After Kylie and I left the cafeteria, we headed to the hall where our class was scheduled to hold.
I followed closely behind Kylie, like a little girl following her mother, after she promised me some cash. I was new to the school, so I had to stick with someone who knew her way around.
"Kylie, come on... Aren't you going to take that call?" I asked, stopping abruptly in the hallway. Kylie's phone had been ringing nonstop, yet she ignored the call.
I didn't know if it was a stalker, or a boyfriend who she'd a fight with, but she should at least take the call, right?
"No, I wouldn't," she said, pulling me along with her.
"At least answer the call, and tell the person you don't want to talk. Wouldn't that be much better, hmm?" I asked, curiously.
She sighed and reluctantly pulled out her phone. When she had lifted the phone, I saw the contact name, 'Idiot!'.
I was amused; I'd thought Kylie was all sweet and innocent. I didn't know she had such an irritable side.
"Kylie, Idiot? Who could that be?" I asked, laughing. She eyed me while gesturing with one finger to her lips, that I be quiet.
"What do you want from me, Mike? Can't I have a day of peace without unnecessary calls from you, huh?" Kylie said, stomping her foot.
Okay, I do think this is a lovers' quarrel, I would just walk away. Once she was done, we'd head to class.
"I'd wait for you over there, Kylie. Take your time," I said, gently squeezing her hands, hoping it would calm her down. She shouldn't let a man drive her crazy.
Before I could move an inch, she gently pulled my hands and shook her head "no".
Well, does that mean she wanted me to eavesdrop on her conversation with her boyfriend?
"What? Where are you? I'm near the cafeteria." She said again.
I stared blankly, not knowing what exactly I was supposed to do.
"I'm with a friend. And no, you don't have a chance. If you're close by, come get it." She said finally, before ending the call.
"Kylie, who was that? Your boyfriend? Also, what did you mean by saying the person had no chance?" I asked, inquisitively.
She chuckled while glancing at me. "That was my older brother, not my boyfriend. I said that because he kept asking who I was with. He has a thing for girls, you know..." She said, explaining to me.
Oh, now I understood what was going on.
"So you have your older brother's number saved as 'Idiot!'" I asked, laughing. I had always wished for an older or younger sibling, but my parents refused to have one, because of their never-ending feud.
"Well, if you'd known him for eighteen years as I have, you'd know that he is indeed an idiot." She said, unapologetically.
"So... are we to wait for him, or go over to him?" I asked.
We had a class to attend after all.
"He's coming over here." She began, and added, "Oh, he's here," as she walked forward.
"Why didn't you take your keys along with you this morning? Does your existence always have to be a bother to me?" Kylie asked, sarcastically, while folding her arms.
"I was in a hurry, I didn't mean to bother you, mhm?" Kylie's brother said, while pulling her fluffy cheeks.
"Whatever. Here's the key, take it and get lost!" Kylie said, stretching her hands toward him.
"Touché, Kylie. You don't have to remind me that you don't love me, come on," he said, while running his hands through her hair.
Kylie slapped his hands off, rolling her eyes. "Go away, Mike." She said, hoping he'd leave.
"Let's go, Selena." she said, while pulling my hands. As Kylie whisked me away, I couldn't help but notice God's creation. Mike Simpson was gorgeous!
He had light brown almond-shaped eyes, a well-defined nose, softly curved pink lips, and a charming dimple.
His dark brown hair complemented his face perfectly, reminding me of Adonis, the Greek god of beauty!
"Wow..." I breathed out. I heard him chuckle, while running his hands through his hair.
"Selena, are your feet stuck? Come on, let's go," Kylie said, jolting me back to reality.
"My God, Kylie. I'm so sorry, I zoned out. Where we heading again?" I asked, confused.
I didn't notice when Mike walked up to us, until he said "Hey, I'm Mike Simpson. Kylie is my little sister, I didn't know she had such a beautiful friend. It's a pleasure to meet you. " He said, with an outstretched hand.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of myself.
What would he think of me? I made a complete fool of myself, damn.
"Um, hi..." I started "I'm Selena Williams, it's... I mean, nice to meet you handsome. I'm sorry, I mean, Mike" I added taking his hands, and brushing an imaginary strand of hair from my face.
He laughed, "You're cute. I like you already."
Suddenly, Kylie stepped between us. "No, you don't like anyone." She said, removing his hand from mine.
Afterwards, she took my hand, and pulled me toward our department building.
"I hope to see you again, Selena." I heard Mike call out, turning toward him, I smiled at him, and mouthed, "Me too", before walking off with Kylie.
