If I Was Perfect

She walked into the class, and all eyes of every fresher turned in her direction.

"She was more beautiful than God should allow," thought young Lloyd, who was also known as Leo.

Leo was fortunate to be in that school through a scholarship. If his mother sold everything they ever owned, they still wouldn't have made enough money to send him there.

The death of Leo's father made him reprise society. His father was in a $1000 debt, and no one assisted him in pay. He spent all he had training Leo and had to borrow for their survival. However, he borrowed from the wrong person to owe, and he was killed in regards. Leo blamed himself ever since.

Leo had been an outstanding kid on the block; his passion for entertainment set him on the path to success, and thus the scholarship that led to his being in the school this Angel just got transferred to.

As she settled into a seat beside him, all he could think was how God was unjust for creating someone as beautiful as she was.

A tap from his friend drew him out of his thoughts.

"What?" Leo asked in frustration. "You were asked a question," Dan politely replied.

Leo looked toward the lecturer with no clue of what was going on or asked. "Since your attention Is back on the class and not on the Miss, come up here and explain what I was just talking about," the lecturer said "or should the Miss come to your rescue?" he added, and the whole class laughed.

'Being the only black boy in class sucked,' Leo thought as he took a walk of shame to the front. "I have no idea what you were on about, Sir," He politely added while scratching his head. "Youre a disgrace to the founder of this school," the lecturer roared back. Leo, not one to back away from an insult, added, "Well then, please give him my regrets," and the class watched in amusement.

"You've got some balls, boy," the lecturer said in total dismay "whose son are you?" he added while looking at Leo skeptically.

"If you're asking if I'm from the elite class, then the answer is no, I'm a poor widow's boy," Leo said in a low voice.

"More reason you should make her proud. I believe she spent a fortune enrolling you here," the lecturer said in jest.

"Wrong again, sir. I'm here on scholarship," Leo responded.

And this drove the lecturer mad.

"Shut it, boy, don't talk back at me, don't act smart, matter of fact, don't even look at me when I yell. You black people think you can come in here and overthrow. This is our country boy, and we're in charge; you bow to us," The lecturer said without blinking.

"With all due respect, sir, I don't know if you're a racist, but I did nothing wrong. I only caught a glimpse of an Angel," Leo said as he waved towards the girl "Im Lloyd," he added in a grin.

"The balls on this boy," she said in a whisper, clearly impressed.

"Well, hold that thought because I'm sending you to hell," the lecturer said in a fury. "Move," He concluded.

When they were in the Dean's office.

"We have a high no-tolerance level in this school," the Dean said in a superior voice.

"I understand that sir, the only crime I committed was not paying attention, and in my offense, that's what students do. What's wrong in starring at a..." Leo swallowed the rest of his words as she walked into the office.

"Sorry to interrupt dad, I came in to get my phone," She said while walking over to the Dean's drawer.

"Go on," the dean referred to Leo.

"Apologies, sir, it would never happen again," Leo concluded. 'Damn the man; I cannot believe she is his child,' Leo thought in agony.

"Well, my verdict is a two-week suspension," The dean clearly stated.

"But sir," Leo tried to argue.

With a wave of his hand, the dean dismissed Leo.

Leo stood up in shame and left.

"Dad, I think you were a bit too hard on him," she said while patting her dad.

"That was mild compared to what I would have done had you not walked in, you know deep my racism is. I have no mercy for people of color, and I'm pissed they are learning off my donations," He said with no empathy.

Later that day, Leo was at the Cafeteria with his best friend, Greg. Greg was also a black kid at the school, and they both kicked it off immediately after they met.

There were only five people of color in the institution, and they all stuck together.

While they were eating amidst conversations, Leo caught a glimpse of the Dean's daughter upstairs chatting with her friends.

"Before I forget, bro, rumor has it that you were hitting on the Dean's daughter and landed a two-week suspension as a result," his friend Greg asked, and the other boys giggled.

