A novel of salvage high chapter 24
Alex’s POV
Saturday came longer than expected, as I advised, Keisha didn’t come to school on Friday and I couldn’t stop missing her. I stayed online all night chatting with her, and we seem to be getting along fine.
I left my bed in hurry before my alarm rang, and went to freshen up. I already ordered a new outfit for today’s outing.
An outing with my friends is not a big deal, but this time Keisha will also be there.
I take my time to apply different skin lotion. Gabriel is meticulous about his skin care routine, and he had forced me into buying different skin care products that I never used. I don’t fancy those stuffs because it’s always stressful, but I found myself reading each label and using the multiple lotions accordingly. Afterwards, I clad in my outfit before spraying perfumes. Kelvin, one of my other friend from a different school is a perfume freak, so I had to ask him for perfume recommendations because I wanted to smell differently. He recommended series of perfumes and body spray, and I found myself buying everything.
I get downstairs, and was surprised to see my mother in the living room giving instructions to the staffs. Her only duty is to come home, and reorganize things. I can’t remember when last I saw her. Unlike dad who is always out on business trip, mum spent most of her time with her friends, going on different trips and vacations. Dad never complained about her lifestyle, literally I could say he forgot he ever had a wife. He was more like an old married bachelor. After getting married to multiple women who were unable to produce him an heir, he married my mother a young college student with an humble status. Rumors had it that my existence was just a nightstand, and dad had to run a parental test before he accepted the pregnancy, and married my mum. Ever since, dad always allow her have her way with things, he let her enjoy her youth and have fun as she pleases, forgetting that I also need to be cared for. But who cares, I’m doing just fine on my own.
“Ms. B.” I called, and she turned to look at me with a smile.
I get tired of referring her as my mum when I was 10-years younger. She was barely around, and her face is all over the internet as the popular Ms. B.
“Oh, I thought you went camping with your friends? I arrived last night.” She said, and embraced me.
That’s how our relationship has been, and I’m cool with it. I’ve survived this long, and will surely survive it longer before I move out of the house. I can’t wait to be done with high school, and request for my own house.
.
“You smell so nice, are you going on a date?” She asked, winking at me.
“Nah. Just out with my friends.”
“But a girl will be there.” She said, and hit me playfully.
“I’ve female friends too. But the particular girl is not my girlfriend yet.”
“Go for it, you can do it.” She said, giving me a thumb up.
“Thank you. Bye.” With that I hurried out.
*
I get to the location we bucked, and met Gabriel there with Ella.
“Alex.” Ella called at the sight of me; and I ran to embrace her. Unlike other kids, everything about her is so different. We must be the one to embrace her first to avoid scolding.
“I’ve missed you, Ella.”
“I doubt.” She blurted, and I started playing with her cheek.
“Did you see Ms. B before leaving home?” Gabriel asked.
He is a huge fan of my mum, and I’m sure she already updated her last location on her blog.
“You love my mum that I do. Why don’t we just switch mums?”
“I totally agree. Then we can as well switch our families.”
“Will that make Alex my biological brother?” Ella asked delighted.
“Of course, you can even go with him as we speak.”
“No, I refuse.” She blurted.
“Why? I thought you like Alex?” He whined.
“Then who will take care of you if your big sister is gone. You are going to give godfather (my dad) a hard time and you will be some even more wayward. I’m not done nurturing you yet.” She shouted, and I couldn’t control my laughter
“You are right, Ella. Thanks for looking out for my friend, and also my dad.”
“Like you aren’t giving him a hard time yourself.” She blurted. “When I have the time, I’ll ask godfather to send you to our house so I can keep an eye on you two.”
“What?” I shouted.
“Ella, you can do that now.” Gabriel said.
“I don’t have time, I still have some private things to take care of.” She grumbled, and we both chuckled.
“What of Keisha?” Gabriel asked.
“She will be here soon. I sent her the address.”
“You should have gone to pick her up.”
“She refused.”
“There come my baby.” Ella said at the sight of Jeremy; and she started adjusting her hair properly.
