The usual hustle with students rushing in early, Austin missed this. He was used to coming late, meeting empty hall with students in their classes. He could see parents dropping off their kids and kissing them goodbye, couples hanging around green trees and selling whatever lies they could to each other. He came down from the bus and met his brother waiting, Nala also with him. She waved to Allen, with her face all bright and smiling. Austin saw this and felt disgusted."So where's the classroom," Allen asked his brother."You'll need to see the principal first," he replied.Nala was still there, love-struck by Allen but he couldn't notice it. Austin shook his head in disappointment " you should be getting to class""Oh yes," Nala replied, hanging her bag properly and looking back to steal one more gaze towards Allen and walking away.Austin got his brother to the principal's office and he was quite elated with the resemblance Allen shared with him. He left his brother there and rushe
Austin couldn't eat his sandwich peacefully earlier that day, the thought of Jade and his brother kept hunting him. He hasn't been able to get along with Jade, talkless of his brother coming into the picture. He thought of everything but couldn't find the perfect excuse to avoid the situation, now he found himself going somewhere with Allen and Jade."How far off is it," Allen asked, already looking tired and panting. They met at the school gate 30 minutes after the closing period, that way they were sure everyone had left the school premises."Just ahead" Jade pointed out."You've been saying that since he has been asking" Austin barked at him. He had been frustrated since they began on this little journey, no one said anything to each other, just Allen asking if they were there yet or not."Take it easy," Allen urged his brother to stop. Jade smiled, knowing Austin was feigning anger, and decided to go along with him."So you are the captain of the football team?""Hey!" Allen yelle
Tasha was devastated about the reality of her being a ghost. She thought she was dead, she had dreams. Even if she acted like a slut whose only interests were parties and getting boys hard for fun. She wanted to be a doctor, just to save lives. But everything was never gonna happen for her, and she thought everything had ended for her.Leaving Austin's house after he ran upstairs, and they both found out she wasn't human. She couldn't forget the look in his eyes like she was an abomination, like he hated her and never wanted to see her again. The last time she felt something close to that was with her mother and she never wanted to feel that way again, but it happened either way and she has been fighting that scene as it replayed in her head over and over again.Tasha went back to the cemetery, right back to the place where she woke up and she saw that same pit in front of her. Dark and empty with nothing to see."Is this my grave?" She asked herself. She sat on the edge of the pit an
Austin found it difficult to close his eyes last night. The fear of Tasha crawling up on him in his sleep or having a nightmare about her kept him awake. His brother came knocking and banging on his door, trying to get him to open up, but all fell on deaf ears. Mr. Richard tried too after Allen complained to him about how Austin reacted earlier that day but Austin refused to open up, asking them to leave him alone. He didn't even get off the clothes he wore last night, his eyes swollen and red, buried in his jaw. He had never been this rattled in his life. His mother's death left him in shock and a coma but being this way was new. A ghost who wouldn't leave him alone."Austin, we have to go to school," Allen shouted, banging on his door. He stayed still, not replying to his brother."Come on man, I'm going to prepare now. You better be done before I get back!" Allen barked. Austin could hear his brother's footsteps fade after he spat out that last statement. They were Twins, but Allen
The school was in its form, with students trooping in from different parts of the city and rushing to meet up with the day's assembly. Austin was glad they came in early, and it felt nice to be punctual for a change. All thanks to Nala, he thought. Allen had been bugging them on their way to school, saying different kinds of lousy things. Nala found them funny, but Austin didn't.They got settled in class for their first lecture of the day but Austin noticed Allen wasn't in class. He seemed less bothered about it and focused on what he had at that moment. The bell rang midway during the class, and everyone in the class seemed shocked. This doesn't happen unless there is important information to give. Everyone seems restless and panic flew in the air,"Everyone stay in their seat" the teacher instructed as she walked to the door, opened it, and peeped outside. "Move out slowly, according to your seat rows"Nala hurriedly picked up her bag and tipped to Austin's seat, "move over" she m
Austin stood there, buried in the gaze of everyone. Trying to block out the words everyone was saying but it wasn't easy. Why would his brother do this?What's he doing there with Jade?"Hey" Nala held him, trying to provide comfort. She knew about all the things he had been through and how he struggles to handle his emotions. She rubbed his arm and held him tight."Good afternoon students!"The principal screamed as he glanced through the crowd and they responded back."I'm sorry that you are all out here, because of the bad conduct of these students" he pointed at Jade and Allen standing behind him.He went further to tell the students that they were caught fighting in the restroom and everyone started murmuring, the principal's voice drowned in it and he kept on struggling to keep them quiet but to no avail. Austin sighed, buried his head in his hands and walked out with shame. Nala called him, trying to follow immediately but he stopped her, saying he needed to be alone. Austin wa
