I'm here to keep my promise 🥰.

Are y'all still awake?

Hope you like this chapter!!!

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Chapter Forty Seven

CYNTHIA

The game begins in a very competitive way as both of the teams seem to be equally matched. Although I watch with little interest as each team play shots towards the goal post but fails to score.

Throughout the first half, my mind constantly drifts to what Michael said as it bothers me a lot.

The first half is soon over with neither of the team scoring. Everyone starts conversing and commenting on the game. They aren't even sure of who is going to win. I watch as the players withdraw from the field and notice how tired John is. He is really trying for the team. Wole on the hand looks just a little bit tired and coolly walks away from the field. They are both the center of focus on each team as they played very well.

"Your team is better than I thought." Michael says as the last player removes himself from the field.

I clear my throat before replying, "Why did you say that?"

"If they weren't strong, they would be down by two goals now."

"How do you know?" Grace asks him, joining in on the conversation.

"Because the other team has Wole and believe me when I say Wole is a very good player, even better than me."

"Well, our team has John and he is a good player too." I respond automatically.

"Defending lover-boy, are you?" He asks and I roll my eyes. "But you are right. He is a good player."

"You must be really into football, then?" Grace asks.

"Yeah, I am but then so are most boys, right Femi?" He asks Femi who nods in response.

The break is over and the players soon file out into the field and the second half begins.

The second half is quite different from the first half as the two teams are now bent on scoring a goal. Our team players seem very charged and they controlled the ball skillfully. It isn't long that we score a goal and we are in the lead.

John is still in control of the ball, trying to move it towards the goal post when Wole comes and tries to take the ball from him. They begin to tackle each other then Wole falls to the ground. John bends down to help him up but is shoved by Wole instead. This seems to enrage John who shoves him in return and soon they begin to fight but they are quickly stopped by the referee who blows the whistle and comes in between the two of them.

I'll be lying if I say I'm not surprised by the fight that has just ensued between them. Of course, I'm aware that there's a kind of enmity between them but this public show of hatred is what is surprising. When I glance at Grace, I see that she also looks surprised but when I look at Michael, Femi and Peter, their faces are indifferent. It's like they already know it is bound to happen.

"You know I had my suspicions that Wole and John aren't on good terms but this just seems to prove my point." Grace comments and I nod in agreement.

"What exactly is wrong with the two of them?" I ask no one in particular and then turn to Michael.

"What?" He asks and I narrow my eyes at him.

"You guys know something about them that you are not telling us and I want to know what that is."

"I won't deny that I know something about them but unfortunately, I'm not in the position to tell you anything."

"Wole is the one you were referring to at the cafeteria, right? The one who John did something to." I insist, not relenting.

He looks at me, not saying anything but I know I guessed right.

What did John do to Wole though?

I know that he isn't going to say anything if I ask him and so will the rest of the guys if I ask them so I decide to just keep quiet.

The match has continued already and both of them are still playing. I just hope it goes smoothly and they don't end up fighting each other again.

We aren't in the lead for long as St. Matthew's players feel the need to equalize and this need was put into action. It isn't long that Wole kicks the ball and one of their players give the ball a nod that sends it into the net.

After the jubilation from the St. Matthew team members, the competition continues but it is now fierce as both teams wish to break the tie and to be in the lead. The game drags into the dime minutes then luck shines on our team causing the other team's goal keeper to take the careless decision of leaving the post, giving John a clear shot which he takes advantage of.

St. Matthew's players are ones not to give up so they shove and push, finding any possible way to at least get a penalty but alas, the final whistle is blown and it's over. St. James had won the match against St. Matthew beating them 2 to 1.

The cheers and jubilations of the St. James members could be heard throughout the stadium as they celebrate their win but I don't join in the celebration because I'm not feeling happy. I don't hate the fact that we won, I'm still not just happy because of what Michael had told me. So I sit and watch solemnly as our team players carry John on their shoulders for scoring the winning goal.

And then I remember Peter predicting that our team was going to win. "How did you know that we were going to win?" I ask him.

"A lucky guess." He replies. "But it was a good game."