When she was three, she proposed to Jeremy to be his girlfriend after his last girlfriend back then broke up with him. He gave in delightfully, and since then, he has been under her spell.
“Oh, my cupcake” Jeremy called, and carried her up. He knows better than greeting us first.
“Babe said you lost your phone.”
“I did, and I’m being punished for my carelessness. Jeremy replied, and Gabriel and I gazed met.
“I forgot to tell you guys, Melanie asked about our plans for the weekend, and I sent her the address.” Gabriel said.
“What? But Keisha will be here. You know they don’t get along.” I shouted.
“Relax man. Regardless, Melanie is still our friend. We can’t ditch her because you found a girl.” Gabriel said.
“Babe is right, man. You can’t break the friendship code because of a girl.” Jeremy said.
“Even still.” I grumbled.
We waited for few minutes, before Melanie and Keisha arrived at same time.
“Wow. So pretty.” Ella said, and we both chuckled. It was three years younger the last time she met Melanie, so it’s just proper for her to admire her like a stranger.
“Hi, boys.” Melanie waved.
“Melanie, hi. Kei, you look so different today.” Gabriel said, and I smiled.
“Why? Do you expect me to be on my uniform?” She lashed.
“Ouch. That’s just a compliment.” Gabriel whined.
“Hi, Keisha.” Jeremy called winking at her, but she shot him a glare which made us chuckle.
“Ermmm…. This must be Ella, right? I could barely recognize her.” Melanie said.
“Of course, you have been away for three years. You don’t expect her to look the same.” Gabriel said.
“Ella, meet Keisha and Melanie. You have actually meg Melanie before, you were kinda close.” Jeremy said, and dripped Ella to exchange greetings with them.
“So beautiful.” Ella complimented, and Melanie managed to smile.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Melanie replied.
“Not you, her. But you are also beautiful.” Ella said, and our eyes widen.
“Also beautiful?” Melanie repeats, and chuckled sarcastically.
“Yes, hasn’t anyone tell you that you are beautiful?” Ella asked.
“Of course not, I hear that a lot. But also… is a faint to me.” She blurted.
“Then slurp it. I like you Keisha, you are beautiful.” Ella said, and went to embrace Keisha.
“Wow. Thank you, Ella.”
“I’ll give you an advise, Keisha. Don’t date any of these boys, they are all players most especially Gabriel. I managed to toe Jerry under my leach but Gabriel, I haven’t gotten a hold on him yet.” She said, and we all gasped.
“Ella, what do you mean by that?” Gabriel shouted.
“Hey. Let me hear you talk, then I’ll go tell mummy everything I know.” She shouted.
“Forgive me, madame.” Gabriel said, and bowed slightly.
“I believe you still need to tie Jerry well, because he is starting to loose.” Keisha said, and Jeremy started laughing sarcastically.
“Why? Is he cheating on me?” She whined.
“Ella, you aren’t being fair. You can’t pair me with Gabriel.” I said.
“You are still better than him, but beautiful Keisha here deserves better.” Ella said, and I almost chocked on saliva. “Anyways, isn’t she the Melanie you like?” She added, and we all looked at her.
“What are you saying, Ella?” Gabriel asked.
“You once said that he likes a Melanie, so it’s probably her. Go for your Melanie, and leave beautiful Keisha alone.” She said, and dragged Keisha away.
“What…? ,what…? Where is she taking her?” I shuddered.
“Obviously somewhere away from us.” Gabriel whispered, loud enough for me to hear.
*
We had fun playing all day till it’s almost drawn, and I offered to give Keisha a ride home, thankfully she didn’t decline.
We talked about round stuffs all through, till we arrived at her place.
“Thank you for inviting me today, Alex. I really had fun.” She said, with a smile.
“I’m in a tight spot now, I’ve to do it often if it will make you smile like this.” She said, and she blushed slightly.
“It’s been a while since I had fun like this. Ever since I was brought here, each day had been filled with so much dramas, but today, was one of my best day so far.”
“I appreciate that. You seem to have lot of fun in the countryside.”
“Of course. Being a friend and a mother to six boys including my cousin. My life was so much fun.”
