Dennis walks up to Lillian carrying a textbook that she had asked him to lend her yesterday during class.
"Hay Lilly, here you go" Lillian stares at him.
"Lilly?" She asked.
"Oh i overheard Reuben calling you Lilly, Lilly so I thought I could do the same, I hope you don't mind?"
"Not that I care but it's just surprising coming out from you"
"Really, by surprising do you mean unique?"
"No I meant queer"
"Oh i see" said Dennis disappointed
"Anyways thanks for this" pointing at the textbook "I promise I will return it tomorrow"
"Not to worry take your time, I don't need it urgently"
"Oh is that so, okay then thanks"
"By the way, I know am not supposed to pry but what do you need it for"
"Oh this, Saraphina and Ruby are coming to study at my house today, but I don't have the textbook that's why I asked you to lend me yours"
"Oh i see, so Reuben is coming huh" Lillian stares at him.
"You don't have to be all down about it, we're just studying"
"Yeah I know, I just think he is one lucky guy''
"Huh, why do you say so?"
"Isn't it obvious, he gets a day off with two lovely ladies, who wouldn't think he is lucky"
"That's from your own perspective, not everyone see it that way"
"So say, can I come along, I mean I know that it was supposed to be for the three of you but if it isn't dead weight to you and if they don't mind as well" Lillian stares at him, of cause she has no intention of allowing him join the trio but rejecting a plea from someone who just did her a favor wasn't really her way of life.
"Oh well that depends, I will talk to them today and if they say it's okay then I have no objections" she said hoping that Reuben or even Saraphina would reject him"
"That's nice I hope they will find me worthy of tagging along"
"Speaking of tagging along, Reuben asked Saraphina yesterday to join them in their family outing, I know that they have been childhood friends but I just don't know why I can't get my mind off it, it was supposed to be a family outing but he asked her to tag along, or rather he practically begged her to join them " Lillian was thinking about this out loud without even realizing it.
"I don't mean to pry but it seems as if you're jealous, I mean if they have been childhood friends then I don't think there's anything wrong with her tagging along, she's already like family to them by now"
"You think so don't _ _ _ wait did i say that out loud?" Dennis nods "forget you heard anything, don't go telling anyone about this"
"It would be quite unlike me to go gossiping around, but still it's nice to talk to someone about what is bothering you, I believe two heads are better than one" said Dennis.
"You think so huh, I will keep that in mind" said Lillian. Saraphina walks in. "Hi Saraphina, it's unlike you to come to school late"
"Oh hello there Lillian, sorry there was too much traffic" she looks around "I see, Reuben isn't here yet is he?"
"Nah, you know how he is, he never comes to school early"
"Well am not surprised" commented Dennis dryly. Reuben walks in "talk about the devil"
"Hi guys" said Reuben.
"Nice of you to come" said Saraphina.
"Hay cut me some slack, you of all people should have known that there was too much traffic jam on the way"
"Yeah as if you did come early even if there weren't any traffic jam" said Lillian.
"Hay Lilly, don't tell me you are taking her side" Lillian smiles.
"Am not taking anyone side, am simple just stating an obvious fact"
"By the way Saraphina,I asked Lillian to allow me join your group reading today and she said that it's fine if you and Reuben accepts" Saraphina and Reuben stares at him speechless. "Huh what's wrong did i say anything wrong"
"No you didn't, it's just surprising, I never thought you of all people would want to hang out with us" said Reuben. Dennis ignores him.
"So Saraphina what do you say, can I tag along?" Saraphina stares at him, he was ignoring Reuben on purpose even though he wants to tag along with them, oh well let's see how long he can ignore him, she smiles.
"I don't see anything wrong with that but you would have to ask Reuben if he is fine with it" she said. This way there's no way he can ignore Reuben except if he isn't serious about tagging along. Dennis was silent.
"Why do you have to bring up Reuben, you could have just said it's fine " thought Dennis.
"It's fine with me, you can come along if you want" said Reuben. Lillian glowers, she was hoping that they did turn him down that was why she had told him that he could come over if they accept, it's not like she actually wanted him to come.
"Well with that settled I guess that means I would be seeing you later today Dennis" she said trying to fake a smile, Saraphina stares at her and then smiled.
"Oh i won't forget to come, you can be rest assured but what time actually?" Asked Dennis.
"That would be 4pm" said Reuben.
"Can I ask you a question" said Reuben to Dennis. Dennis glares at him. He wasn't hiding the fact that he doesn't like Reuben.
"Never mind" said Reuben, he wanted to know why Dennis decided to come along, but the way he stared at him made him to not bother asking.
"Hay Dennis, if you really want to get along with us, you'd better fix that expression of yours towards Reuben" Saraphina deadpanned.
"Oh sorry I will do something about that" he said. He turns to Reuben "I hope you aren't angry?"
"Nah, It's fine, if I get angry that easily then my friendship with Saraphina wouldn't have lasted till date"
"Hay, what was that supposed to mean?" asked Saraphina.
"Nah, nothing, never mind"
Later that day just as planned, Reuben, Saraphina and Dennis paid Lillian a visit.
"Hay, nice of you to come, come in" said Lillian. She looks left and right "are you the one?"
"It seems so" replied Dennis.
"Oh, anyways come in" Dennis walks in.
"You look nice "
"Thanks " she replied unenthusiastically
"I've never seen you in anything but our school uniform, really you look lovely "
"Yeah I know, thanks "
"Okay'' someone rings the door bell.
