How are you all doing 😀? I'm sorry it took so long to update🤧.

I apologise in advance for what will go down in this chapter but it is necessary for the progression of the plot🤧

Enjoy the chapter ❤️

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"No, I'm fine, I'm lying on the floor again
Cracked door, I always want to let you in..." Princesses don't cry - Aviva
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Vina's POV
"Beige or grey bikini, which suits my outfit better?" I ask Aidan as I step out of my closet, said bikinis in hand.

He lazily assumes a sitting position on my bed,"I don't know, Vee. What outfit are you pairing it with?"

I glare at him,"How many times will I describe it to you?"

"Why don't you show me?"

Rolling my eyes ever so slightly at his mocking tone, I walk over to my dressing table to pick up the outfit woven out of light wool that I have decided to wear. It is an orange short sleeved shirt with its matching shorts.

I throw the clothes his way which earns me a sharp glance from him.

"So, as I was asking, which one is better?"

Aidan stares intently at the outfit in his hands then at the bikinis I held up then at the outfit, back at the bikinis, back to the outfit again and I just had to groan.

"Choose already!"

A small smile graces his lips,"I was just messing with you. I think the beige one is better."

"I know right." I say in excitement,"I even have a beige bucket hat to go with it."

As the statement is leaving my mouth, I am rushing into my closet to fish out the bucket hat.

"See." I tell him, tossing the hat his way.

He catches it this time but with a faux stern expression marring his face,"If you throw one more thing at me, I will just walk out of your room."

I eye him,"Be going na, who is begging you?"

"Is that so? No problem. I will leave then you will be forced to meet Nadia for fashion advice." Aidan gets on his feet as he plainly tells me this.

I don't know what propels me but I rush forward and jump on top of him. This sends us both flying to my bed, my figure sprawled over his,"Please, don't go."

My lips quiver for added effect as I stare deep into his brown orbs. The beautiful smile on his pink lips hits different and God knows that if this hot devil wasn't my cousin, I would have stolen a kiss.

One moment, I am on top of him and the very next, I am underneath. My lips part in shock as he stares down at me, a knowing smirk gracing his features.

"I won't go, Davina." He whispers lowly,"But for next time, don't ever jump on me without warning."

My head nods on its own accord as I finally shut my mouth.

"Good." He mutters, a pleased smile on his face. He slowly detaches himself from mine, giving me enough space to sit up.

"Don't do that again." I finally breathe out after seconds of silence.

"Do what, Vee?" Aidan asks with a laugh.

I subtly glare at him,"You just tried to seduce me."

"Who jumped on who first? Wo, you started it."

"Started what, biko?" I huff in mild annoyance,"You are the one with a dirty mind."

"Says the person who was restraining herself from kissing me."

I back up in shock which makes Aidan laugh heartily.

"It's your fault abeg, trying to seduce your own cousin." I argue, not backing down.

The amusement in his eyes never fade for a second,"I know, Davina. But it was fun watching you squirm like that."

"Just try it again and see if I won't punch that pretty face of yours." I grumble, pushing myself up from the bed.

"Harsh." He replies, cradling his cheeks.

Adjusting the night shorts I have on, I make my way into my closet once again to find my orange slides with fur all over it. I haven't bathed yet so I am still in night shorts and a loose singlet.

I even skipped jogging today.

"My outfit is complete." I announce once I finished arranging everything.

"May the heavens be praised." Aidan mocks, falling back on my soft bed.

I make a hmph sound and go over to my reading table to get my phone.

"Won't you start dressing?"

"It's just 10, the get-together is by 1." I inform him.

Aidan scoots over to the middle of the bed, giving me enough space to get under the duvet.

"You want to sleep?" He questions.

"Duh." I reply,"Kindly wake me up by 12noon."

"Ahn. . .you will have to give me something to do while I wait then."

"Something like what, Aidan?"

A mischievous grin spreads across his face,"How about I search through your phone?"

I scoff,"No way."

His eyebrows wiggle teasingly,"What are you hiding, dearest cuz?"

Laughter escapes my lips at his antics. I really can't believe we didn't click when I first got here, his playfulness is just so satisfying. I finally give in and unlock my phone for him. He gleefully snatches it from my hand and minutes later, I sleep off.

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A drop of water falls on my face, then another, a third one drops too and it continues like that. I move around, my eyes still closed and I can feel myself on a soft bed.

How the fuck is it raining in my room?

It stops and I smile a little, trying to ease myself back to sleep. Suddenly, a fair amount of water pours on my face and that has me sitting up immediately.

Just as I am about to growl at Aidan for pouring water on me, I look up and discover it is Nadia not Aidan that woke me up in such manner.