When we had walked for what almost seemed like forever, we finally arrived at our department building.
A sign read, "The Department Of English Language and Literature".
I beamed with a smile, I was here finally.
I was excited, it had always been my dream to study English language and literature in college, and here I was. Indeed, dreams do come true.
"Selena, what was that about earlier?" Kylie asked as we walked into the building.
"Um, nothing. I just found him cute, that's all." I said, but that was a lie, probably the biggest I'd ever told.
I found him far more than just "cute". He was sexy, beautiful... just gorgeous!
"Well, I'm saying this because I don't want you to get hurt. My brother is a playboy and has never been in a serious relationship. I mean, never. I wouldn't want you to get hurt; I care about you," she said, gently rubbing her hands over mine.
"I can change him..." I said, smiling at her.
I was crazy, change who? A playboy is a playboy; once a playboy, always a playboy.
"Selena, my brother is twenty-one. He has never been in a serious relationship, only situationships and friends with benefits. If you know what I mean.... I wouldn't want you to end up being considered as one of Mike Simpson's mistresses, she said, with pure concern in her eyes, as we kept walking.
"Kylie, I was kidding. I don't intend to date your brother; I just like the way he looks. That's all. I have had my own experience with men, and I don't think I'd ever open up my heart to anyone. I grew up without a father, because my dad was a domestic abuser.
According to my mom, he beat her into a coma, when I was just three years old.
That same day, he got arrested on charges of drug trafficking, and domestic abuse. He went to prison and has been there for over fifteen years. I don't think he'd even make it out, and if he does, I don't think he'd make it out alive.
I was also cheated on by my first love, the one who taught me what love really meant. He made me feel like a queen, yet he cheated on me with his "close friend".
I've been through too much, to still want a relationship with anyone." I said, and I meant it.
I was never going to open up to any man.
"I'm sorry about what you experienced, Selena. But trust me, there are good men out there. I'm sure you'd find someone who deserves you," she said, assuring me, while gently patting my back.
"This is the venue for our class, the course title is Introduction to Poetry, with a course code of ENGL 10400." Kylie said, as we stood in front of the classroom door. She looked at me, and watched as I breathed in and out.
"We'd stand here forever, Selena. They aren't going to eat you. We all are freshmen, come on." She said, as she pushed the door knob, letting me go in first, and then came in after me.
I entered the lecture theatre, and waited for Kylie. I watched as she gently closed the door behind her. .
"Let's go." I said, as she approached.
Why was I so tense? After all, we were all freshmen. Come on Selena! you've got this.
I intertwined my fingers with Kylie's, as we walked into the hall.
We both decided to sit in the second row; we weren't among those persons who liked sitting at the back.
Backbenchers? It can never be us.
I watched as the lecturer walked in, a woman probably in her late forties. She was African-American, with skin that glowed like the sun.
Her thick Afro hair was brushed up into a bun, with baby hair neatly styled, making her look younger than her age.
The lady cleared her throat, and introduced herself. "Hello, everyone. My name is Mrs Ayanna Freeman, and I would be guiding you all through the course, 'Introduction to Poetry'.
Today, we'd be discussing poetic terminologies." She said, as she went on to explain many terms in poetry.
The class lasted about two hours, and by the time it ended, it was past 5 p.m. I glanced at Kylie, her head rested on the table. I guessed this class wasn't as intriguing for her as it was for me.
I gently tapped her shoulder, "Kylie, the class is over. Let's go."
I watched as she lifted her head; her hair was a mess, a bird could mistake it for a nest. She rubbed her eyes, yawning softly.
"How long was I asleep? she asked, curious.
Seriously, was that even a question? I thought to myself, laughing silently.
"Girl, you slept forever, I almost thought you were dead," I said, laughing.
I watched as she rolled her eyes; obviously she didn't find my joke funny.
"Not funny, Selena. It's not my fault that lady's class was as boring as heck. Only God knows how you managed to stay awake," she said, while standing up.
"Well, I do have my ways you know... And please, brush your hair. You look like you escaped from a psychiatric hospital". I said, as a matter-of-factly.
"Selena, that's so mean" she replied, rolling her eyes. That was our signature way of showing irritation. Funny, we were so much alike.
I waited while she did her routine; brushing her hair, using a lip liner and lip gloss. I was a girl's girl after all, so it didn't matter.
"Princess, are you done now? Or you need five more hours?" I asked, sarcastically.
"I'm done. Shut up" she said, chuckling.
We exited the class together, hand in
hand, laughing, and joking.
My smile faded when my eyes met someone else, none other than Nicholas Carson.