30 My hero

"What do you mean restore my dignity?" I scoffed.

"Come on Tilda, I know you're not happy about what's going on and I know that too. I'm the one who should be blamed here and not you," His gaze never tore from mine, almost as if he could feel my pain. "You deserve more than this and we both know that."

He paused and sighed.

"I mean, you're a beautiful young lady still in her youthful bloom and you certainly don't deserve any of this. The things you pass through at home and now in school, you don't deserve any of that. You deserve more, Tilda. You deserve to live."

His words were felt so genuine that I could see almost every emotion he felt in his eyes.

I stared at him, not knowing what to say.

I opened my mouth but only a sigh managed to escape.

"You don't need to worry about anything," I finally said.

He ignored me.

"Where is the principal's office?" He asked. "Take me there."

"Why do you want to see my principal? Are you my parent?" I eyed him with wide eyes. "Besides aren't you supposed to be in school today?"

"I didn't go to school today," He shook his head. "I have to do what I need to and that's why I'm here."

"What are you going to do?" I asked, surprise still boldly written all over me.

"If you're aren't going to take me to the principal's office, I'll find my way there," He sounded serious and immediately walked past me.

"Wait! I'll take you there," I ran to meet him, still wondering why he wanted to see the school principal.

It didn't take long before we reached the Principal's office. The office was a spacious one that could be mistaken for one that belonged to a CEO.

Behind the executive desk was a man in his late fifties. He looked quite young for his age and most of the time, wore suits. Just like Joyce, he was another member of the I nor wan old gang. He was Mr. Hakeem.

"Good day sir," Miles and I chorused.

"Good day," The man sent us a bright smile. "Tilda, how are you?"

"I am fine, sir. You?" I responded to his greeting with the same energy.

"I am fine too. Just doing my job as usual," He spread his arms apart to demonstrate. "So what is the problem? Is this your relative?"

"N-No..." I was cut short.

"Sir, I am Tilda's friend and I would like to help her with something. However, the only way I can help her is if you help me," Miles began.

"What do you mean?" Mr. Hakeem's expression turned serious.

"Have your seats, Please."

We both obeyed and Miles continued.

"Sir, I do believe that Nexus High is a prestigious secondary school known for birthing upright students, right?"

"Yes," Mr. Hakeem nodded. "You are correct."

"Good. But, in reality it doesn't seem that way. Tilda here has become an epitome of the incessant bullying that takes place in this school and I am not happy to hear of that. The tells nothing of the uprightness that Nexus High claims to have instilled in their students."

As Miles talked, I could not help but keep my focus on him. Did he really skip school just for my sake? Did he have to do this all the time? Did he come into my life to be my hero? Why was he going out of his way just to help me? Why was he doing all of this? Why was he just so good to me?

I liked everything he did. I liked how gentle and patient he was with me. I liked how he gave me comfort in spite of how sassy he could be. I liked the care he showed me.

"However, I would like to request something," Miles said.

"And what is that?" Mr. Hakeem questioned. He equally seemed impressed at how Miles was standing up for me.

"I would like to use the announcement microphone if there is any available in this school," Miles answered. "Tilda's dignity will be restored."

"Very well," Mr. Hakeem nodded.

He directed Miles to the inbuilt microphone in a wall at a corner of the office.

Without wasting time, the blue-eyed boy began making use of it.

"Good day students of Nexus High, you may be oblivious to who I am but I have decided to keep my identity hidden since it is in no way essential to anything I have to say. Tilda is someone close to me and I do not appreciate the ongoing false rumours about her. If anyone of you here were to be the victim of false rumours, how would you feel? The fact that youngsters like yourselves do something this disheartening is so sad. However, I am not here to lecture any of you on attributes to cultivate but to warn each and every student of this school. With the permission bestowed upon me by the principal, I will take my time to warn all of you."

As he went on and on, Mr. Hakeem proceeded to have a little chit chat with me.

"You say he's your friend. Am I right?"

"Yes sir," I nodded and entwined my fingers resting on my lap.

"He's a good kid," Mrm Hakeem continued. "You don't come by this kind of kid easily. I have just one advice for you my dear."

"Yes sir?"

"Hold him tight, my dear. Don't let him go. Don't let Kikiola go either. Cherish the two of them that much."

I was stunned by his words for a moment.

Mr. Hakeem wasn't the kind to give advice all the time but when he did, it was always genuine.

By the time Miles was done with what he had come for, we both made it out of the office after Mr. Hakeem gave equal advice to him.

"Thank you," I couldn't resist the urge to embrace him. "Thank you much."

"I-I didn't...It was nothing," His body stuffed like last time but I was too emotional to pay much attention to that.

Although I knew better than to make him uncomfortable for much longer.

"I'm so sorry. I was just..." I wiped the few drops of tears that had fallen on my cheeks as I quickly released him.

"It's fine," He smiled and walked away.

I froze to a spot and my pupils dilated.

Did he just...

Miles smiled...