I glare at her but the bitch in question simply rolls her eyes,"Aidan begged me to wake you up by 12 but what's the harm in waking you 25 minutes later?"

"Get out of my room, Nadia." I make sure to project enough venom into my tone.

"You're welcome." The malignant smile on her face never leaves as she exits my room, water pail in hand.

I am so furious at Nadia and at the same time at Aidan, that I pick up my phone from the bedside table and send him a text. Aidan is online at the time so he replies back almost immediately, apologizing for leaving me at the mercy of his twin. His excuse for leaving being that his mum had forced him to attend a function with her.

After making him promise to get me a gift as compensation, I go offline. I make sure to lock my room door first before making a mad dash for the bathroom.

Once again, I have to speedily take my bath and rush my dressing. I don't have the energy to style my hair, so oiling and brushing through the curls will have to do.

I stuff an elastic band, lotion, a new set of underwear and a towel into a small bag before slipping my feet into my furry slides.
(Pic of Davina's outfit below👇)

Glaring in annoyance at my wet pillow, I quietly pick up my phone and exit the room. It is now 12:48pm when I check for the time and that is when Nasir calls me.

I pick up the call and inform him that I am already coming out. Audu opens the gate for me and I hop into Nasir's car.

"How are you doing?" Nasir asks, putting the gear in drive.

"All good." I reply, adjusting my seatbelt,"Casual suits you."

He simply smiles at my compliment. The dude actually looks hot in his black sweatpants and plain blue slimfit t-shirt.

"Kiki's house is quite a distance from here." I start off.

"I know nau, I have been there before." His eyes are trained on the road as we cruise through the streets of Lagos.

I am confused at first but end up recalling that he was in attendance for Vivi's party. I stay quiet after that and shut my eyes, letting Trevor Daniel's calming voice in his song Falling soothe me.

Just when I am on the verge of sleep, I feel a hand on my lap. My eyes fly open immediately and dart from Nasir's hand on my lap to him. His eyes are still focused on the road, left hand gripping the steering and right one balancing comfortably on my lap.

"What are you doing?" I let out in a displeased tone.

He looks at me in slight shock,"I thought you were sleeping."

"I wasn't sleeping, Nasir."

He takes his eyes away from me and towards the road,"Sorry for assuming that you were asleep."

I remain silent and wait for him to take his hand away but instead of taking it away, Nasir moves his hand further up my thigh. My body goes stiff as I draw in a sharp breath.

My gaze slowly follows his hand on my lap and up to his face. His hazel orbs are fixed on me but he somehow manages to pay attention to the road.

"Please take your hand away from my lap." My lips press into a thin line as the words tumble out of my mouth.

I notice his face scrunch up in displeasure but he doesn't say anything. Nasir simply looks away, muttering incoherent words under his breath. After what seems like an eternity, he retrieves his hand from my thigh.

A shaky sigh of relief leaves me but I still feel uncomfortable not just because of the now tense atmosphere but also because of how agitated Nasir looks.

The rest of the ride holds a pregnant silence between us both, the only sound being the music emanating from the speakers.

The atmosphere is so tense that once Nasir had eased his car into a parking spot on Kiki's overly spacious compound, I literally jump down from from the vehicle not letting him properly switch off the ignition.

I manage to only go so far when he calls my name,"Vina!"

I freeze at the spot and turn around slowly. He increases his walking speed and soon, he is in front of me. Nasir is so close to me that I have to crane my neck up to look at him.

"I'm not angry at you, Davina." He starts off, both his hands resting on my shoulders as he pulls me even closer to himself,"There is no need to feel uncomfortable around me."

My eyes widen in surprise and that earns me a small smile from him.

"In fact," He continues, his hands now trailing down my arms before finally holding my hands in his,"I am supposed to be apologizing for doing that without your permission. I had no right whatsoever to do so."

I try my best to ignore the goosebumps that sprout down my arms from Nasir's tender almost possessive touch as an almost exaggerated sigh of relief leaves me,"It's fine. Please don't do that next time."

"Noted." His statement is punctuated with a smile.

He releases my right hand from his left one but still holds firmly unto my left hand as we walk in sync into Kiki's house.

We first pass the well-spaced anteroom before entering a wide space where the stairs are. Looking to the left, there is an open door which leads to the sitting room. I notice how everywhere looks so neat and even better in natural lighting than when I first came here during Vivi's birthday bash.

"Let's go to the sitting room." Without waiting for Nasir's response, I pull him along.

Kiki and Tony are already there, talking and laughing. Their heads turn to us at the same time upon our arrival and their lips simultaneously stretch into a smile.

"Finally." Kiki comments, standing up to hug me.

