The Advice

“Let her go, Claire.” Adam said, his voice as cold as steel. He folded his arms across his chest, sporting a countenance of aloofness.

Behind me, Claire stilled. But that was to be expected. Adam has never rebuffed their attacks on me.

I gasped, however, before I could ruminate on Adam’s strange behavior, when Claire roughly pushed me away from her. I fell to the group in a piteous heap.

“That was totally unnecessary, Claire.”

Adam walked up to me, to the shock of Claire and me, and helped me to my feet.

“What are you doing, Adam?!” Claire screeched, flinging her hands apart in frustration. “Every girl, but her. She is cursed, for god sake! Did you forget that?”

I would be surprised if the others by the pool weren’t hearing her questions.

Adam said nothing in response.

I was in Adam’s arms now. And I was so confused on what to do. Watch the lovers spat, or hurry upstairs to Naomi? Could I even shrug Adam’s hold off me?

Fortunately, Adam made a choice for me.

“Go upstairs, Maya. I will deal with this.”

He gave my nose a flick with his index finger, before letting me go. I didn’t bother to turn aside to see Claire’s expression. I already know she was seeing red. Adam had gone wacko.

“What are you doing, Adam? Is this a game to her? Why pick her?”

I heard Claire ask, as I hurried upstairs to Naomi’s room.

“I don’t owe you an explanation for my actions, Claire. Now, get out of my sight.”

I heard nothing after that. She must have taken his words literally. Well, Adam’s words were law around here.

When I finally got to Naomi’s room, panting and holding my chest, Naomi quickly stood up from the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“What happened? Why are you breathing this way?”

She grabbed me by the arm, shut her door, and led me to her bed.

“Did they meet you in the kitchen? I’m sorry I left you alone….”

I inhaled deeply for the umpteenth time, and tapped my chest dramatically. “He kissed me.” I stated without a preamble, cutting her statement short. I didn’t think I was angry with her for leaving me in the kitchen. If she had been with me, I wouldn’t have tasted the goodness that was Adam’s lips.

Naomi was confused. There were furrows marring her forehead.

“Who kissed you?”

“Adam. Adam kissed me.”

Naomi shook her head in unbelief. “Tell me all about it.”

I obliged.

“You are kidding right?” Naomi asked—as soon as I was done narrating the unreal event from start to finish—her cheeks threatening to burst from the amount of laughter she was holding in.

“You know, you can laugh it out..” I muttered, rubbing my ears awkwardly in embarrassment, when she obeyed my order. Her boisterous laughter was tinged with incredulity.

“So..let me get this straight..” She was still laughing, and her hands were making funny gestures in the air as she foraged for the right words to begin her speech.

“You are telling me that Adam left his group, sought and found you out in the kitchen, convinced you to kiss him—not that I blame you, the boy is a walking Greek god—and then defended you when Claire had caught you both? Wow, this news should be put on the tabloids. How was her face? C’mon tell me.” She said, pulling my hands.

I shrugged, a bit unsettled about what had happened in the kitchen. My bullying would be doubled now, probably not by Adam if I dared to hope, but by Claire. That she was my classmate made it more distressing.

“She was angrier than I have ever seen her.”

“That's great. Maya, I think you should utilize this to your favor, until we graduate, until you leave to attend college.”

I glared at Naomi for her capricious advice. But my best friend wasn’t perturbed, nor was she done.

“Get closer to Adam. He might be a scummy playboy but he treats his conquests well.”

My face scrunched before I could help it. Was my best friend advising me to sleep with Adam so that I could enjoy a bully-free year?

Naomi must have read my thoughts off my facial expression, because the next minute she was shaking her head, and placing her two hands on my shoulders.

“No, you must not sleep with him. Just keep him on the string, and tell him that you don’t want to have sex now till the school year is over. Trust me. He would literally wait for the juicy pot. But by then, you will be out already.” She pointed out, staring at me intently, hoping that I would understand her point.

And I did. It was crystal clear. I should use Adam to safeguard my peace. The idea didn’t sound bad at all, but would Adam want to roll with me till the end of the school year?

Well, he kissed you. Didn’t he? My mind pointed out. It can work.

“Sure, let’s do it.” I said with enough determination that caused Naomi’s lips to break out in a satisfied smile.

I watched keenly as she stood up from the bed, walked to her wardrobe and began to bring out clothes from the hangers.

“What are you doing?”

Did she want to change clothes?

“Sorting out clothes that you will wear tomorrow and next. We can get more by the weekend. I am sure you don’t have much in your closet.” She answered, throwing skinny, ripped black pants on the bed with a yellow crop top and dark blue jacket.

“That's for tomorrow. For Friday...”

She left the statement hanging, her hand rummaging ino big box filled with clothes.

“You know, you are slightly bigger than me, in a good way of course, so I have to find the right fit; something you can breathe in too. Do you have shoes?” She asked, turning to me for a second to note my expression.

“Shoes? Of course I have shoes.” I answered, but the girl scoffed.

“You mean that particular canvas you wear on your feet everyday? Oh Maya, why do you hate good fashion?” She queried, shaking her head furtively as she casted a wry glance at her rack of shoes.

I shrugged, not knowing the best reply to give her.

“Here, for Friday… I think it will suit you just fine.” She muttered—more to herself—before dumping a very short red skirt and a white crop top on the bed.

Nah. No way was I wearing that.