A novel of salvage high chapter 42 finale
Alex’s POV
Jeremy and I went to our hangout, and he couldn’t stop pacing around trying to explain himself to me, but I don’t care - it’s their problem not mine. I have enough on my plate already.
“Jerry, what happened?” Melanie asked barging in - obviously, Jeremy already ran to her.
“I’m so lost, Melanie. I don’t know how to fix this.” He said.
“Relax, and explain how it happened. How did you end up kissing her?” She asked, and he let out a sigh.
“What part don’t you understand? She kissed me.” He shouted, and the door slugs open - boom, here comes Gabriel.
“Gabe, why didn’t you answer your calls?” Melanie said.
“Man, you have to believe me.” Jeremy said, and Gabriel punched him, almost sending him to the ground - yes, this is just the beginning.
“Gabe, is this it?” Jeremy shouted, his face turned red in furry.
“Gabriel, at least hear him out.” Melanie lashed.
“What do you want to explain?” Gabriel asked, reluctantly.
“Man, do you really think I could go after a girl you like?” Jeremy asked.
“No, because you don’t even go after girls.” Gabriel said, and we all looked at him confused. “Sophie already told me that she liked you, you were the one she liked from the start and she only used me to be closer to you. I knew it from the start myself, but refused to admit it. Never, man. We can’t break the brocade and fight over a girl, we can fight over foods, but a girl should be exceptional.. I would take this as karma, and accept it.” Gabriel said, and Melanie and applauded him - that was brave of him, I doubt if I could ever react like him in his shoes.
“Exactly! So, why did you hit me?” Jeremy shouted, and we all laughed.
“Because it’s your fault. If you didn’t look sxxy while riding your bike, and almost bumped into her she wouldn’t have noticed you before I approached her. Take that as your punishment for getting the girl I want.”
“Seriously, Gabe?” Melanie muttered.
“There are a lot of fishes in the river, and this is my first rejection You can date her if you like her, I give you my blessings.” He said, and Jeremy scoffed.
“Do you want to date fishes?” Melanie teased, and we all chuckled.
“Take that back, I’m not interested in dating.” Jeremy said.
“And when are you ever interested?” Gabriel lashed.
“At least not her, or anyone in this school.” He muttered, and we all looked at him - him muttering, means that there is more to his words.
“Why? What’s wrong with Sophie or the other girls at school?” Gabriel gullibly asked.
“I’m leaving.” He said, and our eyes widened.
“You are what?” We all shouted.
We formed a circle around him and he started a story on how his uncle was arrested and sentenced to prison for four years, and his mother took it as an opportunity to get her freedom before he returns, so she went to her brother who have been asking her to return home since a year ago, to receive her share of ther late father’s asset, but she couldn’t return because of the man she is imprisoned with. Now that he is away, she decide to take advantage of the situation, and return to accept het asset, going to a far away city with Jeremy.
“Traitor!” Gabriel said, and we all looked at him.
“Gabe, what’s that for?” Melanie asked.
“You are a traitor Jerry. If you leave now before we graduate from highschool, what will happen to our vow to stick together, attend same college, and even h£ll shouldn’t pull us apart?” Gabriel shouted, and our jaw fell.
I can’t believe he thinks Jeremy is a traitor because he is leaving, and didn’t react over Sophie, he is always unpredictable at times, although he has a point.
“Come on man, what are you saying? My mum and I are getting our freedom, and I’ll be able to live in real luxury when we leave. You should be happy for me.” Jeremy said.
“I refuse.” Gabriel blurted, and Jeremy let out a sigh.
“How long have this been happening that you didn’t tell us about it, only for you to shock us this way.”
“Everything happened so fast, nothing easy decided until my uncle was sentenced. This isn’t the first time he was arrested, so we had to wait for his sentence before taking actions. Mum didn’t you tell me about reconciling with her brother either until now, she probably don’t want my hopes to be up too high. Guys, I also don’t want to leave, but I will choose my mum over everything, even over myself. This is the best for her, for us, so please be happy for me.” He said, and we all bowed.
“When will you leave? After the midterm examination, or after graduation.”
“Tomorrow.” He muttered, and our eyes widen.
“What? Tomorrow?” We all shouted.