"Yeah, it was pretty good." Michael adds and I raise an eyebrow in amusement. They are actually agreeing on something, too bad I didn't enjoy the said game.

"Aren't you guys sad that your friend lost?" I ask them and Femi sighs.

"Wole will definitely be in a sulking mood." He replies.

"He is a sore loser?" Grace asks him.

"You should not let him hear that, but yes, he is a sore loser." Femi replies.

"So, I'm guessing it's my team against yours in the final match." Michael smiles, facing me. I stare at his handsome face without saying anything.

Why?

Why do you have to not believe in love?

What could have happened to you that made you lose faith in it?

"Were you serious about not believing in love?" I blurt out and he looks confused for a minute.

He then sighs,"Cynthia, when my team wins this sports competition and I finally get to go on this date with you I'll tell you why I don't believe in the word 'love' and maybe you'll understand me."

"So, you are saying you are never, ever going to fall in love?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper. I'm probably beginning to sound desperate.

"I don't know, you know people say you can't control your feelings and all those shit but if it does happen and I realize it, I'm going to cut that person off forever because it just won't be the same." He explains and although I'm relieved that he hasn't shut his heart completely to love, his last statement makes me sad.

"You're only afraid of commitment." I tell him and he shrugs.

"Maybe, maybe not. But I'll rather be afraid of commitment than to end up ruining people's lives in the process." He replies and that's when I realize that he's not just saying it for the fun of it, he might have been at the receiving end of a failed relationship.

I say nothing anymore since I've decided to save all my questions for our date and I'm no longer feeling down that I have no chance at love with Michael. I look at the field and see that John is no longer there.

Meanwhile, Wole and his team players look really disappointed. It is obvious they were not expecting to lose this match.

"Let's all go meet Wole." Femi says and we all stand to go down the field.

"Cynthia!" I hear my name and see John approaching where we are sitting.

"John?" I reply unsurely, wondering why he could be looking for me.

"Cynthia, did you see that?" He asks excitedly when he gets to where I'm standing.

"See what?" I ask in return.

"We won!" He squeals and engulfs me in a hug, surprising me and the rest of us.

I blink rapidly and raise my hand to hug him back, patting him on his back awkwardly. I wasn't expecting this or what he did earlier on the field, I guess today is meant for surprises.

Grace clears her throat, "Let's go, guys." She pulls at Femi but not without giving me a 'we-have-to-talk' look, while the rest followed.

Peter has a blank look on his face and Michael doesn't look too happy but they all go away, leaving just me and John.

John smiles and waits till they are gone before speaking. We are standing in a way that his back is to the field while I can see the field clearly.

"I know I said I will court you but I haven't been doing much lately so I decided to confess my feelings to you on the field." He mentions, looking very pleased with himself. "Did you like it?"

Not really. It made me feel awkward.

"It was really sweet of you." I reply instead and almost immediately, I remember Grace's warning.

'You should tell him the truth. You are only leading him on.'

"Cynthia, I want everyone to know how I feel about you so I can prove to you that what I have for you is real." He continues and I know without doubt that I have to tell him how I'm really feeling.

"John, I'm sure you have noticed that I never reply you whenever you tell me you love me." The smile on his face immediately fades but I continue all the same, "Look, the truth is, I don't-"

He suddenly holds my hand, interrupting and making sure I'm looking straight at him, "You don't have to complete that sentence, I know you don't love me. All I'm asking from you is a chance to be yours. Be my girlfriend, let me shower you with my love and affection. I have enough love for the both of us, you just have to continue liking me." He says softly, holding me captive with his eyes.

This really is a problem.

I'm no longer sure of my feelings for him and I know I'm developing feelings for Michael. But Michael just told me he doesn't believe in love. And there's him, John, someone who doesn't mind professing his love in front of the whole school.

I look away, unable to continue looking in his eyes. My eyes are wandering until they meet with Michael's which are looking in our direction. The others are also glancing our way but Michael seems to be fixated on us.

"John-" I start, still looking at Michael. "I'm sorry but I'll have to give the same response I gave the first time you asked me this same question." I say and then turn to him.

"I still am not ready for a relationship with you. We are still not connected." I declare and he looks disappointed.

More disappointed than he looked the first time.

