26| Friends.

Ruby.

I was locked in the dark room for what seemed like forever but was actually two days. And yes, without food, water or anything at all, not even lollipop.

I was finally allowed out on the third day even though my bodyguards tripled and the threats multiplied. My international passport was nowhere to be found and I couldn't even go to anywhere without been followed not even the toilet. A female bodyguard was always in there with me, Toby took it all to a whole new level and if I say I was shocked, that'd be a lie because to be honest, knowing that devil, I thought he'd even kill me or something, no jokes.

Since I had been transferred to Daniels Private University, I had never been chanced to go for even one class and I was honestly feeling unhappy about that, I love school and I wasn't going to just get good grades I didn't actually work for, I wasn't brought up that way. So I decided to start going to my classes even though Toby refused vehemently at first before his dad intervened and told him to let me go but only with enough bodyguards, as expected.

I really didn't mind as long as I was allowed to be within the comfort of the library amidst my very good friends and amazing companies, my books. So after some more back and forth, threats and unnecessary insults between Toby and I, I set out.

The convoy of two expensive black cars with tinted windows following each other with their blinkers on gathered some attention as we drove into the spacious and classy looking university.
Whispers flew left and right as I stepped out of the car. Used to the unwanted attention, I merely ignored all the unnecessary drama and noise and went straight to the administrative block.

Some ladies simply paved way for me as I passed while most greeted way too friendly like we had known each other for years or something. The Daniels factor of course. After I was given the school map, some unnecessary books and exaggerated special treatment by the admins, I made way for my faculty and lecture room which according to the timetable in my hands showed that a class was definitely ongoing at the moment.

One of my bodyguards opened the door to the elegant and air conditioned auditorium quite noisily and as such drifted everyone's attentions to me, including that of the female professor who was standing at the front of the class playing some PowerPoint presentation on the projector.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am." I apologized as I sat at the furthest seat from the front.
The professor had brought her baby in with her, so cute! It made the lecture room better, warmer, giving it the family vibe I was so missing without realising it. She talked while the cute baby chewed her handbag strap. It was a sort of heartfelt levity the day would otherwise have lacked.

Ladies stared at me for so long that it started to feel like I was a specimen they were in school to study. They made it so obvious that they were staring. What's the big deal, ladies?

I tried to zone them out as I thought about the room I was in. A classroom is one of my favorite place to be, as weird and nerdy as that may sound, it is my salvation and personal space that actually makes me feel like I have a voice, one I can use at will without being asked to shut up. Whenever I walk into it, my mind is able to function, my stride grows longer and I can be who I really am. It is a place I am able to learn, to explore and be with people who might really understand me.
Somehow in a classroom, my differences are not only accepted but celebrated as a smart person that I was. We like being unique, doesn't that make life so much more interesting?

My mind snapped back into the classroom when I heard a very familiar voice speak: " Representing black as evil and white as good is a matter of night and day, darkness and light, unknown and known. There are things that hide in shadow, unseen, unaware, unknown, but when you add light, it brings things to life. It's just like going back into a culture before the advent of electricity. Night was frightening, you couldn't see, couldn't find your way around, but adding light changed that illusion, it gave you confidence, pushed back fear. Many children are afraid of the dark, it's a bit natural to them, considering they know little of evil or bad things, they still fear what they can't see." He answered the question exuding confidence and fluency.

"Well, would anyone like to counter him? Why can't we use white to describe evil and black to describe good?" The professor threw while everyone started to murmur.

Now, this is why I love my course with all of my heart! Arguments, debate, tackling, interpreting, analyzing and criticizing metaphors, literary texts, norms and facts.
Literary Criticism, a beauty to behold.

I shot my hands up in the air immediately, with excitement of course.

"Yes, Mrs... Daniels?"

"Setting my MacBook aside, I proceeded to stand on my feet, which was an habit I had just developed over time whenever I wanted to speak.

"Oh no! You can have your seat, please." She said.

