~Alisa~

_Shoot! We all judge too quickly at times. Sometimes, we need to look in deeper. _

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oday, Saturday, was the day of my Entrance Exam into Prestige High. I was just so nervous and couldn't wait to get it over with. I'd already studied over the night and had just a little bit of sleep. It didn't matter anyway, 'cause I just couldn't sleep.

"You're all shaky, Alisa" Kambili stated and chuckled.

"I am? I'm surprised I haven't peed on myself by now. For real, I'm trying not to pass out here" I whispered and she laughed.

She wasn't meant to laugh so loud! We were currently having breakfast and she'd managed to grab everyone's attention... Everyone's - including ice-faced Kamsi's.

"What's so funny?" Mr. Ekwegh asked.

"Alisa..." She laughed again. "She's really funny" Kambili replied and I low-key let out a groan.

"Oh really? I didn't know that" he smiled and I returned a small smile.

"Oh, she is. She also talks, a lot! I - ouch!" I stepped on her feet to shut her up. She instantly got the message and gulped down her words.

"What was that?" Mr. Ekwegh asked, concerned.

"Uh... It was nothing. I accidentally stepped on my own feet" she said, a small smile on her face. "No thanks to a crazy person" she meant to mutter that part, but I heard and smiled.

Kambili and I grew a bond that fascinated me. I knew I should stop getting so attached, 'cause I'll end up hurting myself. But I just couldn't. She was just so nice and fun-loving that I just couldn't help but get along with her. It'd hurt to go. I don't want to, but I can't help but feel like this too wouldn't last. Our bond? It'd break at some point. That was just how unfortunate I was. Nothing good ever lasts in my life. Absolutely nothing!

I was halfway through my food, when I felt someone's intense gaze on me. I took the risk, and lifted my head and my eyes met with Kamsi's. I expected that he'd look away, yet he didn't. His cold, ice-faced look was still on his face, and his scowl was still on his lips. I tried matching his gaze, but couldn't 'cause they were too intense. He didn't stop staring at me! The murderous look he was giving me was way too uncomfortable and I'd wished he'd stop. Yet, ice-faced Kamsi didn't, he kept glaring at me... Way too long, and way too hard.

Abruptly, he suddenly got up from his chair. His food was barely touched, just like yesterday. And he simply grabbed his schoolbag from his chair, and walked away. But not before muttering a 'goodbye' to his father.

"Bye, dad" and with that, he was gone.

"Bye," came his father's calm and gentle voice.

Kambili took her time to finish her meal, before equally getting up from her chair, with her schoolbag in hand. She hugged me, and muttered a 'goodbye' as well - to both I and her her father - and left for school. Once again, they both disregarded Mrs. Ekwegh. I watched as she let out a small, sad smile, and continued eating her breakfast. I felt bad for her, watching her niece and nephew - who are now her step-kids - hate her so much. So much, that they can't even look at her, let alone smile or even respect her. It was quite a pity, and I only hoped I wouldn't break my promise to her.

* * *

The Entrance Exams went smoothly, and soon I was out of the Examination Hall - where I'd been assigned to write my exams. Walking down the hallway, with the intention of meeting Mrs. Ekwegh at the parking lot, someone came out of nowhere and stood right in front of me.

I got startled and shrieked. The moron responsible, stood right in front of me and grinned.

"Hi!" Came his calm voice. I recognized that voice, and I recognized him. He was the exact same boy from the tour, the playful rascal who'd had his tie in his hand that day. And just like he'd appeared that day, he had his trousers: sagged, and his tie hanging loosely on his neck.

Did he expect I'd be glad to see him, when he almost caused me a heart attack?

"Nice way to bump into me, don't you think?" Sarcasm got tangled in my words, as I folded my arms, with a blank look on my face.

"Oh. Sorry about that, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Or look like a freakish psycho in the process. Or almost cause you a heart attack. Sorry about that" he grinned, rubbing his palm behind his neck.

