CHAPTER 4

April stomped in bringing the warmth everyone yearned for, after a long winter, the drizzles and heat were welcomed with relief, the white snow was being replaced by green shrubs and daffodils that Lit every corner with the beauty of a landscape painting.

It was one of those times Jemi wouldn't mind sitting down close to the pond just at the back of the house and throwing smooth stones into the water and watching it ripple, seeming almost impossible due to the high expectations her Job had, working two shifts except on Saturdays and Sundays, it felt almost unimaginable to do anything apart from toiling her ass off and going to school.

It was stressful but exactly what she needed, draining herself out to the bone each day was a success, and sleep was easier to come by, though the nightmare stayed, it didn't happen quite often.

It was a food cafe and she served, which made sense since pancakes and coffee were the only mixtures she was good at. Time again, she found herself craving Emma's meals.

It was easier to avoid her now, She seemed to understand what 'space' was.

She was angry, Jemi could tell, the scowls, snaps and snickering, it was evident Emma was doing the avoiding, probably thought her a spoiled, proud brat, the truth couldn't have been further than that. The house recently felt cold, the warmth Emma brought seemed to have faded Even Will had hinted the change to her when she had snapped at Jemi over the amount of coffee she consumed.;

"Emma it's just coffee" he sat with his hands black with charcoal, trying not to smudge the paper he was using it on "still don't know what's the matter with you,"

Jemi had stayed quiet sipping from the cup looking amused.

Even the few days she had to stay home, bumping into Emma was inevitable.

The clock struck 6, she came out from behind the counter untying her apron, the dark long-sleeved turtle neck now visible, she hung it on a holder just behind the door announced her leave and moved out.

The wet air hit her caressing her face gently as she got into a taxi, calling out an address.

It was a Short ride, Jemi didn't know if it was the dread poking at her ribcage that prolonged the journey, driving her into the neighbourhood she had lived four years of her life. Looking out the window trying to sync in with the unsettling tug in her guts,

Stopping just outside a house with dim lights and a few broken window panes, she paid the taxi off and moved in.

Looking at the seas of faces that filled the ground floor, she cornered one of them, Eyes red and unfocused, scanty straightened hair and pale white skin, a cigar between her fingers, she blew smokes into Jemis's face and directed her up the stairs.

The woman's direction being followed, Jemi crept into a room, stopping at the doorless entrance, she leaned against the wall.

"Hi Ma"

The woman alone in the room a wine cup in her hands and a bottle of vodka on a small table before her, lifted her tired black pupils, seeing Jemi she took a big gulp from the glass and poured more her hands shaky.

" what are you doing here?" She asked her gaze on the cup.

"Came to check up on you" Jemi replied, no emotion in her tone, trying her best not to storm out of the room.

"I'm not dead" she dropped the cup and pick up the pack of cigarettes that lay on the table. Placing one between her lips, she struggled with the lighter.

Jemi carefully went close, slipping the lighter out of her fingers, she lit the cigarette and watched her puff a huge load of smoke.

She cracked up, waving a finger at Jemi "you think you're any better, looking down on me with that scorn.."

"I did no such thing Ma"

She nodded "you remind me so much of him, nigga thought he was better than everybody else, like no one deserved him, had me so into him, cus that darn way he carried himself" she looked disgusted "he's smile could make your toes curl"

Doubt that. Jemi thought digging her hands in her pocket.

"That shit you do with your pockets, that's him, standing by my window, promises promises, falling out his lying mouth"

She sucked in the stick, waving away the smoke.

"Dude ran away when you were in here.." She pointed at her abdomen, "sitting real pretty, mo'fucker ran away from you, from me, from the pain he put me through" rage changed her countenance "just sixteen and darn scared to get an abortion. Your grandma always had something to say like ', Mary never had an abortion even though she wasn't prepared'

Jemi had heard that story thousands of times, and somehow her mother had decided it wasn't enough.

