I Choose You by Kemi Adejumo (classic novels for teens txt) 📗

Luke's Pov

OK, what just happened?  These two are just not serious? They are both so in love and yet so dumb about it.  I stared at the person in front of me. What am I supposed to do with this girl he handed me to?  Aarrgh Christian owes me big time. 

"What is your name? " I asked her.

"Shar... sharpay" she stammered  avoiding my eyes.  She is shy... I do not like shy girls, they are not my type.  It annoys me when girls act all shy and cute.  I prefer them sexy and fierce girls. I'm I going to have to deal with this?... Ugh I am going to kill Christian.  

"He said you are good at horse riding?" I asked even if I know that she won't be as good.  I mean look at her,  she looks plain and skinny.  I doubt she is that good.

"Yes but I don't know if I am allowed... you know,  selected girl? " She said.  Psst of course,  she would give that as an excuse.

"Yeah no kidding.  No need for excuses,  you can just admit that you can't ride a horse"  I challenged and she looked at me pissed.  I guess I just hit a button. 

"Are you challenging me? " she asked and I just shrugged.

"Fine Mr Luke" she said with a look of determination. Wait, how does she know my name?

"Mr Luke??  First don't call me Mister and how do you know my name?" I asked and she looked at me like I was messing with her.

"Uhm first you are one of the prince's best friend,  your Dad is one of the richest men in the society,  you are a famous footballer in Orlander,  my Dad makes sure he doesn't miss your games,  he loves you.  You are kind of famous Luke,  it will be hard to miss your name ." she explained sarcastically.  I smirked at her,  maybe I was wrong about her. 
"Hmm....you seem to know so much about me"

"Do you want to know about how much I know you or do you want to get on with the challenge? "  she asked.

"Ooh aren't you a fierce kitten? " I smirked at her while she just walked past me and jumped on the horse effortlessly.  OK isn't this the shy sharpay five minutes ago? 

"Start the clock.  We will be riding to the end of the field and back here. The Fastest wins." she said.

"OK fine but before you go... we have to make a deal.  Whoever wins have to ask for anything from whoever loses.  Deal?" I asked.

"Deal" She replied.  I started the time on my phone and immediately,  she was off.

I take back everything I ever said about her.  I was so wrong.  She is really good and fast.  She rode the horse with so much skill. So effortlessly,  so beautiful. Her Hair was bouncing in the air as she rode the wind.  She was back under thirty four seconds.  I was so shocked and so mesmerized.  She  looks like a pretty equestrian.  
For once in my life,  I am nervous that I can't win a challenge.

"Wow" I was clapping for her as she jumped off the horse.

"Your turn" OK she is competitive.  
I went towards the horse and jumped on it.  She started the time and I started riding.  I rode as fast as I could.  I can't let her win because first I challenged her and she is a girl.  No offence to any girl but I can't let a girl beat me.  

I got back in exactly thirty two seconds.  That was so close.  

"A deal is a deal,  what do you want? " she went straight to the point.  Hmm,  I am beginning to like this girl.

"I want you to go on a date with me,  three times" I smirked at her

"What??  No way!! " she shouted

"But you have to,  a deal is a deal "

"But... but I am a selected girl... for now I am owned by your best friend , you know,  the prince of Orlander? "  she exclaimed but I am not ready to back down.

"Oh please,  are you still going to use that as an excuse? "

"Yes I am... "

"OK fine... who handed you to me? " I asked.

"The prince " she replied.

"Good,  now if anything happens who do we blame? "  I asked smirking

"The prince? "

"Yes the prince.  So if we are seen on any date,  we will just blame him and say he handed you to me. "I said convincingly.

"OK fine  " she agree "But wait, how are you so sure that I don't like the prince and I am not trying to win his heart.  we can't go on any date.  " 

"You don't like Christian"

"How sure are you? " she asked again

"Because I have been observing you.  When he handed you to me,  you were neither angry nor sad.  If you really liked him,  you would have shown disappointment but you didn't.  Hence,  you don't like him "I explained.

"Oh so you know me now? "

"No... but I want to.  So what do you say pretty cat? " I asked seductively making her blush.

"OK... but I have to go now... see you around,  bye" she quickly said and fled.  The fierce cat was back to being shy.  

"At least now I know what I will be doing for the next one and half month in this annoying palace before football season."  I smiled.