A novel of salvage high chapter 15
Keshia’s POV
I finally arrived home after the exhausting day. I was ascending the stairs when I heard voices of people arguing - obviously it was my mother and stepdad.
“Again.” I found myself shouting, and they both looked at me.
“Keisha.” My mother called.
“You are allowed to argue, couples do that, I believe. But at least do that at midnight. Queen is inside now. Do you want to traumatize her as well?” I blurted.
“Traumatize?” Mum repeated.
“Geez…”. I grumbled, and walked past them.
I mistakenly walked past my room, and I let out a sigh. I was so caught in my confrontation that I didn’t ealize when I pass my room. I turned around and intend to leave when I heard silent sobs coming from the room - Queen’s room. I opened the door worriedly, and went in.
“Queen, are you ok?”
“I’m obviously not.” She cried, and I went to embrace her.
When she stopped crying, I patted her back gently before asking the cause of her distress.
“I don’t want mum and dad to divorce. If that happens, I’ll have to choose between them, I don’t want that to happen. I can’t live without either of them.” She cried, and I looked at her wondering how hard it must have also been on Stef when he was a kid during that stage of his life.
“What do you mean by divorce? It’s normal for couples to have misunderstandings.”
“I heard mum mentioned leaving the house. I’m so scared sis. My school mates in school that their parents separated always complained of how hard it was. I don’t like it, I don’t want it to happen.” She cried.
I can never understand her, but in a way I could relate. Being away from Gigi and Kaye was also hard. So how do I expect a young teenager to feel from being separated from her loving parents. And I found myself saying the unthinkable.
“Don’t worry, Queen. It will never happen. I’ll go talk to mum and make sure they settle their differences.” I assured.
“Thanks a lot, sis. Thank you so much.” She said happily, and embraced me.
The words were to make her feel better, but her reaction made me realize that I just made a promise. My nosy self is out for another trial.
*
I went to my room and started thinking of how to go about the project. After reviewing it countlessly, I gave up and went to Stef. There was a reason why the teacher said it’s 50%, the assignment is more difficult than preparing for an examination.
*
“Hi Stef.” I waved, barging in. And he welcomed my presence with a smile, like he has been expecting me.
I gave him the study guide that Chris wrote for me, and he tried his best to explain it to me, after telling me that each class has a different topic to work on and only someone from my class can explain better, because he also have to work on his own.
I thanked him and left the room, although I didn’t even understand everything he explained.
*
I went to my room and lament on my bed before going out to receive fresh air. I can’t even disturb myself too much with what I can’t understand. It’s best I go to Jeremy, he might not be really smart, but at least he should be able to help. I pushed any my books already exhausted. At this rate, I started getting tired. it’s best for Kaye to find a way to contact me first.
*
I went to the garden to receive fresh air when I saw mum there. I take it as the best opportunity to talk to her, since I already promised Queen. It might not be of help, but I should at least fulfill my promise.
“Mum, can I talk to you?”
“Keisha.” She called, her face brighten up. Like she was waiting for me to talk to her.
“Mum, about you and your husband…”. I said, thinking of the best way to start.
“Keisha, I’m aware that you recently moved in, and you are still trying to fit in. But, we might have to leave, baby.” She said, trying to hide back tears.
“And Queen? What will happen to her? If it’s just me, I’ll be fine. I would be glad to return to the countryside. But what about Queen?” I said. It’s best I indicate returning to the countryside, so she will be aware that I’m not moving around with her. The moment she leaves this house, I’ll also find my way and think of a way to survive somehow.
“Queen is not a child baby, she is old enough to understand the situation.”
“She is not a child you say? Why are you being so selfish? I’m eighteen, but I find it hard to be away from Gigi and Kaye because I’ve grown too fond of them. And you think Queen is old enough? She is just a young teenager that wants a happy family, and you think that’s too much for a child to want? I might also have Gigi, but there were times when I envied other children. You are being selfish mum, and it’s not fair.” I cried. I don’t even understand why I’m being too emotional these days.
“So you think it’s all my fault? Leaving you with mum, and leaving my husband? You think it’s just my decision? You believed I was selfish?” She shouted.
“Then what? Can’t you just settle whatever the issue is for the sake of your child?” I fired back.
Having another child face trauma like Stef must be avoided at all cost.
“There is nothing to settle. I’ve to leave before I go to jail.” She cried, and my face became calm.
“What? Jail?” I shouted, taken back. I never saw that coming.
“You don’t know anything Keisha, you don’t know anything so you’ve no right to think I’m selfish.” She shouted, and intend to leave; but I held her back.
“Why will you go to jail?” I asked, already scared. There is no way I can figure that out.