"Then, I'll also say the same thing I did the first time. I'll just have to prove to you that we are meant to be." He replies.

No, he doesn't understand. I can never think we are meant to be, not when Michael is now in the picture.

But before I can get to tell him that, he continues.

"There is also one thing I have to confirm before I end this conversation." He looks me in the eye and for some reason, I swallow nervously.

I glance at Michael who is still looking at us then at Peter who is now looking at us. He looks away when our eyes meet but Michael doesn't.

"Do you still like me?" He asks and I look back at him.

I'm not so sure anymore.

I open my mouth to say just that but he beats me to it.

"You know what, don't say anything. I'm scared of what you might say." He tells me, cutting me off again and then pulls me closer.

He isn't letting me talk and he's doing this over the top gestures.

I look at him in surprise, wondering what he is about to do by pulling me closer, especially with Michael and the others looking my way.

He then holds my face and kisses me on my forehead.

"Just keep liking me." He adds softly before removing his lips from my head.

He gives me one last smile and turns around, leaving me stunned.

I can't believe that just happened. And that he successfully stopped me from telling him the truth.

It's like he knew what I was going to say and is avoiding it.

But I can't deny my hesitation too and I know part of the reason I hesitated is because I wasn't sure of how he is going to react. Grace isn't going to be happy with this since she wants me to tell him the truth about my feelings as soon as possible. I look down at her and see her and Femi gesturing for me to come down.

"Hey guys." I call cheerfully as I reach them. "Hi, Wole." I greet him specifically.

"Hi." He replies quietly.

"Is he still sulking?" I ask them and they all nod.

"Why are you all quiet?" I ask when all except Wole seems to be talking.

"Because we all saw what just happened." Femi finally replies.

I raise an eyebrow, "Which is?"

"Are you and John together now?" He asks and my eyes grow in bewilderment. I glance at Grace who is watching me intently.

"No, we aren't together." I answer in a low voice.

"But we saw him kissing you." Femi insists and I sigh.

"Yeah, on the forehead." I reply and when they all say nothing, I add in frustration. "Come on guys, kissing me on the forehead doesn't necessarily mean we are together."

"We just thought since he confessed to you on the field and you both were talking that you might have finally gotten together." Michael responds dryly, looking very unamused.

"Well, we aren't together." I reply firmly and Femi nods.

"I'm glad, Cynthia. It's just my opinion but I really don't like the idea of you and him together. It gives me the chills." He tells me, shuddering for emphasis. I glance at Wole who hasn't said a word since I mentioned John but he doesn't really look interested in the topic.

"I thought you guys came down to cheer Wole up."

"Yeah, but like I said he is..." Femi speaks  then ends with a whisper, "-a sore loser."

"I heard that." Wole hisses.

"But isn't that what you are, a sore loser?" Femi repeats, earning a glare from Wole.

"Say that again and you'll regret it." Wole warns.

"Wole is-" Femi starts but pauses for dramatic effects, "-a sore loser."

Wole tries to pull Femi's ears but fails as Femi bends down, dodging it and just as he is about to chase Femi on the field, Michael pulls him back and put an arm around his shoulder.

Wole gives him a weird look and glances at the hand on his shoulder, "What are you doing?"

"I've just decided to throw you a party tomorrow." Michael announces, looking very pleased with himself.

Femi who was just on the verge of running is now cheering, Peter looks uninterested, Grace is smiling and all Wole has on his face is a flat look.

"Throw me a party for what? Losing?" He asks sarcastically.

"Of course not. It's to cheer you up."

"Tomorrow is Friday. You throw parties on Friday regularly." Wole points out.

"But this would be a special party." Michael responds.

"Oooooh, I like the sound of that." Femi puts in, smiling.

Wole throws him a glare before turning to Michael, "So what will be special about this party other than music, drinks and getting wasted?"

"Well, there can be louder music and more drinks." Femi suggests and Michael nods thoughtfully, pointing at Femi.

"And that's why this party will be special." He announces and everyone groans in disappointment, except for Peter and me.

"My legs are starting to hurt. Can we sit?" Grace comments and I realize that we've been standing for a while now. Even the stadium is now empty except for us and a few students.

