CRUSH

She kept on listening but they did not mention the person. She decided to confront them unaware.

"Who are you guys talking about," she said as she came out of the toilet and walked up to them. They looked at themselves in surprise. "Surprised, don't bother to lie, I heard your conversation. I want to know the girl" she said and no response came from them.

"Peter this is your call" John finally spoke up after a long silence and was walking away. "Where are you going" she shouted. "He can speak for himself," he said and left. "Who is she," she asked him and no response came out of his mouth.

After a few moments, he walked away. "Guys is this how it's going to be," she said folding her hands as she watch him walk away. She went to class and sat down quietly not looking at John.

She looked back and saw Joan sitting alone and wondered where Rita went. "Joan! Joan! Joan!" she called out a lot of times but she did not answer. "What is she thinking about that is making her lost" she murmured.

"Joan!" she called out again and she shacked her slightly. "Um....what...when did you..." she stammered looking confused. "Joan what's going on, I've been calling your name but you seemed deep in thought," Shelly said. "Nothing, just some random thought" she lied.

Shelly stood up and dragged her out of the class. "John I'll deal with you and Peter once I'm back," she said to John and gave him a fake smile before she left the class.

She dragged her straight to the school garden. "So who's the crush" Shelly asked. "I don't know what you're talking about" she lied. "Don't bother to lie, I've been through this before and can tell when someone is lying about this stuff" she said.

"I don't want to talk about it," she said. "Since when have you become this secretive," she asked. "I'm not, I don't want to talk about it and that's final, so please let me be," she said and walked away. "Joan! Joan!" she shouted but she did not look back. "Great, just great. Everyone is keeping a secret about their crush" she said looking frustrated.

"I need to look for Rita," she said and searched for her until she found her at the library. She went straight to where she was sitting and sat down and dropped some books on the table angrily. "Chill girl, what's making you so angry,," Rita asked. "It's John, Peter, and Joan. They are all hiding something from me" she said angrily. "What do you mean," Rita asked. She explained to her what she heard John and Peter discussing and also what Joan told her.

"Wow, they are keeping a secret," Rita said. "Why would my so-called friends keep this away from me," Shelly said. "I don't know what to think," Rita said. "I'm very angry at them right now," Shelly said. "So Peter has a crush but refused to tell and also Joan has a crush but refused to tell while John knows who Peter is having a crush on, but all of them refused to spill," Rita said looking angry.

"You see why I'm angry, is as if they are leaving me out," Shelly said. "Don't worry, you still have me" Rita said trying to comfort her. "I know, that's why am here talking to you" Shelly answered.

"Let's just forget about them and read we have another test coming tomorrow," Rita said. "Yes, forgotten already," she said and opened the book in front of her and they studied together. She got to class and refused to talk to anyone. "Shelly," John said knowing she was angry. "Don't talk to me I'm angry right now, I don't want to release my anger on you" she told him and he left her alone.

"Shelly" Joan called her from behind. "You too, don't talk to me, I'm angry at you, so leave me alone" she shouted back. Peter also came to talk to her but she didn't even look at him nor answered him, she pretended as if he was invisible.

When school was over that day, she angrily left the school without talking to anyone. She got home and threw her bag on the bed, she went into the bathroom took her bath, then came out and went to take her lunch. No one was at home, her mum and dad were away on a business trip, and James was still at work.

After eating she went to her room, after chatting with Rita for some time, she went to the study area and studied for hours before going back to her room.

She was listening to music when her phone rang, she looked at the caller and it was John, she didn't pick up. Later on, Joan called her but she did not pick up and lastly, Peter called her that's when she finally switched off her phone. She knew her parents won't be coming back that day and James told her that he would be coming late. Since it was getting dark she decided to sleep.

She woke up the next morning and did everything slowly just to get herself late. After getting prepared, she went downstairs and expected to see James in the dining but did not see him. She saw a note on the table. "Left early today, eat before you go to school, talk to you when I come back" the note read.

The maid served her food, she just took a slice of bread and drank a little tea. She entered the car after eating, by that time she was late then her driver took her to school.

She entered the school building and saw Rita waiting for her. Rita ran to meet her and hugged her. "Are you okay?" she asked. "Yes," Shelly answered. "I was worried I tried calling you but your phone was switched off," she said. "Yes," Shelly answered again. They both went to class and when they entered their math teacher was already in class.

"Where are you two coming from," the teacher asked. "The principal sent for us" Rita lied. "Go to your seat," the teacher said and they went to sit down. When the class was over, John tried talking to her but she did not answer so did Joan and Peter but she did not answer. Throughout the period before break, her head was on the desk.

They heard the bell for them to go out for a break. Shelly stood up and packed all her things inside her bag and carried it. "Shelly where are you going to," Rita asked standing in front of her. "Home, I'm not feeling too well," she said. "You don't look good," Rita said.

She did not care if John and Joan were listening. "Can you follow me to take permission and see me off?" she said. "Sure," she said and they walked out of class. She got permission and she went home while Rita went to the cafeteria to meet with the rest. "Where is Shelly?" Joan, John, and Peter chorused at the same time. "She was not feeling too well, so she went home," she said. "Thank you all" Rita said hissed and left.

Shelly got home and went to her room, locked her door, and went to sleep. She woke up a few hours later and checked the time it was 2:45 pm. "Few minutes remaining for them to close," she said and stood up.

She went to the dining and took her lunch. Then she took her phone and went outside to their garden and sat there. Soon she stood up, and went to bring a table and four chairs, she arranged them with the help of the maids. She put the chairs around the table and sat down. When she checked her phone it was 3:30 pm. She got a text from Rita saying she wants to come over and she agreed.

In no time she came and went to join Shelly in the garden. "Why are they so many chairs here," Rita asked as she sat down. "Nothing" she answered. As they were talking she got a text from John saying he wants to come over and she agreed. Peter and Joan also texted her saying they want to come and she agreed.

They all arrived at the same time and the maid took them to where Shelly and Rita were. Now everyone was present and they all looked at each other.

"I'm sorry" John, Joan, and Peter chorused at the same time. "For what exactly," she said pretending not to know and everyone kept quiet. "How could you do this, we're friends and that's all you could do. You made me think too much and now I'm suffering from what you did" Shelly shouted.

"Take it easy, breath in breath out," Rita said to Shelly and she calmed down. "I'm sorry, I'll tell you," Joan said. "Go on," Rita said. "My crush.....um.....Peter" she said slowly and they looked up in surprise. "My...crush...Joan" Peter said and they were double shocked. "Uh uh uh" Rita cleared her throat. "Um...um... I never expected this but you all wanted it like this" Shelly said.

"I have a call now," Rita said and left to another part and was talking. Shelly stood up and went to another part standing. John left Joan and Peter there and went to meet Shelly. In no time Joan and Peter were talking.

"Are you alright?" John asked Shelly. "No" she answered. "I'm very sorry, I should have told you. I would never do this to you again, never" he said. "And," she asked. "And I missed you, it was torture for me when you didn't want to speak to me" he added.

He went closer to Shelly and she hugged him tightly. "I missed you too," she said. "Shelly you need some rest," John said. "I know" she answered. "Awn...just look at them talking and laughing," Shelly said pointing to Joan and Peter still hugging him. "you made it happen," he said. "Let me enjoy this hug while it last," she said and they both laughed.