A novel of salvage high chapter 18
Stefan’s POV
I was in the library during recess when I saw the post of Alex kissing Keisha at the cafeteria. I stormed out of the library immediately and headed there unsure on why I was overreacting. Getting there, the scene was already cleared and the students started talking about the kiss.
“Could they be dating?”
“She just transferred last week.”
“I’ve never seen Alex with a girl before.”
“I thought he was dating Melanie.”
“Why did she pushed him and ran off.”
The students chattered, and I returned back to class. All day, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she is up to with Alex. I have been school mates with Alex and his friends for six years, and I’m aware of how dangerous they are. They can go through any length to make anyone miserable. So I couldn’t help but worry. Even her sudden friendship with them was worrisome on its own. When school dismissed, I hurried to the hallway to try to find her but I couldn’t - there I heard students talking about how she skipped class along with Alex and his friends.
I went to parking lot to confirm if she left, but her bicycle was still there so I waited close to the bicycle to ensure she is fine before I leave.
“It’s only natural to be worried, because in the whole world she is the only one I felt comfortable having around. She is the only one I can freely talk to, and can also listen to without my headphone. So it’s only natural to be worried.” I convinced myself with those words because I don’t understand why I’m worried for no reason.
After waiting for almost an hour, she showed up. Her face puffy. Obviously she has been trying to sleep but failed.
She smiled at the sight of me, and called my name before Alex showed up. I controlled the urge to go drag her from him, before he led her away.
I thought of going after them, but I retreated. Keisha is not a child, she could take care of herself.
*
I arrived home still feeling unease. I blamed myself for heading back when I l could’ve just dragged her with me and bring her home. At times even the strongest man on earth needs little help.
I entered my room, and was surprised to see dad there.
“Son, I was waiting for you. How was school?” He asked.
“What do you want?” I muttered, my voice low.
“Did you just say something?” He asked, his eyes widen agape.
It’s natural for him to react that way, because I can’t remember the last time I talked to him, it’s probably almost a decade ago.
I ignored him, and went to drop my bag.
“I have been coming to your room, but you are always asleep whenever I do. So, I adjusted my schedule to wait here for you. Stefan, there is something important I’ve to discuss with you.” He said, and I glared at him.
I’m sure whatever he wants to discus is related to why mum was here, and his constant fight with my stepmother. But I’m not interested. Either he wants to get back with mum or not, my opinion shouldn’t matter, since he never consulted me before their annulment.
“Leave, I have to work on my assignment.” I grumbled.
“Ok, ok. I will leave you to work on your assignment. It’s an achievement that I heard your voice at least. I’m glad that my son is healthy.” He said, and patted my shoulder before leaving.
*
I let out a sigh, and laid flat on the bed before hurrying to the balcony to see if Keisha was back.
“What if Alex tried to threaten her?” I thought, already worried.
I instantly made a fist, and started blaming myself for allowing him drag her away. I waited for what seemed like forever before I saw her alighted from a car.
“What? Who gave her a ride?” I shouted, and controlled myself from jumping off the balcony.
*
*
📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
•
I get home very exhausted. Today was such a day. When I thought I could balance my school life, Alex took me off guard with his confession. There was no way I could brutally reject him after he requested for a month. I gave in to his request with intention of patiently wait for a month to put an end to everything. A month will fly by, but my midterm examination wouldn’t. I regret following Chris to the cafeteria in the first place. Everything happened because I went to the cafeteria. But I’m not the type to look at the past in regret, so I let it slide.
Alex offered me a ride, and I couldn’t decline because I can’t even image riding my bike after such hectic day. I abandoned my bike at the parking lot without thinking about how I’ll get to school tomorrow. He offered me a seat next to him at the backseat, but I refused and sat at the passenger seat instead. Sitting next to him after such an heartwarming confession, the atmosphere will be tensed, and I hate being in uncomfortable state when I could’ve avoided it.
