Chapter Six

Days have gone by and I was already accustomed to my new environment. I was actually loving it already. I had great friends, a lot of people actually wanted to get to know me,some sent glares towards me for something I have no idea about,who dey epp, Emmanuel never fails to torment me at every chance he gets. But to sum it all up, the school was amazing.

It was the twins' birthday today and we were all adding the finishing touches. I pleaded with my foods and nutrition teacher to allow me use the oven to bake but only after school hours to keep it a secret.

I did that yesterday and I had to leave the school compound by six pm. I made a big round cake and four dozens of cupcakes and iced them all. I was currently adding the candles.

It was break time and you know what that means. It was time to actualize our plans. We couldn't ruin the surprise so we sent a messenger instead.

Emmanuel's POV

I was currently sitting in Ella's classroom trying to cheer her up. I'm not a touchy-feely kind of person but my twin was.

Right now, she's feeling bad that our friends forgot about our birthday. It's also coincidental as I haven't even seen any of them all day.

I was trying to cajole her to come for lunch. Ella was an ulcer patient and she tends to be in pains when she doesn't eat early or at the right times and I was trying to avoid that. She's such a baby.

I knew I had to do something to cheer her up but dad told me not to ruin her surprise. Yes he's throwing a sweet sixteen party for his princess and I and everything was being put in place right now.

"Even mom and dad forgot our birthday. I can't believe this, we don't matter Nuel. They don't love us, they've been lying to-

Drama Queen. Well sorry dad, I tried.

"Baby guess what" I said.

"Hmm-mm" she hummed clearly not in the mood for jokes.

"Dad and mom are curren- "

"Good afternoon seniors. " I was interrupted by a junior student.

"Afternoon, is there any problem?" I replied as Ella eyed the lad like he was the cause of her sadness.

"The fine arts teacher needs you both at the studio as fast as possible." he said.

"Okay thanks, you can go." I dismissed and watched as he scurried off.

"Wonder what he wants now." Ella grumbled as she stood up. To be honest , I really wondered why he wanted to see us. We didn't even offer the subject.

"SURPRISE!" echoed in the room as soon as we stepped in, the lights came on and everything and everyone came into view. Cakes, drinks, decor and a mini speaker which had started to blare the tune of the happy birthday song.

I looked up to see the smiling faces of all our friends and Attracta as they sang along. They had barely finished the song when Ella attached them with a big hug. I'm surprised she took it well because her emotions tend to get the best of her and she-

" I *punch* thought you *punch* guys *punch* forgot *punch* my birthday.

I guess I spoke too soon.

"Sorry dear." Tunji cooed as he hugged her.

Did he just coo at my sister? No let me calm down, it's probably nothing.

"It's okay" she said with a face full of awe as she looked around the studio.

"How did you guys come up with this, I had no idea..." She kept ranting as I fist bumped and shook hands with my friends. I actually felt honored by these dumb asses.

I ignored Attracta as I took one of the cupcakes. Oh my! These were fucking delicious. It was like I could drown in the flavor as it bursts on my tongue.

"Won't you also thank Attracta? " Aisha interrupted my beautiful cupcake fantasy .

"Aisha you really went all out with these cupcakes, they are amazing. Got me tripping." I winked as I complimented ignoring her question as regards Attracta and unwrapped my third cupcake.

"I didn't make those." She said.

"Then the caterer deserves a tip. Give me her business info" I replied.

"You know Attracta made those, right?" She said with a smirk as I choked and immediately lost my appetite as I coughed.

"Here." Ella handed me a cup of wine with disapproval evident on her face as she eyed me and shot me a dirty look.

"I'm out of here." I said walking away before Ella drew me back to my spot and they all gave that look making me look away while playing dumb till Ella dished me a jab in the ribs.

"Ouch, fine, Attracta thank you for everything, the cake was cool." I blurted out in a monotone voice earning a smile from Ella. I was about to smile back till I felt that tingle of pain in my ribs.

why was she so violent?

I was about to leave until Ella shot me that "leave and you die" look. Here we go again. Since I had nothing to say to anyone, I busied myself with these amazing cupcakes. I might not like the baker but these were the bomb.