I return the hug with a smile of my own after which she pulls away and simply waves at Nasir.

The charming smile on Tony's face never leaves as he hugs me too before going in for a bro handshake with Nasir.

Kiki and Tony resume sitting on the two seater couch when she decides to comment on our lateness,"You guys are late sha."

"Like for reals. It's already 1:23pm." Tony supports.

"We weren't that late na." Nasir complains. His hand finding mine and pulling me to sit down on the couch beside the one Tony and Kiki are seated on.

"Whatever." Kiki waves off rather dismissively.

"So, uhm. . ." I start,"Where are your sisters?"

"They went out for an impromptu photoshoot."

"Oh." I mutter, sending us all into an awkward silence.

Seconds of silence later, Kiki speaks,"Let's get started on this hangout, shall we?"

"Hell yeah!" I exclaim.

She laughs, motioning for us to follow her. We go up the magnificent stairs to the second floor and a narrow set of stairs to a penthouse. There are so many doors here but Kiki opens up the third door.

"Wow." I hear Tony mutter.

Wow is right.

The indoor swimming pool is beyond beautiful. It has a kind of homey feel to it. The wide space is divided into two; the first half comprises of a plasma TV, several couches and a tennis table while the second half contains two green beanbag like couches, a single blue couch which is similar to the green ones and the apple shaped swimming pool. Several potted plants dot the place.
(Pic below 👇)

Light music plays from somewhere and a cooling unit has to be here because the place is a bit chilly. All in all, whoever designed this place did a superb job.

"This place is dope." Tony comments, his eyes taking in every inch of the space.

"Honestly." I support.

"Ahn really?" Kiki laughs, as if she doesn't already know that the place is amazing,"Thank you o."

Nasir plops down on one of the couches and groans out in satisfaction,"This is so soft."

"I know right." Kiki's hand wraps around mine when she says this.

"What do we do now?" Tony asks, sitting beside Nasir.

"We will swim first." Kiki answers,"You both can change here. Davina and I will change in there."

She points to a white door at the other end of the room. Both of us walk into the spacious changing room that houses unending rows of swimwear.

"Geez!" I exclaim,"Who wears all of these?"

"Who else? But my sisters and I." Her tone is teasing as she goes towards a clothing rack to pick up a swimsuit.

"How does this look?" She asks me, taking out a swimsuit and holding it up against her frame.

In her hand is a golden bandage one-piece swimsuit. It is simple but still very beautiful and exquisite.
(Pic below 👇)

"It's so fine. I especially love the gold straps."

She beams at me in appreciation while unhooking the dress from its hanger,"Let's change. But if you don't feel comfortable changing in front of me, you can go further in to undress."

I laugh,"It is fine. I'm already wearing my bikini, it's just to pull off my clothes."

"Okay then." She replies, taking off the boyfriend t-shirt she is wearing to reveal a red lacy bra underneath.

I give her, her privacy by looking away. I get out the elastic band from my small bag and pack my hair into a ponytail with it. After doing so, I take off my bucket hat and clothes, leaving me in just my bikini. Then, I drape a beach towel on my shoulders.

"You look really pretty." Kiki tells me.

"Huh?" I momentarily pause folding my clothes into my bag as I wait for her to repeat what she said.

"Your bikini. It looks pretty on you." She explains.

"Ahn, this drab thing. It pales in comparison to yours."

"Oh, please." She laughs it off, picking out a little towel from one of the racks and wrapping it around her small waist,"Both are fine jare."

Shrugging with a smile, I finish up with folding my belongings into my bag after which, we exit the changing room.

I hug myself when the cool air from the swimming area hits me. My hands rub continuously over my arms in a bid to warm myself. We both drop our towels on a couch when she asks,"Where are the boys?"

That is when I actually take in my surroundings and realize that Tony and Nasir are truly missing.

"Where could they have gone to?" I ask back, moving to sit at the edge of the pool. I let my feet dangle in the water as I watch Kiki shrug and sit down too, mimicking my posture.

It all happens in slow motion, I am sitting and talking with Kiki then the next minute, I find myself in the pool trying to get back to the surface.

What was that‽

My hands swiftly wipe at my face in a bid to see the culprit when Kiki voices out my exact thoughts.

"What was that‽"

She is in the pool with me too, glaring daggers at the boys who by the way are laughing thier behinds off.

"You had to see your faces when you fell into the pool. It was hilarious." Nasir jokes, getting into the pool with us.

"I'm sorry ladies, it was all Nasir's idea." Tony says, completely throwing Nasir under the bus.

"Not cool, dude."

Tony raises his hand in surrender and mouths an abeg oh, leave me.

