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My first date would always be a memorable and an unforgettable one for me. I was sixteen years old and was in my final class in highschool. I was the shy type who spoke less and didn't have friends. Let's say, I was an introverted person.
My classmates didn't bother to come to my desk to converse with me since I kept to myself and my head was always on my desk.
I was the second child and the only girl of my parents; my only brother Jude was studying medicine in South Africa.
I was pampered by my parents and well taken care of by them.They made sure I got the best of everything and was a happy child. I never lacked anything and had a lot of freedom.
I loved drawing and painting. These were my God given talent. My parents got me an art teacher who introduced me to the formal qualities of art and different mediums of artistic creations.
These teachings helped me improve in my art talent and became better in what I did. I spent most of my time drawing and painting in my room, which made my mom worried sick because I refused to come downstairs to eat.
My studies were also a priority to me. I was the best student in my science department and also an outstanding student in arts.
My favourite place in school was the library, it was just like my room at home. While the rest students played on the field and walked around the school during break, I would sneak into the library to search for books to read. This improved my memory and critical thinking skills.
I stepped out of the car and waved to my dad who had dropped me in school. He waved too and drove out, I stood and watched him till he was out of the gate before leaving for my class.
I held the hand of my bag and ambled to my classroom, some students had arrived as well and were talking at the passageway. I walked passed them and entered my classroom.
I met Ayo one of my classmate in the class when I walked in. He was reading his physics text book and was engrossed in it. I said nothing and sat on my seat, brought out my art book and pencil to continue my drawing of John Cena one of my favourite wrestlers.
Ayo turned slowly and said to me, "Good morning, Theresa."
I was startled he knew I was in class since I didn't make a sound. "Good morning," I replied.
"How was your night?"
" It was fine. What about yours? " I asked, in return.
" Fine as well."
I gnawed on the corner of my bottom lip and fixed my eyes on my drawing book. This was our first time having a discussion, and I was shy.
"What are you drawing?" he rose on his feet and came to my seat.
" John Cena," I told him.
" Wow! Really?"
" Yes." I smiled.
He carried my art book and gazed at it. "This is wonderful, Theresa. It looks just like him."
"Thank you."
"You are very creative, I have always admired you."
I cocked my head to the side. " Why?"
"You are beautiful and Intelligent.."
I giggled and shook my head. "Don't flatter me, Ayo."
"No, it's true. You are one of the brightest student in our school. Your name is on everybody's lips."
A small smile crossed my lips. " I only try my best and be good at what I do."
" That's very good. Keep it up."
" Thank you."
He gave me my drawing book and left for his seat. I stared at him at he sat down and continued reading. This was the first time I had enjoyed a conversation with someone in school.
Everyone in school were amazed when they saw me and Ayo talking on the playground during break time. We were both licking chocolate ice cream as we chatted.
After our morning talk, a spark of friendship was ignited between us. I got to know few things about him which I didn't before.
Ayo was also Intelligent, fast in calculations, and could solve physics equations faster than I could. I had always thought because I topped the class I was the most intelligent, but I realized that I was wrong.
The fact that I topped the class, didn't mean the rest of my classmates were dullards. They were all unique in their own ways.
We talked about ourselves, our favourites movies, games, foods, and songs. It was a whole lot of fun for me. I never wanted to go back to the class when break was over, I wanted us to stay and talk more.
As we strode to our classroom, Ayo asked me a question.
"Have you ever gone out on a date before?"
I licked my lips and answered, " No."
"Why?"
"I don't like hanging out."
"And what's your reason?" his brows arched in question.
"I love being alone, spending time with myself."
"Hmmm.... That's true. You don't talk to anyone in the class as well. This is the first time we will be having a conversation."
" Yeah."
He was slient as we climbed the stairs. I was very sure he was thinking of something.
"What if we go out on a date?" he asked and stopped.
"Us?" my brows knitted.
"Yes. You and I."
I thought for a while and said, "I don't know. I will think about it."
"Okay, let me know what you think."
He walked to the class while I stood gazing at him.
I sent a WhatsApp message to Ayo saying yes to the date immediately I got home without wasting much time. He sent me a happy emoji and told me he would send the venue and place for the date.
I sat on my bed and removed my shoes, my parents were not around. It was only our maid, Aunty Beatrice .
I was so excited about the date and was looking forward to it. I eased to my feet and opened my wardrobe, scanned my dresses and chose a pink shirt gown.
I placed it on the bed and picked a black sneakers to match. My phone beeped, a message had popped in from WhatsApp.
I checked it and saw that Ayo had sent the venue and time. He also told me not to worry, he was coming to my house to pick me.He had fixed the date on Saturday and I was cool with it.
I hung the dress I had chosen separately from the others and kept the sneakers on the top of my wardrobe. I raced downstairs cheerily to eat lunch.
Saturday came in a rush and I was very excited, I didn't do much drawing and was checking the time always. I had told my mom about it and she gave me her consent.
Ayo called and informed me he was at the gate. I was dressed already and met him at the gate. Since he couldn't drive, we boarded a bus to our destination which was my first time being in a public bus.
I didn't know most places and he told me the names of these places. We got to the last bus stop and we alighted from the bus, trekked down till we got to the amusement park which was the venue for our date.
Ayo paid our entrance fee at the gate we arrived. We held hands together and streamed into the park alongside other people. We could hear the thick clanking of rides moving, the shuddering of rails and tracks, and the screams of their passengers as they are whipped around.
I darted a glance at Ayo and dashed to the horse ride. He raced after me and we got to the horse ride at the same time.
"You have good legs," he told me, panting.
"Thank you. You too."
"Not as yours," he replied.
I sat on one of the horses, with Ayo sitting behind me. "Make sure you don't scream when it starts spinning. " He whispered into my ears.
I chuckled and said nothing. The horse ride began to spin and he wrapped his hands around my waist. I flinched a bit at his touch and rested my body on his.
I felt safe and was a bit scared since he was by my side. We enjoyed the ride in silence and later bursts into laughter as a woman screamed on top of her voice. It was a funny moment for us.
We got tired and got down from the horse ride. Ayo suggested we go try the rollercoaster and I refused. He roared into laughter and scooped me into his hands as he headed towards the rollercoaster. I yelled and begged him to put me down that I was scared of being in the rollercoaster.
He did and I thanked him giggling. He held my hand and pulled me to the ice cream corner where he bought two big cones of vanilla ice-cream.
My eyes gleamed as I collected one cone and licked greedily. It tasted creamy and delicious. I felt a surge of happiness being at the amusement park with Ayo. It was exciting for me.
I knew what fun truly was at the moment and realized I had imprisoned myself for so long. We tried other fun places till we became exhausted.
Evening came creeping in gradually and we had to go home. I looked back and was grateful I had come in the first place. I rested my head on Ayo's shoulders in bus as we headed for home, he in return wrapped a hand around my waist.
Our bodies were fused together and we were like couples in the bus. I didn't want to go back home but I dare not to because of my parents.
Ayo took me home and waited in front of the gate as I entered the house. I had hugged him and planted a soft kiss on his both cheeks before going in.
