Chapter 002 .

"You also know how much I love you Joyce. I can never forget the memories we shared, but what can I do when my dad asks to leave abroad. I don't even know the reasons. I was so angry at him, I fought with him and that was because of us. I wanna complete my studies here in Nigeria also, but I am helpless." He bent towards me and held my hand. "I promise you Joyce, with my whole heart. I promise to come back for you and I will always think of you, I swear on everything we shared."

I embraced him tightly as tears rolled out of my eyes. "I love you Clifford, pls come back like you promised. Please."

He caressed my short bonded hair and hugged me back with emotions. "I will fulfill my promise. Never give up on us also, trust me when I said I will be back for you. Never go for someone else."

"Yes, I will never leave you for someone else."

He ended it with a smile and said softly, "so wipe your tears and let's go." He stretched his hand to get me up after.

"That is my baby."

"See the way you made me cry like a baby." I said babyish, squeezing my hand into my eyes.

He chuckled. "Awwn! That is why you are my baby. I am sorry love, I will be back for you."

I wrapped my hand around him. "I'm gonna miss you...until when?"

"Same here dear, I'll always call you to give you an update and to hear from you." He pecked me on the ear.

Me, and my friends that were already before me walked down the highway from school, down to our house. Some students' from other schools murmur passed us in a whine uniform and style just as ours. Their voices and giggles enlightened the environment as the cock I sighted at the end of the busy road crowded alongside their blared sound.

"What is wrong Joyce? You don't look cheerful this evening. Don't you girls notice?" Eunice tapped me on the shoulder then raised her head up to other girls' who immediately shoved off their smiling faces.

"I realized you haven't been okay since you've gone to speak to Clifford." Precious strolled back to where I was, leaving Sandra behind.

"Can you now see how much Clifford hurts you? I told you times without number, go for Eric who loves you, at least he is rich enough to take care of you," The passersby focused their gaze at her as she squawked. "What are you looking at?" She rolled her eyes at them and wrapped her arms together holding up for us.

Here she comes again. She was one of those that doesn't accept our relationship, not because she loved him, but the opposite. Clifford was a nice guy, but I still don't know why she was always acting cold towards him. I am sure that was because he was not rich like Eric. I wasn't just for luxurious things.

A car horned behind me, we looked back to see who it was. Eric Bryant's hop out from a white Camry car still in his uniform, but loosened tie. Then he dashed towards me.

"What's up Joyce?"

I ignored and bade to move away from him.

We all were classmates with Eric, but he never acted like one. He had rich parents' who had a Netflix worth 20 million which made him so proud. That actually made me hate him. He only moved along with the big guys in the class and claimed he was not in the same category as most of us in the class. Eric and Clifford never moved along with each other, they hated each other a lot, all they saw was their flaws, and one of the reasons was me. Eric on the other hand had done many tricks in the past to make me fall for him, but I never once fell for his tricks. I've only loved Clifford.

"I am talking to you Joyce. I came here for you and you are just leaving all because of that fool you call boyfriend. What is your problem? Can't you see for yourself that he is only fooling you. Do you know how many girls who wanna be with me, but I only want you, keep running after you and still..." He scowled, which made me halt.

"I have nothing to say to you Eric so just let me be." I walked further and the girls followed closely.

"Like seriously! I'm still gonna get you, I am going to by all means, trust me." He screamed on top of his voice.

"I would advise you think about this Joyce, he is damn rich gosh! What else do you want in a man? Because Clifford is handsome or intelligent? It is not about how handsome he is, I mean... It is money you need in a relationship not looks." Sandra left us to avoid a reply from us.

"Joyce, all this will pass trust me. I have nothing to say about this, but never thought of what Sandra said to you, the one who don't have now will have later." Eunice said nicely.

"Yes Joyce, you know how Sandra is, all she cares about are riches, and Eric.... You know he is a fool. Never give him what he needs from you, he is not the good one for you, OK?" Precious added.

"Thanks friends." I managed to give a smile.

CLIFFORD'S POV.

"Clifford!" I was lost in my thoughts as Eddy called out. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I am. What is the problem?" I faked a smile, dipping my hands in my pocket.

"Here we are just talking by ourselves without your contribution. You are not always like this, so something is wrong." Felix glared at Eddy, then back at me.

"I feel there is something, but I am not sure what..." We walked side by side one another, through a silent and narrowed road with few dirt roaming where air directed.

"Something about what? Make it clear to us dude!" Felix slipped his back pack again on his shoulder.

"The fact that I have to leave for abroad anytime soon baffles me. The money, the idea? Where did they all come from?"

"You are leaving abroad? How? I mean, have you been planning for this before? You just didn't tell us about it?" Felix questioned.

"Yes, 'cause it is just so soon cliff, like you said, soon." Eddy added.

"It was yesterday when I got back from school. I met my parents' in the living room and I felt they were keeping something from me. I could also see fear in their eyes. Not until they burst out to me that we are leaving for abroad anytime soon. I am very sure it is not planned, it is just so sudden."

We strolled out to the busy road across the expressway. Hawkers roamed about with their goods on their head, singing to advertise their goods. A middle aged woman patrolled with drinks while she carried a little boy on her back. It was just so amusing how buyers needed to bargain on any goods they had to buy even though the sellers had to run to catch them up in a moving bus.

The evening newspaper vendor beside the snacks seller at the bus stop became noticeable as he read out the daily news as a way to promote his own business. At times, it just felt like you needed to walk up to the men that surrounded the vendor without buying anything. They would take a newspaper, not just catch the glimpse, they would read the content and later drop it after getting what the newspaper entailed.

"This is bewildering." Felix distracted my thought.

"I'm confused just as you are Felix. I asked them so many times. For what reason? But I didn't get any answer from them. I later concluded that they should leave, I can take care of myself here in Nigeria, just to complete my studies at least. Could you believe they got so angry because of that, I don't know what to do."

"I think you have to listen to them, we can't guess what they are up to, but I trust they are up to something good. You know most of the parents' believe they can only make it in others' country." Eddy suggested.

"The fact that I would be leaving Joyce over here hurts me the most. I just hope she will be okay without me."

"True guy, have you told her about it?" Felix asked.

"Yeah! I've done that, but she hasn't been okay since then. What – ahh!" I sighed out.