"You are guilty as well because you still agreed to it."

I looked on in disbelief as both of them argue, not even paying attention to us, the victims of their stupid prank.

"Hello!" Kiki screams at them,"We are still waiting for your apology."

"Like for reals! Who among you even pushed me?"

A sly smile graces Nasir's lips,"Guess."

I stare at him for a few seconds before telling him matter-of-factly,"It is you."

He is grinning now, letting me know that I am correct. I can't help but notice how attractive he looks when he smiles. It is such a simple action but it makes me feel light-headed, warm inside.

I force the fuzzy feeling away and give him a nasty glare,"Who's laughing with you?"

"I'm sorry nau." He apologizes, swimming closer to me.

"Apologise to us, not just me." I demand.

"Come on nau, Aphie. We are sorry." Tony apologizes too, finally getting into the pool and wading over to us.

My eyes narrow down on the boys in a threatening manner. Their faces are twisted in remorse, especially Tony's. I almost laugh at how serious they are taking my anger. I am annoyed but not as angry as I portray it to be.

I turn to look at Kiki who is by my right,"Do you forgive them, b?"

Her pretty cat eyes land on them and she takes her sweet time taking them in before she finally scoffs and turns away from them, her nose in the air with faux pride.

"You girls are toying with us abi?" Nasir taunts, a small smile gracing his lips once more.

"Imagine Kiki throwing face for us." The melodious laughter that follows Tony's statement is satisfying to the ear. His laughter, there is something about it. It sounds so oddly familiar, so close to home.

It is not just the laughter but how he laughs, traces of it sounds just too familiar like it is something I am used to. This isn't the first time I'm hearing Tony laugh but this is the first time I am taking note of how it sounds.

Nasir, that has been calmly wading in front of me, suddenly lifts his arms out of the water and sends it back down with force. His action sends waves of water covering me all over again.

"Nasir!" I shriek, running my hand over my face and through my hair in order to clear my vision.

When I am able to see, I see the stupid child baring his thirty-two pearly whites at me and this time, I don't bother reasoning with my words. I engage him in his water fight and soon enough, the four of us are moving about the pool in a full fledged water contest.

The whole experience is so exhilarating, I feel like a little girl once again and it is quite satisfying playing and laughing with my friends like this.

I yelp and move out of the way in the nick of time just when Tony makes a splash at me. His head jerks back in laughter but that is a big mistake on his path because I use that opportunity to strike. He tries to move away but it is too late. The small wave I manage to make soaks his already wet self.

After sometime, we finally calm down and just laugh to our hearts content.

"Do you forgive us now?" Nasir asks in a baby-like voice, staring at both myself and Kiki.

"I just don't have energy to vex if not, you both would have beg tire." Kiki teases, getting out of the pool and sitting by the edge, her feet suspended in the water.

I laugh,"You guys are forgiven sha."

"Finally." They both groan which causes us to chuckle.

"I still can't believe that Diana won Ella in that dance competition." Tony mentions out of the blues.

"What's there not to believe, my dear? Diana's body was an advantage to her and she used it. Normally, Senior Ella danced better than her but when she started twerking with her massive behind, did you expect the students to still pick Ella as the winner?"

Tony and Kiki chuckle at my assessment but I notice Nasir go silent once I finished talking. He keeps staring at me with a strange expression, like his mind isn't even in the conversation but his body is physically present.

"You are right sha." Kiki says, taking my eyes away from Nasir in the process.

"I mean, if not for Diana's body, Senior Ella could have easily won." Tony states, clearly supporting me,"What do you think, bro?"

"Diana is a good dancer." He simply states making Kiki and I turn to him.

We wait for him to continue but when he doedn't Kiki asks,"And?"

"That's it. She is a good dancer." He replies, his eyes fixed directly on her, unmoving. The air becomes stiff fast at Nasir's sudden awkward behavior.

"Sure." Kiki shrugs, already getting up from her sitting position,"Don't know why you have to be so weird about it." Her voice drops as she mutters the last part.

"Why are you leaving?" Tony asks her.

"To inform the helpers to make us snacks for the movie." She easily replies, going into the changing room and emerging minutes later dressed in her outfit from before.

"Need help with anything?" He asks again.

"Hmm." She hums in thought,"Actually yeah. Please help select the movie we will watch. Just go to the screening room, everything has already been set up. In fact, you both should join him."

"I still want to swim for a little while nau." I whine.

"There's no problem." Kiki laughs then turns back to Tony,"You and Nasir can just call her after selecting the movie. The screening room is the very last door on this hallway."

After that, she exits the room and Tony leaves the pool into the other half of the space to change out of his dark blue swim trunks. With just myself and Nasir left in the pool, I inhale deeply and dive to the bottom of it.

