A novel of salvage high chapter 39
Keisha POV
When school dismissed, I went out wondering how to go home. I bumped into Stella on my way.
“Hi, Ms. Fearless.” He said, and I wrapped my hands around his shoulder - he drove me home once, so I hope he could do same today as well.
“I’m apprehending you, so you gotta give me a ride.” I said, and he stopped walking.
“Shit! I didn’t drive to school.”
“So, how did you got to school?”
“I ordered a ride.”
“Oh… you ordered a ride. I didn’t think about that.” I exclaimed. “What happened to your car?”
“Nothing really. It’s just that phase in a teenagers life where you run away from home. Something like that, I guess.”
“What? You ran away from home?” I shouted, trying to hide in laughters.
“Not really. I’m just having minor issues at home that’s all.”
“Where do you reside now?”
“Somewhere around. My uncle has a house around so I hijack one of his apartment. Do you want to come along?” He asked, and I smiled. I would have loved to, but it’s today; the day we are moving out so we can pay grandma a visit in the weekend.
“I would love to, but let’s rain check to another time. I’ve things to do at home.”
“Oh! Did I just got rejected?” He whined.
“You shouldn’t use that phrase with just anyone, what if your girlfriend heard it?” I teased.
“We broke up.”
“What? Why?”
“It’s a long story. To cut it short, I’m single now with just a fiancee.”
“Why did you breakup with her?”
“Just like others, you also believed I broke up with her. That’s how it should be, that’s how it has always been. But she rolled the ball and broke up with me instead. You’re the only one I’m telling this, so it should be a secret between us. Let the others believe I broke up with her.”
“Sure. Now we should set you up with someone else. You should move on quickly if you really dumped her.”
“Ms. Fearless, you gotta help me.” He whined.
“With what?”
“Can you arrange someone for me? Not from this school, I need a long-distance relationship.” He whined.
“Get lost! Why would I do that? And who told you I know anyone?”
“Please.” He whined, holding my hands.
“Let me go, Stella.” I teased, and freed myself from him - running off.
“Please…” He shouted, running after me.
*
He ordered a ride home for me, and I hurriedly went inside to meet mum in the living room.
“Keisha, I already packed Queen stuffs, you are the one I’m waiting me.” Mum said, and I looked at her.
I have been anticipating leaving since I was in school, but hearing that from her made me realize that it’s really true, we are indeed leaving and I’ll get to visit grandma.
“Ok, mum.” I said excitedly, and ran upstairs and I bumped into Stef on my way.
“Sorry.” I muttered, and I intend to continue on my way but I held me back.
“Are you really leaving ?” He asked, and I looked at him.
“Mum is leaving, so obviously…”
“Is dad aware?”
“That should be between the elders. Excuse me, I’ve to pack.” I said, and hurried away.
I hurried to packed my stuffs together, thankfully I just moved in but and I’ve been too lazy to unpack.
I dragged my luggage into mum’s car, and she drove off in silence.
“What of Queen?” I asked.
“I’ll go pick her up from school myself. Keisha, I know this is also not easy for you, you just arrived in the city and I’m suddenly changing your environment again, but I want you to understand that it’s for the best.” She said, and I nodded.
Absolutely, nothing has really been easy since I arrived here.struggles at school and others, but leaving now is not part of my struggles, at least I’ll get to see Gigi, and there is nothing more pleasing than that to me.
We arrived at the beautiful complex apartment, and we used the elevator to the seventeenth floor.
The apartment is a fully furnished three bedrooms, and I could tell that it is expensive.
“Help yourself, Keisha. Pick a room and settle in. I’ll go pick Queen from school.” Mum said, and I nodded.
There is nothing to do, I just dragged my luggage in and went to seat in the living room. I started to get bored so I decided to check out my environment. Since I’ll be staying there for a while, it’s just best to go sightseeing till mum return.
I went out, and I was surprised to see Stella also coming out from the apartment next door.
“Ms. Fearless?” He called, and my eyes widen - what a great coincidence.
*
He welcomed me into his apartment, and I started to look around.
“Your uncle own this house?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Did you recently moved in?” He asked.
“Yeah! My mum moved in here. How long are you planning to stay here?”
“I was waiting for you to visit me. And boom here you are.” He said, and I smiled.
We talked about random stuffs concerning why he left the house because his mother throw a tantrum concerning his grades.
