When I met Ade, I didn't know a time would come when I could never let go. He wasn't overtly handsome; his handsomeness was just there. In fact, I was taller than him, and we were mortal enemies.

I think his major problem was having someone challenge him. I was the prim and proper girl who couldn't hurt a fly, so Ade highlighting me as a foe was confusing at first until I could identify the color of his problem.

We were exact opposites. While I was calm, cool, and collected, he was lively and very playful. I was tall, fair, and very pretty; he was short, dark, and not exactly ugly. But everyone loved him, perhaps too much, including the teachers. Whatever he wanted, he got, which I think could make one a spoiled brat.

"Hey class, we have a new student. Her name is Nkechi. Stand and welcome her." Everyone stood and greeted me exuberantly. I could literally feel their joy in seeing a newcomer. 

"Good morning, Nkechi. You're welcome to SS2. We love you." 

My face brightened and blossomed into a smile. I couldn't help it.

"Thank you," I mouthed. I doubted if the person in front of me could hear me, but they all responded, "You're welcome." They must have been watching my mouth for a befitting response.

"She's shy." Someone laughed raucously at the back. The whole class joined, but I didn't think it was funny. In a flash, he was right beside me. He gently tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and whispered, "Don't be." 

"Awwn," the whole class crooned. 

I didn't know if I should like or hate him. He was making me self-conscious, which I hated. I hated being the object of attention, and he was doing just that.

I forced a smile and nodded. "Be gone," I was tempted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. 

"Come sit here." He pulled me and made me sit beside him. "You'd be my seat partner."

"I don't—" 

"Don't say no." He smiled, his dimples evident. I think his dimples convinced me. He didn't have to do much talking. 

"Thank you," I said and sat shyly.

"Let's continue from where we stopped. Bronze is an alloy that consists of______ and ______," the teacher faced the board and started writing. 

The class became so silent; you could hear our hearts beating. The teacher called on everyone except Ade and me. I guess he was still giving me the newcomer treatment, but I didn't know why he didn't call Ade. 

"Ade, what's the answer?" The teacher finally asked. The class started clapping. Obviously, they expected he'd know the answer. In his characteristic over-confident manner, he stood and spoke. 

"They are aluminium and copper."

The teacher frowned. He must have been shocked. Ade rarely failed questions asked of him. 

I almost laughed, but that didn't mean I didn't chuckle. "It's copper and tin." 

Ade gave me a questioning look. I quickly sat up, the smile vanished off my face in a flash. 

"Wrong!" 

"It seems like Nkechi wants to try." Ade spoke up with a sneer. I doubted if he thought I could get it. 

"Nkechi, do you want to try?" The teacher asked. If it were the normal me, I would say no, but I don't know why I needed to teach Ade a lesson on why he shouldn't look down on anyone. So, I stood and said the right answers. 

The teacher was surprised. I wondered why he was, though. The principal had also been, after checking my previous school's report card. Given that my former school was a renowned one, I couldn't blame him for immediately taking a liking and interest in me. 

"Corr... corr... correct." The teacher stammered. I surreptitiously threw a glance at Ade; he was livid, with an emotion I couldn't name. I had gleefully walked into the lion's den. I was tempted to do the cross sign, but thank God I didn't. 

When I sat back, Ade whispered, "Who are you?" That one question would later start the unraveling of the mystery that was me. I didn't know I could make an enemy so fast, as Cheetahs run. 

Life went on... That term I came first and was ahead of Ade with an 0.8%. Ade's hatred for me went a notch higher. Instead of gaining friends, I amassed a wealth of enemies because Ade saw me as an enemy too. This meant a lot to me, but I pretended like I was cool with the whole tirade. I was always alone. 

Ibidun, one of my classmates, tried befriending me. But I believed she was going to turn out like Ade, who offered me a seat only to become my worst nightmare in a jiffy. No one taught Ade before he changed seats the next term. 

I think he only took pity on me, and things changed until he realized he was getting under my skin. 

I remained in class during break. No one was in class, so I had the freedom to cry to my contentment. I didn't know when someone entered the class. It was Ade. I think my sniffing was what caught his attention. "Are you crying?" He crouched beside me. 

"Just go away." I gritted my teeth so I didn't say what I would regret. Yeah, always the cool Nkechi. 

"What if I don't?" 

I hissed, stood, cleaned my face, and was about walking away when he drew me back. I jerked my hand out of his grip as if I had been touched by a naked wire. 

"Do you hate me that much?" He looked at me with so much compassion, and that was my undoing. 

I chuckled dryly. "I hate you so much. You can go all the way to Hades if that will make you better."

"It doesn't make me better. I'm sorry if I've hurt you. I didn't mean to." 

I raised a brow. "Really?" 

"You laughed at me too when I didn't get my answer right." 

I sighed. "You were overconfident." 

"I'm overconfident?" He asked with a frown, not believing me. "It's you who is." 

"Never mind." I shook my head and laughed. "Then that makes us pals."

"We are friends?" He asked with a smile.