I dashed out of the class with my bag, willing the tears away and blocking out the jeers and laughs of people who were supposed to be my classmates. But no. They all decided to have a good laugh while I was bathed in ink. Thankfully, the school premises was empty, except for a few staff walking to blocks where they either had lectures to give or their office to return to.I did not care either way, I got to the place where the Salvatore packed their cars and activated mine. Another thank you to David, if not I’d have had to wait for the boys to take me home and this time, they would not buy the cooked up lies I’d have presented to them. Moreover, how would I lie about this? What believable lie could I tell about the ink? What would I say? How would I have explained this? Oh my goodness! Aaron had spent so much to get me these new set of clothes amongst the others he’d bought. Yet, Katelyn was hell bent on making life miserable for me. I started the engine, the gate was mechanical, it
“Oh my goodness! You guys!”I jolted in fear and shock. I had just woken from sleep to find two pairs of eyes staring at me. Zach and Lucas were in my room. They had scared me. How long had they sat there watching me?“Finally, you’re awake.”“Yes. Awake and scared.”“How are you?”Lucas asked, coming to join me on the bed. I sat up and made space, though the bed was big enough for two persons even lying down.“I’m okay.”“We heard you’re not too fine.”“Who told you guys that?”“Melissa, your personal maid.”“Melissa?”“Yes.”Melissa had lied for me? But why? I just told her I needed no one to disturb me. Or was that she had to tell thinking it would probably discourage the boys from coming to see me? I’d ask her later. That was the lie I had intended to tell. That I had returned home because I was ill. “Yes, it’s true.”“Was that why you came back home early? You missed your lecture.”Zach commented from his position on the sofa positioned close to the wall opposite my bed. It was
Mom hugged me as soon as she saw me.“I’m so sorry. I heard you were not well, I should have come check up on you.”“It’s okay mom, I understand.”“I feel so guilty right now. It feels like I am abandoning you.”“Hey, no you’re not. You had important things to do. You’re the new Luna of the biggest pack, remember?”I wiggled my brows teasingly at her. She had this guilty look, but soon they melted off her face and she was laughing.“Thank you so much for understanding, darling.”“You’re doing your best to give me a better life mom, I’d be selfish to want to ask for more or not be grateful or appreciate you.”“Oh you’re going to make me cry.”“No, it’s okay. You’re doing your best.”Others had taken their seats, except us. Mom hugged me tight but she was careful not to make it tighter. She thought I was sick. The guilt of lying to her and everyone else overwhelmed me but it was a necessary lie. Either this or say the truth and I was not ready for that. If I found myself in such situati
The one day break that David had given me was over and I was back to school. There were no nerves today. I had woken up very early and had even being the one hurrying the guys up. I could not wait to get to school. We drove into the school compound and parked in our usual spot. “You seem eager and perky this morning.”Lucas observed. His arm was draped across my shoulders.“Let’s just say I am ready to learn. No more sickness to stop me.”“Okay. That’s encouraging.”“You don’t want to learn?”“Of course, we must all learn. But I am not as eager as you are. I wish I could have your enthusiasm for school right now.”I giggled. “It’s simple. Be open-minded about everything academic and in-between.”“You giggled?”Lucas had his left brow crooked in slight surprise.“Why? Are we not allowed to giggle?”I was feeling good this morning. This was the best I’d felt in a long while now. The peace and joy that sprouted from within. Contentment reared its head in full. I could almost feel myself
We remained there for a while. The first period was done and we were still there. Lucas and Zach were playing games against each other with their phones. Aaron was seating close to Trenton. A sign of support and care. What kind of bad thing had happened to him? Who had hurt him? I was not exactly sure if whatever that had happened to him included him being hurt but it was a guess on my part. I used to think he was just hating me. Like he had not accepted me like the others, but I was realizing it was different now. Maybe this had to do with a personal experience. I wish Lucas had talked. Said something, anything. Not just leave me in suspense with those words. Now I wanted to know. I was dying to know. But I was not sure even that secret was going to be told to me. Maybe they didn’t want it to go beyond them and their father too, I’m sure. I covertly looked his way, my heart went out to him. Whatever bad experience that had shaped him like this was truly bad. It had not just affected
“You never take off that bracelet, why’s that?”I jumped a little, startled. Lucas had seen it.“You do not seem quite your self today. Are you okay?”“Yes, I am.”“Then why have you been acting weird?”“How? I have not been acting weird.”“You have barely talked to anybody since we came out here on the bleachers. First, you started out this morning being all perky and happy, more happy than I’ve seen you. Now, you’re back to your nervy, scared self, only more worse.”“That is a very hurtful way to describe me.”“Sorry girlfriend. But your mood is unstable this morning. All I did was ask about your bracelet and you literally jumped out of your skin.”“I did not jump.”I denied hotly. I could not let him go anywhere near the truth and if I was honest to myself, I was a bad liar. I only get away with lies when I was not asked directly or for long. Probe for longer and I’m spilling the truth out from my guts.“Yes, you did.”“You guys, stop squabbling like an old married, dysfunctional c
“Hey Aaron”I was surprised to see Katelyn standing outside the Salvatore cafeteria’s door.“Hello, Kay.”She gave him a very tight hug, and a peck on his cheek. I looked away.“Hey Zach, Trenton, Lucas.”“Hey Katelyn.”Only Lucas and Katelyn replied.“Trenton, I heard what happened this morning, I’m sorry about that. Admirers can be a bit obsessive sometimes. Having first hand experience, I can confidently tell you that.”No one replied, most especially the Trenton she was talking to.“Hi Katelyn.”I greeted. Trying not to make her feel awkward.She saw me and smiled, then came to hug me. I smiled back. Lucas gave her a suspicious look, I shook my head at him. He shrugged.“How are you this morning?”She drew back to observe my face.“I’m fine”“I’m so sorry. You did not tell me you were sick.”“It just happened.”“I was so worried when the boys came to me and asked of you. I told them I had not seen you since Lucas took you out of the cafeteria two days ago.”“Yes. He told me.”“How
“I wonder what Aaron sees in that girl.”Lucas complained as he had been doing for the past five minutes Aaron and I had entered the place. The table was long, dining style. Even the seats too. It was more like a booth. A very long, luxurious booth. Then there were the single seats and smaller tables for when each person wanted to eat separately but I did not think that had ever happened. The single tables and chairs looked unused, though they had no dust or dirt but they looked lonely and abandoned. That analysis was quite funny for inanimate objects but that was how I felt.We were all positioned on the long booth that also looked like the perfect dining furniture for family. The look and the feel of the luxuriously spacious cafeteria was cozy. It was like the place that promotes unity and celebrates bond between loved ones. Whoever that had decorated this place deserved an award, they did an awesome job. I could just lie on the marbled floor and go to sleep without a fuss.“Me too”