“Let me go, Keisha. You believe I’m selfish, so let’s have it that way.” She said, and freed herself from my grip.
“Then I’ll go tell Queen that you’re a criminal that is scared of punishment.” I said, and she looked at me.
I know she would want to keep whatever the situation a secret from Queen. So that was just perfect.
“You do no such.” She muttered, quite intimidating.
“Then you have to tell me why you are running? Why you will go to jail or whatsoever.”
*
We both sat together on the bench, and she explained the situation to me.
“I recently found out after his ex-wife returned. What am I saying ex-wife. My marriage to him isn’t valid because his annulment wasn’t finalized before we get married. So I’m practically his mistress, as Queen is an illegitimate.” She said, and my eyes widen. That was uncalled for.
“What?” That was the only word that escaped my mouth.
“That’s why we must leave Keisha… I can’t wait till you finish high school. I understand that you recently transferred and your grades are low, that’s why you have to do well in your midterm examination so it can help your transfer. We had to donate to salvage high so you could get accepted considering your grade. So just work hard till your midterm examination is over, so your grades could at least favor us a little. I will buy us time for that. Ok?” She said, and I looked at her; my mouth hanging in the air.
I could never had imagine that there was more to why I’ve to do well in the coming examination. Now I felt even more pressured. There should be a way out somehow.
“Mum, what did he say about it?”
“He wants us to reregister the marriage, but his ex-wife threaten to sue us. Keisha, I don’t want anymore trouble, I’ll just leave.”
“What about Queen?”
“I’m glad to see that you are worrying about your sister that you recently met, but don’t worry about her, and also keep this a secret from her. I’ll take handle it.” She said, and I nodded in tears.
It must be really hard on her as well.
*
I returned to my room, and tossed on my bed. I’ve to do well in the midterm examination, not just for Kaye and Gigi, but for mum as well.
*
*
📌 Alex’s POV 📌
•
I got to school earlier the following day so I could see the boys before Melanie does. I don’t know what she is plotting but I have to stop her from talking to the boys first.
Gabriel arrived later, and we both went to our hangout to wait for Jeremy.
“We should have waited for him at the parking lot.” Gabriel said.
“What’s the use? He could just come here once he arrive.”
“Are you ok? Why are you being sensitive?”
“Gabe, what do you think of Keisha?” I asked, that’s the best question for a start.
“Are you finally admitting that you like Keisha? Or are you doubting your feelings now that Melanie is back?” He teased.
“It’s not that way man, I mean as a friend. What if Melanie gets jealous of her and wants her out of our friendship circle?”
“What are you insinuating? Melanie obviously likes Keisha. I’m sure they will get along. What’s even our stress? It’s not like she is really our friend. It’s all a month agreement to catch the culprit.” Gabriel said.
“Is that really all that Keisha mean to us? You want you to trash her after everything is over?”
“Alex. What are you getting at? Keisha is our enemy, you vowed to get back at her after everything.”
“What if I don’t want to anymore? What if I really want us to be friends now?” I shouted.
“Then so be it. As long as Jeremy is cool with it, I’ve no problem either. I actually like her vibes.” He fired back.
I actually know that Gabriel is not a problem, and Jeremy seems to be getting along with her as well. But I doubt if they will ever choose her over Melanie.
“Why are you suddenly bringing this up? Do you really like her?” Gabriel asked.
“I don’t know.” I honestly replied.
After my confession to Melanie yesterday, I did a lot of thinking but I was still confused. I don’t want her to get hurt by anybody, I felt the urge to protect her. If there should be anyone who would bully or hurt her, it should be me. I don’t understand what that feeling means.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Gabriel teased, and I let out a sigh; wondering how I can escape him this time.
The door slugs open and Jeremy barged in.
“You guys decided to ditch me, hun?” He said, feigning an angry look.
“You ditched us first. Since you decide to start keeping secrets from us, I believe you already ditched us.” I said.
“That reminds me, here, this is for you.” Gabriel said, and gave him a phone.
“What is this?” Jeremy asked.
“What it is.” Gabriel replied.
“Why are you giving me this?” He blurted, obviously offended.
“Because you lost your phone, and we don’t know why you didn’t get a new one. Ella has been on my neck bothering me that she couldn’t reach you. Take it at least to reach your girlfriend.”
“I can’t accept this. There is a reason why I haven’t gotten a new phone, and if I feel comfortable to talk about it, I’ll discuss it with you two. Don’t get me things like this anymore. We already make plans to meet Ella during the weekend, so tell her to wait, and tell her I promise to make it up to her.” He said, and went to sit.
Gabriel wanted to talk, but I held him back.
“Leave him bro, he said he is gonna share it, when he feels the time is right.” I said, and Gabriel let out a sigh.
