Okay”.

Then a hvge smile formed on hisl-ips. A bright beam across his face. Why was he so happy about it?

I wondered

“Thanks. I’ll wait for you at the garage” he said

“Is it a bike?”

“No, my car” He said

I nodded

“Don’t you need anything?” He asked

“Like what?”

“You’re going to the libr@ry to re-ad a book. So don’t you want something you can munch on while re-ading the book?”

Pinpop sweet! That’s my favorite! But I can’t buy it simply because I don’t have any money on me.

I didn’t bring my purse to school today. Even though dad has refused to give me feeding allowance, I still have enough money in my account but he doesn’t know about it. My brother

transferred #20,000 to me before he travelled back to Italy. Banjo said my eldest brother (okunola) asked him to give it me. Everyone was aware of the incident at my previous school and dad’s

strictness towards me. My mom did her best at explaining to Okunola that it wasn’t my fault.

“No” I whispered

I should take my leave now. I was fair enough by accepting his offer to drive me home.

“What? -”

“Lets talk later” I said quic-kly Recalling the incidence at Linda Girls College changed my mood. It took so many things away from me.. Freedom, Money, Love, Trust.. And my first k!ss.

Emeka didn’t say anything.

I motioned towards the paydesk. The old lady was there.

What her name again?..Mrs Jeremiah!

“Why bubble gum Kate?” She said

Mrs Jeremiah knew I was a new student the first day I stepped in, that was on the third day at school. She asked for my name and I told her.

“Temi s£nt me” I answered

“Okay.. For the game right?”

“Yes Ma”

She collected the money and gave me #50 change

“Thank you Ma”

“You’re welcome”

I stepped out of the store. Looking around to see if I could find any Junior but I found none.

Everywhere was silent. The hallway wasn’t crowded.. I could hear my footsteps.

“s£nior Kate!” Someone called. It was a familiar voice! I could tell who it was without looking. It was Nora! She raced to my side.

“Why are you still outside?”

“I c@m£ to find you. s£nior Elena reserved a seat for you”

Has the game started?”

“The referee is introducing the players” she said

I handed her the gum and #50 note.

“Give it to Temi” I said

“Aren’t you coming?”she asked

“No”

“Why?”

“I.. I.. Think.. I need to use.. the toilet” I stuttered

Nora sh0t me a confused look.

“Okay” she said with a shrug

“Bye” she walked away

I exhaled r0ûghly.

And made my way to the libr@ry.

°°°° °°°° °°°

Emeka on the move to get close to Kate. thank God he’s not considering a relationsh!p, I think he’s nice.

But Don’t you s-en-se some chemistry between them. Imagine Kate falling for Emeka. ??

But Joseph, hmm.. I reserve my comment.

That moment you expected your bestfriend to ginger you, but then he killed your spirit for his own selfish interest ?

What would you do to Joseph if you were in Emeka’s shoes?