A novel of salvage high chapter 41
Jeremy’s POV
During lunch, we all sat together to have lunch, and I let out a sigh.
“Like, seriously?” Melanie and I chorused, and looked from Alex to Chris who is having lunch with us.
“Come on guys, it’s just lunch.” Alex said, pouting his lips - he only does that whenever he knows he is wrong.
“There she comes.” Gabriel said when he saw Sophie, and excused himself.
I wonder why almost everyone at school are so obsessed over her, like Melanie presumed, it’s because she is new.
Gabriel picked a seat from another table, and invited Sophie to join us.
“What a full house. I rather eat with the twins.” Melanie said, and wanted to get up, but I dragged her back.
“For my sake, please seat.” I pleaded. I can’t avoid to be alone in that table with those confused friends of mine.
After the most awkward lunch I ever had at school, I excused myself to the restroom, while the others went to class. On my way back, Sophie walked up to me.
“Hey, mamas boy.” She called, and I chuckled.
“Hi.”
“Are you really quiet? Or you are just this way with me? Because with a face like that, I doubt.” She said, and I chuckled in sarcasm.
“I guess it’s none. I’m not quiet, and I have no reason to be with you.”
“Well… I’m kinda unfamiliar with boys around here, they just drool over me and it’s slight inconveniencing.” She said, and I gave her a strange look, wondering why we are having the conversation.
“Oh, sorry about that. I should leave now.” I said, and intend to leave, but she dragged me back.
“Why are you uncomfortable with me?” She asked, and I let out a sigh - that’s just how I’m.
“Pardon?”
“You aren’t this way with Melanie, and that other girl.”
“Melanie has been my friend for years, she is my best friend, and Keisha and I have also been close for a while, so you can’t compare yourself to them.” I said, and she smiled.
“Then let’s be friends, or we could even share a tighter bond. Let’s be more than friends.” She said, and I glared at her.
“Pardon?”
“I like you.”
“Since when?” I asked, wondering how that makes sense. Gabriel is literally the one after her, so why me?
“Since the first time, I love the way you rode your bike, and the driver itself.” She said, disgusting me.
That’s just how I’m, at times I wonder if I can ever be serious with a girl. I wish I was an elite, so I could just settle for arrange marriage, because I don’t know how to deal with that gender, to me we are all human, and as long as we are close, you are my dude, just like Melanie and Keisha. My two past relationships were both forced on me by Gabriel, and none lasted a month. That’s just how I’m, I lack compassion, I don’t know how to make any woman expect from my mum feel special, the thoughts of adoring another woman like her is so creepy, and clingy girls like Sophie, is just a no for me.
.
I pushed her away, and she chuckled.
“Do you disgust me? Or you are in a relationship?”
“Neither, and the only reason I didn’t disgust you is because of Gabriel, so don’t ever cross the line again.” I blurted and intend to leave, but she dragged me back.
“Don’t think about your friend, he is just one of those many guys that I’m not interested in. You are the only reason I gave in to his advances. I’m not the type to throw myself at a guy, so consider yourself lucky. See you around.” With that she left, and I let out a sigh before wiping my lips, and returned to class - the thought of a woman coming between my friendship is beyond my imagination, so I decide to keep everything that happen to myself.
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📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
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Today was quite dramatic, yes. Having lunch together with Chris and Alex on a table was uncalled for, but that’s t he only way to live in peace. It’s my cross, and I’m going to live with it to the fullest.
The rest of the week was one big drama, but I managed to survive it somehow, with hopes that mum will keep to her promise, and I’ll be able to visit Gigi during the weekend.
The week ended, even though it took forever, and mum, Queen and I went to the nursing home to visit Gigi together.
“Gigi.” Queen, and I shouted when we saw her and ran to excitedly embrace her - I doubt if Queen have ever seen her before in person, so I wonder why she is being so excited.
“Nunu.” She shouted, and embraced us both.