"It's okay" I muttered.

"So... Uh... Um, this is awkward" he murmured, although I'd heard what he'd said.

Tell me about it. You didn't think about that before going all ninja on me.

"I'm Jonathan, what's your name?" He asked and I managed a small smile.

"Alisa" I replied and he smiled.

"Wow" he breathed out, with a grin. "Your name is really beautiful... Alisa" he said it, like he could taste the words on his tongue.

As always, I grinned at him.
"Thank you" I replied. I refused to believe that that was the only reason he took me by surprise.

"You're coming to our school, right?" He asked and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

No, your village.

Dang it! I couldn't resist the urge.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm writing the Entrance Exam, silly!" I joked and he laughed.

"Um, so sorry about asking that kind of stupid question. I didn't know what else to say" he chuckled.

"Then why did you sneak up on me?" I chuckled too, my arms still crossed.

"I didn't think things through. I just did" he laughed, and shrugged, and I shook my head, amusedly.

"Oh, and wow! I never knew Mrs. Ekwegh had two daughters. I only knew she had step children. And they're twins. A boy and a girl" he said, and I gave a small smile.

"I'm adopted" I said, no emotions were visible.

His face fell, "Oh. I didn't know. I'm—"

"Say you're sorry again? And I'll punch you. I swear" I joked, trying so hard to suppress a grin. He laughed at my little threat and also grinned at me.

Awkward silence.

"So... I guess I'll see you around then. Welcome to Prestige High, by the way. It was nice meeting you" he smiled at me, and I smiled back.

"You mean, bumping into me?" I corrected and he chuckled.

"Oh. Yeah, that" he grinned again.

My cheeks hurt from grinning too much.

"And besides, I'm not in the school yet. I have to pass the exam first. Remember?" I said and he scoffed.

"That? That's just for show. This school wants money, and they'd be crazy not to let you into the school. It's like they just hit a jackpot, an Ekwegh will be schooling at our school, and that's got reps. Whatever score you get - which I'm sure will be high - they'll still admit you into the school. So yeah, you're one of us now, Alisa" he made it sound so funny, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay then. Thank you"

"No qualms. Bye, Alisa" and with that, he waved at me and left.

"Bye" I muttered, more to myself than to anyone else.

With him gone, I forged ahead and walked straight to the schools large parking lot - heaving a long, exasperated sigh.

* * *

The minute Mrs. Ekwegh and I got back from school, we walked into the house - with her eyes glued to her phone. I was shocked to see Dub, Christian and Kambili in the large living room... But no sign of Queen.

"Oh, hey, Alisa!" Christian smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Hey!" I replied.

"Hola, Ali!" Dub hollered and I chuckled.

Mrs. Ekwegh hurriedly excused herself, noticing the the glare Kambili was shooting her way. Each time they did things like that to her, I'd feel terribly sad for her. She did make a mistake, I agree. One that took away the life of her twin, but she didn't mean it.

I was aware of the fact that it would be hard for the twins to forgive her for her misdeeds, but I also knew that they could... Only if they'd try hard enough.

"Alisa? Alisa!" Dub shook me. I didn't realize when he got to where I was standing, fixed at the entrance of the living room - completely zoning out.

"Uh... I- I... I was just thinking about something. Sorry about that" I murmured, offering a nervous smile as I walked towards the rest of the group.

Dub followed behind me, with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"How did the exams go?" Kambili asked, pulling me over to her side and making sure I sat right next to her.

"It went well" I simply replied.

"Great!" She smiled. I could tell, just by the restlessness in her voice, that something was up.

I could feel it, and I saw it flash through her eyes. She was worried about something, worried about someone. Perhaps, Kamsi?

"What's up with you?" I didn't know when the words got out of my mouth, but I was glad they did.

She huffed and buried her face in her palms and groaned, sobbing.

"I don't know. I don't know what's up with him, Alisa. I'm tired of trying!" She cried out now. I immediately drew her into a hug, and wondered what was going on. I drew soothing circles around her back, to calm her down.