The view from underneath the pool is really beautiful — tiny waterproof lights dot the sides, giving the water a shiny effect. I sit down on the tiles used in cementing the pool, it feels cool on my butt and I smile a little.

I launch back to the top and wipe at my face with my hands. I am a bit surprised to still see Nasir here. I assumed he had left with Tony.

"You didn't leave with him?" It comes out more like a question than a statement.

The boy I am talking to calmly turns to me, his expression completely neutral,"I wanted to talk to you."

"About?" I ask, moving back a bit so that I am now at the middle of the pool.

His expression quickly sobers up and that leaves me deeply confused,"What's the matter, Nasir?"

He releases a long, unsure sigh,"Can I be honest with you, Vee?"

"Of course, you can." I easily answer although a bit uncertain if I want to hear what he has to say.

He swims closer to me and without meaning to, I move back, my eyes still trained on his.

"This is the problem, Vee." His tone is strangled, so despair-filled,"Why are you so unsettled around me?"

The words. His words. His question sets me off guard, I wasn't expecting it at all. Have I been that obvious with how I feel?

Nasir stares at me expectantly, expecting me to give him an answer but my lips remain sealed. He watches me with saddened eyes and the emotions pouring out of them tugs at my heartstrings. I am too captivated by his eyes to notice him swim closer to me. The spell is broken when his wet hand comes in contact with my cold arms.

On instinct, I flinch away from his touch. I could have sworn that anger flashed in his eyes for the quarter of a second but it is quickly replaced by hurt. A look of deep hurt.

"Answer me, Vina. Please."

"I — I. . ." My voice comes out in a stuttering mess.

How exactly am I supposed to tell him that I don't know why I feel uncomfortable, slightly disturbed in his presence?

He swims closer to me, slowly this time, like he doesn't want to scare me away. I quietly look at him, not moving back anymore because there is no space to move back into anyways, my back is already grazing the edge of the pool.

"Do you know why you feel this way?" He asks softly, so softly that I can't believe he is the one talking. His tone is that smooth, a velvety kind of smoothness that lulls me in.

My eyes leaves his, trailing down to his chest and I notice how ripped and hard it is. The water droplets dropping from his curly hair and rolling down his hard abs aren't helping my scattered hormones in the slightest. I take note of the detailed heart shape tattooed over his left breast. Gulping audibly, my gaze finds its way back to his face.

Why do you have to be so hot?

"No." I blurt out, finally answering the last question he had asked me,"No, I don't know why I. . .feel this way."

He releases a shaky breath, coming even closer to me limiting the space between us by half,"Can you at least try to stop being so uncomfortable around me?"

The question is accompanied by him tracing the length of my arm ever so slowly and teasingly. With his piercing hazel orbs solely fixed on me, I can't even look away but I feel goosebumps sprout on my skin from his gentle touch.

The burning fire he is awakening within me is far from gentle, it is consuming. I know that in a matter of minutes, my being will fall apart in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Davina." He continues when it becomes obvious that I wasn't going to answer him,"It kills me to see you this agitated when you are with me. I don't even know what exactly I do that makes you feel that way."

I don't know how he expects me to comprehend his words when he is that close to me. Is he doing this to me on purpose? Is he intentionally setting my entire being on fire?

Somebody please save me from this temptation in human form.

"I'm sorry." Nasir repeats. I stare into his eyes looking for the slightest trace of untruth in them but I find nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just sincere sadness that resides in them.

This boy moves even closer to me thereby making our barely clothed bodies press against each other. Hesitantly, I lift my hand to his chest and trace his tattoo with feather-like touches.

My action elicits a low, almost unheard, moan from him. The sound tickles my insides which makes me sigh as I look down at the area my finger is tracing. The tattoo is drawn so close to his nipple, that is probably why he made that sound.

With my gaze and finger still fixed on that spot, I speak,"Why are you confusing me, Nasir?"

"Wh — What do you mean?" His voice comes out breathless and husky and I almost smile. Almost.

My slightly teary eyes snap to his steady gaze,"Why are you messing with my head, Nasir? Do you enjoy doing it?"

"I don't understand." He breathes out.

"This minute, you act like my very presence is intoxicating and the next, you are flirting with some other girl. You are confusing me, Nasir and it is not funny."

He moans. Nasir moans out like a pleasure deprived being and I know why. Both my hands had gone up to each of his nipples as I spoke and I had gently massaged them thus eliciting the moan.

"Answer me." I demand albeit softly.

"I — I didn't mean to confuse you."

The lustful, semi pitiable look in his eyes almost makes me feel bad for giving him a taste of his own medicine. Note the almost.