It has been two days since the incident between Jake and Allen in school, and Austin avoided his brother like a plague in school, it was even worse at home.That day after school, Austin came barging into his room and Allen fumed with anger"Are you stupid" he screamed"Hey hey, chill" Allen raised his hands up, urging him to calm down and took a step backwards"Just get out of my room" he screamed pointing at his door, it was obvious Just the sight of Allen infuriated him."You haven't even heard my side of the sto..ry""What side? Huh, talk to me man, what side" he took a step towards Allen as he repeated his words. "Do I look like the principal or those students who bought every piece of nonsense you said, you went after Jake and you know it. Why did you even come back, this is you ruining my life again as you did when we were kids"Allen stood there, too stunned to speak, Austin's word went right through him. "Oh now you don't know what to say" he chuckled with sadness and anger b
Just before Allen landed his well Arranged Punch on Austin, Nala stood in the way of both of them, stopping them with her hands stretched out and holding their chest. She could feel their heart pounding and the rage running through their veins. She knew this wasn't about her and they probably needed an excuse to let their tension out."You both are not going to use me as an avenue to sort out your issues" she screamed, having them pay attention to her. "Nala hey….""Do not talk to me" she shut Allen up even before he could complete his sentence. She went back to her seat, packed up her stuff and stormed out of there, leaving them behind."You are so lucky, she stood in between us" Allen pointed his hands at him"It's funny how you think you stand a chance against me" Tasha's eyes widened in surprise at the statement Austin made."What did you say to me?" Allen asked, pretending he didn't hear it the first time and walking towards him fast but was held back by the guys who accompani
Austin kept running, stumbling and looking back. Repeating this over and over again, anytime he looked back, he saw her still fuming and coming at him. At that point he couldn't think of what she'd do to him, all he thought of was to get away from her. How could he have forgotten about the plans he made with her. He slapped himself, like he was trying to punish himself for forgetting. He ran into the school hallway, it was the shortest route to leaving the school premises. But as he ran towards the Entrance, it looked like it got farther away. He was Panting and running, his legs were getting weak already, but he couldn't stop. He had no idea the school hallway was this long. He looked back this time and didn't see Tasha, but he kept running. "Yes" he said triumphantly, as he exhaled. He was about getting out of the school when he stepped on his show lace and sent himself flying on the ground. He laid there with his head facing the ceiling, his muscles weak and reluctant to carry him
"You know I have training also tomorrow" he said to Nala, as he hurriedly pulled him towards the stadium. Austin found it difficult to cope in the class earlier that day, with Jade hammering on his case, not in a bad way but it was still frustrating for Austin."Come on, you have to tell me who she is" he kept Hampering on it, even after Austin told him he mentioned that name by mistake. Jade didn't buy it but had no option but to leave him alone after their teacher got into the class."So you and Jade, now best friends" Nala asked, eyeing Austin as he wore his kits."What makes you think so?" He arched his brow."Well" Nala started, "you guys smiling and discussing. It was almost as if you guys were friends for a long time""You guys smiling?" Austin questioned with his eyes wide open, Nala understood his message immediately."Well scratch that, but you get my point" she insisted."He was just on me about something..""What thing?"Austin swallowed hard, shocked by how fast she asked
Her eyes were calm as the ocean banks would be at dawn, and he was drowning in them. Her hair flung back as the air pulled it along with it. Austin couldn't move not because he tried to but he didn't want to, she felt safe and he wanted to be there with her. The smile on her face, breaking more as she witnessed him lost in whatever fantasy he had going on and his eyes stuck on hers like a magnet."Are you thinking about me right now?"That question pulled Austin back into all consciousness and he pulled his hand away from hers, maybe a little too hard because he went sprawling on the floor."Are you okay?" She asked. Ausin couldn't sense any sarcasm or jest in her voice."I'm fine," he replied as he stood up, wiping the dirt off his shorts."You are bleeding" Tasha said quickly as she hurried towards him, but he swung his arm back as she attempted to hold him. He looked at his elbow and noticed blood sliding down his hands. Luckily for him, it wasn't something serious. "Let me take a
