Compliments of the season, everyone 🥰.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

***

Chapter Twenty Nine

CYNTHIA

I'm lying on my bed at night, chatting with John on WhatsApp.

I don't have many friends in school meaning I don't have many contacts on my phone and also meaning I don't have much frequent chats except with Grace and John.

The only messages that are presently entering my phone apart from John's are from the school's WhatsApp group and I'm still a trending topic for discussion. Ever since the first time I had slapped Michael on the face which seems like it has happened a really long time when it's only two weeks ago, I have never stopped being a topic of discussion in the group and now the subject is the verbal exchange between Dorcas and I at the cafeteria this afternoon.

I discover she has more support from the guys than the girls and it isn't surprising. They are probably supporting her so they can be in favour with her which I'm sure is next to impossible because she is still fixated on Michael.

John and I have been chatting about general stuffs before we slowly begin to talk about our families. And I'm only just discovering that I know next to nothing about his family.

On the other hand, there is nothing that I can tell him about my family that he doesn't already know, well, because there's really not a lot to say about them.

And now that he is surprisingly being open about his own family, I learn a lot about them. I learn that he is living with his father, mother, a sister and a stepbrother.

I get a bit confused about the stepbrother because both of his parents seem to be his biological one, then I realise it's probably a child his father had with another woman or his mother had with another man. I don't ask him about it though and he doesn't explain further too.

Soon enough, I start to feel sleepy.

I'm not getting bored but the time is 11:55pm and I have to sleep because, well, there is school tomorrow and I would rather not fall asleep during classes.

Me: Is it okay if we just talk tomorrow. I'm beginning to feel sleepy.

John: Lol. I didn't realize it was already late. I guess talking to you made it that way.

Me: Yeah, I guess.

John: Let's just talk tomorrow then.

Me: Yes, let's just talk tomorrow. Good night and sleep tight with sweet dreams.

John: I'll definitely be having sweet dreams of you.

I don't know what to text to that so I reply with an awkward lol.

John: Good night and sleep tight with sweet dreams. I love you.

He texts and then go offline.

I read through the message and yawn, ready to finally go to bed when my eyes catch something.

Wait, is that the l-word?

I close and open my eyes to make sure my eyes aren't playing tricks on me. Suddenly, I'm no longer feeling sleepy but wide awake.

Did he just say he loves me?

He loves me?!

Okay, maybe he just said that because he felt it was necessary.

Two close people say it all the time, right?

But what if the two close people are two people that actually like each other? He tells me every day that he really likes me but does really liking someone actually mean loving someone?

I'm slowly starting to freak out!

His last seen is already a minute ago. Should I send an offline message? What will I even tell him?

I should just call Grace.

No, she is probably asleep.

Ugh, this isn't fair, I shouldn't be the only one freaking out about this. I wish Grace was here so we can freak out together. I send her an offline message and tell her how important it is that we see tomorrow morning.

I lay down on my bed again and stare at the ceiling of my room. He says this and expects me to sleep tight with sweet dreams. I really doubt if I'm going to have any sleep not to talk of sleeping tight.

Especially when I know how hard it's going to be for me to reciprocate those feelings. Because I'm very far from being in love with him.

Hell, I don't even know if I like him anymore.

In the end, I conclude he typed it by mistake so I won't have to think too much about it and doze off.

***

MICHAEL

"You good for nothing!"

A slap follows those words as expected and I fall on the floor helplessly from the force of the hit.

"She died because of you!"

He removes the belt from his trousers like he always does and I know I should have gotten used to it by now but I just can't bring myself to get used to the sting that accompanies the lashes from the belt.

I muffle my wails because I've learnt from experience that hearing my cries is only going to make it worse.

"You wanted a sibling, right?!

I'm sorry.

Hot tears flow down my cheek as guilt clouds every fibre of me.

If only I could turn back time. She might still be here with us. No. I will make sure she is here with us.

If only I could, I would tell Mum that I was joking when I said I wanted someone I could play with.

If only I could, I would tell her that she shouldn't risk her life to fulfil my silly wishes.

If only I could, I would tell her I didn't mean it when I said it gets lonely when the both of them are gone.

If only I could-

The whip of the belt lands on my head and the sudden, intense pain causes me to scream.

Oh, no.

I try to clamp my mouth shut but it's too late.

Multiple kicks land on every part of my body.

"What did I tell you about screaming? Useless child."

The kicks don't stop and the belt lashes join again.

I cover my mouth so I won't end up screaming and increasing the pain.

I can only make a silent prayer with tears streaming down my face.

'Mum, I know you might not really like me anymore because you died trying to fulfil my wish but can't you come back and take me with you?'

'I can't take this anymore.'

'I really can't.'