“I’m sorry, guys. Mum felt the earlier we leave the better, before my uncle order someone monitor us. We would’ve left today, but we had to adjourn it because I can’t leave without informing you guys in person.”
“But tomorrow is too soon, it’s not fair for us. We won’t even get to throw you a farewell party.” Melanie said.
“I’m sorry, guys. I’m helpless.”
“Jerry, would we still attend college together? You would keep in touch even if you are away, out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind. So, promise me that we will attend college together.” Gabriel said, pulling him by his collar.
“I don’t know. I might not get admitted to any school when I transfer, remember this is senior year, and the midterm examination is behind the corners, I might be unable to graduate when you all do.” He said, and we all looked at him.
“Wherever you are, just tell me, we will get a school to admit you. Alex will talk his father into it, even if I can’t talk to mine. So, now answer my question.” Gabriel shouted.
“Guys, I also have something to say.” I said, and they all looked at me.
Yeah, it’s best I split it now while we are at it. We have always planned singe middle school to attend college together, at a prestigious school in England, but just two days ago everything changed, dad told me I’ll be going to Italy after highschool, he want me to be homeschooled there while I learn to run the family’s business. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them because I was hoping he changes his mind, but he seems adamant. So, now it’s the right time to split it.
“What is it, Alex?” Melanie asked.
“Just split it, tell us if you are leaving as well.” Gabriel said, and I take in a deep breath before dropping the bombshell.
“What?” They all shouted.
“When you?” Melanie added, and we looked at her.
“Even him? Are you also going to study elsewhere? Or this is just relating to Jeremy’s case?” Gabriel asked.
“I’m still trying to convince my uncle to allow me study in England, he refused to let me out of sight because of my dad, and insisted I study here, not any prestigious school, but the closest.” She said, and we all looked at her with widened eyes.
“Yet again, we all kept things from ourselves expect from me. Jeremy, you should have notified us when it was decided that you will leave, we all had a phone, but you didn’t, Alex you should have tell us about your father’s decision earlier, same goes to you, Melanie. You all kept it to yourselves and threw a bombshell now.” Gabriel rants, and we all bowed our heads in shame.
We are a circle of imperfect best friends, and too bad we will be separating soon. Gabriel and I have been best friends since we were toddlers. Looking back, I wondered how we got along all these years. I don’t even remember how we became friends, but I knew it was all I influenced by our family’s relationship - my father, and his grandfather. Jeremy and Melanie joined us years after, and we build this imperfect friendship together. We might all have our shortcomings, we got in each others bad side at times, but we always got each others back. We are all each other’s first friends, best friends. But too bad, it will be all over now. Jeremy is leaving, and I’ll leave too after graduation. My only wish is for us to meet again in the nearest future, even though the bond is broken, we should still meet, and remember that we were once great, yet imperfect friends. Because I know I can never meet friends like them again.
“So, we are really departing after highschool.” Melanie said, and Gabriel made a fist - this imperfect circle have been too harsh on him, but he has to understand that everyone cannot be the same.
“Guys, why not let us think about separating, and enjoy the moment while we can. Jeremy is leaving tomorrow, and he shouldn’t leave tensely like this.” I said, and they all looked at me.
“So, what do you advise? We throw him a farewell party?” Melanie blurted.
“Yes, a farewell party it is.” I said, and they all looked at me.
*
We all planned the party at my house, and we invited few students as well. It was a full house, it didn’t seem like an impromptu party at all.
We all sat together watching everyone have fun, and I couldn’t stop glaring at Keisha who is with Chris but I refuse to go to her, today is for Jeremy, so no one should come in the way.
“You are really leaving.” We heard Sophie said, and Jeremy looked at her.
“Apparently.” He replied
“Is it because of me?” She asked, and I controlled myself from laughing.
“My world doesn’t revolve around you. No, what am I saying? You aren’t even part of my world.” He blurted.
“Don’t be too mean, you are leaving anyways. I thought we did match together as prom king and queen, but too bad.” She said, and Jeremy let out a sigh.
“Bad for you.” He blurted.
“At least, a dance. You already rejected me, don’t make me feel completely worthless.” She said, and he scoffed.
“Buzz off.” He blurted.
“Don’t be so harsh, Jerry. A dance won’t hurt.” Gabriel interfered, and pushed Jeremy to her - his type is just so different, now I get, his selflessness was why we could be friends for this long.
