Chapter 22: Chapter 22

A month.

It's been a month since Nes and I had our big fight; a month since I saw the deep hurt on Jason's face. He has become even more reclusive over time and it's obvious Nes is not ready to take back her words.

It's been a month since Ousman and I became a thing and I must say, it has been nothing like I expected. I had imagined I would feel different, that we would hang out every day and all that stuff. But I guess being in a relationship feels no different from being single. Gosh, I still haven't had my first kiss!

Yes, we text and call every time but he seems too preoccupied for my liking. According to him, he's either busy with school work or is helping his father with company work. When I asked him what company work implied, he told me his father owns one of the largest research institutes in the country and they want to start working in collaboration with Crick research institute.

I'm really happy for his family but I think his father's constant need for his attention is taking too much of his time.

Apart from that though, I kind of feel guilty. Guilty that I'm only dating him because of some stupid girl fight with Lima. Truth be told, I like him. A lot. He has been as caring, supportive and understanding as he can and I love him for that. But I know deep down that I'm betraying him by playing with his feelings.

It's been a month since Lima and I were on bad terms. I’m fully aware of the slight disagreement that has existed between us ever since but this time, her dislike towards me seems full blown. Every single chance she gets, she uses to start a fight with me. She appears to be changing both in attitude and appearance.

I shuffle on the recliner to attain a better position as I drop my phone in my lap. It's a Tuesday afternoon and we just got back from school. Mum is still not home so we just stuff our faces with junk food out of laziness to cook. To be honest though, today has been stressful. Not that I did any strenuous work or anything.

A cool breeze hits my face, bringing with it the petrichor produced after the light rainfall. I inhale deeply as a cool song filters into my ears through the headset I'm wearing.

‘This is my favourite smell.’

I open my eyes, letting my lips curve up in a content smile. Over the past month, I've come to discover that this is my favourite spot in the entire house. I usually come here to do most of my stuff. Staring at the bright yellow marigolds sway gently in the light wind, I grin from a sudden burst of excitement. Nature does that to me.

‘You know how stupid you look right now, grinning like a nut case?’

I let out an audible chuckle at the thought of someone seeing me. It takes a few seconds for me to notice a figure through the corner of my eye. Looking in that direction, I find myself under the scrutiny of prominent grey eyes. Although Kemi and Ego claimed his eyes are steel blue, I disagree. Those eyes scream slate; grey so powerful, one could drown in them. Sometimes I wonder if he can see but at the same time, feel he can see even the very soul of a person.

‘Why am I suddenly speaking wise words?’

I whip my head to the right, looking away.

‘I was drowning in them...’

I find myself folding my hands defensively when I espy him strolling over.

"A beautiful weather we have today, huh?" his deep voice cuts through the air. I roll my eyes dramatically, still not looking at him.

The extra space beside me on the lawn chair sinks, startling me. I almost fall off the other side but a strong arm stabilizes me.

"What on earth are you doing?!" He simply smirks at me, balancing the both of us on the chair and making me realise his arm is still around me. I clear my throat awkwardly, trying to move away but finding nowhere to go.

"So tell me, what's up? It's been a while since we bickered and to be honest, I've missed you," he says, giving me a bright smile. I feel my lips curve upwards.

‘I guess I've missed you too.’

It feels like eternity since we argued; since I saw his million dollar but annoying smile.

He pulls his arm from around me and leans back, staring into space. "How's he been treating you?" he asks out of the blue, grey eyes never leaving the flowers lining the edge of the yard. I peer up at him in confusion.

"Who?"

His gaze finally meets mine and he chuckles. "I don't understand how you can possibly think I wouldn't know that Ousman, my friend, is dating you." He gives me a pointed look before fixating on the flowers again.

A thick silence engulfs us both and I can almost hear myself breathe if not for the low sound of the wind.

"He's a great guy. Asking if he's treating you right is not necessary." He looks at me tentatively. "Do you love him?"

My eyes almost pop out of their sockets but I quickly mask my shock.

‘Why is he asking this?!’

"Of course!" I snap. I don't even know why I'm getting angry.

‘Maybe because you just got busted...’ The voice in my head taunts, making me grimace. Jasper watches me for some seconds before tilting his head to the side.

"You know it's totally accepted to date someone you don't love, right? You just have to like them." My eyes narrow into slits at his words. He shrugs, showing indifference. "Just making sure you've caught up with the trend of the century we're in."

I huff at his insult and begin to swing my leg off the chair, ready to leave but he pulls me back, laughing.

"Slow down, angry bird: Bee's revenge." I'm taking aback by his statement.

