Unlock My Heart

Chapter 3

I stared at my phone for a long time, the conversation with Sean still lingering in my mind. Why did he even bother? He didn't seem like the type who would struggle to keep someone's attention. Maybe it was just a game for him, a way to pass the time. Or maybe I was overthinking, as usual.

"Stop it, Alura," I muttered to myself as I tossed my phone aside and grabbed my notes. Chemistry wasn't going to study itself, and I had no intention of failing my first week.

But as I tried to focus on thermodynamics, I found myself staring at the same line over and over again.

How did he get my number?

The thought kept circling back, annoying me more than I wanted to admit. I had deliberately stayed out of the drama at the fresher's party last night, so why was this guy still on my mind?

I sighed, shoving my notes aside. Maybe Sally was right—maybe I needed to get out of my head a little.

Just as I was considering a walk around campus, my phone buzzed again.

Sean: What are you up to?

Really? Was he serious right now?

Me: Trying to study. You should try it sometime.

I smirked to myself, feeling the satisfaction of being sarcastic. I wasn't in the mood for distractions, especially not the Sean-shaped ones.

Sean: Ouch. I'm hurt.

Me: Tough.

I waited for him to respond, but after a few minutes, my phone was quiet again. Good. Maybe he finally got the hint.

The Next Morning

The smell of akara frying on the roadside filled the air as I made my way to class. The sun wasn't fully out yet, but Lagos never really slept. The streets were alive with people heading to work, students walking to their morning lectures, and vendors setting up shop. I pulled my bag closer to me as I navigated through the bustling crowd, doing my best to blend in.

Sally was already waiting by the entrance of the Faculty of Science building, as usual, her braids tied up in a messy bun. She spotted me and waved excitedly. How she always had this much energy in the mornings was beyond me.

"Omo, you're early today," she said, flashing me a grin. "You okay? You look like you barely slept."

"I'm fine," I said, shrugging. "Just... thinking too much."

"Thinking about Sean, abi?" Sally teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I groaned. "Why does everything have to come back to him?"

"Because he's cute, and you're interested," she sang, grinning mischievously. "Don't act like you didn't see it coming."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her playful jabs. "We just talked. It's not that deep."

"If you say so," she said, not convinced. "But I've seen the way he looks at you. I don't think it's as 'not deep' as you think."

Before I could reply, we entered the classroom. It was already half full, with students spread across the rows, some chatting and others pretending to study before the lecture started. I was about to head for our usual seats when my phone buzzed again.

I didn't need to check to know who it was.

Sean: Busy?

I felt Sally looking over my shoulder. "He's persistent, sha."

I rolled my eyes. "He's annoying, that's what he is."

Me: I'm in class. Some of us actually care about school, you know.

I sat down, shoving my phone into my bag and refusing to entertain the conversation further. Sally raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Good. I wasn't in the mood for another round of teasing.

Later That Afternoon

After hours of back-to-back lectures, I was more than ready to head back to the hostel and collapse. I'd managed to avoid Sean for the entire day, but it seemed like the universe had other plans. As Sally and I were walking across campus toward the hostel, I spotted him leaning casually against one of the pillars near the library. His face lit up when he saw me.

"Ah, Alura," he called out, pushing himself off the pillar and walking over. Sally nudged me with a knowing smirk.

"Don't leave me alone with him," I muttered under my breath.

"You're on your own, babe," she whispered back, grinning. "I'll catch you later." She waved as she headed toward the hostel, leaving me standing awkwardly in front of Sean.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said, his blue eyes practically twinkling with amusement.

"It's a public campus," I replied dryly. "Not that big of a coincidence."

"True," he chuckled. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to run into you."

"Why?" I asked, folding my arms. "You don't strike me as someone who struggles to find people to talk to."

Sean shrugged, his smile never faltering. "Maybe I like a challenge."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a challenge, Sean. I'm just not interested."

He raised an eyebrow. "Not interested in what?"

"Whatever game you're playing," I said, turning to walk away. I didn't have the energy for this.

But he wasn't giving up so easily. "Who says I'm playing a game?"

I stopped, glancing over my shoulder. "Guys like you don't just strike up conversations for no reason."

Sean took a step closer, his voice softer now. "Maybe I'm not like 'guys like me.' Maybe I'm just interested in you, Alura."

I blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in his tone. There was no teasing, no smugness—just curiosity. He was watching me closely, waiting for a reaction.

I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling that familiar wall rising up again. "I'm not looking for anything, Sean."

"And I'm not asking for anything," he said, his smile returning. "We're just talking."

For a moment, I didn't know how to respond. I wasn't used to guys being this patient—or this direct. But before I could say anything, my phone buzzed again. I pulled it out, grateful for the distraction.

Mom: Call me when you have time. We need to talk.

I groaned internally. Of course. Another reminder of everything I was trying to escape.

Sean must have noticed the shift in my expression. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, slipping my phone back into my pocket. "It's just... family stuff."

"Ah," he said, nodding in understanding. "That explains the walls."

I frowned. "What?"

"The walls," he repeated, his tone light. "The ones you've got up around you. I get it."

"I don't have walls," I said, a little too defensively.

"Sure you don't," Sean said with a teasing grin. "But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

But for the first time in a long time, I wasn't entirely sure if I meant it.