Thank you guys for 3k reads. I love you all.

This chapter is pretty long too. Hope you enjoy it. 

Dedicated to @chigirlsfantasy. Your comments are everything, xoxo.

Chapter Twenty One

CYNTHIA

I don't know how long I sit there alone in the classroom, I don't even know when the bell for end of lunch rang. I only realize that the bell has rung when I hear footsteps along the corridor and see people start to enter the class.

I watch them enter until I see John. And he looks pretty upset.

Is he still annoyed because of Michael and his friends?

He rushes over to me and sits beside me, "Why did you walk out on us like that?" He asks worriedly.

"I don't know. I was just annoyed and wanted to be alone. Those stupid girls really ruined my mood." I reply and he only stares at me intently without saying anything.

He then stands and goes to his seat, only for him to come back with his belongings and to sit next to me.

"I'm going to be your seat partner till school ends for today." He says and I smile appreciatively at him.

"Thanks." I reply and he smiles back in return.

I've always wanted to know how having John as my seat partner will turn out to be and I'm glad that I will be finding out now.

As the lesson progresses, I've come to realize that although John is good company and occasionally asks questions concerning the topics we are being taught, I find myself missing Michael.

He's only growing on me, I tell myself. That's probably all there is to it.

***

MICHAEL

"Calling someone disgusting and dangerous when you're the one who beat an innocent guy to a pulp and isn't even human enough to check up on him in the hospital he is."

Those words have been haunting me since Cynthia had said them to me when we were arguing outside the Chemistry laboratory and it's the only thing I can think of on my way to meet the guys that are already waiting for me by their respective cars.

The truth is I still can't get over the look in her eyes when she was saying those words.

Am I really that bad? That disgusting?

I know I should be heading home with the boys right now so we can make some adjustments to the secret room but I'm thinking there might be a slight change in plans. I'll have to make a stop somewhere.

I continue my way to the guys and when I get there, I notice that there's still a silent treatment between Wole and Femi. 

I just hope they make up soon. I miss their childish banter and funny remarks.

"Change of plans, guys." I announce to them and they all don't seem too happy to hear that. "It's okay, I'm just going to stop over somewhere before coming back to meet you guys. You can continue without me."

"What exactly are we even meant to do to the room?" Femi asks.

"Well, I think the most important thing that needs to be done is to get it really cleaned and arranged. We haven't been there in a while so it is covered with dust. Everything also needs to be arranged. New sheets for the beds, the musical instruments should be kept in one side, the fridge should be stocked with ingredients and drinks. I also asked if she plays video games and she seems cool with it, you might try checking out video games girls might like and install them too."

By the time I'm done speaking, they are all giving me weird looks. Peter seems to be the most confused.

"I'm surprised you didn't add painting the room too." Wole adds sarcastically.

"Well, I'm thinking a bit of decoration might suffice instead. You know, a bit of flowers in some places and those fluffy pillows that girls like." I reply in a matter-of-fact manner.

They don't say anything in response and in the end, only Femi shakes his head and mutters something that sounds so much like, "He's down bad."

I pretend I didn't hear him and focus solely on Wole, deciding to put him in charge. Femi takes things too lightly and I would rather not ask Peter to be in charge.

"So Wole, please make sure you're almost done before I get back. You can ask Maggie for help if needed."

"Wow. So you will even let Maggie into the secret room?" Femi interjects with genuine surprise.

"Of course not. Just ask her for anything you might need. Why do you think I'm asking you to do this when I know she can clean the room up perfectly?"

"I don't even know why I'm involved in any of this. It's like I'm helping the enemy." Peter mutters out loud, those were his first words since I've been standing in front of them.

"You can decide not to come if you wish. In fact, it will be to my advantage if you don't show up tomorrow either. More points for me." I tell him and the only inclination he heard me is the subtle roll of his eyes.

I fight the urge to roll mine and just ignore him.

I glance down at my watch before looking at them, "I guess that's it then. See you guys in an hour or two."

"Where are you even going to?" Wole asks as I'm about to turn and leave.

"The hospital."

I can see the questions written all over their faces at my response but before they can get the chance to ask, I scurry out of the school compound. I will deal with their questions when I'm back. Right now, I need to settle this once and for all.

The security guard doesn't look too amused that I'm leaving the school during school hours and I'm sure he's wishing there's a way he can send me back inside the school but sadly, there's nothing he can do. I give him a tight smile as I step out of the school and roll my eyes once I'm out before I begin to search for any indication that Kunle and the other guards are nearby.

While waiting for Kunle, I bring out my phone to dial Henry's number because I realise I don't even know the hospital the guy was admitted in.

