CHAPTER 13-TWO GROWING FEELINGS

   "Do you have a crush on Rachael?", Joshua asked and I was flabbergasted by his straight question. 

  "What? You are crazy Joshua, be careful of what you spill out especially in someone's house", I said hoping he would keep quiet and leave my life alone at least for today, but the truth was that I only opened a new episode of him as he started singing one stupid song.

 🎶 Oh, Oh, Oh

 🎶 Oh, Oh, Oh

  🎶Michael has a crush

 🎶 He has a crush

  🎶He has a crush on Rachael

 🎶 Oh, Oh, Oh,  oh, ooh, ooh

 🎶 You have a crush on her

  He kept singing even though I told him to keep his voice down. That was when we both heard a voice, the voice I have been wanting to hear but not at these embarrassing moments' I thought as my face flush instantly.

  " What is happening here guys?", Rachael asked as she slowly strode to our side. Just shoot me. There is no way Rachael won't have heard that croaked voice of Joshua.

"Curse my code of feelings", I cursed under my breath. I turned swiftly to Joshua's direction begging him with my eyes not to say anything.

  "Rachael, we have missed you, you just left us like that", Joshua stated and I was thankful for a bit that he did not 'let the big crush of mine out of the bag to my crushee', I thought, smiling nervously at my made-up statement.

  "Aww, I miss you guys too, especially Oyedele", she said and winked at me which only made my face flush. 'Joshua is a jealous freak, pls don't make him jealous'. As much as I wanted to say that statement, I can't, my secret must not be exposed like this,' I thought

  "Please, don't make me jealous. When are they releasing the GCE results?", Joshua asked and I can feel that he was kinda irritated by Rachael's earlier acts.

  "That would be in the next 45 days from now", she said and continued " I  won't be coming back to complete my schooling at Beatitude College for some reasons mostly related to financial stuff. I hope I will have good grades in my G.C.E and use it to further my education", she said and I felt glum knowing fully well there is nothing I can do except to give her the encouragement she needed. I hope for goodwill to come her way", I thought as images of the moments we spent together flashed through my memory.

  "We will miss you, I hope you pass well in your examination", I said with a sad smile on my face. I will still see her around, I guess. I just have to get over the growing feeling I have for her. She will continue to be one of the most important people in my life.

  "Speak for yourself Michael, I may not miss her, why won't you miss her, you have..", he said and I cut him off with a glare as he quickly shut his mouth but it was already too late. I can't believe he is one of my best friends and he can't even keep a tight rein on his tongue, stupid fellow. He just generalized it some minutes ago that we will all miss Rachael, why is he trying to spill my secret out?

  ' You should know Joshua by now, once something is on his mind, he must surely say it no matter what, my inner self said as I bit my lip lightly.

  I facepalmed myself and opened my index fingers only to see Rachael's scrutinizing eyes on both of us, there was no escape this time,' I guess.

  "You guys are hiding something, something is definitely on Joshua's mind to say. On the other hand, Oyedele here contributed less to the conversation, he is not that smiley on his face which is not normal to me because he always puts on a smile.

  You guys should speak up and make things clearer to me at least to make me understand some information about Joshua's croaked song", Rachael said which made me giggle at her last statement.

  Joshua glared at me and that was when I knew he would surely tell on me.  One thing I learned from a book is not to tell the opposite sex about your feelings especially if you are a teen and not ready to be in a relationship, I am not ready to be in any relationship until I have passed my 'bloom of youth'(when sexual desires are high).  As much as I know, teen feelings will surely fade away, unlike true love.

  "I just wanted confirmation whether Michael has a crush on you or not, nothing much, because I know full well you will surely defend her,' heroine in shining armor", he said rolling his eyes dramatically.

  Truth be told, Rachael always defends me. I could still remember the time when my Biology teacher said I was timid, she made it clear I was not timid but reserved and gentle, which the Biology teacher had no other choice but to agree to.

  "Oh really? You are not serious at all, please don't disturb my friend for me. Oyedele, don't mind him, he is sassy", Rachael said and I found myself smiling again at the indirect comeback for Joshua.

  

  It is obvious that I have a crush on Rachael, she is only trying to make me comfortable and it is really helpful as I am no longer sweating, 'such a great relief', I thought

At least, Joshua won't have any other choice than to keep his mouth shut for some moments. His look was like a cat thrown into the water, as he looked shocked at what Rachael said.

  I like this feeling I have towards the opposite sex but whatever I am developing towards the same sex is totally weird, and this week's Friday will be the day I will unravel the mysteries surrounding it.

  We ended our discussion at Rachael's place as I headed to my dad's Pharmacy shop smiling sheepishly. I felt kind of good knowing Rachael reacted reasonably to the fact that I had a crush on her. Not only that, I remembered to give Joshua some set of knocks on our way home, he should learn to keep quiet sometimes.

  I may be gentle but I hate it when people noses at other people's lives in which Joshua is not an exception.

  "This one you are smiling at, did you win an award?", I turned immediately as I heard that voice.