A new friend

I relaxed into the plush leather seat of Alan's car. My nostrils flared as I inhaled the fruity scent drifting around the car.

"You address." He muttered, handing me his cellphone.

I typed in my address before passing his cellphone back to him.

He turned on the ignition and the engine purred as it came to life.

"Are you from around here?" He inquired, glancing briefly at me.

"Oh, no," I shook my head. "I'm a Nigerian."

"Wow," He gaped, scrutinizing me the more. "Why study here? I mean, isn't it too far from home?"

"It's not." I shrugged. "Also, I want to explore the world and getting a scholarship into this school is a start for me," I added.

He nodded, "You must be very smart to have been awarded a scholarship to this school. I heard the aptitude test is quite difficult."

"It is," I affirmed. "But, I studied, and prepared well for it."

I couldn't forget the sleepless night I had during the preparation. It got to a point where it seemed like my brain couldn't take in anything any longer. Yet, I hadn't relented.

I was glad I didn't. Though after the exam, I was in the hospital for a week due to the way I had stressed my brain.

Nonetheless, I was glad for the result when it came out. I had topped the list with another student.

It was a thing of joy for me and my parents since I would be the first person that had gotten a scholarship to study out of Nigeria.

Moreover, it had always been my dream to visit a European country, and here I was.

Not only that, I had my first friend already.

"I like the way you smile and your eyes." Alan trailed off as I stared at him.

"What?"

"Your smile reminds me of a baby whilst your eyes of how I like my morning coffee, without cream and sugar." He smirked.

"Umh, thanks I guess." I smiled, shyly.

This was the first time someone would like the colour of my eyes and the way I smile. I had always considered my almond eyes which were like a bitter coffee ordinary. Moreover, my smile was always wide showing my gum most of the time. I didn't know someone would find it cute and it warmed my heart.

"Well, I believe you don't know how beautiful you are," he murmured.

"I was enthralled the first time I saw you. The way the sun brightened your ebony skin, your lustrous brunette shoulder-length lock, and your cupid-bow lips, they are all to die for."

My eyes widened as the word poured out of his mouth. He didn't stop what he was saying, and my mind could only come up with one thing.

Was Alan trying to flirt with me?

I mulled whilst watching the way his eyes twinkled.

After a while, he burst out laughing. "You are so cute!"

"What is funny?" I frowned.

"Your expression." He waved his index finger in my face.

My eyes narrowed as I scanned my face in the side mirror to see if there was something on it. But, I found none. 

"What about it?"

"Nothing." He shrugged. "I am kidding with you, I mean I was just trying to test my poetic skill."

"Jerk," I muttered under my breath whilst rolling my eyes.

For a second, I had thought he was flirting with me, and I wonder if it was ridiculous of me to think that way.

"You are beautiful. But, I was trying to see how you would react to it. I didn't know I was that good at poetry."

"I'm happy I amused you," I snorted.

The rest of the ride to my house went on in silence. Occasionally, I glimpsed him gazing at me.

He would glance back to the road when he realized I had caught him.

I was good at reading people's expressions, and for once, I couldn't read his because he was good at hiding them.

"We are here," Alan announced.

"Thanks." I smiled.

My fingers gripped the handle of the door, but Alan's hand covered mine as I was about to open it.

"Wait." He muttered.

I raised an eyebrow as I waited for what he was about to say. My gaze drifted to his hand before it went back to his face.

He retracted his hand and blushed. "Unh, sorry."

"Well," He began, "I want us to be friends." I noticed a tint of red adorned his pale cheeks once more.

I giggled at how cute he looked when he was flustered. Moreover, his eyes avoided mine, and I wasn't used to seeing boys in this manner.

Rather, they were always arrogant and confident. Just like the jerk from this morning.

I grimaced as I recalled the sneer on his face.

If only I could wipe it off, and smack the cap off his head. I wonder how he would have reacted if I had done that.

Perhaps, he would have yelled, and have the teacher take me to the administration office.

He didn't look like the average boy I often saw walking around the streets because he reeked of wealth.

Even the cap he had donned was quite expensive since I had seen a price tag on It when I was in Nigeria. It was over a thousand dollars, and too high-priced for something as insignificant as that.

Startled, I jerked as Alan tapped me.

"You just spaced out. What were you thinking about?" He inquired.

"N-nothing." I sputtered.

No way was I telling him my thoughts were about that jerk.

"It's fine if you don't want to. But, I want to be your friend." He said for the second time today.

"I consider you as one since we began talking. Also, you gave me a ride. So, we are automatically friends."

He grinned, and let out a relieved sigh. Perhaps, he thought I wouldn't agree to it.

"Can I go now?"

"Of course," He unlocked his door, and darted to open mine.

"You are such a gentleman I commended, grinning. Thanks for the ride."

"You are always welcome!"

I waited till he drove off before stepping in.