(008 - No Control)

It is the Vayolence from last chapter's update for me. Mehn, all of you are very aggressive o, even more aggressive than I am. But oh well, Peace Was Never An Option! Can I hear an Amen!

Also, this chapter is the beginning of a collab with vilalove09 and her new book "INTRICACY". If you remember in chapter 4, Kizito talked about an opening game with a school called "LIC". Here is where it will all make sense.

You guys should check out "INTRICACY" tho. It's a very dope book🥵🔥. Take it from your olori ebi 🌚.

Don't forget to VOTE 😌.

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𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐘
(Hilary Idara Eghosa)

Dawn was seething.

She walked into the hall while the prayers were still going on, coming to join us at the back of the hall where the rest of the prefects were standing with the teachers. Immediately she got to us, even with my mind in turmoil, I was still able to notice the change in her demeanor, it was pretty much glaring. Her countenance earlier was that of sadness but now, she was angry.

Dawn hardly gets angry. Except it's something big.

This, whatever it was that happened in the space of taking my bag to class and coming back to the assembly, was huge, and thankfully, I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Dawn, what's wrong?" Semeeha asked, beating me right to it. Kizito turned to look at Dawn when Semeeha spoke, frowning when he noticed her expression. Dawn didn't answer, she just kept staring ahead, hands folded across her chest and her right feet tapping against the tiled floor. I sighed, wrapping my hands around myself.

"She'll tell us later," I muttered softly, telling Semeeha and Kizito. "Let's just focus on assembly, for now, the Proprietress is coming up." I nodded towards the stage.

The Proprietress, Mrs. Chidinma Chigozie-kalu mounted the stage, her matte black heels clicking as she made her way to the podium. The Principal that had been there earlier on moved away after handing the microphone over to her and the latter turned to face the large student body.

Mrs. Chidinma doesn't show up on the assembly ground, except to give a very important announcement that has to do with the glorification of the school. Like sports or academic competition. After that, we hardly see her till the end of every session when a set is graduating, the reason being that her family is based abroad and she had to be with them. So, she handed most of the responsibilities to the Principal, Mr. Isaac Adewale.

"Good Morning, students." She called out to us, her soft voice coupled with her slight English accent causing her words to roll off her tongue like chocolate. Everyone chorused out the usual reply eagerly, obviously wanting to hear what she had for us today.

"I am going to be very brief because most of you should know what I am doing here. For the new students, your sports masters will explain in detail what I'm about to tell you." She paused for effect, looking around them all to see if she had our attention. When she was satisfied, she continued.

"You all are aware of our annual opening game with our rival school, Laurel International College, tagged The Paragon. It's a sports competition involving our top three sports in this school; Swimming, Basketball and American Football. If you are a new student and you want to try out for any of the teams, you can. The game will be coming up in the next two weeks, so preparations should commence as soon as possible, preferably after school hours."

She looked at Mr. Isaac when she said the last statement, and the latter nodded before writing something down in his notepad. Then she faced the student body again, her expression hardened slightly.

"Now, I want you all to understand that the second week after The Paragon is the week of your continuous assessment. Also, remember that all your assignments are part of your continuous assessment so you have to take all of them seriously. Don't use The Paragon as an excuse to lag on your studies, that is not acceptable in this citadel of learning. Understood?"

"Yes, ma." Everyone chorused.

"I think that all for now." She sighed out. "If I have any other information for you or anything of that sort, your Principal will come and address you. Thank you and have a good day." She concluded and everyone applauded her as she made her way down the stage and out of the hall. Mr. Isaac mounted the podium again.

"That's all for today's assembly. You can now go to your classes in an orderly fashion. Orchestra, please give us the match anthem." The orchestra began to play and the JSS1 students began matching to their classes, followed by the other classes.

"I'm always looking forward to The Paragon every year." Kizito chirped in excitement and I chuckled slightly, not wanting to down the moment.

"You are always looking forward to it because you are always winning the cup at the end of the day." Semeeha sassed back at him, then slapped him slightly on his arm before muttering a barely audible. "Show off."