"What can I say? The man is a racist. They are all fucking racists in this school," Leo said in bitterness.

"She's a real beauty, I heard," added Daniel, another friend.

"Look up, that's her over there, the prettiest amongst them all. Yeah, she fucking stands out," Leo said while locking eyes with her "Uhm, guy, she's staring, what do I do? What's she thinking?" Leo asked in confusion.

"Probably what a douchebag you are," James said in laughter. "Stop staring like a creep, man," he added.

"I can't help it, boys; she's breathtaking," Leo said while finally taking his eyes off her and onto his drink.

Over at her table.

"Who's that guy" Shea, the Dean's daughter, asked her friends.

"that's Leo, the class doll," Tracy said when she got a glimpse of who her friend was referring to.

"Why'd you call him that?" Shea asked in giggles.

"Simple. He's cute, funny, and talented; every girl in class wants him," Rose replied.

Shea scoffed, then replied, "I think he tries too hard to fit in. Don't get me wrong, I'm racist, but what's his deal? He's full of himself." She concluded.

"Usually, only guys detest Leo because he has the attention of every lady. I've never seen a girl that felt this way about Leo," Emilia, another friend, added.

"Dont let her fool you, ems. It's just a reaction formation," Tracy added while eating.

"Whats a reaction formation," Rose asked in confusion.

"It's simple phycology," Tracy replied. "It's a process of meaning the opposite of what you say or show. That's what our friend is doing now," She concluded.

"I hate you," Shea said in laughter. "Anyway, you're right; he's caught my fancy," she finally admitted while looking at him and smiling.

"She just smiled at me, guys. Why's she smiling so mischievously?" Leo said in confusion.

"Smile back then nigga. I'm trying to eat, all this talk about females, give a gay brother a break, man." James said amidst groans, while Leo smiled and waved.

"Why's he waving?" Shea asked if amusement.

"Why's he coming up?" Emilia asked in surprise.

"Oh shit!" Rose said excitedly, "finally, the why's would stop"

"Fuck me. This fool is going up." Greg said while watching his friend walk towards doom.

"Major crisis, the Dean, is walking her way too," Daniel observed.

"Disaster! This is trouble, guys," Greg added in fear for his friend.

"100 bucks that fool gonna shy away," James said, placing a bet on the house.

"200 says he'll çomplete his mission," Mike said, "Leo fears nothing," he added.

"The bet is on y'all," Greg said as he gathered the money.

While Leo was halfway to her table, he caught sight of the Dean and groaned in whispers, "Oh shit."

"Hello ladies," The Dean greeted as he made his way over to his daughter's table and sat amidst her friends.

"Hello, Dean," They all greeted back in smiles.

"Hy dad," Shea said as she landed a peck of his face.

"Is that black kid coming here?" the dean asked in observation.

Leo walked past their table and hugged a strange guy leaving the boy in total confusion.

Then Leo said in whispers while still in his arms, "cooperate and get 250 bucks."

"Hey man, how are you? It's been a while. I thought you changed school." The boy said in cooperation.

"Nah, bro, I'm still kicking. It's so good to see you again, dude." Leo concluded and left.

Shea smiled to herself after watching the display close to her.

"I don't like this kid, and I don't want you girls anywhere around him," the dean added in concern.

"Pay up nigga" Daniel said in victory.

"Damn," Mike said in disappointment.

"Sight of a racist that happens to be your Dean sure gives every black guy a premature ejaculation," Greg added in frustration.

The next scene starts with a rich white student trying to convince the black kids to hang out.

"There's a party tonight; a bunch of us are going, y'all should holla," Jason said.

"You know it's illegal to sneak out of campus on weekdays," Greg bluntly said.

"Who cares? Shit, I thought y'all were the bad oñes?" Jason said in dismay.

"See, we don't like getting in trouble, because unlike you, we've got a lot to lose," Greg added and walked away.

