NOVA ADELINE COKER
"Who are you texting. Let me see." Dolly said, trying to snatch my phone.
"It's just a friend, Dolly." I replied, hiding my phone in my pocket.
"Hmm, friend indeed. You have been smiling to yourself since. Well, it's none of my business." She said
"Dolly!!!😂 It's literally nothing. We were just chatting about football, and you know how passionate I am about Liverpool, especially -"
"Arnold, yes, I know. Crazy fan." She replied, laughing.
"Okay jokes apart, Nova, Please explain this Partial Fraction to me, I hate Maths already, but this partial fraction is after my life, my dear." She said in a pleading tone.
"Okay. Let me get the books." I chuckled, then got up to take them.
Weeks went by, and Kayden and I were becoming really close. We chatted for hours, literally arguing about football, talking in Italian, talking about likes and dislikes, getting to know about one another, but we never met face to face before.
"It's funny how we never met before." I chatted Kayden.
"Yeah, but I have seen you many times, though😏😏." He replied
"Really, when?"
"The first time in class, you were with a friend, another time, in the library, then at the CHS meeting we had, but you never realised I was watching you."
"Stalker much😹?"
"I wasn't stalking. Just coincidence, really. I mean, I liked it, seeing a pretty girl all the time, it's nice." He replied, and I first set my phone down, trying to calm my nerves.
He called me pretty? I thought to myself.
"Hmmm😏. Sooo are you going home for Christmas break?"
"Nahh. I'm staying in school. Are you going home?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Make sure to bring my gifts for me."
"Gifts?😹😹 I don't owe you any gifts."
"You have the privilege to go home so boom, you owe me gifts, Nova."
"Whatever🙄. Goodnight Kayden."
"You going to sleep already?"
"Yeah, tomorrow's Monday. I have to wake up early."
"Now I would be lonely, Nova...🥲"
Fuck he's really making me blush a lot
"How would you be lonely? You have a lot of friends you can talk to."
"I only have two friends, really, but we don't talk as much as you and I do."
"Night, Kayden."
"Goodnight, Amore😏."
Tossing my phone in the bed, I went into the bathroom and splashed water on my face.
Focus Nova. He doesn't like you. He's just a friend and nice.
When the December/New Year's break arrived, I was among the many students who were excited to get home. Being a mother, she forbade me from coming home alone and hired a driver to come and drop me off at our home in Ikeja, Lagos. When the driver got to my hostel that Saturday morning at about eight in the morning, I loaded my belongings into the car's boot and settled into the back seat. With many prayers and calls from Mom, we set out on our journey.
I was scrolling on tiktok when Kayden messaged me.
"Good morning, Amore. Did you sleep well? How is your journey going?"
Awww, he cares. Shut up, Nova. He's just being polite.
"Morning Kayden. I slept really well. I'm too excited to go back home after all the stress from school😁😁. The journey's going fine, thank you." I replied
About 10 minutes later, I heard a ping;
It was him,
"That's great to hear. Although you are really tempting me to go back home too."
"Oohhh, sorry😄😄😄."
"Safe journey, Amore." He typed again.
***********
I got home from the tiring trip and took my box inside.
"Ayomitide!!!!" Mum exclaimed as she saw me.
"My baby, I have missed you so much, dear. Ahhh o ti Jo o."
(You are leaner o)
"Mummy!!!I have missed you too." I replied, hugging her tightly
"Oya come come. I made your favourite, Pounded Yam, and assorted Egusi." She said, and my mouth watered.
Immediately, I took my box to my room, took a well deserving shower, and then settled to enjoy my meal.
*********
I was resting in my room when my phone pinged again
"Hi Nova. How was your journey? Hope it wasn't too stressful?"
I replied;
"Not too stressful, and I'm home now. Thanks for checking up."
He instantly replied;
"Of course. Besides, Liverpool has a match today."
"Yeahhh. I can watch my Arnold play today😍."
"😒😒."
"What?"
"Why are you obsessed with Arnold."
"He's amazing, great footballer, and hot, and he's perf-"
"He doesn't know you, though. It's unfair that you aren't giving others a chance."
"Others😄😄, If I would, definitely not someone in that school. Or even still, maybe someone in Tech."
"You don't have anything against guys in our department, do you?"
My face flushed again
"Not really."
"Good😌."
"I should leave you to rest now. Bye Amore."
"Bye Kayden."
What did he mean by good? This is all weird.
YOU ARE READING
The Player's Regret
Romansa"The Player's Regret" is a story of growth, redemption, and the unexpected consequences of falling for someone you never thought would change you. It's about recognising the value of love when it's almost too late and the courage it takes to become...
