Chapter 3

  Ch 3

The bell rang for break and Ben stands up from his seat, carries his backpack, and lazily strolled out of the classroom.

They just finished mathematics and he could feel his head banging.

Kizzy has been trying her best to avoid him after what he said to her in homeroom class and she is really doing a great job avoiding him.

Fortunately, Rissa attended all classes with Ben but halfway through math class, She left the classroom.

Kizzy walked out of the classroom with Flora. She sighed.

“For goodness sake, Kizzy, Would you please stop sighing! You sound like an old woman right now “

Kizzy frowned but said nothing.

“I just want to talk to him but it will look awkward doing that after what he said. I truly feel bad. Rissa has been here for like a year and nobody has ever talked to her or try to. I also did not try to. Am a bad person, Right ?”She faced Flora almost tearing up.

“Don’t feel bad Kizzy. We are all at fault here. I also did not try to talk to her “Flora said sadly.

“I feel like a bad person right now “

Kizzy cleaned her tears with her palm.

They started walking through the hallways and saw Ben heading to the cafeteria.

“Common, Let go meet him, “Flora said dragging Kizzy with her.

“Hey Ben, “Kizzy said silently as they got to where he is.

“Oh hi ..”He smiled.

“Have you seen Rissa ?”He asked

“Nope. Not really “Kizzy answered as the three walked together toward the cafeteria.

“But she said she would ...” Ben muttered to himself but Kizzy and Flora heard but said nothing

They got to the cafeteria and found a table. Ben gazed around the cafeteria but couldn’t find Rissa.

“I don’t think Rissa is coming if she is the one you are looking for because she have never been to the cafeteria “Kizzy explained.

“Oooh, “Ben said sadly.

They started eating quietly. The silence was really disturbing and awkward.

Ben felt a pat on his shoulder and raised his head up to see Rissa.

Kizzy and Flora were shocked to see her. Kizzy wanted to talk but she decided against it.

Ben quickly draw out a chair and signaled for Rissa to sit of which she did.

She made eye contact with Kizzy and Flora and gulped down nothing.

It feels weird sitting with them on her own part. She have always had her lunch in the principal’s office.

Most times, She doesn’t attend classes when the teacher is explaining coz she can’t hear what he /she is saying and the teachers did not care about that.

She either goes to the principal office or her Special room in the school.

She is used to being alone.

Her mom loved her. Like a lot and would do anything to make her happy.

She buys the latest things for her. Dress, Shoes, The latest iPhone, Laptop, etc.

Rissa comes from a rich family.No doubt about that, She has been deaf from birth.

It takes only God’s miracle to heal her. Her dad loves her and hates her at the same time. He is the best father to her but only at home. He is always ashamed to show her off to his friends or business partners.

Sometimes, He wishes she just die because to him ..., Being deaf is like a curse.

A lot of people believed he have only one child.

Samson...That his name.Her dad’s favorite son.

He is a school dropout. He got expelled in his first year of college after raping a teacher to coma because she refused to date him.

Weird right? Samson is Wild. He smokes, drinks, clubs. He was sexually attracted to the lecturer and when he asked her out, she refused .because 1, It not appropriate and normal.

2, She is 8 years older than him.

He drugged her and raped her but was caught by the Woman’s husband but the woman had blacked out already.

The case was taken to court but Samson’s dad was able to close the case with his money and power.

Fortunately, The lecturer regained consciousness after two weeks and Samson was expelled from the school.

Samson loves his sister, Rissa, and is ready to do anything for her. Even take a bullet for her. He have his own apartment. He is in a gang but he always makes up time to see his sister and hang out with her.

Back to present, Ben smiled at Rissa and passed a bowl of french fries to her. She started eating slowly bowing down her head.

Now what?

She can’t communicate with them unless they pen their words down. She sighed regretting accepting to have lunch with Ben.

She should at least be happy he is trying to be her friend. Nobody has ever tried to.

    *Fast forward .........*

The bell rang for closing and students started leaving the classroom.

Kizzy, Nick, Flora, Ben, and Rissa, and some other students were still in the classroom probably waiting for their ride except for Ben who was still in school because Rissa is not making any attempt to leave yet.