The room became tensed, and we all divert to pressing our phone, while Jeremy laid on the couch.
“Gosh, what is this? Log in to the school group, hurry.” Gabriel shouted, and we both looked at him.
“What is it?” Jeremy asked.
“It’s Keisha, Keisha is at it again.”
“Keisha.” Jeremy shouted, and collected the phone from Gabriel; while I stormed out without checking the news.
“Wait. It’s in the juniors’ block.” Gabriel shouted, and they both ran after me.
*
We got to the juniors’ block, and met her there pulling a junior student hair. There is no way she could be bullying the student so I wondered what the situation was.
“It’s Alex.”
“Alex, is here.”
The students grumbled paving way for us to the front.
“Keisha, what did she do?” I asked, as calm as ever.
“She, she was the one, the culprit we are looking for.”
“Culprit?”
“What culprit?”
“Blee is a culprit?” The students grumbled.
“How did you find out?” Gabriel asked, already excited.
“What if she is just another messenger? She is a junior student.” Jeremy said, and I looked at her.
“I confirmed from the right plug. Stella.” She said, and pointed at a guy.
“How can you trust him?” I asked.
“She already confessed to it.” She replied.
“Wow! This is amazing.” Gabriel said, clapping his hands in amusement.
“Jerry. Take her with us.” I said, and turned to leave.
“Why are taking her away?”
“What do we do?”
“Should we report to the teachers?”
The students grumbled, till we left.
+
We went to the school garden, and I made her knee before us.
“Why did you do it?” I asked, and the boys looked at me. That’s not my usual way in dealing with people, but I don’t even understand why I’m being that way.
“I’m sorry.” She cried.
“She is the one who created the anti-fan club or whatever they call it. She just hate my guts and think that pulling that string will bring me down.” Keisha said.
“What anti-fan?” I asked.
“Whatever, she just hates me.”
“You… why did you do it? You could have bullied anyone for all I care, but why did you impersonated me? I was expecting an enemy but I’m a little disappointed to see the culprit is a junior student, so just tell me why you do it so you can go freely.”
“Because I hate her.” She muttered.
“You what?”
“I hate her guts. I hate her so much. I hates the way she got all the students talking when she get back at you. I hate the way she poured that drink at you. I hate her so much and believes that stepping in that way could help you get revenge. I hate her because I like you.” She shouted, and we were all taken aback by her last words.
“You what?” I repeated, hoping I heard it wrongly.
“It is what you heard. I like you, I like you. Is it bad for a girl to like a boy? I like you even though you are my senior. I like your handsomeness, I like your charisma, I like everything about you. I like you even though I know you can never like me back. But she appeared from no where and humiliated you. I hate her guts.” She rants, and Gabriel tried hard to hide in laughters, but he failed.
“I’ll let this slide because you are a junior student. So, apologize to her.”
“What?” Jeremy shouted, obviously taken aback.
“I won’t, I won’t apologize. She should apologize to you first. I did nothing wrong, she was the one who bullied you and you became friends with her. So why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?” She blurted.
“Fine. Then I give you this week to transfer, else I’ll make sure you get expelled from this school. You know what I’m capable of. I won’t thank you for taking a step for me, because I’m capable of fighting for myself. Take that as me, turning down your feelings.” I said, and left.
*
We all returned to our paradise like Keisha always referred it, and Gabriel didn’t stop talking about how funny the student was.
“That’s enough, Gabe. it’s not even that funny.” Jeremy said, and I nodded also tired.
I haven’t seen Melanie today.” Gabriel said.
“What? I saw her on my way before I came in, I thought she was coming from here. She was obviously coming from here.” Jeremy said, and we both looked at him.
“What do you mean? We haven’t seen her today. And f¥ck h£ll, we are late for the first class.” Gabriel said, and we all gasped.
“I’ve to go, I can’t afford to be late.” Keisha said and I held her back. “What?” She shouted.
“Catching the culprit must have been a lot of trouble.”
“It’s fine. I was the trouble maker.”
“No, you aren’t.”
“Whatever.”
“How do you know that boy, the one who you claimed helped you?”
“He is a student here, and we have a dramatic relationship. Alex, what matters is that we have sort out the situation. The culprit has been found, so I have no reason to be here anymore. Our deal is off, so I’m off.” She said, and turned to leave.
“Just like that?” I shouted, and she turned to look at me.
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“You are going to leave like that because we caught the culprit?” I asked, counting few steps closer to her.
Each step I take closer, she counts backward until she almost fall, and I held her close from falling.
“What are you doing?” She muttered, her voice low.
“I don’t know.” I honestly replied, moving my lips down to hers.