*
I emerged the hallway heading to my room when Stef ran out of his room, and I managed to wave gently before heading to my room. I have been through a lot today, so studying is not even in my schedule now.
“What do I do? How do I managed to be with Alex for a month, while studying with Chris?” I thought, and laid flat on my bed in confusion.
“I’ll have to talk it out with Chris tomorrow, I hope he understands.” I lament.
*
I joined the rest at the dinning the following morning, and I was surprised to see Stef there.
“Good morning.” I greeted, and Stef gave me a smile.
“Gosh, why so cute?” I almost shouted.
“What is cute?” Queen asked, and I looked at her.
“Why am I like this, these days?” I thought, and covered my mouth as the thought that I might have said that out loud crossed my mind.
“Keisha, I hope you slept well?” My stepdad asked, and I glared at him.
Always trying to be at my good side, while mum and Stef are suffering because of him.
“Where is mum?” I asked, and they all looked at me.
“I think she left earlier for work.” Queen replied. “There she comes.” She shouted, and pointed at mum that was approaching the dinning.
“Mum, are you off to work?” I asked.
“Yeah, why?” Mum asked.
“Drop me off at school, I left my bike behind.” I said.
“Then how did you get home yesterday?”
“Does that matter?” I blurted.
She should just say she can’t give me a ride and quit interrogating me. If she isn’t careful, I’ll just switch sides and join my stepdad. My life is messy already.
“Sis, do you have a boyfriend?” Queen asked, and we all looked at her.
“That’s so sudden.” My stepdad said.
“No, she alighted from a fancy car yesterday. What kind of friend will offer you a ride in such fancy car?” Queen said.
“Really, baby? Do you have a boyfriend already?” Mum asked, in excitement.
“Come on, mum. I’ll be late for school. Will you give me a ride or not?” I shouted.
“You should introduce him to us.” My stepdad said, winking at me.
“Not you too, sir.” I whined, and mum gave me a silly smile. “It’s fine, I’ll just find my way to school.” I shouted.
“Madam, someone delivered these for you.” The maid said, approaching us with a bunch of flowers.
“Who is that for?” Ny stepdad asked, giving me a knowing look.
“Madam Keisha.” The maid replied, and Queen clapped.
My eyes widen in shock, wondering who could be so gullible to send me flowers. Yuck, I hate flowers.
“What?” I shouted.
“They also sent your bicycle over, and a driver is outside waiting to give you a ride to school.” She said.
“Oh, my God! Who could have thought you could get a boyfriend with such low grades in your second week of school?” Mum said, with wide eyes.
“Sis, is he the handsome guy we met last time?” Queen asked.
“What handsome guy?” My stepdad asked.
“Dad, he is so handsome, and I could sense the chemistry between them.” Queen said, and I glared at her.
“What chemistry? Stop saying what you don’t know, Queen.” I shouted, and collected the flowers; heading out.
“At least introduce him to us.” Mum shouted.
I get outside and saw Alex driver by a car waiting patiently for me.
“Good morning, madam. Mr. Alex ordered me to drive you safely to school.” He said.
“No one told him I needed a ride. I appreciate you bringing my bike, thanks, you can leave.”
“I’m sorry I can’t, Mr. Alex left strict orders for me to ensure you get to school safely.” He said, and my eyes widen. I only see those stuffs in monies.
“I’m not a child. I prefer to ride my bicycle and allow the sun recharge me.” I said, wondering why I was rejecting the golden offer. That flower really pissed me off.
“She is playing hard to get.” I heard Queen said behind me, and I turned to see she and mum giving me a teasing look.
“I’m out of here.” I shouted, and rode away; while the car followed from behind.
*
I get to school, and emerged the hallway and all eyes fell on me. I ignored them all heading to Alex paradise, but I stopped on my track when I saw students gathered, and they started paving way for me. I instantly knew that I was involved in whatever was going on so I didn’t waste time to go to the front, there Alex and Chris grabbed each other’s collars.