I open my eyes slowly, both of them wet from tears that I have clearly cried into reality. I wipe both tears with a finger and curve into a ball on my bed, the feeling of loneliness suddenly intense.

I haven't had those kinds of nightmares in a while. The ones that leaves me emotionally drained and empty. The ones where I wake up wishing my Mum had answered one of my numerous prayers.

The reason I had a nightmare this night when I haven't had one in a while isn't strange to me. I know it was triggered because of Frank who I had gone to check on in the hospital yesterday after football practice.

My mind had gone to him while playing football and I had decided then that I was going to check up on him. But I didn't like the situation that I had met him in.

At first, I had thought I might not have made any progress with him after all even with the PS5 that I had gifted him and that's why he was giving me the silent treatment. His mother was the one who later explained that his dad can be a little aggressive sometimes and he had slapped him when he came over and discovered that he doesn't want to use his drugs.

Of course, I was furious that someone can slap a child that is admitted in a hospital and is clearly just healing. Even though the father might give the reason that he should know that it's important to take his drugs. But that doesn't still excuse slapping him over the issue.

I had taken one look at Frank then and all the anger in me evaporated. Instead, I pulled him into a hug because I knew more than anything how it feels to be hit by someone you have respect for and how in the end, you just long for the embrace of someone.

He never hugged me back but he didn't pull out from the embrace and I notice him relax a little against me. After that I tried to cheer him up and we ended up talking about Cynthia.

He brought it up by asking if I and the girl who brought him here were on good terms because he could remember how we spoke to each other the day I had beaten him up and it was clear that she hated me even though he could barely pay attention to what was going on around him then.

I smile when I remember how his face suddenly turned animated when he asked how she looked like and how he had look really satisfied when I said she is very pretty.

I wonder what he wants to do with that information though. Is he perhaps developing a crush on Cynthia who he probably considers his life saver?

I chuckle a little at that thought.

I ended up promising him that I was going to bring Cynthia over today and it had been easy to say it in words. But now that the time for school is in less than three hours, I have no idea on how to go through with it.

I feel like she won't really oppose to going with me to see him if I tell her about it but if she ends up agreeing to go, she will want it to be after school which is exactly the problem.

Our housemaster who also turned out to be coach for our team specifically warned us yesterday that failure to turn up for a single practice is equal to disqualification from the team and I'm not ready to risk that.

I also really want to fulfil my promise to Frank and the only way I can think of doing that without missing football practice would mean that we will have to leave within school hours, preferably during sports practice.

But how do I go about this?

I need to come up with something foolproof. Something she won't be able to find fault with and will have no choice but to go with it.

But what exactly is that?

I ponder all the situation, coming up with different possible things that I can do and weighing the pros and cons.

And not too long after, I settle on one.

It's not exactly foolproof and Cynthia is going to find many faults in it but I'm still going to try it.

With that determination in mind, I lift myself off the bed, grab my towel and head to the bathroom.

***

CYNTHIA

I'm woken up the next day by the stupid alarm on my bedside table. I check my phone and see that Grace has replied me and texted me that there is also something important she has to tell me. I read her message, wondering if something is wrong because the text lacks her usual enthusiasm. I decide I will just ask her when I get to school.

I dress up and go downstairs to join my brother at the dining table. As usual, he is already eating and I'm in no mood to comment on his eating habits. I even fail to greet Nanny and it doesn't go without any observation.

"Cynthia, is everything alright? You don't seem quite yourself." She comments.

"Nanny, I'm just fine." I reply unconvincingly.

It's not like I stayed up most of the night thinking whether or not someone actually meant he loves me.

"Alright. Eat and hurry up so you won't be late for school."

"Yes, Nanny."

I eat absentmindedly and do the same as we enter the car. I don't even remember if I bade Nanny goodbye.

"Cynthia, why are you so quiet?" Sam asks on our way to school.

"I've just got a lot on my mind, it's like I've lost it."

"Did Grace leave you?" He asks all of a sudden and I stare at him blankly. Sometimes, he says the weirdest thing. Why is he suddenly asking that?

"No, why do you ask?"

"Because you said you would lose your mind if she leaves you." He replies, letting me realise what he had meant by that.

"She didn't leave me and I'm guessing she would lose her mind first if we ever stop being friends." I explain with a small smile.

"Okay, just clear your mind and don't lose it." He replies.

"I won't." I sigh.

If only it's that easy.

When I get to school, Grace is already waiting for me by the entrance looking like she didn't get a good night's sleep at all.

"For how long have you been waiting here?" I ask once I've gotten to where she's standing.

"Good morning to you too." She replies drily.

"I'm being serious. Since when have you been here?" I ask again and she pouts.

"Since 20 minutes." She replies and I check my wristwatch. It is 7:25am and that means she has been here since 7:05am.

"Why?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Don't tell me it's because of the date you'll be having with Femi today."