We head for the stadium seats to sit.

"So, Cynthia, will you be coming to the party?" Michael asks as soon as we all settle down.

"Yeah, you should come." Femi adds and the others nod in agreement.

I remember the last party I had gone to which was two years ago and how it had turned out to be a total disaster. Not to talk of what Nanny's reaction would be if I so much as mention the word 'party' to her.

"Grace, what do you think?" I ask her and she seems a bit thrown off that I'm asking her.

She shrugs, "I see no reason not to go."

"Really? Have you forgotten what happened two years ago?" I remind her and she finally gets what I'm saying.

"I don't think Cynthia would want to go. She has an unpleasant experience with parties." She tells them on my behalf. That's when I notice the puzzled expression on all their faces except for Michael. His face looks kind of apprehensive but I don't know if I'm reading too much into it.

"Did something bad happen to her at a party?" Wole asks, thinking it must be connected to something like that.

Grace glances at me, asking for permission to tell them what had happened and I nod my consent.

"Well, two years ago, my ex who was a senior at that time invited me over to a party and let's just say it didn't end well for Cynthia. She got sexually harassed and was rescued by John. Luckily, he arrived on time." Grace explains to all of them.

Peter's expression is unreadable. Michael looks kind of hurt which I don't understand and both Wole and Femi looks pissed.

"You were sexually harassed at a party?" Wole asks incredulously and I start to nod until he adds like it's totally ridiculous, "And John saved you?"

"Yes, he did. Is that so hard to believe?" I ask him, feeling the need to defend John. I may not like him anymore but until when will they continue to paint him in a bad light.

"It would have seemed more believable if he was the one doing the harassing." Femi mutters and I'm so offended on John's behalf that I stand from where I'm sitting in annoyance.

"John would never do that to me. He has not been anything but sweet to me!" I shout, appalled that they could even think something of such towards him.

Peter and Michael have said nothing since Grace mentioned the party two years ago and I don't know if their silence is unnerving or just plain annoying.

"Okay." Wole raises his hands in surrender and continues. "Let's agree John really did save you. Can you tell us what really happened two years ago? I would really like to know."

I give him a wary look, not understanding his sudden interest.

"And why do I have to tell you that?"

"Well, you might end up convincing us that John isn't so bad after all." He responds lightly, like he is even hopeful but I sure as hell don't miss Femi's sarcastic scoff. I send him a dirty look before taking my seat again.

"I'm only telling you this because I want you guys to realise John isn't that bad of a person." I tell them before I start but they give no response, waiting for me to begin already.

And so I narrate the incident of that night as well as I can remember. From when the asshole had first approached me in the party to when he had then approached me outside the party. I tell them how John had arrived in just the perfect moment and how he had whisked me away.

"And so he took me to the back of his car and then he is asking if I was okay. Of course, I wasn't okay so I was asking for a drink and Michael only hesitated a little before he asked his driver and gave me a bottle of wine and-

"Wait, hold up." I stare at Femi who had just interrupted me and the small smile on my face as I begin to explain whatever had happened slowly disappears. Everyone looks like they can't possibly understand what I'm trying to say, even Grace.

Seriously? Even with how I'm narrating this to the last detail, they still don't want to believe me?

"Femi, why did you stop me?" I ask, hardly hiding my irritation.

"Because you just said Michael gave you a bottle of wine." He replies uncertainly and I glance at Grace, not understanding why that might be hard to swallow.

"Yes, because he did. He gave me wine and I got even more drunk and then I got reminded of when we were in JSS 2 and I..."
I trail off, finally realising what's happening.

Michael had turned to John in my narration and it wasn't even intentional. Somehow, my memory is subconsciously bringing up Michael even though it was John who saved me.

Michael whose face has been a myriad of emotion since I started on this topic chooses this moment to be blank. But I still look at him for answers, wondering why I'm so sure I was with him in his car and not John.

"So, how did John turn to Michael?" Wole is asking, a smug tone to his voice.

"But it was John who-

"Was John ever in your memory of that night?" He asks again and I'm about to reply 'yes, he is' but I find myself stopping when I realise he is speaking the truth.

