A novel of salvage high chapter 22
Stefan’s POV
Dad came to my room when I was studying to discuss the problems he had with my stepmother. After listening to him, I realized that my stepmother might likely leave soon, and the thoughts that Keisha will leave as well send shivers down my spine. I’ve been leaving on my space all these years, being secluded from everyone. I’ve been living just fine that way until Keisha butt into my peaceful life, and made me grow fond of her.
The thought that she might leave as well, brought back the feelings I had when my parents argue all day. I thought of a way to keep her close, and an idea popped into his mind.
He went out of his room, and saw her passing through the hallway, so he dragged her in.
After his confession that also sounds sudden to him, because he never expected such to escape his mouth. He never thought of her that way, so the sudden confession was so unexpected.
“You what?” She shouted.
“Wait. Keisha, that’s not what I meant.” I said, trying to justify by unconscious action.
“You can’t be serious, Stef.” She said, unable to control her laughters.
“But I don’t want to be away from you, I don’t know how to define that.”
“That’s because you are still dwelling on the past. When I was younger I had an accident with my cousin on his motorcycle, it was very fatal that I spent more than a month in the hospital, but that doesn’t mean I’ll dwell on that. I understand that you have been through a lot, but you should also try to fight for yourself. This is a fight between you and your trauma. Try to be comfortable around others, try to stop blocking your ears and hear others genuine words, that way you will realize that what you feel for me, is nothing special.” She said, and left the room.
I went to lay flat on my bed thinking about everything she said. She got a point, I might be confused because she is the only one I felt comfortable having around. I was so scared of being away from her that I didn’t know when those words blurted out of my mouth.
“Yes, she is right, I should try to fight my trauma to understand my feelings.” I thought.
*
*
📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
•
I left Stef’s room and ran to the garden. His sudden confession almost traumatized me. I have heard enough of those line this week, so hearing it from him almost made me go berserk.
“What has gotten into him?” I thought. But I’ve myself to blame, I’ve been so nosy interfering into others life and confusing them in the process.
I appeared into Chris’s life like a superhero and went to save him from being bullied. He must have gotten a unique feeling after that. And as for Stef, I appeared like a knight in charming amor and interfered into his peaceful life. That must have given him a wrong idea as well. And as for Alex, I can’t even place my hand on him.
Now, I get to realize that everything was my fault. I confused them to develop feelings for me.
“Why are you like this, Keisha?” I shouted, to take the weight off my chest.
*
I went downstairs to have breakfast the following morning, and met the family complete expect Chris. He probably left early to school, and that’s great. Because I don’t even know how to face him. For mum to be here today, I’m sure she is able to talk things out with my stepdad because she haven’t been waging with us all these while.
“Good morning.” I greeted, before taking my seat.
“Keisha, I hope you slept well?” My stepdad asked.
“I wish I did.” I grumbled, and they all looked at me.
Queen eyes are also puffy, obviously she couldn’t sleep well herself, but my own case is different. I couldn’t sleep for a different reason.
“You girls were probably shocked yesterday.” My stepdad said, and Queen angrily dropped her currieries on the table.
“Why wouldn’t I be shocked? I suddenly became an illegitimate out of the blues.” She cried.
“It’s ok, baby. Mummy and daddy are going to sort it out.” Mum said.
“You better do.” She cried, sniffing in.
“We are going to accept the petition, we will fight for our and register our marriage.” Mh stepdad said.
“Will you win the case?” I found myself asking. Because I can’t imagine mum going to jail. She might not be a mother to me, but she did a great job in raising Queen to be a arrogant teenager. Whatever, whatever, she shouldn’t go to jail.
“That won’t happen, Keisha. I give you my words, your mother won’t go to jail.” My stepfather assured.
“What about you?” I asked, and they looked at me. His assurance said it all, he is trying to assure my that he will protect him no matter what and carry all the blame.
“What do you mean, Keisha?” He asked, obviously taken aback by my sudden question.
“Oh, it’s Stef.” Queen said, and we all turned around wondering why she was surprised.
And loo… I was taken aback myself. Chris is looking so different without his headphone, and his hair is styled differently.
“Good…, gooodddd morning.” He mister courage to mutter.
“Oh, son. Good morning.” My stepdad said.
“Stef, take your seat, let’s have breakfast.” Mum said.
“Stef, you look so good without your headphone. You are so handsome.” Queen said.
I chuckled, wondering if she was blind all these while. He has always been handsome even with his headphones on.
He smiled at me, and I smiled back. Yes, Queen is right. He looks even more handsome without his headphones on. His beautiful smiles so it all. The thought that he took my advice made me smile even brighter. I might have given him the wrong feelings, but I was able to make a great impact in his life. I was never the type to regret my actions.
*
*
📌 Alex’s POV 📌
•
I get to school, and went to our hangout, there I met Gabriel engrossed in the game he was playing. It was surprising when I saw his car at the parking lot, but he wasn’t there waiting for me.
“You cheat, bro.” I said, and sat on the couch.
“Man, I was f¥cking scared earlier.” He said, and threw the remote away.
“You are always a scaredy-cat.” I teased.
“Alex, Jeremy’s uncle dropped by.” He said, and I instantly got interested.
“Why?”
“He asked after Jeremy.”
“What? But Jeremy isn’t at school yet.”
“That’s it. His uncle was really scary earlier. The way he asked, it’s like Jerry hasn’t been home for days.”
“But you gave him a ride the last time.”
“Yeah, I was also hoping to know his place from there, but he asked me to drop him at a mall. He said his uncle was there shopping.”
“What’s that dude up to? We have been frequents for over a decade, but Jerry is still like a stranger to us. We don’t even know what his uncle does.” I said.