"What the―" I stop as the meaning of his words settle in.

‘He just called me angry bird making it sound like the title of another part of the movie! Why did I ever think my conversation with Jasper would go smoothly?’

"You're so annoying!" I cry, hitting him and almost pushing him off the chair. His laughter intensifies.

"Temper justice with mercy, would you? If you push me off this chair and I suffer memory loss, you're going to hide in a corner and cry cause you'll miss me so much," he jokes. I want to be angry but instead, I find myself grinning before bursting into laughter. He watches me in amusement.

I sigh, leaning back on the chair and letting my eyes follow a butterfly casually.

"I'm an idiot," I state.

I feel his eyes on the side of my head. He's expecting an explanation but I don't know if I'm willing to go further. Why am I about to tell Jasper the truth when I haven't even told Melody or Alice?

"Uh... This is the point where you explain," he finally says. I roll my eyes.

"I don't want to." I espy him pursing his lips before releasing a sigh of surrender.

"It's okay," he pauses, taking another breath. "Don't stress it." I throw a shocked look his way. I was expecting him to push further.

I shuffle on the spot, a low sigh escaping from my lips. "I...I kind of did something bad. I am doing something bad."

Jasper adjusts himself so that his torso is facing me. "You can tell me," he says lowly.

‘Yeah so you can taunt me...’

My mouth though, begins to form words, seemingly on it's own.

"You see um, when Ousman asked me out, Lima kind of taunted me saying I'm too lame to say yes to him. So I uh..." I clear my throat, struggling to say the words. "I said yes. And now I feel really guilty."

"Not that I don't like him, no," I add abruptly. I half expect him to insult me as usual but he just stares at me. I inhale deeply. "Are you gonna say anything?"

"Tell him."

I frown. "What?"

"Tell him." He shrugs but there is seriousness in his eyes.

"I―I can't. He'll be so―"

"Bella, listen to me." He peers closer at me. "You have to tell him. Yourself."

I nod slowly, letting his words sink in.

‘I'll tell him; myself.’

***

"Hey," I greet.

"Hey," he greets back, giving me a peck on the cheek.

Pursing my lips, I ready myself to spill the beans. "Ousman?"

"Yeah?"

Silence.

I shake my head, chickening out. "N―nothing."

I notice his features harden for a split second. "Isabella, tell me."

"Really, it's nothing."

He huffs in annoyance. "Why are you in this relationship?" The question makes me do a double take backwards.

‘Oh God...’

"What?"

"Please Isabella, don't lie to me. Did you say yes to this because someone challenged you?" His eyes are pleading with me to say no. But I can't. He doesn't deserve the lie.

I shake my head. "I'm sorry, Ousman." His face falls.

A moment of silence passes before he speaks in a low voice. "I trusted you, Bella. I opened up to you. And I had to hear this from Halima?" This is the first time he's used the short form of my name.

"I know. I was stupid―" I stop abruptly, processing his words.

‘And he had to hear it from... LIMA.’

I feel my expression turn into one of rage. "Did you say Halima?" I manage to whisper.

"That doesn't matter here, Isabella." This statement brings me back to reality, guilt beclouding my vision but I make a new resolve. Be honest. I look up at him.

"I made a mistake. And trust me, I hate myself for letting you down and playing with your feelings. Forgive me," I say sombrely.

"I'll drop you off at home." I sigh on hearing this, knowing fully well that he's pissed and doesn't want to be here with me right now.

"I'll get a cab," I say but he shakes his head.

"No―"

"I insist, Ousman. I just need you to forgive me cause I don't want to lose you as a friend." He stares silently at me and when I see that there's nothing more to say, I give him a remorseful smile and walk away.

The moment I close the cab door, a fresh wave of anger hits me. How could Lima do this? A text on my phone pulls my attention.

Mel:

Hey, meet us at the G. spot. The ice cream won't eat itself!

I feel the rage bubble inside me as I tell the cab driver to take me to Pink Bubbles. Melody named it the G. spot, meaning Group spot.

Ten minutes later.

I stare each of my friends in the face as I take slow, calculated steps towards our usual table. Their bright faces are trained towards me but I don't bother wiping the glower from my face.

"You know," I begin without preamble, staring straight at Lima. "There sure has been a mutual feeling of dislike between us... But if anyone ever told me that you could stoop so low just to get back at me for what I did to you―which is nothing, I would never believe them." I place both hands on the table, still maintaining my standing position.

I notice the shocked looks on Alice's and Mel's faces but ignore them. The one I'm here for knows exactly what I'm talking about.

I shake my head, unable to grasp the reason why a girl who I claim to be friends with hates me so much.