However, Leo was on suspension and could leave campus premises, so he went for a stroll.

While sitting down in silence at a coffee shop, he looked across and saw an aged woman struggling to cross the road with some heavy bags; and immediately ran over to assist her and then back to his coffee.

Then Shea approached him and sat. "I can see your chivalry isn't dead," she said.

"I don't know about chivalry, but I wouldn't want that poor old lady on my conscience if anything were to happen to her," Leo said honestly. "So, what brings you out of campus?" Leo asked.

"I got bored," she said and walked away.

Leo wasn't taking that bullshit answer, so he picked up his coffee and walked over to where she sat and sat across.

"Hi," he said.

"I didn't ask for your company Lloyd," she said.

"Dont worry, it's free," he said while grinning. "Sneaking out of school, you barely just got here. I don't think that's who you are," Leo added, concerned.

"It's all I am. If you come from a family like mine, you'd understand. Sneaking out is the only way I get to be free," she said.

"Everything has a price. Poverty is the real shithole, but yet you find that the rich are always complaining about irrelevant things? Y'all are so clumsy," Leo said, clearly pissed off.

"Are you deliberately planning on getting on my bad side today?" Shea asked angrily.

"No. I'm only saying you should count your blessings, alright? The lot of us? We have it really rough." He said and then narrated his story to her. "This right here, Shea? This is real life." He added.

"Oh my gosh, Leo, I'm so sorry. You're a disturbed child. It would be best if you went for counseling." Shea said politely.

"Nah, I don't believe, plus I can't afford that shit," he replied.

"I don't mean to judge, but coming from where you come from, don't you think you should work hard? Study? Make your mother proud. You're all she has left, and any mother would be disappointed if their child doesn't live up to expectations." Shea said.

Leo looked into the distance and narrated, "She's already disappointed. Mama's white, and whenever she looked at me, she realized that I was fucked because of my color. She doesn't even tell people she's my mom; if I'm lucky enough, some days, she's my stepmom. Other times when I run out of luck, I'm the kid her friend sent from Africa to assist with house chores. She curses the day she met my dad, and she says we both stole her youth. However, she did me a favor though before leaving for good. She found a way to get me to sit for a scholarship. I passed, went home to tell her, we feasted. You needed to have seen me that night. I had this massive smile on my face throughout my sleep. Unfortunately, every good thing has an end, and mine didn't last 24hours. I woke up to an empty bed, but for an envelope carrying the hardest letter I've ever read my whole life, and some cash. The letter said she was gone, and I shouldn't bother looking for her. The money was to get here and survive, mama said. Since then, I've been on my own," He finally concluded, almost in tears.

Shea was dumbfounded, and she couldn't utter a word.

"I cried a billion tears that day; now I had no mother either. Where the fuck do I search for her? She has no siblings I'm aware of, no past relationships I could turn to; it was always only ever just the three of us. I've been here for three months. (Looking at Shea) even if I did study and come out with flying colors, who would know Shea? How would they be proud? Tell me, what's the point of trying so hard when there's nobody to please?" He said pleadingly.

Shea still kept mute.

"The world is cruel. When college ends, I'd have nothing left. My mom was supposed to live with me no matter what! It was her only duty as a mother." Leo retorted. "I know we all have pain, but this? This is just too hard, and it sucks," he concluded.

Then Shea hugged him while whispering heartfelt condolences and apologies.

"I don't want your pity, not even if I earned it. A while ago, you thought I was a jerk, and now you pity me?" Leo asked in agony.

"Get out of your way Leo, everybody has pain," she said and walked away.

"You're an ass; you know that, right?" Greg lashed out at Leo after letting him narrate everything that happened.

"I was sad, alright? Remembering things like that upset me." Leo said.

"I bet you didn't ask her what her issue was. Trust Lloyd to make everything about Lloyd." Greg added with rolled eyes.

"Well, my problem was obviously worse. She's wealthy; what could she possibly be going through? She has everything she wants and more." Leo said.

