Mud, Memories & Mixed Signals

First crushes never come with instructions. Between flying mud and mixed signals, Kimberly’s past might explain a lot more than she thought.

Eight years ago...

“I’ll pour mud on you!” baby Greg yelled, his hands dripping with brown goo as he chased me around the yard.

“No! Stop!! I’ll tell your mommy for you!” I screamed, my shoes slapping against the wet ground. I ran fast, then stopped to catch my breath�"but not for long. He was still coming.

He paused when I mentioned his mom. For a second, I thought it worked. But then he frowned, scooped up more mud, and shouted, “Go and tell her na! What I know is I’ll still rub you with mud!”

I sprinted off again, dodging him and praying that something�"anything�"would save me.

Then we heard it: Itam! A sharp smack on Greg’s back.

We both froze.

Greg’s mom stood there with her arms crossed, looking more disappointed than angry. Greg’s face crumpled immediately. He burst into tears.

“Greg, how many times will I tell you to stop playing in the mud, ehn? You don’t use to hear.” She turned to me, her eyes narrowing. “Kimberly, didn’t I tell you to be watching him so he won’t play in mud? Now look, you’ve joined him.”

My hands shook. I couldn’t even look her in the eye.

“I... I told him oo,” I stammered. “He didn’t want to listen.”

Greg sniffled, his cheeks wet. “It’s a lie, Mommy! She’s lying!”

“Close your mouth, jare! Pastor’s son, playing with mud like this. Where is Favour?” she asked, already looking away.

“Kimberly, go and meet your sister.”

“Okay, ma,” I whispered.

I glanced at Greg. “Nme,nto,” I muttered under my breath.

He didn’t miss a beat. “Waka.”

That was exactly eight years ago.

And yet... I still remember it so clearly. I’ve never told anyone that story�"not his sister, not even my diary until now. Maybe I’m too shy. Or maybe I just wish I never liked him.

There was always that 1% hope that Greg liked me too. But feelings... they ruin everything sometimes. Close friendships, innocent games�"gone.

I never knew when it started. Or why I liked him. The same way I didn’t know how I ended up liking Brandon, too.

There was one time�"primary 3�"I saw Brandon and Cherish laughing together. She stepped on his foot on purpose, and instead of getting mad, Brandon smiled. Like... actually smiled.

My chest tightened. I didn’t know how to act. I didn’t want anyone to see I was jealous�"even though I definitely was.

So, I decided to try that flirty move too. I did the same thing to Gregory.

But guess what? He didn’t smile. He just looked at me�"confused�"and then looked away.

My face burned. I gulped and quickly sat down, pretending like it was nothing. But inside, I felt like I’d been caught doing something shameful. Since then, I never tried it again.

It reminded me of the time he and his friends teased me, pulling at my hair tie. I wanted to slap all of them�"okay, maybe not really slap�"but I was so angry. And yet, because Gregory was there, I just stood there, laughing nervously.

Why didn’t I stop liking him then? Why didn’t I see that as a red flag?

Maybe because infatuation ignores red flags. Or maybe it wasn’t a crush at all. They say crushes last 3�"4 months. This? This went on for years.

Maybe it was love.

Ugh. Look at me, thinking about love. Like I’m some expert.

And now, writing all this into my diary, thinking about those silly memories, I didn’t even notice when my eyelids got heavy...

And before I knew it, I was asleep.

But even dreams couldn’t prepare me for what was coming. Valentine’s Day was just around the corner… and with it, a whole new wave of confusion, cards, and maybe�"just maybe�"confessions.

Author's Note

Hi there! 😊
Thank you so much for reading Chapter 2 of First Love. This chapter is a mix of childhood flashbacks and complicated feelings, and I’d really love to know what stood out to you.

If you have a moment, please leave a comment or review! I'd especially love your thoughts on:

The emotions and realism in the flashbacks

Kimberly’s feelings for Greg and Brandon

Your feedback means a lot and helps me grow as a writer. 💖
Thanks again for being part of this story!