A novel of salvage high chapter 25
Keisha’s POV
The weekend was spent so well. Alex and his friends really made my weekend and Ella also spiced it up. That was the first time I get along with a little girl. She might be 6-year-old, but we get along fine; like we are both age mate. At times, I questioned her age, comparing her to a dwarf.
That was the first time someone genuinely say I’m beautiful, comparing me to Melanie, and choosing me over Melanie. I didn’t even put in any effort before leaving the house, and getting such compliments from the kids flattered me. I didn’t stop checking my face with phone screen, wondering if I was really that beautiful.
The day would had been the best until Alex ruined it. It hurts that he and his friends never considered me as a friend. Even though I was aware of the fact, it still hurts to hear it directly from him.
The rest of the weekend was spent as usual, and I intend to climb my bicycle to go to school on Monday when Stefan approached me. I haven’t had a direct conversation with him after his confession, I was glad that he took my advice but I can’t still help but avoid him to avoid digger misunderstandings.
“Keisha, are you avoiding me?” He asked, and I chuckled. I have been caught, so no denying it.
“I believe it’s for the best. The family is going through a lot already…”
“Stop avoiding me. And I apologize for scaring you the last time. I took your advice, so you should give me a reward.” He said, and I looked at him, wondering what he wants.
“I never thought of a reward, but since you mentioned it. Name the price, if I can afford it then consider it done.”
“I never thought of one either. But now, we are running late. Hop on, let’s ride to school together.” He said, and I smiled.
Ridding on his motorcycle to school is just perfect.
We arrived at school, and Alex outburst with Jeremy was so scary. I’ve never seen him that furious before, he wasn’t even that angry at me while we were enemies.
“Seriously Jerry, do you have to go this length in keeping things from us? And you know how scary Alex could get if he is angry.” Gabriel said.
“It is what it is, bro.” Jeremy said, reluctantly.
“Really, man?” Gabriel blurted, and left.
“Wow Jerry, you don’t even seem affected.” I found myself saying.
“We will be late for class.” Jeremy said, and left.
“Wow…” I exclaimed, and continued on my way.
*
We got to class, and met Alex there still fuming. Jeremy ignored him and went to his seat, but Alex pushed him away which almost made him fall.
“Alex, what’s gotten into you?” Gabriel scolded.
“Jerry, are you alright?” Melanie interfered and went to Jeremy.
“I told you Jeremy, you are out. So I want you out of my sight, unless I’ll open my blacklist for you.” Alex blurted, and everyone gasped.
“Did they fought?”
“Is Jeremy really out?”
“I wonder what happened.” The students grumbled.
“You are taking this too far, Alex.” Gabriel scolded.
“Friends become even more distant than enemies the moment you cut ties with them.” Alex, muttered and sat down.
“What on earth is going on?” Melanie shouted.
Jeremy carried his backpack and came to my seat.
“What? Did he want to put me in the middle?” I grumbled.
“Can we switch seats?” He asked, and almost everyone gasped.
“You…, you want me to take your seat with Alex and Gabriel?” I asked, and Chris looked at me.
“Alex, will throw a fist if any random student seat there.” He whispered in my ear, and I nodded.
“Fine, just for today, till you settle the misunderstandings.” I said, and he patted my shoulder.
“What can I do without you, Kei?” He said, and I smiled.
I carried my backpack and went to his seat, Alex didn’t spare me a glance while Gabriel welcomed me with a smile.
The tension in the class was so hot, that I couldn’t be more thankful when the bell rang for recess.
Alex left the class, followed by Gabriel and Melanie, while I looked around for Jeremy and found him on the rooftop.
“Are you planning to jump off?” I teased.
“My existence is a treasure, so it’s gonna be a national loss.”
“Why are you like that Jerry? Why do you have so many secrets?” I asked, seating next to him; and I gave him the can drink I got from the cafeteria.
