Chapter Eighteen

I forced myself up and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

I never thought there would be a day when I would sleep and get tired of it.

After I was done showering and dressing up, I headed downstairs to hang out with mom.

She was in the sitting room watching a TV program. "Heyy". She brightened up on seeing me. "Do you feel better?"

I smiled and nodded. "I'm better thanks to you". I sat beside her and cuddled. " This is nice, you are warm".

She laughed softly. "What's with you, young lady?".

"Nothing. I just want to stay like this. With you". I shifted closer.

"Uh-huh before I forget, you had a visitor this morning while you were asleep".

"Sam". I groaned. "I had called him and told him not to drop by".

"No, not Sam. Some other young guy like him. Said his name was Catch and he's your classmate". I sat up so fast mom was startled.

" Who did you say was here?"

"Catch?" She asked rather than answered. "You guys friends or something?"

I grunted. "Not even close".

"Why?" Her curiosity perked up. "He sounded like a nice person".

" Mom you don't know him". I honestly pointed out. "Anyway that's not even the point right now. Why was he here? Why didn't you wake me up?"

"He didn't ask of you". She shrugged.

" He didn't ask of me?" I tried to make sense of this. Why then did he come?

"But he left you a package which I left on the dining table".

Without another word, I went to the said table and saw a small gift bag. Inside there was a small wrapped package in the shape of a square.

I tore away the wrapping sheet and revealed a beautiful red box. I opened the box interested in seeing what was inside. Again there was a smaller red box. Okay, he was playing with me again. I opened it up and there was a red card.

An apology card. I hissed. All those wrapping and boxes for an ordinary card. He had written his digits in the card. 'I'm so calling you to chew you out'.

I punched his numbers in my phone. It rang. When I thought it was going to cut he picked up.

" How did you know where I lived?" I asked before he could say anything.

"I asked around. Look, Alex, I'm sorry. For everything not just yesterday. I picked the wrong person to mess with".

I didn't say anything so he continued. "Yesterday after that slap I realised that I've been an idiot and I totally deserved it. I should thank you".

I was this kind of person that couldn't hold grudges. "I forgive you but I have to agree that you've been an idiot".

"And now?" He asked hopefully.

"Not so much now but we'll see".

He laughed. " You sure are a tough one. I'm in the convenience store near your house. Can you meet me here or should I come over?"

I thought for a second or two. "I'll meet you there".

**************

I arrived at the store. He was not indoors, he sitting on one of those chairs arranged outside around a table. When he saw me, he stood up with a smile.

" Alexandria". He called in a silky voice. "I am most honoured by your graceful presence".

" Don't try to be funny". I told him drily.

"Haha, but I wasn't. I think you find me funny".

I shook my head at him. "Whatever. You skipping school?"

"You know! I hardly go all the five days. Whenever I do that, I have severe headache on weekends"

"Wow!" I exclaimed amazed. He quirked a brow at me. "I see seriousness written all over you".

He cackled in laughter. "I see it too. What about you? Playing truancy?"

"Like I would ever do that". I lied. " I am sick. Got a sore throat". I rubbed my neck, though my scratchy voice was gone.

"Ahh". Recognition dawned on him. He nodded with eyes on the neck I was rubbing.

"Do you really?" It was obvious that he didn't believe me but who cared what he thought.

He chortled. "What will you like to drink? I already had three cans of beer before you joined me, so I would have nothing again".

"Three". I echoed in shock. "Are you sure you aren't drunk? I can't stand the sight of drunk guys to be honest".

He waved it off. "I have really high alcohol tolerance so you don't need to worry. What will it be?"

"Water please".

" Alrighty". He went inside the store and came back a chilled bottled water which he passed on to me.

"Thank you".

" So you having boys problem?" He sighed with a wistful look in his eyes. "Do you know what my number one dream is?"

"What?" I asked in a bored tone, I didn't even want to know.

"To see girls fight because of me". He revealed with a grin.

I snorted. " Indeed. I'm sure you already know somewhere at the back of your mind that before it happens a pig will fly".