I looked at Dawn again and saw that she was still in that same position, hands folded across her chest, right foot tapping the floor and her eyes staring ahead. Just as I was about to ask her again what was wrong, she turned abruptly to our side, her expression changing from a gloomy one to a bright smile.

I became so confused.

"Dawn..." I started to call her but she cut me off, calling Kizito.

"Kizito, Big Guy is calling you." She rapped out so fast, I could hardly hear her. Kizito frowned, looking behind him to where some of the teachers were clustered in a group, where Mr. Adeyemi AKA Big Guy was.

"He is?" He asked, his tone laced with uncertainty as he looked back at Dawn. "I didn't hear him." He added. Semeeha murmured something in agreement and I didn't hear him either.

I eyed Dawn skeptically, wondering what was up with her. At this point, the orchestra had stopped playing, which meant every class had matched out already. Some of the prefects were still lurking around, no one in a hurry to leave for class.

"That's because you were talking too much. You better go now, it probably has something to do with The Paragon." She answered, hastily again while pushing him away from us till he was walking towards the teachers. To me, it looked like she was trying to get rid of Kizito.

"Dawn, Mr. Adeyemi was not calling him." Semeeha queried and Dawn exhaled.

"I know," She sighed, running her hand through her face, looking conflicted. Then she looked at me. "I didn't want him to be here when I tell you guys this. I don't even know how to tell you this, Hilary. I'm so sorry."

My heart picked up in beat immediately after she said that.

What again?!

"W-What is it?" I choked out, my voice sounding hoarse to my ears. Even my throat was sore and it was a result of all the crying. Dawn looked between me and Semeeha, then gulped audibly to show how difficult it was for her to say whatever it is she wanted to say. Which meant it was something very big.

Could this day get any worse...

"Just spit it out already!" Semeeha clapped impatiently while I stood there, waiting for another bomb to drop on me again, waiting for something more devastating to hit me like they have been doing since the beginning of the week. Dawn looked at me, silently asking me if I wanted to hear this. I swallowed and nodded.

"It's fine. Tell me." I muttered and she sighed, nodding.

"T-The rumors, everything that has been happening since yesterday night to this morning... it was all TK and Jidenna. They are behind it all."

"What!" Semeeha exclaimed.

I stood still, staring at Dawn while trying to understand what I had just been told, trying to see if there was any feeling that came with that revelation. But surprisingly, all I could feel was disappointment, massive disappointment, towards Jidenna. Tekena Tamuno, I knew him. He is an asshole but Jidenna?

In the space of one month and also between the day before and today, he has acted so low, done such despicable things that have made me question if I ever knew this boy. Made me question if our four years of friendship and one year of relationship were all a facade.

Because I don't understand...

"Jidenna and TK did what?" I didn't have to turn around before knowing who had said that. I knew it was just a matter of time before he knew Dawn tricked him.

"Kizi..." Dawn began but he cut her off, his face stone cold.

"Jidenna and TK did what?" He repeated his question, calmly.

The fact that his voice was so calm made it scarier. Dawn sighed, then repeated to him what she had told us. I couldn't stop the slight chuckle from escaping my lips, hearing it the second time, even though there was nothing funny about the situation.

"And how did you get to know about this?" Kizito asked.

"I heard them in the boys' locker room before I came here." She answered.

"That explains the change in your countenance when you came in," Semeeha stated.

"Why?" I found myself asking and they all turned to me, confused. "Why did they do this? What was the reason for this?" I need to understand why. Jidenna has to tell me why.

Why?

"For Jidenna to be the victim," Dawn answered, shaking her head. "From what I heard, TK masterminded the whole thing. After the breakup, Jidenna wanted to salvage the situation before it got out to the rest of the class, probably not to make it seem as big as it was. But you know TK, always ruins everything." She said the last sentence in a whisper, wrapping her hands around herself.

So, it was still a ploy to make Jidenna the victim of the story?

