Empire High School - Season 1 - Episode 41

Episode 4 years ago

Empire High School - Season 1 - Episode 41

Jeffrey’s POV
The moments we spent together at the
Cinema was awesome! Kate finished her
popcorn before mine, so i had to pass my
popcorn to her. And several times we
touched whenever we both end up dipping
our hands into the bowl.

To be Honest, I was happy Kate agreed to
ride in my car and watch a movie with us.
Now I’m super excited Kate wants to come
along to the mall!
“Let’s go to the book section first!”
Deji screamed when we all stepped into the
Mall. I exchanged glances with Katherine to
see if it was fine to pick out books for Deji
first before buying our items. She
answered with a short nod.

“Won’t we take pictures today? Mom
always make a video of us too!” Semilore
said when we got to the book section.
“I’ll definitely take pictures of you and Deji”

I answered
Semilore jerked free and raced to Kate
where she’d picked a novel. Deji was busy
searching the small shelves. I was
interested in Superstrikers comic books.
“Can I read that book too?”
I heard Semilore say to Kate.
My head snapped up from the book I was
holding. My gaze locked with Kate’s.
Semilore can be funny at times! She
doesn’t think that she was still a little girl
who needs guidance.

“You can’t read this sort of book”
“Why?”
“Its.. For older people” Kate replied
“I’m 5” Semilore grumbled
“You’re a little girl Semilore”
Oh! Oh! She shouldn’t have said those
words to Semi.

“That’s not cool! I’m a big girl!” Semi Said
loudly with her arms folded.
I hope she doesn’t throw up tantrums. She
started to walk away.
Kate was stunned by Semilore’s attitude. I
dropped the book and went to Kate.
“Sorry” I whispered before following
Semilore.
“Baby, Kate didn’t mean to call you a little
girl!”

“Don’t follow me or call me Baby!”
She screamed back at me
“You’re a big girl” I said the words her dad
used to say to her.

She stopped on track
“I’ll get you a big girl story”
Then she faced me with a frown on her
face.

“Come here” I called to her with a frown.
And slowly she walked back to me. I held
her hand and took her to Kate who quickly
focused on the novel in her hand.
“Apologize to Kate”
“I didn’t do anything wrong” Semilore said

“Its bad to raise your voice at an elderly
one” I said
she shot me a sober look before looking on
at Kate.
“I’m.. so.. Sorry..” She apologized
“No.. Offense” She stuttered
“Now lemme take you to the big girl
section!”

I took Semilore to the shelf filled with
animated princess Stories. Sofia the first,
Cinderella and so on.
“You can read these ones”
Semi flashed me a bright smile. It’s so hard
to understand this little girl. She claimed to
be a big girl but she can’t hide her
excitement anytime she sees books like
Sofia the first!

“Oh! Wow!They are beautiful!”
“Pick out the ones you love” I said and
walked back to Kate. I didn’t see any look
of annoyance on her expression when
Semilore screamed at her.

“I’m sorry about Semilore’s attitude”
“You really don’t have to apologize” she
replied
I nodded
“You are going to read all of that..” I
pointed to the five novels in her hands.
“Yes.. I need to kill boredom” she replied
“Don’t you have siblings?”
“I do.. But elderly ones who are not in the
country”

“Oh! Last born?’
“Yeah and the only female child”
She gave me a small smile when she looked
at me.

“Lucky you” i said
“Why?”
“You have siblings.. Big brothers who are
ready to protect you”
Yeah! Big brothers are always
overprotective!

“Well I wish I had younger ones like Semi
and Deji. Atleast our house won’t be
boring”
“So you read novels anytime you are bored
at home”

“Not.. Really. And I read books at the school
library”
Yea! I knew Kate was always leaving class
to the library whenever we are free and
Elena and Temi are in their classes.
“What about you?”she asked
“What?”

“You said Deji and Semi are your cousins”
I nodded
“They are Aunty Joke’s children. Do you
remember her?” I asked
“The woman at the store”
I nodded again
“I thought she was your boss”
“No, she’s my Aunt” I replied
“Oh! Really! Actually, I thought you’re
working for her. Perhaps are you attending
EHS on welfare?”

“No.. Someone told you right?”
Deji’s voice Interrupted Kate when she was
about to speak.

