[

2/15,
12:
05PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#Epi
sode_
___
___
1

Somet
imesIj
ustwonder

whyIwascr
eat
edt
his

way
.whyIcan’
tseem t
o

becomf
ort
abl
ewhenI
’
m

i
nthemi
dstofpeopl
e,

especi
all
yladi
es.Ihadbeen

t
hiswayev
ersi
nceIwasaki
d.

I
’
m al
readyonmyear
ly

t
went
iesbutmyi
ssuei
snot

get
ti
ngbet
ter
.Ithadev
en

wor
sened.Ican’
tbel
i
evet
hat

att
hisst
ageofmyl
i
fe,
Ist
il
l

don’
tknowhowt
oappr
oach

l
adi
es.Ihadcomei
ncont
act

wi
thanumberofni
cel
adi
es

t
hatIl
oveandwoul
dlov
eto

spendt
her
estofmyl
i
fewi
th,

butduet
omyshynat
ure,
I

coul
dnotappr
oacht
hem and
hadl
ostt
hem al
l
.Ist
il
lcan’
t

bel
i
evet
hatI
’
m st
il
lav
irgi
nat

t
hisst
ageofmyl
i
fe.Nott
hat

I
’
m asai
ntorsomet
hing.Ihad

al
way
swant
edt
otaket
his

v
irgi
nit
yofat
hingof
fme,
but

don’
tknowhowt
ogoabouti
t.

Ihadnev
erdat
edanyl
adyal
l

myl
i
fe.Idar
enott
ell
my

f
ri
endst
hatI
’
m st
il
lav
irgi
n,

becauset
heywoul
dal
ll
aughat

me.Ial
way
sbr
agabouthowI

madeal
adybegmet
ogether

l
aidwhenev
erI
’
m wi
tht
hem,

buti
nreal
i
ty,
nosucht
hing

hadhappened.

Ial
way
sbel
i
evedIcoul
dcope

wi
thmyshyandi
ntr
over
ted

nat
ure,
butnotunt
ilIgai
ned

admi
ssi
oni
ntot
heuni
ver
sit
y.

i
twaswhenIgai
ned

admi
ssi
oni
ntot
heuni
ver
sit
y

t
hatIr
eal
i
zedt
her
eispl
ace

f
orpeopl
eli
kemei
nthe
uni
ver
sit
y.i
t’
sei
therIbl
end

i
nandassoci
atewi
thpeopl
eor

bef
orev
eri
sol
ated.

i
t’
sbeent
hreeweekssi
nceI

gai
nedadmi
ssi
oni
ntot
he

uni
ver
sit
y.Wehadal
ready

compl
etedt
her
egi
str
ati
on

pr
ocessandl
ect
ureshadal
so

st
art
ed.ThewayIal
way
ssee

st
udent
sinmydepar
tment

di
scussi
ngandassoci
ati
ng

wi
thoneanot
her
,mademe

wonder
edi
ftheyhadknown

oneanot
heral
ready
,bef
ore

t
heygai
nedadmi
ssi
on.I

wi
shedIcoul
dbel
i
ket
hem

andi
nter
actmor
ewi
thmy

cour
semat
e,butmy

i
ntr
over
tednat
urewoul
dn’
t

al
l
owme.Ial
way
str
ymybest

nott
obenot
icedi
ncl
ass.I

dar
enotr
aisemyhandt
o

answeranyquest
ionaskedby

al
ect
urer
,ev
ent
houghIknew

t
heanswer
.
Onedayi
ncl
ass,
just

i
mmedi
atel
yweset
tl
eddown

f
orl
ect
ures,
ouri
ntr
oduct
ion

t
ost
ati
sti
csl
ect
urer
,Dr
.Mi
ke

wal
kedi
ntot
hecl
asst
o

i
ntr
oducehi
scour
se.Af
ter

5mi
nut
esofspeaki
ng,
he

askedaquest
ionwhi
chnoone

coul
danswer
.Hewasv
ery

di
sappoi
ntedanddeci
dednot

t
ospeakf
urt
herunt
ilsomeone

answerhi
squest
ion.Iknew

t
heanswert
oDr
.Mi
ke

quest
ionbutdar
enotst
andup

t
oanswerhi
squest
ion.Just

i
magi
ningt
henumberofey
es

t
hatwoul
dbebor
inghol
eson

mybodywhenIst
andt
o

answert
hequest
ioncoul
d

makemymi
ndgobl
ank.

Dr
.Mi
kest
aredatusf
rom t
he

podi
um whi
l
ewest
aredback

athi
m,wi
thnoonemaki
ng

at
temptt
oanswerhi
s

quest
ion.Af
tert
hel
ongsi
l
ence
i
nthecl
ass,
hedeci
dedt
o

speak.

“
sooutofov
erahundr
ed

st
udent
sint
hiscl
ass,
noone

cananswert
hequest
ionI

asked”hesai
d

Ev
ery
onei
ncl
assr
emai
ned

si
l
ent
.

“
thi
scl
asscan’
tcont
inueunt
il

someoneanswermyquest
ion.

Howam Isupposet
oteach

y
oui
fyoudon’
tknowt
he

basi
coft
hiscour
se”hesai
d

Thecl
assst
il
lremai
nedsi
l
ent
.

Hest
aredsi
l
ent
lyatus.Af
tera

whi
l
eifsi
l
ence,
ani
dea

cr
ossedhi
smi
nd.

“
Iknowwhatt
odo”hesai
d

wal
ki
ngcl
osert
ous.

“
Iwi
l
lst
artpoi
nti
ngy
out
o

answert
hequest
ionandonce

y
ouf
ail
togi
vemet
her
ight

answer
,youwi
l
lleav
ethi
s

cl
assandnev
erat
tendanyof
mycl
assesf
ort
her
estoft
his

semest
er.
”hesai
dinser
ious

t
one.

Af
aintmur
murcoul
dbe

hear
dint
hecl
ass

“
wey
oual
lkeepshut
”he

shout
edi
nangr
ytone.

Thel
ookonhi
sfaceshowed

t
hathewasv
eryser
iouswi
th

whathesai
d.

Iwi
shedsomeonecoul
djust

answerhi
squest
ionandt
ake

meoutoft
het
ensedsi
tuat
ion

i
wasi
n.Thecl
asshad

suddenl
ybecamet
oohotf
or

met
ost
ay.Ipr
ayedsi
l
ent
ly

t
hatGodshoul
ddi
ver
tthe

l
ect
urer
’sat
tent
ionawayf
rom

any
thi
ngt
hatwoul
dmakehi
m

not
icemei
ncl
ass.Nott
hatI

di
dn’
tknowt
heanswer
,butI

j
ustcoul
dn’
tfacet
hewhol
e

cl
ass.

Icoul
dseet
hel
ect
urerst
ari
ng

atev
ery
onef
aces,
looki
ngf
or
whot
opoi
nt.hest
aredatmy

di
rect
ionandashi
verwent

downmyspi
ne.Isuddenl
y

st
art
edsweat
ingpr
ofusel
y.

“
Hey
,youov
ert
her
e”hesai
d

poi
nti
ngatmydi
rect
ion.

Ev
ent
houghhewaspoi
nti
ng

atmydi
rect
ion,
Iwassosur
e

hewasnotpoi
nti
ngdi
rect
lyt
o

me.becauset
her
eisnohow

hecoul
dhav
epi
n-poi
ntme

outofov
erahundr
edst
udent
s

i
ncl
ass.soIl
ookedbackt
o

conf
ir
m whohewaspoi
nti
ng

at
.theper
sonhewaspoi
nti
ng

atmustbebehi
ndme.

“
whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngback?

I
’
mref
err
ingt
oyou”hesai
d

r
efer
ri
ngt
ome

“
isi
tmesi
r?”Iaskedt
obe

sur
ehewasr
efer
ri
ngt
ome.

“
no,
it’
sme”hemi
mickedme

“
comeonst
andupandanswer

myquest
ion”hebar
ked.

Isuddenl
ybecameweakwhen
Ir
eal
i
zedhewasact
ual
l
y

r
efer
ri
ngt
ome.howwasI

supposet
ost
andandanswer

quest
ioni
nacl
assofov
er

hundr
edst
udent
s.

JustasIsl
owl
yst
oodup,
I

coul
dseeov
erahundr
edey
es

bor
inghol
esonmybody
.I

t
ri
ednott
otur
nmyhead,

becausemymi
ndcoul
dgo

bl
anki
fmyey
esmeetwi
th

anyl
adyi
ncl
ass.Icur
sedt
he

dev
ilsi
l
ent
lywhohad

succeededi
nput
ti
ngmei
n

suchsi
tuat
ion.

“
wil
lyouanswermyquest
ion

orgetoutoft
hiscl
ass”Dr
.

Mi
kebar
kedwhenIdi
dn’
tsay

any
thi
ngaf
terawhi
l
eof

st
andi
ng

“
erm………er
m……….
”I

st
ammer
ed

JustasIsl
owl
yst
oodup,
I

coul
dseeov
erahundr
ed

ey
esbor
inghol
esonmybody
.
It
ri
ednott
otur
nmyhead,

becausemymi
ndcoul
dgo

bl
anki
fmyey
esmeetwi
th

anyl
adyi
ncl
ass.Icur
sedt
he

dev
ilsi
l
ent
lywhohad

succeededi
nput
ti
ngmei
n

suchsi
tuat
ion.

“
wil
lyouanswermyquest
ion

orgetoutoft
hiscl
ass”Dr
.

Mi
kebar
kedwhenIdi
dn’
tsay

any
thi
ngaf
terawhi
l
eof

st
andi
ng

“
erm………er
m……….
”I

st
ammer
ed

“
act
ual
l
y……….I
……….
I”

Thatwast
hel
astwor
dsIcoul
d

r
emembersay
ing.IknewIwas

st
il
lspeaki
ng,
butcoul
dnot

r
ememberwhatIwassay
ing,

becausemymi
ndwasf
arf
rom

whatIwassay
ing.Al
lmy

at
tent
ionwasf
ocusedont
he

ey
esi
ncl
assbor
inghol
eson

mybody
,especi
all
ythel
adi
es.

Ikeptwonder
ingwhatmi
ght
beont
hei
rmi
ndsast
hey

st
aredatme.coul
dtheybe

t
hinki
ngbadofme.coul
dthey

besay
ingI
’
m notsmar
t

enought
obei
nthi
scl
ass.Al
l

t
heseandot
hert
hought

occupi
edmymi
nd.

I
twaswhenIhear
dabi
g

r
oundofappl
ausef
rom t
he

cl
asst
hatIr
eal
i
zedIhad

answer
edt
hequest
ion.I

f
ocusedmyat
tent
ionbackon

t
hel
ect
urerst
andi
ngi
nmy

f
ront
.Heobser
vedmef
ora

whi
l
ebef
orespeaki
ng.

“
soy
ouknewt
heansweral
l

t
hiswhi
l
eandy
oudi
dn’
t

answer
”hesai
d

Ikeptmut
e

“
whydi
dyouwai
tunt
ilIpoi
nt

y
oubef
orey
ouanswer
edt
he

quest
ion?
”heasked

Ir
emai
nedmut
e

“
Any
way
,Iwi
l
lpar
dony
ou

t
hist
ime,
becauseIl
i
ket
he
wayy
ouanswer
edt
he

quest
ion.y
ougav
eadet
ail
ed

expl
anat
ionj
ustt
hewayI

wanti
t.what
’sy
ourname?
”

heasked

“
Chr
ist
ian”Ianswer
edshar
ply
.

“
okayChr
ist
ian.Oncey
ou

knowt
heanswert
oa

quest
ion,
don’
twai
tunt
ily
ou

ar
ecal
l
edbef
orey
ouanswer

t
hequest
ion.i
sthatcl
ear
?”

Inoddedi
naf
fi
rmat
ion

“
good”hesai
d

“
youcanhav
eyourseatnow”

Isatdowni
mmedi
atel
yandl
et

outahotbr
eat
hwhi
chIdi
dn’
t

knowIwashol
dingal
lthi
s

whi
l
e.

Dr
.Mi
kewal
kedbackt
othe

podi
um andcont
inuedwi
th

t
hel
ect
ure.Al
lot
herquest
ions

heaskedwer
eanswer
edby

ot
herst
udent
swi
thoutdel
ay.

Thecl
asswentonsmoot
hly
andhej
okedf
rom t
imet
o

t
imewhi
chmadeusl
aughed

outl
oud.Il
aterf
oundDr
.Mi
ke

t
obeani
nter
est
ingl
ect
urer
.

Af
terl
ect
uresf
ort
hatday
,I

qui
ckl
yrushedt
otheschool

r
est
uar
antt
ohav
elunch

bef
oreIcol
l
apse.i
t’
sasi
fthe

f
ewwor
dsIsai
dincl
asshad

dr
ainedal
lmyener
gy.Idi
dn’
t

ev
enal
l
owmyf
oodt
obe

pl
acedonmyt
abl
ebef
oreI

st
art
eddev
our
ingi
t.

Af
terawhi
l
eofeat
ing,
Ihear
d

someonescr
eami
ngmyname

f
rom behi
nd.myhear
tmi
ssed

abeatwhenIr
eal
i
zedi
twas

t
hev
oiceofal
ady
.Isl
owl
y

t
urnedt
oseeal
adyst
andi
ng

att
heent
rancewi
thsmi
l
eson

herf
ace.shemustbemy

cour
semat
eforhert
oknow

myname.shemusthav
e

hear
ditwhenIment
ionedi
t

t
oDr
.Mi
ke.shest
art
ed
wal
ki
ngt
owar
dsme.my

hear
tbeatkepti
ncr
easi
ngi
n

geomet
ri
cpr
ogr
essi
onwi
th

ev
eryst
epshet
ook.shegott
o

meandsatopposi
teme.

“
hiChr
ist
ian”shesai
dsmi
l
ing

Icoul
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng.I

coul
dn’
tev
enst
areather
.I

j
ustkeptst
ari
ngatmyf
oodon

t
het
abl
e.

”hel
l
o”shest
ressedt
hewor
d

whenIdi
dn’
trespond.

Iwav
edatherandsai
d“hi
”in

awhi
sper
.Iwassur
eshe

di
dn’
theart
hat
,becausei
t

wasnotaudi
bleenoughf
or

hert
ohear
.

Sheobser
vedmef
orawhi
l
e.

“
Chr
ist
ianar
eyouokay
?”she

asked

“
yes”i
respondedshar
ply

“
okay
,ij
ustwantt
othanky
ou

f
oranswer
ingDr
.Mi
ke’
s

quest
ioni
ncl
asst
oday
.you

ar
eoursav
iour
.whoknows
howmanyst
udent
shewoul
d

hav
esentoutofhi
scl
assi
f

notf
ory
ou.I
’
mver
ysur
eI

woul
dhav
ebeenamongt
hose

t
hatwoul
dbesentoutbecause

Ihadnoi
deaoft
heanswer
.

y
oudi
dreal
l
ywel
l
.byt
he

way
,I’
m Joy
.”shesai
d

Idi
dn’
trespond.Ij
ustkept

st
ari
ngi
ntoai
r.

“
arey
ousur
eyouar
eokay
?”

sheasked

“
I…….
.I……….Iwantt
ogo

home.If
eel
dizzy
”Isai
d

Shequi
ckl
yst
oodupf
rom her

seatandsatcl
osert
ome.she

pl
acedherhandonmy

f
orehead.

“
Arey
ousi
ck?
”sheasked

Hercl
osenessmadememor
e

uncomf
ort
abl
e.

“
I’
m notsi
ck.I
’
mjustt
ir
ed.I

needt
orest
.”Ianswer
ed.

“
okayy
oucanst
artl
eav
ing.

makesur
eyout
akecar
eof
y
our
sel
f”shesai
dfeel
i
ng

concer
ned.

Ist
oodupi
mmedi
atel
yand

wasaboutheadi
ngf
ort
he

door
.

“
wai
t”shesai
dwal
ki
ng

t
owar
dsme

“
letmehav
eyournumberso

t
hatIcancal
ltocheckony
ou”

Idi
dn’
tli
ket
hei
deaofgi
vi
ng

hermynumber
.whatam I

supposet
osayt
oherwhen

shecal
l
s.shest
ret
chedher

phonet
omeandIcol
l
ect
edi
t.

It
ypedmynumberandgav
e

herbackherphone.

”okayIwi
l
lcal
lyou”shesai
d

“
Ihopey
ouar
ecomi
ngt
o

school
tomor
row?
”sheasked

Inoddedi
naf
fi
rmat
ion

“
okayseey
out
hen”

Iwav
edatherandl
eftt
he

r
est
uar
anti
mmedi
atel
y.
.

Igothomeandf
reshened

up.Il
ayonmybedand
st
arebl
ankl
yatt
he

cei
l
ing.Theev
entoft
he

dayf
lashedt
hroughmymi
nd

andmymoodsuddenl
y

changed.Kindl
yhii
shon+233544142683t
obeaddedt
ost
oryheadquar
ter
sroom f
ormor
e
stor
ies.If
eltbadt
hatI

coul
dn’
tansweraquest
ion

conf
ident
lyi
ncl
ass.Ev
en

whenj
oyappr
oachedme

ni
cel
y,Icoul
dn’
tev
ensaya

wor
dtoher
.Whyam Ial
way
s

l
i
ket
his?wi
l
lIev
erbe

conf
identenought
ospeak

wi
thal
adywi
thoutf
eel
i
ng

ner
vous?whenwi
l
lIst
op

behav
ingt
hisway
?Am It
he

onl
yonei
nthi
swor
ldwi
th

t
hiski
ndofper
sonal
i
ty?what

di
dIdowr
ongt
obebor
nwi
th

t
hiski
ndoft
rai
t?Am Icur
sed

orsomet
hing?I
tseemsl
i
ke

i
’
mtheonl
yonei
nthewor
ld

wi
tht
hist
rai
t.Ihav
enev
er

comeacr
ossanyshyguyal
l

myl
i
fe.wher
edi
dIgett
his

ki
ndoft
rai
tfr
om?
Iwasl
osti
nthought
.

Thev
ibr
ati
onofmyphone

br
oughtmebackt
oreal
i
ty.I

st
ret
chedmyhandt
omyt
abl
e

t
ogetmyphone.Ist
aredi
nto

t
hescr
eenandsawt
hati
twas

anunknownnumber
.My

hear
tmi
ssedabeatwhenI

r
eal
i
zedIgav
eJoymynumber
.

Isatupi
mmedi
atel
yst
il
l

st
ari
ngatmyphone.Iqui
ckl
y

r
ehear
sedaf
ewwor
dsIwoul
d

sayt
oherwhenIpi
ckt
hecal
l
.

It
ookadeepbr
eat
handpl
aced

myhandcl
oset
othegr
een

but
ton.Whi
l
eIwasst
il
l

cont
empl
ati
ngonwhet
hert
o

pi
ckt
hecal
l
,itsuddenl
y

st
oppedr
ingi
ng.i
tst
art
ed

r
ingi
ngal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.

Myphonesuddenl
ybecame

t
ooheav
yformet
ohol
d.I

neededt
opi
ckt
hecal
l
.Iwon’
t

al
l
owmyper
sonal
i
tyt
odr
ive

awaysomeonewhoseemst
o
car
eaboutme.

Isummonedal
lthecour
agei
n

met
opi
ckt
hecal
l
.Ipl
acedt
he

phoneonmyearandsai
d“hi
”

i
ntheni
cestwayIcoul
d.

“
Guyy
oudi
dn’
ttr
yatal
l
.you

hav
efor
got
tenaboutme.y
ou

can’
tev
encal
lme”t
hev
oiceat

t
heot
herendsai
d.

i
twasn’
tact
ual
l
yal
ady
’sv
oice.i
twasa

guy
’sv
oice.If
eltr
eli
eved

whenIhear
dthev
oice.

“
pleasewhoam Ispeaki
ng

wi
th?
”Iasked

“
soy
oudon’
trecogni
zemy

v
oice?
”

Thev
oicer
angawel
l
.IknewI

hav
ehear
dthatv
oicebef
ore.I

t
houghtf
orawhi
l
e.

“
Dani
el”Ical
l
ed

“
yesi
t’
sDani
el.It
houghty
ou

won’
trecogni
zemyv
oice.
”he

sai
d

“
wow!soi
t’
syouDani
el.l
ong
t
ime”Isai
dhappi
l
y

“
yeah,
longt
ime”he

r
esponded

“
Howar
eyou?
”Iasked

“
I’
mfi
neandy
ou”

“
I’
mfi
net
oo”Ir
esponded

“
sohowi
sschool
?”heasked

“
school
isf
ine”

“
Ihopet
hosegi
rl
sinschool

ar
enotgi
vi
ngy
oupr
obl
em”

“
notatal
l
”Ir
esponded

“
ist
hisy
ournumber
”

“
yest
hisi
smynewnumber
.I

sai
dIshoul
dcal
lyou,
since

y
oudon’
twantt
ocal
lme”

“
Dani
ely
ouknowt
hat
’snot

t
rue.i
fIhady
ournumber
,I

woul
dhav
ecal
l
edy
ou”Isai
d

“
okayo,
Ijustsai
dIshoul
d

hearf
rom y
ou”

“
youdi
dver
ywel
l
.I’
mver
y

gr
atef
ul.Iwi
l
lsav
eyour

number
.”