And me, the what?

Why?

"Where is he?" Kizito asked, his voice still calm but this time, his tone was dripping with venom. That only meant one thing.

"Kizito, you have to ca..." Semeeha began but Kizito wasn't having it. Not this time. We were able to stop him yesterday, but not this time.

"Where is Jidenna?!" He thundered, causing every one of our set mates that were still in the hall to turn in our direction, wondering what that yelling was about. But before we had a chance to stop him, Kizito was out of the hall in a flash.

Semeeha cussed and rushed after him. Dawn came to my side asking if I was okay. For the past month, I haven't know how to answer that particular question, so all I could do was nod. Amidst all these, we didn't notice the rowdiness of the hall or the running helter-skelter. Not until someone suddenly shouted.

"Kizito is going to kill someone's child o!"

Dawn and I exchanged a look.

Jesus.

Dawn and I rushed out of the hall and towards the school area, practically sprinting in the direction everyone was. I could hear the distant screams, shouting, grunts, and my legs moved faster. I don't know how fast I climbed the stairs but the next thing I knew, Dawn and I were already on our block hallway just in time to see that a crowd had gathered.

"Jesus, Kizi!" I heard Semeeha's scream, and that was what prompted me to move in further, Dawn following behind me. After pushing through the crowd, I got to the front and gasped at what I saw.

Kizi was beating Jidenna.

And the latter wasn't even fighting back.

"Kizi!" I screamed, but he didn't stop. He kept punching Jidenna, who only resulted in shielding his face from the incoming punches.

"How - punch - Dare - punch - You!" He punched again, punctuating his words with a punch. Everyone was watching, some were even making videos to post on social media later but no one made any move to stop them. Tekena wasn't even here to help his friend.

I could see Jidenna's face. He was already bleeding through his nose and mouth and in as much as I practically hated him at this point, Kizito will batter his face at the rate at which he was going and would most likely get into trouble for it. It will all be because of me and I didn't want that.

"Kizito, stop!" I screamed, but he didn't bulge. He didn't stop.

I got scared.

"Kizito!"

Everywhere came to a standstill at that voice. It wasn't my voice, or Dawn's, or Semeeha's.

It was Gigi's.

Kizito's fist paused in the air and he looked up with a start, breathing heavily like someone that had just ran a marathon. She was walking from the other end of the hallway in quick steps, followed by Sochima, who was probably the one that called her to the scene.

Thank God, someone still has some sanity in this school.

Kizito stood up from a groaning Jidenna when Gigi got to him, clenching and unclenching his fist.

"The Principal will be here in the next ten seconds. You had better have a good explanation for what you just did." She was speaking to him in hushed tones, but because I was close to him, I was able to hear what she was saying.

"He deserved it." Was Kizito's reply. He was backing me but I could imagine the stone-cold look on his face. His voice gave it all away.

"Is that really your pitch?!" Gigi snapped at him and I swear, I saw Kizi flinch. It was slight as if it never happened but I saw it. Kizi didn't answer her, only staring at her. Even if he had something to say back at her, the principal walked into the hallway at that moment.

"What is happening here? Why are you all standing here? Are you not supposed to be in your classes!" He yelled, and everyone began to scamper to their classes, except a few prefects that had the balls to stay back, including Dawn and me. Semeeha told us she'd see us later and scampered off with the rest.

When the crowd had dissolved, Mr. Isaac was able to see Jidenna, who was now struggling to get up from the floor.

"Jesus Christ! What happened?" He walked further towards, looking at Jidenna who was trying to hide his already bloody face from the eyes of the rest of us. He was doing a pretty bad job at that.

"Can someone tell me what happened here?!" Mr. Isaac snapped when no one answered his earlier question. Everyone was looking at Gigi because she was the head girl but she seemed just as conflicted as the rest of us.

What were we going to say happened?

Kizito just came out of nowhere and started beating Jidenna.

Mr. Isaac would ask why.

Then what would we tell him?

