FAILED HEART

Derek went to call Lynn, and Lynn agreed immediately to go out with them. They all left for the eatery, both Fred and Lynn were together walking along the road, Derek was just behind them feeling like his sister just stole his long-desired friend.

"So, Lynn… What school do you attend?" Fred asked to break the silence. He broke the silence with his baritone voice.

"Oh, my goodness, your voice is great! I attend the same school as yours, I am in Olympic Junior School."

Her compliments flattered Fred, "Oh, you are a junior. People say my voice scares them and you think it's great?"

"Seriously, I love the masculinity of your voice." Lynn complimented again. It seemed like she was making advances on him.

Fred tried not to blush too much, he would hate to be seen as a weakling, "So, what flavor do you like?"

"Flavor?"

"Yeah, ice cream flavor"

"Oh, I love chocolate"

"Hmm, why?"

"I don't know, I like Choco."

"Hmm, okay. I prefer butterscotch"

"Why?"

"I don't know either"

They smiled at each other.

"No one is talking to me" Derek interrupted.

"What flavor do you like?" Fred asked Derek.

"Vanilla"

"Great! We are having ice cream as a treat first."

They got into the restaurant and sat together. Fred ordered the ice cream and as soon as it came, Derek went away with his ice cream, he complained he was ghosted and needed to go make another friend for himself. Fred and Lynn found it funny, but Derek was seriously pained over how Lynn took his spot. He isn't gay but, Fred has been his role model for a long time now, so it hurts.

"What class are you in?" Fred asked Lynn.

"I am preparing for my Junior WAEC"

"Wow, cool because I am preparing for my senior WAEC, like Derek"

"I know, I know you are classmates with Derek. He talks about you all the time and I didn't think I would ever see this almighty Fred. I am glad I did" She smiled.

Chills ran through Fred's veins.

"How old are you, Frederick?" Lynn caught his eyes, surprised by her question. "I don't mean to invade, I just wanted to know the age difference"

"Why, why do you want to know the age difference?" Fred was talking more calmly now, almost like he was trying to whisper.

"I like you," she said bluntly.

"Gosh!" Fred exhaled like a bomb was thrown at him, "I am… astonished"

"I am sorry I threw it bluntly but, I am not good at hiding my feelings"

"Well, that makes us even. I like you too" Fred took a spoon of his ice cream and looked over the window, smiling sheepishly. "I am 17 going on 18"

"Great, I am 14 going on 15."

"Three years"

"Yeah" Lynn bit her lips and hurried in some cream into her mouth. "So… Should we start something?"

Fred inhaled deeply, "We can just see each other for now, it gets serious after our exams. When you are 15."

"That'd be March 10"

"I would be 18 on the 9th of May. Let's say after our exams then"

"Great! I would love to be a part of your birthday. Like, come celebrate in your house. Hope your parents wouldn't mind?"

Fred's grin flushed as soon as she talked about their parents. She didn't know he was an orphan, but she realized the sudden change of countenance.

"I lost my parents"

There were a few moments of silence.

"I am sorry" Lynn stood up and sat beside him, trying to console him.

"It's been up to a year, so I am not that hurt"

"You are strengthened"

"Thank you, Lynn"

They continued feasting on their ice cream.

"What did I miss?" Derek jumped into their midst.

"Are you back from making friends?" Lynn asked, still gulping her ice cream.

"They are all snubs here"

They laughed at him, and he was about to sit when he realized that Lynn had changed position, "Why are you sitting here? You were sitting opposite Fred a few minutes ago"

"Uhm, I…" Lynn stammered and didn't know how to explain why she moved to Fred.

"What says the time, please? Fred asked to liberate Lynn from the pressure.

"It's just 12:30" Derek sat and dropped the empty container of ice cream.

"That means we have some more time" Fred gazed at Lynn with sparkling eyes.

"Yeah, let's order food" Lynn suggested.

"Glutton" Derek mocked Lynn.

"Whatever"

They ordered the food and ate to their satisfaction. They had chit-chats and played games.

"Truth," Derek said after Lynn had asked him, truth or dare,

"How would you react if I were to start a relationship with Fred?"

There was some moment of silence.

"I don't know, I think it's quite too early but if it's after some weeks or months of getting to know each other and you both are okay with each other, I will be fine with it"

"Really?"

"Are you guys making such plans?"

"Yes," Lynn mumbled.

Derek looked at Fred and chuckled. "So what are you now, my future in law?"

They all laughed. "I would tell mom," Derek said.

"Derek!" Lynn complained.

"On one condition?"

"What?" Fred asked wryly.

"Remember the deal from your house?" Derek gave an eyebrow flash, "Lynn would do the cleaning"

"Cleaning?" Lynn was confused.

"I and Fred made a deal, if he comes around to the house today, I would clean his house for four good weeks!"

"Oh my goodness, so I would be the one doing the cleaning now?"

"I am afraid so," Fred said like he wasn't excited about it. The two boys laugh while Lynn grumbled.

"Okay, Lynnette, you can do it after your exams" Fred proposed.

"Really? Thanks, Fred" Lynn gave Derek a silly face, and they all laughed.

***