I wondered how Ella was going to react at the party at home. Thank God for the junior student that interrupted, I'd have ruined the surprise.

Attracta's POV

To say I wasn't offended when Emmanuel didn't acknowledge me or my efforts was just a facade but for the fact that it was my friend's birthday, I owe it to her to be happy on her day.

Unto better news, it all went down well. It was worth the efforts and even though I couldn't make it to her surprise party, I knew it would be a blast.

I imagined what would be going on at the party and laughed at loud at what I had imagined when I walked in on Tunji and Gina. Over-imaginative Attracta.

I looked back at my life from a few months ago till now and it was by far the most dramatic months of my whole life.

I laid in my bed and let sleep take me away but with one question lingering on my mind.

Why didn't Emmanuel like me?

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring into my ears. They had to give kudos to the Nokia company, these phones are loud.

I grabbed the phone, turned off the alarm and said my morning prayers. I had barely gotten off my knees when someone barged into my room.

"Can I help you? Since you've currently expressed your profound unwillingness to the concept of knocking."

"It's my father's house and not yours so I have the right to barge into any room of my choice." She spat.

I wasn't going to let this stuck up bitch ruin my morning.

"Thanks for stating the obvious but can you get to whatever you want to say or beat it!" I said raising my voice a bit.

"Stop barking local dog, I just wanted to tell you to keep my business out of your stinking mouth and failure to do so will earn you a VIP ticket to my other side." She threatened.

"One, why on earth will I develop interest in your boring business? Two, why will I even think of ratting you out to your mum? I'm not as bitter as you are,  Three, I wonder how bad your other side could be if your good side is this dark and ugly? Get out and shut the door behind you." I concluded in one breath as I walked to the bathroom.

I got dressed picked up my school bag and went to Aunty to go get my transportation fare and snack allowance. Aunty didn't really didn't give me much for snack allowances because she already paid for my meal tickets in the school cafeteria. It was optional but it was included in my school fees and I really wasn't asking for more either since I didn't need it.

I got to school a few minutes before the assembly, I wiped my desk and seat and dropped my bag. I skimmed my assignments for errors. No errors,good.

A few minutes later the siren signifying it was time for assembly blared and I dropped my notes and made my way to the assembly ground. We only used the hall for special occasions.

I was a few meters away from the end of the stair when I tripped and fell- well almost. I thought I fell but in reality I didn't touch the floor. I opened one eye to see what broke my fall only to find out it was him. Emmanuel,of all people.

I opened both eyes and helped myself alongside him balance on my feet.

"Thanks for breaking my fall." I said noticing an emotion I couldn't quite decipher flash through his eyes before they became cold again and filled with fury.

"You should really look where you're going and stop delaying other people with your personal issues." He scolded and stormed off.

Is he experiencing PMS? I put myself in check and walked to the assembly barely skipping the punishment for getting there late.

The whole day went by the usual way; boring classes, over-ambitious math teachers, breaks and the best part of all; the closing bell.

I packed my books into my bag, zipped it up and walked out of the classroom. I was almost at the gate when one of the students I recognized from our conjoined math classes was running up to me as he called my name. What does this one want now?

"Hey Attracta, how are you doing?" He greeted.

" I'm good..."

"Sorry I didn't properly introduce myself, I'm Joe from Science class." He said with a smile. A cute one actually. To be honest, I had checked him out once in math class. Joe was handsome.

"Hey Joe." I replied.

"Uhm...well I was wondering if I could have your number so I could hit you up to say hi once in a while. You are actually on the set WhatsApp group but I felt it'd be rude to intrude upon your privacy."

Aww what a gentleman.

" Sure, you can chat me up." I said.

" wow, okay thanks.See you tomorrow."

"Okay bye." I said. To be honest I felt giddy, it's been a while a boy asked me for my number and certainly none from this school.

I wore the same smile from school till I got home. I felt so excited. Little did I know the drama that was about to unfold with me being at the center.

Emmanuel's POV

He wasn't bluffing, he had started out his plan.

Emmanuel for how long would you keep up this facade, just come clean for crying out loud.

What's the worst that could happen?

And in that instant I had made up my mind, I wasn't going to strike now but I will as soon as possible.