We engaged in small talk, and before I was left alone with her.
“Gigi, why?” I cried, because no matter how I think about it, it’s unfair to abandon me to an unfamiliar woman, that is supposedly my mum. Yes, I felt abandoned.
“Nunu, don’t hate your mother. You might be unfamiliar to her, but you will get used to her as well.”
“Never, I can’t. After highschool, I’ll leave for college to a far away place and never visit again. She abandoned me to you, and you did same as well.”
“Nunu, your mother never abandoned you.”
“What do you mean? Why are you justifying her? Is it because she is your daughter? She abandoned me with you, and had an affair with a married man forcing herself on him before he could get a divorce. Do you know how much Queen is suffering because of her carelessness? She nuts brought me to the city, and we have to move before I even adapt to my environment.”
“Nunu, your mother never had an affair. She indeed to work as the secretary of your stepfather, but he had issues with his marriage so he usually drink out his sorrows with her, until he tap£d her. Your mother felt disgusted and reigned immediately, only for her to find out she was pregnant, she intend to keep the baby from him, but I refuse. I refuse to help her raise another child out of wedlock, and aborting the baby was a bigger crime in my path. So, she had no choice but to go to him, and they got married right after.” She said, but the only words ringing in my head, was *another child out of wedlock*, when I grew up to learn that my parents divorced when I was a toddler, and my father went far away and remarried, totally forgetting about me.
“What do you mean another child out of wedlock?” I asked, and Gigi let out a sigh.
“This is supposed to be a secret from you, Keisha, but I believe you are now wise enough to be able to handle the truth.” She said, and he mention of *truth* scared me.
“Gigi, just say it. You raised me well to be able to handle anything, that’s why I survived this long, away from you and Kaye.” I said, and she gently pat my hair before starting her long story.
She started a long story on how mum had a fiancé in college, but he abandoned her when she was pregnant and left the county with another woman leaving my mum broken. She has to take a break from school, and she was never considered any advise on aborting the child even though it was giving her step backs, she stayed in the countryside, while her mate graduated from college, before she returned, and left me in the countryside.
After Gigi’s story, I couldn’t control my tears. I should have known that I had no father from the start when I’m baring my maternal surname, I always thought it’s because my father abandoned me after his divorce, but everything makes now. The reason mum abandoned me with Gigi to be happy with her family without looking back, the reason I never dreamt of once having a father all makes sense. Thankfully I never judged anyone based on their brith status, because mine is no better. She should have just gotten rid of me before I was born, rather than a banding me, filling me with lies.
“Why? Why didn’t she get rid of me while she could instead of abandoning me?” I cried.
“Nunu, your mother never abandoned you.”
“You say what? So how do you phrase what she did?”
“Nunu, your mother had a hard time after she left you with me. Trying to catch on with her studies, and also work hard to provide your needs. She traveled almost every weekend from the city to the countryside to spend time with you until she got seriously carsick, and I threaten to send you to her if she ever vist again. I warned her to focus on her life and allow me take care of you if she trust me. It was a very difficult decision for her to make, she tried different jobs in the countryside so she could be with you before she left for the city. When she got married, and wanted to take you with her, but I refused because I don’t want you to come between her marriage, I wanted her to live happily, I was greedy; I only wanted the best for my daughter. She visited at times with your sister, mostly when you aren’t around because she was scared of my threat. Sending me to a nursing home was all her idea so she could be with you, your mother might not know how to show affection, but she loves you very much, as much as she love your sister. It’s all my fault, mama never abandoned you.” Gigi cried, and I embraced her in tears.
All my life, I lived to believe I was abandoned by my parents, and only considered Gigi and Kaye as my only family, I even regarded my uncle more than I regard my mother, but turns out I got the wrong thoughts all along - mum never abandoned me, and I hat£d her for no reason.
I ran out to look for mum, and found her in the parking lot on the phone with someone, but she dropped the call when she see me.
