Real Love or Just Another Lesson?
By the second term at Gait High, I had become someone else,stronger, sharper, and definitely more focused. The gossip page had died down, Amaka kept her distance, and Tunde… Well, Tunde stayed out of my way.
I poured myself into everything I could, debates, school events, volunteering, and even mentoring the JSS1 girls. That spotlight I once feared? I now own it.
But life always has its own plot twist.
It started with a pen.
Literally.
During Literature class, the boy next to me, a new transfer from another school, offered me his pen after mine ran out. Simple gesture, nothing big. But it started something.
His name was David.
He wasn't loud. He wasn't the "school crush" type. He had quiet confidence, a crooked smile, and always read ahead in class. Unlike Tunde, he didn't try to show off. He just noticed the little things—like how I liked to sit near the window, or how I tapped my foot when I was nervous.
Soon, we were paired for a group project. And just like that, friendship happened.
David would wait for me after school, walk me to my gate, help me carry my books when I had club meetings. We talked about books, music, and our dreams. I told him I wanted to study Mass Comm and become a writer or speaker someday.
He said, "I believe you'll be one of the best."
No one had ever said that to me before.
But after Tunde, I was careful. I asked myself daily:
*"Is this real, or just another school distraction?"*
I tried to keep things simple. Friendly.
Until the day David told me he liked me — and not just as a friend.
"I didn't want to say anything because I see how focused you are," he said. "But I also don't want to pretend like you're just another girl."
And suddenly, my heart had a choice: build a wall or let someone in again.
So I did something bold.
I gave him a small letter the next day. Not too serious, just honest.
*"I'm still healing. I'm still learning. But thank you for showing me that not everyone runs when things get hard. If you're patient with me, maybe we'll write a beautiful chapter together."*
He smiled after reading it.
"Then I'll wait," he said.
And with that, I knew this wasn't just another lesson.
It might be the beginning of something real.