Chapter 3

We finally got to our block. We were quiet through our walk back home, and I had plenty of time to steal a glance at Uche. It was much darker now, but the tall streetlights were there to alternate. It looked more beautiful at night here.

We were now on the porch of our house, Nick's house, I mean. Uche was walking in with us, and I began to wonder if he was going to stay longer. I wanted that.

"I will go get it," Nick said, going inside. I looked at Uche, automatically expecting an explanation, which he gave.

"He's getting my math textbook." He said before looking backward, it felt like he was ready to look anywhere else except where I stood.

"He doesn't have one?" I asked to keep the conversation. He turned back to me.

"His got lost." He replied again, his hands still tucked in his pockets.

"Here." Nick came back out. "Thanks, man." He handed the book over to Uche.

"Yeah, goodnight," Uche said to Nick, not to me.

It wasn't a general 'yeah, goodnight' because he patted Nick on the shoulder before saying it. He started walking away.

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that I couldn't start up a convo with this guy, I mean, that was like my thing. I know I didn't talk to people much, but that was my choice, not because I didn't like them, but because I didn't feel like it. However, when I want to, it's as easy as walking up to them to do so.

"Goodnight, Julie." He turned back and said, and my eyes widened. I didn't know what I was surprised at, really, him remembering my name or him probably having a little thought about not telling me goodnight too, that he had to say it just before leaving. I was about to say goodnight back, but he had left already.

"Did you leave your phone back here before we left?" Nick asked, opening the door so we could go in.

"No? Why?"

"I didn't see you use it, mum said you were on it the whole time she drove you both back here."

"I was looking around, what do you mean?" I asked guiltily.

I went inside, leaving the door open. Nick would probably close it when he came in. I still had unpacking to do. I was only halfway up the stairs when I heard my aunt call from downstairs.

"You guys are right on time, let's eat."

"I still have to unpack!" I said, increasing my voice so she could hear me.

"I already did that for you, come eat dinner." She said.

"What?! You unpacked my bags?"

"I didn't touch any of your extra personal stuff, trust me." She stood on the first flight of the stairs, wiping her hands with a towel.

I climbed up and went to my room, not bothering to close the door, and then ran to the closet and opened it. When I did, I saw all my clothes neatly folded on top of each other, and the ones that needed to be hanged were all in hangers, but I wasn't after those.

"It's in your school bag." My aunt said, standing by the door.

I looked around for it with my eyes, and there it was, on the bed. I opened up my school bag, and she was right; she hadn't touched my journal or the other things I had put in a little box. I put them back in the bag.

"You had to come check," my aunt said when she left the room and headed downstairs with her.

"Thanks," I said, to avoid a topic on what she just said.

After I had washed my hands and was at the table with both Nick and his mother, I started to eat the rice, but stopped when I noticed my aunt staring at me.

"I'm hungry," I said, just in case she was wondering why I was eating the way I was. I didn't even know I was this hungry till I sat at this dining table.

"I guess I don't have to ask how good the food is?" My aunt smiled at me.

I won't lie, the food is good, but not as good as my mum's. Yes, everyone thinks their mum's food tastes best, but honestly speaking, my mum cooked better rice; she was the one who taught my aunt to cook after all.

I reciprocated her smile, and for the second time today, I was happy that only I could hear my thoughts. I can't imagine my aunt hearing all I just said.

While we ate, she asked if I liked the neighborhood and if I got to see any of the neighbors, and I nodded to her in response to every question.

When she was done eating, my aunt stood and took the rice bowl to the sink, together with her plate. I did the same when I finished the food on my plate and thanked her for the meal.

Just when I was about to head upstairs, Nick was done, too, and cleared the table. Then his mum said, "Just do the dishes, since you finished last."

He sighed dramatically.

"Julie's just a visitor for today, right? From tomorrow, she becomes part of the family and helps out, right?"

I rolled my eyes. Was he serious? My aunt shook her head and gave no reply. When I got back to my room, I locked the door. I was tired.

I took out my night trousers and a light top to use as my PJs that night. I had taken a shower now and dressed in my night clothes and when I was just about to go to bed, I looked out my window and there was this house which I thought looked like ours, it was just next door, I guess, I mean with the lights on In there, I could almost see what was happening over there.