"What happened? Please tell me" I urged, and she sniffled. Still, no reply came from her.

I looked over at Dub and Christian, and they both looked away. They knew something. They all did, and I could feel it in my gut. But what I just couldn't understand, was why they were trying to keep it away from me. Did they not trust me? It's true that we just met, but I thought they'd at least trust me a bit. Maybe not.

"Kamsi... Kamsi..." Kambili sobbed, and I watched her intently, urging her to go on.

"He... He... " She cried all over again and I held her hand and tried consoling her.

What happened to Kamsi? Did he hit her? No. Kamsi would never do something like that... He wouldn't... Right?

"Did...? Did he hit you?" I choked the words out of my words and she shook her head, no.

"He wouldn't" she muttered, and I watched as her tears rolled down her cheeks and into her palms.

"Then what happened? Somebody, explain what happened! Why the fudge are you all keeping secrets from me?!" I couldn't help but raise my voice a bit.

"We're not keeping secrets, Alisa" she sniffled and glanced at Christian, and he gave her an encouraging nod.

"Kamsi left the house, Alisa. He was pissed, and no matter how hard I tried to stop him, he didn't stop. He left, and he... He had a gun in his hand. I don't even know where he got that from. I'm afraid he might... He might do something stupid, Alisa!" She cried all over again, hugging me as the tears spilled out of her eyes.

My head spun with disbelief. The information was slowly registering into my brain, and it's effects were slowly pumping into my head.

Jesus! How could Kamsi even think of holding a gun in his possession?

"I called Dub and Christian over cause I was too scared to be here alone. Queen has a date with Nazir, so she couldn't come. And dad... Dad went out to look for him. I pray he finds him..." She sobbed. "I don't want to lose him, Alisa. I don't want to lose my brother," she cried all over again, and my heart got heavier.

"Nothing will happen to him, Kambili" I reassured and she sobbed even louder.

"I'm scared, Alisa. I'm really scared" she sobbed again. "And I'm terribly scared cause this isn't the first time. The last time, he took poison. We almost lost him. What if...? What if he kills himself before —"

"You shouldn't think of such things" I chided, cutting her off. Being the pessimistic fool I was, I'd already begun to consider such odds, but I just couldn't let Kambili do same. She needed to calm down.

"Kamsi will be fine" I reassured once more, running a soothing hand through her back.

"Yeah, Bili. He'll be fine. I know he will" Christian said, as he got over to her side and lay his head on her lap.

Was he trying to console her? Or was he trying to get consoled?

"Don't cry, Bili. Kamsi can be an arse sometimes, but I'm sure he wouldn't take such a drastic step as to kill himself. He'll be fine" Dub assured too.

"He tried it once, Dub. Kamsi took poison!" She half-yelled.

"Don't worry, Kambili. I know that God who protected him the first time, will do same this time. Just have faith" I assured once more, and hoping on God to take control of the situation.

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What did Kamsi go and do now?😥
He better not shoot himself 👀 he berra not😞

Anyways, so far, how's the story? I need to know what you're thinking in order to better the story.

Sorry for the slow updates, school has already begun, and that's why I have to work according to my academic pace. I CANNOT afford to slack off in my schoolwork. It's top priority, I hope y'all understand. Anyways, please don't forget to smash the heck outta that star right there, at the bottom of your screen. Yes, that one. Yup! That orange star right there. Aunty, uncle, brother, sister, father, mother, please tell everyone you know that Bittersweet is ongoing oh😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️
You guys are too much, I love you all greatly. Thank you all, for all those who added this book to their reading list ( and even created special reading lists for this book) may God bless you all❤️❤️❤️

I can't thank you all enough. I pray that in your time of need, thousands will be there to help you. In fact, you shall never lack in Jesus' name, Amen! Ami! Iseeee!

Please don't forget to leave a comment, I lyssssssssm❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️✨
Bye!❤️