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Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Almost Said It

The next day felt longer than it should have been.

Even before she reached the lesson centre, her mind was already there.

What if she's still angry?

She adjusted her bag slightly as she walked in.

Same compound.

Same chairs.

Same noise.

But her eyes went straight to one place.

Agadi.

Already seated.

Already writing.

Already… not looking at her.

Her steps slowed a little.

Okay… breathe.

She walked over and sat down quietly.

"Good morning," she said.

Agadi nodded.

That was all.

No tone.

No expression.

Just… a nod.

Her chest tightened again.

This girl will not kill me.

She opened her bag slowly.

Brought out her book.

Adjusted it.

Adjusted it again.

Anything to avoid the silence.

Favor came in shortly after.

"Morning," she said, sitting down.

"Morning," both of them replied.

But it didn't feel like "both."

It felt like two separate replies.

Favor looked at them.

Then shook her head slightly.

"Hmm."

Nobody asked her anything.

She didn't explain.

Jiggy entered next.

"Today is even hotter—"

He paused.

Looked around.

Then sighed.

"I will not talk today," he said, raising his hands.

That made Favor laugh.

Small.

But it was something.

Agadi didn't react.

She didn't even look up.

This is not normal again.

Class started.

Mr Charles came in with his usual energy.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, sir!"

He looked around.

"Hope nobody is angry with anybody today," he said casually.

The class laughed.

But her heart skipped.

She glanced at Agadi.

No reaction.

Does he know or…?

"Because if you are angry," he continued, "it will not help your JAMB."

More laughter.

"Anger cannot solve mathematics," he added.

"Sir, sometimes it can," Jiggy said.

"How?" Mr Charles asked.

"If you're angry, you can tear the paper."

The class burst out laughing.

Even she smiled.

But only for a second.

She turned slightly.

Agadi was still writing.

Like nothing else existed.

She sighed softly.

I have to talk to her.

She tried during class.

Once.

She leaned slightly.

"Agadi—"

No response.

Like she didn't hear.

She paused.

Then faced her book again.

Okay… maybe later.

Time passed.

Slowly.

Every minute felt like ten.

At some point, Mr Charles called someone to solve a question.

Then another person.

Then—

"You," he pointed.

Not her.

Agadi.

Agadi stood up calmly.

Walked to the board.

Took the marker.

Solved it.

Neatly.

Correctly.

Mr Charles nodded.

"Good."

She returned to her seat.

Sat down.

Still no look.

Still no word.

She swallowed.

Even this one she didn't use to show me before…

After a while, Mr Jaja entered.

"Good morning, my future professors!"

"Good morning, sir!"

He smiled.

Then looked around.

Paused.

"Hmm."

That "hmm" again.

"You people still look somehow," he said.

"Sir, we are fine," Mia replied.

He nodded slowly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir."

He looked at Agadi.

Then at her.

Then back at the class.

"Okay," he said. "Let us continue."

Class went on.

But her mind was no longer there.

She kept thinking.

Planning.

Replanning.

I'll talk to her after class.

No.

Maybe during break.

No.

What if she ignores me?

Her stomach tightened.

What if she doesn't want to talk at all?

She pressed her pen harder.

I deserve it.

Finally—

Class ended.

Students started standing up.

Packing.

Talking.

Normal again.

But her heart started beating faster.

This was the moment.

Now or never.

Agadi stood up.

Packed her bag.

Same routine.

Same silence.

She turned.

Started walking out.

Now.

She stood up quickly.

"Agadi—"

Her voice came out softer than she expected.

Agadi stopped.

But didn't turn immediately.

For a second—

She just stood there.

Then slowly—

She turned.

Their eyes met.

And everything else faded.

Noise.

Voices.

Movement.

Gone.

Just them.

She swallowed.

"I… I wanted to talk to you."

Agadi didn't respond.

But she didn't walk away.

That was something.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "About that day."

Silence.

"I didn't mean it like that," she continued. "I just… I don't know, I spoke somehow."

Agadi looked at her.

Finally.

Really looked at her.

Her expression wasn't angry.

But it wasn't soft either.

Just… controlled.

"You didn't just 'speak somehow,'" Agadi said.

Her voice was calm.

But heavy.

"You made it sound like I was overreacting."

Her chest tightened.

"I didn't mean to."

"But you said it."

Silence.

She nodded slowly.

"I know."

Another pause.

"I'm sorry," she said again, quieter this time.

Agadi looked at her for a few seconds.

Then looked away slightly.

"I don't like when people talk to me like that," she said.

"I know."

"I don't even know you that well."

That one hit.

Hard.

She looked down.

That's true…

"I know," she repeated.

Silence again.

Then—

Agadi sighed softly.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Just…

A small release.

She adjusted her bag.

Then looked at her again.

"Next time," she said, "don't talk like that."

Relief flooded her chest immediately.

"I won't," she said quickly.

"I mean it."

"I know."

Another small pause.

Then—

Agadi shook her head slightly.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."

She blinked.

Good mood?

But before she could think too much about it—

Agadi turned and started walking again.

This time—

It didn't feel the same.

She stood there for a second.

Then slowly—

A small smile formed.

I almost didn't say it…

Favor appeared beside her.

"You have mind," she said.

"I had to."

Favor nodded.

"Good."

She looked toward the gate.

Where Agadi had already gone ahead.

Then she picked her bag.

And followed.

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