Chapter 4 Inattentive Alex

Alex's POV

I got home and took a cold shower and then my siesta. At about quarter to five, my sister came to my room to remind me about the dinner. I simply laid back and started playing a 3D car racing game with my phone.

When it was 7:22 I strode to the dining hall as slowly as possible to show this arrogant man that I was late on purpose but he still decided to ask questions.

MR EJIKE: 22 minutes late. Why?

ME : I was busy with a Car race and my phone.

MR EJIKE : Is that video game more important than your Father's summon?

Father!?

ME : (with a tone screaming sarcasm) I haven't said so but who am I to argue with S. A. N Festus Ejike. Come to think of it, it's more fun than hanging out with another man's wife while you have yours.)

I was pressing his buttons on purpose.

MOM : Can we have a drama free dinner.?

I quietly took my sit and poked at the yam that stared at me. The thought of what this man wants to talking about in my mind

The last time we had this type of encounter was when I wanted to announce my change of school.

Halfway through the meal the finally broke the silence

MR EJIKE : How's your new school?

ME : Cool

MR EJIKE : Are you satisfied with the system

ME : Yeah.

MR EJIKE : The teacher and students?

ME : They're cool

Aren't they. Esteemed Scholars

Then my old man cleared his throat

He's about to speak

MR EJIKE. The reason I summoned you today is to inform you that we'll be going on a family picnic this weekend and you're joining us

ME : What's the motive behind a family picnic this time around.

MR EJIKE : Well I just thought we could bury the hatchet and start over on a new page. We can be the whole family that we were

ME : (scoffs) No matter how much you try this family can never be complete again, did you consider starting over on a new page when your went about frolicking with a woman who.....

With a loud thud on the table Mr Ejike boomed "I have said what needs to. We're all going on a family picnic during the weekend whether you like it or not. You better get yourself ready.

Now that's my real Father

"Come and drag me along nau. I won't be coming to your so-called family trip you all can have fun for all I care. I'm out of here."

With this, I left them to their wonderful dinner.

The next day at school was normal. I just couldn't concentrate in all the classes. My mind kept wandering to the previous day's incident. No one seemed to quite notice except for Ella who kept asking if I was fine and I nodded in the affirmative that my head began to hurt

At a point it got unbearable, that I had to snap at her " Ella, I said I'm fine. I hate it when random people kept disturbing my peace. I'm fine.. What is it? I hold your Kidney?"

She just left without saying anything else

Minutes later the gravity of what I did dawned on me. I just yelled at a friend who was concerned abut me. She might curl up somewhere and start crying.

Why do I even care?

She shouldn't have bothered me in the first place.

Ella's POV

School activities were unfolding as usual today but something was off. This dark guy behind me didn't ask or answer any questions, he was just sitting there mute, sighing from time to time. I asked him if he watched last night's episodes of Zee world series. He simply said he didn't watch TV throughout yesterday.

We had Maths, Biology, Economics and other classes but he didn't ask me if I was jotting down anything as he used to. I kept asking him with the hopes that he'll open up but he kept replying with an obviously fake smile that he was fine.

A few minutes after we got back form recess I met him in the class just the way we had left him. I don't know why but I wasn't feeling my normal self. So to satisfy my conscience I walk up to him one last time to ask if he was fine.

"Alex. All good?" I asked

"Yes" he said without even looking my way

"Are you sure you're okay. You've been......."

"Ella, I said I'm fine. I hate it when random people kept disturbing my peace. I'm fine.. What is it? I hold your Kidney?"

Eii!! He yelled at me and added the 'ugh' sound

I sincerely didn't know the force that moved me away from that point but I found myself on the terrace. The cold breeze singing in melancholy with my thoughts

What does that newbie take me for?

What's eating him up in the real sense?

Why do i even care?

All these and more were the questions on my mind when Kira came around an tapped me.

"Music classes" She reminded.

"I'll pass. You can go on." I couldn't do anything on the guitar with this mood

"Where would you be?" Kira asked

"Esteemed Scholars' Compartment." I replied

"Doing what?" Kira asked again

"Sleeping, what else "

"You should have let it slide when he said he was fine"

I turned to face her

"Kira! I really don't want to talk about it. I promise you I'll be fine. Be good and enjoy Music classes and don't come back without gist. Okay?" I nudged Kira giving her a reassuring smile.

Coral Coast Academy was a school of no mean repute. It provided day and boarding facilities such that every student is entitled to a space in the boarding house. But there was another Cottage-like compartment that is solely for the Esteemed Scholars. This compartment consists of a lounge for five and a room per student. This provided students the privilege to rest and have alone times even while in school.

I only make use of this space when I have group projects to execute but today was an exception.

I don't know why his words hits deeply but it felt like I was scolded by my father. All of my life I had never been yelled at by anyone. To think it's a random guy that broke that record and that too when I did nothing. I can be free spirited and jovial but I know exactly where to draw the lines and I would be doing exactly that.

No matter what was going through his mind he shouldn't have yelled at me. He took his anger out on me and that's very wrong

"I was drifting away to dreamland when Tina came in. I didn't have to look back to know who it was.

" Courtesy demands you knock before coming into a lady's room "I hissed.

" My bad! Especially the room of an angry bird. "She said sarcastically.

Who would beat Christina Bent in an argument

" Why aren't you in Music class? "I queried

" Nice way to change the topic. Well Music class was eww without you. "Tina hissed

Awwn. Someone finally agreed I'm the life of Music class.

" Hmm. Or because there's no one to force you to stay in Music class. "I countered

" Whatever. I dislike that man. He's too poor for the ego he possesses. "Tina confessed

" Nice match for you. "I whispered.

" But you could have given that fool a piece of your mind instead of just walking away. "

Typical Tina! She's right tho.

" You were only looking out for a friend. That shouldn't earn you insult from him. You wanted to know what was bothering him but you got an earful instead. In my opinion you shroud teach him a lesson he won't forget in a lifetime. Before that go out there and give him a piece of your mind. I never liked him to start with. "

I could only stare at Tina and wonder what she was made of.

" Sweetheart "I said sitting up" He's just a newbie and we're Esteemed Scholars. Having a word bash with him is steeze reducing don't you think? But a nice comeback is leaving him to wallow in self guilt. "

Tina thought for a while" You're right afterall but that doesn't mean he'll go unpunished right? I personally want to get back at him for exchanging words with me. "

I see Tina's trying to play cahoots here

I nodded in agreement with her

" So what's the plan? "she asked

" Silent treatment. "I grinned

" Sounds like a plan "Tina clapped

That was when Kira came in

" I couldn't concentrate knowing you were not happy. "

My baby

Then the door creaked open again

" He's also sorry. He said those things out of frustration. "Kamil said announcing his presence

Theses kids deserted Music class.

" Fine I'm no longer sad. I won't brood over this anymore. Happy now? "I looked at the trio simultaneously.

" Yes momma! "They chorused.

You see why I love my cupcakes