CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: SAMUEL WANTS TO SEE YOU
"What do you want for a birthday gift?" Samuel asked, his gaze fixed on me with a seriousness that made me pause.
"There isn't a need for that," I replied casually, though my mind was already racing. Why was he so insistent?
"There is a need," he countered, smiling faintly but firmly.
"Um… what I need?" I asked, thinking hard. Was there something unusual I wanted, something I could dare ask for?
"Do you want money?" he asked, almost as if reading my thoughts.
"Gosh! No!" I responded immediately. The idea of taking money from him hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Why not?" he laughed, a light, teasing sound. "If you think taking money from me will reduce my wealth or anything like that, you're overthinking. I can't go dry on money, lol!"
I couldn't help but smile at the way he said that. He really had a confident, almost casual approach to everything.
"No worries! I have money as well," I shrugged, trying to play it cool.
"Everybody does! But today is your birthday. Let me just give you what I have… or should I buy something for you?" he continued, offering a variety of options, his tone earnest.
"What would you even buy?" I asked, curious despite myself.
"That… I don't know," he admitted, shrugging and looking away briefly, his eyes scanning the school compound as if it held all the answers.
Why did he insist so much on giving me something, of all days? I thought.
"Give me the money!" I finally said, tired of the endless back-and-forth.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stack of notes.
Why on earth did he carry this much money to school? I couldn't help but wonder.
"Don't you have guardians?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"I do! But I don't always depend on them since I'm not always around. Still, I keep some money in case I need to call or buy something," he explained casually.
"You still carry money for them?" I asked, slightly surprised.
"Yeah, why not?" he said with a smile, counting the money he intended to give me before carefully putting the rest back in his pocket. "Take it."
I looked at the money he held out.
"20k?" he asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Was he trying to flaunt it, or was this really meant for me? I remembered the most my parents had ever given me to hold—10k, maybe less. And what could I even do with 20k in school, where everything was cheap?
"Is it small?" he asked, clearly confused by my hesitation.
"Nah, it's okay," I said, finally accepting the notes and smiling. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
"You're welcome," he said softly, nodding.
I folded the money carefully and tucked it into my bag, still marveling at the sheer amount.
"About Daniel… how do you know him?" he asked after a pause.
"Just someone I knew from primary school," I said casually, shrugging.
"Okay, that explains a lot," he nodded thoughtfully. "So… how's your birthday been so far?"
"Okay, just normal. At home it's different, but being in school with friends who care is the best," I said, smiling.
"Yeah," he nodded in agreement and smiled back. There was a calm confidence about him, a presence that made it easy to talk to him, yet something about his gaze always left me wondering what he was really thinking.
Looking at him now, I realized he was fair and fresh-looking, as if school life hadn't left a single mark on him yet. I couldn't help but imagine that as he grew older, he would become even more handsome. His eyes were striking—a calm, ocean-blue that seemed to pierce right through you if you let them.
---
Flashback:
Junior Secondary School Three—grade nine.
The first session began with an orientation on preparing for the Junior W.A.E.C. (similar to B.E.C.E.), the crucial exam that determined entry into senior school. Teachers allowed competition students like Samuel to focus entirely on their preparation, while the rest of us were gradually introduced to leadership opportunities.
Prefect elections were underway, some positions teacher-assigned:
Samuel was appointed head boy by the teachers.
A girl I didn't know well became head girl, sparking rumors that she was dating Samuel. I shrugged at the gossip.
Other positions were voted on by students:
Victoria became health prefect, a well-earned position due to her popularity and charisma.
Morayo and I lost our preferred positions, though for different reasons.
Morayo, ever strategic, befriended her competitors to gain votes. She eventually became hostel prefect, assisting the former prefect and taking on tedious duties just to prove herself.
I, on the other hand, had only wanted the dining or food prefect positions for the perks. I knew I wouldn't win, so I shrugged it off and focused on schoolwork. Lol!
---
Weeks passed, and we entered the final exam month. Our class was the only one left, as other classes had gone on holiday. The environment was peaceful, and everything we needed—supplies, space, time—was abundant.
During this time, I had grown closer to Samuel. Despite rumors about him liking the head girl, he had assured me it was nothing serious. Our friendship strengthened, built on shared stories, laughter, and mutual trust.
Daniel remained his usual, slightly chaotic self—annoying at times, but reliable in his own strange way, just like back in primary school.
---
"Floral, Samuel wants to see you in front of the solar in the school compound," my classmate said, pausing briefly to give me a knowing look before walking away.
I was sitting on my bed with Morayo, waiting for Victoria to bring the garri mixture she had prepared for us. Morayo winked at me, and I rolled my eyes, excusing myself to meet Samuel outside.
I wondered what he could possibly want this time. Samuel usually came to me only when he was bored, but today felt different—there was purpose in his steps.
"Sup! How's the hostel treating you?" he asked, his eyes tracking me as I approached and took a seat on the bench beside him.
"As usual," I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "What about you?"
"Same," he replied, settling down. He had a way of making even simple greetings feel meaningful, as if the conversation could shift the atmosphere of the entire schoolyard.
There was a moment of silence, comfortable yet charged, as we just sat there, we sat like two friends sharing the early afternoon sun. I wondered what he really wanted to say, the way his hands rested casually yet attentively on his knees.