Searching for Love, Found Wealth

We didn’t have Agric class to day but the teacher called me so I was anxious as to what happened. Being called into the staff room is scary stuff.

When I got into the teacher’s staffroom all eyes went on me. I realized I hadn’t knocked so I ran back out and did just that.

Someone permitted me in and I smiled awkwardly as I made my way to my Agric teacher’s desk.

Turns out that for safety of our project, we should submit same time with others at the due date. The project was handed back to us.

There goes our ‘first to submit the project’ award.

The next problem was to decide who’s locker it stays in for the mean time.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Like it was three small containers with three different soil types, a note book of our observations and another three small containers with the three different soil types in water.

My locker was filled with books I hoped to read whenever I was really bored at school but J-twins had claimed that they left their locker keys at home. Both of them had.

I had to beg Chloe to let some of my books stay in her locker while I squeezed in our project in mine.

I hoped the groups would submit their projects quickly. I can’t be suffering from being too fast.

“Hey, Kiera. I’m really sorry but my locker can’t take all your books. I brought some books today cos of the project”.

Chloe was still panting as she had ran to tell me the ‘good news’. She dumped three heavy books on my hands and ran back to her locker.

“I’d drop you home if you want” I turned to see Reuben. Had this dude been following me about since school ended?

I, with a smile, dropped the books on his hands, “Sure. Thanks. You’re the best”.

He helped me open the door while keeping the books on his shoulders.

I opted for some cool songs the moment I got into the car, to avoid some more endearing blues.

We met Charles outside my house carrying baby John.

“Are you done with school already…” Charles trailed off as he saw Reuben.

I ran to him and hugged him, “Yeah, today is Friday remember. And you better stay and help me with my homework” I played with Baby John’s hand a little.

I realized the awkward silence that was behind me so I turned to introduce.

“Oh, and this is my classmate Reuben. He’s popular at school for being great at math too” I said to Charles but loud enough for Reuben to hear. He smiled.

“And Reuben, I bet you know him, whether as your ex senior or as a famous model. If you’re into modeling stuff”.

“I am not” Reuben interjected.

“Well, okay, you should try sometimes…” I shrugged, “But it’s good you guys have met. He’s my best friend since we were kids” I patted Charles shoulders.

Reuben scoffed visibly, “I thought you’d be her brother”. Charles smiled and played with John’s hands but said nothing.

What was with Reuben? Would he put up fits with every male I come in contact with cos he had some crush he never told me?

“Thanks for the ride home though” I brought out my bags and books from his car.

“Hi, Reuben” Gladys came out with a sweater for her brother. She was all dressed up too. She didn’t get a response from him so I waved at her.

“Thanks for bringing her home. I was on my way there the moment I put this little man to sleep. Kiera, if you want freshen up in twenty minutes, let me take you guys out” he high-fived Gladys.

“Informed mom?” I asked. It won’t be funny if she came home to not see any of her kids at home.

He nodded, “She said I could. She had also asked that I bring Gladys home” Charles’ last words felt bitter. I felt it too.

I turned to see Reuben still standing there.

Was there some kind of ritual I should perform to tell him thanks for dropping me and he could leave?

I pleaded with him with my eyes, “Do you need water or…?”.

“I’m fine” he opened his car door and slammed it hardly. Baby John jolted but Charles patted him back to sleep.

“Bye bye” Gladys said while I waved. He waved back with no emotion and drive off. At least, he’s met his crush’s best friend.

“Where are we going to?” I hopped inside.

“A park. It’s Friday so let Gladys play a bit. You’d stay close to me to avoid you being napped” Charles laughed at his poor joke.

There was a word like ‘napped’ and it meant ‘to grab’ so his joke was just a statement. But I didn’t bother tell him.

He should remain in his good mood, take us out to the park, help me with my assignments and then I could go all evil on him.

The day went by smoothly. I had a short video call with Chloe while we were at the park. And I wasn’t trying to show off to her. Just show her I was at the park.

“Hey, that looks like fun. I’m here with my mom, learning how to bake. I only know how to eat, baking ain’t for me” she whined while munching on some… dough?

“Well, today is still good for me. Despite all the drama” I told her about Reuben’s attitude with Charles and how I had ‘accidentally’ stumbled on Jacob confirming his crush.

“Turns out it was Reuben who had a crush on you not J-twins. Maybe they are being nice cos their favorite cousin likes you. But those Indian twins sisters don’t understand” Chloe shook her head.

It occurred to me that both Jasper and Jacob and Sheena and Jennifer were twins. They’d really look good together.

“Should we start a merging scheme?” I gave a devilish grin.

Chloe smiled but it faded off, “I don’t wanna scare you but I have to say, that tall guy on black always following you. Do you know him?”.

Her brows were angry and I could sense she already knew I didn’t know him.

Someone was behind me? I tried not to run but headed towards Charles and my siblings. It could be only one person. My ‘napper’.