"It's because of the date I'll be having with Femi today."

"Girl!" I exclaim. "This is not the first time you're going on a date with someone." I tell her and she scowls. She was practically a playgirl until Michael and his friends happened.

"But it's the first time I'm going on a date with someone I really, really like and he is also one of the hottest guys in school." She says and I groan. "Of course, I'm nervous." She adds.

I roll my eyes, "There's nothing to be nervous about. He should actually be the one getting nervous." I reply and it is her turn to roll her eyes.

"I don't think there's a reason for him to be nervous but I, on the other hand, have a lot to be nervous about." She says with a tone that sounds so much like she is about to cry.

I watch her carefully and I know her well to realise that there's something she isn't telling me.

"Why do I think your nervousness isn't based on Femi alone?" I mutter and she suddenly whimpers, covering her face.

"What the hell happened, Grace?" I stare at her worriedly.

"Dad happened." She replies, but her response is muffled by her hands that are still covering her face. She finally drags them away and heaves out a huge sigh. "Dad arrived from his business trip yesterday evening." She continues and I groan. "And he won't be travelling until next week." She completes with a sullen look.

Now I really understand where her nervousness is coming from. Grace's dad is very protective of her and I mean, extremely protective. He hardly allows boys into the house and he mustn't see any boys' contact on Grace's phone. In conclusion, Grace's dad will never allow her go on this date if he finds out.

According to him, you aren't meant to start going on dates until you are an adult and can take proper care of yourself and don't have to worry about academics.

In fact, it won't be a good idea for Femi to approach their gates if he wants to go back to his house in one piece.

"So what do you plan on doing now?" I ask her and she sighs resignedly.

"I guess I'm not going to any dates for the next seven days." She replies sadly and I immediately start to feel bad for her. I know how much she wants to go on this date with Femi.

It's the first time in forever that she is really looking forward to something and if she ends up not going, she is going to sulk for the whole week and I really do not like a sulking Grace.

We both are silent, each lost in her own thought. I think about how I can help Grace go even if her father is around and that's when I get struck by an idea.

"I think I've got an idea. I'm not sure it might work but you could try it out." I say and this gets Grace smiling instantly

"I'm sure it will work, whatever idea you might have got." She answers with a hopeful smile. "So what's this idea of yours?" She asks just as the bell for the assembly rings.

"I think we'll have to talk during lunch." I tell her and she nods in agreement.

"By the way, the tryouts for the jumps are today. Did you practice?"

"I practiced a lot actually. I had to stop thinking of going out with Femi so I had my brothers prepare something I can train with." She explains.

"I really hope you get chosen in the tryout." I tell her.

"I hope so too." She replies. Then, all of a sudden, she says, "Oh, I'm such a bad friend. You sent me a message first that you had something important to tell me and I didn't even ask about it."

I smile before replying, "I can assure you that the problem you have is way more important than mine."

"What happened?" She asks.

"I'll tell you during lunch."

***

MICHAEL

I'm not in a good mood.

I know it has to do with the dream I had this morning. Even though thinking of Cynthia and how we could sneak out to school to meet Frank had kept me preoccupied for a minute, part of the dream had come back to me in the bathroom. And then came memories that I actually remember from the past.

How I had gotten beaten mercilessly in the very bathroom I was taking my bath in.

After that, I had become very irritable. I had snapped at Henry and Kunle. I had gone straight to my class instead of my former class with the boys because I didn't want to snap at them too.

And as if it can't get any worse, I ran into fucking John this morning and he looked very pleased with himself.

I can't help thinking immediately that it has something to do with Cynthia and she had done something to put him in a good mood.

Hopefully, they aren't going out.

Hopefully.

I ignored him and went to the seat I shared with Cynthia but I also decided there and then that I was going to stop speculating and ask her about her feelings for John and what exactly is going on between them.

Even if I'm going to get my feelings hurt.

My mind goes to the 'suggestion' Peter had made then and I wonder if we would both have to back down if Cynthia is in a relationship.

Not dwelling too long on it, I decide to wait patiently until assembly is over and Cynthia comes strolling into the classroom.

And that's where we are currently. She just walked into the class. I can't see her because my head is still on the table but there's only one person who smells like vanilla and makes me think of ice creams.

I don't even realise I'm yet to acknowledge her until I hear the loud clearing of a throat next to me. I raise my head from the table and find her already seated next to me.

"Good morning." I greet and even I know the greeting is half hearted but I ignore the look she is giving me and decide to just go for the question.

"Is there something between you and John? Is there really something between the both of you?"

She looks confused, "Why are you asking?"

"Do you like him?" I repeat.

She doesn't say anything for a while then looks away.

"I thought you already know the answer to that question." She replies but I know she's lying.