“
okayt
hen,
wewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
”

Dani
elsai
d
“
okay
,thanksf
ort
hecal
l
”

Iendedt
hecal
landst
aredat

myphonescr
eenwi
thsmi
l
es

onmyf
ace.i
twasgoodt
o

hearf
rom Dani
el.Dani
eli
smy

chi
l
dhoodf
ri
endandav
ery

goodadv
iser
.Ipl
acedmy

phoneont
het
abl
eandl
ayon

mybed.

Justi
mmedi
atel
yIpl
acedt
he

phoneont
het
abl
e,i
tst
art
ed

v
ibr
ati
ngagai
n.It
ookt
he

phonef
rom t
het
abl
eand

pi
ckedt
hecal
lwi
thoutl
ooki
ng

att
hecal
l
er.

“
hel
l
oDani
el”Isai
dint
othe

phone

“
Chr
ist
ian”t
hecal
l
ercal
l
ed

If
rozewhenIhear
dal
ady
’s

v
oice.Isl
owl
yremov
edt
he

phonef
rom myearandst
ared

i
ntot
hescr
een.Thenumber

wasdi
ff
erentf
rom Dani
el’
s

number
.Isl
owl
ypl
acedt
he

phonebackonmyear
.Icoul
d
f
eel
myhear
tpoundi
ngi
nmy

chest
.

“
hel
l
o”Isai
dcal
mly

“
Chr
ist
ianhowar
eyou?Thi
s

i
sJoy
”

“
Joy
.how…….howar
eyou?
”I

st
ammer
ed

“
Chr
ist
iany
oudon’
tsoundt
oo

wel
l
.shoul
dIcomeov
ert
o

y
ourpl
ace?
”

“
No,
no”Icuti
nimmedi
atel
y

“
I’
m notathome”

“
wher
edi
dyougot
o?”she

asked

“
I’
mint
hehospi
tal
”

“
hospi
tal
!”sheexcl
aimed

“
isi
tthatser
ious?
”

Whatdi
dIj
ustsay
?Icoul
dn’
t

bel
i
eveIj
ustt
oldherIwasi
n

t
hehospi
tal
.Iqui
ckl
ytook

backt
hosewor
ds

“
noJoy
,ImeanIwentt
oget

somedr
ugsf
rom aphar
macy
.”

“
okay
,howi
syourbody
”she

asked
“
I’
mfi
nenow.Iwi
l
lcal
lyou

back.I
’
m onabusyr
oadr
ight

now”Isai
d

“
okay
”sher
esponded

Iendedt
hecal
landt
ooka

deepbr
eat
h.Il
ayonmybed

anddi
dn’
tknowwhenIsl
ept

of
f.
..
.

ToBeCont
inued

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#EPI
SODE2

Iwokeupv
eryl
atet
he

nextday
.Iqui
ckl
ytook

mybat
handgotpr
epar
ed

f
orschool
.Il
efthome

i
mmedi
atel
ywi
thouthav
ing

br
eakf
ast
.Iwassupposedt
o

hav
elect
ureby8:
am buti
t

wasal
ready8:
15am.Igott
o

t
hebui
l
dingt
hel
ect
urewas

hol
dingandpeepedt
hrough

t
hewi
ndow.Thel
ect
urewas

al
readygoi
ngonandt
he
l
ect
urercoul
dbeseenatt
he

podi
um i
mpact
ingknowl
edge

ont
hest
udent
swi
th

ent
husi
asm.Ev
eryst
udent

f
ocusedt
her
eat
tent
ionont
he

l
ect
urerst
andi
ngcl
oset
othe

door
,andt
hatwasexact
lyt
he

samepl
aceIwassupposedt
o

wal
kint
hrough.Iwassur
e

ev
ery
onewoul
dfocust
her
e

at
tent
iononmewhenIwal
k

i
n,becauset
her
e’snohowI

woul
dwal
kint
othatcl
ass

wi
thoutbei
ngnot
iced.Ist
ood

att
hewi
ndowf
orcl
oset
o

10mi
nut
est
ryi
ngt
ocomeup

wi
thani
deaofhowIwoul
d

wal
kint
othecl
asswi
thout

bei
ngnot
iced.If
eltahandon

myshoul
der
,andIt
urnedt
o

seemycour
semat
est
andi
ng

besi
deme.Iwasr
eli
evedi
t

wasaguy
.

“
arey
ounotgoi
ngi
n?”he

asked
“
Iwasaboutgoi
ngi
n”I

answer
ed

“
arey
ouj
ustcomi
ng?
”Iasked

“
yes”heanswer
ed

“
let
’sgoi
nbef
orewemi
sst
he

i
mpor
tantpar
toft
hel
ect
ure.
”

hesai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

Hewal
kedaheadwhi
l
eI

f
oll
owedbehi
ndhi
m.It
ri
edas

muchaspossi
blet
ohi
de

behi
ndhi
m aswewal
kedi
nto

t
hecl
ass.Inev
err
emov
edmy

gazef
rom t
hef
loorunt
ilIsat

downatt
hebackseat
.It
ooka

deepbr
eat
handsi
l
ent
ly

t
hankedt
heguywhoshowed

upwheni
neededhi
m.I
’
m not

sur
eIwoul
dhav
ebeenabl
eto

wal
kint
othecl
assal
one.I

woul
dhav
est
ayedout
side

unt
ilt
heendoft
hel
ect
ure.

Thel
ect
urercont
inuedwi
th

t
hel
ect
ure.Af
terf
ewmi
nut
es

ofl
i
steni
ng,
Iwasabl
eto
under
standwhatwasbei
ng

t
aught
.Iwasqui
tegoodi
n

mat
hs,
andt
hecour
set
hatwas

bei
ngt
aughtwasact
ual
l
y

‘
i
ntr
oduct
iont
omat
hemat
ics

f
oreconomi
st’
.Di
dI

ment
ionedear
li
ert
hatI
’
m an

economi
csst
udent
.

whent
hecl
asswasov
er,
the

l
ect
urerhandedabr
own

env
elopet
oourcour
ser
ep,

whi
chIbel
i
evedcont
ainedour

t
estscr
iptwedi
dint
he

pr
evi
ouscl
ass.Tomakemat
ter

wor
sef
orme,
ourcour
ser
ep

happenedt
obeal
ady
.Ihad

nev
erappr
oachedhert
oget

anyi
nfor
mat
ionf
rom her
.

Ev
enwhenIneededan

i
mpor
tanti
nfor
mat
ionwhi
chI

bel
i
evedonl
yhercoul
d

pr
ovi
de,
Ist
il
ldi
dn’
tappr
oach

her
.Herbeaut
yal
onei
s

i
nti
midat
ing.shedi
str
ibut
ed
thescri
ptbackt
othest
udents.Joi
nusonourtel
egr
am paget
oreadandenj
oymor
eofsuch
stor
iesthr
oughohenei
shon+233544142683.

j
ustast
hescr
ipt
swentr
ound,

Icoul
dhearmur
murf
rom

ev
erycor
neroft
hecl
ass

whi
chmeanst
hescor
eswer
e

v
erybad.Shehadal
ready

shar
edal
lthescr
ipt
sbutIst
il
l

di
dn’
tgetmi
ne.Iwant
edt
o

br
ingt
ohernot
icet
hatIhad

notr
ecei
vedmyscr
iptbut

di
dn’
tknowhowt
oappr
oach

her
.Ionl
ysatonmyseat

st
ari
ngatev
ery
onef
acesas

t
heyst
aredatt
hei
rscr
iptwi
th

af
rown.

Mycour
ser
epst
art
edwal
ki
ng

t
owar
dsme,
immedi
atel
yshe

wasdonedi
str
ibut
ingt
he

scr
ipt
.It
ri
ednott
ofeel

ner
vous,
becauseshemi
ght

notact
ual
l
ybecomi
ngt
omeet

me.shegott
omeandsatnext

t
ome.Iwasv
eryner
vousbut

t
ri
ednott
oshowi
t.

“
Chr
ist
ianhowdi
dyoudoi
t?”
sheaskedi
mmedi
atel
y.

“
dowhat
”Iaskedconf
used.

shebr
oughtoutascr
iptand

showedt
ome.

“
whi
l
eev
ery
onewasscor
ing

l
esst
han10,
youscor
ed23.

Howdi
dyoudoi
t”sheasked

Il
ookedatt
hescr
ipti
nher

handandr
eal
i
zedi
twas

act
ual
l
ymyscr
iptandIscor
ed

23j
ustl
i
keshesai
d.butIst
il
l

di
dn’
tknowwhyshedi
dnot

gi
vememyscr
iptwhenshe

wasshar
ingi
tandhadt
o

br
ingi
ttomeper
sonal
l
y.

“
youar
ereal
l
ybr
il
li
ant
”she

cont
inuedwhenIdi
dn’
t

r
espond

“
Any
way
,Ij
ustwantt
otel
l

y
out
haty
ouj
ustof
fi
cial
l
y

madey
our
sel
fmypr
ivat
e

t
utor
.youwi
l
lbet
utor
ingme

st
art
ingf
rom nextweek.
”

Myey
eswi
denedi
nshock

whenshesai
dthat
.Met
hat
cannotev
ent
alkt
oal
adyf
ora

mi
nut
ewi
l
lnowsi
tdownf
or

cl
oset
oanhourt
otut
orher
.

shebet
terr
ethi
nkwasshej
ust

sai
d.whatki
ndofdi
ff
icul
t

posi
ti
ondi
dshewantt
oput

mei
n.Ibet
terl
ookf
oraway

t
odecl
i
ne.

“
sohowwi
l
litbecomf
ort
abl
e

f
ory
ou?wi
l
lIbecomi
ngt
o

y
ourpl
acef
ort
het
utor
ial
,or

y
ouwi
l
lbecomi
ngt
omy

pl
ace?
”sheasked.

Noneoft
heopt
ionsseem

comf
ort
abl
eforme,
Iwant
ed

t
osayt
hatbutdar
enotsayi
t.

“
any
howy
ouwanti
t”I

answer
edagai
nstmydeci
sion.

“
Okay
,wewi
l
lbeusi
ngbot
h

mypl
aceandy
our
sfort
he

t
utor
ial
.Thatwoul
dbef
air
er

r
ight
?”sheasked

“
yes”Ianswer
ed

JustwhenIwasst
il
ldeal
i
ng

wi
tht
hel
adybesi
deme,
Joy
cameandj
oinedus.shesatat

myot
hersi
de,
maki
ngi
ttwo

l
adi
essi
tt
ingbesi
deme.I

hav
en’
tbeenmy
sel
fsi
tt
ing

besi
demycour
ser
ep,
andJoy

hadal
soj
oinedus,
maki
ngmy

bl
oodpr
essur
etor
ise.

“
hiShar
on”Joygr
eet
edour

cour
ser
ep

“
hiJoy
”Shar
onr
epl
i
ed

“
Chr
ist
ianhowi
syourbody

now?
”Joyaskedme

“
fi
ne”Ianswer
edbr
ief
ly

Shesawmyscr
iptwi
thShar
on

andcol
l
ect
edi
t.shest
aredati
t

“
23!
”sheexcl
aimed

“
Chr
ist
iany
ouscor
ed23”

Al
ley
esi
ncl
asst
urnedt
oour

di
rect
ioni
mmedi
atel
ythey

hear
dmyscor
e.If
elt

embar
rassedatt
henumberof

ey
esst
ari
ngatme.
.

Al
ley
esi
ncl
asst
urned

t
omydi
rect
ion

i
mmedi
atel
ytheyhear
d
myscor
e.If
elt

embar
rassedatt
henumberof

ey
esst
ari
ngatme.Al
lofa

sudden,
acr
owdhadf
ormed

r
oundus.Myt
estscr
iptkept

goi
ngf
rom onehandt
othe

ot
her
.Thenumberof

quest
ionst
hatIwasaskedgot

mef
rust
rat
ed.Ionl
ytr
iedt
o

f
orceasmi
l
etoconceal
my

f
rust
rat
ion.Iwasr
eli
eved

whenal
ect
urerwal
kedi
nto

t
hecl
ass.Ev
ery
onewentback

t
othei
rdi
ff
erentseat
.The

l
ect
urerwentst
rai
ghtt
othe

busi
nessoft
hedaywi
thout

pr
eambl
e.Hewasqui
teast
ri
ct

l
ect
urer
.Hi
scl
asswasnot

i
nter
act
iveatal
l
.Heaskedno

quest
ionanddi
dn’
tent
ert
ain

anyquest
ion.Iseemedt
oli
ke

hi
smet
hodoft
eachi
ng

becausei
twoul
dsav
emet
he

st
ressofanswer
ingquest
ion

i
ncl
ass.
Isneakedoutoft
hecl
assj
ust

f
ewmi
nut
est
otheendoft
he

l
ect
uret
oav
oidanyquest
ion

f
rom mycour
semat
es.Il
eftt
he

f
acul
tybui
l
dingandwasabout

goi
nghome.Ihear
dsomeone

scr
eami
ngmynamej
ustwhen

Iwasaboutgoi
ngoutf
rom t
he

school
gat
e.It
urnedt
oseemy

cour
semat
e,Must
ackr
unni
ng

t
owar
dsme.Must
ackwast
he

sameguyIwal
kedi
ntot
he

cl
asswi
tht
oday
.Hewas

gaspi
ngf
orai
rwhenhegott
o

me.

“
guyhowf
ar”Isai
dtohi
m

“
guyy
oubef
lash?
”heasked

“
ithasn’
tbeenupt
oami
nut
e

Isawy
oul
eav
ingt
hecl
assand

y
ouar
eal
readyatt
heschool

gat
e.whydi
dn’
tyouwai
tunt
il

l
ect
urewasov
erbef
orel
eav
ing

t
hecl
ass?
”heasked

“
thel
ect
urerwasal
ready

r
oundi
ngupwhenIl
eft
”I
answer
ed

“
sowher
ear
eyouheadi
ng?
”

heasked

“
home”Ianswer
ed

“
youar
egoi
nghome.hav
eyou

f
orgot
tent
odayi
sFr
iday
?”he

asked

Hi
squest
ionmademe

conf
used.Inev
err
emember
ed

pl
anni
ngt
odoany
thi
ngwi
th

hi
m onFr
iday
.

“
what
’shappeni
ngonFr
iday
?”

Iasked

“
arey
ouaski
ngmel
i
key
ou

don’
tknow”hesai
d.

“
don’
tyouknowt
hatwear
e

supposedt
obeoutt
her
e

hav
ingf
unonaFr
iday
”

Thi
sguydi
dn’
tknowt
heki
nd

ofper
sonIam,
becausei
fhe

knew,
hewoul
dn’
tbet
alki
ng

aboutgoi
ngoutt
ohav
efun.

“
ther
eist
hispar
ti
cul
arbar

v
erycl
oset
oschool
,i
t’
s
al
way
sli
vel
yonFr
iday
s.Let
’s

got
her
esot
hatIcanbuyy
ou

adr
ink”

Onanor
mal
day
,Iwoul
dhav
e

decl
i
nedhi
sof
fer
,becauseI

don’
tli
kebei
ngi
nsuchpl
aces.

I
’
m nev
ercomf
ort
abl
ebei
ngi
n

suchpl
aces,
butt
hismi
ghtbe

myoppor
tuni
tyofmaki
ng

f
ri
endswi
thhi
m.Ihav
e

al
way
sbeenal
onersi
nceI

gai
nedadmi
ssi
oni
ntot
he

uni
ver
sit
y.soIwoul
dnot

r
ejecthi
sof
fer
.

“
Arey
ousur
ethatt
hepl
ace

wi
l
lbel
i
vel
yjustl
i
key
ou

sai
d?”i
askedt
ryi
ngt
oshow

i
nter
esti
nhi
sof
fer

“
youj
usthav
etoseet
hepl
ace.

i
tisal
way
sfl
ockedwi
th

l
adi
es”her
epl
i
ed

Myhear
tmi
ssedabeatatt
he

ment
ionofl
adi
esbutIt
ri
edt
o

l
ookcal
m.

“
Wow!t
hatwoul
dbegr
eat
t
hen”Isai
dmaski
ngmy

ner
vousnesswi
thasmi
l
e

“
thenl
et’
sst
artgoi
ngt
her
e

al
ready
”hesai
dsmi
l
ingal
so

“
alr
ightbr
o”Ir
esponded

Weheadedst
rai
ghtt
othebar

andj
ustl
i
kehesai
d,t
hepl
ace

wasv
eryl
i
vel
y.t
henumberof

l
adi
esIsawwhenwewal
ked

i
nincr
easedmyhear
tbeat
.we

l
ocat
edanempt
yseatatt
he

f
rontandsatdown.Must
ack

beckonedt
hebar
manandhe

appr
oachedusi
mmedi
atel
y.

“
whatwi
l
lyoul
i
ket
ohav
e?”

t
hebar
manaskedMust
ack

“
giv
emeGol
dber
g”Must
ack

answer
ed

“
whatwi
l
lyoul
i
ket
odr
ink?
”

Must
ackaskedme

“
any
thi
ng”Ianswer
ed

Hel
ookedatmei
ndi
sgust

“
isany
thi
nganameofdr
ink?
”

heasked

“
whyar
eyoubehav
ingl
i
kea
shyl
adywhowentonadat
e

f
ort
hef
ir
stt
imewi
thher

cr
ush”hesai
dtome.

Hi
swor
dshi
tav
ital
par
tin

mybody
.Hej
ustr
efer
redt
o

measashyl
ady
.Ev
enwhenI

t
ri
edasmuchaspossi
blenot

t
oshowmyner
vousness,
he

st
il
lnot
icedi
t.

Icoul
donl
yfor
ceasmi
l
e.

“
okaygi
vemeGol
dber
g”I

answer
ed.

Thebar
manl
efti
mmedi
atel
y

t
ogetourdr
inkswhi
l
e

Must
ackandIengagedi
na

conv
ersat
ion.

Af
terf
ewmi
nut
es,
Isaw

Must
ackl
ooki
ngatapar
ti
cul
ar

di
rect
ion.If
oll
owedt
he

di
rect
ionhewasl
ooki
ngatt
o

r
eal
i
zehewasact
ual
l
ylooki
ng

atapar
ti
cul
arl
adyatt
hef
ar-

r
ight
.

“
thatl
adyi
sver
ybeaut
if
ul”he

sai
dtome
“
yeah”Ir
esponded

uni
nter
est
ed

“
Iwon’
tfor
giv
emy
sel
fifI

don’
tgethernumber
”hesai
d

“
doy
ouknowher
?”Iasked

“
mustIknowhert
ogether

number
”heanswer
ed

Must
ackst
oodupandwas

wal
ki
ngt
owar
dst
hel
ady

“
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”Iasked

“
togethernumberofcour
se”

heanswer
ed

Iwat
chedasMust
ack

appr
oachedt
hel
adyandsat

besi
deher
.justaf
terf
ew

mi
nut
esoft
aki
ngt
oher
,I

coul
dseet
hel
adyl
aughi
ngout

l
oud.whatcoul
dhehav
esai
d

t
ohert
hatwasmaki
ngher

l
augh?Isuddenl
ywi
shedIwas

l
i
keMust
ack,
butno,
I’
m

Chr
ist
ian,
theshyguy
.When

wi
l
lIev
ermakeal
adyl
augh

j
ustt
hewayMust
ackdi
dto

t
hatl
ady
?
Al
lofasudden,
Must
ackand

t
hel
adyst
oodupandwas

wal
ki
ngt
owar
dsme.Icoul
d

hearmyhear
tpoundi
ngi
nmy

chestasIwonder
edwhatt
hey

mi
ghtbecomi
ngf
or.
.

Al
lofasudden,
Must
ack

andt
hel
adyst
oodup

andwaswal
ki
ng

t
owar
dsme.Myhear
t

keptpoundi
ngf
astasI

wonder
edwhatt
heymi
ghtbe

comi
ngf
or.Theygott
ome

andsatdownont
heav
ail
abl
e

seatbesi
deme.

“
Chr
ist
iant
hisi
sKat
e.she’
s

al
soast
udentofourschool
.

she’
sami
cro-
biol
ogyst
udent
”

Must
acki
ntr
oducedhert
ome

i
mmedi
atel
ytheyset
tl
eddown.

“
Kat
ethi
sisChr
ist
ian,
my

cour
semat
e”hecont
inued

“
hiChr
ist
ian”Kat
esai
d,

st
ret
chi
ngherhandt
omef
or

ahandshake,
wit
hsmi
l
eson
herf
ace.

“
hiKat
e”Ishookhandswi
th

her
,maki
ngsur
ethatt
he

smi
l
eonmyf
acewasv
isi
ble.