And with what I hope to give the boy to pacify him, Henry might throw a fit.

He picks the call at the second ring and speaks in a monotone, "Walter on the line."

I ignore the annoyed undertone in his voice and go straight the point, "I need to get the latest Play Station as soon as possible."

"And why is that?"

"I'm giving it to someone as a gift." 

"Sorry, but no can do."

I know the next thing he is going to do is hang up on me and I'll be damned if I let him do that. "Don't you dare disconnect the call, Henry. I'm very serious here, I need the latest Play Station as soon as possible and I need you to come with me to the hospital where that guy I had beaten half to death was admitted."

There's a long silence on the other end of the call and I had to confirm that the call has not been disconnected when I hear nothing from his end.

"So, if I just heard correctly, you are telling me that you want to visit that guy in the hospital and offer that Play Station as a gift?" He finally asks and I sigh in relief, glad that his brain is working perfectly fine.

"Yes." I respond impatiently.

"You do realise that's hard to believe right? I've never seen you make such an effort towards the people you've beaten up in the past."

"And I'm making an effort now so you might as well stop acting so surprised." I reply with a bit of annoyance, disliking the implication of his words. He's making me out as a bad person and I don't like it.

I'm really not that bad of a person. Am I?

"Alright, fine. I'll meet you there very soon. Do you even know where he's admitted at?" He asks.

"I was just going to ask you that." 

I think I hear him chuckle lightly but it might have been the wind playing tricks on me.

"I'll text it to you now."

"Yeah, thanks." I say before he disconnects the call. I then proceed to call Kunle who within few seconds appear with the other bodyguards and together, we head to the address that was sent to me by Henry.

I arrive at the hospital before Henry and despite the encouragement from Kunle to go in and ask about the boy before Henry arrives, I can't seem to come up with the courage to do so.

What I had done to that boy can not be excused at all and it's true that since that time at the police station where I had unceremoniously left his parents and Henry to deal with the issue themselves, I had not come up with the decency to check up on him.

I was too preoccupied with Cynthia and things I can do to make her notice me that I had forgotten how much of an asshole I had been just two days before.

I guess Cynthia was right after all, I'm disgusting.

"Are you really not going in?" Kunle asks once again.

I nod my response while glancing through the window to see if Henry has arrived yet. If I end up doing this, Henry has to be by my side.

I had to wait five more minutes for him to finally show up, with the box of the play station in his hand.

"It was quite difficult to find." Henry announces breathlessly, an indication that he had rushed over.

"What matters is that you were able to get it." I reply while glancing nervously at the hospital entrance. I don't think I've done something as nervous as this in my entire life.

'But I bet it's not as much as whenever you had to face your father.' A voice taunts me.

I ignore the voice that had just spoken to me and strengthen my determination to face the boy and whoever it is that is with him. I should ask for his forgiveness properly and hope he accepts the gift I had brought for him.

I know it doesn't compare to the injuries I had inflicted in him but it's still something.

"Let's go." Henry says and is already walking ahead of me.

I nod in response, "Yeah, Let's go." But I make no attempt to move. My palms are sweaty and it's like I've developed cold feet. It's not until Henry looks back and sees that I'm not coming behind him that he walks back to me and starts to pull me by the arm.

"Just stand in front of him and get it over with. It shouldn't be so bad." He says with a reassuring smile but there's a whole riot going on in my stomach.

I try to control my nerves by breathing in and out repeatedly while I let him pull me into the hospital. The events that follow are a blur. 

From when he is standing in front of the nurse asking about the boy that was brought in a couple of days ago to when we are standing in front of the door of his ward, the only thing on my mind is finding the right words to say to him when I'm in front of him.

"Are you ready?" Henry asks with a small smile.

No. I'm not.

I let out a huge breath and nod.

"Good." He then proceeds to knock and open the door.

I don't know what I was expecting to find behind the door, but it's definitely not the sight in front of me. The boy that is lying on the bed was smiling to something his mother was telling him and they were both watching TV before they both turn simultaneously to look at their unexpected guests.

I wasn't taken aback by the smile on his face, although it's a miracle that he is even able to smile. It was the state of his body, a very bad state.

One of his eyes is still swollen shut even after two days and the other eye is also a bit swollen but at least he is able to open it slightly. His lips look chapped and busted and there is a plaster on his nose which I hope doesn't really mean that he had broken it. He seems to wince a little every time he takes a breath and as if God wants me to know just how bad I had beaten him, the blanket covering his body slips down a little to reveal one of his hand in a cast.

All the words I've been rehearsing in my head to say to him are long gone and I am left feeling immensely and utterly ashamed of myself.