“Baby, why are you crying?” She asked worriedly, and I embraced her.
“I’m sorry, mum. I’m sorry for everything, I’m sorry for hatlng you, I’m sorry for everything you had to endure because of Queen and I, I’m sorry, mama.” I cried, and she pat my back gently in confusion.
I had always wanted a mama, I vividly remembered crying from kindergarten when my classmate told me I only had Gigi but no mama so she was better than me.
*
After the crying season, together we all had lunch with Gigi. No matter the confession Gigi made, I would never hat£ her because she did what was best for her daughter, and also took care of me the best way she could.
Grandma went to take a nap later, Queen slept next to her on the bed while mum was busy with her phone. I started getting bored, so I decide to go sightseeing, and upon stepping out to the entrance, I saw who I least expected, my two longed wishes were granted in a day with an extra - Kaye was there, by the door with his father.
“Kei.” He shouted and ran to me, but punched him instead.
“You traitor.” I cried.
“Kei, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever call my name, you stopped being my cousin, brother and friend the moment I lost contact with you, I hat£ you.” I cried - I don’t even know why I’m being that dramatic, but I just missed him that much, it was hard to live without him, I guess I got the hash reality of life on time.
“Kei, I hat£ you as much, because I missed you a lot. I hat£ you so much that I can’t even punch you.” He whined.
“Punch me, punch me.” I shouted, and took his hands to punch me, instead he turned it to putt friendly greeting gestures, and we embraced each other.
We didn’t go in to join the others later, we went someone where we could be alone, and he told me about his experience. He lost his phone, and his father got him a new one, refusing to allow him contact me or aunty, he was alone just as me, but he was able to move on quickly, and got along with his twin brother. His father had some business around, so he had to plead to be able to see Gigi, just like me, I believe we both shared the same fate. Getting used to our family is just a struggle that we have to overcome, and reuniting again was the blessing. I believed his phone never went missing, mum and his father must have agreed to replace it so we could lost contact, and avoid eloping together.
“Kei, I’m glad to see you are doing fine.” He said, and I sniff in.
“Do you think so? But believe it or not, I’m nowhere close to fine.” I lament, and he held my hand.
“I’m here now, Kei, and I’ll always be here. Tell me everything.”
“You won’t always be here, you will leave after seeing Gigi anyways, it’s not like we could return home together with Gigi.”
“I know we can’t, but we will exchange contact and talk all day, till we graduate from highschool, and leave for a far away college together.” He said, and my lips curved in a smile - being away must have also made him grow up, he realized he has a family other me, and didn’t even think of eloping, same, I can’t think of eloping anymore, I also have a family other than him and Gigi. Mum, Queen, Stef and my stepdad. I only hope mum could fix things with him soon, and Stef would also get over his feelings before that happens, and we could all live happily like real family.
“I have been through a lot a lot, Kei. But I believe you have been through more.” He said, and I exhale sharply. That’s just the cousin I know, he is the only one who could read my thoughts out loud. I take back my words, he is my only true family, he and Gigi are. We have shared inseparable bond for years, that can never be broken.
I found myself telling him all about my experiences from a new family, to a new school and the complicated triangle I got into.
“What was the rule, Kei?” He asked, and I batted my lashes in confusion, before I remembered the motto we gave ourselves when we wanted to start dating, we were just fourteen, but we also wanted to enjoy the fun. Even though I consider dating when I was twelve, he was totally against it, and we almost fought before I gave up.
“Never listen to your heart, so it won’t get broken.” I said, and he smiled playing with my cheeks.
“And what did you do?” He asked, and u looked away shyly.
I shouldn’t have lost contact with him, then a lot of things would’ve straightened out. The last time I listened to my heart with Alex, I got hurt when I eavesdrop on his conversation, and with Chris, I fo0lishly stopped him from leaving.
“Where have you been all these while, Kaye?” I whined.