Must
ackandKat
econt
inued

t
hei
rconv
ersat
ionf
rom wher
e

t
heyst
opped,
leav
ingmeout

ofi
t.Hemusthav
ebr
ought

hert
oourt
abl
esot
hati
t

woul
dnotl
ookl
i
kehehad

f
orgot
tenaboutme.It
hanked

Godt
hatt
heydi
dn’
tinv
olv
e

mei
nthei
rconv
ersat
ion,

becauset
hel
adybesi
deme

woul
dhav
enot
icedt
hatIwas

shyf
rom t
hewayIwoul
d

speak.Ionl
ysatdownqui
etl
y,

l
i
steni
ngt
othei
rconv
ersat
ion,

t
ryi
ngt
oseei
fIcoul
dpi
ck

oneort
wol
i
nesf
rom what

Must
ackwassay
ing.sot
hatI

coul
dusei
tonal
adywhen

I
’
mindi
ff
icul
tposi
ti
on.It
ri
ed

t
otakenot
eoft
het
hingst
hat

madeherl
aughedoutl
oud.
Al
lofasudden,
Must
ackphone

st
art
edr
ingi
ng.hebr
oughtout

hi
sphoneandst
aredi
ntot
he

scr
een.

“
I’
m sor
ry,
giv
emeami
nut
e”

hesai
dtoKat
e.

“
okay
”Kat
eresponded

Hest
oodupandwal
kedoutof

t
hebar
,leav
ingmeal
onewi
th

Kat
e.myhear
tst
art
ed

poundi
ngf
asti
mmedi
atel
y

Must
ackl
eft
.

Whymusthi
sphoner
ing

now.Ibl
amedt
hecal
l
erwho

choset
ocal
lhi
m att
hewr
ong

t
ime.

IknewIwassupposedt
o

engageKat
einaconv
ersat
ion

unt
ilMust
ackr
etur
ns,
buthow

wasIsupposedt
odot
hat
?

howwi
l
lIst
art
?whatwi
l
lI

say
?mymi
ndwasev
enbl
ank

asIsatal
onewi
thher
.

Whi
l
eIwasst
il
ltr
yingt
o

comeupwi
thhowIwoul
d
st
artaconv
ersat
ionwi
thher
,

shet
ookherphonef
rom her

bagandbusi
edher
sel
fwi
thi
t.

Iheav
edasi
ghofr
eli
efand

t
hankGodf
orbr
ingi
ngmeout

ofmypr
edi
cament
.Atl
east

herphonewoul
dkeepher

busyunt
ilMust
ackr
etur
ns.I

pr
ayedsi
l
ent
lyt
hatsheshoul
d

notst
opwhat
evershewas

doi
ngwi
thherphone.

Al
lofasudden,
shedr
opped

herphonei
nherbagand

f
acedme.whatIpr
ayedf
or

nott
ohappenwasf
inal
l
y

bef
oreme.

It
ookadeepbr
eat
h,t
ryi
ngt
o

summonal
lthecour
ageI

coul
d.It
ri
edmybestnott
o

showt
hatIwasner
vous,

becausei
twoul
dbemor
e

embar
rassi
ngi
fsher
eal
i
zes

I
’
m ashyguy
.

“
soy
ouar
eaneconomi
cs
st
udent
?”sheasked

“
yes”Ir
esponded

“
thatmeansy
ouwi
l
lbev
ery

st
ingy
”shesai
d

Iwant
edt
ocor
rectt
he

st
atementshej
ustmade.I

want
edt
otel
lhert
hat

economi
star
enotst
ingy
.We

onl
ytr
ytoputourr
esour
ces

t
othebestuse.weonl
ytr
yto

beeconomi
cal
.Iwant
edt
otel
l

hert
hatweonl
ytr
yto

maxi
misesat
isf
act
ionf
rom

ourl
i
mit
edr
esour
ces,
butal
lI

coul
dsayt
oherwas“
that
’s

nott
rueo”

“
what
’snott
rue?
”sheasked

“
arey
ousay
ingt
haty
ouar
e

notst
ingy
?”

“
no,
i’
m not
”Idef
ended

my
sel
f

“
wewoul
dseeaboutt
hat
”she

sai
d

Ir
eal
l
ydi
dn’
tknowwhatshe

meantby‘
wewoul
dseeabout
t
hat
’,
butIwasnotgoi
ngt
o

st
artt
hinki
ngabouti
t,because

myheadwasf
ull
alr
eady
.

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

“
I’
m ami
cro-
biol
ogyst
udent
.

y
ouknowmyf
acul
tyr
ight
?”

sheasked

“
notr
eal
l
y”Ianswer
ed

“
it
’sv
erycl
oset
othef
acul
ty

ofengi
neer
ing.j
ustopposi
te

Gt
bank”shesai
d

“
wow!i
t’
sev
encl
oset
omy

f
acul
ty.t
hatmeanswewoul
d

beseei
ngeachot
herof
ten”I

sai
d

Il
i
kedt
hewayour

conv
ersat
ionwasgoi
ng.Iwas

notner
vous.may
bebecause

shewasdoi
ngmostoft
he

t
alki
ng.

“
sur
e”sher
esponded

j
usti
mmedi
atel
y,Must
ack

camebackandsatont
heseat

hewaspr
evi
ousl
yoccupy
ing.I

heav
edasi
ghofr
eli
efwhenI
sawhi
m.at
leastIwasabl
eto

engageKat
einaconv
ersat
ion

unt
ilher
etur
ned.

“
IhopeIdi
dn’
tkeepy
ou

wai
ti
ng”hesai
dtoKat
e

“
notatal
l
.Chr
ist
ianhadmade

sur
ethatIdi
dn’
tgetbor
ed”

shesai
d

Myf
acecur
vedi
nasmi
l
e

whenIhear
dthat
,andIgav
e

my
sel
fat
humbupf
ordoi
nga

ni
cej
ob.

“
good.Il
i
ket
hat
”Must
acksai
d

“
wewi
l
lst
artl
eav
ingnow.I

hav
esomet
hingt
odoat

home”hesai
dtoKat
e

“
okay
,nopr
obl
em”Kat
e

r
esponded

Must
ackst
oodupandIst
ood

upi
mmedi
atel
ywi
thhi
m

“
okayKat
e,seey
oul
ateri
n

school
”Isai
d

“
seey
out
oo”sher
esponded

“
letmehav
eyournumber
”

Anot
herl
adyaski
ngf
ormy
number
.Idon’
tli
kegi
vi
ngmy

numbert
oladi
es,
becauseI

usual
l
ydon’
thav
eany
thi
ngt
o

saywhent
heycal
l
ed.shegav
e

meherphoneandIt
ypedmy

number
.igav
eherbackher

phonewhenIwasdone.

wel
eftt
her
est
uar
ant

i
mmedi
atel
y.
.

ToBeCont
inued

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#Epi
sode3

Onourwayhome,

Must
acki
nsi
stedon

knowi
ngmypl
acesi
nce

wewer
eheadi
ngt
he

sameway
.It
ookhi
mtomy

pl
ace.Ist
ayi
nar
oom sel
f

cont
ainv
erycl
oset
othe

school
.Icoul
dseeMust
ack

admi
ri
ngt
hei
nter
iordesi
gnof

myr
oom whenweent
eredt
he
r
oom.

“
nicepl
acey
ouhav
eher
e”he

sai
d.

“
thanks”

Hef
ixedhi
sgazeont
het
wo

pl
ast
icchai
rbesi
det
hebed.

“
wet
inchai
rdeydof
ory
our

r
oom?
”heasked

Hi
squest
iongotmeconf
used.

Iwant
edt
oaskhi
mifhe

di
dn’
tknowwhatt
heyar
e

madef
or.Li
keser
iousl
y,he

shoul
dknowt
hati
t’
sther
efor

myv
isi
tor
stosi
ton.

“
it
’st
her
eformyv
isi
tor
s

conv
eni
ence”Ianswer
ed.

heshookhi
sheadl
i
keIj
ust

sai
dsomet
hingunbel
i
evabl
e.

“
soi
fal
adyv
isi
tyou,
youwi
l
l

askhert
osi
tont
hatchai
r”he

sai
d

“
yesofcour
se”Ianswer
ed

“
nowIknowy
ouar
est
il
la

nov
icei
nthi
sgame.don’
tyou

knowt
hati
twoul
dbedi
ff
icul
t
f
ort
hingst
ohappenwhen

she’
ssi
tt
ingonachai
r.but

whenshei
ssi
tt
ingj
ustbesi
de

y
ouony
ourbed,
youwon’
t

ev
enhav
etost
ressy
our
sel
f.

t
hecl
osenessbet
weeny
ou

bot
hwoul
dst
irupt
hings.
”

Al
lwhatMust
acksai
ddi
dn’
t

makeanymeani
ngt
ome.Al
lI

knewwast
hatt
hosechai
rs

wer
esupposedt
obef
ormy

v
isi
tor
sconv
eni
ence.

“
soar
eyousay
ingt
haty
ou

don’
thav
eanychai
riny
our

r
oom”Isai
d

“
whatdoIneedachai
rfor

whent
her
e’sabedt
osi
ton”

heanswer
ed

Ist
il
ldi
dn’
tunder
standwhat

hewassay
ing,
becauseI

bel
i
evedt
hosechai
rswer
efor

myv
isi
tor
sconv
eni
ence.

“
okay
,si
nceIhav
eknown

wher
eyoust
aynow,
letme

st
artl
eav
ingbef
orei
tgetdar
k.
Ist
il
lhav
esomet
hingt
odoat

home”hesai
d

“
okaybr
o,nopr
obl
em”I

r
esponded.

Ishookhandwi
thhi
m andhe

l
eft
.Il
ayonmybedt
ryi
ngt
o

seei
fIcoul
dgi
veanymeani
ng

t
owhatMust
acksai
d.

Thev
ibr
ati
onofmyphone

di
str
act
edme.It
ookt
hephone

andst
aredi
ntot
hescr
een.my

hear
tmi
ssedabeatwhenI

sawanunknownnumber
.I

st
il
lcoul
dn’
texpl
ainwhyI

al
way
shav
ethi
sfearwhenI

seeani
ncomi
ngcal
lfr
om an

unknowncal
l
er.Icoul
donl
y

t
hinkofoneper
sonast
he

cal
l
er,
andt
hat
’sKat
e.why

woul
dshebecal
l
ingmenow.

i
t’
shasn’
tbeenupt
oanhour

wel
eftt
hebarandshewas

al
readycal
l
ing.sheshoul
d

hav
eal
l
owedmet
orestf
ir
st.

Iqui
ckl
yrehear
sedaf
ew
wor
dsIwoul
dsayt
oher
.

“
hel
l
oKat
e”Isai
dimmedi
atel
y

Ipi
ckedt
hecal
l
.

“
hiChr
ist
ian,
thi
sisnotKat
e,

t
hisi
sShar
on”

Myhear
tmi
ssedabeatatt
he

ment
ionofShar
on.

“
Shar
on”Imumbl
ed

Howdi
dshegetmynumber
.I

di
dn’
tremembergi
vi
ngher

mynumber
.Thi
swast
hepar
t

Ihat
edt
hemost
.Ihat
edbei
ng

caughtunawar
e.whenIhad

al
readyr
ehear
sedwhatt
osay

t
oKat
e,t
hinki
ngshewast
he

cal
l
er,
itnowhappenedt
obe

Shar
on.Whatwoul
dIsayt
o

her
.

“
howar
eyou?
”sheasked

”hel
l
o……….hel
l
o……….hel
l
o

Ican’
theary
oucl
ear
ly.t
he

l
i
nei
sbr
eaki
ng”Isai
d,maki
ng

i
tlookl
i
keIcoul
dn’
thear

whatshewassay
ing.
“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian,
cany
ouhear

menow?
”sheasked.

“
hel
l
o………….hel
l
o………………

hel
l
oIcan’
theary
ou”Isai
d

andendedt
hecal
lbef
oreshe

coul
dspeakf
urt
her
.

Bef
oreIpi
ckal
ady
’scal
l
,I

al
way
smadesur
ethatI

al
readyhav
epr
epar
edspeech

i
nor
dert
oreducemy

ner
vousness.Idi
dn’
trehear
se

anywor
dtosayt
oShar
on

becauseIwasn’
texpect
ingher

t
obet
hecal
l
er.Iqui
ckl
y

r
ehear
sedwhatIwoul
dsay

whenshecal
l
sback.myphone

st
art
edr
ingi
ngal
most

i
mmedi
atel
y.It
ookadeep

br
eat
handpi
ckt
hecal
l
.

“
hel
l
o”Isai
dcal
mly

“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian,
cany
ouhear

menow?t
hisi
sShar
on”

“
Shar
on,
howar
eyou?
”Iasked

“
I’
mfi
ne.y
ouj
ustl
eftt
hecl
ass

l
i
ket
hat
.youdi
dn’
tev
enal
l
ow
ust
oconcl
udeourdi
scussi
on

bef
orel
eav
ing”shesai
d

“
I’
m sor
ryShar
on.Ir
ecei
ved

ani
mpor
tantcal
lwhi
l
ein

cl
ass.Ij
usthadt
oleav
ebef
ore

cl
assended”Isai
d

“
okay
,Ij
ustwhatt
oremi
nd

y
ouofourt
utor
ial
on

Monday
”shesai
d

“
I’
m awar
e”Isai
d

“
okay
,Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
oul
ater
”

shesai
d

“
howdi
dyougetmynumber
?”

Iasked

Ineededt
oknowhowshegot

mynumber
,becauseIdi
dn’
t

r
emembergi
vi
nghermy

number
.

“
Igoti
tfr
om j
oy”she

r
esponded

“
okay
,Isee”Isai
d

“
tal
ktoy
oul
atert
hen”

“
okay
”sher
esponded

Iendedt
hecal
landheav
eda

si
ghofr
eli
ef.
st
ayedi
ndooral
lthr
ough

t
heweekendr
evi
singal
l

wehadl
ear
ntf
ort
hat

week.Ikeptget
ti
ng

ner
vousast
henewweekdr
ew

cl
oser
.may
bebecausei
twas

t
heweekIwoul
dst
artt
he

t
utor
ial
wit
hShar
on.Ihad

t
ri
edt
oassur
emy
sel
fthatal
l

woul
dbef
ine,
buti
tdi
dn’
tdo

muchbecauseIkeptget
ti
ng

ner
vous.howwi
l
lIsi
tal
one

wi
thheri
nar
oom andshe

woul
dn’
tnot
iceI
’
m ashyguy
.

Ipr
ayIdon’
tembar
rass

my
sel
fwhenI
’
m wi
thher
.

ThenewweekcameandIgot

pr
epar
edf
ormyf
ir
stl
ect
ure

f
ort
hatweek.It
ookt
he

campusshut
tl
ethatwoul
dtake

medi
rect
lyt
othebui
l
dingI

washav
ingmyl
ect
ure.Idi
dn’
t

r
eal
i
zeIwasi
nthesamebus

wi
thmycour
semat
e,Sy
lvi
a,

unt
ilshespoket
oal
ady
besi
deher
.Imadesur
eshe

di
dn’
tnot
iceIwasi
nthesame

buswi
thher
.Iqui
ckl
y

br
oughtoutmoneyf
rom my

wal
l
etandpai
dfort
hebot
hof

uswi
thoutl
ett
ingherknow.I

t
oldt
hedr
ivernott
ocol
l
ect

moneyf
rom herwhenshe

t
ri
est
opay
.Ibel
i
evedi
twas

t
her
ightt
hingf
ormet
odo.

whenwegott
oour

dest
inat
ion,
shet
ri
edt
opay

butt
hedr
ivert
oldhert
hat

someonehadal
readypai
dfor

her
.sheaskedwhowast
he

per
sonandt
hedr
iverpoi
nted

atme.t
hatwaswhenshe

r
eal
i
zedIwasi
nthesamebus

wi
thher
.sheappr
oachedme

andgl
aredatme.t
hesmi
l
eI

wast
ryi
ngt
okeeponmyf
ace

di
sappear
edi
mmedi
atel
y.I

wast
hinki
ngshewascomi
ng

t
othankme,
butt
hegl
areshe

j
ustshotmemademe
ner
vous.shebr
oughtoutsome

moneyf
rom herpur
seand

f
orcei
tint
omyhand.

“
nextt
imedon’
ttr
ytopayf
or

mewi
thoutmynot
ice.Idi
dn’
t

askf
ory
ourhel
p”shesai
dto

mei
nanot
eofwar
ning.

Sheshotmeonel
astgl
ance

andwal
kedoutonme.Ist
ood

att
hatpar
ti
cul
arspotl
i
kea

st
atue,
star
ingatt
hedi
rect
ion

shet
ook.It
ri
edt
oremember

i
fIhadsai
dordoneany
thi
ng

wr
ongt
oherbef
oref
orhert
o

di
rectsuchangert
ome,
butI

coul
dn’
tseem t
oremember

any
thi
ng.t
hiswast
oomuch

f
ormet
obear
.Ihav
enev
er

beent
hisembar
rassedal
lmy

l
i
fe.Iwi
shedInev
erpai
dfor

her
.Iwi
shedIhadknownt
his

woul
dhappen,
Iwoul
dhav
e

av
oidedi
t.myl
egsuddenl
y

becamet
ooheav
yformet
o

l
i
ft.Imanagedt
opl
odaheadt
o
wher
emyf
ir
stl
ect
urewas

hol
ding.

Al
lthr
ought
hel
ect
ure,
Idi
dn’
t

concent
rat
e.Ikeptt
ryi
ngt
o

f
igur
eoutwhatIcoul
dhav
e

donet
othatl
adyt
hatmade

herbehav
ethatwayt
owar
ds

me.coul
ditbet
hatsomeone

mi
ghthav
esai
dsomet
hingbad

aboutmet
oher
.al
lmyef
for
t

t
ofi
gur
eoutwhatIcoul
dhav
e

donewasf
rui
tl
ess,
becauseI

coul
dn’
tseem t
oremember

any
thi
ng.

Ist
olegl
ancesatherf
rom t
ime

t
oti
met
oseei
fshewas

l
ooki
ngatmydi
rect
ion,
butal
l

herat
tent
ionseemedt
obe

f
ocusedonwhatt
hel
ect
urer

i
ncl
asswassay
ing.

Af
terl
ect
ure,
Iwentt
othe

school
rest
uar
antt
ohav
e

l
unch.j
ustwhenIwasatt
he

count
erpl
aci
ngmyor
der
,Kat
e
wal
kedi
ntot
her
est
uar
ant

wi
tht
woofherf
ri
ends.I

bel
i
evedt
heyhadcomet
her
e

t
ohav
elunchal
so.It
ri
edas

muchaspossi
blet
ohi
de

behi
ndt
heguyst
andi
ngatt
he

count
erwi
thme,
butmyef
for
t

wasf
rui
tl
essbecauseshesaw

mei
mmedi
atel
ysheent
ered

t
her
est
uar
ant
.shewal
ked

t
owar
dsmewi
thherf
ri
ends

r
ightbesi
deher
.

“
hi”Isai
dimmedi
atel
ythey

gott
ome.

“
wowChr
ist
ian!wemeet

agai
n”shesai
d

“
yeah”Ir
esponded.

“
youcameher
etohav
elunch

r
ight
”shesai
d

“
notr
eal
l
y.I
’
m nothav
ingmy

l
unchher
e.I
’
m buy
ingi
na

t
akeawaypack”Ir
esponded.

Ii
nit
ial
l
ywant
edt
ohav
emy

l
unchi
nther
est
uar
ant
,but

seei
ngKat
eandherf
ri
ends
mademechangedmymi
nd,

knowi
ngf
ull
ywel
lthatIwoul
d

hav
etobeont
hesamet
abl
e

met
hem.Thatwoul
dbe

deadl
yforme.Imi
ghtj
ust

col
l
apseunknowi
ngl
y.

“
okay
,buty
ouar
epay
ingf
or

myl
unch.
”Kat
esai
d

“
nopr
obl
em,
youcanor
der

f
orany
thi
ngy
ouwant
”I

r
esponded

“
arey
ounotbuy
ingf
orus

al
so?
”oneofherf
ri
endasked.

“
youcanor
derf
orany
hing

y
ouwantal
so”i
sai
dtoher

“
thanks”t
hel
adyr
esponded

“
youar
ewel
come”Isai
d

Iwai
tedf
ort
hem t
oor
derf
or

what
evert
heywant
edsot
hatI

coul
dfoott
hebi
l
l.

JustwhenIwasaboutpay
ing

f
ort
hei
rmeal
,theot
herl
ady

besi
deKat
edi
str
act
edme.

“
sor
ry,
Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
nd

pay
ingf
ort
heoneI
’
mtaki
ng
away
”shesai
d

Mymoodsuddenl
ychanged

whenshemadet
hatst
atement
.

It
ri
ednott
oshowt
hel
ookof

di
sappoi
ntmentonmyf
ace.

soi
fIpayf
ory
ourmeal
her
e,

Iwoul
dst
il
lpayf
ort
heone

y
ouwi
l
ltakeaway
.am Iy
our

f
ather
?