"Excuse me" said Lillian. She goes to open the door and then smiled.
"Oh look who finally showed up, we've been waiting for you"
"We?" Asked Reuben.
"Dennis already came a while ago"
"Oh i see, I guess we're the last one to come"
"Yeah that was because I was waiting for a certain someone to prepare so that we could come together "
"Yeah I get it, am the reason why you are just coming, well understood "
"Well enough of that already, come in" they goes on.
"By the way Lilly, you look quite quintessence"
"Ah am flattered, thanks" Dennis sat there watching as she smiles happily to Reuben's compliment but seems to be agitated when he complimented her.
"It's kind of surprising how a word could bring out different reactions depending on the person who said it" he thought.
"Let's get down to business already, we all know that time is of the essence"
"Waw, the study freak has spoken, well you all heard her, let's get down to business " said Reuben.
"Study freak huh! Nice one Mr late comer"
"Hay coming late isn't something that someone does deliberately''
"Yeah you are right, it isn't something someone does deliberately except the name of the person is Reuben"
"Hay, not funny " Lillian giggles.
"But she kinda have a point you know, it seems to be in your personality to be the last person to walk through the door"
"Hay, don't tell me you are taking her side'' he turns to Dennis. "Say something"
"What am I supposed to say, it's not like they are lying or anything" said Dennis.
"Even you too, you were supposed to take my side, you are a guy like me, so how will you be backing the ladies up "
"Take your side, that would be like ignoring the truth just because we're of the same gender "
"By the way, Ruby can you help me out, I want to bring the study desk from the study room"
"Why don't we all just go to the study room" asked Saraphina.
"Oh it isn't big enough, it's just a small space created in the liberary with a desk and one seat, that's where my dad studies, it isn't big enough for the four of us"
"Oh i see, okay let's go"
"Am coming too, I would like to help" said Dennis.
"No don't bother, Ruby and I will be able to bring the desk here, if you want to help then you and Saraphina should clear some space where so we can put it"
"Oh, okay then"
"Shall we?" Asked Reuben.
"Yeah, this way" they leave.
On their way, Reuben kept staring at her, Lillian who had noticed this kept glancing at him every now and then to see if he was still staring.
"It's amazing how a dress and a little makeup can transform someone completely" said Reuben. Lillian was silent.
"You know, I have always known you were beautiful but I never knew you were this beautiful, to put it simply you are quite breathtaking "
"You think so?" She asked shyly.
"I don't just think so, I know so "
"Am quite flattered, you are quite the smooth talker you know"
"Smooth talker, I'd rather be called connoisseur"
"Nah, smooth talker fits you better " she giggles. They both stare at each other.
"You also look quite breathtaking if I may steal your word"
"To think I'd be complemented by you, am quite honoured" they continue to walk in silent, each taking a quick glance at the other person every now and then.
"Here we are, I will hold this end, you go the other end'' Reuben walks to the other end, he looks at her and their eyes locked, she quickly averted her eyes.
"I don't know if this is the perfect time to say this but one thing I know is that if i don't say it now, I'd regret it in the near future"
"What is it?" She asked.
"Would you be my girlfriend?" Lillian was taken aback, that came quite as a surprise even for a telepath like herself.
"Are_ _ are _ _ are you sure?" She stammered.
"Of course I am, I love you and I would really love you to be my girlfriend" Lillian stares at him. He wasn't lying, he wasn't trying to use her or deceive her, his interest in her was geniune, every single word he said was from his heart. She sighs.
"If we're going to do this then I might as well tell him now" she thought.
"Before I answer you, there's something I would like to tell you?"
"Okay, I'm all ears "
"This might come as a shock to you but the thing is that, Saraphina isn't the only weirdo around"
"Huh, what are you saying? Don't tell me" she nods
" Am also a weirdo, in a broader sense am even more of a weirdo than Saraphina'' Ruby laughs.
"You've got to be kidding me, to say that you are more of a weirdo than Saraphina just goes to prove that you don't know Saraphina''
''It's true, while Saraphina is just super sensitive mine goes beyond that, I have the ability to read minds'' Reuben was silent ''it's true, I'm telepathic in nature''
"If so then tell me what am thinking right now'' said Reuben with a serious face. Lillian smiles.
"You are thinking that that's awesome"
"I see, what about now "
"You are thinking that I might have just guessed the first one right, so now you want me to spell your name" Reuben's jaw dropped in awe.
"This is awesome why didn't you tell me sooner" Lillian was silent ''wait don't tell me that you were scared of being called a weirdo"
"It might seem like nothing to you but it really hurts a lot, seeing people avoid you like you are plagued with some kind of disease, seeing them look at you with disgust, hearing their thoughts as they call you all sorts of things even though you never offended them in any way, it was the sole reason why I left my formal school, it's unbearable'' Reuben walks up to her and held her face in his hands.
"You don't have to bear the pain alone, I understand how you feel but while they are people who are afraid of your gifts, they are also people who thinks it's amazing, you just have to find the people who would treasure you for who you really are'' he said, she stares at him.
''There's no need to be all weepy about it, from now on I promise no one will ever call you a weirdo when am around so lighten up. Gosh look at you being all emotional over something I would do anything to have, if only you knew how much I would pay to have this gift of yours'' she looks at him, once again he wasn't lying to try and cheer her up, he meant every single word he uttered. She smiled.
"Hay Ruby, you asked me if I would like to be your girlfriend right?'' she asked.
''Yes that's right'' said Reuben.
"Well this is my answer" she kissed him.