I'm so sorry for the late update. A lot has been going on in school that I can't even begin to explain. Students of OAU will surely know where I'm coming from though.

This chapter isn't my best chapter and I'm fully aware of that. I didn't even get to proof read it as much as I do my other chapters. I just feel like it needs to get published since it's been a while so I hope it's worthwhile.

Thanks guys for being patient with me. 

Happy reading!!

***

Chapter Twenty four

MICHAEL

I stay rooted to the spot even after Peter has left the class, numerous thoughts swimming in my head.

Falling for her will make it more interesting? How the hell will that make anything interesting? And why the hell am I so bothered by that sentence?

I'm not really starting to fall for her, am I? I have hardly even spent a week with her so it's surely not possible, right?

The sound of a message entering my phone breaks me out of my reverie and I bring out the phone to see who had just texted me. It's a message from Dorcas.

Dorcas: Babe, where are you? Won't you even come to eat with us now?

I stare blankly at the message for a while, not knowing what to text to her in response. I can probably just ignore her, but she's only going to send more messages. And I don't really feel like eating lunch. The fact that Cynthia almost found out why I became her friend and what Peter had just told me had made me lose my appetite.

I also don't want to keep thinking about it. I think I need a distraction.

Me: I'm in the exclusive class. Do you want to keep me company?

Her reply enters within seconds.

Dorcas: I'd love to. See you in a jiffy.

Well, how about I put the theory of the fact that I might be falling for Cynthia to test? I would surely not be so enthusiastic to make out with Dorcas when she gets into the classroom because I know that's bound to happen since we will both be alone. It's not that I've always been that enthusiastic though.

I let out a huge sigh and walk to my seat in the class, resting comfortably on the armchair and enjoying the silence. Maybe I shouldn't have asked Dorcas to come over.

The door to the classroom opens not long after and Dorcas saunters in, walking seductively towards me. I look her over, from her pretty face to her gorgeous body and wonder why I can't seem to feel anything towards her other than lust. I know lots of other guys in the school are willing to date her and that she's got eyes only for me. I try not to feel bad for doing things like this with her when I know it's clearly not going to be more than just sexual attraction on my side but in my defense, I already told her just exactly how I feel and she still chooses to come to me.

"Hey, babe." She greets in her sultry voice and comes to sit on my laps. "You look really down." She tips my face up with a finger and gives me a peck on the mouth. "Is something wrong?"

Well, that's a question I can't even answer. 

"No, not really. I guess I'm not just in a great mood." I reply absentmindedly. She smirks at my response and I already know what's coming after that.

"You know, I can lift your mood for you. I can think of about ten ways to make you feel better right now." She says, flirting and I can't help finding her words amusing.

"Oh, really?" I answer, deciding to indulge her.

"Of course. But they are naughty things." She replies with a knowing smile and I burst out chuckling.

"Who would have thought?" I say, playing innocent and she giggles, hitting me lightly on the chest but not removing her palm from it. I really do enjoy her company, at least compared to the other girls I've been with. I just feel really comfortable talking to her.

I don't know if that's supposed to be a good thing or the problem. 

I suddenly remember how I had felt the moment I had tried to kiss Cynthia and kissed her hand instead, I can still remember the tingling feeling so well.

What's that supposed to mean?

"Babe." Dorcas calls, bringing me back to the present. 

"Hmm?"

"Do you no longer need me?"

I stare at her with confusion, "What do you mean?"

She gives me a small smile but I notice the sadness in it, "You don't call me over to your place anymore. Ever since you've been sitting with that orphan girl in that class." She ends bitterly.

"Dorcas." I sigh. 

The truth is I haven't really been having the nightmares nowadays. Well, I rarely sleep because of the fear of the nightmares but when I do, it's often dreamless.

"Dorcas what?" She gives me an expectant look.

"Cynthia has nothing to do with me not calling you over."

"Oh, really? And here I was thinking you have found a replacement for me." She mumbles sarcastically.

"Dorcas, stop being this way." I retort but she rolls her eyes. I called her here to stop me from thinking any thoughts about Cynthia not have a discussion about her.

"Well, blame me for being jealous that you are spending all your time with her and close to none of your time with me." She complains and I give her a dead look.

We've spoken about this a lot of time and I really hate having this discussion with her over and over again.

"Dorcas, I'm not obliged to spend my time with you. We have nothing together." I tell her as a matter-of-fact and immediately see hurt across her face but she quickly masks it.

"You actually do a good job of reminding me too." She replies and tries to smile. I think I start to see tears pool in her eyes and I begin to feel like a jerk.

"Oh, shit. Don't cry." I say, a little panicky. She giggles and blinks back her tears before finally speaking.