“You don’t have female friends?” I asked, in bewilderment.
“I don’t, I don’t get along with that gender. But I guess I’ve one now.”
“Do you already like Melanie?”
“Not Melanie, it’s Ella.”
“Oh, that little girl knows how to have her way around people “
“Yeah. And you guys were quite intimidated by her.”
“What? Not me, not me.”
“It’s fine Alex, you can admit it. I told you I was friends with six boys, so I understand that gender a lot.”
“Was?”
“Yeah. You know distance is also a barrier in friendship. Thank you for today, you really made my day.” She said, and intended to leave, but I held her back.
“Can you build that circle again?” I asked, and she looked at me.
“I don’t understand.”
“I mean can you be our friend for real this time? You get along fine with the others, I’m sure they will love it too.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve always considered you guys as friends.” With that she left.
“Wait! Did I made a mistake?” I grumbled, and the driver coughed slightly. “What a nosy man?” I thought.
*
I arrived at school on Monday, and met Gabriel at the parking lot waiting for me.
“What do you mean by you made a mistake with Keisha? Why? Did you kiss her again?” Gabriel asked.
This is the most I wished Jeremy had a phone, Gabriel can never get things straight.
“That wouldn’t have been a problem, she gladly kissed back.” I blurted.
“What? You guys kissed?” He shouted, delightfully
“Go ahead without me, Gabe. I’ll wait here for Jeremy.” I said, already pissed.
“Come on, answer me.” He whined.
“Alexander.” I heard a familiar voice called.
The only person who prefer to call me by my full name. Daniel Blackwood a friend we met two years ago at a party. The Blackwood are highly influenced family, so it’s just natural for us to get along.
“Am I dreaming ?” I said.
“Dan, it’s a surprise seeing you here.” Gabriel said, and they exchanged friendly gestures.
“Well… I’m not actually here to chitchat. Where is Jeremy?” He asked.
“Jeremy isn’t at school yet.”
“What? But he left earlier.” Daniel said.
“What do you mean by he left earlier? Did you met on your way?” I asked.
“There he comes.” Gabriel said, and pointed at Jeremy who was approaching us - but he stopped on his track when he saw Daniel.
“Oh, it’s Kei.” Gabriel said, and we I went to Keisha who alighted from the bike with her brother.
“Keisha, can we talk?” I said, and held her.
“We will be late for class.” She replied.
I don’t even understand what I did.
“Man, I had to ride down here from my school. I think I packed my wallet with your stuffs. Please, check your bag.” Daniel said, and we all looked at them.
“What do you mean?” Gabriel asked, and I gave him a warning look.
Jeremy checked his bag and gave Daniel a wallet.
“Gosh, my credit card. I’m do0med without it. Thank you, man.” Daniel said, and patted Jeremy’s shoulder. “See you, guys.” He added, and drove off.
“Bye, Dan.” Gabriel waved. “Olympic High uniform has always been the best.” He whined.
“Hi, Keisha.” Jeremy waved, smiling sarcastically.
“Will you explain what happened just now? Or you are going to turn it around again?” I asked, glaring at him.
“Wait! If Dan wallet was with you, does that mean you spelt over at his place?” Gabriel asked, speaking sense for the first time today.
“Answer the d@mn question.” I shouted.
“Yes, I’m staying with Dan, I’ve been staying with him for a while now. I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you. Everything happened so fast.” Jeremy blurted, and our eyes widen.
“What? You have been staying with Dan for a while, and you didn’t tell us about it? Why Dan? If you needed a place to stay, why couldn’t you come to us, why Dan? Have you ever considered us as your friends ?” Gabriel asked, obviously disappointed.
“It’s not that, I was in a tight spot, everything happened so fa…-“
“Enough. You don’t have to say anything. You have kept too many things from us, so I could presume that you never valued our friendship. You are out, Jeremy. You aren’t our friend anymore.” I said, and they all gave me a look - Jeremy, Gabriel and Keisha.
“Man, what are you saying?” Gabriel scolded.
“If you oppose, then you are also out.” I blurted, and left.