“Kei, you shouldn’t get involved with neither of them because you are too young to experience heartbreak. The motto is to have fun while we can, and you can’t have fun with them. They are way beyond our league. You made the right decision in staying platonic with them. And never think otherwise, do you remember what happened the last time you dated your friends?” He asked, and I nodded.
I once dated two of my friends, Noel and Bran. Noel and I faked a relationship for me to escape a lesbian admirer who proposed to me on a valentine day, I accepted her cookies, but I couldn’t reject her before recess was over and since then she has been disturbing me. Noel stood up to help mer talk her out, but I still make sure grandma listen to my plead to transfer schools right after. After the fake act, we decide to give it a try, but we broke up two day after when his crush gave him an invitation to her birthday, and we continued as friends, we are better off friends after all. And as from Bran, we dated for less than two weeks before I call it quit. He is just too shy and boring for my liking. Our breakup almost ended our friendship, but I was glad the others stood up and brought us back to our senses. Since then, I never considered dating any of my friends again, the moment we become friends, I could only look at them the same way I do with Kaye.
.
“They all didn’t end well.”
“Hang in there, Kei. It will all be over soon.” He said, and I embraced him. I wish time could just stop, so I won’t have to let go.
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📌 Jeremy’s POV 📌
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I got to school late on Monday, I already filled my friends in that I would be late so they won’t wait for me before going to class. So many things have been happening, that I can’t even think straight. I parked my bike at the parking lot, just as expected I accepted the bike my uncle bought me before rejecting it will change nothing but make things worse.
I hurried in when I saw Gabriel’s car at the parking lot, and I almost bumped into someone at the hallway while heading to class.
“I’m sorry.” I said, and looked up to see Sophie.
I don’t know how she got my contact because I’m not interested, but she has been bugging me throughout the weekend, that I had no choice but to block her line.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” She said, irritating me.
“I’m late for class.” I said, and she held me back. “Let me go, Sophie. What ex ally don’t you understand?”
“I understand it all, dummy. I know that you aren’t interested in me, but I like you. I just want to try to for the first time, going for what I want. All my life, I only had what they wanted for me, everything has already been planned for me, even my future is. I just wanted a change, I just wanted to go for what I want even if it’s going to be for a short while, I like you, and that was why I kissed you, I just wanted to know how it feels to go for what you want, so why are you pushing me away like some garbage? Have a girl never confessed to you before ?” She shouted, and I let out a sigh - that’s the problem, girls confessing to me is the problem.
“I told you I have a girlfriend.” I managed to say.
“Gabriel said she is his little sister.” She blurted, and I made a fist - yet again, Gabriel made a mistake.
“You are not my type, I’m sorry.” I said.
“Then what’s your type like?” She asked, and I let out a sigh - that’s a hard question, because I never gave that a thought. Maybe being with my friends and my mother is the only relationship I ever thought of. “If Gabriel is the problem, you don’t have to worry about him, I already told him I like someone else.”
“Did you tell him it was me?” I asked, with wide eyes.
“Are you that scared of your friend?” She asked, and kissed me.
Again, this girl is just good at making me angry, and before I could push her away, Gabriel and Alex showed up.
“What?” Alex shouted, and I instantly pushed her away, and she left in contempt.
“No, no, no, buddy, it’s not what it seems.” I tried to explain, big Gabriel walked out.
“Goodness, Jerry, I never expected you to be into Ms. Influential as well.” Alex said, calling her by the nickname everyone refer her.
“It’s not that, Alex.”
“Don’t explain to me, but to him. You know how Gabriel could get when he is angry, I’m not getting involved.” Alex said, and left.
“F¥ck!” I cursed, blowing my hand in the air.
Gabriel is always a nutcase when he is angry, I don’t even understand why they came out at that instant, but above all, I need to explain myself till he believes me, at least before I leave, we should all be in terms so we can say goodbye on good note.