"Of course, I'm not crying. You don't deserve my tears." She responds and I visibly relax, breathing out a huge sigh of relief. "But I deserve to kiss you." She adds afterwards and the next thing I know is her lips on mine.

The bell rings immediately after and I know it's only a matter of time before the guys return to the class but I don't think pushing her off right now is something she would want. She notices my unresponsiveness and pushes harder, trying to gain a response from her. I decide to give her what she wants by kissing her back and she immediately moans in response.

I lose myself in the kiss, telling myself to not think of anything but the kiss but my mind keeps going to Cynthia, imagining what it would be like if she is the one in Dorcas' position right now.

I think I might have taken the imagination a bit too far because I begin to kiss Dorcas fervently and soon, we are making out, literally devouring each other. I don't know how it happened but I find that my hands are in her blouse and the first few buttons of my shirt has also been unbuttoned.

We get so carried away that we don't realise when the door to the classroom opens and also don't know when people enter the classroom.

But that is until a very loud voice asks, "So how do we subscribe to this channel? I will definitely not mind walking into my class after lunch break and find myself watching this show everyday." 

I look up to see Wole, Peter and Femi staring very amusingly at me with Femi obviously asking the question.

Dorcas doesn't look fazed that she just got caught making out with me, she actually looks almost proud. She makes a show of adjusting her blouse and her hair then gives me one swift kiss before finally leaving the classroom.

Once she is out of the classroom, Wole who is still holding the handle of the door from having to pause immediately he stepped into the classroom closes the door and gives me a look of what is a mixture of disbelief and disgust.

"What the hell was that?" He asks. 

I only shrug, refusing to give him an answer to the question. I look away from him only to make eye contact with Peter and he seems very pleased for some kind of reason.

I'm not even going to waste my time trying to figure out why he looks that way. I do know he is sick in the head and needs mental treatment.

I buttoned up my shirt in silence, the others refusing to say anything as they file to their seats. The judging looks on Femi and Wole's face is quite evident though but I can't care less.

"Won't you go to your class? The bell for the next lesson rang already." Wole reminds me.

I lay my head on the table and reply him, "I'm staying here for the rest of the day." Then close my eyes to try to fall asleep.

***

CYNTHIA

Grace and I stand outside our school gate waiting for our respective drivers and I can't help worrying that I'm going to face my parents soon.

"Put your mind at ease." She repeats for the umpteenth time and I frown at her.

"Do you think I'm not trying?"

"I know you are. But look at you, you look very nervous." She replies. "It's not like you are going for an interview, you are meeting your parents for God's sake."

"In case you've forgotten, these are the same people I fought with before they left." 

She sighs exaggeratedly, "That was three months ago. I'm sure they would have forgotten about it."

"What if I think they've forgotten and are waiting for my apology? Should I pretend nothing happened or apologize?" I ask, looking at her.

She looks like she doesn't know what to say for the first time since we've been at the gate, "That's actually a good question." 

I give her a dead look before talking impatiently, "Just answer me." 

"I think you should watch the way they behave. If they are cold towards you, then that means they are angry with you and you should apologize." She starts to explain.

"And if they aren't cold towards me?"

"Then you let things play out the way they are supposed to. They were the ones at fault in the first place." She ends and I smile gratefully at her.

"But what if what happened the last time that made me angry with them happens again?" I honestly feel it's going to happen again. There's no way they are going to be back home without having something relating to business to sort out or do.

"I just think you should talk things through with them really well because I honestly doubt they won't be making business calls when they get back. The only thing you can do is hope they spend more time with you and Sam before they leave." She explains and I keep quiet, thinking about what she said.

"I'm sure Sam is very happy that they are coming back." She adds.

"Yes, he is." I smile, remembering how overjoyed he looked when I told him yesterday morning.

"Did John tell you he would be going home early today as well?" She asks and I shake my head. "I'm worried because he didn't come down to eat at lunch."

"He didn't speak to me too and refused to meet my eye after lunch. I think it has something to do with Michael."

"I don't blame him. I won't like it too if someone else is taking all the time of the person I like." She responds and I give her an unimpressed look to which she shrugs, "You know it's true."

"Hey, ladies."

A familiar voice calls out, interrupting our conversation and we look up to see Femi, Wole and Peter in front of us. I don't even notice them coming towards us.

"Hi, Femi." Grace says dreamily while I just give them a small smile.

"How are you girls doing?" Wole asks, glancing at the both of us.

"We're fine." Grace and I answer together.

"So how do you girls plan on coming to Michael's place?" Femi questions the both of us, a smile playing on his lips.

"Michael's place?" I ask, a bit confused.

"Yeah. That's where we'll be hanging out." He replies.