At this point, I didn't notice that his mum is now standing in front of me, looking like she's about to transform into a witch and curse me to death one thousand times.

Instead in all her boiling rage, she simply turns to Henry and says in a surprisingly calm voice, "I want him out of this room. Now!"

Henry looks momentarily thrown off before he finally speaks, "Ma, I know you might not want to see him right now but he's deeply sorry and will like to apologise."

"I don't want his apology. I want him out of this room right now!" She screams.

"Mu-Mum." A strained voice calls from behind her and she hurries over to him.

"Shhhh." She hushes him. "Don't talk. I'll get him out of here for you." She assures him quietly and smiles sadly at him.

I don't know that tears are pooled in my eyes until a drop escapes and slid down my cheek. I immediately wipe the stray tear and without thinking, I drop down on my knees and move my gaze to the floor. 

I might really burst into tears if I should continue to look at him, he looks so helpless and ill and the fact that I made him that way makes me feel like the worse person on earth.

"Michael, what are you doing?" I hear Henry's confused voice but I ignore him and let out a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry ma." I try to apologise but it was nothing more than a whisper.

The whole of the hospital room has gone silent now except for the beeping of the hospital machines and the muffled sounds from the TV.

I decide to try again.

"I'm sorry ma." This time, my voice is a little loud but shaky. "I know I deserve the worst treatment right now. You have every right in the world to shout and scream at me. You have every right to hit and throw things at me because I deserve it. I deserve everything you give to me because you have every reason to, after what- what I had done to your son." The tears were threatening to flow now but I was fighting it. I don't even know why I was feeling emotional.

"I had beaten your son up like this without any reason so of course whatever you do to me is acceptable."

I hear her whimper at those words and look up to see that she's about to cry too.

"That's exactly what I don't understand." She sobs. "You beat him up like this without any valid reason. You gave him bruised ribs and internal injuries without any good reason. If he had ended up dying, his death would have been for no reason too." She wails.

"Mu-Mum. Stop crying."

"Frank, I'm not crying." She wipes her face and smiles down at him. "He just needs to know that he did nothing to be proud of and just because he's a son of an influential man doesn't mean he can do anything he wants. He didn't even give a proper apology in the police station and just went off." She directs a cold stare at me and I'm forced to focus on the floor once more.

I really am not one of good behaviour.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that, it was stupid of me but I've realised what I did wrong and that's why I'm here for forgiveness. You don't have to forgive me right away, if coming everyday until he's discharged will make that happen then I would. I just want to make it up to you, I can even pay his hospital fees." I say eagerly, wanting to please them but I only earn myself a look of scorn.

"We don't need your apology and we don't want your money. We can pay for the hospital bills just fine." She replies flatly and I'm left deflated, running out of options.

I'm not use to apologising so I don't even know if I'm going about it the right way. All I know is I'm not leaving this hospital until this woman smiles at me.

That sounds far-fetched I know but I really want her to forgive me.

And that's when I realise I've been asking the wrong person all along. Frank's mother isn't the one I had beaten up, she isn't the one lying in the hospital with a broken arm and bruised ribs.

It is Frank and he is the one I should be apologising to.

Slowly, I stand from my knees and approach Frank slowly. I can see the guarded look in his mother eyes as I walk towards him, like a lioness who is waiting for me to make a wrong move so she can attack me and protect her cub.

"Frank." I call his name but he refuses to look at me. "Frank, I know I did you wrong." I continue all the same. "But I'm really sorry. You are in pain right now because I was an asshole and I don't have any excuse for that. I promise it will never happen again, instead we can be friends and I will protect you from bad things in school."

He seems to be fascinated by the patterns on his hospital clothes instead and won't look at me and I'm beginning to slowly feel a sense of defeat.

I glance at Henry who doesn't seem to know what to do either and then notice that he's still carrying the PS5 box in his hand. I doubt using that as bait might work but it wouldn't hurt to try.

"I even bought you the new PS5 so we could play together and become closer, you know?"

He immediately perks up and starts to glance around, looking for the PS5 until his only open eye falls on Henry's hands and he beams with delight, his face totally transforming.

"You-You really bought it for me?" He asks and I nod. It pains me to see that it is difficult for him to speak without wincing but at least we are making progress. I hurriedly go towards Henry to take the box from him and return back to Frank's side.

He smiles at me then looks longingly at the box, "I-I've always wanted... it but dad wouldn't buy it for me." He then glances hopefully at his mum, as if asking for her permission to get it.

She looks like she's about to say no but his mouth immediately droops and she had to sigh, "Fine."