I never even had any memory of that night to begin with, I just took his word for it.

But if he wasn't the one who saved me that night, then- my eyes shoot up to Michael again - what the hell is happening?

"You had no memory of him that night and yet, you were so convinced that he was the one who rescued you? What made you so sure?" Femi asks but I'm too confused to talk.

Everything I thought was the truth for the past two years is turning out to not be the truth.

"Well, after that incident, Cynthia wanted to thank whoever it was that rescued her and since the party was for students of our school. She knew it had to be one of us. And then she ran into John and she explained to him, thinking he might be the one and he just never denied it." Grace explains on my behalf as I'm still too shocked to come up with anything, even though she sounds shocked and confused herself. I can also hear a bit of annoyance in her voice, "And that's how we both got to believe that he really was the one." She finishes.

"That manipulative bastard." Wole scoffs, rolling his eyes. "I'm not even surprised."

"Cynthia, are you alright?" I hear Grace ask but I don't think I reply. I'm too stunned to say something even though I know the answer to her question.

I'm not alright.

And it's all coming back now.

What had really gone down two years ago.

Who had really rescued me.

I look at Michael, our eyes meeting, and I can see uncertainty in his eyes, like he does not know how to approach me.

He was the one.

The one who covered me with his jacket. The one who took me to his car.
The one who took me home.

And I had always thought it was John.

Because he lied to me.

Why did he lie to me?

What did he want to gain by lying to me?

I stand slowly from where I'm sitting, not wanting to be here. I need to be alone. I need to go home and sleep. I don't think I can deal with this right now.

I feel everyone's eyes on me. They all begin to say something but I tune them out. I keep walking towards the stadium, not looking back.

Grace comes up in front of me and stops me, "Just go to the school gate. I will bring our bags and meet you there."

I nod gratefully at her and head towards the school gate like she told me.

The distance from the school gate to the stadium is quite far but I continue in no hurry as all the strength in me seems to be gone.

Just as I reach out to open the school gate, a guy grabs my hand, looking all panicky.

He stares into my face then sighs with relief as soon as he recognises me. He seems to have been running because he looks out of breath. I stare at him, really looked at him, and that's when I realise I'm staring at my former seat partner. The one Michael had sent away.

What's going on?

"Theytookgrace." He utters in a rush and I raise an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry but I don't get you." I reply, starting to get worried for him.

"I said they took Grace." He repeats and I stare at him blankly, trying to process what he just said. "I'm serious. I saw two guys take her out of the stadium and they were headed to a part of the school that I don't know. The boys were dressed in our school uniform but I'm sure they aren't from our school because they look older and I've never seen them." He explains.

The discussion I just had with the others in the stadium seems irrelevant at the moment because if what he said is actually true, then Grace might be in danger.

But I can't help remembering what had happened on the trip and you know, once bitten, twice shy. He is someone who is also easily intimidated so I have to be very sure.

"Did Dorcas put you up to this? Because if she did, tell her that she sent the wrong person because your story just sounds unbelievable."

He quickly shakes his head, looking frustrated, "I don't know if Dorcas is involved, believe me, but I do know Grace is in trouble. She looked unconscious when they were taking her and I'm afraid they might do something bad to her."

He says, looking really anxious. I'm starting to get scared too but it could still be all part of a plan.

"How do you know it was Grace?"

"I would know her almost anywhere. I had a crush on her." He replies almost immediately.

I raise an eyebrow at that. Well, he does seem to blush anytime Grace does so much as to pay attention to him.

"So why didn't you follow them?"

"I came to get help." He replies and I stare at him, saying nothing.

"How do you know I was here?"

"You are wasting time. Only God knows what they might be doing to her now." He says instead with a note of urgency, ignoring my question.

"I swear, if you're lying and this is all part of a plot I'm going to make you pay." I warn him but he seems only interested in making me follow him.

Seeing the way he is acting, I'm now actually panicking.

Is something really wrong with Grace?

Are they kidnappers?

Would they have taken her out of school already?

I hurriedly follow after him and he leads me to the school compound then unto a familiar path.

I'm very sure I've taken this path somewhere and that's when I realize it was the path Michael and I had taken when we were going out of the school.