"I thought we are going to a secret room." Grace tells him, looking puzzled and Femi chuckles as if he finally understands.

"Grace, the secret room is in Michael's house." He replies with a smile and I nod, finally getting it. There is however no reply from Grace and I see that she has that fascinated look on her face again.

"Well, that's cool but I actually won't be there anymore." They all look surprised by my words, except for Peter.

Femi immediately starts to speak, looking both surprised and amused, "So you are saying you won't be coming? After everything Mi-

Wole hits him just then, stopping him from ending the sentence and I look at the two of them, wondering what that was all about.

"Did something happen? Is it because of Michael? Are you still annoyed with him?" Wole asks.

I give him a small smile. "No, it's not that. It's a family issue that I have to take care of. I promise to hang out with you guys next time."

"Alright." He replies with an understanding smile, but I hear Femi grumble something to himself to which Wole is busy chiding him.

Grace is still staring at Femi wistfully and is probably oblivious to what is going on.

I glance at Peter who isn't saying anything and smile at him, "Thanks for keeping me company this morning." 

My statement garners all their attention and I'm soon the object of focus. Both Femi and Wole seems to not believe what they have heard or maybe there's something more to the way they are looking at me. I can't say.

"You're welcome." Peter responds with a smile and they all shift their attention towards him.

Grace seems to be the most surprised because she looks at him wide-eyed. "You can actually talk?" She asks and I hit her by the side.

"I thought I already told you." I whisper.

"Yeah, but it's different when he is actually opening his mouth right in front of us. And you are right, he has a cool voice." She adds and I feel like hitting her on the head.

Why would she say something like that in front of him?

I glance at him and see him smiling at her words with a raised eyebrow. I groan as I wonder what he must be thinking.

"Grace, you won't be there too?" Femi asks all of a sudden and she instantly forgets all about Peter and focus solely on him.

"Yes." She replies sadly and I stare at her confused.

"Why won't you go?" I ask her.

"It won't feel right if you are not there since we were both planning to go together. If you aren't going, then I'm also not going." She replies and I give her a small smile.

"You don't have to." I tell her, knowing how she really wanted to be there but she smiles at me, silently assuring me that it's really fine.

"Well, it's such a shame that you both won't be coming. I was actually looking forward to having girls hang out with us and I mean really hang out with us." Femi answers with an exaggerated sigh.

"Anyways, why are you three alone? Where is Michael?" I ask them, wondering if there is something wrong with him. Since he had hurriedly gone away from us when we were going to the classroom, I have not seen him since then.

"He's probably with Dorcas or something." Femi announces and for some reason, it doesn't settle well with me.

"I guess we'll be seeing each other later since we have to rescue Michael from his girlfriend. That's if he actually needs rescuing." Wole says with a roll of his eyes and Femi snickers at his words.

What do they mean by that? And why do I not like the sound of it?

My eyes meet with those of Peter and he seems to be watching me quite intently, his expression unreadable but I look away from him, not quite willing to hold his gaze.

"Well, see you later then." Wole says and turns to walk away, followed closely by Peter who doesn't even mention a single word in farewell.

"Bye, Grace." Femi says with a wink.

"Bye." Grace says breathlessly.

I don't know if I'm reading too much meaning into things but I do notice that Femi also seems to be attracted to Grace. He has been directing most of his questions to her.

"Grace." I call out but she's out of it.

"Grace." I say again, snapping my fingers in front of her. She blinks and then smiles.

"Do you think Femi likes me too?" She asks unsurely.

"Are you admitting that you like him?" I tease and she smiles.

"Isn't it already a known fact?" She retorts.

"Then it was love at first sight?" I ask and her smile turns to a shy one. Seeing Grace like this is really refreshing. I can't remember the last time she was like this with a guy. She usually doesn't care.

"I'm not sure about love, but I'm pretty much attracted to him." She replies.

The blaring of a car's horn catches our attention and I stare at my car parked right in front of us. I immediately remember the arrival of my parents and start to feel anxious again.

I look at Grace for support and she hugs me. "You are not going to fight a war, stop being so nervous."

"I don't know anymore. I really feel like I'm going to a war front." I sigh.

"Just remember what I told you earlier." She reminds me and I nod before walking reluctantly to the car.

"Bye." She waves.

"Bye." I wave back.

***

"We are home!" Sam squeals, waking me up from the slumber I fell in on our way back home.

I'm still rubbing my eyes but he is already out of the car and running towards the house. They are not even going to be back until evening, why is he in a hurry? I slowly get out of the car and head to the house, praying silently that they are really not back yet.

I enter the house and walk into the living room. I quickly look around for any luggage or briefcase and sigh with relief when I can't find any.

"Welcome dear." Nanny greets.