"Everyone has pain, Leo, and it doesn't matter how much. What matters is that you address it and give them an equal opportunity to feel bad about it. You should apologize," Greg stated.

"We both know I'm not going to," Leo said clumsily.

"Well, you damn well should!" Roared Greg.

"I'm nothing, don't you get it? (Holding Greg's face) I'm the school's joke, a failure. You don't know what it's like to be worthless where nothing you do matters. I feel that way every single day. I have no one else." Leo said in pain while sitting down.

"So what? Why do you always have to feel sorry for yourself? Life is hard; get over it! Your mom is gone; nothing you do would bring her back, my nigga. She's out there, living her best life. Sitting here feeling sorry for yourself ain't gonna change that." Greg added bluntly.

"Stop! That's enough," Leo said in agitation.

"That pissed you off? Well, then retaliate. That's what a real man does, instead of whining and crying about it, going about pissing off ladies," Greg said in jest.

Leo stood up; fist clenched "enough, Greg, I'm warning you," he said.

"I thought you were a man. Rather, you bitch about in front of girls you should be wooing? Who the hell does that? Stop holding on, man. She's gone; you'll never find her. Stop being a coward," Greg said while walking towards Leo's face to agitate him the more.

Luckily it worked; as Leo landed a heavy punch on Greg's face, "I said, stop talking. Fuck!" Leo shouted out with a bloody fist.

"Now that's a real pissed-off man," Greg said while cleaning his bloody nose. "How do you feel?" he asked Leo.

"Awful, don't ever make me hit you again," Leo said sympathetically.

"She's the real deal, man. Just cause she's a bit tough, or cause everyone else wants her, or maybe because her father's a racist shouldn't stop you. You're a fucking lion, and you should roar, not retreat! Go for what you want. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot have, don't let society take away what's yours a third time. " Greg advised. "She's the real deal man, how often do you come across the real deal?" He asked before walking away.

"Damn," Leo said in admiration, "homeboy should open a church or something." He noted in giggles.

The next day, Leo waited for Shea outside the lecture hall. And when she finally came out, he approached her regretfully

"Can we talk, Shea?" He asked politely.

"Aren't you supposed to be on suspension?" Tracy asked.

"I am, but there's something I have to do first," he said while looking at Shea.

"Getting caught here would make it worse, be swift and leave this place without being seen," Rose cautioned.

"Thanks, babe. Come with me, Shea, if you'd be so kind," he pleaded while giving her his hands.

Shea turned to her friends, and they urged her to go with him.

Leo took Shea to the top of a building on campus.

"So what's this about," Shea said impatiently.

While spreading a mat on the floor and a blanket over it, Leo answered, "this is where I come to find peace, this is the only place in school that I can truly be myself. You can call it my hideout," he concluded while sitting down, and urging her to join him on the mat, which she did.

"Forgive me. It's usually more romantic at nightfall," Leo said dreamily.

And Shea laughed. Her laugh was magic. "Obviously. Still, it is pretty impressive," she said while giving him a nudge.

After he had opened up a bottle of wine and snacks, they chatted away merrily while dining.

"I could do with a place like this in my life," she said. "Leo, I want you to know how sorry I am about the losses in your life. I can't fix them all, but I can assure you that if you ever need a friend, there's a seat right beside me that has only your name written on it," she said while holding his hands.

Leo thanked her with a smile.

"I forgot to ask, why were you crying that day? Why were you sad? Why did you leave campus?" Leo asked.

"I'll tell you another time. I don't want to ruin the mood. Anyway, it is not that serious, and trust me; it's nothing compared to yours," she said.

"Well, a really wise friend told me that pain is pain; it doesn't matter how bad" while holding her hands, he continued, "ill always be willing to hear it, Shea. However, no rush like you said. My jokes were whack that day, but today I guarantee that you'd die of laughter" he smirked while assuring her.

