Six

“You do know how to play drums pretty well". I say and nudge Matteo with my elbow. He laughs and tries to block it.  

“And you Adrian, you're really bad when it comes to playing the flute. I think you made my ears bleed". I say and shudder as Annalia laughs beside me.

  We were done playing the game and we are about going home. Group A won and the game was really fun. Matteo asked to take us home but we refused, we wanted to walk. It's not like the school is far from our apartment so then Matteo, Adrian and Mariquita volunteered to walk us to the gates. “You know I can play with some other thing that you would definitely enjoy". “Ha and what's that". Annalia asks. He smirks and says. “Your va...” Before he could let the word out Mariquita puts a hand over his mouth and smacks his head. Matteo just laughs and Annalia shrugs. “Come on let's walk faster Andrea I'm really hungry here". “Alright I know a good restaurant just outside the gate, let's go there and Lia can have something to eat". Matteo says walking ahead of us.Annalia cringes and follow behind. “But isn't it to late, I mean it's almost midnight". “Yeah it is but the owner of Chez Casimir is really familiar with Matteo and I, he also lives there". Adrian says. “Wouldn't we be interrupting his sleep or his rest?". I ask. There's no way I'm waking someone up when it's almost midnight, I don't even like it when I'm being woken up. “Not when it comes to Matty and Addie" I hear them groan when they hear the nickname “ever since they started coming to this place in their first years, he took a liking to them and gave them the freedom to come whenever ever they want to". Mari says. “Yeah and we wouldn't really be interrupting his sleep Matteo would text him and let him know then he would open the back door for us and go back to sleep. When we're done we would keep the money on the counter and leave , he always sees it the next morning". “Wow that's pretty neat. He really trusts you guys". Annalia says. “I know right, I've texted him already we need to hasten up he is a really light sleeper".

We walk out the gate and to the restaurant. As we get there I can see the words ‘CHEZ CASIMIR' boldly on the roof of the restaurant.Matteo and Adrian leads us to the back doors, Matteo grips the handle and tries to get it open. It does open and we all walk in.Apparently the back door leads to the kitchen, as we all file into the the kitchen I see a man on top of a stool. He raises his head up from the table as he hears our footsteps. “Ah you finally came, I thought you were kidnapped". The man says as he stands from a stool which he was sitting on and walks over to us.I could hear the French accent —thick and clear— dripping from his words. “and who are these beauties you brought with you". He asks refering to Annalia and I. “Oh Antonio, these girls are our very good friends they also attend Bayweach College". Mari says introducing us we walk to the stools in the kitchen to sit. The kitchen table is round but not too big and there are three stools all round. Seems like he wasn't expecting more people. “The beauty with the brown curly hair is Annalia and the other one with the straight jet black hair is Andrea". Adrian finishes as he gets more stools.We all sit down and as I lean over the table, Antonio walks over to where we are sitting, takes my hand and places a light kiss on the back of my palm while doing a light bow. He takes Annalia's hands and repeats the same gesture. “C'est un plasir de vous rencontrer amourex". He says in his language.Annalia smiles politely. “I"m sorry but I'm not to familiar with the French language". She says as Matteo leans in to translate. “He said that it is a pleasure to meet you two sweethearts". “Oh I'm sorry Madmoiselle, it tends to slip out most of the time". “No, no, no there's really no need to be apologetic. Please do not embrass me by apologizing". She gives a light laugh. “You my dear have a very beautiful laugh". Antonio comments and she blushes. “I know right, the sound of her laughter is very pleasing and comforting". I say giving her a warm smile. “It is one of my favorite sounds in the world". “Oh please give me a break, my cheeks are burning already". She say slapping my arm. “But she is right. Are you two sisters?". Antonio smiles at me as he places iced tea on the table.My heart skips a beat as I await Annalia's answer. “Yeah we are sisters and also soulmates". She responds. “You know when we first met, I felt as though our souls connected instantly". “Right Rea?" She asks her face still beaming. I could feel my eyes get watery. “Yeah, she's right". I give a light smile as I take a sip of my iced tea. “Wow that's some strong bond you guys have". Mari says and Adrian and Matteo nod there heads agreeing with her. “Yeah, I do love her alot". Annalia says. “So fill me in, how did you guys meet?". Antonio asks. “Well we met at a fair six years ago when her parents came to South Africa".Annalia starts. “Please give me few minutes, I need to go outside for something". I stand and excuse myself as Annalia continues the story.As I open the door and go out I feel a rush of cold air hit me.