If he is heading for the fence with the secret entrance, I can get there myself. He needs to get the guys here just in case. Hopefully, they are still in the stadium.

"I think I know where they might have headed to." I tell him and he gives me a confused look. "It'll be better for you to get help. Go to the stadium, you'll find Michael and his friends there. Make sure to bring them here as soon as possible."

He quickly nods before hurrying off.

I run along the path, praying silently that whoever took Grace hasn't made it out of the compound yet. I keep running as fast as I can and when I start to see people from a distance, I give quick thanks to God for answering my prayers but when I almost get to the fence, I almost stumble from what I see.

The first thing I laid eyes on was Grace on the floor. Her school jacket and tie has been removed from her body and a boy is still busy unbuttoning her shirt. Her skirt has ridden up to her thighs, leaving it exposed for everyone to see and by everyone, I mean three more guys standing around, another one holding a camera and Dorcas, Chika and Cat all staring at me with shock.

It's clear they weren't expecting me.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" I ask, looking at Dorcas and her friend. I'm surprised at how calm I sound because I'm actually anything but calm.

This seems to bring them out of their shock as they are now looking at me with fury and discomfort.

"We are finally teaching Grace a lesson for stealing my boyfriend. These guys you are seeing here are going to have their way with her one after the other and we are going to get it all on camera. I'm very sure Femi will realize he has chosen a slut as his girlfriend when he watches the video and finally comes back to me." Chika answers and I'm lost for words, totally dumbfounded.

They would actually do this to a girl like them all because of a guy? A guy they might not even end up with?

I stare at the guys and they all look like hungry animals waiting patiently to be served a feast.

I glance at Grace and my stomach coils, the guy that was unbuttoning her shirt has stopped and was now looking at me.

"But your presence here is ruining my plans already. Why did you have to come? It was hard to separate the two of you all day and when you finally separated, you still had to come find her. Why do you want to ruin my plans?!" Chika shouts.

I glare at her, my blood boiling. I wonder if there's an unseen power that is holding me down because I'm surprised by how calm I still am.

"No, your plans didn't get ruined, it actually just got better." Dorcas sneers, sizing me up. "They only have to also have their way with her and the video will have a perfect caption, 'the secret of two slutty friends finally exposed'." She smirks and my hands clenched into fists.

"That's enough." I warn and she raises an eyebrow, wondering what I can possibly do with all of the guys around.

"Hey, you." She calls, referring to one of the guys lurking around. "Make her like the other girl on the floor."

The one that she points to smiles, looking very willing to oblige and I smile too because he is so dead.

He approaches me and starts to grab me by my arms but I twist his hands, catching him off guard and give him a kick in his head. He falls to the ground with a groan and I smile at Dorcas who looks taken aback.

"I'll give you the chance to leave now or this will really get messy." Dorcas tells me, suddenly giving me a way out but I say nothing. She then nods to both guys that are still standing and soon, they are also groaning on the ground.

I approach Dorcas and give her a good punch in the mouth, then turn to Chika, making sure to slap her continuously until she is on the ground. I turn to Cat and she immediately shrinks back, putting her arms forward to protect herself.

I decide to just leave her, giving her a look of disgust before turning to Grace as she's my only concern.

I approach her and the guy who's still on top of her and kick him right in the face. I gasp as I feel a sharp pain in my ankle, knowing that I've broken it. The guy falls off from her and I pull her skirt down so her thighs can be covered.

I turn to the camera guy who is still foolishly videoing everything and knock the camera down. He starts to complain but I give him a good punch in the face because he is a very stupid and shameless man.

I limp back to Grace and I'm still trying to carry her when I feel a strong jolt of pain on my head. I feel it again and I wince, dropping Grace. I turn to see who it is and I see Cat, holding a plank and looking at me with unforgiving eyes.

The world starts to spin and I stagger around until I finally fall beside Grace.

I feel something wet trickle down my neck and I know without doubt that it's my blood.

Darkness starts to close in and just when I'm about to embrace it, Cat peers down at me and smiles evilly.

"You should have just hit me too."

***

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

What do you think will happen to the girls??

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Until next time,

Hikmah.