Daniel's confession

I crunched on the Pringles my Dad had bought for me as I sat down and watched Radio Rebel on Disney channel.

I hadn't done the dishes yet, or fetched water. I knew I would surely get into trouble with my mum.

School had been so exhausting and frustrating.

When I had been dragged upstairs by some anonymous people, it occurred to me that it could have been Chiamaka's doing.

I honestly thought it was Chiamaka and her friends, but to my surprise it was Daniel with two boys I recognized as Chikamso and Roland.

After they let me go and I could see again I stared at Daniel in complete shock.

"Daniel... Chikamso, Roland why did you guys do that and... I-I thought you guys went home, Unless..... GHOSTS!!" I said, as I took to my heels and ran towards the door. Rolando, moved quicker and blocked my path.

"Dummy, we're not ghosts. Daniel be fast with this and let's go home". Chikamso whined.

"Tega, forgive me for the way I approached you, I overheard Kemi tell you that he was going to be with you all the time and Zane too, and they were going to be your bodyguards so I wouldn't have much time to talk to you without those two budding in" Daniel said.

Then, he looked at Chikamso and Roland. I think he was signaling them to go out. They both nodded and left the class, leaving only Daniel and I.

OMG!! I was becoming nervous!

Should I run? Should I scream? Was he going to kidnap me?!

"Tega" He started off, rubbing his neck and looking down at the floor. Then, he took a deep breath and said. "I-I really like you Tega. I always have. I heard Kosi has a crush on me or something but I don't care, you've always been my crush since the first day I saw you".

I stood there frozen, and not knowing what to say. Why couldn't he have said that when I still liked him. I didn't want to tell him I didn't like him anymore, I knew it would break his heart. So instead, I freaked out and ran out of the class.

I met Zane and Kemi downstairs. Kemi looked like he had been in a fight, and when he saw me running down the stairs he asked me what happened, of course. I didn't say anything, instead, I promised to tell him later and tried to convince him to go home.

And here I am now, watching Radio Rebel and wondering what I did wrong in my life.

When the Disney movie was over, I had to admit, it made me wish I had a smartphone/Laptop and a headphone with a little microphone.

In the movie, Tara Adams was a shy person, like Zane and I. She also had a podcast which later became a big hit in a radio station called SLAM f.m.

In the podcast, she talked about teenagers' challenges, how most of them are afraid to be themselves, have low self-esteem and Al that. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in this.

Thanks to the podcast, she was able to break out of her shell. I eventually found out that the movie was based on a book titled Shrinking Violet, which I had read.

If I had a podcast like that, I could actually help other teenagers facing the same challenges that I am. I could help shy boys and girls come out of their shell and be themselves.

Give tips on how to prevent bullying problems (after I deal with mine), talk to them about bracing themselves for changes and challenges and lots more.

I asked my Dad if I could start a podcast, unfortunately, he said I couldn't. I had an exam to study for. That was true. I've actually been paying less attention to my studies these days. Hopefully, I would get a phone and create a podcast after my Junior WAEC.

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"Wait a minute, Daniel confessed to you that he likes you? Like dude, that's no way to confess to girl. He could've told me about it if he wanted to talk to you". Kemi said, looking furious as I told him about what had happened yesterday. Kemi had come to my house so we could study together.

He said he sees my house as his first home and his, his second because he feels like a bag of garbage there. I felt bad for him.

"OMG!! I can't believe I actually ran out of the class just because he told me he liked me. Who does that?! Gosh! I'm such a wierdo!!" I said, as I covered my face with my palms.

Suprisingly, Kemi began laugh, that wasn't what I was expecting.

"Like, have no guys ever told you this before?" Kemi asks, laughing some more. I shook my head frustrated.

"Oh" He said "Well, do you like him? You don't still like do you?" Kemi asked, looking at me angrily.

What a sudden change of mood!

"No". I shook my head.

"Well, I know it hurts when you like someone and the person doesn't like you back, but you have to tell him sometime. Plus, now he probably feels bad for telling you he likes you". Kemi said.

"Why?" I asked, then slowly it hit me. "OMG!! I'm a horrible person! Why did I do that?!" I said, covering my face with my palms.

"How will I face him on Monday. What would I tell him. Gosh! This is so embarrassing". I said, more to myself.

"It's ok. First of all, relax. Look, I'll help you with everything. Just, try not to freak out when you see him okay". Kemi said to me. I nodded.

"Good. You just have to apologize to him. Tell him you didn't mean to run away like that. Tell him no guy had ever confessed to you before like that and you didn't know what to do. If he asks if you like him you just gotta break down to him" Kemi said.

I sat down on my bed as we were in my room (with the door left open) trying to take in all that Kemi had just told me.

"Gosh! I really don't want to hurt his feelings, do I have to do this on Monday?!" I said, dropping on my bed and staring at the ceiling.

"Well, you don't have to if you don't want. You can just spend the whole day pretending nothing happened". Kemi suggested and shrugged. I turned around on my bed and sighed.

Ding Dong!

The door bell rang. I quickly rushed downstairs with Kemi behind me. To my suprise, my eyes met a few people I never thought would actually visit me.

"Kosi, Williams, Bella...what are you guys doing here?!"