I've written this chapter since last week Saturday but didn't want to update it. But I got a change of heart today. This would be the final chapter before I start the weekly update next week. This chapter is dedicated to me4268es for his lovely comments. It's kinda because of his I updated this.

P. S.  I changed the person I used for Elyon to someone else. Go and check the characters to see the new person. She's actually finer and looks more matured.
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Jamal and Skye in the media

Jamal's POV

The driver dropped me off and I started to make my way to the cafeteria since I knew it was lunch break, though I wasn't hungry at all. I had removed my tie because of the heat, not that any teacher would mind anyway. 90% of the seniors never wear their tie.

I entered the cafeteria and made my way to my table, where I knew my friends were. I heard a buzz in my pocket and brought out my phone, unlocking it. It was a text from Tolani. I sighed, opening it.

Since it was the first day of the term I knew I wasn't going to have class. Mostly because the teachers would be having staff meeting with the principal.

"J. J." I heard Somadina call me. I hit the send button and looked up. Immediately my eyes landed on her.

Her.

What was she doing here?

She was looking at me too, intently. I felt my heart racing as I accessed her. She was in our school uniform, meaning she was schooling here, meaning I would be seeing her more often.

Fuck. This is a recipe for disaster.

"Jamal." Skye's voice jerked me out of my reverie and I looked at her. She gave me a concerned look. "Are you okay?" She asked me. I quickly plastered a smile on my lips.

"I'm fine. Hey guys." I greeted the rest, trading high fives with Soma and Mateo then hugging the ladies. When I was done, I settled down beside Skye and coincidentally, just across Elyon. She looked at me and when her eyes met mine, she quickly looked away. I smirked.

She's shy.

"Are you not eating?" Somadina asked, pushing his glasses up his nose. I shook my head.

"I'm not too hungry. Plus I got something on my way here, so I'm fine." I replied.

Everyone continued talking and Skye engaged me, asking me how my session went and I told her. I looked at my wrist watch and saw that it was already time for my afternoon doze.

I removed my bag from my back and reached in to take the white container containing my drug. I carried it everywhere I went. Skye saw what I was doing and stopped me. I looked at her.

"What?" I asked her.

"Are you sure about taking it here? You know we have someone new at the table, right. I don't think it's a good idea taking your drug here, in front of her." She was referring to Elyon and I frowned.

"Are you ashamed of someone else finding out about my disorder?" I asked her and she sighed.

"You know that's not what I meant. I just don't know if she's ready to find out. What if she starts acting somehow when she finds out?" Skye asked and I got annoyed a bit. I know she meant well, but Skye needs to stop doing things like this. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Skye, practically the whole senior school knows about my disorder. She's bound to find out one way or another. And please, let me be the judge of whether she changes or not. I have barely spoken to her." I replied rather harshly.

By this time, everyone on the table has stopped whatever they were doing to look at us. I could feel Elyon's eyes on me.

"I'm just trying to look out for you, Jamal. I don't want you getting attached to someone then loosing them when..." He started but I cut her off, not letting her complete her statement.

"I love you Skye and I know you mean well but you need to stop making decisions for me." I snapped at her and she kept quiet. I picked up my bag, slung it around my back and walked out of the cafeteria, going to the only place I could think.

Art studio.

****

Elyon's POV

Immediately Jamal left the table and walked out, the table fell silent. Chidinma was trying to calm Skye down who was for some reasons, seething. The atmosphere was tensed but I was confused on what was going on. I didn't get the entire argument.

"I'm even trying to help him and he's giving someone attitude. In fact, I'm done trying. It's not like I'm helping anyway." Skye hissed, angrily.

"Haba, Skye it's not like that na. He just needs his space." Vanessa said.

"Well, he can get all the space he needs because I don't care anymore." Skye said, stood up and left the table with Chidinma following behind her. Somadina and Vanessa left soon after, leaving Mateo and I.

"What was that all about?"I asked him and he respired, running his hand through his hair.

"It's a very complicated situation, Elyon. I don't think you would be able to understand." He replied.

"Then makes me understand. It weird that I am basically clueless. I know it's my first day and all, it's hard for anyone to trust me but I don't want to be kept in the dark either. You don't have to tell me the entire issue." I basically pleaded with him. Mateo sighed again muttering something about how Skye is going to kill him.

"Jamal has PTSD." He deadpanned knocking the air right out of me.