"Okay, Lloyd, blow my mind away," she said in giggles.

"So, shea, you dance?" Leo asked.

"Hardly. I dance, not often, and not at will. What's the point of trying so hard to impress a bunch of people?" she pointed out to Leo.

"You've got it all wrong. Dancing's not about impressing people. Dancing makes you feel good. It takes away the stress and worries," he said confidently.

"Judging from your words, I take it you're a dancer," she noted.

"Not really," he said while drinking "im a music person, but I can sure sway to a good beat," he added in grins.

Leo laid down and faced the sky while asking, "your dad doesn't like me that much now, does he?"

"It's not you; he's hard it for blacks all his life," Shea said soulfully.

"why?" Leo asked.

"I have no idea,'' she said, while laying on his chest.

"It's hard to believe you're his child. You're different in every way. You're beautiful, innocent," Leo honestly said while caressing her hair.

"You've misread me," she said and laughed.

"Nah, you're passionate," he added.

"Since we're giving out compliments, you're the mixture of wonderful surprises. You're boyish, but with a mysterious soulful side," she complimented.

"Sounds fair," Leo said and laughed with her.

"You know, they always say to us, channel your pain, learn to control it to achieve your dreams. What if we have no more dreams? What if they all died?" Leo asked, looking away.

Shea touched his face and replied, "your dreams ain't dead, Leo, you've just outgrown them, now all you have to do is to find new ones," she said.

"I don't know-how," he said while looking at her.

"Let's make a deal. If you can make a responsible man out of yourself, Leo, if you do that, I'll dance to whatever beat you play," Shea said boastfully.

"Deal," he said while shaking on it.

Then she stood up and packed her bag. "I have to go, Leo. It's late; everyone would be worried," she said.

He stood up in a bid to see her off.

"No, that's not necessary; I'll find my way out," she said.

Leo asked, concerned. "Are you sure? I brought you here, and it's only right..."

"I'm fine, Leo, chill," she said, cutting him off. "Thanks for a perfect evening," she said before leaving.

Leo and Shea picked up their friendship. They met from time to time to discuss. Shea brought him notes from the classes they took together and gave a brief on each topic.

Soon, two weeks rounded up, and he was back to school.

"What's up, dude? Are you banging Shea now?" James asked sarcastically.

"Nah. We are friends. Just friends," Leo said while looking down.

"I'm sure everyone else would disagree with you," Daniel added, referring to Leo.

"Nothings going on, man. If there was, y'all would know. Now can we eat, please?" Leo insisted, trying to shy away from the conversation.

"You okay, man?" Gree asked, concerned.

"Nope," was all Leo replied.

"What's going on?" Greg insisted.

"I want to be more than friends," Leo finally pointed out.

"What's stopping you," Daniel asked, confused.

"My words are cold and flat; she deserves more than that. She deserves more than me. Someone with a family, you know, someone with a name." he said, looking down on himself.

"Relax, bro, it's just a relationship; you're not going for marriage," James said in laughter.

"Yeah, make fun all you like. You just don't get it," Leo said.

"Then make us," Greg replied.

"I'm scared of my future. The college will end, and what would I have left?" Leo said with tears in his eyes.

"You'll figure something out, man; you always do," Greg assured.

"Not this time," Leo said as he walked away.

"Gee Greg, I never knew he was so afraid of growing up," Daniel said in realization.

"I don't know, guys, but she's something. She keeps fascinating me," Leo said dreamily.

"Bro, that girl's fine as hell. Damn right, she's something," Daniel said in affirmation.

The next scene starts at a bar where Greg and Leo go out during the weekend to unwind and relax a bit before the dreaded Monday comes.

"Have you written your apology letter to the Dean?" Greg asked, drunk Leo in worry.

"Well, Greg, my dear friend, unlike you, I'm capable of doing two things simultaneously," Leo said while chugging down some beer.

"Yes, drinking and digging your own grave," Greg added.