"Yes!" He tries to shout but immediately gasps and closes his eyes. He grabs his chest because of the pain he must have felt at that moment and I can't help feeling guilty that I was responsible for that.

"I'm really sorry." I apologise again.

"It's okay." He responds with a smile. "I forgive you."

I almost burst out into laughter because I know the only reason he had easily forgiven me was because of the Play Station that is now resting on his knees as he uses his uninjured arm to check it out.

I watch for a while as he laughs excitedly and explains to his mum why he prefers it to the PS3 that he still uses but whenever he winces or sucks in a breath, I start to feel sad.

Frank's mother didn't smile at me but she's smiling because her son is smiling. And I had put that smile on his face. Deciding that I've made enough progress for today, I decide to just leave them and to make sure to see them tomorrow before going to the secret room with Cynthia and Grace.

I turn to them one last time and wish Frank goodbye, he responds but his mum only gives me an unreadable expression. I smile at her instead and walk out of the hospital room.

'Baby steps', I whisper to myself.

The ride home is quiet. Numerous thoughts were in my head but the only ones I could really bring myself to concentrate on was how to befriend Frank, get closer to Cynthia and separate her from that slime, John.

I had even forgotten that I was supposed to get flowers for the secret room until we drive past a flower shop but I end up deciding against it. I ask Kunle to drive to a furniture shop so I can get the small pillows instead and I end up getting up to six.

I even found some for my room too.

Two hours are long passed when Kunle finally drives into our compound and as soon as I get down from the car, I immediately head to the secret room.

And the first thing I notice when I step inside is that the room is shining and very clean. The guys had really put some efforts into it and that's something to be thankful for because I really wasn't sure of what to expect. I head into the room and drop the pillows on the sofas in the room.

Wole and Femi are sitting on one of the sofas and both of them are playing a boxing game. Their avatars seem to be fighting each other pretty aggressively and it is all I need to know that they aren't still on good terms even though they are playing a game together.

I glance around looking for Peter and see him on one of the beds, lying lazily on it, his iPad in hand as he scrolls through it.

Only God knows what he does on it every time.

Even with the fact that I had just dropped the pillows in my hand on the sofas, including the one both Wole and Femi are seated on, none of the guys made any inclination that they are aware of my arrival.

"Would you guys stop fighting and make up already?" I finally say when they wouldn't stop punching each other psychopaths in the video game.

"The person who wins the game apologises first." Femi replies, not even looking at me.

So they actually knew I had arrived and just ignored me. I roll my eyes at them.

"Well then, goodluck to both of you then."

My phone rings at that moment and I'm surprised to see that it's Maggie calling me. I pick up the phone and she immediately speaks. "Where are you? I know you are back but I can't find you in your room."

"I'm in the kitchen." I respond and start to walk out of the room. I wasn't exactly lying. Only the kitchen leads to the secret room and not even Henry or Kunle has been able to find its entrance. Even if they do find the entrance, they would be greeted by a password opened door and only me and the guys know what that is.

"Alright then. We need to talk." She mentions in a stern voice and I immediately stifle a groan.

"Should I be scared?" 

"Oh, you should be."

Shit.

"I'm hanging up." I respond monotonously and disconnect the call.

Now, what have I done wrong? 

I enter into the kitchen and head straight for the refrigerator. I pick the carton juice and open it, drinking directly from the carton. Another thing Maggie is going to have my head for if she sees it in my hand.

Thankfully, I'm already closing the refrigerator when she steps into the kitchen and I give her an innocent smile. I know she's aware of what I had done but chooses not to push it because she gives me a warning look.

"What did I do?" I ask but she only continues to walk towards me and then she stops right in front of me.

Am I getting slapped? 

She surprises me by pulling me into an embrace.

Okay, wow. That wasn't what I was expecting.

I stand there awkwardly in her embrace, not knowing what to do. I thought she was supposed to be mad at me. 

"Maggie?" 

She finally releases me from her embrace and smiles proudly at me, "You did well."

I'm lost. What the hell is going on?

"What did I do?" I ask, genuinely confused.

"Henry told me that you went to see that boy." She begins and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She's making a big deal out of nothing. "And I'm glad you're finally being matured and owning up to your mistake."

"Oh, stop Maggie. You know, I'm not that bad." I reply, smiling at her and waving it off.

The smile that has been on her face since she hugged me slowly disappears and she suddenly gives me a serious look, "You and I know you are that bad. And as happy as I am that you went to see that boy in the hospital, I know you didn't come up with that idea yourself."

I scowl at her and shrug off her hands from my shoulder, "What do you mean? I could have had a moment of realization." I try to sound offended but it seemed more like I was whining.