She dragged and continued " I hated you without seeing you, prayed you died in there, my Ma always had the thought that after you were born I'll grow to love you, want you, nurture you" she laughed "she was always wrong, always wrong, it grew worse, I wanted to kill you from the first day I heard your cry, wanted to strangle till you snapped. Never had the heart too sadly"

She stopped, gulped the last content and held the cup, the little droplet hitting the tiled floor.

She met Jemi's intent eyes then screamed "why did you come damnit"

Jemi didn't see the glass coming, flying towards her like a missile before she could decide if to dodge or defend herself with her hands it landed against her left eye "Fuck Ma" she cowered her face trying to soothe the pain

"Get out!" The woman screamed " get out I don't wanna see you close to me ever again"

Jemi took in one more sight of the screaming woman her tied fro bobbing around, turning her back she left the room, down the stairs ignoring the stares on her body as she passed through the door.

As she got into a taxi, she could still hear her mother's screams.

★★★★

Emma brought out the muffins from the kitchen to the sitting room where her friends sat, cards on the table, shoved and waiting for her, she smiled when the conversations stopped as she placed the tray on the table

"To be honest..." Meera, a blue-haired girl sitting beside Will began " this is the reason we decided to have the game here"

She nudged Will who looked nervous as hell.

"Sad the chores goes to Emma when there's Will, with tits and a pink apron he's good to go," Matt said slyly,

Emma narrowed her eyes at him, his hair dark and cut short, spelt out his Finley sculptured cheekbone over the pointed chin, tall and built, he's main hobby was picking on Will, the chairs had been moved, surrounding the table and he backed the television

His girlfriend, a beautiful brunette with wavy hair scowled at him "leave him alone Matt"

Emma sat on a single armchair and then shoved the cards, they were about to play when Jemi entered, the shock registering on her face when she saw them.

"Hey, Jemi" Will raised a finger "want to join in?"

"Naa," she said quietly " not good at cards."

"Come on, it's just one game, you'll get the hang of it"

She hesitated, then grabbed a seat just opposite Matt.

"So this is....." Will was introducing

"She's Jemi, we all know," Matt cut in.

Emma saw Jemi raise a brow.

His girlfriend embarrassed tried to salvage the situation " I'm Sophie," she held out her hand.

Jemi held it briefly saying nothing.

The game commenced,

Meera was out in minutes " I'll just watch Will, work his magic" she winked.

Will turned red.

"You really into some princess Meera" Matt scoffed

She stuck her tongue out.

Emma followed Meera. Shrugging "At least it was fair" she grabbed a muffin from the tray.

The next round went on for minutes, standing behind Will, Meera massaged his stiff back while he shifted uncomfortably.

Will was pushed off next, with Matt in the lead and Jemi still in the game.

For someone who wasn't so good at cards, she didn't look like she was even trying.

Will shoved the game.

Matt snickered "those manicured fingers can't even mix cards?"

Will ignored him and shared.

" damn boring game" Matt murmured reaching for the cards.

" We could add a little spice to it" Jemi spoke

They all looked at her, it was the first time since the game, that she was saying something.

The grin in her eyes looked suspicious, Emma wondered what she was up to.

"Any spice is welcomed" he looked around the room.

"A bet, Cash maybe"

" you saying gambling" he looked at her quizzically.

She gave a brief innocent smile, stuck her hand into her pocket bringing out a couple of hundred dollar bills." Got paid today"

The room was quiet.

"You're staking two hundred" Matt laughed "Great, don't just get emotional on me, I won't be sorry"

"Sure "

Emma's heart sank, what did Jemi think she was doing, Matt never lost a game.

She dropped the notes on the table

" you know what, here's five hundred, you win, which you won't mind you... You take them all"

"Fine by me"

She picked her cards up, they played, Jemi's lopsided smile never leaving her face, Matt appeared to be struggling.

Jemi's cards were reducing while Matts's added up, soon she had one card left.

"It's a last card" she announced, Meera's mouth couldn't shut close.

Matt fumed flinging his game in the air,

"Oh my Gawd " Sophie was amused

"This game is fucked up," Matt flared.