Leo laughed. "That's cute. Really cute. I take it all back, all I said to you when we first met because right now, if you had tits, I'd marry you," Leo said in laughter.

"Let's get this right, you long for the soul and humor of a man, but the breasts of a woman?" Greg said teasingly.

"What can I say? I love tits," Leo said, almost falling from laughter.

"Easy tiger. You're so drunk," Greg smirked.

"And you're so dead," Leo said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Greg asked in confusion.

"Your sister, that's what I'm talking about," Leo said while giving Greg his drink.

"I still don't understand," said the confused Greg.

"I think I see her coming your way. Sucks to be you right now, doesn't it?" said Leo before leaving.

Greg looked back and saw his sister approaching, and when he turned around, he couldn't find Leo anywhere.

"Right, in addition to you drinking, you're also smoking?" Beatrice, his sister, asked while giving him a stern look.

"Smoking? Drinking? What the hell are you talking about?" Greg asked while laughing wryly.

"I'm talking about this," she said as she brought out a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket.

"Damn Lloyd, he must have slipped it in," Greg said in nervy chuckles.

"Yeah, right," she said in rolled eyes "go ahead and blame it on your imaginary friend," she added.

"Leo's not imaginary. He was the one sitting right here with these. Matter of fact, he saw you and then alarmed me," he said while giving her the drink.

Immediately the drink got to her palm; she started gulping.

"What the fuck?" astonished Greg asked as he took it away from her. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Drinking," she replied.

"I know, but why," he asked his sister.

"You gave it to me," she said while scoffing.

"I didn't say drink it," he added in frustration.

"You didn't say not to drink it either," she said with folded arms.

"Since when did you start drinking?" he asked, concerned.

"So I'm not allowed to drink, but you are?" she said, once more giving him a stern look.

"I'm older than you are," he said with wide eyes.

"Just a year," she said and took back the drink.

"Don't drink that," he said as he took it back. "lord only knows what he put in there; I don't want you lying wasted in my room throwing up everywhere. If you must drink, let's get ours," he said as they went to purchase some drinks.

"So why are you here?" he finally asked.

"Dad said to check on you," she replied.

"He could have just called," He said, looking at her intensely.

"I guess he did, a couple of times, but you didn't answer or something," she said in shrugs.

"I haven't seen any missed calls. Spill it, what are you doing here?" he urged.

"Don't give me that look," she said, looking away.

Then Leo joined them.

"Hello, folks," he said with a grin.

"So the black sheep returns," Greg said with folded arms.

"I'll take that, thank you," Leo said while retrieving his drink from Greg.

"So there was a Leo, after all. Hy Leo, I'm Beatrice," she said while extending her hands.

"Oh, I know who you are," he said while finishing his drink.

"You do?" she asked, amazed.

"Yeah. My boy over here talks about you all a lot, pictures and shit," he said while finally shaking her hands. "It's so lovely to meet you in person finally," he added.

"You see, Greg, that's how to be a gentleman," she said, turning to her brother.

Greg and Leo laughed hard before Leo finally said, "sorry I reek of booze, Beatrice, I'm having a bad day."

"No, sweetheart, don't sweat it; we all have bad days," she added with a raised glass.

The next scene starts with a knock on Shea's door; she opens it, shocked to see Leo.

"Leo? What the hell?" she asked in confusion.

Leo came in whistling, clearly amazed. "Do you really live here? I thought I must have gotten the wrong address. Good heavens, how do you even afford this place?" he asked.

"I don't. What the hell are you doing here, Leo?" she asked fully this time.

"Oh, I almost forgot, rich dad," he pointed out while sitting. "Well, don't just stand there, attend to the visitor, get me something to drink and eat. Come on, don't be mean," he added in a grin.

She smiled while sitting beside him and said, "I would have, but there's no time for that; my dad would walk in at any moment; you shouldn't be found here when he does."

"Well, I haven't seen you in school for a while; I was worried," he said.