I walk away from her and went to grab a glass cup before heading to the fridge to pour myself a cup of chilled water. She watches me as I do all these, not saying anything, and when I'm finally done drinking the water, she raises an eyebrow expectantly.

"So, how did you get your moment of realization?"

She really isn't going to let this go.

"Fine." I huff. "It was Cynthia. We had an argument and she called me all sort of names and told me I wasn't human enough to check up on the guy I had beaten half to death that is admitted in the hospital."

"Cynthia?" She questions. "The girl that had slapped your face?"

I nod in response.

She narrows her eyes at me, "Why are you having an argument with that girl? Why are you even talking to her? I thought we agreed that you aren't getting involved with that girl." 

"No, it was your conclusion that I was going to get revenge on her but I just want to be her friend." I explain in my defense.

"Being her friend by having arguments where she calls you names? Don't tell me you are following her around in school because you want to be her friend?" She had pronounced 'friend' sarcastically and she doesn't look too happy with me. 

"I'm not following her around, we are seat partners." I grumble and she looks momentarily confused, trying to process my words.

When she finally speaks, the look of accusation in her eyes is enough to spell trouble for me, "I really hope this is not what I'm thinking."

"It depends on what you are thinking." I reply sheepishly.

"What department is she in? And don't you dare lie to me."  

"Science?" I answer unsurely.

"So you joined the science class because of a girl when there are only few months till your final exams?!" She asks and I can only nod in response. "Have you gone crazy?!" 

I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me short, "I'm not listening to anything from you. I'm calling your principal right now, you are returning to your class with the boys."

"No, please." I immediately say, pleading with her. "Please don't call her. I don't want to change classes."

"Are you serious right now? So you are now willing to play with your future because of a girl?"

"Maggie, you don't understand. It's not just because of a girl." I reply silently but she doesn't seem to believe me. She also looks really disappointed and one of the things I hate is Maggie giving me the disappointed look.

"I'm not doing this just because of Cynthia. I admit she's the reason I got that idea but she's not the only reason I've decided to go through with it." I begin to explain.

She gives me a skeptical look but doesn't say anything. I decide to continue. "Maggie, you know my dream ever since I was young is to become a doctor like Mum but Dad had forced me to change it because I had to manage his business. She was ambitious, thinking it was her job to find the cures for all the incurable diseases in the world but you also know how it ends, she had died in a hospital. Her ambitions dying with her in a place she was thinking she will serve for a very long time." 

I could see her getting teary from my words and I think she knows where I'm getting at, "She died giving birth to my younger sister and they are both no more. I don't want to be an ambitious doctor like she was, Maggie. I just don't want more women dying during childbirth. I don't know how far I can go in making that happen in a country such as ours but I want to make a contribution. I want to pursue my dream as a doctor, Maggie. I know it might seem too late but I guess I will just have to work harder."

The simple explanation has ended up to be an emotional session and I also had to wipe tears from my face by the time I'm done explaining. 

I miss my Mum. I miss her than anyone can ever imagine and I had always known she would have supported my decision to be a doctor if she was alive.

"Alright then." Maggie says in a shaky voice. "I'll allow you do this but on the condition that Henry gets you a personal tutor to put you through the things you've missed in the past two years."

A tutor? A personal tutor? 

At the mention of that, my brain clicks and all the sad and emotional thoughts in me is quickly gone.

Why didn't I think of that? I can have Cynthia around even more often. She can be my personal tutor.

"Maggie, can Cynth-

"Don't even complete that sentence." She interrupts me with a dead look. "Henry is going to get an experienced and mature MALE tutor and that's final."

Ouch.

"That sucks." I pout.

"That's the only way you get to be serious." She replies and then pulls me in for another hug. "You have my support wholeheartedly and anytime you are struggling because of your Mum, just remember you have me." She says reassuringly with a pat on my back and I snuggle closer into her arms, enjoying her warmth. I know I had her and it is more than enough consolation for me.

She had just said I can't have Cynthia as my personal tutor. 

But she never said she cannot be my personal tutor after school. 

Because that's exactly what I want and that's exactly what's going to happen.

***

Oh, Michael. When will you stop? And how was the chapter?

Am I going too slow with the book? There's still so much that is yet to happen and it all still seems so far and I just want to show it all to you guys but then writing isn't really easy. My respect for all the amazing writers on this app has really increased since I begin to write because it ain't easy at all.

Maybe I'll just increase the frequency at which I update if I can stop being lazy and get to writing much chapters. LOL.

Alright, don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Next update soon.

Until then. Love you guys!