That Kizito had beaten Jidenna up because he broke my heart and changed the entire story so that everyone will see me as the "bad guy"?

Mere saying we were in a relationship will get us into a whole lot of trouble. Crestview frowned at relationships like this. It's not like they didn't know the students were indulging themselves, but if it was the reason for or the cause of any fight, any form of brawl or clash between the students, it will not be taken likely.

"Head boy, Sports Prefect." Mr. Isaac spoke, pulling me out of my thoughts as he called to Jidenna and Kizito. Kizito still maintained a stone-cold expression while Jidenna tried nursing his busted lip. "Nothing? Both of you won't tell me anything?" The man chuckled humorlessly, then faced Gigi.

"Head Girl, what happened here?" He asked, and Gigi sighed, looking between Jidenna and Kizito. She couldn't lie, she wasn't even supposed to.

"I don't know for sure, Sir because I got here a little late. But it was a fight between the both of them." She answered. Her ability not to stutter when she was uncomfortable amazed me.

"A fight between two of the top prefects in the school. How embarrassing." Mr. Isaac bite out and I flinched, wrapping my hands around myself in reflex.

"Martins, you are coming with me to my office. Okojie, get to the infirmary and get an ice pack then meet us there as well. The rest of you, go to class." He turned on his heels and began to walk away, Gigi following him behind. Kizito sighed and turned to me.

"Why did you do that?!" I chided harshly, yet quietly. "See now, you are in trouble."

"I'm not in trouble, I'll be fine. You just go to class, okay?" Then he looked at Dawn who was behind me,

"Both of you, go to class." On cue, the bell for the first period went off. Kizito flashed us a small smile before he walked off towards the direction the Principal and Gigi did. Dawn exhaled.

"Should I see you off to class?" She asked but I shook my head. She was in art class and I wouldn't want her to be late for her class because of me.

"You don't have to. I'll be okay. We'll see during the break." I told her and she nodded, pulling me in a quick side hug before she started to walk to her class. I exhaled heavily before turning towards my class.

That was when I realized Jidenna was still in the Hallway, some of the guys trying to help him to the infirmary even while he was telling them he could go on his own. I swallowed but kept walking to my class. But when he looked back and his eyes met mine, my feet froze to the floor and I stopped walking.

"Hilary..." He called, softly... pleadingly

His eyes held so many unsaid words, apologies. His expression, remorse. It was all there and on a normal day, if this was a normal occurrence, I would have thawed because I have known him long enough to know when he was being genuine and when he wasn't.

But this wasn't a normal occurrence and at this point, I wasn't sure what I knew about him anymore. I wasn't sure if I ever knew Jidenna Leo Okojie.

So, I averted my gaze and walked into the class...

... Wanting nothing more but to forget everything that has gone down since the beginning of the day.

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"I can't still believe Kizito beat up Jidenna like that," Dawn said for the third time since we left my class, shivering slightly right after she spoke. "I mean, I know he carries out his threat every time he makes them, but with Jidenna? I thought he'd reconsider, as per they go way back."

We were on our way to the infirmary, where Kizito was. After he had gone to the principal's office, we didn't see him throughout the first, second, third, or fourth period. I didn't see Jidenna come in either so I thought both of them were probably still in the principal's office. Dawn came immediately it was time for break to tell us that he was in the infirmary, treating his hand. Turns out, he sort of sprained his fingers when he was hitting Jidenna.

I guess that makes things equal, right?

Of course, it's not!

Jidenna has a broken nose and a busted lip, not to talk of a black eye. Kizito only came out with sprained knuckles. Why is there even a comparison?

"I was shocked too!" Semeeha chipped, throwing her hands up animatedly. "Jidenna is one of his longest friends, I honestly didn't think he'd go through with it. Kizi can be so brutal when he is angry... and hot too." She muttered the last part with a smirk stretching across her lips. I stopped short and looked at her in bewilderment.

Oh wow...