"Aww, that's adorable," she confessed.

"I just wanted to be sure you were alright," he said while standing up. "Right, since that's done, I'd be on my way now," he said, going towards the door.

"There was a wedding in the family, that's why I wasn't available. I was the maid of honor," she explained.

"Oh," he said, smiling mischievously, "does that mean in a few years from now it'd be your turn?" he asked.

"Ha ha ha, so funny. Stick around that long in my life and find out for yourself," she said.

"I wasn't even planning on leaving Signora," he said shyly, flashing her his most expensive smile.

"I'll be in school tomorrow, Leo, and I appreciate the concern," she said in a blush.

The next scene was in the cafeteria, over at the girls' table.

"So...do you have feelings for Leo? We've meant to ask," Rose enquired.

"Rumour has it that the black boy has found comfort in your arms," Tracy added.

"Well...I wouldn't put it like that. Leo is..." Shea said while looking over at him. "He has this...you know?" she said.

"Huh?" Rose asked.

"Nah... probably not," Shea concluded.

"Probably not what woman? You're leaving us in blanks here," Rose asked in frustration.

"I don't have feelings for him," Shea affirmed.

"Oh," said Emilia, clearly disappointed.

"What were you hoping to hear," Shea asked.

"The obvious," Tracy said.

"Urgh. Nah," Shea said while shaking her head.

"Not even a little?" Emilia further asked.

"Nope. Don't get me wrong, he's calm and everything, but he's not my type." Shea said.

"So, what is your type?" Rose asked.

"I don't have a type," Shea replied.

"But you just said..." Rose went on.

"Mmmmmmmmm. I've been hurt a lot in love, Rose, you know this," Shea said bluntly, looking into the distance.

At the boys' table.

"Shea looks sad," Leo pointed out.

"This is your chance. Go over there, make us all proud, homeboy." Greg urged.

As Leo walked towards Shea, every step he took felt like an eternity. He was approaching his destination, but his brain told him what he was already suspicious of; he wasn't getting any closer to Shea's heart, and that sucked.

"Hello, ladies," he greeted politely.

"Careful boo, don't create the habit of always taking her away from us," Emilia cautioned Leo.

"Oh no, it's nothing like that. I noticed she looked sad and moody today; that's why I'm here," he replied.

"Come here, Leo, sit," Rose called, and he went over. "Shea is having a hard time opening up to this guy she thinks she might have a crush on," Rose spoke out.

"Oh," Leo said, looking down, knowing it wasn't him.

"What the fuck are you doing" Emilia warned.

"Throwing caution to the wind, I guess," Rose retorted.

"Rose..." Shea called, looking at her with questioning eyes.

"Hush ladies, I'm trying to have a conversation with our dear friend Leo" Rose called out. "So Leo, you're a guy and also Shea's friend. What do you suggest she should do? Now the guy she likes also feels the same way about her, I don't know why he hasn't made any move yet, but on her part, she's scared of getting her heart broken again," Rose said.

"I'm not scared," Shea replied. "Just cautious"

"Honey, you are, now mute it, let the guy talk," Emilia replied while looking keenly at Leo.

"Well, I'm a guy, so I don't know how it feels when a girl is hurt, but I do know how it feels when a girl hurts a guy," Leo said

"Now we're getting somewhere. Tell me, Leo, has a girl hurt you before?" Rose asked.

"Yes. I can't give out too many details, but that was the first and only female I'd ever loved. She never loved me. She always blamed me for all her misfortunes." he said.

"Good lord! How can anybody do that? People can be so cruel," Tracy said with a sigh.

"Indeed. I couldn't leave her. She was all I had. But she left me with a letter. A fucking letter was all I got, stating she was never coming back. At first, I thought it was surreal, but seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, and then I realized she was for real; she was gone. I couldn't see past her betrayal; how could she be so selfish?" Leo blotted out in pain. Then he turned to Shea and continued, "We've all been hurt, some more than others, but I firmly believe that not everyone is a monster. So give this guy a chance; you never can tell. Not every guy came to hurt or destroy you; some came to rebuild and restore." He concluded while standing up, "Now, if you'll excuse me, ladies, I think I left my book in the hostel," He said and left.