ThatwaswhatIwant
edt
osay

butdar
enotsayi
t.

“
youcanhav
eany
thi
ngy
ou

want
”Isai
dagai
nstmy

deci
sion.

Iwat
chedwi
tht
ear
yey
esas

t
heyal
lpl
acet
hei
ror
der
.the

amountoff
oodt
heyor
der
ed

mademewonderi
fthey

want
edt
ofeedt
hei
rfami
l
ies

wi
thi
t.i
twascer
tai
nthatI

woul
dtr
ekbackhome,

becauseIwassur
ether
ewon’
t

beanymoneyl
eftwi
thme

whent
heyar
edonewi
tht
hei
r

or
der
..
Il
eftt
her
est
uar
antwi
th

j
usthundr
ednai
ra.what

t
hosel
adi
esdi
dtome

showedt
hatt
heyhav
eno

consci
ence.Theydi
dn’
t

consi
dert
hef
actt
hatI
’
ma

st
udent
.Ist
il
lthankedGod

t
hatt
hehundr
ednai
ral
eft

wi
thmewoul
dbeenoughf
or

met
otakeabusbackhome.

Af
terl
ect
uref
ort
hatday
,

Shar
onr
emi
ndedmeofour

t
utor
ial
andIassur
edhert
hat

i
twoul
dhol
d.shesai
dshe

woul
dbecomi
ngt
omypl
ace

by6pm.Il
eftt
heschool

i
mmedi
atel
ytopr
epar
emy
sel
f

bef
oreshecomes.Imadesur
e

t
hatev
ery
thi
ngi
nmyr
oom

wer
ewel
lar
ranged.Ipl
aced

t
het
wopl
ast
icchai
rsi
naspot

wher
eitwoul
dbecomf
ort
abl
e

f
orher
,becauseIdon’
tthi
nk

hav
ingi
tcl
oset
omybed

woul
dbecomf
ort
abl
eforher
.
Justexact
ly5:
45pm,
myphone

st
art
edr
ingi
ng.Ipi
ckedt
he

cal
lwhenIr
eal
i
zedShar
on

wast
hecal
l
er.

“
hel
l
oShar
on”i
sai
d

“
hiChr
ist
ian.I
’
m onmyway

now”

“
okay
,I’
m wai
ti
ng”I

r
esponded

“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
eint
en

mi
nut
es”shesai
d

“
okay
”ir
esponded

Iendedt
hecal
l
landt
ooka

deepbr
eat
h.Iassur
edmy
sel
f

t
hatal
lwoul
dbewel
l
.Ihad

pr
epar
edf
ort
hisal
readysoI

hadnot
hingt
obescar
edof
.

15mi
nut
esl
ater
,Ihear
da

knockonmydoorandIknew

shewast
heone.‘
Chr
ist
ian

y
oucandot
his’
.Isai
dto

my
sel
fasIwal
kedt
othedoor
.

Iopent
hedoorandf
rozeat

t
hebeaut
ybef
oreme.Ist
ared

atheropen-
mout
hed.Iknew
Shar
oni
sapr
ett
ylady
,but

di
dn’
tknowshei
sasgor
geous

ast
hel
adyst
andi
ngatmy

door
.itwasasi
fshecamet
o

i
nti
midat
emewi
thher

beaut
y.

“
wil
lyoul
etmei
norkeep

st
ari
ngatme”shesai
dwhenI

di
dn’
tsayawor
daf
ter

openi
ngt
hedoor
.

“
sor
ry”i
sai
dandqui
ckl
ygav
e

wayf
orhert
oent
er.Il
ocked

t
hedoori
mmedi
atel
yshe

ent
ered.Icoul
dseeher

admi
ri
ngt
hebeaut
yofmy

r
oom.

“
wow!y
ouhav
eani
cepl
ace”

shesai
d

“
thanks”Ir
esponded

“
pleasehav
easeat
”Isai
d

poi
nti
ngatt
hepl
ast
icchai
rin

myr
oom.

Shei
gnor
edt
hechai
rIwas

poi
nti
ngatandwentt
osi
ton

mybed.Ist
oodataspot
,
wonder
ingi
fIwassupposedt
o

si
tbesi
deheronmybedor

j
ustsi
tont
hepl
ast
icchai
r

i
nst
ead.

“
won’
tyoucomeandsi
tdown

l
et’
sst
artt
het
utor
ial
”shesai
d

whenIwoul
dn’
tmov
efr
om

t
hespotIwasst
andi
ng.

“
ohsor
ry”i
sai
dand

i
mmedi
atel
ywentt
osi
tont
he

bed.

Imadesur
ether
ewasa

r
easonabl
edi
stancebet
ween

us.shebr
oughtouther

not
ebookf
rom herhandbag

andmov
ecl
osert
ome.Her

cl
osenessmademe

uncomf
ort
abl
e.Isuddenl
y

becamener
vous.t
hiswaswhat

Iwast
ryi
ngt
oav
oid.I

woul
dn’
tbeabl
etot
utorheri
f

I
’
m ner
vous.shef
li
pped

t
hroughhernot
ebookand

showedmeapar
ti
cul
art
opi
c.
“
Iwantust
ost
artf
rom her
e.

t
hispar
ti
cul
art
opi
chadbeen

gi
vi
ngmeheadache.
”

Herf
acewasv
erycl
oset
o

mi
neasshespeaks.i
tri
ednot

t
olookather
.Iwasn’
tev
en

l
ooki
ngatwhatshewas

showi
ngme.Ij
ustf
ixedmy

gazeont
het
wopl
ast
icchai
rs

i
nmyr
oom.shenot
icedI

wasn’
tlooki
ngatwhatshewas

showi
ngme.

“
Chr
ist
ian,
arey
oupay
ing

at
tent
iont
owhatI
’
m say
ing”

sheasked

“
yes”Isai
d,di
rect
ingmygaze

t
othenot
ebookshewas

hol
ding.

“
sowher
eshoul
dwest
art

f
rom?
”Iasked

sheshowedmet
het
opi
cshe

want
edmet
oteachher
.

“
okayy
ouwantt
olear
nhow

t
ousei
mpl
i
citdi
ff
erent
iat
ion

t
ofi
ndt
hemar
ginal
rat
eof
t
echni
cal
subst
it
uti
on”Isai
d

“
yes,
butt
hat
’snotal
l
.you

st
il
lhav
eal
ott
oteachme,
but

l
et’
sst
artf
rom t
her
e”

“
okay
,wher
eisy
ourpen?
”I

asked

shegav
emeherpenand

mov
eev
encl
osert
ome,

maki
ngherheadt
orestonmy

shoul
der
.Myr
oom suddenl
y

becamet
oohotf
ormet
ost
ay.

Ahotsweatr
oll
edf
rom my

f
oreheaddownt
omyneck.my

hear
twaspoundi
ngf
ast
er.

“
canwest
art
”sheasked

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

“
mar
ginal
rat
eoft
echni
cal

subst
it
uti
oni
sal
soknownas

sl
opeofani
soquant
”Ipaused

“
okay
”Icont
inued

“
Ani
soquantdepi
ctst
he

di
ff
erentcombi
nat
ionofi
nput

KandLt
hatcanbeusedt
o

pr
oduceaspeci
fi
clev
elof

quant
it
yQ”Ipausedagai
n
“
okay
”Icont
inued

“
oneofsuch…….
”

“
Chr
ist
ian!
”shecuti
t

“
whydoy
oukeepsay
ingokay
,

okay
,okay
.Ial
readyknowal
l

whaty
ouar
etr
yingt
oexpl
ain.

Iwanty
out
omov
etot
he

cal
cul
ati
onpar
t.t
hat
’swher
e

I
’
m hav
ingpr
obl
em”

“
youseeShar
on”
Isai
dcal
mly

“
Ihav
en’
tbeenmy
sel
fsi
nceI

r
etur
nedf
rom school
today
.I

hav
ebeenhav
ingt
err
ibl
e

headache”

“
whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meal
lthi
s

whi
l
e?”sheasked

shepl
acedherhandonmy

f
orehead.

“
hav
eyout
aki
ngdr
ugs?
”she

asked

“
yes”Ir
esponded

“
youshoul
dhav
etol
dmeso

t
hatIwoul
dn’
thav
ecome.

y
ourheal
thi
simpor
tantand

y
ouneedt
otakegoodcar
eof
y
our
sel
f.may
beIwi
l
lleav
e

andcomebackt
omor
row”she

sai
d

Iheav
edasi
ghofr
eli
efwhen

shesai
dthat
.

“
okay
.I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry”I

apol
ogi
zed

“
youdon’
thav
etoapol
ogi
ze.

y
ourheal
thcomesf
ir
st”

“
thanksf
ory
our

under
standi
ng”Isai
d

“
okayseey
out
omor
row”she

sai
d

“
seey
out
oo”Ir
esponded

shest
oodup,
car
ryherbag

andl
eft
..

ToBeCont
inued

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#Epi
sode6

Igothomeexact
ly

10:
15pm.Il
ayonmybed,

andt
heev
entwhi
ch
happenedatSy
lvi
a’
s

housef
lashedt
hroughmy

mi
nd.Ist
il
lcoul
dn’
tbel
i
eve

t
hatIt
oldSy
lvi
amypr
obl
em.I

hav
enev
ert
oldany
onet
his

bef
ore.notev
enmyf
ami
l
y

member
s.HowcanIbeso

cour
ageoust
otel
lal
adyabout

i
t.Andt
hef
actt
hatIcr
iedi
n

herpr
esencest
il
lmar
vel
sme.

Idon’
tthi
nkIwasi
nther
ight

f
rameofmi
ndt
hen,
because

t
henor
mal
Chr
ist
ianwoul
dn’
t

hav
edoneal
lthat
.

Thev
ibr
ati
onofmyphone

br
oughtmebackt
oreal
i
ty.I

st
aredi
ntot
hescr
eenandsaw

t
hatt
hecal
lwasf
rom Sy
lvi
a.

t
hatwaswhenIr
eal
i
zedIwas

supposedt
ocal
lherwhenIgot

home.Ipi
ckedt
hecal
l

i
mmedi
atel
y.

“
hel
l
oSy
lvi
a”Isai
d

“
Chr
ist
ian,
hav
eyougot
ten

home?
”sheasked
“
yes,
Ijustgothome.Iwas

aboutt
ocal
lyoubef
orey
ou

cal
l
ed”Isai
d

“
okay
,makesur
eyour
est

y
ourbodyanddon’
tthi
nk

aboutany
thi
ng”shesai
d

“
okay
,thanksal
ot”I

r
esponded.

“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
atert
ocheck

ony
ou”shesai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded.

Iendedt
hecal
landl
ayonmy

bed.Isl
eptof
ffewmi
nut
es

l
ater
.

Thev
ibr
ati
onofmyphone

wokemeupf
ewhour
slat
er.I

st
ret
chedmyhandt
omydesk

t
ogetmyphone.Ipi
ckedup

t
hecal
lwhenIr
eal
i
zedi
twas

f
rom Sy
lvi
a.

“
hel
l
oSy
lvi
a”Isai
d,f
eel
i
ng

sl
eepy
.

“
Chr
ist
ian,
arey
oust
il
li
n

bed?ar
en’
tyousupposedt
obe

pr
epar
edf
orl
ect
uresbynow”
Il
ookedatt
hewal
lcl
ocki
nmy

r
oom andr
eal
i
zedi
twas

7:
15am.Iwashav
ingmyf
ir
st

l
ect
ureby8am.so,
ifSy
lvi
a

di
dn’
tcal
l
,Iwoul
dn’
thav
e

wokenup.

“
Ihav
etakenmybat
hal
ready
.

Iwi
l
lbei
nschool
int
henext

15mi
nut
es”Il
i
edt
oher
.

“
okaymakesur
eyougett
o

school
ont
ime”shesai
d

“
Iwi
l
l”Ir
esponded.

Iendedt
hecal
landqui
ckl
y

r
ushedt
omybat
hroom t
otake

mybat
h.

Igott
otheschool
exact
ly

8:
15am.Iheav
edasi
ghof

r
eli
efwhenIr
eal
i
zedt
he

l
ect
urerwasnoty
eti
ncl
ass.I

l
ocat
edanempt
yseatand

qui
ckl
ysatdown.t
hel
ect
urer

ent
eredt
hecl
assi
mmedi
atel
yI

set
tl
eddown.hewentst
rai
ght

t
othebusi
nessoft
heday
.

Af
terhi
slect
ure,
hegav
eus
anassi
gnmentwhi
chwewer
e

t
osubmi
tinhi
snextcl
ass.I

l
eftt
hecl
assi
mmedi
atel
yto

hav
ebr
eakf
ast
.Idi
dn’
thav
e

br
eakf
astbef
orel
eav
inghome.

onmywayt
other
est
uar
ant
,I

sawmycour
semat
es,
Grace

andAmandawal
ki
ngt
owar
ds

mef
rom adi
stance.Iwant
ed

t
ododgebutcoul
dn’
t,
because

t
heysawmef
ir
st.

“
hi”Isai
dwhent
heygott
o

me.

“
Chr
ist
ian,
thankGodImet

y
ouher
e.Ihav
ebeenl
ooki
ng

f
ory
ousi
ncet
hecl
assended.

wher
ear
eyouheadi
ng?
”Gr
ace

asked

“
Iam goi
ng…….
.”Ipaused

“
Iam goi
ng…….
.”Ipaused

agai
n.

Iwast
hinki
ngofwher
etot
ell

t
hem.Idon’
twantt
otel
lthem

t
hatIwasact
ual
l
ygoi
ngt
othe

r
est
uar
ant
.
“
I’
mjustt
aki
ngawal
k”I

f
inal
l
yresponded

“
itseemsy
ouar
elessbusy
.

pl
easeIwi
l
lneedy
out
o

expl
aint
heassi
gnmentt
hat

wasgi
vent
oust
oday
.i
tis

v
eryt
echni
cal
.Idon’
tev
en

knowwhi
chf
ormul
atoappl
y.
”

Gr
acesai
d.

“
let
’sl
ookf
oranempt
ycl
ass

wher
eyoucanexpl
aini
tto

us”Amandaadded.

Theydr
aggedmeal
ongwi
th

t
hem,
wit
houtwai
ti
ngf
ormy

r
esponse.t
heyl
ocat
edan

empt
ycl
ass,
andwesatdown

ononeoft
hel
ongchai
rsi
n

t
hecl
ass.t
heybr
oughtout

t
hei
rbooksandgav
emeapen

f
ormet
obegi
n.Ihel
dthepen

f
or2mi
nut
es,
try
ingt
othi
nk

oft
hebestwayt
ost
art
.

“
erm……”Ipaused

i
tseemedIwasget
ti
ng
ner
vousagai
n.whycan’
tIj
ust

cont
rol
thi
sthi
ngf
oronce.

“
Chr
ist
ianwear
eready
”Gr
ace

sai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

JustwhenIwasst
il
ltr
yingt
o

deal
wit
hthel
adi
esbesi
deme,

JanetandJudi
th,
whoar
eal
so

mycour
semat
eswal
kedi
nto

t
hecl
ass.

“
sot
hisi
swher
eyouguy
sar
e

hi
ding.andwehav
ebeen

l
ooki
ngf
ory
oual
lov
ert
he

school
.”Janetsai
d

i
mmedi
atel
y.

“
whatar
eyouguy
ssol
vi
ng,
is

i
ttheassi
gnment
?Judi
th

asked

“
yes.Chr
ist
iani
str
yingt
o

expl
aini
ttous”Gr
ace

answer
ed

“
hav
eyouguy
sgonef
ar?
”

Judi
thasked

“
no,
wear
eaboutt
obegi
n”

Gr
acer
esponded
“
Okayl
et’
sjoi
nyout
hen”

Judi
thsai
d

Judi
thandJaneti
mmedi
atel
y

satbesi
deus,
maki
ngi
t4

l
adi
est
hatIwoul
dbesi
tt
ing

al
onewi
thi
nacl
ass.i
t’
s

obv
ioust
hatIwoul
d

embar
rassmy
sel
f.IknowI

won’
tbeabl
etospeak

nor
mal
l
yint
hepr
esenceof

t
hesel
adi
es.

“
wear
eready
”Gr
acesai
d

i
tiscer
tai
nthatt
hewhol
e

cl
asswoul
dknowt
hatI
’
ma

shyguy
,becauseI
’
m goi
ngt
o

messupt
hingsher
e.

JustwhenIwasaboutt
osay

myf
ir
stwor
d,Sy
lvi
awal
ked

i
ntot
hecl
ass.

“
sot
hisi
swher
eyouguy
sar
e”

shesai
d

I
tfel
tli
keahugebur
denwas

l
i
ftedf
rom myhear
t

i
mmedi
atel
yIsawher
.

“
Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
ndi
fI
j
oiny
ouguy
s”shesai
d,

wal
ki
ngt
owar
dsus.

“
youcanj
oinus”Ir
esponded

i
mmedi
atel
y.

Sy
lvi
asatbesi
demeandI

heav
edasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

Ist
art
edt
hel
ect
urewi
tht
hem,

andunt
ilIf
ini
shed,
Idi
dn’
t

f
eel
ner
vous.Icoul
dn’
tbel
i
eve

t
hatIj
ustexpl
ainedawhol
e

t
opi
cto5l
adi
eswi
thoutbei
ng

ner
vous.

Iobser
vedt
hati
twaswhen

Sy
lvi
awal
kedi
nthatIgai
ned

conf
idencet
oteacht
hem.i
t

seemsI
’
m nowconf
identbei
ng

wi
thSy
lvi
a.Ev
enwhenshe

cal
l
edmet
hismor
ningand

l
astni
ght
,Idi
dn’
tgetner
vous

whent
alki
ngt
oher
.Iev
en

pi
ckedhercal
lwi
thoutdel
ay.I

j
ustpr
ayt
hingscont
inuet
his

way
..

henIwasdone

expl
aini
ngt
he
assi
gnmentt
omy

cour
semat
es,
theyal
l

l
eft
,leav
ingmeal
onewi
th

Sy
lvi
aint
hecl
ass.west
ayed

si
l
ent
lyi
nthecl
assf
orawhi
l
e

bef
oreshef
inal
l
yspoke.

“
arey
ougoi
nghomeoncey
ou

l
eav
ethi
spl
ace?
”sheasked

“
No.I
’
m goi
ngt
othe

r
est
uar
antt
ohav
ebr
eakf
ast
.I

di
dn’
thav
ebr
eakf
astbef
ore

l
eav
inghome.
”Ir
esponded

“
whydi
dyoul
eav
ehome

wi
thouthav
ingbr
eakf
ast
?”she

asked

“
Iwasal
readyl
atewhenIgot

pr
epar
edf
orschool
”I

r
esponded

“
Ithoughty
out
oldmet
hat

y
ouhadal
readyt
akeny
our

bat
hwhenIcal
l
edt
his

mor
ning”shesai
d

“
Ili
ed.y
ourcal
lwaswhat

wokemeup”

shehi
tmepl
ayf
ull
yonmy
shoul
der

“
andy
oumademebel
i
eved

y
ouwer
eal
readypr
epar
edf
or

l
ect
urewhenIcal
l
ed.so,
ifI

di
dn’
tcal
l
,youwoul
dn’
thav
e

got
tent
oschool
ont
ime.
”she

sai
d

“
Iwasv
eryt
ir
ed”

“
okay
,goandhav
ebr
eakf
ast

bef
oret
hewor
msi
nyour

st
omachst
artpr
otest
ing.
”she

sai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

Ist
oodupandwal
kedt
othe

door
.Ist
oppedhal
fwayand

t
urnedbackt
ofaceher
.

“
let
’sgot
oget
her
”Isai
d

“
Ihadbr
eakf
astbef
orel
eav
ing

home”sher
esponded

It
urnedi
ndi
sappoi
ntment

andl
eftt
hecl
ass.Ist
il
lcan’
t

expl
ainwhyIal
way
swantt
o

hav
eherbymysi
de.

Iwentt
other
est
uar
antt
o

hav
ebr
eakf
ast
.justwhenI
wasaboutl
eav
ingt
he

r
est
uar
ant
,myphoner
ang.I

pi
ckedt
hecal
lwhenIr
eal
i
zed

i
twasf
rom Shar
on.Ther
eis

noneedt
obener
vous.Iknew

whatshewant
edt
osay

al
ready
.

“
hel
l
oShar
on”Igr
eet
ed

“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian,
hav
eyoul
eft

t
heschool
?”sheasked

“
yes,
I’
m onmywayhome”I

l
i
ed

“
Iwant
edt
oshowy
ou

somet
hing,
butdon’
twor
ry,
I

wi
l
lshowi
ttoy
ouwhenI

comet
oyourpl
acet
his

ev
eni
ngf
ort
het
utor
ial
.Ihope

y
ouhav
enotf
orgot
tent
hat

ourt
utor
ial
cont
inuet
oday
”

shesai
d

“
Ihav
en’
tfor
got
ten”I

r
esponded

“
okay
,seey
out
hisev
eni
ng

t
hen”shesai
d

“
okay
”Ir
espondedandended
t
hecal
l
.