"That is so weird coming from you, Semeeha. You hate it the most when he's angry." Dawn said but the latter only shrugged, her smirk changing into a small smile. I didn't say anything, not knowing what exactly to say anyway. Besides, we already got to the front of the infirmary.

The infirmary was an understatement. This place was a Health Centre, almost a full-blown hospital.

We made our way in, walking towards one of the male wards. I prayed that that was where Kizito was in because I didn't have the strength to walk around the quadrangle, looking into all the rooms for him. My prayer was answered when we entered the first male wards and saw him there.

And he wasn't alone.

"What is she doing with him?" Semeeha spay out in complete disdain. I didn't have to look back to know that she had folded her hand across her chest.

"Are you seriously asking that, Semeeha?" Dawn asked in sarcasm. There was no reply to that but I could tell that Semeeha was pouting her annoyed slash irritated pout.

Kizito was seated on one of the beds, Gigi standing in front of him. It looked like they were conversing but from where we were standing, we couldn't hear what they were saying. It didn't seem like they were arguing anyway, at least not with the way Gigi had one of her hands resting on his shoulder.

"Girls..." His voice alerted me, I didn't even know he had sighted us already. "I didn't know you were here already." He added as we began to walk towards him.

"How would you have known?" Semeeha fired back, a faux smile playing on her lips. "You seemed busy anyway." She said, casting Gigi a look in a not-so-subtle manner. The latter did not pay attention to her, as usual. She only flashed Dawn and me a small smile in greeting before looking back at Kizi.

"I should go." She said and he nodded, keeping his eyes on her. "Don't forget what I told you, okay?"

"I won't. Thanks, Gigi." He muttered, smiling in appreciation, making me sorta curious as to what they talked about. Gigi returned the smile, before walking out of the ward, the clicking of the heels of her wedge boots fading away.

"What was that about?" Semeeha questioned Kizi immediately after Gigi was out. The latter furrowed his bushy brows in confusion while Dawn rolled her eyes, settling on one of the empty beds beside Kizi's bed. I shook my head, dragging a chair to sit down too.

"What was what about?" He asked, shrugging. Before Semeeha could reply, Dawn beat her to it.

"Please, don't give Semeeha any time of the day. If this is about Gigi, which I'm very sure it is, I don't wanna hear." She said.

"Then close your ears." Semeeha retorted, then looked back at Kizi. I on the other hand just kept watching their antics. "Why was she here? What was she doing here?" She hit him with the questions immediately. Kizi only chuckled and shook his head.

"She was the one that made me come here to get my hands checked." He rose his right hand to show us bandaged fist. I hadn't even noticed it. "And she was speaking to me about managing my anger when you guys walked in"

"Well, she's not wrong," I spoke for the first time since we walked in and Kizito's attention turned to me.

"Hilary," his expression contorted into that of concern. "Are you okay? Did anything happen while I was here?" He asked, the worry in his tone evident.

"I'm fine," I answered and he looked at me, obviously not believing my lie.

The rumors had not stopped, not even close. If anything, they multiplied after the fight this morning, and most especially video was posted on the class group chat. So, I was far from fine. I tried to be okay, to concentrate during class but it was so hard.

Semeeha had shown me some of the messages, even after I repeatedly declined seeing anything that would me lose myself more than I already did. But she said, if I didn't face it now, I wouldn't be able to face it again. So I found myself looking at the chats even though I dreaded what I was going to see.

Everyone was coming up with their theories as to why Kizito had beaten Jidenna up and it wasn't hard for them to figure out that it was because of me. Even while some were still of the notion that Kizi and I were in some sort of relationship, they made it seem like I had come between two long-time friends.

I was at a loss again.

"You are not fine, Hilary," Dawn muttered softly.

"I am. I'm terrific." I chirped, my voice sounding fake and they noticed. I sighed, deciding to change the topic. "I should even be asking you if you are okay, Kizito. You almost got into trouble today because of your anger. You need to work on it." I told him and his expression contorted into a grimace.