She never makes eyes contact when she is not speaking the truth.

"I feel it's very obvious that we like each other. Isn't it?"

"I don't know. Maybe from John, yeah. But do YOU like him?"

She furrows her eyebrows and looks like she doesn't understand what's going on.

"Why are you suddenly interested in knowing whether I like him or not?"

"Yesterday, you both were so engrossed in a conversation." I say and I watch her blink in surprise. I did tell her I was watching her.

"At first, I thought it was a normal conversation between friends but then he held your hand and he was looking into your eyes, you were anxious but then you nodded at him as if in answer to a question. He then hugged you and even kissed you on the head. I tried to think of it as nothing but the more I think about it, the less sense it makes. Is there something going on with you both?"

ARE YOU TWO TOGETHER?!

I don't scream out that part though. I don't want her looking at me like I've gone mad.

"I don't know why you want me to answer that question but you do know that I'm in no way obligated to answer you, right?"

She is evading the question.

Why can't she just say yes when she keeps repeating how obvious it is and how I should know?

"The question requires a simple yes or no, Cynthia." I say matter of factly.

"Fine, I like John." She responds. The words cut through me like a knife and I'm surprised at how affected I am by her words.

Of course, she likes him. What was I expecting.

"And he likes me back. More like loves me which I found out about just yesterday night but anyways, we both like each other." She continues then gives me a long look when I don't reply.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Yes, thank you." I reply firmly, my voice sounding unaffected gratefully and I turn to the board, saying nothing.

And that's how I stay till lunch. Saying nothing.

I refuse to think about anything else except whatever it is the teacher is teaching us. And I refuse to say a word to Cynthia. I notice her subtle glances more at me but I still say nothing to her.

When the bell for lunch rings and the Mathematics teacher leaves the class, I realise just how foolish I'm behaving.

I know I'm attracted to her but it's not like I'm in love with her or anything. We are not even going out so it seems kind of pathetic that I'm giving her the silent treatment.

She's staring at me right now and I decide to use that as an excuse to start a conversation, "If you keep staring at me like that, I might actually think you like me instead of John."

She scoffs with disbelief, like she can't believe I'm now talking to her all of a sudden.

I don't blame her, I feel like I have mood swings a lot too.

"Do you know John, like personally?" She asks me, catching me off guard.

Of course, I do and I bet you don't want to know half the things I know about him.

"Yeah, I do. I know him really well even, we go way back." He replies and she looks confused.

"What do you mean by that? How do you know each other?"

"You can ask him yourself." I reply nonchalantly.

It's not like she's going to believe me if I go on about all the things I have witnessed John do.

"Is how you know each other top secret or what?" She asks sarcastically.

"Why don't you just ask him? If you really like each other, there shouldn't be secrets between you, right?"

"We aren't dating. We just like each other." She responds and brings her bag out from inside my locker.

"You know I find that interesting." I blurt out and she stops opening her bag midway and looks up at me. I give myself a mental kick.

Why did I say that? Though I do wonder why they aren't together yet.

"What do you find interesting?" She asks. turning to me again.

"That you guys aren't dating." I respond, trying to play it off with a small smile, "I mean isn't it normal for two people who like each other to date?"

"That is actually none of your business." She responds, her voice suddenly growing cold.

I'm a bit upset by her answer but I say nothing. She glances at John's direction and looks away when she finds out that he is no longer in class.

We sit down there, saying nothing while she zips up her bag and open her locker to put it in.

"Ugh! We were having History and the woman refused to leave the class. It was so boring and we were all sleepy."

A whiny voice says by the window and I look up to see her friend, looking both relieved and upset.

"At least, she is gone now." Cynthia replies with a small smile.

"Yes, she is. I rushed down here as fast as I could. I was thinking about what your idea could be all along and what it is you wanted to tell me." Grace says.

"Alright, I'll meet you outside and tell you about it."

"Be quick. You know its sports practice after lunch." She reminds impatiently.

"I know. Just a second."

I look at her about to stand up and for a reason, I just want her to stay here with me for a while even though she just admitted to liking John.

I guess I really am pathetic.

"What idea are you guys talking about?" I ask her and I soon realise it's a mistake when she glares at me.

"You know, I never knew you were bad at minding your business until today and in case you were wondering, no one asked for your input. None of these is any of your concern." She tells me and those words really offend me.

I look at her, waiting for her to apologize but she never did. She only stands up and head outside.

"What did you say that for?" I hear Grace asks as she approaches her.

"Because he's been asking questions that isn't any of his business."

Wow. That's harsh.

That's the last I hear of them before her friend gets pulled away.

Am I really the one at fault here?

***

I hope you guys like the chapter.

And I really hope you guys enjoyed the Holidays. Happy new year in advance, guys!

Don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Until next time.

Love you ❤️