I walk a little farther to the left as I reminisce what was said to me.                                               

“You can never be loved Andrea, no one would ever love you. You are incapable of love, all you do is bring sadness into others life. You really are a useless child".

Those particular words have always echoed at the back of my mind ever since they were said to me. Annalia doesn't know this, but I've always thought that in our friendship and sisterhood, my love was one sided.

   “Hey, you okay?". Annalia asks as I walk back in few minutes later. “Yeah, I just needed that cold air". I look at the empty stools and then voice out my question. “Where's Antonio and Matteo anyway?". “Oh Antonio says that he needs his beauty sleep and Matteo got lost". Adrian says as he stands from his sit and comes close to me and then touches my arm. “Why are you so cold by the way?". He asks and I give him a weird look. “Well Einstein, I was just outside few minutes ago". I say sarcastically and roll my eyes.He raises his hand in surrender. “Forgive me for being concerned about you Andy, but I just wanted you to know that I drank your iced tea". He says rushing the last part out.I look to the table and find out that what he said is true. I turn my eyes back to him and then stomp on his feet. “Oww". He cries out. “Thay serves you right". I give a cheeky smile as I stick my tongue out.The next thing that happens catches me off guard. “Ah". I scream but it comes out gurgled.Adrian pulls my tongue harder and I his arm to make him let go of it but he doesn't budge. My eyes dart to Annalia and Mariquita but they are smiling, they are not even making an attempt to help me. I give them a look that says “Help” but they just shrug their shoulders.I'm about to give Adrian a pleading look and then my saviour arrives. “Let go of her tongue Adrian or you are not getting any of these pastries". I hear Matteo's voice from behind me. “Ah come on". Adrian gives a sign of disapproval but still let's go of my tongue and then wipes off his fingers on my top. “You are an idiot". I say as I slap his fingers off.He goes to his seat and I sit on mine. I look at the table and watch as Matteo carefully places the pastries on it. “Just the sight of these pastries makes my mouth water". Annalia rubs her hand together. “I know right, Antonio makes the best french pastries in Bayweach". Matteo says visibly amused. “Mmm". Mariquita coos as she takes a bite out of the pastries. “I don't think I can ever get enough of this". She says as she swallows.Annalia takes a bite out of hers and slowly nods her head, clearly agreeing with her. “Well I better take a bite too". I say as I reach out to the pastries, Adrian and Matteo grab one too. “Yum, yum”. I say as I take a bite.      

   “This pastries are really wonderful, you weren't joking when you said he make the best french pastries. I think this one surpasses most of the pastries I've eaten”. I take Adrians’ glass of iced tea which was still filled and take a big drink out of it and swallow before he could stop me. “I spat in that”. He says and gives me a cheeky smile. It looks really cute but I force my self not to pay attention.I look at Matteo and ask. “He's joking right?”. Matteo just looks at me and then averts his eyes. “Where's the bathroom?”. I ask as I hurriedly stand up. ”Don’t worry Andy I'm just joking, there's no way I'd do that.” Adrian says and rolls his eyes. “I'd get revenge for this Adrian”. I say and point at him and then move my pointed finger to Matteo. ”You too Matteo”. “What, what did I do?”. He asks but I don't answer. “You'll help me right Anna?”. I ask Annalia as she swallows her bite. Annalia is the best person to ask when you want to get back at someone. “Yes baby, I'm totally in, we are gonna need explosives right or maybe...”. “Hold on a second, are you trying to blow us up”. Matteo asks as he and Adrian look at Annalia as though she has grown double heads. Mariquita just giggled obviously enjoying the scene in front of her.She looks at them and shrugs her shoulders. “Maybe we will, I mean you just messed with Rea”.I laugh along with Mariquita. “Ou... You and Matty are in trouble”. Mariquita says as she takes the last pastry.

