Chapter three

" Nurse, how's he? I tried to inquire as I rubbed my hands in nervousness ."

" A small smile curved on the nurse's lips before she began to talk. Ma'am, there's nothing to be worried about. Your boyfriend is fine. Luckily he didn't sustain any serious injury. Well, you can go inside and see him she said and left leaving me speechless. 

Hi, I greeted as I entered the ward where he was. Thank you he said almost whispering. Lily shook her head before taking a few steps to keep his belongings beside him.

I was about to place the things on the floor when my eyes met with that of the man on the bed. I gulped in surprise as I discovered who it was, meanwhile, he was just there staring at her.

I felt my face burn up, I became nervous all of a sudden and I quickly placed his items next to him. Well, it's good to know your injuries are not too serious. I said making a UU-turn and ran out of the ward before he could even alter a word. Once I was out of sight, I took in as much oxygen as I could to calm my nerves. 

I'm so out of luck today, of all the people I could meet in this small place. Why him? She cursed herself.

The following week in school, I fought the urge not to ask him about his injuries as he still wore a dark expression. Recently, I noticed a lot of girls trying very hard to gain his attention which he barely gives. He is always either studying or talking to Alex. 

Our bench was always crowded with girls as they came pretending not to understand what the lecturer taught in class and they needed him to explain but when Alex offered to tutor them for free they refused and started leaving one after another. 

Alex caught me laughing at the disappointed girls and wink at me before mumbling something to Harvey.

" hey lily " my God, calling out your name is so satisfying and the name is as beautiful as you," he said giggling like a secondary boy who just fell in love.

"thank you I said trying my best not to broaden the smile on my face"

" join us for launch please Alex requested"

" judging Harvey'smood all time, I'm gonna be bored to hell plus his intimidating aura. No thanks, maybe next time I said giving him a small smile.

Alex, what is wrong with you? Have you gone crazy Harvey grinned in between his teeth but loud enough only for Alex's ear"

" why is he making faces? It's not like I want to be where he is anyways" I said looking at him from the corner of my eye.

"Dude, what is wrong with what I just said? I only asked her to join us for the launch ."

" I'm starving, and I can't wait till you finish reading your book. We will go ahead and you can join us in the school restaurant when you are free."

" Alex didn't take no for an answer as he lends his hand to help me on my feet.

" Alex I called and he turned around to look at me, splashing me with his gummy smile."

" Yes Lily, what is it ?"

" How long have you known him and is he always grumpy?

"Alex pulled out a chair for me before sitting down, raking his hair with his left hand seductively.

"don't tell me his physique and beauty have charmed you like the others?  If you look at me clearly I'm more handsome than he is. He said teasingly making my face flush red"

" I'll punch you in the mouth if you don't stop spouting nonsense I said making him laugh loud enough to draw others' attention."

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"  he said clearing his throat before answering me.

" hmmm I've known him all my life and we practically grew up together but as per if he is always grumpy, nope he wasn't like that he is just going through a tough time " 

 I wanted to know what it was that he was going through but I knew better than to ask Alex again.

" you are the simplest person I have ever met in my tire life, it's so easy to talk to you and regardless you seemed always happy "

he said now fully facing me with his well-define dental formula displayed following his gummy smile."

" Thank you, Alex," I said, trying not to widen my smile. 

" The smile on my face did not last long as a familiar perfume penetrated my nostrils. It's him!  I thought I was gonna enjoy this time with Alex alone or maybe I should look for Mark so we can hang out together I said to my hearing as I facepalm.

" dude you are on time we just placed our orders have a seat Alex said in his usual cheerful voice "

"To be honest the sight of Harvey is so mesmerizing he's beautiful. sometimes I can't fully concentrate around him but this altitude of his always shutting me out makes me want to be anywhere not  close to him 

The long silence was broken by the waiter who brought our food. Alex took my food and placed it in front of me and asked me to go ahead and eat. I smiled at him as I picked up my cutlery, I could feel Harvey's eyes on me which made me very nervous. I carefully cut and picked up the meat from my plate and put it in my mouth and began to chew as my lips brush against each other.

"dude she's gonna disappear if you keep staring at her like that " Alex whispered in my ear."

I didn't know how long I was staring at her. She is so different from all the other girls I'd seen and been with. She's effortlessly beautiful, even without make-up, bookwise she's smart and intelligent no wonder all the guys are trying hard to get her attention.

" Dude you think she noticed? I asked making sure I wasn't too obvious"

"almost. " I chuckled making him kick my leg under the table and I let out a small grin giving him the satisfaction of what he has done.

" our 7 am class was canceled and the announcement was only made when I was already in class. The weather was a bit chilly that morning and I forgot my sweater. I hugged myself to keep warm as I placed my head on the desk. Soon after my body was a bit shaky, I didn't want to go back home because I didn't have enough for the transportation fair.  I felt my body warmer as I was covered with something.

I turned my head to thank whoever it was only to find Harvey next to me. My heart started pounding in my chest a part of me was happy and part of me seemed confused at his reaction 

Thank you I managed to say avoiding looking into his eyes. He didn't  respond and he didn't smile either rather, he helped me pass the pullover over my head while adjusting it to fit well on my body.

I was about to say something when his phone rang and he went outside to answer. Soon the class was getting full again with students preparing for the next lecture and Harvey and Alex were next to me.

Mark was late for class today and only waved at me when he came. It has come to my attention that most of the girls in my class did not like me and they did nothing but gossip and laugh at the way I was dressed.

Coming from an average home and mingling with the rich, I had prepared my mind for this trouble and all I kept dreaming of was to finish school Asap.

The guys in class did not help matters as they kept trying to have my attention as well giving more room for the girls to hate me even more.

As for my bench mate Harvey,  I already knew nothing good can become of us since he was always so cold but his gesture this morning surprised me and kept me confused

 As classes went on, I felt my temperature rising but I tried to keep my cool and wait for for school hours to come to an end.

"Hey are you okay," Mark asked looking at me "

"I'm fine I said giving him an assuring smile"

 My temperature became too much for me to handle and I decided to go back home after the class was over.

I walking way too much to go home and halt on my track when a group of girls stopped me on my track. One of them had a lollipop in her mouth and a key in her hand as she swirled it in a circle while moving in motion around me.

My eyes were cold, the fever was making me weak in the knees. With the little strength left in me, I was about to question them about what they wanted from me before I  felt my face heat up from the slap the girl gave me.