"WHAT'S UP with you and my brother?" she asked again.

"Blunt much?" I asked when I recovered, frowning to let her know how annoying I thought she was.

"It's a family trait."

"Apparently."

"So?" She came over to join me by the fridge.

Her eyes were dancing with laughter, and I couldn't believe she found humor in the situation. She was obviously enjoying my discomfort.

"We are best friends." I cringed as the words fell out of my mouth.

"Oh, he told me that but I couldn't believe it. How can Kelvin be best friends with a girl?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's so unlike him, he's too much of a player. I literally had to warn him to stay away from my female friends when we were growing up."

"Hmm." I wasn't interested in hearing about Kelvin's younger days.

"He dated half the girls in my secondary school. I thought you were his side-piece, you know what I mean?"

"I'm not," I replied, hotly. She was getting on my last nerves.

"Just wanted to be sure. Are you sure you guys are not screwing?"

"What's with the twenty questions anyway?" I asked, ignoring her question.

"I just can't wrap my head around your friendship. It's absurd, and I'm pretty sure Alex agrees."

"Have a little faith in your brother, will you?"

She laughed like I'd just cracked a joke. "Faith? In Kelvin? No way. He once dated his teacher."

"He has a girlfriend...fiancé rather as we both know. And he is loyal to her, why is that so hard to believe?"

"Past experiences, maybe."

"We all did stupid things as kids. I believe he's not that person anymore."

"Whatever makes you both sleep well at night. I like your purse by the way."

I was carrying the bag Akin got for me. "Thanks." I breathed a sigh of relief at the change of subject.

"I didn't catch your name the other time."

"Fatimah, what's yours?" I asked even though I knew the answer to the question.

"Danielle," she answered.

"And your sister?"

"Liz. Are you a Muslim?"

"No."

"Why are you bearing a Muslim name then?"

"It's an Arabic name. My parents had their honeymoon in Qatar so they picked an Arabic name when I was born."

"That's a good story. Did you make it up?"

"Why would I lie?" I asked.

I was getting more irritated by her presence.

"It was only a question."

Danielle was blunt and unpretentious and as much as I loved those qualities, she came on too strongly. I still couldn't tell if I liked her or not. I knew that she was annoying, and I couldn't wait to get out of the kitchen.

"Are you dating anyone presently?"

"Not yet. I'm still testing the waters."

"Hmm, okay. Do you want wine?"

"No, I'll just go for another beer."

Kelvin came in looking for me, and he paused when he saw I and Danielle together.

"Don't embarrass my best friend, please," Kelvin said.
Danielle gave the most innocent smile I've ever seen on anyone.

"We are getting along well." I played along.

"She's too much for you. She's going to corrupt you."

"You've managed to do that all on your own," Danielle said.

Kelvin turned to me. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Duly noted," I replied.

He took my hand in his and I saw Danielle raise her eyebrows at our linked hands. Kelvin left after making sure I was alright and I was left to face Danielle.

Danielle pounced. "I knew something was going on with you guys."

"There's nothing going on," I insisted.

"Keep saying that. Just tell him to stop touching you like that because if your boyfriend breaks his hands I won't pity him."

"I don't have a boyfriend and Kelvin is a touchy person, there's nothing to it."

"I don't want to be in your shoes right now but if I happen to be, I'll be banging my way out of it."

I laughed. "You're awful."

"Just saying."

"Let's join the rest in the living room."

We left the kitchen and joined the others in the living room. The room was more crowded than I had left it. I found a seat somewhere and played with my phone, some guy came over to ask me to dance but I declined. Akin's call came in and I went to the balcony to receive it. I told him where I was and he said he was coming to join me. I was excited that I wouldn't be all by myself seating in a corner pressing my phone. I went outside to wait for him, and when I saw him get out of the car, I went over to hug him. He kissed me lightly on the forehead and I led him into the party.

I looked for Kelvin to introduce him to Akin but he was nowhere to be found. I found some food and alcohol for Akin and we went to the balcony to escape the noise. We heard a noise as we got there and to my absolute horror I saw Seye making out with none other than Danielle. All I could think was how well they suited each other. Seye took no notice of our presence and I shifted our seat as far away from them as I could without risking falling over the banister. Akin ate his food and talked about his day when I asked about it.

He suddenly dragged my head to his mouth, and when I tried to ask what it was about he whispered in my ear.

"Your best friend is behind us."

Akin moaned out loud and I was curious as to why he was making that noise when I wasn't doing anything to him or he to me. I heard someone clear their throat behind us and I drew back from Akin's arms. He drew me back in and I saw Kelvin looking from me to Akin, his brows were furrowed as he waited.

"Kelvin, this is Akin. Akin meet Kelvin," I said hastily as Akin's arms drew me tightly into his embrace.

Kelvin thrust his hand out. "It's very nice to meet you again."

I could hear Kelvin's teeth grinding from where I sat as Akin waited a few seconds before taking Kelvin's hand.

"Nice to meet you too. So you're the best friend," Akin said.

"Yea, and you're the friend," Kelvin replied.

I tried not to laugh at the power each was trying to convey. There wasn't going to be a budding bromance as I thought.

"Nope. The boyfriend actually," Akin corrected. I pinched him hard and he moaned. "Babe, I know you're eager but your friend is still here."

Kelvin frowned and my face got hot. "Oh, you guys are dating now?"

"We certainly are," Akin said.

He took my hand and brought it to his lips, taking his time to kiss each fingers, and I was tempted to slap his face. Kelvin seemed to be buying Akin's shenanigans because his hands clenched beside him. I was thinking how badly it was going to end if I didn't put a stop to it.

"That's great," Kelvin said with no enthusiasm.

"Yea, thanks. I appreciate how well you've been taking care of her. I'm happy she has someone like you around but you don't have to do so much now, I'm taking over," Akin replied.

I couldn't remember when I became a science project that someone could randomly take over.

"It was no problem."

"Good thing she has me around now."

Akin leaned down to kiss me on my forehead. Kelvin was giving me the eye.

"I---" I started explaining.

"Love me? I know that, I love you too," Akin said before I could go any further.

As he tried to hug me again, I noticed Kelvin leaving and I turned my fury on Akin.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"What?"

"Was that one of your little games?"

"I was retaliating. He dragged you out of the club like you were his little sister."

"That's because I was drunk and was making a fool out of myself."

"I was only making things better for you anyway. Someone has to teach him not to be so protective."

"Better how? You lied, you need to tell Kelvin the truth."

"Why would I do that? Why should he care if you're in a relationship or not?"

"You don't understand." I placed my hand on my forehead and sighed.

"I don't see what's so hard to understand, he has a fiancé. Why are you all worked up?"

"I'm not worked up."

"Yes, you are. What's so special about him anyway?"

"You don't understand," I repeated again like a broken record.

"Make me."

"I can't."

"We should leave, I don't like the people in this party."

"The people or one person in particular?"

"It's getting late anyway."

"I'm sure you've stayed out later than this. Why leave now?" I asked and Akin answered with a shrug.