CHAPTER 10- I WILL MISS YOU

   This is going to be fun, "I thought as I pulled Khaleed to my side. I cannot afford to lose 500 naira.

" I agree to the terms and conditions. In the Chelsea club, we have Mount, Hodoi, Kante, Abraham, and Zuma. For the Arsenal club, we have David Luiz, William, Lacazette, Bukayo Saka, and Nicholas Pepper, "I stated as they all wore a shocked look.

  I collected the 500 naira from Khaleed without wasting much time. Quadri pulled me " Hero, please give me the money back. I was just joking around," he begged as Khaleed and Paul also joined in begging me to release the money.

  "Quite hilarious. We both agreed, so just stop begging me. You are embarrassing me," I stated as I left their midst, an idea popping into my mind as I went out of the school farm to get something light.

   I came back after some minutes with a chilled drink and chocolate biscuits, which when seen by Quadri added more anxiety to his body. I sat down on the chair diving into the snacks and drink.

  "Hero, we hail o, please give us something na," Khaleed said "Me too", Paul said and I felt lost of words at how hypocritical they are.

   They were once begging me to release Quadri's money, but right now, they wanted to take from it, so pathetic. Quadri glared at both of them, and I could not help but snicker when they started their little drama, cussing each other.

  " Hey guys, I would not mind getting you into detention after school. It would be worth your noise-making, so I will advise you to stop your drama and continue to weed. Quadri, the higher the noise, the faster I spend your money. Oh, I almost forgot, the money is now mine, "I sneered. They grunted as they went their separate ways, continuing their little exercise.

   Boys and their drama, they fight in a day, the next day, they become friends again. If it has to be some girls, they fight in a day,  hold a grudge till God knows," I thought as I smiled sheepishly.

   Ethan has not spoken since and that makes me troubled because I kinda miss his company, and I feel a lot guilty for slapping him. Maybe, we might be on the same page about not becoming friends again. I think it will be best if we do not reconcile, I can't seem to control my anger around him.

   The work was completed in no time as they moved out of the school farm. Quadri stayed behind as he kept begging me.

  "Hero, please just give me any amount. I promise not to play around anymore," he pleaded

  "I am merciful and easygoing. I just hate it when people underestimate me. Just because I read books does not mean I lack knowledge in sports areas. I will forgive you this time but unfortunately, I took 200 naira out of your money. The sun was hot so I needed something to quench my thirst and hunger," I said to see his facial expression, as he looked perplexed but was quick to change his look.

  "I do not care, no matter the amount you give me, I will take it. The money is not mine and I am presently broke," he said folding his hands.

   I put my right hand in my pocket, taking the money as I stretched my hand in the form of a handshake.

 "Shake my hand Quadri," I said and he wore a confused look

  "What? I mean why sho..uld I?" he shuttered and I cut him off.

  "Obey first before the complaint, "I said as he stretched his hand forward, accepting the handshake as I gently dropped the remaining 300 naira in his palm.

  " Thank you so much. I am sorry for placing you on such a stupid game," he said as he slowly got up.

  "You do not have to thank me, I was just lenient with you today, do not try to play such games with anybody next time especially when you do not even have money from your pocket," I said and left

   I felt good a little for teaching him a lesson, at least he won't taunt me on our way home for a while. I do not watch Football matches but my dad and elder brother belong to both Arsenal and Chelsea clubs respectively. I like Chelsea club, and since Arsenal is a rival team, I tend to follow up with any information I can find about those two clubs.

  *********

  

    A week after the whole scenario, we were finally on the last day of school for the 3rd term and the end of the session. I cannot wait to be in SSS3. 

  To be honest, I have been trying my best to avoid talking or bumping into Ethan. Most times I caught him stealing glances at me, and that only makes me feel flustered especially when my gaze meets with his. Something is wrong with me.

   I stepped into SSS2 Gamma and I heard that cool voice, the voice that I had been longing to hear.

  "My hero, can we talk in the next class please," he asked calmly.

   I stopped on my track and blushed slightly before turning to face Ethan with my normal face. I nodded as we both moved to the next class.

   We both entered the next class and I saw Joshua talking with two other boys at the rear. I smiled and waved at him. I tried to relax in front of Ethan as we sat down to talk.

   He started by explaining that he was the one that told Khaleed that Gloria has a crush on him. So during the debate, the three rascals Khaleed, Paul, and Quadri decided to pull their stunts by displaying the cardboards containing the bad words.

   In the process whereby Ethan was pulling down the cardboard, Gloria saw it and thought he was the one behind it.

   I heaved a sigh of relief when we settled our differences. I did not ask him what took him so long for him to explain and apologize. After all, he is the great Ethan, full of pride, well maybe from my point of view.

   I wanted to put an end to our friendship, mainly because I am afraid of what my subconscious said 'about falling for him.'

   I was about to stand up to leave when I heard Ethan's voice.

  "Michael, the term is ending, and these past few days we did not communicate, I miss you," he stated as I could not help but blink my eyes at intervals.

  "I will miss you a lot," he said as his gaze landed on me. Is he a poet or something? Why would he miss me? As much as I will miss him, I doubt if I can say it.

  "Won't you miss me? " he asked

  "I..I.