Il
eftt
her
est
uar
antand

headedhome.Il
ayonmybed

i
mmedi
atel
yIgothomeand

di
dn’
tknowwhenIsl
eptof
f.

Thev
ibr
ati
onofmyphone

wokemeuphour
slat
er.I

pi
ckedupi
mmedi
atel
y.

“
hel
l
oShar
on”

“
Chr
ist
ianI
’
m onmyway
”she

sai
d

Iqui
ckl
ytur
nedmygazet
o

t
hewal
lcl
ockandr
eal
i
zedi
t

was5:
40pm al
ready
.howcoul
d

Ihav
esl
eptt
hisl
ong.

“
okay
,I’
m wai
ti
ng”I

r
esponded.

Iendedt
hecal
landsi
ghed.I

wasn’
tner
vouswhenspeaki
ng

t
oher
,butIcan’
tbesosur
e

t
hatIwon’
tgetner
vouswhen

shef
inal
l
yar
ri
vesIwoul
dn’
t

wantwhathappenedt
heot
her

dayt
orepeati
tsel
f.i
twoul
dbe

v
erydi
sappoi
nti
ngi
fshe
comesal
lthewayf
rom her

houseandl
eav
eswi
thout

achi
evi
ngherai
m ofcomi
ng.

may
beIshoul
djustcal
lSy
lvi
a

andaskhert
ocomet
omy

pl
ace.i
fshe’
sher
ewi
thme,

I
’
m sur
eIwon’
tbener
vous.I

t
hought
.

Idi
aledhernumber

i
mmedi
atel
y.shepi
ckedaf
ter

t
hesecondbeep.

“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian”shegr
eet
ed

“
Syl
vi
a,cany
oucomeov
ert
o

mypl
ace”

“
whathappened?
”sheasked

“
Iwantt
oshowy
ou

somet
hing”Isai
d.

“
okay
,Iwi
l
lbet
her
ein20t
o

25mi
nut
est
ime.
”shesai
d

”okay
,thanky
ou”

Iendedt
hecal
landheav
eda

si
ghofr
eli
ef.Isatonmybed,

wai
ti
ngpat
ient
lyf
ort
het
wo

l
adi
est
oar
ri
ve.Ipr
ayed

si
l
ent
lyt
hatSy
lvi
ashoul
dget
her
ebef
oreShar
on.

Ihear
daknockonmydoor20

mi
nut
esl
ater
.It
ookadeep

br
eat
handpr
ayedi
tshoul
dbe

Sy
lvi
a.Ist
oodupf
rom mybed

andwal
kedt
othedoor
.I

si
ghedandsl
owl
yopenedt
he

doort
ofi
ndShar
onst
andi
ng

att
hedoor
.Imaskedmy

di
sappoi
ntmentwi
thasmi
l
e.

“
youar
eher
eal
ready
.pl
ease

comei
n”Isai
d

“
thanky
ou”sher
esponded

andwal
kedi
n.

Shedi
dn’
tsi
tonmybedt
his

t
ime.shesatont
hepl
ast
ic

chai
r.

“
Ihopey
ouar
efi
nenow”she

sai
d

“
yes”Ir
esponded.

“
okay
,let
’sst
artt
hen”shesai
d

andbr
oughtouthernot
ebook

f
rom herbag.

“
okay
”Ir
espondedIsatont
he
ot
herpl
ast
icchai
r.

whi
l
eIwast
ryi
ngt
olookf
or

t
hebestwayt
ost
art
,aknock

soundedonmydoor
.Iheav
ed

asi
ghofr
eli
efandt
hanked

Godsi
l
ent
ly.t
hatshoul
dbe

Sy
lvi
a.

“
letmeseewhoi
satt
he

door
.”Isai
d

Ist
oodupf
rom mychai
rand

wal
kedt
othedoor
.Iopened

t
hedoorwi
thsmi
l
esonmy

f
ace.t
hesmi
l
evani
shed

i
mmedi
atel
yIsawJoyst
andi
ng

atmydoor
.

“
hiChr
ist
ian”shegr
eet
ed.

“
hi”Imumbl
ed

“
youl
eftschool
ear
lyt
oday
.I

wasl
ooki
ngf
ory
ou.Iwant

y
out
ohel
pmewi
tht
he

assi
gnmentt
hatwasgi
vent
o

ust
oday
.Ihav
etocomet
o

y
ourhousesi
nceIdi
dn’
tsee

y
oui
nschool
.”shesai
d.

“
comei
n”Isai
d,t
ryi
ngt
o
keepasmi
l
eonmyf
ace.

sheent
eredandsawShar
on

al
readyi
nmyr
oom.

“
wowShar
on!y
ouar
eher
e

t
oo”shesai
d.

“
yes.Icameher
efort
utor
ial
.”

Shar
onr
esponded

“
Chr
ist
iani
stut
ori
ngy
ou.I

wi
l
lli
ket
ojoi
nyouguy
s.”Joy

sai
d

Idi
dn’
tpayat
tent
iont
othei
r

conv
ersat
ion.myonl
ywi
sh

wasf
orSy
lvi
atoknockonmy

door
.myey
eswer
efi
xedon

t
hedoor
.justwhenIt
urned

mygazeawayf
rom t
hedoor
,a

knocksoundedont
hedoor
.I

r
ushedt
othedoor

i
mmedi
atel
y.Iopenedi
ttosee

Sy
lvi
ast
andi
ngatt
hedoor
.I

f
eltl
i
kegi
vi
ngherahugt
he

momentIsawher
..

Wi
nvi
tedSy
lvi
aint
omy

r
oom.shepausedatt
he

doorwhenshesaw
Shar
onandJoyal
readyi
n

myr
oom.shel
ookedatme

andsmi
l
e.Ir
eal
l
ycoul
dn’
t

expl
ainwhatt
hatsmi
l
emeant
.

shewal
kedi
ntomyr
oom and

gr
eet
edShar
onandJoy
.

“
higi
rl
s”

“
hiShar
on”t
heyr
espondedi
n

uni
son.

“
youar
eher
ebecauseoft
he

assi
gnmentr
ight
”Joysai
dto

Sy
lvi
a.

“
yes”sher
esponded.

“
Chr
ist
ianl
et’
sst
artal
ready
.

wear
enowt
hree.
”Shar
on

sai
d.

okay
,let
’sst
art
.I’
mready
.”I

r
esponded.

weal
lwentt
omybedandsat
.

Ist
art
edt
het
utor
ial
wit
hthem

wi
thoutf
eel
i
ngner
vous.They

askedquest
ionsf
rom t
imet
o

t
imeandIanswer
edt
hei
r

quest
ionsper
fect
ly.whenI

wasdone,
Shar
onandJoy
st
oodupt
oleav
ewhi
l
eSy
lvi
a

r
emai
nedseat
ed.

“
arey
ounotl
eav
ing?
”Shar
on

askedSy
lvi
a.

“
Iwi
l
l.Ij
ustwantChr
ist
iant
o

expl
ainapar
ti
cul
art
opi
cto

mebef
orel
eav
ing.
”she

answer
ed

“
okayt
hen,
seey
oui
nschool

t
omor
row”Shar
onsai
d

“
seey
out
oo”Sy
lvi
a

r
esponded.

If
oll
owedShar
onandJoyt
o

t
hedoorandl
ockedt
hedoor

i
mmedi
atel
ytheyl
eft
.It
urned

t
oseeSy
lvi
asmi
l
ingbr
oadl
y.I

knewsomet
hingwasonher

mi
nd,
butIj
ustcoul
dn’
tfi
gur
e

i
t.Iwal
kedbackt
osi
twi
th

heronmybed.Ist
il
ldon’
t

knowwhatSy
lvi
adi
dtome

t
hathasmademesoconf
ident

bei
ngwi
thher
.ev
ensi
tt
ingon

t
hesamebedwi
thherwi
thout

bei
ngner
vous.
shel
ookedi
ntomyey
eswi
th

herf
acest
il
lcur
vedi
nasmi
l
e

andIhel
dhergaze.

“
soy
oui
nvi
tedmet
oyour

housebecausey
ouar
e

ner
vousofbei
ngal
onei
na

r
oom wi
thShar
onandJoy
”

shesai
d.

Inev
erexpect
edhert
oreal
i
ze

Iact
ual
l
yinv
itedherbecause

oft
hat
,butsheseemedt
obe

smar
tert
hanIt
hought
.

“
yes,
thatwasact
ual
l
ywhyI

i
nvi
tedy
ou”Iconf
essed

shest
oodupf
rom mybedand

wal
kedt
othedoor
.she

st
oppedhal
fwayandt
urnedt
o

f
aceme.

“
let
’sgo”shesai
d.

“
gowher
e?”Iasked

“
don’
task.j
ustst
andupand

l
et’
sgo.
”shesai
d

It
urnedmygazet
othewal
l

cl
ockandr
eal
i
zedi
twas

al
ready9:
45pm.wher
ecanwe
begoi
ngt
obyt
hist
ime.Iwas

f
eel
i
ngr
eluct
antt
ost
andup.

shewal
kedbackt
ome,
drag

meupf
rom mybedandl
ed

meoutofmyr
oom.Idi
dn’
t

knowwher
eshewast
aki
ng

met
o,butIj
ustqui
etl
y

f
oll
owedher
.

I
twaswhenIhear
dthel
oud

soundofmusi
cboomi
ngf
rom

t
hespeaker
shangi
ngont
he

wal
l
,thatIr
eal
i
zedSy
lvi
a

act
ual
l
ybr
oughtmet
oacl
ub

house.myhear
tbeati
ncr
eased

t
hemomentwesetf
ooti
nthat

pl
ace.Iwasr
eal
l
yner
vous.I

hat
ebei
ngi
nsuchpl
aces.The

cr
owdandnoi
sei
nthepl
acei
s

doi
ngnogoodt
ome.Icoul
d

f
eel
myhear
tpoundi
ngi
nmy

chest
.ifSy
lvi
ahadt
oldme

t
hatt
hiswaswher
ewewer
e

act
ual
l
ycomi
ngt
o,I
’
m sur
eI

woul
dn’
thav
ecome.ev
ery
one

seemedt
obeengagedi
none
act
ivi
tyort
heot
her
.whi
l
e

someonewer
eseenonst
age

danci
ngt
othehotmusi
c

boomi
ngf
rom t
hespeaker
s,

ot
her
swer
eseendr
inki
ng

t
hemsel
vest
ost
upor
.Sy
lvi
a

l
ocat
edanempt
yseatatt
he

f
ar-
lef
tandwesatoni
t.she

not
icedt
hatIwasner
vousand

hel
dmyhand.

“
lookatmeChr
ist
ian”she

sai
d,encour
agi
ngmet
olook

i
ntoherey
es.

Ihel
dhergazeandwest
ared

i
ntoeachot
her
’sey
es.

“
youdon’
thav
etobener
vous.

I
’
m her
ewi
thy
ou.
”shesai
d

y
es,
Idon’
tneedt
obe

ner
vous.Sy
lvi
aisher
ewi
th

me.Al
lwi
l
lbef
ine.Iassur
ed

my
sel
f.

I
twasasi
fherwor
dsdi
d

magi
ctome,
becauseIbecame

abi
trel
axed.
“
Chr
ist
ian”shecal
l
ed,
wit
hher

ey
esst
il
lfi
xedonmi
ne.

“
youcanov
ercomet
his.t
hose

t
houghty
oual
way
shav
ein

mi
nd,
thatdi
scour
agey
ou

f
rom doi
ngwhaty
ouwi
sht
o

doar
enotr
eal
.Yourmi
ndi
s

onl
ytr
yingt
opl
ayt
ri
ckson

y
ou.Don’
tal
way
sfol
l
owwhat

y
ouhav
einmi
nd.somet
imes,

y
ouj
usthav
etodot
he

opposi
teofwhaty
ourmi
ndi
s

t
ell
i
ngy
ou.I
fyoual
way
s

f
oll
owwhaty
ouhav
einmi
nd,

i
twi
l
lhi
ndery
ouf
rom

achi
evi
nggr
eatt
hingsi
nli
fe.

Asani
ntr
over
t,y
ourmi
nd

wi
l
ldi
scour
agey
ouf
rom doi
ng

bot
hposi
ti
veandnegat
ive

t
hings.Ibel
i
evey
ouknow

what
’sr
ight
.youj
usthav
eto

dowhaty
oubel
i
evei
sri
ght

anddon’
tli
stent
owhaty
our

mi
ndi
stel
l
ingy
ou.somet
imes

y
ougetdi
scour
agedofdoi
ng
t
hings,
becausey
oudon’
twant

t
omakemi
stake.Youal
way
s

wantt
odot
hingsper
fect
ly.

Chr
ist
ian,
wear
ehumans,
and

humansar
eboundt
omake

mi
stake.wear
enotper
fect
.so

st
opl
i
steni
ngt
othatv
oicet
hat

i
sdi
scour
agi
ngy
ouf
rom doi
ng

t
hingsy
ouwi
sht
odo,
because

y
oudon’
twantt
omake

mi
stakes.
”shepausedand

t
ookadeepbr
eat
h.

“
Chr
ist
ian”shecal
l
ed,
wit
hher

ey
esst
il
lfi
xedonmi
ne.

“
youdon’
tal
way
shav
eto

bot
heraboutwhatpeopl
e

mi
ghtt
hinkwhenev
ery
ou

wi
sht
odosomet
hing.t
hat
’s

whati
smaki
ngy
ouner
vous.

y
oual
way
sthi
nkaboutwhat

ot
herpeopl
emayf
eel
when

y
oudot
hingsy
ouwantt
odo.

y
oual
way
str
oubl
eyourmi
nd

t
hinki
ngaboutwhatot
her
s

mayhav
eont
hei
rmi
nds.t
he
t
rut
hist
hat
,theymi
ghtj
ust

bewor
ri
edaboutt
hei
rown

pr
obl
em andwoul
dn’
tev
en

car
eify
ouexi
st.st
op

wor
ryi
ngaboutwhatot
her
s

hav
eont
hei
rmi
nds.i
twi
l
l

onl
ygety
ouner
vous.Do

t
hingsy
ouwi
sht
odoandst
op

bot
her
ingaboutot
her
s.t
ake

f
orexampl
e.r
ightnowy
ouar
e

ner
vousbecausey
ouar
eina

cr
owdedpl
ace,
butnoone

seemst
ocar
eabouty
ou.

ev
ery
oneseemst
obei
nvol
ved

i
noneact
ivi
tyort
heot
her
.

y
ouar
eonl
ydi
stur
bing

y
our
sel
f,whennoonecar
esi
f

y
ouexi
st.
”shepausedagai
n

andt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.

“
Chr
ist
iany
oucanov
ercome

t
his”shecont
inued

“
youj
usthav
etost
artnow.

l
i
ttl
ebyl
i
ttl
eyouwi
l
l

ov
ercomei
t.y
ouwon’
tev
en

r
eal
i
zehoworwheny
ou
suddenl
ybecamecour
ageous

t
ospeaki
nacr
owd.
”

Il
i
stenedwi
thkeeni
nter
estas

Sy
lvi
aspeaks.ev
ery
thi
ngshe

sai
daboutmewasabsol
utel
y

cor
rect
.

“
thanky
ouv
erymuchSy
lvi
a.

I
’
mver
ygr
atef
ul.y
ouar
eone

i
nami
l
li
on.Ihav
ehear
dal
l

y
ousai
d.Iwi
l
lst
artdoi
ng

t
hingsIwi
sht
odof
rom now

on”Isai
d

“
okay
,butwecanst
artf
rom

her
e”shesai
d.

“
how?
”Iasked

“
lookatt
hatl
adyov
ert
her
e”

shesai
d,poi
nti
ngt
oa

di
rect
ion.

If
oll
owedherdi
rect
ionand

r
eal
i
zedshewaspoi
nti
ngata

l
adysi
tt
ingal
oneatt
hef
ar-

r
ight
.thel
adyseemedt
obe

dr
unkal
ready
.

“
Ihav
eseenher
.Doy
ouknow

her
?”Iasked
“
Iwanty
out
oappr
oachher

andgethernumber
”Sy
lvi
a

sai
d

“
what
!!
!!
”Iexcl
aimed

“
Idon’
tev
enknowhowt
o

st
artaconv
ersat
ionwi
tha

l
ady
”

Sy
lvi
agr
ippedmyhands

andst
aredi
ntomyey
es.

“
Chr
ist
ian,
youcanst
art

l
ear
ningnow,
wit
hti
mey
ou

wi
l
lgetbet
ter
”shesai
d

“
butwhatam Isupposet
osay

t
oherwhenIappr
oachher
.I

don’
thav
eany
thi
ngi
nmi
nd.I

can’
tjustwal
kupt
oherand

keepst
ari
ngatherf
ace

wi
thoutsay
ingany
thi
ng.
”I

sai
d.

Sy
lvi
atookadeepbr
eat
h

“
okay
.wheny
ouwal
kupt
o

her
,askherpol
i
tel
yify
oucan

si
tbesi
deher
.ifsheagr
ees,

y
ousi
tdown.i
fshedoesn’
t

r
espond,
thatal
someansy
ou
cansi
t.soy
ousi
tdown.

obv
ersehermoodf
orawhi
l
e,

becausei
t’
sbaseont
hat
,you

wi
l
lknowt
henextl
i
neof

wor
dst
ouse.i
fshe’
shappy

andr
eadyt
ohav
ea

conv
ersat
ionwi
thy
ou,
you

canf
li
rtwi
thherandsay

someni
cewor
dst
hatwoul
d

makeherf
eel
speci
al.buti
f

she’
sinabadmood,
theny
ou

don’
thav
etof
li
rtwi
thher
.

j
ustmakei
tlookl
i
key
ouar
e

al
soi
nabadmood.sayt
hings

t
hatwoul
dexpr
esshowsad

y
ouar
e.t
hingsl
i
ke‘
howcan

mygi
rl
fr
ienddumpmef
ormy

best
fri
end’
.i
fsher
eal
i
zesy
ou

ar
ejustassadasshei
s,she

woul
dbeabl
etot
alkt
oyou

andev
ent
ell
youherpr
obl
em,

becauseshewoul
dbel
i
evey
ou

wi
l
lunder
standherbet
ter

si
ncey
oubot
har
einabad

mood.y
oucanaskedf
orher
numberwhenshe’
sdone

nar
rat
ingherpr
obl
em t
oyou,

andshewi
l
lgl
adl
ygi
vei
tto

y
ou.Nowgot
oher
.thi
sis

y
ourf
ir
stt
ask”Sy
lvi
asai
d

Thi
staski
sreal
l
yadi
ff
icul
t

one.Ihav
enev
erwal
kedupt
o

al
adyandaskf
orhernumber
.

I
’
m sur
ethatmymi
ndwi
l
lgo

bl
ankwhenIgett
oherandI

won’
thav
eany
thi
ngt
osay
.

“
stopl
i
steni
ngt
owhatt
hat

v
oicei
stel
l
ingy
our
ightnow.

i
twi
l
lonl
ydi
scour
agey
ou,

becausei
tdoesn’
twanty
out
o

makemi
stake.i
twant
syout
o

beper
fectal
lthet
ime,
whi
ch

i
snotpossi
ble.i
fyoukeep

wai
ti
ngf
orwheny
ouwi
l
ldo

t
hingsper
fect
ly,
theny
ouwi
l
l

nev
erdoany
thi
ng.dowant

y
ouwi
sht
odoandst
op

l
i
steni
ngt
othatdi
scour
agi
ng

v
oice.
”Sy
lvi
asai
dtomeasi
f

shewasr
eadi
ngmymi
nd.
“
okay
,Iwi
l
lgot
oher
”Isai
d

“
good”sher
esponded.

Myhear
tbeathasi
ncr
eased

al
ready
,whenIhav
enotev
en

st
oodupf
rom myseat
.Ineed

t
odot
his.Iwon’
tli
stent
o

whatmymi
ndi
stel
l
ingme.

Ist
oodupandwal
kedsl
owl
y

t
owar
dsher
.myhear
tbeat

i
ncr
easedi
ngeomet
ri
c

pr
ogr
essi
onwi
thev
eryst
epI

t
ookt
owar
dsher
.Hergaze

wasf
ixedont
hef
loor
.Igott
o

herandst
oodbesi
deher
.she

di
dn’
tnot
icemypr
esence

becauseshewasst
il
lst
ari
ngat

t
hef
loor
.myhear
twas

poundi
ngf
ast
.mymi
ndwas

t
ell
i
ngmet
otur
nandwal
k

backorIwi
l
ljustembar
rass

my
sel
f,butI
’
m notgoi
ngt
o

l
i
stent
othatv
oice.Idon’
t

wantt
odi
sappoi
ntSy
lvi
a.she

hadbeenagr
eathel
ptome.I

wi
l
ltal
ktot
hisl
adyandf
ace
anyembar
rassment
.