"Well, you are confusing me." I say in monotone. I am not angry, I am far from angry. He is getting to me badly, the look in his eyes, the unholy sounds he had made keeps on replaying in my head. The forced strong tone from me is just a cover.

I remain quiet and wait for him to say something. Anything. But nothing leaves his mouth. It is subtle but I notice his frame inch closer to mine till my back is pressed to the pools edge with his body flattened on top of me.

"What are you doing, Nasir?" The panic and slight anger I try to project into my voice can't even shine through, instead, it comes out so feebly. His effect on me is that strong.

Without warning, Nasir's arms wrap around my waist as he pulls me in for a firm but gentle hug. I am too shocked to even hug back, this hug feels different. It makes me feel all shades of emotions.

"I am sorry." He mumbles into my shoulder,"You are right, your presence and everything about you is intoxicating. That is why after all those other girls, I keep coming back because I want you. You are my drug, Davina. I simply can't do without you no matter how hard I try."

My body shuts down, stops, freezes in place. If he wasn't hugging me the way he did, I would have dropped to the bottom of the pool. I don't even know how to react, don't know how to feel or process what he just said.

Nasir. . .wants me? I am his drug?

I can feel his heart beating erratically against mine as if he is experiencing a panic attack but the boy resting on my shoulder isn't breathing heavily. He remains quiet, probably waiting for me to say something but I can't. I just can't.

"Can you feel my heart beating?" He continues,"It beats this fast whenever I'm around you. This is what you do to me, Vee."

Nasir presses me closer to himself, if that is even possible, and this has me resting my head on his shoulder. We just remain that way; his head on my shoulder and me in his arms.

A lone tear escapes my right eye and just when I reach up to wipe it, a new voice joins us,"Guys, what is taking so long? I. . ."

It is Tony. Whatever it is he wanted to say hooks in his throat. I can't even see him because my back is turned to him. Loosening myself from Nasir's hug, I turn to face Tony. His eyes dart between myself and Nasir. And I see pain flash through them.

I don't know why the situation is painful to him but it makes me feel guilty to see him so pained.

He still stares in disbelief for about a minute more before putting on a very plain expression. His now completely dead eyes leave mine and move to Nasir,"The movie has already been selected. Kiki asked me to get the both of you."

With that, he turns to leave but I call his name,"Tony."

He pauses by the open door and turns to face me,"Oh and. . .Davina, Kiki is asking on the pizza topping you would prefer."

I veer back in shock thus pressing myself into Nasir who is still behind me. He just called my name, Tony just called me Davina. Not just that but in the deadest, most boring tone ever.

What's going on? Did something annoy him?

"So, which is it?" He asks in a very nonchalant manner. I can't even formulate a coherent answer, I am that baffled. So shocked that I can't even speak.

He lets out a wary sigh,"I will just tell her that you didn't give me an answer. You prefer BBQ chicken pizza right, bro?"

"Always." Nasir says from behind me.

Tony gives a quick nod and walks away, shutting the door behind him.

I can't process what just happened. I don't understand why Tony is upset, did I do something wrong? Did I say something I wasn't meant to? I really don't get it.

I am drawn out of my thoughts by Nasir's arms circling around my waist as he hungrily presses me closer to himself from behind. He leaves tender kisses from my shoulder blade up to my neck.

I feel weak in the knees, Tony's strange behavior temporarily forgotten, as I throw my head back from the tickling sensation running up my spine. I push myself against Nasir more and he responds by sucking on the skin of my neck.

My hands reach up to tug at his soft hair, he rewards me with a blissful moan. He flips me around so that I am now facing him as his lips press delicate kisses to my collar bone. My lips part to release a soft moan.

The unholy things this boy does to me. . .

Pressing a long kiss to my neck, he shifts away from me. His glowing eyes fix themselves on me and my heart flutters. Just from his gaze. I notice his eyes drop to my lips but he shakes his head with a small smile.

"I won't kiss you today, Vee." Nasir says to me in a light tone,"I don't want to overwhelm you again."

My lips lift in a grateful smile. I want to kiss Nasir, I want him to kiss me but not now. I am content with how he makes me feel at this moment.

"Let's get dressed, they are waiting for us." He tells me already taking my hand and leading me out of the pool.

I go into the changing room to change back into my clothes while he remains in the swimming spot to change into his. Stepping back out, the thoughts of Tony's strange behavior hits me. The image of his crestfallen look dampens my mood the more I think about it.

"Are you alright?" Nasir asks, taking my hand in his.

Concern flashes in his eyes and that has me sighing dejectedly while looking away,"Do you know why Tony acted the way he did?"