"He deserved it. Hilary, you of all people should know that! I warned him and promised he'd regret hurting you, and he still did. He even went this far and you are saying I shouldn't have done what I did? For what na!" He bellowed, if I wasn't so used to him, I would have flinched or probably walked away.

We all would have.

"He is your friend, Kizito," Semeeha whispered.

"Was." He countered. "He stopped being my friend when he started moving with that fool, Tekena. I can't believe he's still with that guy, especially after what happened with..." He stopped abruptly, catching himself before he said anything he'd regret.

Semeeha and I shared a look before I turned to Dawn with a concerned look, saw the way she kept an expressionless face, and hugged herself.

"Dawn..." I called softly and she turned her eyes to me, slowly.

"I'm fine. I'm okay... It's okay." She said, her voice quieter than it usually was. Kizi let out a deep breath, then mumbled cuss words before looking at Dawn, the concerned expression coming back to his features.

"Dawn, I didn't mean..." He started but Dawn cut him off.

"Kizi, it's all good. Really..." She paused to look at all of us, then began to chuckle lightly, sweetly, as Dawn would. "Y'all are being too dramatic joor. I'm okay, seriously." She said between laughter. Kizi and Semeeha heaved a sigh of relief simultaneously, looked at each other then burst into laughter. I, just sat on my seat, staring at Dawn.

Not proud to admit this but I was envious of how Dawn had so much control over her emotions. She was easily the strongest person I knew, especially after shit hit the fan last session. How she was able to have so much control over everything that went on around her and still be herself at the same time was beyond me.

She was once timid, shy, her only expression was through performing; singing, and dancing alike. Then after the second term last session, she broke. Literally broke. Isolated herself from the rest of us all through the term. It was so scary. So many times, we reached out to her but no response at all. I thought my best friend would never remain the same again.

But at the beginning of the third term, when she came back, Dawn was BLOOMING. It was like the events of the previous term didn't happen at all.

She was suddenly out of her shell, didn't isolate herself anymore, and outrightly didn't care what people said about her. The way she carried herself was out of this world. Then when she became the social prefect, that just skyrocketed her. And people had no choice but to respect her, to like her.

But for me?

I had no control over anything anymore.

My emotions, my relationship, the rumors. I never did, I probably was just better at hiding my lack of control before. But now, things were falling apart and I don't think I'd ever be as strong as Dawn was and gain back control. I don't think I'd be able to do things on my own.

Though, I knew these guys were trying so much for me, so so much. But Everything has changed. The change wasn't good and I wasn't sure I knew how to adapt to this kind of change. I wasn't sure I was ever going to get accustomed to it.

But for now, all I could think of was how I needed to fix things with my parents. How I needed to make things right with them again.

That is the most important thing to me at this point.

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Tunde was already waiting for me by the time school was over, so I was glad I didn't have to wait one more minute in this place. But when I entered the car and he drove out of the school, I began to dread going home, not knowing what my parent's reaction would be now. I wasn't even sure my Dad would be back home now, and mum? I couldn't even predict her.

That was all I could think of till we got home. While Tunde parked the car, I saw my Dad's car right beside us, an indication that he was back home now. I swallowed, ut braced myself for what I was going to see. No matter what, I would apologize over again, kneel do front of both of them and beg them. I won't move from that spot till they forgive me.

That was my decision.

So, I got down from the car and made my way toward the front door, opening it up. I heard voices coming from the kitchen, my parents' voices. Their conversation sounded normal. I made my way there, standing at the doorway of the kitchen so that they'd see me. Mum sighted me first, her cheery expression not faltering. Dad who was backing me turned to look at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Hilary, welcome back." He started and my mouth hung open.

It sorta hurt me, it hurt me that they were not yelling at me. They are supposed to be yelling at me, screaming at me. Why were they not doing any of that? Why was mum smiling at me?

"How was school today?" He asked and I kept staring, in complete awe.

He moved to the refrigerator to pour out a cup of juice. When he was done, he walked closer to me and stretched out the cup to me. I stared at him in bewilderment, stared at both of them. I didn't know what was going on in their heads. But, I did the only thing I knew I could do. I ran in and wrapped my hands around my Dad's middle.