“
hi”Igr
eet
ed

shedi
dn’
trespond

“
canIsi
t?”Iasked

shedi
dn’
trespond.shedi
dn’
t

ev
enl
ookupf
rom t
hef
loor

hergazewasf
ixedon.

Isl
owl
ysatdown,
wit
hmy

gazef
ixedonher
.si
nceSy
lvi
a

sai
dIshoul
dsi
tifshedi
dn’
t

r
espond,
Ijusthav
etosi
t.I

wai
tedf
orhert
orai
seher

headandf
aceme,
butshe

di
dn’
t.shekeptst
ari
ngatt
he

f
loor
.Sy
lvi
asai
dIneedt
o

obser
vehermoodbef
ore

choosi
ngmyl
i
neofwor
ds,
but

howam Isupposet
odot
hat

whenshe’
snotev
enl
ooki
ngat

me.Ineedt
olookf
orawayt
o

getherat
tent
ion.

“
hel
l
o,ar
eyouwi
thsomeone?
”

Iasked

sher
aisedupherheadt
oface

mei
mmedi
atel
yImadet
hat
st
atement
.thegl
aresheshot

mesentshi
verdownmy

spi
ne.herey
eswer
ered,

whi
chshowedt
hatshewas

ei
thercr
yingorhol
dingback

t
het
ear
sfr
om dr
oppi
ng.I

want
edt
ost
andup

i
mmedi
atel
yandl
eav
e,

becauseshewasnoti
nthe

r
ightf
rameofmi
ndt
otal
kto

any
one.butIj
usthadt
o

r
emai
nseat
edandf
oll
ow

Sy
lvi
a’
sgui
del
i
ne.

shekeptgl
ari
ngatmeasi
fI

wast
hecauseofherpr
obl
em.

Iwasnotj
ustner
vous.Iwas

r
eal
l
yscar
ed.i
fthoseey
es

wer
egun,
Iwoul
dn’
tbeal
i
ve

bynow.aboutf
ourbul
l
ets

woul
dhav
epi
ercedi
ntomy

body
.Ibet
terst
andupand

l
eav
ebecausei
t’
sobv
ioust
hat

shewant
stot
ransf
erher

aggr
essi
ont
ome.

It
urnedmygazet
oSy
lvi
a,t
o
seei
fshewoul
daskmet
o

l
eav
eher
,butsheonl
yshook

herheadwhi
chmeansI

shoul
dfacei
t.It
urnedmy

gazebackt
othel
adybesi
de

met
oseeherst
il
lgl
ari
ngat

me.Ij
usthav
etof
oll
owSy
lvi
a

gui
del
i
nes.

“
somepeopl
edon’
thav
e

consci
ence”Isai
dinasad

t
one.

“
howcanmygi
rl
fr
iendoff
our

y
ear
sdumpmef
ormybest

f
ri
end”

It
ookt
hegl
assofwi
neonher

t
abl
eanddownal
lthecont
ent
.

“
it
’ssopai
nful
”Icont
inued.

“
whenIt
houghtwewoul
d

spendt
her
estofourl
i
fe

t
oget
her
.”Isai
d

It
ookasi
degl
anceatherand

r
eal
i
zedshewasl
i
steni
ngt
o

mewi
thkeeni
nter
est
.shewas

nol
ongergl
ari
ngatme.
“
yourgi
rl
fr
iendcheat
edon

y
out
oo?
”sheasked

Inoddedi
naf
fi
rmat
ion.

“
whyar
esomepeopl
eso

cr
uel
”shescr
eamed.

Icoul
dseet
henumberofey
es

t
hatst
aredatuswheni
s

scr
eamed.

“
didy
ourboy
fri
endcheaton

y
ou?
”Iasked,
notsur
eifIwas

supposedt
oask.

shel
ookedi
ntomyey
es.I

coul
dseepai
ninherey
es.

“
notj
ustmyboy
fri
end,
butmy

f
iance.ourweddi
ngwas

supposedt
obet
hisweekend.I

caughtmyf
iancei
nbedwi
th

mybest
fri
end.
”shesai
das

t
ear
sfl
owf
reel
yfr
om her

ey
es.

“
it
’ssopai
nful
.i
thur
tsal
ot.

howam Isupposet
oleav
e

wi
thouthi
m.Il
ovehi
m so

much.whywi
l
lhehur
tmy

f
eel
i
ngs.
”shesai
dasmor
e
t
ear
sfl
owf
rom herey
es.

Iwast
otal
l
yconf
used.Idi
dn’
t

knowi
fIwassupposet
o

consol
eherorj
ustkeep

st
ari
ngather
.

shet
ookt
hebot
tl
eofwi
neon

hert
abl
eanddownal
lthe

cont
ent
.myey
eswi
deni
n

shock.t
hatwast
oomuchf
or

hert
odr
ink.

I
tdi
dn’
ttakel
ongf
ort
hewi
ne

t
ost
arthav
ingef
fectonher
.

shest
oodupf
rom herseatand

st
agger
edt
ome.shegr
ipped

mycl
othandst
aredi
ntomy

ey
es.

“
whenev
ery
ouseeGabr
iel
,

y
oushoul
dtel
lhi
mthatIcan

dowi
thouthi
m.Icansur
viv
e

wi
thouthi
m.Iwon’
tremai
n

l
i
ket
hisf
orev
er.hewi
l
lregr
et

doi
ngt
hist
ome.
”shesai
d,

gl
ari
ngatmeasi
fIknewt
he

Gabr
iel
hewast
alki
ngabout
.

shewassuf
focat
ingmeal
ready
byhergr
ip.It
urnedmygaze

t
oSy
lvi
aforhert
ocomet
o

myr
escue,
butsheonl
y

smi
l
ed.

It
ri
edt
ofr
eemy
sel
ffr
om her

hol
d,butshehel
dmet
ight
ly.

howwasIsupposet
oexpl
ain

t
ohert
hatIdon’
tknowany

Gabr
iel
whenshewasdr
unk.

shest
art
edsay
ingwor
dst
hatI

don’
tunder
stand,
andal
lofa

sudden,
shesl
eptof
finmy

hands.Ist
aredather
,

conf
usedofwhatt
odonext
.

whydi
dIappr
oachheri
nthe

f
ir
stpl
ace.

Il
ookedatSy
lvi
awi
th

pl
eadi
ngey
es,
butsheonl
y

smi
l
ed.

It
ookherphonef
rom herbag

andwentt
hroughhercont
act
.

Idi
aledt
henumbershesav
ed

assweetmum.t
hatshoul
dbe

hermot
her
.shepi
ckedandI

i
nfor
medherofherdaught
er
pr
esentst
ate.shepr
omi
sedt
o

comegetheri
nthenext30

mi
nut
es.Iwai
tedf
or40

mi
nut
esbef
oreshef
inal
l
y

camet
ocar
ryherdaught
er.

Iheav
edasi
ghofr
eli
efand

wal
kbackt
omeetSy
lvi
a.Isat

downbesi
deheranddi
dn’
t

sayany
thi
ngt
oher
.Iwas

di
sappoi
ntedt
hatshedi
dn’
t

assi
stmeev
enwhenIpl
eaded.

“
wel
ldone.y
oudi
dagr
eat

j
ob.
”shesai
d.

“
thatl
adyal
mostst
rangl
edme.

Ineedt
ouset
her
est
room”I

sai
dandqui
ckl
yst
oodup.

“
okay
”sher
esponded.

Iqui
ckl
yrushedt
othe

r
est
room wi
thoutdel
ay.

Iemer
gedf
rom t
her
est
room

f
ewmi
nut
esl
atert
oseeaguy

st
andi
ngbesi
deSy
lvi
a.I

qui
ckl
yhi
dinapl
acewher
eI

coul
deasi
l
yeav
esdr
opont
hei
r

conv
ersat
ion.
“
hi”t
heguysai
dtoSy
lvi
a

“
hi”Sy
lvi
aresponded.

“
arey
oual
one?
”theguyasked

“
no,
I’
m wi
thsomeone”Sy
lvi
a

r
esponded

“
who”heasked

“
myboy
fri
end”sher
esponded

myf
acecur
vedi
nasmi
l
e

i
mmedi
atel
yshesai
dthat
..

T .
..
.

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#*MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY*

Epi
sode4

Iwokeupv
eryl
atet
he

nextday
.Il
efthome

wi
thouthav
ingbr
eakf
ast
.

byt
het
imeIgott
othe

school
,ourf
ir
stl
ect
urewas

al
readyov
er.Il
aterf
oundout

t
hatt
hel
ect
urert
ook

at
tendancei
ncl
assandsai
d
t
hat10mar
kswoul
dbe

awar
dedf
ort
heat
tendance.

whi
l
eIsatal
onei
nthecl
ass

bl
ami
ngmy
sel
fforwaki
ngup

l
ate,
Shar
onappr
oachedme.

“
hiChr
ist
ian,
howi
syour

bodynow?
”sheasked.

“
I’
mfi
nenow”Ianswer
ed

“
whyar
eyousi
tt
ingher
e

al
one?ar
en’
tyougoi
ngf
ort
he

nextl
ect
ure?
”sheasked.

Idi
dn’
tanswerher
.

shemov
edcl
osert
ome

“
what
’st
hepr
obl
em?y
ou

don’
tlookhappy
”shesai
d

“
Ihear
dthatt
hel
ect
urert
ook

at
tendancei
ncl
assandwoul
d

awar
dmar
kfori
t”Isai
d

“
yest
hat
’st
rue”she

r
esponded

“
thatmeansIhav
elost10

mar
ksj
ustl
i
ket
hat
”Isai
d

“
ist
hatwhyy
ouar
esad?
”she

asked

“
youdon’
thav
etowor
ry
aboutt
hat
.Iwast
heonet
hat

mar
kedt
heat
tendance.Doy
ou

t
hinkIwoul
dmar
kthe

at
tendancewi
thoutmar
king

y
oupr
esent
,whet
hery
ouwer
e

i
ncl
assornot
”

“
youmar
kedmepr
esent
”I

sai
dhappi
l
y

“
yes”sher
esponded.

Icoul
dn’
tdescr
ibehowhappy

Iwasatt
hatmoment
.nowI

knowt
hebenef
itofhav
ing

y
ourcour
ser
epasaf
ri
end.

“
thanky
ouv
erymuch.I
’
m

v
erygr
atef
ul”Isai
d

“
okay
,nowt
haty
ouknowy
ou

di
dn’
tloset
hemar
k,l
et’
sst
art

goi
ngf
orournextl
ect
ure”she

sai
d

Ist
oodupi
mmedi
atel
yandwe

headedst
rai
ghtt
othecl
ass

ournextl
ect
urewashol
ding.

wesatt
oget
herdur
ingt
he

l
ect
ureandwhent
hel
ect
ure

wasov
er,
shef
oll
owedt
he
l
ect
urert
ohi
sof
fi
ce.

I
twasal
readyt
imef
orl
unch

byt
het
imet
hecl
assended.I

wasv
eryhungr
y.Idi
dn’
thav
e

br
eakf
astbef
orel
eav
inghome.

Icoul
dn’
tgot
otheschool

caf
eter
iat
ohav
elunchbecause

Iwasscar
edofseei
ngKat
eand

herf
ri
endsi
nthecaf
eter
ia.

whoknowswhatt
heymi
ght

demandf
rom met
hist
ime,
if

t
heyseemei
nthecaf
eter
ia.

whatt
heydi
dtomet
he

pr
evi
ousdaywasst
il
lfr
eshi
n

mymi
nd.

It
ri
edt
obeart
hehunger

unt
ilIgethomebutcoul
dn’
t.I

coul
dheart
her
umbl
i
ngi
nmy

st
omach,
whi
chshowedt
hat

t
hewor
msi
nmyst
omach

wer
eal
readypr
otest
ing.whi
l
e

Iwast
ryi
ngt
oconsol
ethe

wor
msi
nmyst
omach,

Must
ackappr
oachedme.
“
guyhowf
ar”hesai
d

“
I’
m goodandy
ou”

“
I’
m goodbr
o”her
esponded.

“
sowher
ear
eyouheadi
ng”I

asked

“
I’
m goi
ngt
otheschool

caf
eter
iat
ohav
elunch”he

r
esponded.

‘
thankGod’
Isai
dsi
l
ent
lyand

heav
edasi
ghofr
eli
ef.Hav
ing

Must
ackbymysi
dewoul
d

boostmyconf
idence.Iwas

sur
eIwoul
dn’
thav
etospend

onKat
eandherf
ri
endswhen

Must
acki
sri
ghtbesi
deme.

“
Iwasaboutgoi
ngt
othe

caf
eter
iat
ohav
elunchal
so”I

sai
dtoMust
ack

“
thenl
et’
sgot
oget
her
”hesai
d

wewentt
othecaf
eter
iaand

or
der
edf
orf
ood.j
ustwhenwe

wer
eaboutt
ost
arteat
ing,

Sy
lvi
awal
kedi
ntot
he

caf
eter
ia.myhear
tmi
sseda

beatwhenIsawher
.shewent
t
othecount
ert
oor
derf
or

f
ood.sher
ecei
vedherf
ood

herwentt
ooccupyt
heseatat

t
hef
arl
eft
.It
houghtoft
ell
i
ng

Must
ackaboutSy
lvi
abehav
ior

t
owar
dsme.may
behewoul
d

knowt
her
easonwhyshe

behav
edt
hatwayt
owar
dsme.

“
Must
ack”Ical
l
ed

“
yes”heanswer
ed

“
Syl
vi
aseemst
obeangr
ywi
th

me”Isai
d

“
whathappened?
”heasked

“
Idon’
tknow.Ipai
dforher

f
arewhenIr
eal
i
zedshewasi
n

t
hesamebuswi
thme,
but

i
nst
eadf
orhert
othankme,

shegotmadatme”Isai
d

“
doy
oul
i
keher
?”Must
ack

asked

Hi
squest
iongotmeconf
used.

Iwassay
ingsomeonegotmad

atmebecauseIpai
dherf
are

andhewasaski
ngi
fIl
i
keher
.

“
Inev
ersai
dIl
i
keher
”I
r
esponded.

“
ify
oucan’
tseem t
ogety
our

mi
ndof
fwhatshedi
dtoy
ou,

t
hatmeansy
oul
i
keher
”he

sai
d.

“
no,
Idon’
tli
keher
”Isai
d

“
yourbehav
iorshowst
haty
ou

l
i
keher
.whynotappr
oachher

andt
ell
herhowy
ouf
eel
”he

sai
d

“
Must
ackIdon’
tli
keher
”I

sai
dinser
ioust
one.

“
may
beIwi
l
lhel
pyout
alkt
o

her
”hesai
d.

“
pleasedon’
ttr
yit
”Ipl
eaded.

“
Iwi
l
l.y
ouhav
etol
ear
nhow

t
oappr
oachl
adi
es.Ihav
e

not
icedy
oudon’
tknowhowt
o

appr
oachl
adi
es.
”hesai
d

“
pleaseMust
ack,
don’
tsay

any
thi
ngt
oher
.Idon’
tli
ke

her
”Ipl
eaded

Must
ackst
oodupandwal
ked

t
owar
dSy
lvi
a.Iwat
chedashe

appr
oachedher
.Themoment
hesatdownbesi
deher
,Ist
ood

upi
mmedi
atel
yandt
ookt
o

myheel
s.Ir
anasf
astasI

coul
d.

I
fshecoul
dreactt
hewayshe

di
dwhenIonl
ytr
iedt
opay

herf
are,
whoknowshowshe

woul
dreactwhenMust
ackt
ell
s

hert
hatIl
i
keher

Iwenthomei
mmedi
atel
yI

l
eftt
hecaf
eter
ia.Idi
dn’
t

wai
tfort
henextl
ect
ure.I

wasscar
edofwhatSy
lvi
a

mi
ghtsayordot
omei
ncl
ass.

i
twoul
dbev
eryembar
rassi
ng

i
fsher
epeat
swhatshedi
dto

meatt
hepar
k.

Thatsameday
,exact
ly5:
30pm,

myphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.I

pi
ckedt
hecal
lwhenIr
eal
i
zed

i
twasf
rom Must
ack.

“
hel
l
oMust
ack”Isai
d

“
howf
arguy
.whathappened?

y
oul
eftt
hecaf
eter
iawi
thout

t
ell
i
ngme.Ir
eal
i
zedy
ouwer
e
nomor
eint
hecaf
eter
iawhen

Il
ookedback.whydi
dyou

l
eav
e?”heasked.

“
I’
m sor
rybr
o.Iwashav
ing

anupsetst
omach.Ij
usthav
e

t
oleav
ewi
thoutt
ell
i
ngy
ou”I

sai
d

Iknewhedi
dn’
tbuyt
hatl
i
e.I

j
usthadt
osayi
tsi
nceIhad

noot
herl
i
etot
ell
him.

“
okay
,thatwaswhyy
oudi
dn’
t

at
tendt
hel
astl
ect
ure”hesai
d

“
yes”Ir
esponded

“
hav
eyout
aki
ngany
thi
ng

dr
ug”heasked

“
yes”Ianswer
ed

“
okay
,takecar
eofy
our
sel
f.I

wi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
”hesai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded.

Iendedt
hecal
landdr
opped

myphoneonmybed.Shar
on

cal
l
edi
mmedi
atel
yIdr
opped

myphoneonmybed.Ipi
cked

t
hecal
laf
tert
aki
ngadeep

br
eat
h.
“
hel
l
oShar
on”Isai
d

“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian,
youdi
dn’
t

at
tendt
hel
astl
ect
ure.what

happened?
”sheasked

“
Iwasnotf
eel
i
ngt
oowel
l
.I

wenthomeear
li
er.
”I

r
esponded

“
isi
tthatsameheadache?
”she

asked

“
yes”Ianswer
ed

“
Ithoughty
out
ookdr
ugs”she

sai
d

“
yesIdi
d”Ir
esponded

“
may
beweshoul
djust

post
poneourt
utor
ial
unt
il

nextweek,
sot
haty
oucan

t
akecar
eofy
our
sel
f”shesai
d

“
okay
,thatwoul
dbeni
ce.

t
hanky
ouv
erymuch”

“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
atert
ocheck

ony
ou”shesai
d.

“
okay
,thanks”

Iendedt
hecal
landl
ayonmy

bed.

Al
lthr
ought
hatweek,
Ist
ayed
athome.Idi
dn’
tat
tend

l
ect
ures.Iwasscar
edof

meet
ingSy
lvi
a.Iwasscar
edof

whatshemi
ghtsayt
omei
n

cl
ass.

Must
ack,
Shar
onandJoy
,al
l

cal
l
edt
oknowwhyIwasn’
t

at
tendi
ngl
ect
uresandIl
i
edt
o

t
hem t
hatIwasn’
tfeel
i
ngf
ine.

Imadeupmymi
ndt
ocal
l

Must
ack.Ineedt
oknowwhat

wasSy
lvi
a’
sreact
ionwhenhe

t
oldhert
hatIl
i
keher
,

becauseIcan’
tkeepmi
ssi
ng

l
ect
ures.Iwai
tedunt
il

weekendbef
orecal
l
inghi
m.he

pi
ckedaf
tert
hesecondbeep.

“
hel
l
oChr
ist
ian,
howar
eyou?
”

heasked.

“
I’
mfi
ne”Ir
esponded

“
Ihopey
ouar
eget
ti
ngbet
ter
”

“
yes”Ir
esponded

“
Must
ack”Ical
l
ed

“
yesChr
ist
ian”heanswer
ed

“
wheny
out
oldSy
lvi
athatI
l
i
keher
,whatdi
dshesay
?”I

asked,
wai
ti
ngcur
iousl
yfor

hi
sanswer
.

“
Idi
dn’
ttel
lherany
thi
ng.so

y
oubel
i
evedIt
oldher
.how

woul
dIhav
etol
dherwhen

y
oudi
dn’
tgi
vey
ourconsent
.

t
hatwoul
dn’
tbeni
cef
ormet
o

do.Iwasj
ustpul
l
ingy
ourl
eg.

Ionl
ywentt
oaskheri
fher

mi
croeconomi
csnot
ewas

compl
ete”Must
acksai
d

“
soy
oudi
dn’
ttel
lher
?”I

asked

“
noIdi
dn’
t”heanswer
ed.

Iheav
edasi
ghofr
eli
efand

t
hankedGodsi
l
ent
ly.

“
okayIwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
”I

sai
d

Iendedt
hecal
landsi
ghed.I

washappyt
hathedi
dn’
ttel
l

her
,butatt
hesamet
ime

di
sappoi
ntedi
nmy
sel
f.Iwas

di
sappoi
ntedt
hatIcoul
dbeso
st
upi
dtohav
emi
ssedl
ect
ures

f
orawhol
eweek,
wit
houtany

concr
eter
eason.