"What in God's name happened here" Austin exclaimed.He had woken up that morning in high spirits, regardless of what happened between him and his brother. He smiled all through his journey to school, jumping and trying to touch branches of some trees along the way to school. His happiness was proudly sponsored by Nala and not following the bus was just an attempt not to see her till his training session with her again.All his happiness vanished as soon as he entered the class and noticed that his table was missing a leg."What happened here?" he repeated, directing his questions to his classmate who sat at the front roll. He shook his head indicating he didn't know what happened. His eyes searched the classroom and stopped on Jade who sat at the back with some of his friends laughing. The only reasonable thing he could think of was Jade messing with him again because of his brother. He marched towards him with every ounce of anger. He pounded his hands on Jade's table hard and that
That night, their father got home early to their surprise and bought dinner on his way back. He made them both have dinner with him while talking and narrating his ordeal at work. Austin couldn't help but think his father was drunk and he could bet his brother thought the same with the disbelief written all over his face.But Mr Richard wasn't drunk, he had gotten promoted at work that day, something he had been dreading ever since the loss of his wife. He put his career In Front of everything else in trying to subdue the pain he felt losing her. This night, all he wanted was to share his happiness with his sons. The mood was getting lighter and Jollier as kept going on with his stories, Austin laughed and his brother was busy smiling from time to time. They would sneak a peek at each other and pretend like they didn't notice it.After dinner, They both tried to clean up but their father stopped them and asked them to rest up and he'll do that. Austin couldn't just believe what was ha
"Okay, listen" Tasha readjusted herself Infront of Austin, "I'm not dead""You are not what?" Austin said, confused with what she just said."I'm not dead" she repeated with a bright face, Austin sat there looking confused with what she was saying and couldn't understand why she was so happy about it."Is this why you've made it your life mission to ruin my life" Austin shrugged, "Just to tell me you weren't dead""I didn't make you my life mission," she scoffed."So what is it witch, I need to go to class."Tasha gasped, "you did not just call me a witch." His eyes shot back, indicating he had no intention to take it back. "Well, I'll let that slide just because I need your help""Whatever," Austin rolled his eyes in discomfort, being under the sun for that long was already getting to him. "Just state what it is you want. I do not know if ghosts feel things, but this sun is competing with hell, so be fast" Tasha swallowed hard, bracing herself up for what she needed to say " I nee
He stood under the scorching sun, that was busy setting the grass ablaze. They were the only ones alone on the field, but he had no idea why she chose this time for them to come out."I still don't understand why you wanted us here by this time," Austin said, squinting and covering his eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. Nala kept herself busy setting up the cones he needed for his footwork. Austin sat there, smiling and he remembered asking her for help, but never expected her to be this serious with it. He stood up, attempting to clean off his body, and then realised there was nothing on his shorts."Hey nala" he shook her shoulders. She raised her head to look at him but quickly covered her eyes, "The sun right?"She wiped off the sweat dripping down her cheeks with her handkerchief, "why are you not wearing your boots" she queried Austin with a harsh tone.Austin smiled, and replied "chill chill, don't ""Don't what? It's either you are serious with this or not," Nala interrupted
Austin couldn't close his eyes throughout that night, after that happened. He sat at the edge of his bed, with his mopping stick held tightly to his chest, ready to smash Tasha's head into the wall. He automatically saw her as a threat to his life. Hearing her call his name, he flung his phone straight to the wall and went right under his bed. His breathing was uneven, and even with the air-conditioner on, he was sweating like someone who ran a marathon. Anywhere he looked, he could see Tasha's face. It was all dark, but he couldn't help seeing her face everywhere. He wasn't so sure about how he treated her, and now he regrets it."What happened to your eyes?" Mr Richard asked with concern, walking towards Austin who was making breakfast before leaving for school. He tried to cover his face but his father took away his hands and notice his swollen eyes and even cheeks."Allen!""Sir" Allen's voice echoed from the bedroom upstairs and soon the staircase Started making hard sounds, annou
Just before Allen landed his well Arranged Punch on Austin, Nala stood in the way of both of them, stopping them with her hands stretched out and holding their chest. She could feel their heart pounding and the rage running through their veins. She knew this wasn't about her and they probably needed an excuse to let their tension out."You both are not going to use me as an avenue to sort out your issues" she screamed, having them pay attention to her. "Nala hey….""Do not talk to me" she shut Allen up even before he could complete his sentence. She went back to her seat, packed up her stuff and stormed out of there, leaving them behind."You are so lucky, she stood in between us" Allen pointed his hands at him"It's funny how you think you stand a chance against me" Tasha's eyes widened in surprise at the statement Austin made."What did you say to me?" Allen asked, pretending he didn't hear it the first time and walking towards him fast but was held back by the guys who accompani