His hands hung out in complete shock. I couldn't see his face but I knew he looked shocked, but I didn't leave him. I hugged him tighter, burying my face in his chest. He wasn't hugging me back, so I began to overthink things.

"Hilary..."

"Don't hate me," I mumbled into his chest, begged him, begged them.

"Hilary, what's wrong?" Mum's concerned voice rang out but I didn't answer. I just hugged dad. "Did anything happen in school again? What's the matter." The fact that they were still concerned about me brought tears to my eyes.

"Please, don't hate me." My voice was clearer now. I didn't hear their voices again, but I felt Dad relax against me even though he didn't hug me back.

"Sunshine, why would you think we hate you? We'd never hate you." He murmured and I pulled back slightly to look at him, my vision blurry with tears.

"A-After yesterday, I just felt you would. A-And I'd honestly understand if you did." I stuttered out, stealing a glance at mum who was watching me with glassy eyes of her own, the fingers of her left hand pressed again her lips. I looked away from her and back to Dad, continuing.

"I h-hid such a secret from you, something you deserved to know, so I'd understand if you hate me. This morning, y-you were gone without saying goodbye like you usually do and mum wasn't speaking to me, so I just thought... Please don't hate me. I don't think I'd be able to handle it if you did." My sobs increased and I looked down, crying.

Dad sighed and finally wrapped his hand around me, pulling me close to him. I felt mum beside me in a matter of seconds, hand resting on my back, rubbing soothingly while whispering the words it's okay to me repeatedly. Dad later pulled back, bringing his hands to cup my face, and used his thumb to clean my tears.

"I came by your room this morning but you were still asleep," Dad revealed, much to my surprise. I had not known that. "I couldn't wait because I was in a hurry but I promised myself that I'd come back so that we could discuss yesterday and iron things out."

"And I'm sorry about my behavior this morning." Mum cut in, but I shook my head.

"You don't have to apologize. I deserved it."

"You didn't deserve it." She countered softly, bringing her hand to rest against my face. "Yesterday opened a lot of... wounds that were still healing." Her voice quivered a bit, tears dropping from her eyes in beads.

"But you made a mistake and we should never hold you to it. We are never going to blame you for Henry's death. He was our son, our firstborn," She looked at my Dad, who nodded, his eyes also glassy with tears. "But you are also our daughter, our child, our baby and you are all that matters now," Mum stated with a strong reassuring voice and tears welled in my eyes again.

Dad began, "Henry is gone and we have to accept that. It's going to be hard, very hard but we are a family and we will do this together. We'll stick together through this, Hilary. Do you understand me?" I nodded vigorously. He pulled me closer again and hugged me, throwing his other arm over mum and pulling her in too.

I was so happy.

At least, I had control over this one.

My family.

I AM Lucky, very lucky to be part of this family. For the first time since all these started, for the first time in a month, I felt light, most of the weight being lifted off my shoulder.

𝐀/𝐍

Hilary's parents are Angels🥺. Just in a matter of hours, they got their emotions in check. This doesn't mean they have forgotten what she did or they have forgotten Henry, no. It only means they have decided not to let what happened affect the relationship they have with their daughter.

When things like this happen, some parents tend to abandon the child that is alive and focus on the one that is gone. They neglect their duties and responsibilities. I'm not saying they should not grieve, but there is a point that grieving pauses and they just have to be strong together as a family.

Although, Hilary's parents might have forgiven her, but this doesn't mean Hilary has forgiven herself. I hope she does, eventually.

Also, what's up with Dawn and TK tho? I'm quite confused 🤔🤷🏾‍♀️.

I don't know when I'll update next but the next update will be in Jidenna's POV. You'll finally get to see a glimpse of what he faces at home. Just a glimpse.

I am so glad y'all are enjoying this book so far. I'm also enjoying writing it for you 🥺❤️. See you when I see you.