Little Do You Know

12. MIXED SIGNALS

I was trying to read a little in an empty classroom, the evening sun casting long shadows on the walls. Alex stood in front of me, watching me with that deep, unreadable expression.

My throat went dry. "Alex?"

He didn't say a word. He just stepped closer. Too close.

My breath hitched. "What are you—"

Before I could finish, he pulled me into a slow, deliberate hug. His arms wrapped around me like he had no plans of letting go. His warmth seeped into my skin, his heartbeat steady against mine.

I should move. I should say something. But my body betrayed me.

His fingers tilted my chin up. And then—his lips met mine.

Soft. Warm. Too perfect.

I clutched his shirt, gripping onto reality as he deepened the kiss. My heart pounded so loud I was sure he could hear it. I was drowning. In him.

And then—

I jolted awake.

Oh. My. God.

I sat up so fast I nearly fell off the bed. My heart was still hammering, my lips tingling like—like I had actually kissed him.

I buried my face in my palms. "Jesus Christ! What in the unholy confusion was that?"

I shook my head violently, trying to erase the lingering sensation of his lips on mine.

It was just a dream, Jumoke. Just a very, very stupid, disrespectful dream.

I climbed out of bed and grabbed my phone, hoping social media would distract me. But even as I scrolled, my mind replayed every second of that dream. The way he looked at me. The way he held me. The way—

No! We will not be doing this today.

I threw my phone on the bed and grabbed my bag. I needed fresh air. And class was about to start anyway.

By the time I got to class, most seats were already occupied. My eyes darted toward where Enny usually sat, expecting to see her waving at me with her usual excited grin.

But she wasn't there.

She was sitting three rows ahead, beside Kemi.

I frowned. Maybe she didn't see me?

I walked over, stopping beside her desk. "Madam, are you avoiding me or what?"

She looked up, her expression unreadable. "Oh. Hey, Jummy."

Oh? Hey? That's all?

"Why didn't you wait for me?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

She shrugged. "I was already here, and Kemi came first."

A weak excuse. We always sat together.

I studied her face, but she avoided my gaze, pretending to adjust her bag.

Something was definitely off.

I wanted to push, to ask what was wrong, but I stopped myself. If she wanted to act weird, fine. I wasn't about to beg her to be normal.

"Alright, cool," I said, my tone flat. Then, without another word, I walked off and sat beside Kay.

Big mistake.

The moment I sat down, he turned to me with a smirk.

"Jummy Jummy, how's my favorite person in the world?"

I sighed. "Kay, don't start."

He ignored me, leaning in. "So, you and Alex, huh?"

I blinked. "Huh what?"