"Good afternoon, Nanny." 

"How was class?" She asks.

"It was okay." I reply. I'm not in the mood to tell her anything that happened in school today and I really hope she doesn't ask questions.

"Where is Sam?" I ask noticing he isn't downstairs.

"He went to his room to freshen up. He said he wants to look good for his mum and dad." She replies with a laugh.

"Okay. Have you heard from them?" I ask, trying not to sound like I'm interested in knowing when they will be back but Nanny smiles.

"I actually haven't spoken to them since they called to tell me that they were going to the airport to board the plane. I'm guessing the flight might have gotten delayed or something. They should be here soon though." She explains and I nod. "Do you want to pick them up from the airport?"

"No." I answer immediately and she gives me a knowing look. "I mean why go to the airport when they are coming here anyway." I add quickly and Nanny smiles.

"You should also go upstairs and freshen up like your brother. I'll fix you something to eat." She tells me and I comply, heading upstairs to change my clothes.

After taking a quick bath, I open my wardrobe and look at the clothes hanging in there, wondering what to wear. I take out a skinny black jean with a white shirt that had a rose flower embroided on it. I look at them and think of it as too casual so I drop them. I take out a grey straight skirt that reaches just above my knee and a pink blouse that looks beautiful but then it feels like I'm going to a formal outing so I drop them again.

I'm confused on what to wear and then I remember Grace telling me that I'm meeting my parents, not going for an interview so I pick up the skinny black jeans and white shirt. It might look casual but I feel comfortable in it.

I go downstairs afterwards and see Sam already in the living room. He is watching Sponge-bob, his favorite cartoon and I sigh, deciding to just go with it. Sometimes, I find it hilarious and sometimes, I find it dumb. Now, I'm just indifferent to it and just want to use it to pass time.

Nanny is in the kitchen cooking dinner for all of us to eat. I try to help in the kitchen to keep me busy but Nanny kicks me out when things starts falling from my hands.

Now, I'm sitting on the chair, forced to watch some other cartoon I'm totally not interested in and thinking of what's to come.

Nanny walks slowly into the living room looking all worried and anxious and my heart leaps into my mouth immediately. My mind instantly begins to come up with crazy scenarios as to why Nanny might look that way with my parents not being here yet and the most recurring thought being that the plane they were flying in might have crashed.

I might not be on good terms with them right now but I'm really hoping they will show up so we can make up and try to be happy together as a family as can be. I really hope that's not it.

"I just received a call from your parents." She announces and I literally breathe out a huge sigh of relief, glad that I was just being worried about nothing. Why did she look so anxious when she had just spoken to them though?

"What did they say? Is something wrong?" 

She glances a bit sadly at Sam who is now paying attention to us and then closes her eyes as if what she's about to say is actually painful for her to say.

And that's when I realized what she is about to say. I know without her having to utter any word that I have only been anxious for nothing since the first day she told me they would be coming back home. The expression on her face and her reluctance to talk has given it all away.

An immense feeling of sadness and hurt starts to brew inside me and it feels like I've been betrayed by my own parents again. I feel like I should have gotten used to it by now but the fact that it still hurts this much makes it all the more unfair and heartbreaking.

"Your parents never left the airport, Cynthia." Nanny says quietly, her voice so low I can hardly hear it. "I'm afraid they won't be coming to Lagos today."

Those words confirm what I already know so hearing it out loud isn't supposed to hurt that much and yet, I don't know why I just burst into tears when she said it.

Without thinking, I run upstairs to my room and lock the door, knowing Nanny will run after me but wanting to be alone. And I slump against the door, hugging my knees to myself and allowing the tears to flow.

I know I shouldn't be crying like this, I should actually be there for Sam, be strong for him because he is surely going to take it harder than I am right now but it's like I can't even control my feelings. It's like the tears are coming out on their own and I can't stop it.

Someone starts to pound the door behind me, an indication that Nanny is already there but I ignore her and just continue to cry. My heart breaking more and more as each minutes pass and trying so hard not to think about the fact that if they had gotten on that plane, they will be with us now at this very moment and everyone would be having a happy reunion.

I don't know when the pounding of the door stops, I don't know how long I sit behind the door crying, I think at one point I might have even heard Grace's voice behind the door but I'm too busy wallowing in my sorrow to care.

And I just sit there against the wall, wrapping my hands around myself and crying until I drift off asleep.

***

Aww, my poor baby. She just wants her parents to care. How is that too much to ask for?

I won't be writing a long Author's note today and honestly, I'm not even feeling it. I also won't be promising that I'll be updating regularly like before because nothing has really been sorted out yet.

I hope you liked the chapter though.

Don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Until the next update.

See yah.