Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 32: 'Dear God'

"It's fine".
The boy said calmly and stood up.

I stood too and handed his things to him.

"I'm Ebube". He said and stretched his right had towards me for an handshake.

I hesitated before taking his hand.

"Doyin". I said, looking at the logo on his school uniform which was a white long sleeve shirt with a golden tie, royal blue blazer and trousers.

'IMPERIAL COLLEGE', Pretty fancy name for a school that came for a funding program. Fancy uniform too, unlike our wine coloured excuse for a school uniform. They were probably just here for the connections and recognition, they didn't need the sponsorship like we did.

"Full name?". He asked.

"Umm...Adedoyin".
What kind of question was that?

"Nice to meet you"
"Where are you headed?". He asked.

"Going out for fresh air".

"Same here, this place is freezing".

"I know right?". I said within me.

Then we walked out of the hall together and took the staircase to the ground floor.

"Longford high, right?". He said, reading the name on my uniform.

"Yes".

"Where is that?".

"Iyana-Ipaja". I said, starting to feel a little ashamed of my school.

"Nice, my school is actually around there". He said.

"Oh, really?".

"Yes, not that far from there".

"Where?".

"Maryland"

"Oh, I see"
Like I said, fancy fancy. My school couldn't relate.

"Is your school a mixed school? Like boys and girls together?". He asked as we got out of the building.
Many students and teachers were outside buying snacks, loitering about or just standing and talking.

"Um...yes, how about yours?".

"It's an all boys college".

"Oh, I see". I said again, looking around for someone who could pull me out of this conversation which I had no interest in.

"Yeah, it gets pretty boring with no girls around, you know what I'm saying?" He said, smiling cheekily at me.

I forced a smile. I really didn't see the joke, sorry.

"Hey, can I get your number? You know, so that we can chat later?". He said, using his hand to make the 'telephone' sign.

I desperately searched my mind for an excuse to give. Then I found one.

"Um, sorry my school doesn't allow phones".

"Yes I know that, mine too, I mean during holidays". He said and brought out a sheet of paper and a pen and handed it to me.

I thought of another excuse.
"Oh, I don't have a phone". I said, pushing the paper away and remembering the promise my parents made to buy me a phone after I graduated from secondary school.

"You're trying to blow me off right?".

"No, I'm not, I'm serious".

"That's how you girls do, you're all so proud". He said, laughing.

I got very pissed. Who did this guy think he was anyways?
A part of me wanted to call him a stupid, arrogant jerk. But the other part of me remembered that our coordinator told us not to make any fuss. So I took the peaceful route and walked out on him.