JustwhenIwasaboutt
oli
eon

mybed,
Ihear
daknockonmy

door
.Iwasn’
texpect
ing

any
one.Iknewi
twasn’
t

Shar
on,
becausewehad

al
readyagr
eedt
opost
ponet
he

t
utor
ial
unt
ilnextweek.I

wal
kedt
othedoorandopen

i
t.If
rozewhenIsawKat
e

st
andi
ngatt
hedoorwi
th

smi
l
esonherf
ace.Inev
er

r
emembert
ell
i
ngherwher
eI

st
ay.

“
hiChr
ist
ian”

“
hi”Imanagedt
orespond.

“
youar
esur
pri
sedt
oseeme

r
ight
?”sheasked

Inodded

“
wel
l
,youwi
l
lfi
ndoutl
ater
,

howIgott
oknowwher
eyou

st
ay”shesai
d,wal
ki
ngi
nto

myr
oom wi
thoutal
l
owi
ngme
t
ousherheri
n.

Shewentst
rai
ghtt
omybed

andsatoni
t.Il
ockedmydoor

andwentt
osi
tont
hepl
ast
ic

chai
r.Iwon’
tmaket
hesame

mi
stakeofsi
tt
ingbesi
deher

onmybed,
becauseIknew

howner
vousIwaswhenIsat

besi
deShar
onont
hatbed.

Shel
ayonherbackand

spr
eadherhands.

“
I’
m sot
ir
ed”shesai
d

Iqui
ckl
ygotawi
nef
rom my

cupboar
dandgav
etoher
.she

satupandcol
l
ect
edt
hedr
ink.

“
thanky
ou”shesai
d

Iwentbackt
osi
tont
hechai
r

i
waspr
evi
ousl
yoccupy
ing

whi
l
eshesi
ppedf
rom t
he

wi
ne.It
ookabookonmy

desk,
openapageandf
ixed

mygazeoni
t,pr
etendi
ngl
i
ke

Iwasr
eadi
ng.i
twasbet
tert
o

pr
etendl
i
keIwasr
eadi
ngt
han

t
ost
ayi
nthesamer
oom wi
th
herandcoul
dn’
tst
arta

conv
ersat
ion.Af
ter5mi
nut
es

ofsi
l
ence,
shespoke.

“
youst
ayher
eal
one?
”she

asked

“
yes”Ir
espondedandf
ixed

mygazebackont
hebookI

washol
ding.

“
whyi
syourr
oom sohot
?”

sheasked,
fanni
ngher
sel
f

wi
thabook.

sheunbut
tonedt
heupper

but
tonofherbl
ouse,
rev
eal
i
ng

hercl
eav
age.It
ri
ednott
olook

ather
,becausei
twoul
dn’
tbe

ni
cei
fshecaughtmel
ooki
ng

athercl
eav
age.

Af
teranot
her5mi
nut
esof

si
l
ence,
shespokeagai
n.

“
arey
ouexpect
ingsomeone?
”

sheasked

“
no”Ianswer
ed

“
Iwi
l
lsoonbel
eav
ingo”she

sai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded
Af
terawhi
l
eofdeaf
eni
ng

si
l
ence,
shespoke.

“
doy
oual
way
ssi
tal
ldayon

t
hatchai
r?”sheasked

“
no”Ir
esponded

Af
terawhi
l
e,shebut
tonedher

bl
ousewhi
chshehadear
li
er

unbut
toned.Shest
oodupf
rom

mybed,
car
ri
edherhandbag

andwal
kedt
othedoor
.

“
arey
oul
eav
ing?
”Iasked

shedi
dn’
trepl
y.Ist
oodup

i
mmedi
atel
yandwal
kedt
ome

her
.

“
letmeseey
ouof
f”Isai
d

“
don’
tbot
her
”shecuti
n

i
mmedi
atel
y

Icoul
dseet
hel
ookof

di
sappoi
ntmentonherf
ace

whenshesai
dthat
.shel
eftmy

r
oom wi
thoutspar
ingmeone

l
astl
ook.Ist
oodatmydoor
,

wonder
ingwhatIcoul
dhav
e

donewr
ong.
..
ToBeCont
inued

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#Epi
sode5

Thef
oll
owi
ngweek,
I

madesur
ethatIwoke

upv
eryear
lyi
nor
der

t
ogett
oschool
ont
ime.

IknewIhadal
ott
ocov
er.

Shar
ongav
emehernot
ebooks

f
ormet
ogot
hroughal
lwhat

wast
houghti
ncl
asst
he

pr
evi
ousweek.Idi
dn’
tgo

homei
mmedi
atel
yaf
ter

l
ect
ures.Ihadt
ocov
erwhat

wast
houghtt
hepr
evi
ousweek

bef
oregoi
nghome.Il
ocat
ed

anempt
ycl
asswher
eIcoul
d

si
tal
oneandgot
hroughal
l

whatwast
houghtt
hepr
evi
ous

week.Ibusi
edmy
sel
f

i
mmedi
atel
y.
Af
ter10mi
nut
esofr
eadi
ng,
I

hear
dsomeonecal
l
ingmy

name.myhear
tmi
ssedabeat

whenIr
eal
i
zedi
twasa

f
ami
l
iarv
oice.Ipr
ayed

si
l
ent
lyt
hati
tshoul
dn’
tbe

whoIwast
hinki
ng.Isl
owl
y

r
aisedmyheadt
oseeSy
lvi
a

st
andi
ngatt
hedoor
.myey
es

wi
deni
nshock.Howdi
dshe

f
indmeher
e?whati
sshe

ev
endoi
ngher
e?It
hought

Must
ackt
oldmet
hathedi
dn’
t

sayany
thi
ngt
oher
.sohel
i
ed

t
ome.whatwi
l
lIdonow?

howwi
l
lIgetoutoft
his.what

wi
l
lshedoorsayt
hist
ime?

I
’
mfi
nished.

Shest
art
edwal
ki
ngt
owar
ds

me.herev
eryst
epi
ncr
eased

myhear
tbeat
.It
houghtof

j
umpi
ngoutt
hrought
he

wi
ndowbutdeci
dedagai
nsti
t,

knowi
ngf
ull
ywel
lthatImi
ght

i
njur
emy
sel
fifIdot
hat
.si
nce
Ihadnoot
heri
deaofwhatt
o

do,
Ionl
yfi
xedmygazeont
he

f
loorandawai
tedwhatwoul
d

bef
all
me.shegott
omeand

st
oodbesi
deme.

“
hiChr
ist
ian”shesai
d

Isl
owl
yrai
sedmyheadt
osee

i
fshewasact
ual
l
ytheone

st
andi
ngbesi
demeornot
,

becauseIwasexpect
inghert
o

st
artbar
kingi
mmedi
atel
yshe

gett
ome.

“
canIsi
t?”sheasked,
poi
nti
ng

t
otheav
ail
abl
espacebesi
de

me.

Idi
dn’
trespond.Ij
ustkept

st
ari
ngbl
ankl
yint
oai
r.what

i
sshet
ryi
ngt
odot
hist
ime?I

t
hought
.

“
canIsi
t?”sher
epeat
edwhen

Idi
dn’
trespond.

Inoddedandshei
mmedi
atel
y

satbesi
deme.shef
ixedher

gazeont
hebookIwashol
ding

wi
thoutsay
ingawor
d.Iwas
uncomf
ort
abl
ehav
ingherby

mysi
de.Af
terawhi
l
eof

deaf
eni
ngsi
l
ence,
shef
inal
l
y

spoke.

“
Chr
ist
ianIact
ual
l
y…”she

paused

“
Idon’
tev
enknowhowt
osay

t
hisr
ightnow”shecont
inued

“
Idon’
thav
eanyexcusef
or

myact
iont
heot
herday
.I

r
eal
l
ydon’
tknowwhatcame

ov
erme.Il
efthomev
ery

angr
ythatday
,because

someoneof
fendedme.Iwasso

angr
ytot
heext
entt
hatIwas

hav
ingheadache.Ij
usthadt
o

unl
easht
heangeri
nme

bef
orei
tchokesme.t
hatwas

whyIgotmadaty
ouwhen

y
ouonl
ytr
ytopaymyf
are.

I
’
mreal
l
ysor
ry.Ij
usthope

y
oucanf
orgi
veme.Ihav
e

al
way
swant
edt
oapol
ogi
zeal
l

t
hiswhi
l
ebutwasscar
edy
ou
mi
ghtgetmadatme.I
’
mver
y

sor
ry.pl
easef
orgi
veme”she

pl
eaded.

Idi
dn’
trespond.Ij
ustkept

st
ari
ngi
ntoai
r.Thef
actt
hat

Sy
lvi
a,whoIt
houghtwas

act
ual
l
ycomi
ngt
odescendon

me,
wasact
ual
l
yapol
ogi
zi
ng,

mademesur
pri
sed.

Shepl
acedherhandonmy

shoul
derandst
aredi
ntomy

ey
es.Icoul
dn’
tst
arebackat

her
.If
ixedmygazeont
he

f
loor
.

“
Chr
ist
ianpl
easef
orgi
veme.

I
’
mreal
l
ysor
ry”shesai
d

“
Ihav
efor
giv
eny
ou”I

managedt
osay
.

Ihadt
osayi
t,f
orhert
ost
op

bor
inghol
eonmybody
.her

cl
osenesswasmaki
ngmev
ery

uncomf
ort
abl
e.Iwasnotev
en

angr
ywi
thheri
nthef
ir
st

pl
ace.

“
Iknowt
hatdi
dn’
tcomef
rom
y
ourhear
t”shesai
d

“
Ihav
efor
giv
eny
ou.Iwasnot

ev
enangr
ywi
thy
ou.
”Isai
d

“
Idon’
tbel
i
evey
ou.Okayi
f

y
ouhav
ereal
l
yfor
giv
enme

l
i
key
ousai
d,l
etmei
nvi
tey
ou

t
omypl
acef
ordi
nnert
oni
ght
.

i
fyouaccept
,Iwi
l
lknowt
hat

y
ouhav
ereal
l
yfor
giv
enme”

shesai
d

‘
Yourpl
ace’
imumbl
edt
o

my
sel
f.Shewant
stoputmei
n

at
ightposi
ti
onnow.whycan’
t

shej
ustbel
i
evet
hatIhav
e

f
orgi
venher
.now,
she’
s

i
nvi
ti
ngmef
ordi
nner
.Ihad

nev
erbeencomf
ort
abl
ehav
ing

al
adyi
nmyr
oom.goi
ngt
oa

l
ady
’shousemi
ghtbe

di
sast
rous.howwi
l
lIpol
i
tel
y

t
urndownherr
equest
?that
’s

oneofmypr
obl
em.Idon’
t

knowhowt
opol
i
tel
ytur
n

downal
ady
’sr
equest
.Ial
way
s

agr
eet
oal
lthei
rrequest
,no
mat
terwhati
tcostme.

“
doy
ouacceptmyi
nvi
tat
ion?

sheasked

“
okay
”Inodded

“
thanksv
erymuchI
’
mreal
l
y

gr
atef
ul.
”shesai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

“
Icanseey
ouwer
ebusy

bef
oreIcame.l
etmel
eav
e

y
ou,
sot
haty
oucancont
inue

wi
thwhaty
ouar
edoi
ng”she

sai
d

“
okay
”Ir
esponded

shest
oodup,
car
ri
edherbag

andl
eft
.

Icoul
dn’
tcont
inuewi
thwhatI

wasr
eadi
ng.Ipar
kedmy

booksandl
eftt
hecl
ass.Iwent

st
rai
ghthomet
opr
epar
e

my
sel
ffort
hedi
nneri
nor
der

nott
oembar
rassmy
sel
finher

house.
.

Isatonmybedt
ryi
ngt
o

gat
herasmuch

conf
idenceasIcoul
d.my
hear
tkeptpoundi
ngi
n

mychestast
hedaygetdar
ker
.

Anymomentf
rom now,
Iwi
l
l

bei
nSy
lvi
a’
shouse.Ist
ood

upf
rom mybed,
asi
twasno

mor
ecomf
ort
abl
eformet
osi
t

on.Ipacedi
nmyr
oom t
ryi
ng

t
orehear
seaf
ewwor
dsI

woul
dsaywhenIgett
oher

pl
ace.mygazewentt
othewal
l

cl
ocki
nmyr
oom andI

r
eal
i
zedi
twasal
ready6:
45pm.

Iwassupposedt
obeather

pl
aceby7pm.Iwasget
ti
ng

r
eal
l
yner
vous.may
beIshoul
d

j
ustcal
lherandt
ell
hert
hatI

won’
tbecomi
ngany
mor
e.but

shemi
ghtt
hinkI
’
m st
il
langr
y

wi
thheri
fIt
ell
hert
hat
.I

hav
etogo.Ihav
epr
omi
sed

heral
ready
.Iwi
l
ltr
ymybest

nott
olookner
vous.

It
ookmywal
l
etf
rom mybed

andl
eftmyr
oom.

Igott
oherpl
aceexact
ly
7:
15pm.Ist
oodbesi
deher

doorcont
empl
ati
ngon

whet
hert
oknockornot
.Af
ter

10mi
nut
esofst
andi
ng,
I

summonedcour
ageand

knocked.

“
hol
donpl
ease.I
’
m comi
ng”

herv
oicesoundedf
rom

wi
thi
n.

Af
terabout30seconds,
the

dooropened.Myhear
tmi
ssed

abeatwhenIsawherbutI

r
emai
nedcal
m.

“
wow!y
oucame.It
hought

y
ouwon’
tcome.
”shesai
d

“
Ial
readypr
omi
sedt
ocome.I

don’
twantt
odi
sappoi
nty
ou.
”

Isai
d

“
pleasecomei
n”shesai
d

Ient
eredandshef
oll
owed

behi
ndme.

“
pleasehav
easi
t”shesai
d

poi
nti
ngt
oapl
ast
icchai
r

besi
deat
abl
e.

“
thanky
ou”Isai
dandsaton
t
hechai
r.

Shesatont
heot
herpl
ast
ic

chai
ropposi
teme.

“
thanksf
orcomi
ng”shesai
d

“
nowIknowy
ouar
enomor
e

angr
ywi
thme”

Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng.

“
youdi
dn’
tat
tendl
ect
uresal
l

t
hroughl
astweek.what

happened?
”sheasked

“
not
hing”Ir
esponded

“
youj
ustdeci
dedt
ost
ayat

home”

“
yes”Ir
esponded.

“
Ihopey
ouhadgonet
hrough

al
lthet
opi
cswedi
dthatweek”

“
yes”Ir
esponded.

Shel
ookedi
ntomyey
esasi
f

shewassear
chi
ngf
or

somet
hing.

“
itseemsy
ouar
eaguyoff
ew

wor
ds”shesai
d

Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt
orespond.

Ij
ustsmi
l
ed.
“
pleasegi
vemeami
nut
e”she

sai
dandwenti
ntoher

ki
tchen.

ThatwaswhenIt
ookmyt
ime

t
oadmi
ret
hebeaut
yofher

r
oom.Ihav
en’
tbeenabl
eto

obser
veherr
oom si
nceI

came.herbedwasj
ustbesi
de

herwar
drobe.herr
oom was

pai
ntedpi
nk.post
ersofsome

popul
arcel
ebr
it
iescoul
dbe

si
nceont
hewal
l
.whi
l
eIwas

st
il
ladmi
ri
ngt
hebeaut
yof

herr
oom,
sheemer
gedwi
th

t
wopl
atesofr
icei
nher

hands.shepl
acedi
tont
he

t
abl
ebesi
deme.shewentback

i
nsi
deandr
etur
nedwi
tha

bot
tl
ewat
erandt
wogl
asses.

shepl
acedi
tont
het
abl
eand

satopposi
teme.

“
okay
,di
nneri
sready
.Ihope

y
ouwi
l
lli
kei
t”shesai
d.

sheser
vedt
hef
oodand

st
art
edeat
ing,
whi
l
eIst
aredat
t
hef
oodl
i
keIneededappr
oval

bef
oreeat
ing.

“
arey
ounoteat
ing?
”she

askedwheni
sreal
i
zedIhav
e

nott
ouchedt
hef
ood

“
Iwi
l
l”Isai
dandqui
ckl
ytook

aspoonf
uli
ntomymout
h.

shest
aredatmeasi
fshewas

t
ryi
ngt
oreadwhatwasonmy

mi
nd.shesmi
l
edand

cont
inuedeat
ingherf
ood.

“
Ihopey
oul
i
ket
hef
ood”

“
yes.
”Ianswer
edandf
ixedmy

gazebackont
hef
ood.

shekeptst
ari
ngatmewi
th

smi
l
esonherf
ace.It
ri
ednot

t
olookupf
rom myf
oodi
n

or
dernott
omeethergaze.

Hercont
inuousst
arewas

maki
ngmeuncomf
ort
abl
e.i
t

wasasi
fshewasr
eadi
ngmy

mi
nd.

“
forhowl
onghav
eyoubeen

t
hisway
?”sheasked

Herquest
iongotmer
eal
l
y
conf
used.Idi
dn’
tunder
stand

herquest
ion

“
Idon’
tgety
ou”Isai
d

“
youcant
ell
meabouti
t.i
t

hel
pswheny
oushar
eitwi
th

cl
osef
ri
ends.
”shesai
d

Ist
il
ldi
dn’
tunder
standwhat

shewast
ryi
ngt
osay

“
Ireal
l
ydon’
tgety
ou.what

ar
eyout
aki
ngabout
?”Iasked

shesmi
l
edanddr
oppedt
he

spoonshewashol
ding.

“
myuncl
ewasoncel
i
key
ou.

t
hingsdi
dn’
tgowel
lforhi
m

becausehedeci
dedt
okeepi
t

t
ohi
msel
f.hehadt
omar
ry

someonehedi
dn’
tlov
e.”she

sai
d

Themor
eshespeaks,
the

mor
eIgetconf
used.whatdoes

heruncl
egott
odowi
thme.

“
Syl
vi
a,whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
o

say
?youar
eget
ti
ngme

conf
used.
”Isai
d

“
youdon’
thav
etohi
dei
tfr
om
me.Iknowal
ready
.”shesai
d

“
youknowwhat
?”Iasked

“
Iknowt
haty
ouar
eal
way
s

ner
vousany
timey
ouar
eal
one

wi
thal
ady
.youar
eashyguy
”

If
rozei
mmedi
atel
yshemade

t
hatst
atement
.Ist
aredather

i
nshock.
.

Sandr
amov
edcl
osert
o

meandhel
dmyhands.

shest
aredi
ntomyey
es.

Ist
aredbackatheri
n

shock.shej
ustdef
inedme.i
t

wasnotasi
fwehadknown

eachot
herf
orl
ong.t
hiswas

ev
enmyf
ir
stt
imeofbei
ng

al
onewi
thher
.howcoul
dshe

knowt
hatI
’
m al
way
sner
vous

whenev
erI
’
m al
onewi
tha

l
ady
.

“
Chr
ist
ian”shecal
l
ed

“
youdon’
thav
etof
eel
bad

abouti
t.y
ouar
enott
heonl
y

onewi
tht
hist
rai
t.y
oucan

ov
ercomei
tify
oucant
ell
peopl
eabouti
t.myuncl
etoo

hadt
hist
rai
t.hi
scasewasso

badt
hatatt
heageof30,
he

st
il
lcoul
dn’
tappr
oachl
adi
es.

Hehadnogi
rl
fr
iend.Hi
s

par
enthadt
ogethi
m awi
fe

whenhewoul
dn’
tint
roduce

anyl
adyt
othem.Hehadt
o

acceptt
hel
adyt
hatwaschosen

f
orhi
m becausehehadno

ot
heropt
ion.Henev
erl
ove

t
hewomanhemar
ri
ed.Hewas

l
aterabl
etocont
rol
his

shy
nesswhenhet
oldhi
scl
ose

f
ri
endsabouti
tandt
heygav
e

hi
m adv
icewhi
chhel
pedhi
m.

hebecameconf
identi
n

hi
msel
fandwasabl
eto

appr
oachl
adi
es,
butt
hatdi
dn’
t

changeany
thi
ngbecausehe

wasal
readymar
ri
edt
oa

womanhedi
dn’
tlov
e.Hi
s

r
eli
giondoesn’
tsuppor
t

di
vor
ce,
sohecoul
dn’
tdi
vor
ce

hi
swi
fe.Al
lthi
shappenedt
o
hi
m becausehekepthi
s

pr
obl
em t
ohi
msel
f.i
fhehad

openupear
li
er,
hewoul
dn’
t

hav
emar
ri
edsomeonehe

di
dn’
tlov
e.”

Thepai
nIf
elti
nmyhear
tat

t
hatmomentcannotbe

descr
ibedwi
thwor
ds.i
twas

asi
fmyhear
twoul
dexpl
ode.I

st
aredatSandr
awi
thsomuch

emot
ion.Ihav
enev
erbet
his

emot
ional
all
myl
i
fe.t
hatwas

t
hef
ir
stt
imeI
’
m st
ari
ngi
ntoa

l
ady
’sey
eswi
thoutbei
ng

ner
vous.Iwassopai
ned.I

t
ri
ednott
ospeak,
fort
het
ear
s

whi
chhadal
readyf
ormedi
n

myey
esnott
odr
op.

shet
ight
enedhergr
iponmy

hands.

