Falling For The Playboy

EVA.

“Is it just me or has Eva been sneaking glances at Axel? ”

My eyes flew to the curly-haired girl’s on hearing my name.

“What? ”

She rolled her eyes, “Okay, fine. That might be downplaying it a little. You were definitely staring at him. ”

Did I mention she had a slight accent? A British one to be precise.

“No, I wasn’t. ” I argued.

Abi, who had barely said a word ever since, merely looked between us, then continued eating.

How a girl like Laura had become friends with Abi was still, and would probably always be a mystery to me. The two were nothing alike, the only thing they had in common being that they both breathed in oxygen, oh, and drank water, and did basically everything the average human did -but even that was debatable.

The exotically pretty, light-skinned girl fixed me with a ‘really?’ look, the enviable mass of jet black curls framing her oval face, dancing softly as she tilted her head.

“Of course you were. ” she leaned back, draping her hand along the top of the bench she and Abi shared, “You were trying to be discreet, but that drool gave you away. ”

Automatically, my hand flew to my chin to check for said drool and she laughed.

“Ha. Got you. ”

I frowned. She smiled.

Well, she was right though. I had been sneaking glances at Axel. The guy I met at the boutique restroom, then met in the janitor’s closet. Yes, I knew his name now. I heard someone call him that some days ago and it had stuck to my brain ever since. It was a very pretty name and it fit the bearer too.

We were seated at the cafeteria, Abi, Laura and I when I saw he occupied one of the tables with  three other guys -Pretty Face included, whom I got to find out his name was Ivan- and I had been successfully distracted since. My eyes found their way to his table every time I shoved a spoon into my mouth. But I guess it was his fault for being that good-looking and compelling.

He had his back to me, which was why he hadn’t seen me yet, but if he did a complete 180, then I would perfectly be in his line of sight.

“Look, she’s staring again. ”

“Please, leave her alone. ” Abi sighed.

I dropped my eyes, focusing on my food, but not before glaring at Laura for being such a poke noser. She all but grinned. It was almost impossible to get her in a bad mood as her anger tended not to last a long time. She took whatever jabs came at her in stride, smiled, then gave as good as she got. It was an admirable trait and I envied her. The extent of my power  was acting like the jabs and taunts didn’t get to me and all the while, dying inside.

“Guys, ” she piped up. Of course, staying silent for a whole minute would be too much to ask of Laura. “Guess where we’re going for our field trip?”

Abi side-eyed her, “How do you know? It’s not even been announced yet. ”

She took several sips of water from her can. “I walked in on the VP talking about it with Mrs. Agu. ”

I shoved a spoon of rice into my mouth, trying to recall who Mrs. Agu was. Her image formed in my head; thick, energetic and of average height. She was the Catering and Crafts Practice teacher. A subject that had been made compulsory for study for both Arts and Sciences.

“Where? ”

“In the VP’s office. ”

Abi shook her head. “No, I mean where are we going? ”

“The US. ” Laura grinned excitedly.

The water I’d been about to swallow, came back out of my mouth and landed on both of their faces and tops.

“Jeez. Eva! ” Laura sputtered, grabbing some serviettes from the table to dab at her face.

“Are you okay? ” Abi asked before taking some too.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I managed a nod, hitting my chest lightly before attempting to speak, but it was more of a squeak. “The US?! ”

“Was that why you bathed me in saliva and water? ” Laura’s eyes narrowed, “Because I will hit you on the head with my can of water. ”

I didn’t take her threat seriously. There was not a single doubt that she could do it, but what was a hit on the head compared to what she’d just said? We were going to the US?

“Once in a while, we go on field trips to countries outside Nigeria. ” Abi, the ever patient one explained, “We’ve gone to Egypt and the UK and if Laura’s right, then we are going to the United States next. ”

“Of course I’m right. ” Laura glared at her, dumping the used serviettes on top her empty Tupperware. “Have you never been on one? ” she directed at me.

“No, not really. ”

There was a pause. Then, “Not really as in you’ve never been on a field trip outside the country or as in you’ve never been on one at all? ”

“Not really as in I’ve never been on one. ”

Most of us at my old school had barely been able to afford good feeding. It goes without saying that the school wouldn’t want to pressure us with unnecessary bills for extracurricular activities.

An awkward silence hung over the table. Why had I even bothered opening my mouth in the first place?

“I mean, it’s okay. ” Abi finally spoke, “There’s nothing wrong with that. ”

“Of course. ” Laura quickly agreed, “There’s a first time for everything, right? And you’re definitely going to have so much fun at this one. ”

Relief washed over me instantly. Eva Otasowie, stepping out of Nigeria? What was there not to be excited about?

I smiled. “I think I will. ”

“You are going to have fun. Period. ” Laura stretched her hand across the table to place it atop mine, “Just leave it to me. “