Zaria's POV

By the time I was rounding up with my story, Joel had already stood up from his seat in front of me and by the window, staring outside. I saw the death grip he had in the burglary and I gulped inaudibly. He hasn't spoken since I dropped the bombshell and I was terrified of his reaction.

"She insulted me and called me horrible names. She wouldn't believe me. To her Sam was a good boy who wouldn't hurt a fly." I gave a sarcastic laugh as tears falling from my eyes.

"When my dad came home that night, she told him what I had said. He didn't believe me. He even slapped me. He said I should never say a word about it in my entire life. Sam denied blatantly." I looked up a Joel through misty eyes. He had the rods in a death grip, I feared his knuckles would burst any minute.

"I still think they know I was telling the truth. They only wanted to bury the abomination before it would get out because incest has never been heard in the Coker family." I stated and I heard Joel scoff. I sniffed and continued.

"I was so hurt that my own parents didn't believe me. I stopped respecting them. Sam left for California and now he is back taunt my life." I concluded looking up. Joel was still so quiet and for so many reasons, it scared me.

"J-joel, please say s-something. Your silence is k-killing me." I stuttered out between chattering teeth.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

He finally turned around with fist clenched so hard, his veins were popping out and I could swear his finger nails were digging holes into his palm. He let out a humourless laughter as he walked up to where I was seated. The laugh signified one thing.

He was furious.

"It's taking all my will power not to punch something right now, cos God, I'm so furious." He said through gritted teeth and I flinched.

"I can't believe your parents acted that way! Why would they believe someone else over their own daughter. That's insane." He growled out in pure anger. "And that Bastard. God knows I'd beat him to a pulp the next time I see him." I knew he was talking about Sam.

"Joel, please." I quickly too his clenched fist in my arm and unclenched them. His fingers had dug holes into his palm quite alright. They were even bleeding.

I shifted his seat closer to where I was and pulled him to sit down. He was breathing heavily and I felt my heart swell with love and admiration. I rose his palm to my lips and placed a gentle kiss on it. I heard him sigh in satisfaction and I looked at him. 

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I wish there was a way we could make it all right again." He whispered as his right palm rested on my cheek, using his thumb to clean my tears, caressing my cheek in the process.  I looked down as fresh tears welled up in my eyes.

"It's not your fault. I'm not the perfect girl you thought I was. Who could have known that there was more to me than what was on the surface? Pretending I was perfect was my escape from what I was battling with inside." I told him. He tilted my head up to look at him.

"Hey, look at me." He muttered. "You are wrong. You have always been perfect. Perfection doesn't have to be flawless. You having so much scars makes you even more perfect. Don't let anyone convince you other wise." Joel said, the meaning behind his every word hitting me deep.

"I couldn't tell anyone. Not even Aisha my sister, Lyla and Ada or even Charles. I'm scared they will all leave." I looked away.

"You don't see me leaving." He tilted my chin to look at him.

"You are different. You trust me." I muttered.

"And so do they, especially Aisha. They would believe you." I looked away. "Love, look at me..." He cupped my face in his palm tenderly and looked me in the eye.

"You have to tell someone other than me. Sam is back and he is going to finish what he started. He didn't get a chance to have his way with you then. If you don't make your move as soon as possible, he will do it now. Don't be scared. I've got you."He said.

"I don't know. I can't. Not now..." My lips quivered as tears flowed from my eyes. Joel sighed.

"Zaria..." He started but I held his hand to stop him. He watched me.

"Joel, promise me you won't tell anyone about this." I looked him in the eye, silently pleading with him. He watched me for a moment before nodding.

"If only you promise to call me at any sign of danger. Promise me." He said and I nodded. "Come here."

He stood up, pulled me up with him and gathered me in his arms for a bear hug. I snuggled closer to him, tears still running from my face. Thunder struck and rain began to fall.

"I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise." He whispered into my hair.

He pulled back slightly and touched my forehead to his, cradling my face delicately in his hands. We stayed that way for a while, saying nothing but our hearts speaking volumes. The heavy rain gave a serene feel and I couldn't help up feel a burden being lifted from my shoulder.

Soon the rain subsided and that was our cue to get going.

"Let's get you home. It's getting late." His whispered. We both got a taxi going home. He walked me to a place close to my house so that Sam won't start his problem.

As I laid my head to sleep, I let my mind wander back to everything that happened today and I silently thanked God for bringing Joel into my life.

*****

Joel's POV

"Ada isn't still talking to any of us?" Lyla asked. Zaria and I nodded in affirmation as she stole a chunk of turkey from my takeaway. I flashed her a playful glare.

We were seated in Love garden. Revisions have started which meant more free periods.

"I seriously think she should get over it. It's not like Zaria actually stole me from her." I chipped in and Lyla shrugged.

"Technically, I did." Zaria stated and Lyla shook her head in negation.

"Zaria, stop making yourself feel guilty for what you shouldn't feel guilty about. Her behaviour is petty and she really needs to get over herself." Lyla rolled her eyes and also stole a piece of shredded turkey.

"Besides, I wasn't anyone's to steal anyway. It's not like I was actually dating her." I slapped Lyla's hand away as she tried to take another piece of turkey.

"In her defense, you did take her out." Zaria said and I scowled at her.