“I don’t understand her. I don’t have to study too hard like other kids because I’m the heir to a big fortune already. But she keeps getting into competitions with other women, and always comparing to their kids. It’s really frustrating.” He whined, and I chuckled - it’s not like I’m book-smart myself so I literally have no comment.
“ Stella. Stella? Stella? Why is your name Stella? I mean, why a unique name?” I asked - I’ve always longed to ask that.
“Why a feminine name, I suppose.” He said, and I chuckled.
“All the same.” I muttered.
“That’s my parent’s way. Mum had always wanted another female child after the death of my elder sister - who died after birth, her suppose name was Stella. According to them, mum had a dream even before she confirmed she was pregnant. In her dream, Stella returned, so she refuse to believe the scan results and all, she even recreated the feminine room meant for Stella, anticipating her child’s return. Long story cut short, here I’m, I escaped being a female, but I couldn’t escape baring the name. Maybe she thought one day I would drastically change into a female.” He said, and I couldn’t react. It was a funny story, but at the same time, it was touching.
I brought up a random topic to spice up the mood, and we started talking about his love life until I got a call from home, requesting I come to Queen’s school. Wondering what it’s all about, I hurried out and board a taxi to there. Getting there, my stepdad was also there to pick her up which lead to an outburst, mum asked me to take Queen with me while she settle things out with my stepdad and I did as I was told, and returned home with Queen who was already in tears.
I took my time to pat her, trying to make her understand the situation when I don’t even understand it myself, but nothing I did worked. She was stole in tears and I couldn’t leave her to herself until mum returned later at night.
“Mum, this is really unfair to Queen.” I said.
“This is unfair to me as well. She isn’t a child, she should try to understand the situation.” Mum blurted, and I could tell that she isn’t in her best mood they are all affected by the sudden change, while I had no problem because I was looking forward to visiting Gigi.
I went to her room to console her, and we all ended up engaging in random conversation - mum, I and Queen, until it’s past midnight, and we all fell asleep together on the same bed.
I woke up the following morning, and saw all the messages from Chris. I have been all over the place yesterday that I didn’t even have time to check my phone. I reed all the messages and I instantly felt shiver down my spine, the thoughts of him leaving because of me was quite overwhelming. It would be best to have him out of my way with that, but I couldn’t let him leave unfairly. Even though he wanted more than friendship from me, I still considered him a friend. He was the first to be nice to me ever since I resumed to salvage high. The thought of never seeing him around made me feel guilty and I instantly text him back but it didn’t deliver, so I ran out with intention to go stop him.
“Keisha, you aren’t dressed for school yet.” Mum said.
“I’m sorry mum, but I need to be somewhere.” I said, and took the jacket on the couch before hurrying out.
I knew I seem like a girl who was rushing to the airport to stop the love of her life from leaving but I don’t care. At that point, I don’t care about anything. I don’t know what I want from him, but I don’t want him to leave. He has been a good companion even though we fight a lot, but I understand that’s how life works, you tend to fight a lot with people you care for. Instantly, I started to rethink, I knew I planned to keep both him and Alex as just friends till I finish high school, but now I’m starting to doubt my feelings. I like Alex, I enjoy his company, being with him and his friends always reminds me of my friends and he is just that guy that knows the right words to use at the right time, and as for Chris, he is very inconsiderate, even though he is a bookworm, I still enjoyed his company and I don’t want him away. Maybe this is just my fairytale life, I’m simply a teenager who has never been caught in such messed up situations before. I don’t even know the meaning of love, I merely date date for fun and free treats, but now a lot of things seem to be changing, I didn’t only get a change in environment, a new family, a new school, but I got a new dramatic love experience were I have to question my heart and ask what it really wants. This wasn’t the plan from the start, I should have focused more on my studies and do better in the midterm exam, but here I’m running after a man to stop him from leaving. I admit, I’m a confused person, and I don’t even know how to get myself out of this.
*
I arrived at the airport on time, and I was able to stop him.
He canceled his fight, and we both went to the nearest coffee shop.
“Now that you are the chairman son, do you think you can just leave because your family has a jet?” I teased, and he chuckled.
“Why did you stop me, Keisha?” He asked, and I started to regret my actions, I should have thought of the aftermath.
What am I supposed to tell him? That I was confused, and the thought of him leaving made me really sad, I don’t know what I want, but I don’t want him away?
