JUST FOR YOU

《26》Long time crush.

An additional two months had gone by. We were done with exams and were on a little break. Annabelle went to stay with her boyfriend, while I went to stay with Chisom from time to time whenever I felt lonely. Chisom's fiancé lived in Delta State, so she barely saw him, and she needed company too.

Meanwhile, Jonathan was always calling me, begging me to come see him and hang out with him. I knew what he was trying to do, and I made it clear to him countless times that I was not interested, especially when he looked like a fat mop. He continued to pester and disturb me, asking to see me just once, even though he always saw me every Friday evening at the fellowship. I know what you are thinking; I said I hated going out and all that. But Chisom and Ann made me go every week. I couldn't refuse when I was practically being dragged there.

Then one day, when I had finally had enough of his rubbish, I decided to see Jonathan and give him a piece of mind. I went to school that evening because of him. I should have known better than to give up and succumb so easily.

"Hey, what's up?" He spread out his hands to hug me.

Look at this one. I laughed inwardly and evaded the hug. "I'm good. What about you?" I extended my hand for a handshake.

He smiled and took my hand for a minute longer than a regular handshake. "I'm okay. What have you been up to?"

Aargh!! What's up, and what have you been up to? Aren't they the same? The guy was so... annoying and lame. He was making it hard for me to mask my irritation. I sighed in annoyance. "Nothing much. I am trying to enjoy my break with hopes that you will stop disturbing me!" I shifted my gaze from him to look at anything more interesting than he was.

"You guys are lucky. We are just about to start our exams. I'm really scared because I haven't prepared, and I heard there aren't multiple-choice exams this semester. I am also worried because I don't have any friends to help me during the exam. I am just very scared." It was surprising how I managed to hear all that he said. He just went on rambling and rambling.

I wanted to yell, 'Shut up, guy, you talk too much.' He didn't even notice I was quiet while he talked and talked. He always found a way to bring the conversation back to himself. And he was nothing but boring. Anytime I talked with him, he was always yapping, saying absolute jargon. I always wished he would shut up! But I kept quiet and watched him rant and continue with his jargon.

After about fifteen minutes, I decided it was time for him to shut up. So, I cut him off mid-sentence. "My legs are aching. I need to get a seat." I whined.

"Should we go to the love garden?" He asked, more like suggested.

Great. I muttered under my breath and rolled my eyes. It's bad enough we are going to the one place where everyone knows what couples do, even if you are just there to sit and talk. "Okay." I answered drily. In about five minutes, we got to the garden. All the way, he tried to hold my hand or put his hand around my shoulders and even my waist. All of which I dodged. It was then that I knew that I had made a huge mistake coming to see him. He was looking for a quest to conquer, and I was that quest.

The reason why this garden was called Love Garden was still a mystery. What I knew was that it was a place where couples go to smooch, talk, and do other things. As for me, I just wanted to sit and while away time. If Jonathan tried nonsense with me, he would see my left and right fists (punchy and puncher). Thankfully, Vincent taught me how to punch.

"So, um." He cleared his throat. "I really like you, Janette."

"Thanks?" I raised my brows, knowing where the conversation was going.

"Not just like. I mean, I love you."

Okay.

I threw out the water I was drinking. "I like the joke you're cracking. Just months ago, you met me, and you love me. Am I a joke to you?" I exclaimed vexedly.