“I’ve picked out interesting ones!” he said
loudly
We both looked at him.
Deji was holding few books in his hands.
“Me too!” Semilore waved hers in the air
“Are you done?!” I asked Kate
“Sure”
“Okay.. Kids let’s move on”
“I want cupcake Uncle Jeff. Can I get it?!”
Semilore asked
“Sure” I replied

Then she and Deji raced off
“Lemme help you with the books”
“No need… thanks” she said we walked
slowly to meet up with my cousins.
“That’s a silly rumor.. I mean am not
attending EHS on welfare. And did they tell
you am from an Orphanage home?”
She nodded

“Well I’m not from an orphanage home. I
have my parents. They only said that
because I don’t relate with anybody”
“Why?” She asked

I was silent
I didn’t want to discuss about my family
with Kate. I wasn’t ready to tell her my
mom’s death caused the sour expression.
“I Believe there’s a reason why you always
move around looking unhappy” Kate
stopped and stood in front of me. She
covered the gap between us. We stood face
to face.

“Even now, I can see the pain in your eyes.
And I just hope that someday you will be
able to take on the courage to talk about
it” she bit her lower lip.
I stared at her!

Like I couldn’t believe kate was saying all
these words to me.
“You see.. It doesn’t have to me but it
could be someone else. And I think you’ll
get better if you discuss it with someone”
she said in a low tone
“Ahm.. I’ll join the kids”
She said with a half smile. Kate turned and
walked away.

At that moment, I felt like telling her
everything but I couldn’t.. Something kept
holding me back.

Will I ever be able to summon that courage
to tell someone about my pains and anger
towards my father and Stepmom?

Even if I want to discuss it then it would
definitely be Kate!

Two minutes passed before I joined Kate
and my cousins. They already picked out
items into their respective baskets. I could
see the paper in Semilore’s hand as she
jumped up in the air.
“Wow!you’re so pretty!” She exclaimed
Deji took a shot of Kate on my phone as
she tiptoed to pick an item on a shelf. She
stopped trying to look at Deji and semilore.
“Uncle Jeffrey come and see her” Semilore
snatched my phone from Deji and rushed
to me. She almost bumped into someone
but she apologized in a rush.

“Isn’t she gorgeous?!” Deji was already
with us. I collected the phone and looked
at the image.

“I took a lot of pictures for you as she was
helping us with our list” Deji whispered to
me.

I don’t remember giving him the task of a
photographer. Deji really tried, the pictures
are cool!

“Thanks Bro” I said giving him a High five
as I looked down at Kate’s unaware images
on my phone.

“Are you done?” I asked Kate when we got
to her. She was still trying to pick an item
on the shelf.

“Yes but the shampoo” she pointed. I
inched close to her. I accidentally brushed
her side as i reached for the Shampoo. I felt
her freeze on spot when I touched her and
I managed to control the jolt of electricity
that ran through my body in a rush.

Our gaze locked as I took the shampoo.
Kate stepped aside from me. I wasn’t
happy she moved away and I suddenly
wished she could stay that way till I get the
shampoo off the shelf.

“Here..” I gave it to her
Kate avoided an eye contact with me.
“Thanks” she said before dropping it in her
basket on the floor. Deji was still taking
pictures. I just hoped he snapped us when
we were close.

“Let’s go to the payment desk Kids” I called
out to them

“Won’t you take a better picture with her?”
Semi said loudly.

We looked at each other. Kate wasn’t
aware Deji was taking pictures of us cause
he back was turned to them. Deji was
smart enough to hide the phone when she
turned to them.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea” she said
“Why?” Semi asked
“I don’t like.. Taking pictures. Its not my
thing”

“Why?” Semi demanded again
Kate looked at me, her eyes begging me to
save her.

“Ahmm Semi..”

“I’m not photogenic” she cuts in sharply
That’s not true! Kate was d--n pretty in
reality and in pictures! I don’t know where
she got such impression!

“One shot..with uncle Jeffrey.. Please”
Semilore pleaded
“It won’t take time” Deji screamed
Omo! Why Is everything working in my
favour today?!

“Well..I don’t have any.. Choice” she
responded
“Hurray! So stand together!” Semilore
positioned Kate to my side.

“You look good together” A female
shopper winked at us before walking away.
Wow! We look good together! Sounds
good!

“Smile sister Kate!” Semi said as she
walked back to us.
“Mom and dad used to hold hands, So uncle
Jeff hold her hand..It will make the picture
pretty!” She pushed my hand in Kate’s. And
kate did the most surprising thing. She
leaned into me, her arms going around me
as she gave me a wink.
“Perfect!” They cheered
Unbelievable! She just touched me
willingly!

“Just to make them happy.. ” she said
We all snapped pictures with Kate’s selfie
stick which was in her bag.
Today was a great Day for Me!