Very soon, we will all be in our own part, and our friendship circle would only be a memorable one to us.
•
•
📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
•
Bidding goodbye to Gigi and Kaye was hard for me, but I was glad this time because I made sure I got a number that I could always call Gigi to and rant to her, and I also exchanged contacts with Kaye.
I feel my life is taking a great turn, and the only flaw was mum returning to my stepdad.
Stella has refused to return to his parent’s house so we could always go to school together, and his mother went as far as moving in with him. The best now is for my mum to move back to my stepdad’s house, so stubborn Stella could get his life together.
*
Getting to school and hearing the news on Jeremy’s departure was really heartbroken, I felt like I’ll get separated from a friend again. He might be a real j£rk, but I considered him as a friend, because he is a really good friend.
I went to him later when school dismissed, and he let ours sigh.
“Why the sigh?” I asked.
“Do you want to ask why I’m leaving?” He asked back, and I could tell that a lot of people must have been disturbing his with the same question, so I decided to change mine.
“That sugar mummy, is she really your mum?” I asked. I’m also curious about that. I asked Gabriel stylishly and he confirmed it’s his mum, but it’s still unbelievable.
“You solve that puzzle yourself.” He shouted, and ran off.
“Wait. So she is really your mum?” I shouted, running after him, and we started running in circle - I can’t believe I’ll soon bid farewell to such great friend. If it could be this hard on me, I wondered how his friends are feeling.
*
During the party, I found space to dance with him after he was done dancing with the new girl.
“Is this really goodbye?” I asked.
“No, you can follow me if you want, there is room for one more. Remember I told you that I would have considered dating you if Alex didn’t show interest in you. So you can elope with me to avoid goodbyes.” He teased, and I stepped on him. “Gosh.” He shouted, and released me from the dance.
“I hope you find a girl that would deal with you one day.” I cursed - yes, it was a curse.
“That can only be you, so I believe I found her already.”
“Jeremy, did you realized you are my first dance in salvage high?” I asked when I realized it myself - I didn’t dance all through the party, and intentionally went to dance with him so we could talk.
“So, should I be honored?” He asked.
“Of course you should. Consider this my farewell present to you. I know it’s hard for you to leave, leaving your friends and all. So, I want to be part of the people you remember when you leave. Take care of yourself Jeremy, and never forget to always be happy regardless. Even if having a real sugar mummy will make you happy, go for it.” I said, and he chuckled. “Bye, my friend.” I added, and intended to leave but he surprised me with a hug.
“I won’t forget you, Keisha. I won’t forget any of my friends. Thank you for everything.” He whispered in my ears and I wondered why he is being so dramatically, nevertheless, I patted his back to comfort him.
**
Everything return to normal after the farewell party, I can’t say completely normal because we have the midterm examinations to prepare for.
Always being with Alex and Chris brought them bath together and people started assuming that they became close because Chris real identity was revealed - but who cares about what others think?
They gradually get along after spending quality time together, and it almost felt like Chris was taking Jeremy’s place. Speaking of Jeremy, they talked about him all day, and I could tell how much they missed him. Even if they stayed in touch, it’s unlike being together, it’s just how it is with Kaye, I missed him more now that we talk regularly. I can’t wait to graduate soon, and attend same college with him.
Preparations for the upcoming examinations went smoothly, and I could already tell that I would excel. Forming a group reading with two intelligent students- Alex and Chris was really helpful.
*
We completed the midterm examinations but more pressure rise, it’s the grande finale, preparation for our final examination began immediately.
Everything was going smoothly with mum and my stepdad although mum was playing hard to get. It’s best she takes her time to play since she couldn’t before getting married. He drop by most of the time, and even spend the night over - we could literally say he moved in with us. And we got the shock of our life when Stef dropped by with his luggage as well. That bold step mended our relationship, and also help mum quit her drama. She and my stepdad registered their marriage and we all moved back in - finally, Stella returned home with his mother as well. The kid was really serious about not leaving because of me.
**
**
Time files, yes, time flies. Time flies more when you are having fun. When I just resumed, each seconds count as ten hours, but now, even with exam preparation, time flied.