"If Diana did this, I wouldn't be so pissed, cause she's not my friend. And she made it clear. But you?" I scoff, derision lacing my voice. "You claimed to be my friend!"

The nonchalant look on her face triples the angry waves already coursing through my veins

"First of all Bella, whoever heard this will know I did not commit an offense. In fact, I did you a favour."

"What?" She holds up her hand to shush me.

"And secondly, I never said we're friends. We just happen to be in the same group." Even though I should not be surprised, her statement still hits me off guard.

"Halima!" Melody scolds, earning a glare from Lima.

"Honestly I don't get your crankiness these days." Alice shakes her head.

I push myself up from my leaning position and grab my bag.

"Bee please, let's talk this out," Alice offers, a pleading expression on her face. I stare at her for a few seconds as if reconsidering but turn on my heels and begin to walk away.

I stop a few feet away and turn around. "I know you girls are trying to make peace here." I look from Alice to Melody. "But it's clear she can't get off her high horse." And with that, I flag down a cab and rush in.

***

One week has gone by and my friends have been trying to get me and Lima to iron things out but the fact remains, I'm not in the mood to do any of that. Not now.

I have avoided the cafeteria altogether and chosen to eat in the class. Melody especially, always wants to stay with me but I insist that I'm better off on my own.

Today, I didn't see Lima in school. She called in sick again and Alice has already threatened to drag me if I dare say I won't go with them to see her.

I look up to see Jasper standing alone in the doorway. He walks straight to me and lifts himself onto my desk.

"What do you want?" I ask dryly.

Cocking his head to the side, he replies, "whoa, I didn't offend you did I?"

I sigh. He's right.

"Fine, sorry." I refocus on my meal, jabbing the plastic fork into the noodles angrily.

"Before I begin..." Jasper pulls my flask and takes the fork from my hand. "These have done nothing to you, so they also don't deserve death." I almost laugh at his insinuation but suppress it and simply roll my eyes, leaning back on my chair.

He clears his throat before speaking. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Audrey. Everyone makes mistakes."

"My name is not Audrey," I seethe.

He shrugs. "Same difference. Just don't let Lima win."

I am forced to look at him, wide eyed. He scoffs. "Ousman is my friend, remember?"

Of course! Now he knows every detail.

"Why'd you say that?"

"Just because." I scowl at him and he passes me a lopsided grin before fetching a forkful of noodles and dipping in his mouth. His eyes widen when he tastes it, making my brows knit in confusion.

He looks at me. "You. Just. Made me. Love noodles! Did you make this?"

"Uh, yeah?" I was going to scold and beat him for eating my food without permission but his reaction is confusing me.

"My mum is bad at making noodles. Shh..." he whispers. I laugh at his antics and he smiles.

"Seriously, let it go. And don't worry about Ousman; I'll hit some nails back in his head." He winks at the end and I shake my head.

‘Ever witty.’

"Never knew you know me this much."

‘And, I said that aloud.’

"Now can you hand the food over?" I stretch out my hand to get it, only for him to move it away.

"I can give you mine." I blink repeatedly at his words.

"You bring food to school?"

The laughter that erupts catches me off guard and I frown. "Sorry, no. I don't. I was going to buy something for you from the cafeteria."

I glare daggers at him for laughing at me and he winks.

‘Stop winking at me!’

"Thanks." I mutter and he nods.

4p.m.

"You girls are crazy. She called you both and not me. So I shouldn't be going," I whine as the cab comes to a halt in front of Lima's house.

I gaze at the large house for some time before sighing and following the girls.

"Hey girl," Melody says as she steps into the room. Everything is the same. Rose pink walls, white chairs, the fashion door or whatever it is called, everything.

Lima's face drops in shock the moment she sees me. I'm also taken aback when I see her. She looks like she has been crying. I frown.

‘What could be wrong?’

Mel and Alice are asking her questions but she isn't responding as her eyes are trained on me. I remain standing at the foot of the bed.

"Halima!" It's Alice. She finally pulls her attention to herself.

"What's wrong?" she asks. Lima looks lost as she begins to look around her room as if she just landed on an alien planet.

Melody picks up a small packet from the side table, scrutinizing it with her eyes. "What's this?"

Lima looks frightened by whatever is contained in that packet as her eyes enlarge and a single tear escapes from one of them.

"What's going on?!" Alice inquires for the second time.

"Wait," Melody begins. Fright registers on her face as she looks up at us. I'm unconsciously moving closer now, concerned.

"Jesus Christ, Lima, are you pregnant?"

Lima bursts into loud sobs.

I freeze.