"What way exactly?" His hands hold me back, preventing me from moving further.

"Didn't you notice his reaction when he came to call us? He looked pained for some reason."

He watches me skeptically,"I didn't take note of anything. Maybe something got him upset before then? Just ask him."

"I guess I will." I mutter as we resume walking out of the swimming area.

Sure enough, the screening room is the last door in the hallway. I open the door first and step into the cinema-style screening room containing five rows and three columns of cushioned chairs, a projector and a ginormous screen up front. The air is a bit chilly even though I can't sight the source in this dark room.

"Babes! Where's your mind at?"

Kiki's voice draws me back to the present. My eyes land on her and Tony that are seated at the third row of the middle column.

He doesn't even give a reaction when Kiki calls me, his eyes are just glued to his phone. I really don't know what to make of that but I know something is wrong. Tony never ignores my presence.

"Sorry for wasting time." I hear Nasir say from beside me. My hand is still in his as he pulls me along to occupy the two seats beside Kiki and Tony. Nasir places me beside Tony while he takes the last seat.

I notice Tony pause, as in, completely stop moving. On the count of two, he reverts back to staring and typing something on his phone. He does not even look at me talk more of saying a word.

An uneasy feeling settles at the pit of my stomach. Something is definitely not right, Tony has never behaved this way and it is really disturbing. I make to tap him but before I can make contact, he springs out of the chair and turns to Kiki,"Please where is the toilet?"

"Use that door." She says, pointing to the door a few metres away from the big screen. It is a different door from the one Nasir and I had used to come in.

"Thank you." He mutters as he makes a dash for the door. Kiki stares after him before turning to me with curious eyes as if to say what is the problem? I detach my hand from Nasir's own and sit down on Tony's seat so that I can be able to talk to Kiki.

"What's going on?" She whispers, her eyes darting over to Nasir whose attention has shifted to his phone,"Ever since he came back from calling you guys, he has been awfully quiet."

"I really don't know what is going on. I'm confused too."

Kiki gives me a skeptical look,"Ask him what's wrong then. He even said that you didn't answer when he asked what pizza topping you wanted."

"Tony didn't give me the chance to answer." I counter. He had called me by my name for the first time in a really dead manner and I should behave as if it is nothing? No way, he didn't even give me the chance to process anything before he turned and left.

"Just try to talk to him." She concludes, stretching to the seat in front of her and picking up some things,"Pass it to him."

I take the medium sized pizza box from her hand and give it to Nasir.

"Are you okay with pepperoni pizza?" Kiki asks me, already picking up another box. I shrug and take it from her.

Just when I move back to my own seat, Tony returns. He quietly sits down and turns towards Kiki,"Let's start now."

She hands him his own pizza box and finally clicks play for the movie to begin. My eyes stay on Tony, I don't even know what to do or say. Am I just worrying myself for nothing?

The boy in question quietly munches on a slice of pizza, his eyes solely focused on the screen. He acts completely oblivious to the fact that I am staring at him.

"Hey." I turn towards Nasir who called me,"You will talk to him later, just focus on the movie for now.

I sigh and open up my pizza box too. I look up just as the introduction for the horror movie, Sinister, is concluded.

I force my attention to remain on the screen and not divert to Tony. During the course of the movie, we laugh cringe, impute our opinions and all that but Tony never looks my way or talks directly to me.

A little over two hours later, the movie finally comes to an end. It is a really good film even though I spent half the time staring at a nonchalant Tony.

"Thanks for honouring my invitation, guys." Kiki says to us as we all assemble back in the sitting room. She looks genuinely happy about it with the way a beautiful smile brightens her face.

"There is no need to thank us, Kiki."

Upon hearing Tony's voice, my eyes move over to him. I don't know why it hurts but it is super weird that for over two hours of us being in the same space, we didn't even talk and he did not make eye contact at all. It just hits different.

"Yeah, there's really no need,"Nasir continues,"The pictures. Please."

"That's true." Kiki snaps her fingers like she is just remembering about the framed pictures she promised to give us.

Mouthing that she would be back, Kiki exits the sitting room. My eyes wander back to Tony who is now staring at the ground with an odd serious expression. I look over at Nasir who is already staring at me like he sensed my need to talk to Tony.

"Bro." He calls out to Tony whose attention snaps over to him,"I will see you on Monday. I'm going to my car now, leg dey pain me."

"There are couches here." Tony laughs,"Sit down na."

"Na." Nasir declines,"I want to stay in the car, I'm even expecting a call."

"If you say so." Tony tells him while going in for a brotherly hug which Nasir returns.

"Collect my picture for me." He says to me before leaving too.