“This…, this is my favorite.” He said, and emptied the can.
“Jeremy, is this how you are? Trying to avoid certain conversations in any given opportunity?”
“Keisha, please don’t interfere. It’s not of your business. Whatever is going on between Alex and I, please don’t butt in. Alex can be really dangerous when he is furious, so just stay out of it.” He said, and intend to leave.
“I’m not a child, I can take care of myself. And you should do the same. I’m sure Alex didn’t mean everything he said, he is throwing a tantrum because he felt betrayed.”
“So what? Do you want me to crawl on my knees to beg him? You were there Kei, he refused to listen to my explanations. Alex has been my friend for over a decade, so I know him well. Once he made up his mind, he is set, and I also have ego, i won’t throw that away for any reason.” He said, and I let out a sigh.
“That’s it, Jerry. You said it all, you and Alex have been friends for over a decade, for over ten years. Are you going to throw that away?” I shouted.
“Come on, friends are meant to split up eventually. You also had friends before you transferred, where are they now? After high school, we will all go our separate ways, so we could just begin that now.”
“But friends should separate on good note.”
“Why are you getting so worked up, Kei? You aren’t even our friend. Everting started from an agreement, and you got lucky because Alex had interest in you. You should be with your boyfriend, not here to persuade me.” He lashed, and I chuckled.
His words were supposed to hurt me, but I have been friends with that gender for my entire life, so I understand them better. My cousin could go any length to insult me to keep me out of his business, so those gibberish words can’t work on me.
“You are the one at fault, Jeremy. That’s why I should set things right. You are right, I’m not your friend, but I know your secrets.”
“What secrets?”
“Are you going to deny that you are being threaten by thugs because of your sugar mummy?”
“Sugar mummy?” He repeated, and laughed. “I see you already made a fine story from the little things I asked you to keep. Leave it that way, Kei. Yes, I’m the one at fault for keeping things from my friends. Being chased by thugs because of my sugar mummy. Let it remain that way, Keisha. You can go tell that to Alex, so stay out of my business.” He blurted, and left.
I let out a sigh, and went to Alex’s paradise. When I got to the doorway, Melanie stormed out, and I went in to see Alex and Gabriel looking furious. Obviously, Melanie came to confront them.
“Keisha, are you also here to scold me?” Alex muttered, and I could tell that he is also hurt by everything happening.
“It’s fine, Alex. Everyone deserves to get angry.” I said, and he embraced me.
“I’m glad that you aren’t here to prejudice me.” He muttered, his voice barely audible.
“I believe we still have some score to settle.” I said, and pushed him away.
“What? Are you still angry at me after everything I’ve been through?”
“If there is anyone suffering, it’s Jeremy.” I said, and he looked away.
“Keisha, how can I make it up to you? I don’t even know what I did wrong.” He whined.
“Are you willing to do anything?” I asked, winking at him.
“I’ll do anything.” He said, and held my hands.
“Then listen to what Jeremy has to say. Try to give him a chance to explain.”
“Not that, Keisha. I’m willing to do anything but not that. Please, don’t get involved in this. Jeremy and I have been friends for so long, but I doubt if he ever considered us as friends.”
“You are hurting, Alex.”
“No, I’m not. I’m just furious.”
“Don’t worry, Kei. Everything will be over soon. Jeremy needs time to reflect on himself, and decide if he needs us or not.” Gabriel said, and I agreed with him. Jeremy really needs time to reflect on himself
*
When school dismissed, I was packing my bags to leave the class when Chris worked up to me.
“Hi, Keisha.”
“What do you want?” Alex lashed.
“Chris, what do you want?” I asked, as humble as I could.
“Are we going to talk while they watch?” He asked, and I let out a sigh.
“Alex, you can go.”
“What?”
“I’ll be right out.” I said.
“Come on, man.” Gabriel said, and dragged Alex out - Alex didn’t stop glaring at Chris till he was out of his sight.
