12. Truce

'For someone who had a lot to say, you barely ate anything.'

She shrugged, cut the full grilled salmon fish into two and transferred it to their plates.

'You eat like a child.' Miracle commented.

'And you eat like a glutton. Here, you've cleared your plate.'

'That's because I understand and appreciate food, the beauty, the way it lightens up the taste bud. It's like romance. I should try preparing this.'

'I see none of those. Just plain food.' She mumbled.

'That's because he's speaking from chef's point of view.' Kingsley commented, neatly slicing his food. His was the careful kind of guy and did not eat much compared to his friend.

'So are you going to follow your parent's lead?'

'I don't know yet. For now, I'm just going to live my life.' He winked at two random girls who squealed and hurried away.

'I presume flirting is your life.' She shook her head and pushed her plates aside.

'That comes naturally. I'll concentrate on the game.'

'The race?'

'That and soccer.' His gaze rested on Stephen whose head was bowed and arms crossed.

'Which reminds me, there's an inter school race coming up next two weeks.'

'Christina didn't tell me.'

'Because you've not spoken to her today. She's my new assistant.' He mischievously chuckled.

'But that aside, I should check the school that we'd be competiting with. Coach said it's all for the practice, then those for the state'll be announced.' He brought out his cellphone and started his research.

'What about you Kingsley?'

'What about me what?' He asked, joining the conversation.

'Are you going to follow the family line? Do you have another career in mind or you're just living live?'

He chuckled, pushed his plates and signalled a caterer to clear the table.

'It should be the family thing.'

'Should be?'

'I see you more as an intellect than a business man.'

'First compliment I've ever gotten from you.'

'It wasn't a compliment. What you do in the debate club is phenomenal.'

'I get that a lot.' He smirked and she cocked a brow.

'But from you? It's different so thanks. My parents managed to combine intellect and business. You don't see them as teachers or professors but their idea's the bedrock of this place.'

'That's an angle.' She thought out loud.

'And your debating skills?'

'Your curiosity is hard to satisfy. Let me guess, you've visualize me as a lawyer.'

'Exactly.' She crossed her arms.

'I could combine both. A lawyer and a business man. At the moment, I'd like to take it slowly, focus on the present, you know? The future is ours to own but the present is ours to live.'

'Shallow philosophy of a hedionst.'

'On the contrary, it isn't. What about you? I guess you're not going for living the live now, is it going to be a family thing or do you have a dream of your own?'

'Unlike you guys, there's no family thing.'

'Really?' Miracle asked and placed his cellphone aside.

'Yeah, I come from an average home.'

'Average can't afford this school.' Kingsley stated.

'I want to be an engineer.' She shrugged. Her response had Stephen's head up.

'That's new.' He muttered and rested back.

'Why? Because I'm a girl?' She retorted, getting defensive and weary from being told it was for boys.

'No, I didn't know you wanted to be an engineer.' He gave a casual shrug that anyone who was not paying attention would have missed.

'You don't know anything about me Stephen.'

His friends shared a gaze and Miracle tried to intervened but someone cleared their throat behind them.

'Helen, we'd like to talk to you.' Deborah arrogantly said without sparing the guys a glance.

'Sure.' Miracle mumbled and pulled Christina to sit next to him.

'I remember her talking to Helen.' She replied yet he continued playing with her hair.

'Fine.'

Kingsley stretched his hand to help Deborah sit. She glared at him, causing him to raise them in surrender and shift instead.

'You want us to talk here? With these guys present?'

'I presumed it's about the incident. They would be my witness that nothing serious happened and it was just a ride.'

'That's the serious part. We shouldn't, you shouldn't be hanging out with them.'

'You know we're sitting right here and we can clearly hear you?' Kingsley chipped in.

'Shut up. We're sorry Helen. I'm sorry.'

'I'm sorry Helen.'

'I'm also sorry but I don't regret hanging out with them. They're not that horrible. We can call it a truce.'

Deborah's eyes narrowed and she shook her head.

'I don't mind being on neutral terms with this sweetheart.' Christina's fingers caressed Miracle's chest in a slow and teasing way. She grinned triumphantly as his eyes darkened in desire. He was so obvious, she smirked and turned to Kingsley as he lowered his head.

'I like you, the way you drive Deborah crazy is epic.' She giggled and stretched her hand to shake him which he accepted.

'Traitor.' Deborah mumbled.

'It's my pleasure and you drive Miracle insane too.'

'Hi Stephen,' She waved and he nodded.

'Deborah, it's your turn.'

'Hey Miracle. You're the sweetest of all.'

Kingsley grumbled, earning a glare from her.

'Thank you, you're sweet as well.' He replied but his friend burst in laughter.

'Liar.'

'I'm not a liar, she just doesn't like you man.'

'Whatever.'

'I can manage not to hate you Kingsley.'

'Is this our truce?' He asked, appalled that she was still cold to him.

'Do you want me to hate you?'

'No, whatever.' He took Stephen's bottle and gulped.

'Stephen.' She nervously mumbled. Helen would have overlooked the nervousness if she did not notice a similar act before.

Was there something between them? If there was or if Deborah had feeling for him, how would she feel to realise that Stephen was hitting on her? She had to keep it to herself and stay clear.  Although she feared or avoided nothing, she was not the type of person to steer things especially drama with the players who were not worth it. She almost dismissed her thoughts as being fast to conclude when a scowl appeared on Kingsley's face.

She pushed her legs forward, unconsciously trapping it between Stephen's. As quick as it was, he caged hers.

What a nerve?

How dare he when he has something going on with my friend?

His eyes shone with a different light like he was daring her to do something absurd or at least make a scene. However, Helen Eze was no obvious girl. She slipped her right foot from her shoe since his legs were tightly placed beside both. Slow and as sly as she could not to draw attention, she rubbed her foot against his and journeyed up his leg. The brightness in his eyes darkened with a dangerous fire. It would have scared her but it gladdened her instead. Coming down again, she took the same journey, this time it was her turn to dare him as she placed her leg on his seat between his thighs. He looked outside, as if he just discovered something.

'Some people enjoy playing with fire.' He huskily mumbled.

'When they are aware that they are also fire. I once heard a tale, it only takes fire to quench fire.' She replied and turned the same direction which left the rest confused.

'Since we're on good terms why don't you all join us for a ride today?' Miracle offered, still playing with Christina's hair.

'Girls, what do you think?' Helen inquired and lowered her foot, deciding that the torture was enough.

'That'd be nice.'

'Fine by me.'

The bell rung, they rose and exited the cafeteria to their respective classes.