Friendship

After I left my brothers under the reliable care of Mrs Fletcher, I went back to the house to get ready to go spend the night at my friend's. I wasn't really worried about time seeing as it was just after 8pm. Also, there were streetlights all round  Woodville, newly installed- thanks to the protests by our parents. Be as it were, l wasn't too sure if armed robbers and other dangerous gangsters would be out of sight or not. Anyways, tonight wasn't the night to worry about all that, after all, Jo-Anne's place was just like two streets away from mine. And I somehow believed that because I had been a good girl all my life and today was my birthday, God would be gracious and kind enough to let me reach my destination not only alive but safe also. With that in mind I got into the bathroom, washed my body thoroughly and got dressed. I wore a simple dress and put a coat over it-it was a bit windy outside and the temperatures were quite low. I tied my hair into a clumsy bun, so that I could keep the hair off my face, not because I had any intentions to really tie up my hair. I then packed my overnight bag-toothbrush, facial and body cream, my pyjamas that l liked very much and a few other necessities I must admit, the idea of not sleeping in my bedroom for the first time quite excited me, l was so ready to play games with my friend, watch movies and sleep late. Just a little catch up and girls time was going to do us both some good and strengthen our friendship. Like the responsible deputy parent that l am, l checked if all the windows were closed, put out lights except the ones outside and also locked the front door and screen. I battled with whether I should leave the keys at their usual spot, or at Mrs Fletcher's but I ended up deciding to take them with me. I made my way to Jo-Anne's quitely. I wasn't walking too slow, neither was l walking too fast. My pace was moderate, such that I could be able to look around me, behind me and also in front of me. It was of paramount importance that l be alert through and through, remember this was the first time that I was out this late. I was surprised, amused and impressed at how refreshing the wind was, it was relaxing. Sadly, it wasn't that quiet yet, otherwise I would have had some time alone with my thoughts. People were still moving around coming from different places, cars were also rushing about. Just as l was a few houses away from Jo-Anne's place, a car stopped a few meters away from me. It was an Audi, black and beautiful, a beast in the making. I didn't think it was stopping for me, if it was, then l was getting kidnapped, no two ways about it. A tall guy came out of the car, from the driver's side, and from what l could tell he didn't look old enough to even own the car. As anyone would assume, l just thought he was driving his dad's car, or a company one. When he came out, he shut the door and moved away from the car a bit, more into the way l was using. My heart beat accelerated, l began to think that maybe l was about to be kidnapped and sold off to the highest bidder at some foreign land. "Why did l even leave home, my safe place? What if l die in the hands of this potentially good looking guy?" Those were the thoughts that started crossing my mind and my feet were pretty much slowing down. I had to come up with a plan and come up with it real quick! Obviously I couldn't just turn back as that would give him and his crew (that I imagined was waiting in the car) , an opportunity to chase after me and catch me before I even got to the corner. That would obviously anger them big time. The next best option was to cross the road and walk on the other side-the side furtherest away from him and his beast of a car. Somehow, for some unknown reason, no one person could be seen anywhere, not even in the distance, no car, no nothing, just us two. In my mind, crossing the road was my only best chance of escaping. As l started making it across the road, the guy moved toward me and said something. I practically froze, he spoke to me again and I didn't hear a word-not because I didn't want to, but because I just couldn't hear shit, not with the way my heart was beating and my body already shaking. He then started moving from where he was and he got to me in like,  four strides. He towered above me and spoke to me, to my surprise, softly. "What are you doing out here.. At this time of night?". I stammered, still shaking, "l.. I...uuhh, l'm on my way to a sleepover". I swear I saw his brows rise a bit, or maybe I didn't.

"Sleep over huh? Exactly what kind of guy let's his girl go out alone at this time? I mean, couldn't he at least have the courtesy to pick you up since you'll be spending the night with him". I didn't know this guy but he sure sounded very irritated.

I chuckled and told him l was going to a friend's and she couldn't come get me because she had to prepare popcorn and other snacks to celebrate our official first girls night out. He must have found my explanation silly but he just smiled and offered me his jacket. Again, l remembered how many stories l had heard about kidnappers and human traffickers being nice to their victims before they catch on what will be happening. I also remembered that in some movie I had watched, the girl had been given a scarf and when she smelt its perfume, she got dizzy and passed out. That is exactly how I thought this was about to pan out. So l declined politely and thanked him for the kind gesture. His jacket had a strong scent, some deodorant that my English teacher used to wear. I could identify the scent anytime, but l just couldn't shake the thought that perhaps a certain dangerous drug was under the powerful masculine scent. He seemed surprised when l turned down his offer, but didn't insist. He held on to his jacket but didn't put it on. The jacket was black in color, fine silk with a hoodie which had puppy brownish fur on it. It was quite nice l must say, and probably warm too. He then asked if he could take me to my friend's place and again, I hesitated. I still didn't know his name and besides, l was almost there. So, again, l told him l'd pass then started continuing with my journey. He asked my name and l told him but I was already on my way so whatever he said after that, if he even said anything, l didn't hear shit. I could feel his eyes on me as l walked softly towards my friend's place but I made sure not to look back. I kept my head held up high until I got to the entrance of the house. Rang the intercom, and since they were already expecting me, the gate slid open within a heart beat. Jo-Anne's father was by the door, ready to welcome me. We greeted each other and l could hear the stairs creaking as Jo-Anne ran downstairs to come say hie. After we finished exchanging pleasantries, we all sat down for dinner. I was feeling safe now but that strange man with no name was still in my mind. The dinner was really good, pork chops, lamb stew, fried spaghetti and four different salads. It was beyond scrumptious, or maybe that's how it tasted to me probably because l had missed a mother's cooking since my mother just deserted. I don't know, but at this point, it sure tasted like the world's number one meal. Or maybe, it really was out of this world. Either way, l was so glad l had made it into the house alive and was having a fingerlicking good meal. We were striking conversations from all corners of the table, most questions and lines of conversation were directed to me though, and l didn't mind because l knew they were just trying to get to know me better. So l just sat there, smiled, ate and responded to all questions directed to me as politely and as honestly as l could manage. Despite my efforts to stay focused through out dinner, my mind kept on drifting back to what had happened earlier. I couldn't wait to tell my friend all about it. I wondered what a guy like him could possibly have wanted from me, because we clearly couldn't be friends since we obviously came from opposite worlds. So I figured maybe he had actually wanted to kidnap me but fate forbade it. Because surely he couldn't have wanted us to be friends, l mean, what would we even say to each other if we decided to become friends?. Besides, wasn't he like several years older than me? Or that was just his height. I wondered what Jo-Anne would say when I told her, probably some shit about the guy wanting a romantic relationship with me.She would also exaggerate the events and make it sound like there was some sort of chemistry between me and Mr Stranger. But that was my friend, and I loved her exactly like that. Right now, I just couldn't wait to finish dinner and get to it....