“Finally. I can breathe properly.” Chris exclaimed. “How are you, Keisha?” He later asked.
“How am I? That’s so random.” I said.
“You are caught in Alex fight with his friends, I could see that you are uncomfortable with that.”
“Yeah I was. I just hate to see people fight. Most especially friends. Can I go now?”
“Keisha, you can’t keep avoiding me. You can’t avoid me forever, remember we have a group work to submit.”
“Oh, yeah.” I exclaimed. I have been all over the place meddling in others affairs, that I total forgot about important things.
“Oh, yeah? I’ll send you a message on how we will go about it, don’t ignore my message.” He said, and winked before leaving.
“What’s that about?” I grumbled.
*
*
📌 Alex POV 📌
•
I was so angry at Jeremy, that I almost lost my sanity. I was willing to do everything to make him realize what he did wrong but he didn’t even seem affected.
During recess, I, Gabriel and Melanie went to our hangout, and Melanie won’t stop scolding me.
“Give it a rest Melanie, acting like everything is cool just because you returned after three years. You are no different either. You ditched our friendship just because I confessed to you. You abandoned us, and went out of reach only for you to return now to lecture me.” I blurted.
“Really? You think I abandoned our friendship? Alex, you might not know this because your life has always been perfect. But some of us have things that we find difficult to share. Jeremy has his reasons for going to Dan, and you shouldn’t prejudge him without even listening to him.” She lashed, and stormed out.
The rest of the day was just neutral till Chris showed up. I almost thought he had even up on Keisha only for him to show his face in my presence.
“Relax, man. They just wanted to talk.” Gabriel said, as I paced in the hallway.
“Talk about what? That guy is a so sly. We haven’t even figured him out yet.” I blurted.
“Talking about that, I find some updates, I’ll discuss it with you later.”
“Share it now. If it’s about Chris, so I can go drag him out,”
“Chis is not a charity case. I manage to become friends with an insider in the Redfords’ foundation. Chairman Redford adopted son is not in salvage high, and he is even in grade 11.”
“Gosh, why are you telling me that like it’s some useful information?” I lashed.
“You asked me to split it. Just be careful. Now that we know that he is not a charity case, we have just two cards left. He could either be a secret lovers child, or an hidden heir. You have to be careful around him.” He whispered, and I scoffed.
“I don’t care.” I shouted. “What’s taking Keisha so long?” I grumbled, and Chris came out of the class before Keisha did.
“Keisha, are you ok?” I asked, and she gave me a weird look.
“Obviously.” She blurted.
“What did you two talk about?”
“Do I have to report everything to you?” She blurted.
Her phone beeped and she smiled. “Bye.” She waved, running off.
“Who was that? Who texted you?” I shouted running after her.
I ran to the parking lot, and saw her drove off on her brother’s bike.
“Why do I have a bad feeling about that guy?” I grumbled.
“That’s just how you are, Alex. You trust no one.” Gabriel whispered in my ear, and I glared at him.
*
Gabriel was busy chatting on his phone, while I struggled to work on my assignment, but I couldn’t seem to focus.
“Gabe, anything new?” I asked.
“Jeremy has been living with Dan for over a week, and he pleaded with him to keep it a secret.” Gabriel said.
“Did Dan tell you?” I asked.
“No, I asked his twin sister. Remember, she is hitting on me. But Dan won’t let me shoot my shot.” He whined.
“Gabe, who do you think Jeremy truly is?” I asked.
“I don’t get. I thought Chris is the one we were curious about?”
“Do you even know Jeremy at all?”
“You are right man. We couldn’t find anything on him - the Taylors’. He claimed that he lost his father in a fire accident, which lead to why he relocated to New York with his mother to live with his uncle. Come to think of it, that story didn’t make sense.” Gabriel said.
“Yeah. How come we never thought about that?”
“What are you hiding Jeremy?” I thought.