  “Wait when did the pastries finish”. Annalia says as she points at the empty tray.We all turn our eyes to Mariquita as she takes the last bite. “Well I thought I would make good use of the opportunity as you four were bickering. You know the saying”. She licks her forefinger. “And I thought Annalia was the hungry one”. Matteo says as he stands and goes into the pantry. We all watch as he comes out with a paper bag obviously filled with pastries and hands it over to Annalia. “Oh you don't have to...” Annalia is about to object but he stops her. “Think of it as a peace offering”. He says and smiles. “Okay Matty, Thank you”. She giggles and he replies with a groan as he opens his wallet and takes out some cash, placing it on the table. Adrian gets up and takes the tray and the glasses towards the sink to get them washed I join him while Annalia searches for a towel wipes up the table. Adrian and Mariquita put the stools in their places.

As we all step out through the back door. Adrian exhales and stretches. “So where do you guys live?”. Mariquita asks as we walk a little. “Starlife avenue, building number nineteen”. I answer. “We stay in the third floor, apartment number fifteen. You guys can drop by sometime”. Annalia finishes and I nod my head. “Yeah, we will”. She responds. “You've got food right?”. Adrian asks. “Yeah, do you?”. Matteo repeats as he leans on Adrian's shoulder. “Just ignore the two idiots”. Mariquita says as she shoves them. I laugh shake my head. “It's okay we'd see you in school on Monday”. I say as I walk backward. “Wait, you guys can't just go like that”. Adrian says as he widens his arms.Annalia giggles and goes into his arms as he wraps it around her. He releases her and then she goes over to Matteo and hugs him too and I watch as he rubs her back.I go over to Adrian and then hug him. He surprises me by whispering into my ears. “Make sure you get enough sleep okay”. I slowly nod my head as he releases me and then I give him a smile. I hug Matteo too and then go over to Mariquita but Annalia is still hugging her. I shrug and hug them both. Mariquita laughs but wrap her arms around me too.

  “Give me your numbers I might call”. Mariquita says as we're about to depart. We give her our numbers say our goodbyes.

                    ◉‿◉ ◉‿◉ ◉‿◉

As we brush our teeth together in the bathroom. I look at Annalia and say. “I really enjoyed tonight.” Annalia rinses her mouth and then looks at me through the mirror. “Yeah me too”. She agrees with me.We go out of the bathroom and I stretch. “I am really happy that today is Saturday”. I say and smile. “I am too. I can totally sleep in today”. Annalia says as she walks to her room. “Goodnight Rea”. “Goodnight Anna”.She blows me a kiss and I catch it and smile.The moment I open my door and my body hits the bed I drift off to Dreamland.

I keep hearing the screams, I try to know where they are coming from but I just couldn't focus. I take my pillow and cover my ear and try to go back to sleep but it doesn't work. I keep on hearing the shouts of “Help”, “Please help”.I open my eyes immediately and then throw off the pillow rushing to Annalia's room. The door isn't locked.As I open it and go in my eyes tear up at the sight before me.Annalia is lying on her bed still sleeping but trashing around. “Please help, please someone help ”. Her screams fills my ears as I rush towards the bed. She is trashing her arms about and her cheeks are soaked in her tears.I quickly climb up the bed and shake her as my own tears fall. She wakes up immediately startled but relaxes when she notices me.She puts her arms around me and begins to cry. “I wish I was able to save her Rea. If I wasn't so careless she would still be here”. She wails softly as she holds me tight. “It isn't your fault Anna, it isn't”. I say softly as I cradle her till she falls asleep.I carefully lay her down and also lay beside her and fall asleep too.