"For one date, babe. One date. Besides. Who's fault was that?" I asked rhetorically, giving Zaria a knowing look and she chuckled.

"Hey, Guys." Charles slipped in beside Lyla. His eyes as expected, caught my turkey. "Ohhh, turkey!" He stretched his hand towards my plate to take a piece and I slapped his hand. "Haba!" He groaned, rubbing his palm.

"Y'all should hands off my turkey." I warned.

"Have y'all being able to get across to Ada. She has started ignoring me too." Charles said.

"We were just talking about her. She's still not speaking to us. I think I'm the only one affected by it." Zaria stated.

"Well, speak of the Devil." Lyla said. Ada was walking towards us alright, absentmindedly anyway. She had her face buried in her phone. She mistakenly stepped on Charles toe and quickly looked from her phone to apologize.

"I'm..." She realized who she was talking to and hissed loudly. " Humph." She huffed, making to walk away. Zaria was quick to stand up from beside me.

"Ada, please we need to talk." Zaria pleaded. Ada spun around and roller her eyes.

"Well, I don't want to talk to you. You can go back to being a backstabbing bitch for all I care." She spat out and everyone was taken aback. The few people in the garden were watching the exchange.

"Ada!" Charles and Lyla chorus together the same time Zaria muttered an hurtful,  "wow." I got pretty pissed and faced her.

"Do you have to be harsh? She's trying to make amends here." I said and she scoffed at me.

"Shut up, you. Of course y'all would take her side, I didn't expect anything less. I can't believe I had a thing for you." She pointed at me and it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"I don't think we can classify what you had for me has a thing." I air quoted the last word and Ada glared at me in return, wanting to walk away again.

"Ada, please just listen to me." Zaria pleaded again. Ada turned around and scoffed.

"No. You are such a friend. I just knew you had your eye on him from day one. You were just hiding under a stupid competition to get his attention. Well congratulations, you passed." Ada clasped her hand in mock applause.

"Ada, for once shut up and listen." Lyla chided but she ignored her and faced Zaria.

"I told you I wanted him and you went ahead to seduce me. I'm so sure you both had fun laughing at me behind my back. Of course Joel fell for your seduction because all guys are nut jobs and nitwits when it come to the Great Zaria Coker. You think you are so perfect? Y'all think she's perfect." She directed the last question at Lyla, Charles and I and I knew immediately what she was about to do.

"Ada, will you keep your voice down and stop causing a scene." I chided harshly but she ignored me as well.

"What are you talking about?" Zaria asked, horror in her eyes. I held Zaria's hand and pulled her along.

"Let's leave." I told her but Ada laughed.

"You think I wouldn't know about the harassment incident? I know everything! Little miss perfect is not so perfect after all." She hollered it for whoever was close by to hear. Charles and Lyla looked confuse. Zaria wouldn't move from that spot. I held her hand.

"Zaria, let's go!" I said again. Ada continued.

I need to get her out of here.

"You think I believe that sob story of you almost getting raped my your uncle. All lies! I know you Zaria and I'm sure you were practically begging to be fücked by your uncle Sam." Ada said, a devious smirk on her lips. Lyla gasped and Charles looked ready to burst. Charles angrily walked up to Ada and held her hand.

"That's enough from you." He growled out she hissed, throwing a small book on the floor.

Zaria's Diary.

"You went through my Diary." Zaria asked incredulously and Ada shrugged.

"Did you tell Joel about the rape? Of course not. Well, I'm sure I'm saving him the humiliation because he deserves to know how rotten you are." Ada spat out with Venom. I began to clap and she looked at me.

"Wow, Ada. Could you shout a little bit louder for the entire student body to know about your little revelation." I stated and she looked at me in anger and confusion. The bell went and I took Zaria's hand, taking her away from that place.

****

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for Ada to come out from the staff room. I saw her walk out the opposite direction.

"Ada..." I called and she looked back.

"Please, I'm not ready to listen to whatever pitiful excuse you have." She seethed. I scoffed.

"Good, because I'm not here to give you any of that. I love Zaria and I'm not sorry. Neither do I need your permission." I told her.

"Are you here to rub it in my face?"

"No, I'm just here to let you know few things. One, I am not obligated to you in any way. I took you out on one date Ada, you are making it seem like I cheated on you." I replied her and she said nothing, just kept looking ahead. I continued.

"You know who made that date happen? It was Zaria. That's because she was being a good friend and that's saying so much for you because the fact that you were quick to blab her secret to everyone makes you a terrible friend." She looked taken aback by my outburst. She even looked more surprised  that I knew about it.

"You knew about it?"

"Yes and even if I didn't, nothing you said would have changed anything. You are so caught up in your  own world, you fail to notice how hurt she is, how much she's struggling. I've been here for barely a year and I can tell!" I snapped and she flinched.

"Her uncle almost raped her and you opened your big mouth to say she was asking for it?! He's back to finish what he started and instead of you to help her fight through, you are being selfish which actually isn't a surprise." I told her and she veered back at my words.

Not fazed one bit, I walked closer to her and stabbed my pointer finger at her emphatically. "You know what Ada, If you have actually noticed her struggle and you decided to ignore  it then that makes you are a terrible human being." I deadpan and walked away.