We completed our finale exams even if I don’t know what my result will be, I was still glad to graduate from highschool and become an adult. I’m not the type to worry about my results, and I allowed myself prepare for prom night wholeheartedly.
I’ve always been daydreaming about prom since I was in middle school, and here it is, we are there. Today, I’m the most happy teenager on earth. I don’t care if anyone thinks they are happier than me, but I’m the happiest.
Alex and Chris both proposed to be my date but I turned them down and matched in with Stella who is yet to find himself a girlfriend because of me. His ex broke up with him because he was mostly talking about me, so getting a new girl while we were close was frighten for him. He considers dating again when he becomes a senior.
“Ms. Fearless, you are so beautiful tonight.” He said, and I tried hard to control myself from blushing, but I failed. I really worked on myself, mum got the designer outfit for me, and Queen took my makeup as her priority.
“You are the only junior here, will you be fine?” I asked.
“Junior? Yuck! I’m a senior now.” He boasted, and I laughed.
“Not in your seniors party.” I teased.
*
We entered the party together, and Alex and Chris walked up to me.
“Really?” They chorused, and I instantly knew what that was about.
“I’m really excited that you are leaving Alex, Salvage high is now my domain at least for the year left. You ruled for too long.” Stella said, and we all laughed.
“I trust you, Stella. You won’t be a bully, and I trust you did treat the junior well, unlike me.” Alex said.
“You don’t have to trust me, I don’t need your vote.” He teased.
“I got the first dance.” Chris shouted, and Alex raised his brow.
“Traitor.” Alex whined.
*
Chris and I head to the dance floor, and we danced following the rhythm of the slow music.
“You did it, Keisha.” He said, and I looked at him confused - it’s not like our examinations results are out and I barged the best student, even though I knew it’s just an hallucination.
“What?” I asked.
“Alex and I. You ditched us, and we are all leaving highschool. You will regret not accepting me to date the hottest guy in college.” He said, and I chuckled.
“We will all leave anyways. Even if I accept you or not. We will still breakup and I could still date the hottest guy in college but then, we won’t even be able to continue as friends, unlike now.”
“We didn’t even date, and you are all about breakup.”
“Will you follow me to college?” I teased.
“I wish I could, but I have to return to Germany to be able to fulfill my dreams but you aren’t free yet, I would return and come between you and whoever you are dating. I’ll seduce you with my handsome face, and get you to be mine.” He said, and I laughed.
“You are funny, Chris. I did anticipate.”
“Thank you for everything, Keisha. Thank you for being a true friend.” He said, and embraced me.
*
Alex and I danced in silence for a long time that I thought we won’t talk until he did.
“Thank you rejecting my proposal, Keisha.” He said, and I looked at him wondering if he find another girl, or he realized that he still love Melanie after he was crowned prom king with her. Yes, they are both our year prom king and queen.
“You are welcome.” I said, unsure of the best response.
“You won’t ask why I’m thanking you?” He asked, and i chuckled.
“You will say it anyways.” I said, and he scoffed.
“I’m leaving. I’m going to Italy and I won’t ever return until God knows when. It’s hard enough that I’ll leave my friends, so how hard would it had been to leave my girlfriend? Despite that, Keisha,
I want you to always know that my feelings for you were genuine, they aren’t some dare or random teenage feelings, but it’s truly genuine. If you believe in fate, I hope we meet in the future, and no obstacle should come between us then.” He said, and embraced me -I was so touched by his words.
This is the end of it all, the end of what seems like my never ending experience in Salvage high. It’s all filled with goodbye because that’s why we are teenagers. We are free to love, make friends and hate each other, but at the end we will all find our own part and might never be able to see each other again. Kaye and I planned to go to a college far away because that seems like the best choice of school that could accept me. He has good grades and could go to better schools, but he insist that we attend same school. Jeremy left first, Alex is leaving to Italy, and Chris to Germany. Gabriel said he could go to England as they initially planned, and Melanie is attending a school close by. Yeah, I knew that because she and I grew a little close, not a friends, but as mutual friends to the boys - a rather complicated relationship.
Teenage hood is just the best phase of life, because here we are allowed to make mistakes, and say goodbye to everything because after this dance, we will become adults who listens to the heart, and set an example to the coming generations behind us.
I love my teenage hood, and my experience in Salvage High will forever remain a memorable one.
The End