He brought out his phone and typed a few words then passed it to her.

She collected the phone and read it.

...*Can I have your digit ...please ..*

She smiled inwardly. He is always saying ‘.please’

She went to the call log and typed in her number and gave him his phone back.

Almost immediately, Her phone beeped. It is a message from Samson.

...” Baby Girl, Am at your school gate ...”

She carried her backpack and exit the classroom.

Ben stared at her number for what seems like forever and eventually saved it with Riss with a heart-shaped Emoji. He was about pocketing his phone but then thought it kinda weird since she is not his girlfriend or something. He was about to remove the Emoji when a voice spoke behind him.

“Wait! Do you like her ?”The voice asked in a loud voice.

Ben flinched only to see nick smiling sheepishly.

“Hey !, You scared me “Ben frowned.

“Whatever...Answer my question, You like Rissa?”Nick asked again

“What are you even talking about ?... wait, Where is everybody ?”Ben's eyes widened. It was only him and Nick in the classroom.

“Lemme guess ...You were too busy trying to get your crush number that you don’t know when everybody left and when Kizzy said ‘bye Ben ‘ and left too “Nick rolled his eyes.

“Wait, What !”Ben was shocked. Was he that engrossed?.

Nick shrugged.

Ben carried his backpack and exit the classroom with Nick.

“Just answer my question already “

“How can you even ask that. I don’t even know her. This is my second time seeing her. Am just trying to be her friend that all “Ben explained.

“Yeah, Yeah !, I hear you “Nick rolled his eyes annoying Ben.

“Are you even a guy? Always rolling your eyes like a girl. Eish! That weird “Ben said

“It my signature “Nick winked.

“Well your signature isn’t cool at all “

“Whatever “

“Aaaargh”

“Just leave me alone dude “

“Okay, “Ben said and walked faster leaving Nick behind.

“Wait !, I was just joking “Nick laughed running after him.

————————————-

Ben got home and headed straight to the kitchen. His food is already packed in the fridge.

He saw a paper on the counter.

     

         .....*I left 30 dollars in your room in case you need anything .it in your drawer. Will be back late at night. You can make dinner or order for something. Love you .........*

                                  Mom.

“Love you too mom “he muttered to himself smiling and quickly carried his food to his room ready to devour it.

His mom and dad got divorced like two months ago .his dad is always cheating on her but she just chooses to ignore it hoping she would change but he did not.

She couldn’t take it anymore when she caught him sleeping with a lady on their matrimonial bed and she opted for a divorce immediately.

His mom got custody of him as his dad didn’t even fight for him at the court. He also wants the divorce and is not ready to take full custody of his son alone.

After the divorce, His mom left the state, Florida for New York to start a new life.

Ben had to say goodbyes to his friends and his school.

When they reach New York, His mom immediately enrolled him in a  Public school that was not really far from their new apartment.

He have been in New York for one week now and he can’t say if he is enjoying his stay or not.

.......

Few minutes later, Ben was done eating. He washed the dishes and retired back to his room.

He doesn’t have any friends in the neighborhood yet as he hardly goes outside.

Remembering Rissa. He texted her and drop his phone.

He hopes she replies him.

  {Evening }

Ben finished reading and closed his books. He have done his assignments also.

Rissa haven’t replied him yet. He logged in on F******k. Replied to a few messages and logged outback.

He left his room and went outside only to find a puppy on the front porch.

The puppy barked happily seeing him. He was about to carry it but a tiny voice stopped him.

“Don’t touch my puppy “

The owner of the voice walked towards him and he took a minute to check her out.

Fluffy slipper, White bump-short, and a pink top with SpongeBob image on it.

Her hair is pink but it is obvious she dyed it and she looked extremely pretty.

He couldn’t get his eyes off her.

“Stop staring at me ..., pervert, “She said in her tiny voice eyeing him and carried her puppy.

“Next time, don’t try to touch my puppy, “She said frowning.

She turned to leave.

“Wait !, am not a pervert !”He half yelled.

She said nothing and entered the house beside his.

“Oh so she is even my neighbor, “He said to himself and smiled.