“
Chr
ist
ianIbel
i
evey
oucan

ov
ercomet
his.Ther
eisno

pr
obl
em wi
thoutasol
uti
on.

y
ouhav
etohel
pyour
sel
f.l
ook

f
orf
ri
endsy
out
rustandt
ell
t
hem y
ourpr
obl
em.y
oucan

sol
vey
oupr
obl
em byt
ell
i
ng

peopl
e.peopl
ewhoy
oucan

t
rust
.peopl
ewhocanadv
ise

y
ou.i
fyouar
econf
ident

enought
otel
lmeabouti
t,I

wi
l
lgl
adl
ygi
vey
oual
i
steni
ng

ear
.”shesai
dandandf
ixed

hergazeonmy
,wai
ti
ngf
or

met
oshar
emypr
obl
em wi
th

her
.

Ist
aredi
ntensel
yather
.I

coul
dn’
tgetmygazeof
fher
.I

hav
enev
erst
aredatal
ady

t
hiswaybef
ore.Iwasn’
t

my
sel
fany
mor
e.Iwas

dest
abi
l
ized.

“
I……….
”Ipaused

Icoul
dn’
tspeak.myl
i
pswer
e

shaki
ng.

“
I…………”Ipausedagai
n.

Thet
ear
swhi
chIhadbeen

hol
ding,
droppedf
reel
yfr
om

myey
es.

“
Ihav
ebeent
hiswayal
lmy
l
i
fe”Isai
dasmor
etear
sfl
ow

f
rom myey
es.

“
mychi
l
dhoodt
il
lthi
sst
ageof

myl
i
fehadbeensobor
ing.I

hav
enocl
osef
ri
ends.Idon’
t

knowhowt
omakef
ri
ends.I

don’
tal
way
sdot
hingst
hatI

wi
shedt
odo.Idon’
tgot
o

par
ti
es.Ial
way
sgetner
vous

whenI
’
minacr
owdedpl
ace.I

don’
tknowhowt
oappr
oach

l
adi
es.Ican’
tst
artormai
ntai
n

aconv
ersat
ionwi
thal
ady
.I

don’
tdot
hingst
hatnor
mal

humanbei
ngsdo.am Iev
ena

nor
mal
humanbei
ng.t
ell
me

whi
chnor
mal
humanbei
ng

wi
l
lbebehav
ingt
hisway
.”I

sai
dasmor
etear
sdr
opped

f
rom myey
es.

Themor
eIspeak,
themor
e

t
ear
sfl
owf
rom myey
es.I

coul
dn’
tcont
rol
mysel
f

any
mor
e.Iwascr
yingl
i
kea
baby
.Idi
dn’
tknowIhav
e

beenhol
dingal
lthi
spai
nfora

l
ongt
ime.Sy
lvi
adr
ewme

cl
osert
oherandwr
appedme

i
nawar
m embr
ace.t
hatdi
dn’
t

st
opt
het
ear
s.Iev
encr
iedt
he

mor
e.Isoakedhercl
othwi
th

t
ear
s.shet
ight
enhergr
ipon

me.

“
Chr
ist
iany
ouhav
etost
op

cr
ying.Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lsoonbe

ov
er.
”shesai
d

Il
aterst
oppedcr
ying,
butshe

di
dn’
tfr
eemef
rom herhol
d.

shest
il
lwr
appedmei
na

war
m embr
ace.wer
emai
ned

t
hatwayf
ort
henext20

mi
nut
es.wedi
dn’
tsay

any
thi
ngt
oeachot
her
.the

r
oom wasv
erysi
l
ent
.Idi
dn’
t

knowwhathappenednext
.Al
l

Icoul
drememberwast
hatI

sl
eptof
fwhi
l
eshewasst
il
l

hol
dingont
ome.

Iwokeupanhourl
aterwi
th
sl
i
ghtheadache.It
ri
edt
osi
t

upf
rom t
hebedIwasl
yi
ng

butwast
ooweek.Theev
ent

t
hathappenedanhourago

f
lashedt
hroughmymi
nd.t
hat

waswhenIr
eal
i
zedIwasst
il
l

i
nSy
lvi
a’
shouseandwasev
en

l
yi
ngonherbed.Isatup

i
mmedi
atel
y.Howdi
dIgett
o

herbed?Al
lIcoul
dremember

wast
hatIwassi
tt
ingonher

chai
r.wai
tami
nut
e,Iev
en

t
oldhermypr
obl
em.Howdi
d

Igett
hatmuchcour
aget
otel
l

hermypr
obl
em.Iev
encr
ied

i
nherpr
esence.Ican’
tbel
i
eve

Ij
ustcr
iedl
i
keababyi
na

l
ady
’spr
esence.

Whi
l
eIwasst
il
lwander
ingi
n

myt
hought
,sheemer
gedf
rom

herki
tchenwi
thacupoft
ea.

shesmi
l
edwhenshesawme.

“
youar
eawake”shesai
d

Idi
dn’
trespond.shest
ret
ched

t
hecupoft
eat
ome.
“
hav
ethi
s.i
twi
l
lmakey
ouget

bet
ter
”

Icol
l
ect
edt
hecupoft
ea

wi
thoutt
aki
ngmygazeof
f

her
.

“
Iwantt
ogohome”Isai
d

“
okay
,butt
aket
hatf
ir
st”

Iqui
ckl
ydownal
lthecont
ent

andgav
eherbackt
hecup

“
thanky
ou”Isai
d

“
youar
ewel
come”she

r
esponded

“
Iwi
l
ltakemyl
eav
enow”I

sai
d

“
okay
,butmakesur
eyoucal
l

mewheny
ougethome”

Inodded.Ist
oodupf
rom her

bedandl
eftherhouse.Il
eft

exact
ly9:
45pm.

ToBeCont
inued

[
2/15,
12:
06PM]+233544142683Ohene Ome:
#MY_
LIFE_
AS_
A_SHY_
GUY

#FI
NAL3pi
sode
Ev
ery
onegav
etheguy

onst
ageabi
groundofappl
ause

whenhewasdone.hewal
ked

backt
osi
tont
heseathewas

pr
evi
ousl
yoccupy
ing.

TheM.
Cwentbackonst
age

wi
thabooki
nhi
shand.

“
thatwasagr
eatspeech”t
he

M.
Csai
d

“
nowt
henextst
udentont
he

l
i
sti
sChr
ist
ianOwen”

Myhear
tpausedi
mmedi
atel
yI

hear
dmyname.Isl
owl
yst
ood

upandwal
kedt
othest
age.I

t
urnedandf
acet
hecr
owd.

t
housandsofey
eswer
e

st
ari
ngatme.myhear
twas

poundi
ng.

Chr
ist
iany
oucandot
his.I

assur
edmy
sel
f.Chr
ist
ianbe

f
ocus.Isai
dtomy
sel
f.Ist
ared

f
rom oneper
sont
otheot
her

i
ntheaudi
tor
ium.myey
es

suddenl
ycaughtSy
lvi
asi
tt
ing

att
hebackseat
.shewas
st
ari
ngdeepl
yatme.shest
ood

upf
rom herseatandwal
ked

t
othef
ront
.shel
ocat
edaseat

i
naspotwher
eIcoul
dgeta

cl
ear
erv
iewofherandsat

down.shef
ixedhergazeon

mebutshewasn’
tsmi
l
ing.I

coul
dgetacl
ear
erv
iewofher

f
rom wher
eIwasst
andi
ng.

shewaswear
ingabl
ueski
rt

andawhi
tet
op.herwhi
tet
op

hadt
hewor
ds‘
youcandoi
t’

i
nscr
ibedoni
t.
’Ineededno

onet
otel
lmet
hatshe

pur
posel
ywor
ethatt
opj
ustt
o

encour
ageme.ev
enwhen

she’
sangr
ywi
thme,
shest
il
l

camet
oencour
ageme.I

coul
dn’
thi
det
hesmi
l
eonmy

f
ace.Iwassmi
l
ingbr
oadl
y.

t
hough,
shedi
dn’
tsmi
l
e,but

shenev
ert
ookhergazeof
f

me.Sy
lvi
aist
rul
yonei
na

mi
l
li
on.somet
imes,
you

woul
dn’
tknowhowv
aluabl
e
someonei
stoy
ou,
unt
ily
ou

hav
elostt
hatper
son.Sy
lvi
ais

mor
ethanv
aluabl
etome.I

woul
dn’
tknowwhatmyl
i
fe

woul
dbecomei
fIl
ose

someonel
i
keSy
lvi
a.i
twi
l
lbe

v
eryr
egr
ett
abl
e.Ibet
terset

t
hingsst
rai
ghtbef
orei
t’
stoo

l
ate.Iwi
l
lsur
elygot
oher

i
mmedi
atel
yaf
tert
hisev
ent

andcl
eart
hingsup.t
hewor
ds

t
hatwer
einscr
ibedonher

dr
essboostmyconf
idence.

‘
thanky
ouSy
lvi
aforbei
ng

t
her
eforme’

It
urnedmygazeawayf
rom

herandf
acedt
hecr
owdwi
th

conf
idence.

Ist
art
edbyr
ecogni
zi
ngt
he

pr
esenceoft
hemi
nist
erof

f
inance,
themi
nist
erof

educat
ion,
thev
icechancel
l
or

oft
heuni
ver
sit
y,andev
ery

ot
herhi
ghpr
ofi
l
eindi
vi
dual
s

i
ntheaudi
tor
ium.wi
thout
wast
inganyt
ime,
Iwent

st
rai
ghtt
omyr
easonof

st
andi
ngt
her
e.Ispoke

cour
ageousl
y.Idi
dn’
tmi
ssa

si
ngl
ewor
dIhadmemor
ized.

Idi
dn’
tpausedf
orasecond.I

del
i
ver
edt
hespeechwi
th

conf
idence.

Ev
ery
onei
ntheaudi
tor
ium

gav
emeast
andi
ngov
ati
on

whenIwasdone.If
eltont
op

oft
hewor
ld.t
hesmi
l
eonmy

f
acewasv
isi
ble.Ineededno

onet
otel
lmet
hatIdi
dav
ery

goodj
ob.

i
fIcoul
dst
andi
n

f
rontofal
argecr
owdl
i
ket
his

andspeakconf
ident
ly,
then

t
her
eisnowher
eIcoul
dn’
t

st
andt
ospeak.i
fIcoul
dst
art

aconv
ersat
ionwi
tht
hel
adyI

sawi
nthef
acul
tyof

engi
neer
ing,
andal
somai
ntai
n

aconv
ersat
ionwi
tht
hel
adyI

sawatt
hegar
denofeden,
t
hent
her
eisnol
adyIcan’
t

speakt
o.i
fIcoul
dbei
na

companyofl
adi
esl
i
keSy
lvi
a,

Shar
on,
Kat
e,Joy
,amongot
her

andst
il
li
nter
actf
reel
ywi
th

t
hem,
thenIt
hinkI
’
m no

l
ongert
hatshyguy.t
her
eis

st
il
lonet
hingl
eftf
ormet
o

do,
andIwi
l
lsur
elydoi
tonce

Il
eav
ethi
sst
age.

It
urnedmygazet
owher
e

Sy
lvi
awassi
tt
ingandsawher

l
eav
ingt
heaudi
tor
ium.soshe

act
ual
l
ycameher
ejustf
orme.

ev
enwhenshewasangr
ywi
th

me,
shest
il
lcamet
osuppor
t

me.Ineedt
osett
hings

st
rai
ghtr
ightnoworImi
ght

nev
ergetanot
heroppor
tuni
ty.

Il
eftt
hest
ageandf
oll
owedt
he

di
rect
ionSy
lvi
atook.Iwent

out
sidet
heaudi
tor
ium but

coul
dn’
tfi
ndSy
lvi
a.Isear
ch

i
nal
lthecor
ner
sout
sidet
he

audi
tor
ium butst
il
lcoul
dn’
t
f
indher
.may
beshewoul
d

hav
egonehomeal
ready
.I

hav
etogot
oherpl
aceandset

t
hingsr
ight
.Ihav
enor
eason

t
oremai
nint
heaudi
tor
ium.I

hav
eal
readydel
i
ver
edmy

speechsoI
’
mfr
eet
ogo.Ineed

t
obeatSy
lvi
a’
spl
acer
ight

now.Ihav
ethi
sfeart
hatI

mi
ghtnothav
ethe

oppor
tuni
tyt
osett
hings

st
rai
ghtagai
nifIwast
e

any
mor
eti
me.

Iqui
ckl
yrushedt
othebus

par
k.It
ookabust
hatwi
l
l

conv
eymedi
rect
lyt
oSy
lvi
a’
s

house.

Igott
oherpl
aceandst
ood

besi
deherdoor
.Ipr
ayed

si
l
ent
lyt
hatt
hingsshoul
dgo

wel
l
.Iknockedsof
tl
yont
he

doorbutdi
dn’
tgetany

r
esponse.Iknockedagai
nand

wai
tedpat
ient
lyf
orhert
o

opent
hedoor
.sheopenedt
he
doorami
nut
elat
er.shegl
ared

atmewhensher
eal
i
zedIwas

t
heoneatt
hedoor
.she

want
edt
olockt
hedoorback

butIqui
ckl
yhel
dthehandl
e

oft
hedoorandpr
eventher

f
rom l
ocki
ngi
t.shet
ri
edt
o

f
orcef
ull
yremov
emyhand

f
rom t
hedoorhandl
ebut

coul
dn’
t.af
tersev
eral
att
empt
,

shef
inal
l
ylef
tthedooropened

andwal
kedi
ntoherr
oom.I

ent
eredherr
oom andsawher

f
aci
ngt
hewal
l
.shewas

backi
ngme.Iwal
kedt
oher

andst
oodbehi
ndher
.

“
Syl
vi
aI…….
.”IpausedasI

coul
dn’
tfi
ndt
her
ightwor
dto

say
.

Ihel
dherr
ighthandf
rom

behi
ndbutshef
orcef
ull
yfr
eed

herhandf
rom myhol
d.

“
don’
ttouchme”shebar
ked.

It
ri
edt
ohol
dheragai
nbut

sher
efused
“
I’
m war
ningy
ou,
don’
ttouch

me”shebar
kedagai
n.

Ist
oodsi
l
ent
lybehi
ndher
,not

knowi
ngwhatt
odonext
.af
ter

awhi
l
eofsi
l
ence,
Ifi
nal
l
y

spoke.

“
Syl
vi
aI…….
”

“
don’
tcal
lme”shecuti
n

i
mmedi
atel
y.

Idi
dn’
tknowwhatnextt
odo.

Ist
oodbehi
ndherwi
thout

say
ingawor
d.whenshe

woul
dn’
ttur
ntof
aceme,
I

deci
dedt
odoi
tmyway
.

Iqui
ckl
ygr
abbedherhand,

t
urnedherf
orcef
ull
ytof
ace

me,
drewhercl
osert
omy
sel
f

andpl
ant
edaki
ssonherl
i
ps.

shef
rozei
mmedi
atel
yIdi
d

t
hat
.shest
aredatmeopen-

mout
hedandcoul
dn’
tsaya

wor
d.Idi
dn’
ttakemygazeof
f

her
.west
aredi
ntensel
yat

eachot
her
.af
terawhi
l
eof
si
l
ence,
Ifi
nal
l
yspoke.

“
Ican’
thi
dei
tany
mor
e.my

hear
tmi
ghtj
ustexpl
odei
fI

cont
inuekeepi
ngi
ttomy
sel
f.

Ihav
etol
eti
tout
”Ipaused

andst
areddeepl
yather
.

“
Ilov
eyouSy
lvi
a”Il
eti
tout

shest
aredatmewi
thsomuch

emot
ion.herf
acesuddenl
y

cur
vedi
nasmi
l
e.shedr
ew

cl
osert
omeandwr
appedher

handsr
oundmyneck.

“
Ilov
eyout
ooChr
ist
ian.I

l
ovey
ousomuch”she

r
esponded.

west
aredsi
l
ent
lyateach

ot
her
.herhandswer
est
il
l

wr
appedar
oundmyneck.

“
Iam…….
”Iwant
edt
ospeak

butshequi
ckl
ypl
ant
edaki
ss

onmyl
i
ps.weki
ssed

passi
onat
ely
.theki
sswasso

i
ntenset
hatIl
ostcont
rol
of

my
sel
f.If
oundmyhands

mov
ingt
owar
dshert
high.al
l
ofasudden,
Irai
sedt
hewhi
te

t
opshewasput
ti
ngonabov
e

herabdomenr
egi
on.she

di
dn’
tst
opme.shedi
dn’
tev
en

f
reemef
rom herhol
d.she

wr
appedherhandt
ight
ly

ar
oundmyneck.herbosom

wasr
est
ingonmychest
.our

l
i
pswer
est
il
lent
angl
ed.she

dr
aggedmet
owar
dst
he

di
rect
ionofherbed.al
lofa

sudden,
Ifoundmy
sel
fly
ing

onherbedwhi
l
eshewasl
yi
ngon

mybody
.onet
hingl
edt
othe

ot
her
,butal
lot
hert
hingst
hat

t
ranspi
redbet
weenusi
nher

r
oom,
shoul
dbel
eftf
ort
he

i
magi
nat
ion.Iknewv
erywel
l

t
hatonceIl
eav
eherpl
ace,
I

woul
dnol
ongerbet
hatshy

guy.Youcanhiomeanoon+233544142683t
obeaddedt
ost
oryheadquar
ter
sroom f
ormor
e
exci
ti
ngstor
ies.

Iwon’
tsayt
hatIhav
etot
all
y

ov
ercameshy
ness,
butone

t
hingIknowf
orsuchi
sthat
,I

woul
dnol
ongerbet
hatshy
guywhocoul
dn’
tspeaki
n

cr
owd,
whocoul
dn’
ttal
kto

l
adi
esandwhocoul
dn’
tdo

t
hingshewi
sht
odo.because

al
lthatwoul
dbeat
hingoft
he

past
.

i
fsomeoneasshyasChr
ist
ian

coul
dcont
rol
hisshynat
ure,

t
hent
her
e’snoonet
hatcan’
t

cont
rol
his.at
leastt
oal
evel

t
hati
twon’
taf
fectt
hei
rsoci
al

l
i
fe.don’
tal
l
owt
hatnegat
ive

v
oicet
oal
way
sdi
ctat
ehow

y
oul
eav
eyourl
i
fe.don’
tal
l
ow

t
hatv
oicet
oaf
fecty
oursoci
al

l
i
fe.wheny
ouf
eel
li
kedoi
ng

somet
hing,
doi
twi
thout

l
i
steni
ngt
othatnegat
ive

v
oice.i
fyoul
oveal
ady
,tel
l

herhowy
ouf
eel
.don’
tbe

scar
edofr
eject
ion.i
fyou

coul
dn’
ttel
lal
adyy
oul
ove

howy
ouf
eel
abouther
,you

wi
l
lonl
yregr
eti
tlat
er.i
fyou

l
oveal
adyandcoul
dn’
ttel
l
herhowmuchy
oul
oveher
,

t
heny
ouar
esel
fi
sh.doy
ou

knowwhatt
hosewor
dscoul
d

dot
othatl
ady
’sl
i
fe,
ifonl
y

y
oucant
ell
her
.don’
tli
mit

y
our
sel
f.

bei
ngani
ntr
over
tdoesnot

l
i
mity
ouf
rom achi
evi
ngy
our

dr
eam.i
tisbel
i
evedt
hat

i
ntr
over
tsar
edeept
hinker
s.i
f

onl
yyoucanbr
ingt
hose

t
hingsy
ouhav
einmi
ndt
o

r
eal
i
ty,
thewor
ldwoul
dbe

bet
tert
hant
his.t
hewor
ld

needsy
ou.t
hewor
ldneedst
o

hearf
rom y
ou.don’
tjustl
eav
e

t
hosegr
eatt
hingsy
ouhav
ein

mi
ndt
oremai
niny
ourmi
nd,

j
ustbecausey
ouar
escar
edof

f
ail
ure.br
ingi
ttor
eal
i
ty.

Ev
ery
thi
ngy
ouseei
nthe

wor
ldt
oday
,wasoncei
n

someone’
smi
nd.t
hecar
s,

pl
ane,
bui
l
dingsandev
ery

ot
hert
hingsy
ouseet
oday
,
wasonceani
magi
nat
ionof

peopl
ewhi
cht
heychoset
o

br
ingt
oreal
i
ty.i
fthosepeopl
e

deci
dednott
obr
ingwhatt
hey

hav
einmi
ndt
oreal
i
ty,
then

t
hist
hingswoul
dn’
thav
ebeen

i
nexi
stence.

don’
tli
mity
our
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gr
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eat
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gr
eat
.

THEEND!
!!
!