"Yes". He acknowledged so quickly that he had me laughing.

Okay, this was the time. " You got a girlfriend?"

"I got a couple here and there".

"Gross". I grimaced. "Did Samson find out who bashed his car yet?"

"Nope". He replied popping the 'p'. " The CCTV in the parking lot was broken and the school authorities are less concerned".

"Aw".

He eyes me with narrowed eyes. I gave him my '𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵?' look. " We know who did it but we're without proof".

"Really? Who?" I leaned in on the table.

"Your boyfriend".

" Excuse me?"

"Seriously, Alex, who else other than him? Let's face it. Did you ask him? I bet he said no. He alone–"

"Shut it! Enough of that rubbish stumbling out of your mouth. Is that why you called me out here? To badmouth my boyfriend? Wow, catch, you really got guts".

He rubbed his temples and let out a breath. " Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you".

"Well you managed to and so wonderfully well". I snapped and got up. "I'm out of here. Thank God I didn't open this yet". I threw the bottle of water at him and walked away.

I heard his chair scrape back and his footsteps after me before I felt him take hold of my hand and whirl me around.

" Hey I'm sorry. Really".

"You don't mean that". I countered. " Only minutes ago I forgave you and you cross the line again. Let go of me this instant".

He didn't. "Look, Alex I—"

A car abruptly screeched to a halt besides us cutting him off. It was Sam's. My eyes widened and I forcefully freed myself from his grasp. Sam jumped out of the car without turning off the ignition and shoved Catch with force.

"Take a chill pill". Catch drawled. "You think I would try to snatch her from you? I don't want my car bashed".

" Yeah I'm glad you know what you don't want. You're not as dumb as I thought".

"How did you find me, Sam?" I smiled at him nervously.

"I went to your house and your mom told me you came here to see someone and I reach and find out that it's this-this—"

"Awesome guy". Catch supplied.

" Catch". I warned.

"I'm inviting you to a bonfire party I and the guys are throwing tonight, you have to come". He spared Sam a glance to say; " You can come if you like". He turned back to me. "I'll text you the address. See you". He turned and walked down the opposite direction. We watched him in silence before disappearing round the corner.

I faced Sam feeling strangely uncomfortable like I did something bad. "Hey, school hours aren't over yet".

"What a clever way to say you're not pleased to see me". He fired.

My jaw dropped open at that accusation. " I only wanted to know—"

"I came to see you. I couldn't bear waiting till closing hours. You merely called this morning saying you were sick and wouldn't let me drop by and then I come and see you're already well enough to come out to meet Catch. Just nice".

He was getting it all wrong. " If you had dropped by, you would've been late for your first period".

He scoffed. "You know I don't care".

" I do!"

"When did you both become such good friends that he now holds your hand and invites you to a party?"

I heaved a sigh. "I understand where you're coming from so why don't we sit down over there..." I pointed the seats Catch and I had just left, "...and I'll tell you what happened".

He remained unmoving.

"Come on". I tugged on his jacket and he reluctantly followed. "We started talking yesterday". On second thought, I changed my mind. Yesterday cannot count. "It's today. Actually—"

"You're not sure. I suppose I should be glad that '𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬' is not among your answers".

I rolled my eyes. Now he was really being annoying. He wouldn't even let me explain. "Sam, you can't be like this".

"Are you going to the party?" He asked in a way that made it seem like he was daring me to say yes.

"No. I'm not going, happy?"

"No, not in the least. You just made me feel like I'm the kind of boyfriend who doesn't let his girlfriend be free and do whatever she likes".

I couldn't believe it was Sam talking like this. He was doubting me? I just defended him in Catch's presence and he appears now and acts like an asshole. I glared at him biting the inside of my bottom lip. " What would you have me say?"

"I don't know. What do you want to say?" Oh yeah?

"I'll go to the party".

He blinked once. Twice. "What did you say?"

"I'm sure you heard me loud and clear. See you around". I got up and walked away briskly.

"Alex, Alex!" He called out. I didn't look back once. Was that remorse I heard in his voice?

'Louder baby. I can be an asshole too' .