Jemi arranged the notes in her hoodie pocket.

Will laughed "for a king, you seem to be wearing your tiara quite loosely Matt"

The big boy was up in a flash, grabbing Will by the collar "you shared the game right, you dumb cheat" he pushed Will who fell back on the sofa still laughing

"You're being an emotional princess"

Matt charged towards him and was stopped by Meera and Emma who blocked his pass "get a hold of yourself Matt" Emma pushed him back.

"This isn't over Will, I'm gonna kill you I promise,...." Will spat threats

Jemi chuckled then to Sophie said "there's a chain in case you wanna stroll him out"

"This painter boy cheated, everyone wanna just ignore that fact?" He was yelling

"It's okay to cry Matt" Will continued the tease

Sophie hurriedly grabbed his arm guiding him outside.

When they were gone, Emma scowled at Will "what's so funny?"

Turned to Jemi who avoided her gaze intentionally.

After minutes Sophie came in, picking a car key from the chair Matt had been sitting on. Apologised and left.

"Oh, my Gawd " Sophie exclaimed again "what the fuck just happened here?"

Jemi stood up, quietly making her way into her room.

When everyone had cleared and Emma was in alone scrubbing the tray, she was still trying to comprehend who the hell took the last room in the house.

★★★★★

Jemi was in her room the following morning, starting the window, holding a bag of ice to her face, the rain had fallen the night before, and with the win, she was frankly in a good mood, reminiscing about the night before, it was hard not let out a little chuckle.

It was Saturday, she had woken up at her usual time, jogged for extra minutes, made coffee and moved back into her room.

She had oil paint on canvas, the landscape outside the house taking shape when she got preoccupied with the scenery just a sight away.

The house was still quiet, they were late risers, especially Emma, a minute earlier than her designated time had her grumpy throughout the whole day.

It was cute though annoying, watching her complain about everything even coffee, Jemi couldn't help cracking up to herself.

They hardly talked these days, Emma's decision. She respected that.

"Hey Jemi," Will called out the door "can I come in?"

"Sure" she turned just in time to see him shut it close, his eyes on the canvas "you paint good"

She shrugged "I try"

She was on a singlet and was oblivious to the fact that he could see her scars, she grabbed a sweater and zipped it up.

Turning back to him " covered them now"

He smiled "I wanted to say thanks for yesterday, how did you do it?

" there was a little help from the TV screen "

Will cracked up "that was wow Jemi"

"You don't let people push you around"

"I know, it's just easier ignoring him"

"Doesn't help, trust me I know, they'll wanna do it again and again"

She rubbed her eyes

"You and Emma, you two cool?"

"Clueless, she confuses me, I can't predict what she could be up to and it kinda pisses me off"

"Emma's a great person, she could be a little sensitive and opinionated but she's cool if you only get to know her better"

"Why are you telling me this" Emma folded her hands across her chest

He tipped his head back "travelling tomorrow, for a week, just making sure you two still breathing till am back"

"I'll try staying alive"

On his way out he looked back at her," your face, a Lil concealer could hide that bruise"

Then he left.

Jemi looked into the mirror, seeing her bluish swollen eyes. Placing the ice bag back on her face she knew she'd be indoors for the next one week.

She flinched

Alone with Emma. Days kept getting worse

★★★★★★★★★

He sat just behind the house, close to the window, peering into the dark room, hugely draped, he had stood here for nights, still yet nothing to be seen, except some few voices and that wasn't even daily, she seemed to be doing better than the rest, he thought.

who could have believed, she could ever live a normal life, working Jobs and schooling, rage filled him. this wasn't what he wanted, he wanted her suffering, begging for death till he decided to take her, she wasn't acting on his script, she was ruining everything.

But it was fine.

She was still like the rest, her fate in his hands, and he was going to make her bend to his will till she pleaded and prayed to close her eyes in eternal sleep.

He had all the patience in the world.

He was going to savor her moment unlike he did the rest.

He was going to make her panic.