"Wow!" I muttered.

****

Jamal's POV

I was setting up the canvas when I heard the door open and close. I looked over my shoulder to see Tolani turning the keys by the door and locking us in. I sighed, leaving the canvas and facing her. She cat walked towards me, biting her lips.

"How did you know I was in here?" I asked her as soon as she got to the front of me. She smiled and touched her palm to my chest, leaning closer to me.

"I saw you leave the cafeteria and followed you here. I just waited for the coast to be clear before coming in." She said, her voice very soft and seductive. I hummed in response and she wrapped her hands around my neck, pushing herself against me.

"I missed you." She moaned out. Instinctively I wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her towards me and she smiled at the responsive body language she was getting because I barely responded to her whims and caprice.

Tolani and I go way back. We were very close while growing up. She had actually been my potential girlfriend but when we resumed junior secondary school three, she changed. She became a bitch to everyone and anyone. I didn't like the new Tolani but I couldn't push her away.

She was the first person that witnessed my episodes. I wanted to be on my own but she wouldn't let it. Apart from my sister and Mateo, she was the only friend I had and she also stood by me. That was how it all started. One kiss lead to us being in this 'situationship'. She didn't want us getting tagged and I tolerated it because the feeling was a distraction from my burdens.

Now, I just wanted to know where we stood because I was getting doubts and the fact that was currently die hard smitten by another girl was a plus.

The trace of Tolani's fingers on my chest jerked me from my mind trip and I looked down at her. Her eyes were filled with lust and desire. I took her hand from my chest and held unto it, earning a slight frown from her.

"Don't you think it's to early in the term to be doing this. Besides, anyone can come in." I was trying to make an excuse to get out of this. She smiled.

"Since when did you get scared? Don't worry about anyone catching us, I locked the door with your key. You are the only one that has a access to this room apart from the visual arts teacher and the teachers won't be done with their meeting in another hour, which gives us plenty time to..." She smirked knowingly.

I made to speak but she pressed her lips against mine in a kiss and I knew immediately that I was hooked. Tolani was an experienced kisser. She basically taught me everything I know about intimacy and during our last make out session, she told me I was already better than her. That didn't matter now because I wasn't in the mood for whatever she was bringing and I knew what to do.

My lips began to move expertly against hers, kissing her slowly. I knew Tolani hated slow kisses and with the way she kept trying to amp things up and me not letting her to, I knew it was a matter of time before she got frustrated.

She pressed herself against my body and took my hand to grab her butt but I brought them back up to her face, cupping her cheeks and kissing her slower than before. That did the trick. She pulled away immediately.

"What game are you trying to play?" She snapped at me and I folded my hands across my chest.

"I don't know what you are talking about." I replied nonchalantly.

"You know I don't like slow kisses yet you keep doing this." She snapped again, I sighed, running my hand through my face.

"Must we have sex every time we see? Can't we just kiss or talk like normal people." I told her, getting frustrated myself.

"Jamal, we are not exactly dating. This is the only language your body and mine understands, so all this isn't necessary." She replied and that statement hit blunt.

Ouch

"Then what exactly would you call this if it is not a relationship?" I motioned between us, my voice raising up a notch.

"Are we really having this conversation again?" Tolani threw her hand up exasperatedly.

"Yes, we are having this conversation. Stop avoiding it, Tolani. I need to know where we stand." I replied, my tone getting harsher by the second. She couldn't speak after that. She just folded her hands and looked away from me. I chuckled humorlessly.

"Exactly what I thought." I moved away from her and started setting up the canvas again. I heard her sigh behind me but I didn't give her the time of the day.

"I care about you J. J." She made to touch me but I gently jerked my hand from her touch, facing her because of the statement she made.

"You care about me? You didn't call or text through out the holiday, Tolani. I tried to reach out to you but you totally blew me off because of your numerous modelling trips. Now don't misquote me, because I understand you were busy, I was too but I still tried to make an effort to check up on you." I told her and she kept quiet, rolling her eyes.

"I had several attacks, Tolani. Bad ones. I tried to call you immediately I calmed down but you were not there. You have never been there." I flared.

"Now you are just trying to guilt trip me using your disorder." She stated nonchalantly and that statement hit me hard.

"Wow!" I muttered, snorting out a laugh. "I'm guilt tripping you using my disorder, Tolani. Seriously?"

