~Julie~ In Washington D.C

I opened my eyes to meet curious eyes staring back at me. I could see Charles among the many onlookers. I slowly began to recall what had brought me to this condition. When I remembered my feet giving way and my name being called several times, I let out a long sigh. "How's Bliss doing?" I asked Charles, oblivious to my well-being. "She's doing well for now. Who knows what surprises her sickness may hold tomorrow?" he said sadly.

The nurses excused us after reminding me to be mindful of the IV in my hand. I looked at Charles, my gaze falling to the leg he injured. He had stopped using crutches. I felt guilty for not paying more attention to him. It seemed like I was only concerned about Sam or Bliss and never had time to think of him. It felt as if I was taking advantage of him. "How could I be this cruel? I know he once hurt me, but I didn't realize how much I had hurt him," I thought. Unknowingly, tears started streaming down my face. It was so painful to realize that I had threatened our relationship once. He looked at me compassionately. "Julie, why are you crying? I told you she's alright," he said, wiping away my tears with the back of his hand.

This only made me cry more. I embraced him in a hug. "I'm sorry, Char..." he put a finger on my lips, interrupting me. "It's okay. I understand you were worried about your friends. I could have done worse if I were in your shoes," he said, pulling me into a kiss.

I looked at the IV. It was almost finished. I called the nurses' attention to remove it. After it was finally out of my hand, Charles and I walked hand in hand to see Bliss. Her appearance wasn't surprising anymore. Her mom was beside her, holding her tightly as if she would disappear any minute. I rushed to her and hugged her. "Thank you, Bliss, for everything you've done for me and Sam. Thank you for the support and love you showed him. I never thought I could make it back into his good books, but you were the bridge that closed the gap between us. I will never stop supporting you. I pray you get well soon," I said, releasing myself from her.

She just looked at me and smiled. I gave her mom a nod goodbye and together, I and Charles went outside to where his car was parked.
As his driver was driving, the pain from my head suddenly started disturbing me but I didn't want to disturb Charles. He may ask his driver to turn back. I just wished this driver would drive faster.
  
***********************************
~Sam~
Shortly after being discharged by the nurses, I began to feel isolated once again. Everyone was fully occupied with the end-of-term exams, and I rarely crossed paths with Linda. I couldn't help but think that she needed to work harder to maintain her scholarship. As I glanced over, I saw Julius studying with Adaobi, and a smile appeared on my face.
Their study session brought back memories of the time Bliss and I shared a similar moment. I wondered how she was doing now.
It was cold by the window, and as I looked outside, I saw the trees swaying in the breeze. Each day, despite my attempts to smile, I felt like I was slowly falling apart inside. It seemed that whenever I set my mind to achieving something, it ended up crumbling before me. Whether it was the mathematics competition in Beckford, the inter-school sports competition, my feelings for Janet, or my feelings for Bliss, everything seemed to shatter as though I was cursed.

I recall the time in California when I used to disturb the entire neighborhood with my singing. I didn't comprehend life then; it was more than just seeking approval or popularity. It was about persevering and finding one's purpose.

Adaobi noticed me and gave Julius a worried look. "Sam looks unhappy," she remarked. "I think he's missing home," she added. Julius approached me and touched my shoulder. "You seem preoccupied. What's on your mind? Is it home?" he inquired, wearing a concerned expression. I smiled back at him.
"It's nothing serious. I just really miss home," I lied. He rested my head on his lap. "You should get some rest. Don't worry; we only have a few weeks left," he reassured me as he patted me to sleep. "Wow, I must say, this is the first time you've done something good. Not being so overprotective," she commented. Julius didn't respond to her; instead, he changed the subject.
"What were we studying again?" he asked.

I woke up to the sound of the bell. I checked the time, and it wasn't yet break time. I looked around to find everyone as surprised as I was. "What could be happening now?" I wondered. Slowly, I raised my head from Julius's lap. Surprisingly, I had fallen asleep there. "Hey, you're awake," Julius greeted me with a smile. "What's the bell for?" I quickly inquired, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know. Maybe we should all go find out," he replied.

Everyone gathered at the assembly ground to ascertain the reason for the bell.
As we walked, I spotted Madonna's school buses. My heart raced. "What did they want this time? Was Titus here to confront me as Julius had predicted?" these questions troubled me as I moved forward.

I started to see my suspicions become reality as I witnessed Titus standing confidently on the stage under the bright spotlights, alongside what appeared to be Madonna's stern-looking school authorities. His gaze seemed to be searching for someone, and I had a strong conviction that it was me. The hushed whispers of the audience filled the air as tension built in the hall-  students standing akimbo. When our eyes met, he flashed a deceitful grin and smiled at me, but his eyes continued to roam, leaving me perplexed. The musty scent of old books mixed with the perfume of the audience and the distant sound of a ticking clock seemed to echo the suspense I felt at that moment. "If it's not me, then who?" I wondered anxiously, my heart racing and my palms sweaty.

Before I could dwell on my thoughts further, the school principal, who was smiling to ease the tension, cleared her throat and commenced speaking. She apologized for the incident that occurred during the last inter-school sports event and handed the microphone to Titus, who seemed eager to deliver his speech. "I deeply regret my actions during the last sports competition," he began, pausing as he knelt. This sparked murmurs and confusion among the audience. "Maybe he's never knelt in his entire life," I assumed, finding nothing remarkable in his gesture. "I apologize to Sam; I was under a lot of pressure, which led me to behave inappropriately," he continued, his eyes locked onto mine. "That's why I want to make it up to you all. We will be hosting a friendly football match at our school," he announced, flashing a smile.

Following his speech, there was an eruption of cheers and applause. Deep down, I had a gut feeling that he had ulterior motives. "What should I do now?" I pondered. "If I decline to attend this match, it may seem like I still hold a grudge against him." My head was pounding.
As we were dispersing, Titus approached me and whispered, "Make sure you are there." I offered him a reassuring smile and hurried back to my classroom.

In the classroom, I overheard various conversations and gossip. "I didn't realize he was this kind. So sweet," remarked Gabi. I noticed Julius appearing troubled.
"It's my turn to inquire about what's bothering him. What a world!" I thought as I approached him. "What's troubling you? You don't look quite yourself," I asked. He gazed at me with a look of concern. "I'm really worried about you. That boy is not who he appears to be," he said. I sensed a depth of experience in his words. It wasn't his usual overprotective demeanor speaking. I could feel it. Regardless of what lay ahead, one thing was certain: I would face it without fear.