ERDOO

CHAPTER FIVE : Not the Erdoo I know

I sat in my new classroom, scanning the familiar yet foreign faces for Erdoo. My eyes drifted finding her petite figure sitting a few rows ahead, her dark kinky cascading down her back like a waterfall. A smile broke on my lips before I could control it.

There she was. My childhood best friend. His confidante. His partner in mischief. My Ally ...... My Erdoo

We had geography after that horrible English teacher. Luckily, Miss vherah our geography teacher isn't that bad, I mean she actually smiles.

   My brows hitched and a frown creased on my face when the guy from the hall way, Omatayo was his name right ?, passed a note to Erdoo. She looked up frowning at Omatayo who only signalled for her to open it.

Somehow my hands unconsciously reached for my pen. I felt my inside boil as I dug holes through my locker.it was all I could do to stop myself from grabbing that notes and tearing it.

   " Samir " I muttered pinching my nose to control my surging emotions. why am I overreacting? It's only a silly note. It can be anything that's not a love letter. I cautioned myself but I couldn't be more disturbed.
Erdoo hadn't acknowledged me yet. Not a glance, not a smile, not a whisper. She didn't even wave back when I did. It was like I am invisible..... Like I am loosing my Erdoo

At five, we were an inseparable pair. Sharing secrets, laughter and pranking our parents but even after we moved away I couldn't forget Erdoo. Her smiles, her laugh.

Damn I even dreamt about her. Now, sitting in this classroom I feel like a complete stranger.

Erdoo's expression was a mask of indifference as she open the note Omatayo passed her. She stared at it for a while then with a frown she tore it. She packed the crumbled price in her hands, walked up to Omatayo and poured it on him

Damn!

Her eyes were burning with something that I have never seen before " For the last time Omatayo stop pestering me " she warned before storming out of the class. The teacher on the other hand resumed the lessons almost like she was used to this drama

" Can I use the bathroom miss " my hands were up before I could stop myself. The teacher glanced at me and shrugged before resuming to her teachings

I guess I'll take that as a yes !

I scurried out of the class to the hall grabbing the hall pass that hung on the wall beside the door. I had to find my Erdoo. We need to talk.

Something irked and perturbed me  more than the fact that the harmless Erdoo I knew did all that back there.
What had changed? Where's the Erdoo I knew? Erdoo wouldn't do such. She was shy and vulnerable.. a little naive if i could remember clearly but that wasn't that Erdoo

I walked down the hall sticking my head into every class I walked through and apologizing to the teachers in the class with the excuse of being lost.

Damn it! I was lost. This school is flipping big and I didn't take note of any landmarks or shit. I found a stairs and began to climb down hoping to find Erdoo, have that talk and head back to class.
       " I walk into a crowded room everyone is staring what did I what did I do wrong? What did I what did I do wrong ? "

  That voice.... My Erdoo
     
" He said, she said over it
You're acting like you're innocent but you don't know "

I followed the voice down the stairs. There she was. My Erdoo. I caught sight of her petite figure leaning against the wall with her ear pods plugged in her ears.

  "You don't even know the way I am when I am all alone. You don't even know me ....... "
    " Erdoo "

She doesn't reply. Her eyes were closed and her lips parted in a thin line. Those beautiful, kissable.... I approached her and tapped her gently on the shoulder. Her eyes snapped open as she lazily glanced my way
"Hey, Erd," i said softly, trying to recapture their old familiarity.

Erdoo's gaze remained fixed on her book, her voice flat. "What?"

The single syllable stung. My enthusiasm waned, replaced by confusion.

"Uh I ..... "

I was interrupted by a female voice behind me.
Fuck it!

" Samir right ? " I looked up

Emily's shoulders shrugged, a minimal acknowledgement.she turned back walking away "Yeah."

The conversation died, and i retreated, feeling rebuffed. If not for that damn girl that interrupted us.

The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. Students flooded the cafeteria, eager to socialize and refuel. Amidst the chaos, my eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. Suddenly, I spotted her - Erdoo. She was looking at me almost like she was searching for me. Maybe my Erdoo is still there after all.

My eyes locked onto Emily's, and a bright smile spread across my face as I waved enthusiastically, weaving through the crowd toward her.

Erdoo's expression remained frozen, a mask of indifference. She didn't smile, didn't wave. Instead, she turned back to her book, pretending to read.

I approached, undeterred. "Erdoo! Oh my gosh, it's been ages!" I slid into the seat across from her, eyes shining with excitement.

Erdoo raised an eyebrow, her voice icy. "Samir."

My grin faltered, taken aback by her chilly reception. "Hey, what's wrong? I thought you'd be happy to see me."

Erdoo shrugged, her gaze still fixed on her book. "I am."

The silence between us grew awkward. I fidgeted, expecting the warm, bubbly Erdoo I  once knew. Instead, I faced a stranger - cold, distant, and uninviting.

"Erdoo, what's going on? You're...different," I ventured.

Erdoo's eyes flashed up, a hint of warning in their depths. "People change, Samir."

The lunch bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch. Erdoo swiftly gathered her belongings and stood, her movements brisk. "I have class Samir"

I followed, my confusion evident. "Hey, wait up! Can we hang out later?"

Erdoo's response was curt. "I don't think that's necessary."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me staring after her, bewildered.

What had happened to my Erdoo?