"I've always been there for you, Jamal so stop trying to turn this on me. I have risked getting caught so many times because I want to satisfy you." She snapped.

"Giving me head in the bathroom doesn't count, Tolani and funny how you are the one who initiates majority of our escapades. Whenever I want to take you out on a real date, we find ourselves in the ladies room at the end of the day. Tell me if that wasn't you." I snarled and she kept quiet, folding her hand across her chest. I exhaled, throwing my head up.

"I don't want sex, Tolani. I want you to actually care about me. You don't need to kiss me or give me head or have sex with me before you show me that you care. There is more to a relationship than that." I told her and immediately a knock came to the door. I looked at Tolani and she flipped her braid, her nonchalant expression very much present.

"When you are done passing through this phase of yours, you know where to find me." She said curtly and went to the door to unlock it before opening it. I stood straight immediately I saw the person at the door.

It was Elyon.

****

Elyon's POV

What's her name from earlier in the cafeteria was the one that opened the door and I frowned. She hissed and brushed passed me, sashaying away. I looked at her retreating figure and back into the studio to Jamal watching me. I saw that his shirt was rumpled and connected the dots.

Yup, I definitely interrupted something.

"Hi. Can I come in?" I asked him, throwing him a small smile.

"Sure, of course."

His voice came out deeper than I expected. I've heard him speak to others but it was sounding deeper since he was talking directly to me for the first time. I smiled and came in, closing the door behind me.

After Mateo told me about his disorder, I felt unusually drawn to him but I didn't want to seem forward. I realized that Skye was just trying to be a caring sister but I understood the fact that it made Jamal feel more insecure than he already was and I wasn't going to make him feel more like that. He wanted to feel like a normal teen and I was going to make him feel that way, by not bringing up anything about his PTSD.

"Wow, this art studio is very big." I looked around admiring all the art works that hung on the wall.

"The one in your former school wasn't this big?" Jamal asked from behind me and I turned to look at him. He was leaning against the table, folding his hands. I shrugged.

"That's if there was even an art studio. I was the only one offering visual arts so, we used the classroom, or outside." I replied and he chuckled at that. I smiled as I reminisced in the hearty sound. It was a deep rumble and it sound so pure, so genuine.

I am so hopeless.

"That's rad. What kind of school doesn't have an art studio?" He asked with laughter still his voice and I chuckled.

"I'm actually glad to be here. I came to see the visual art teacher but obviously he isn't here. Mateo told me I should see him since I'm basically the only one doing the subject. I honestly don't know why a person would pick Economics over visual art." I rolled my eyes and that earned a laughter from him.

"So for once I'd be having a partner.  I actually liked the idea. I love the challenge." His lips was turned in a lopsided grin.

"I thought you were in technical class." I leaned against the table and looked at him.

"I'm borrowing the subject. I like art. I wanted to be in art class but my parents..." He trailed off and I nodded to understanding. I remember them talking about it during the dinner.

"Well Architecture isn't so far from art, I guess." I said with uncertainty and he smiled.

"Yes, that's why I finally compromised. Plus Dad said I could borrow visual arts, so here I am." He stretched, gesturing to the entire studio. He then looked at me and smiled. "You'll love it here, trust me." He added and I found myself grinning.

"I plan on it." I placed my lips in between my teeth. I swore, I saw his eyes flicker to them but I brushed it off as my imagination. I looked at my watch. "Oh, I have to get back to class. I need to get more notes to copy." I said.

"Well that's a shame, I was enjoying our conversation." Jamal pouted and I grinned.

"Me too, but I can't avoid this. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. You'll still get to see me." I replied and I saw a glint in his eyes as he grinned back at me.

"I'm counting on it." He smiled and my heart picked up a beat. Did he really want to see me more often? I waved and started to walk towards the door, smiling and feeling lightheaded.

"It was nice speaking with you, Elyon." He said, his voice making me turn to face him. I smiled at how quiescent my name sounded on his lips.

"It was nice speaking with you, Jamal." I replied, biting the side of my lips. I waved again and walked out of the studio, feeling all giddy inside.

A/N
What do y'all think about the fight between Skye and Jamal? Was it called for? Do you think Jamal is justified for getting angry at all?

Y'all have gotten to know Tolani better and you can see that Jamal is struggling with the situationship that he is in with her. Seems like Jamal and Elyon are going to be offering visual arts together. Hmmm...

I hope you liked this chapter. Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Till next week Friday 👌🏾