Once Nasir leaves, Tony gets out his phone from his pocket and moves over to a couch. I sigh wearily, what's going on? Maybe something happened. I just need to talk to him but it feels so hard even opening my mouth to say a thing to him. His entire countenance just screams stay away but there is no way I can.

Before I think of more ways to discourage myself, I blurt his
name,"Tony."

My voice comes out shakier than expected and almost unheard, like a whisper. He doesn't even flinch or behave as if he was just called. Moving closet and taking in a deep breath, I call again,"Tony."

He finally stops, he finally pauses typing on his phone but he doesn't look at me, he just stares blankly at his phone screen.

"Please tell me what's wrong?" It comes out as a question not a statement as I intended. Several seconds pass and he still hasn't said a word or moved.

His eyes are still fixed on his phone that has a blank screen now. I am beginning to get scared that maybe he shut down or something when he turns to me with a dead expression; very stoic, unwavering.

"Sorry for wasting time." Kiki's voice joins us and like magic, Tony's face lights up as his attention moves to her.

"There's no problem." He says, getting up to help her with some of the things in her hand.

"Ahn, where's Nasir?" She inquires, finally looking around.

"He was expecting a call so he's in his car." I tell her.

"Oh." She mutters,"Anyways you will just give him his own. Take."

She hands me two framed pictures. I stare at them and they are very beautiful and unique. It is in a collage style with mine having my personal picture, the group picture we had taken with model like poses and one of our numerous goofy ones.

Nasir's own is the same, the only difference being that he has his personal picture on his. There are tiny lights somehow Incorporated into the glass covering the picture creating a kind of light show in the process.

"Wow. It's so beautiful." Tony beams, studying his own. The expression he has on is a sharp contrast to the one he wore when it was just us minutes ago.

"Thank you, Kiki. We will see tomorrow." I hug her as I tell her this. She hugs back with a smile before turning over to Tony and embracing him too.

"See you tomorrow." His tone is so soft as he proceeds to press a kiss to her forehead.

She waves us both away but when Tony turns away to leave, she gives me a thumbs up as if to wish me luck. I smile a little at her and go after him. On exiting the building, I find Tony speed walking towards a car.

"Tony!" I yell as I run over to his paused figure.

Standing this close to him, I have to crane my neck up to get a better view of his face. His body is facing me but his head is turned away in a manner that seems to relay that he wants to be anywhere but here.

"Please what is wrong? I'm so confused. Did I do something to offend you?"

At my last question, he looks down at me with a very cold stare. His eyes are dark, they look very upset but he shakes his head in slow motion.

"You did nothing." His tone is even colder than his stare.

"Then what's the matter?" I ask, reaching up to touch his arm but he backs away leaving me hanging. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. He wouldn't even let me touch his hand again.

Through my now cloudy eyes, I notice his expression falter for a good half a minute as we just stand there staring at each other. An internal conflict seems to be raging within him as though he is torn on what to do but gradually, his face returns to its original neutral state.

"Tony, please what is going on? You are acting so strange!" I cry out, not being able to go on with our staring contest.

"There is nothing wrong, Davina."

Again with the Davina. Doesn't he realise how painful it is for me to hear him call my name in such a dead tone? What happened to Aphie? What happened to the smiles?

He takes a step towards me,"I just want to be alone, to stay away from you. Help me by staying out of my way. Just let me be, Davina."

I stagger back, I actually stagger back from the weight of what he just dropped on me. The shock I feel wouldn't let my brain fathom any other emotion. Did Tony as in Anthony Ojelade just ask me to stay away from him? Am I dreaming or something?

"What?" I ask still not being able to articulate properly. My voice comes out in a whisper that holds so much unbelief.

"Don't make this harder than it already is. Just keep away, I will stay away too. Good day."

As he turns and walks away after spewing such hurtful sentences, as the sun begins setting in the sky, as tears cascade down my cheeks, I feel a part of me walking away. It feels like I have lost something very dear to me. The realization that I have lost a friend, not just any friend, but my close friend and most importantly, the human reminder of my brother dawns on me.

The realization hits me like a truck and I feel myself fall but I don't hit the ground. As Tony gets into his car and drives out of Kiki's place, deep down, it feels like — and I somehow know that — I am losing my brother all over again.

A/N

And that's a wrap✨

I'm in shock for reals and the guy doesn't even realize the gravity of what he did. He doesn't even realize that it is way deeper than just having a fallout with a friend💔.

My Davina😭😭.

I don't even know how she will take the whole thing considering how close her brother was to her and when she finally felt the warmth of those times in someone else, the person just had to leave💔.

God abeg🤧💔

Till next time 😪

Word Count: 8128 words.

Love,
Riri🌹