Her first crush

11

The class seemed too long to Leona. She could only understand a few things from what Mr Escobar taught. She was glad when it finally ended.
Pascal walked out of the class with Jeffrey alongside with him. They passed by a group of persons probably students. Pascal passed by them with the thought that it was a silly exchange of words, but someone's voice attracted him and made him go back to where the group was gathered.
"I won't do it", Matilda was saying with her arms crossed and a frown plastered on her face.
Marie was furious. "You will do it", she said and continued, "if you wanna prove stubborn, I'm gonna make you do it ".
Bennie took sides with Matilda, "but she can't do filthy things like dusting off dirt from her shoes. Tell Leona to dust it herself".
"She stepped on me, so if she won't dust it off, she should at least apologize. "Leona voiced out.
"I won't stoop so low, 'cos I've got a maid who does that for me at home and I don't get to polish my own shoes. So why will I dust dirt from yours, huh? "
Pascal made his way through the students and finally came to face Leona.
"Follow me! "He ordered.
"W....... W...... What? "
He walked off with long strides and she had to run after him to catch up.
He stopped abruptly and turned to face her, she almost bumped into him.
"If you want a scene, go to the streets and find trouble not here in the school".
Leona stared at him angrily, "I didn't do anything wrong. She started it all".
"Both of you are trouble makers "he said to her and walked off. "Birds of a feather", he added.
She couldn't believe that he didn't blame Matilda for what she did. Instead, he called her a trouble maker. Fine, she would leave them to themselves.

Matilda ran to meet Pascal when she saw him
"It wasn't my fault. It was accidental. I am so sorry, you know I can't dust her filthy shoes. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeaseeee".
Pascal sighed and looks at her straight in the face, "fuck off".

* * *

Matilda, Bennie and other girls were on the basketball court. So was Leona, Marie and other girls too. There was a match between the two teams. Matilda, Marie and other girls were on a team while Leona, Bennie and others were on the other team. A lot of people stopped by to watch and Arthur was part of the spectators.
"Hey, Bennie come here", Matilda summoned.
Bennie walked to where Matilda was and she whispered something into Bennie's ear and she smiled.
The match was such that the winning team would join Pascal's team. Matilda was desperate, so was Leona. The former wanted to be close to Pascal and the latter wanted to be part of the school basketballers. Soon, the match began and the game went on and on. Matilda's team scored a point.
"Whoooo"Marie exclaimed excitedly.
They resumed the game again and the ball was passed to Leona. She started moving towards the basket but Matilda marked her. She tried to dribble but Matilda was fast. She collected the ball from her.
"Dumbass", she muttered while Leona rolled her eyes. Matilda's team scored another point and the crowd cheered.
After sometime, the game was over and Leona's team lost. Matilda ran to Pascal.
"Now we can be together, right? "She said, hugging his upper arm. He tugged him arm free and walked off while Matilda giggled. Bennie walked over to where Matilda was and said something to her.

Leona was devastated. She turned to leave and saw Matilda and Bennie moving towards her.
"What now? "She said to them and turned to leave.
"You're no match for me", Matilda said and walked off with Bennie.
Leona didn't go to class the next day. She was on the basketball court just throwing the ball into the net. Once it entered the net, she bounced the ball again and shot it.
Jeffrey was on his way to the court when he saw someone just bouncing the ball and shooting. As he moved closer, he realized that the person looked familiar.
"Leona", he called before he could stop to think.
She heard her name and turned.
"Hey, Jeffrey ".
"What are you doing here? "
"Having fun".
"This doesn't look like you are just having fun".
"Right! I lost to Matilda's team and she jeered at me. I guess I'm stupid after all. This is all stupid. "She realised she was raising her voice and the students passing by were beginning to stare.. She calmed herself down and looked at the guy in front of her. He didn't say a word.
"Hey, I'm so sorry. I was furious".
"Its no big deal, really", he replied calmly and she nodded. "Pass the ball".
She threw the ball to him without any hint of life in her.
He threw the ball back will full force and she almost tripped over when she caught it.
"Hey, watch it", she cautioned.
"Pass the ball! "
"You're not gonna apologize? ", she asked.
"The ball"
"You're asking for it".
She threw the ball at him, intending to revenge, but he caught it with firm hands.
"That's better"
They passed the ball to each other for a very long time and Jeffrey stopped first.
"Now, well work on the grips", he said.
"Ok".
He came from behind and showed her how to hold the ball. Some girls passed and giggled.
He stood up, feeling uncomfortable.
"Guess I gotta go now. See you later".
Leona picked up her bag and walked home. Pascal saw them at the court and he wondered why she had skipped classes, but he wasn't surprised at Jeffrey's sudden kindness.