"I'd rather stand while I speak ma'am. So speaking of why white can't be used to depict bad or evil and black as good which is the question at hand. Okay, but before we ask why, we need to ask if.
First of all, black doesn't always represent evil and white does sometimes represent evil. These things are cultural, and cultural things are made up. Human beings invented these associations. We made them up. Other cultures made up different things as well. In Japan and ancient Egypt, white is associated with death. In some other Asian cultures, white is the color of mourning. In China and Korea, white is often associated with bad luck. In some parts of the Middle East, black is associated with rebirth. In Brazil, purple is associated with death, sorrow, loss, or mourning.
All these associations are completely arbitrary inventions. In the states, we say green with envy, in Germany, yellow is the color of envy. In Western countries, 'feeling blue' means feeling sad or depressed; among some Hindus, blue is associated with love and joy. We shouldn't assume that associations that are true just because of where we live, are always true. My point is there's absolutely no reason why white can't depict evil and black depict good. Non at all, this is all simply the result of culture, and some histories. When we swerve a little from what we've always known, we'd see that what we use to depict evil is actually used to depict good in some cultures. Hence, these colors are just there and one color isn't permanent for a particular situation nor word." I concluded as I took my seat.

The woman stared at me wide-eyed, obviously very impressed while I then decided to look around me and discovered that practically everyone in the room had their eyes on me. I spotted Ola amidst the eyes looking back at me and he was seated on the chair of the person who had spoken before me, must be why his voice was so familiar.
He's a literary critic? Okay, that's way unexpected.

"Uhm... that's a very good point of view with amazing examples, Mrs Daniels. I must say I'm quite impressed."

Well, what I lack in looks and great body, I make up for in brains. I thought as I gloated.

"So, I'd like you all to criticize and analyze the metaphor, 'a dark time' which is another part of this black and white topic. I'd like a nice presentation from all of you next class. Good day."

As I was packing up my laptop and books, Ola approached me smiling from ear to ear, obviously glad to see me. I couldn't help but smile as well.
"Well, well, Well. Look who we have here, the one and only love of Toby's life." He joked as he got to me and plopped into the red leather chair beside me. I chuckled as I took in his cologne like the creep that I was. The aroma of his cologne was as comforting as the blackest of warm summer nights, those times when you felt as if you were in God's cocoon, awaiting your time to fly.

"I had no idea that we'd be within the same space of learning." I said.

"Well, I'm a sucker for literary criticism, and honestly, I'm so glad to have you here. For some reason, I feel like classes will be so fun henceforth, these course-mates of mine have been dull and boring for so long."

"Oh and by the way, you look beautiful." He complimented while I suddenly struggled to breath.
Why couldn't that low life idiot of a man be like this gentleman, would it cost so much? I froze as I stared right at him taking in his features.

To be very honest, no one feature makes Ola handsome, although... his eyes and glistening dark skin come close. People often speak of the colour of eyes, as if that were of importance, yet I feel like his would be beautiful in any shade. From them comes an intensity, an honesty, a gentleness. Perhaps this is what is meant by a gentleman, not one of weakness or politeness, but one of great spirit, friendliness and noble ways. What he is, what is beautiful about him, comes from deep within, it makes me feel like even if he were so ugly facially, he'd be so handsome still, his soul would radiate that handsomeness no matter what.

"Earth to Ruby?" He said as he waved his right hand in my face .

"Uhm... Sorry. Thank you, you look absolutely dashing too." I replied.

"That, I know." He simply dropped like a narcissist while I laughed.

"What! I'm handsome and I know it. That should be everybody's attitude towards themselves, then nobody can ruin one's day by simply calling one ugly... ugly who?" He added humorously and for some reason, he still sounded as humble as possible.

"Seriously, baby! I've been waiting outside for so long and you are here chitchatting with some g..." The loud scream startled the guards as they all gathered around me on impulse.
"Uhm... oh, it's Ruby Daniels." The lady said calmly, even though I could see that eye roll from her.

"Whatever, Ola, follow me right this instant." She commanded even though he was already dragging him away.

"I'll text you, have a nice day." Ola mouthed at me as he followed his girlfriend reluctantly.

I simply smiled.