“What’s going on here?” I shouted, and threw the flowers at them.
“Keisha.” They both called, and freed each other.
“Come with me, Keisha.” Chris said, and held my hand.
“I warned you to stay away from her.” Alex shouted, and held my other hand.
“Let me go.” I shouted, and freed myself from the both of them.
“Keisha, you told me you already ended whatever was between you and Alex.” Chris said.
“What is he talking about, Keisha? I thought we had an agreement yesterday?” Alex said, and I rolled my eyes.
“In that agreement, I never remembered asking you to go confront my friends. Chris is my friend, so don’t mess with him.” I blurted.
“Oh, Alex seems to be in the losing end.” I heard Gabriel murmuring behind me.
“Please, just stop.” I muttered, and left the scene.
Alex and his friends ran after me until they catch up with me, and Alex held me.
“Let me go.” I shouted.
“I’m sorry, Keisha. I don’t just like that nerd.” He said.
“You don’t have to like him. If you are going to be like this, I’ll just reject you here and now.” I said.
“Come, Keisha. Let’s go somewhere private before people start to gather.” Jeremy said, and I allowed him drag me to their paradise.
“You have to apologize to Chris.” I said, and they all looked at me.
“What?” They all shouted.
“Why should I?” Alex shouted.
“Because I ask you to, or I leave, and I’ll never talk to you again.” I threaten. I doubt if it will have an effect on him, but I hope it doesn’t so he will just let me go.
“But he started it, he confronted me first.” He said, and I looked at him.
“What do you mean? Chris will never do that.” I defended.
“Why? You think I’m just a trouble maker that pick up fights with the weak?”
“Did Chris really started it?” I muttered, my voice low.
“I know I shouldn’t interfere..-“ Gabriel was saying.
“Then don’t.” Jeremy interjected.
“Kei, we are truly the victim here. Chris attacked Alex first and told him to stay away from you before Alex reacted.” Gabriel said.
“He was probably worried.” I grumbled.
“Really? Seriously, Keisha? You are reasoning with Chris despite the fact that I’m the victim here?”
“Chris has all rights to be worried about my closeness with you, but you have none. Because we all know who the school troublemaker is.”
“Is something between the both of you?” He asked, and I chuckled.
“If there was, I won’t be here.”
“Keisha I’m sorry for everything. I know I’ve given you so many reasons to doubt me, but whenever you judge me, it breaks my heart.” He said, and I could see the sincerity in his face.
“I’ve to go,” I said, and turned to leave.
“Where to?” He asked, dragging me back.
“To Chris, I’ve to go clarify somethings to him.” I said, and ran out before he could stop me.
*
I get to class and all eyes fell on me, but I ignored them and went to Chris.
“Chris, let’s talk.” I said.
“I’m listening.” He muttered.
“Let’s go out.”
“The teacher will soon come in.”
“I’ll be quick.” I said, and dragged him up.
He let out a sigh, and followed me outside.
“What is it?”
“Why did you confront Alex?”
“I was just concerned.”
“I’m going to handle this myself.”
“What about the assignment?”
“Chris, can’t I just be cool with the both of you?”
“You can’t. If you want us to be cool, then you have to be away from Alex.”
“Is there more to this?” I asked, at that point I was really curious.
“What do you mean?”
“The reason why you hate Alex. Is there more to it than him being a bully?”
“Isn’t that reason enough?”
“He is going to stop. If he does, can we be cool then?”
“How come you have so much confidence? You think because he kissed you he is going to crawl to your knees? Alex and his friends are players, that kiss could even be a dare. Every thing he is feeding you with could be a mere dare to who will fund their lunch.” Chris blurted, and I slapped him.
“I have always been a poor judge of character, and I can’t believe I had a wrong judgment about you as well.” I said, and turned to leave but he drag me back. “Let me go.” I shouted.
“I was just worried about you.” He muttered, and embraced me; taking me aback.