“Those mighty can explains it all. His uncle is a billionaire, but we don’t know what Jerry is hiding. You should have seen his uncle, his necklace almost blind my eyes. Now I’m tempted to get a necklace soon.” Gabriel said.
“Should we wait for him to come clean with us, or we should confront him?” I asked.
“There is no use in confrontation him, Jerry knows how to have his way with words. He won’t speak up until he feels like it. But his uncle was so intimidating. I got creeps.” He whined.
Jeremy joined us later, and we both glared at him. Although, we both agreed not to confront him, but we can’t still control ourselves.
“Wassup, buddies.” Jeremy said, sitting next to me.
“Your uncle came looking for you.” Gabriel said.
“Oh, he came here? I already see him, don’t worry about that.” He blurted, reluctantly.
“Why did he came looking for you looking all worried like you have been gone for ages?” I asked. This time, I’m determined to fish out whatever he is hiding. It’s either we skip classes to discuss this all day, or he just answer us honestly.
“I was away from home last night, I pass the night with my cousin.”
“Your cousin?” Gabriel and I chorused.
“Do you have a cousin?” I asked.
“Everyone does. I have an uncle so what’s strange in having a cousin? Man, leave that. I already figure about how to confirm if Chris is Summer’s half-brother.” He said, and we both became curious - yet again, he succeed in changing the topic, but I’m more determined to discover Chris real identity than fish out whatever he is hiding, because I’m sure we will do nothing but argue all day.
“How?” Gabriel and I chorused.
“It’s simple. Gabriel is the ladies man, we will use him to approach Summer.” Jeremy said, and Gabriel let out a sigh.
“No way. I already decide to spend the rest of my high school as peaceful as ever after I broke up with Jess. No dating, no scandal, no faking.” Gabriel said.
“Jerry, you are the one who fits.” I blurted.
“What do you mean? You know I’m not good with girls.”
“We know. But I think Summer has a crush on you.”
“What? No way.” He shouted.
“Alex is right, bro. She is always winking at whenever we are together.”
“How can you tell that?” Jeremy shouted.
“You know I’m very observant. So do this for us.” Gabriel said, with a silly smile.
“We really gotta solve this puzzle on time.” I said.
“I’ve a strong feeling that he is one of the hidden illegitimate son.” Gabriel said.
“And I believe, that he is a charity case.” I blurted.
“Given his confidence, he is neither. He might be Summer’s half-brother.” Jeremy added.
“Whoever gets it correctly gets to make a wish. It could be anything.” Gabriel said, already excited.
“Gosh, is this fun to you?” Jeremy teased.
“In,” I said, and Jeremy key out a sigh.
“Jerry I love your uncle’s necklace. I’m thinking of getting one soon. Watch your back, I could ask you to fund it.” Gabriel said, winking at him.
“Where did your uncle got the necklace?” I asked
“I don’t know, you should have asked him since you are gbus curious. I’m off.” He said, taking his leave.
“Where to?” Gabriel shouted.
“To complete the mission before recess.” He shouted, and took the exit.
“Wow! Why the rush? He seems to have high confidence in himself. Is he that determined to win the wish? I have to win this?” Gabriel whined.
“You are still as slow as ever. He is obviously trying to escape the conversation,” I blurted, stood up to leave.
“Are you leaving?” Gabriel asked.
“Why? Should I sit here all day?” I shouted.
“Why are you getting so angry?” He grumbled.
“I’m off to the staff room, I’m going to see the teacher.”
“Why? Don’t tell me you are still on that group stuff?”
“Stay out of my business.” I blurted, and stormed out.
“Hey! Wait for me.” I heard him shout, running after me.
“Such a nutcase.” I grumbled.
*
I went to the teacher, and confirmed that being in same group as the two new students was all Chris idea. My face twisted in fury, and I stormed out of the office heading straight to class.
I got to class, but there were only few people in class but couldn’t find Keisha. I ran out to the parking lot, neither was her bike there.
“Where could she be?” I thought, and called Gabriel immediately.
*
We sat together as he checked the cctv footage. There is nothing I could do without him, he is so good at cyber stuffs.
“I don’t think she is at school.” He said, closing his laptop.
“Do you think she is sick?” I asked.
“How would I know? I’m not a prophet.” He whined rubbing his eyes with his palm.
“Gosh! You are so useless.” I blurted.
“What of her brother? Why don’t we go ask him?” Gabriel said.
“His class?”
“Let me cheek this. Gosh, you are the one in love, I’m the one being tortured.” He whined.
*
We left for her brothers’s class after he confirmed it, we looked through the window and saw a teacher there.
“What do we do? Should we wait?” Gabriel asked.
“We don’t have such time.” I blurted, and barged into the class - all the students gasped.
“How may I help you?” The teacher asked.
“Excuse me for a moment, ma’am.” I said.
“Gosh, just today, Jeremy approached you first, I can’t believe they are here for us.” I heard Bibi said. - The Bees happens to be in the class as well.
The teacher remain quiet, as I walked up to Keisha’s brother.
“Hi, bro. Can we step out for a moment?” I asked, and all the students gasped.
“He just called Stef, bro.”
“He didn’t use his headphones today, and Alex is talking to him. Something seems off.”
“What’s going on?”
The students grumbled as we left the class together. Stef, Gabriel and I.
“What happened to Keisha?” I asked.
“What? Did something happened to Keisha?” He asked, worriedly.
Judging from those eyes, I doubt if he only regards Keisha as a sister. But who cares?
“She isn’t at school.” I said.
“What? But she left home on her bike.” He muttered, his voice low.
“She left home?” I asked, already worried.
“Does it mean something happened to her on her way?” I thought. “Your keys, Gabe.” I shouted, and he instantly gave me him car keys.
“The car is still mine.” He grumbled, as I ran off, heading to the parking lot.