“Were you really going to leave because of me?” I asked.
“No, but you are the reason why I’m staying. There is a reason why I don’t want anyone to know that I’m the chairman son, so I believe anyone could tell that there is a long history behind it. But not anymore, I just want you to tell me the reason you stopped me, and I’ll give myself a thousand reasons to stay.” He said, and I started to bit my fingernails
That’s just how I’m, I act without thinking, but I can never regret my actions, there is always a way out.
“Well… I was just trying to see if I did caught you. You know how it happens in movies, I was just trying it.” I said, and his eyes widen.
“What? You were simply trying to recreate what you watch in movies?” He asked, in bewilderment- obviously disappointed.
That’s just how I’m, I’m we confused as my words. I just wish my cousin was here, he is the only one who could bring me back to my senses whenever I’m about to make mistakes.
“Are you offended? You said you did stay if I ask you to, so I want to see how effective that could be.”
“Really? Just that?”
“Chris. You wouldn’t have sent that message if you really want to leave, so I decide to stop you. You are my friend, and I don’t want to lose a friend when I would have stopped you.”
“You came all the way to the airport for this?”
“Chris. I have an advise for you, I’ve led a carefree life all years because I always follow that. My grandmother always tells me never to do anything to please anyone but do what I know I did own up to even if I’m doing something wrong. You simply don’t want to do what you are going to regret because you obviously don’t want to leave, and I would have regretted it as well, because I could have stopped you, we would have remain friends even though you don’t consider a female friend, at least you did be there whenever I need you. We aren’t even done working on our midterm exams yet.” I said, and he chuckled.
“You are brutally unfair, Keisha, but I won’t get mad at you. Truly, I don’t want to leave because I have no life in Germany even though New York isn’t any different, I would have regretted it if you didn’t stop me, because I wasn’t thinking. If you want us to be friends, then I’ll stay and be by your side as a friend, and maybe sometimes in the future, you will realize the fortune you are missing out, and give me a chance.”
“Yoo! You are the chairman son anyways, so you are indeed a fortune.”
“Am I suddenly your type because I’m the chairman son.”
“Nah! I prefer the nerd who is always outspoken whenever Alex is involved.” I teased, and he chuckled.
“I know how to protect whom I had to.” He said, and I gave him a thumbs up.
“Let’s be friends, on a condition.”
“What? I thought we were friends?”
“You never considered me a friend, you said that. So let’s be real friends now.”
“Real friends with conditions?”
“In or out?”
“Let’s hear it.”
“You will stop fighting with Alex. I’ll be friends with you, and I won’t stop being friends with him.”
“How is that supposed to work? He also wants to be more than friends.”
“Same as you. So you should be comrades.”
“Com… what?” He shouted, and almost choked on his cup of coffee. “Do you expect us to get close and compete over you?”
“I’m not interested. I clearly said I’m not interested in relationships right now. We might as well just remain like this till we graduate, and I end up dating the hottest boy in college.”
“Yuck! I did follow you down to college.”
“Let time tell, we are still in our prime and a lot of things are bond to happen. We could even date and breakup, that’s why we are teenagers, so let’s enjoy the bliss of teenage hold while it last.” I said, and he smiled.
“Yes, let’s enjoy the bliss of teenage hold. So, could you do me a favor and let’s skip school today? In return, I’ll complete the group work alone, and help you finish your project assignment.” He said, and my eyes widen - that was the best. I did skip school for a week for that.
I gave in, and we went sightseeing together, talking about random stuff and cracking jokes. I never thought he did be that fun to be with. We went to different places, and he told me about his family, the reason he had been in Germany all his life. Indeed, just because you are wealthy doesn’t mean your life is perfect, everyone has their shortcomings, bit above all we shouldn’t let our flaws deny us of happiness, we should live out of reality at times.
“Thank you, Keisha. You really made my day. I was wrong when I said I couldn’t be just friends with you, you are the best friend I had all my life.” He said, when we lie on the field trying to catch our breath from all the running, I wonder how he was able to talk.
I took my phone, and saw several missed calls and messages, many from mum and Alex.
“Gosh, I was having a blast that I didn’t even check my phone.” I exclaimed with widen eyes.
“What do we do now? It seems like you will be ok trouble.” He teased.
“Gotta run.” I shouted, and ran off.
“Wait for me.” He shouted, and ran after me.