Chapter 1: The Boy i Hated
Amara Williams hated three things in life: lies, proud people, and boys who thought every girl was desperate for their attention.
Unfortunately for her, Daniel Okafor was all three.
It was a Monday morning at Greenfield University. Students rushed through the campus, some laughing with their friends while others hurried to their lectures. Amara walked quickly, holding her books against her chest and checking the time on her phone.
“I'm already late,” she muttered.
Just as she turned the corner, someone bumped into her. Her books fell to the ground.
“Can't you watch where you're going?” she snapped.
The guy standing in front of her looked down at the books, then back at her with a small smile.
“Good morning to you too, beautiful.”
Amara stared at him in disbelief. “Did you just call me beautiful?”
“Would you prefer ugly?”
She rolled her eyes. “You're so full of yourself.”
“And you're welcome,” he replied, walking away as if nothing had happened.
Amara watched him leave, shaking her head.
“Idiot,” she whispered.
What she didn't know was that the annoying boy she had just met would soon become the person who would make her heart beat faster than anyone else.
And eventually, he would also become the person who would break it.
Later that afternoon, Amara entered her lecture hall and took a seat near the window. Her best friend, Chika, sat beside her.
“Girl, why do you look like you want to fight somebody?” Chika asked.
“Because I met the most annoying human being on this campus.”
Chika laughed. “Already? School just started.”
“His name is Daniel. Daniel the proud, Daniel the rude, Daniel the—”
“Wait!” Chika interrupted. “Daniel Okafor?”
Amara frowned. “You know him?”
“Everybody knows him. He's handsome, popular, and apparently thinks the world revolves around him.”
“Then everybody needs their eyes checked,” Amara replied.
Before Chika could answer, their lecturer walked into the room.
“Good afternoon, everyone. This semester, you'll be working on a major project in pairs. I'll announce your partners now.”
Amara opened her notebook, hoping to be paired with someone serious.
The lecturer continued calling names until he finally said, “Amara Williams and Daniel Okafor.”
Amara's pen slipped from her hand.
“No, sir,” she whispered.
Chika covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
At the back of the classroom, Daniel turned around and gave Amara a mischievous smile.
“Looks like we're meant to be together, beautiful.”
Amara glared at him.
“Don't flatter yourself. This is just a school project.”
Daniel chuckled. “Whatever you say, partner.”
She turned away, promising herself that she would finish the project without getting close to him.
She had plans for her future. She wanted to make her mother proud and build a life that would never depend on anybody's kindness.
Love was the last thing on her mind.
But sometimes, life brings you the one person you never wanted, only to teach you a lesson you'll never forget.
And for Amara Williams, her story with Daniel Okafor was only beginning.