"Wow...only hearing that you're falling for someone else threw him off the edge. Ladies, that dude looks like he's going to have a heart attack," Emilia pointed out.

"Why did you have to make it look like it was someone else?" Shea said to Rose.

"Well, he shouldn't know the truth until you're ready to tell him yourself," Rose calmly stated.

"He was right, though; some guys came to restore. And he might be one of those guys, Shea." Tracy added.

Leo walked back to his table to gather his books.

"Dude, what happened?" Daniel asked.

"Well, she's in love, that's for sure," Leo said.

"That's good news. Why aren't you celebrating it?" Greg asked in concern.

"Because it's not me," Leo said in agony and left.

"Damn," James said.

Outside the cafeteria

Greg ran after Leo.

"So what? You're done? You've given up?" Greg called out.

"Yup. Let it be Greg, don't stress it," Leo said while walking further away from Greg.

Greg increased his pace, trying to catch up with Leo. "So what if she's in love with another guy? What if you never get her? That's not the end of the world." Greg said.

"But she's the only girl I see, and I thought you understood that," Leo said in desperation without stopping.

"Young man, if you walk out on me one more time, I'll pin you to the ground," Greg said in irritation.

"Go away, Greg," Leo said, increasing his pace.

Greg took a stop and some steps back, then ran and jumped on Leo from behind, causing them both to fall. "What did I say nigga?" Greg asked, smirking. Dude, fine, she's in love with someone else; why stop now? You've come this far; who says there's a love story without complications? See this as a chance to prove to her that you're better than whoever she's in love with. Besides, some girls make up fake relationships to test a guy's love. I'm not saying she did, but there's a chance she did. Even if it doesn't win her over, at least try." He said, then stood up and gave Leo a hand. "Go and win, bro, and then come back with tales of love," Greg said and walked back into the cafe.

Leo stood for some moments simply staring at the cafe till an onlooker spoke out. "Well, don't just stand there moping around. Go for it."

That was it, Leo ran back in.

"You're back," Said astonished Rose.

"Yeah," said smiling Leo.

"Why?" asked an astonished Emilia.

"I'm here to ask Shea if she'd want to hang out with me Friday night," Leo confessed, and all the girls exclaimed.

"I'm sorry?" asked an equally confused Shea.

"There's this movie airing on Friday, plus I've got tickets to the Beatles live show also happening the same Friday. What do you say, Shea? Just one night...two friends. That's all." Leo explained.

"Well, say something," Rose urged.

"You caught my attention at Beatles. I'm so down" Shea happily agreed.

"I'm grateful. Have a wonderful day, ladies," Excited Leo said and left.

"Oh my God, Shea. He actually asked you out," Rose said in shock.

"It's an innocent date; you heard him, two friends," Shea replied.

"Oh, the things you can do on an innocent date, honey," Emilia pointed out, lost in sexual thoughts.

"Exactly, innocent night, that's all I need with Drake," Tracy added, drifting off to fantasy.

"You girls are the worst, honestly," Shea said in laughter. "While you're here picturing an affair between Leo and me. I have other things to attend to," Shea said while packing her bags.

"Well, honey, remember to use protection, alright? Babies are made in less than 5minutes with some guys," Rose added, and everyone burst into hard laughter.

"Even if I'm attracted to Leo, which I'm not, I'm not at all. What about my dad? He'd never support the relationship. Why did a tunnel that'll never end?" Shea finally spoke out.

"Sweetheart, you don't need your father's support to fuck" Rose pointed out.

"Preach," Emilia said, raising her water bottle.

"You girls are impossible," Shea said in giggles as she left.