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24: Truth hurts II
Eric's girlfriend is the last person I expect to see, but it all adds up now. She's the reason he didn't show up today. But why? The question stirs a plausible answer as I analyse her clothing and slightly messed up hair. My stomach churns, a lump forming in my throat.
I try to swallow past it and find my voice. “Where's Eric?”
Although she just called me a boyfriend snatcher, I choose to ignore it.
“You're even wearing his hoodie on top.” She points at the hoodie and laughs scornfully. “This girl you're really trying your best o. You know when those girls told me what you've been up to with my boyfriend, I almost didn't believe it. But now you're here, I don't doubt they were telling the truth.”
It doesn't take long for me to understand she's talking about the girls that wouldn't stop glaring my way when I came over.
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Finding Us 25: Relationship advice
My legs feels like lead. Each step weighs a ton. My heart feels like it has been crushed by a dumb-bell. And all I can do is clump my way upstairs, hoping to get into my room without being seen, slump on my bed and cry my eyes out.When I reach my door, I begin to search for my key, but the damn thing stays hidden.Exasperated, I turn my bag upside down, allowing all of its content to rain to the floor. My books hit the ground and I don't realize my mistake until my phone falls too, smashing itself to the floor.I throw my bag aside, bending immediately to pick up my phone.“Oooh, God!” I grumble when I see the crack my stupid actions has caused me.This makes me snap, lose every ounce of strength I have and collapse to the floor as I begin to cry into my hands.
Finding Us 26: Just to prove something
Days go by and try as I might, I'm disturbed by Eric's silence. But even more disturbed by Mariam's presence. She's always with him: in the hall during classes, at the canteen, on the traders' ground. They're everywhere; however, her presence sort of makes it easier to also ignore Eric.She's the girlfriend, not me. I'm that pathetic friend who will always be on the sidelines; the sooner I get this into my head, the better for me.“What are you thinking of?” Caleb asks when he sees me staring ahead with my temple rested on my palm.“Nothing really.” I sigh and sit straight. “Just wondering how I'll pass our tests.”Since Eric is never around, my new company became Caleb. Aside from when he has other things to attend to, friends to talk to, he's basically wherever I am. I know it's wrong, but his company doesn't make me feel thr
Finding Us 27: Party scatter I
“You're what?” Unlike Annie who's super-excited to attend a party this weekend, Amanda believes I'm making a terrible decision.“I know,” I say. “I hate parties too, but I already told my friend that I'll be coming.”“Did that friend tie you with rope and say you must come? Or is he or she holding a gun to your head?”“Leave the girl alone, jare,” Annie says. “She deserves some fun. Let her have it.” She turns to me in her plastic chair. “Don't mind Amanda. Going to a party is not a sin and yes, I'll follow you.”I smile at her, relief washing over me like a cold shower during a hot afternoon. I've been panicking all day, wondering how I'll attend the party alone. Although I don't like that I have to go, knowing that I won't be going alone soothes my worry a little.Amanda lets out
Finding Us 28: Party scatter II
Caleb doesn't stop on the ground floor as we begin climbing the stairs to the second floor. On our way upstairs, I bump shoulders with someone and then mumble an apology. A couple of steps forward I hear my name. Or I think I hear my name, because when I look back at the sea of people lining the stairwell and beyond, I don't see anyone I might know.Caleb doesn't allow me to dwell much on what I think I heard because he keeps moving, my hand in his grip, and soon, we arrive at a balcony. Aside from the red folding chair and a small table by our left, the place is empty and the air is clear too.“Hmm.” I look over my shoulder and then over the railing at the party downstairs. “It's a bit quiet here.”He chuckles and takes a sip from his cup. “You're like an open book, you know.”I scowl. “What's that supposed to mean?”
Finding Us 29: What to do
When I get home and my parents ask how my tests were, I simply reply I did my best. This response is met with optimism from my mom and a prayer that God will handle the rest, while my dad seems disappointed, believing my best coupled with how I sound isn't enough.I can't blame him though — even though I wish he has little faith in me. My best has never been enough to get me good grades. No matter how hard I try to study, the results never end up in my favour. Especially when I'm studying on my own. It's always been with Eric's help that I scale through any test.Although we've been studying days before the test week, Eric wasn't there to soothe my fear and tell me the test questions won't be that hard. Before I enter any test or exam hall, I always become panic-stricken; my clothes are soaked with sweat while I bite the inner part of my cheeks and rub my hands down my skirt. During such times, he'll
Finding Us 30: Joined at the hips
Our cloth business is doing well, even though there are a few losses incurred from refunds made to dissatisfied customers. Nonetheless, Dare has amazing marketing strategies that have me smiling at my account balance after I hear my notification sound.“My first hard-earned money.” I grin foolishly.Dare laughs.“Yikes.” I put my phone in my bag. “So when do we start another batch?”“Whenever you're ready. Although, with exams coming up, do you think you can cope? Won't it be best if we let this semester go and start next semester?”“Nah, don't worry. I can always find time.”Even if I'll be as busy as a bee, I'll choose sewing anytime, any day.“Babe,” Anita calls from the counter. “Do you want fish or meat?”
Finding Us 31: Dead
Annie flings the door open, interrupting our conversation as Amanda and I jerk at our doors where we're standing.“Ah-ah. What is it? Why are you running like someone they're pursuing?” I ask, peering through the door as she bends over, panting.“Diamond... Dead body... Road... Side.”“Eh? What are you saying?” I ask.Amanda hurries down to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water she gives Annie. Annie moves Amanda's hand aside and straightens, her eyes glistening with tears.It then clicks in my head when I try to piece her words together. “Diamond is dead?!”She nods.Time stops. My heart plummets.Diamond is dead. Diamond is dead. No, it's not true. Diamond isn't dead.
Finding Us 32: Something happened last night
Eric slept over. Again. I was crying so much that he believed I'd crumble if he left.To take my mind off everything, we talked about anything unrelated to Diamond's death as we ate the pizza. It worked and soon, I fell asleep only to wake up later in the night to find his face an inch away from mine.His arm is crossed over my waist like the last time as his calm breath fans my face.Instead of going back to sleep, I remain the way I am, watching him sleep as I analyse his features. His left eyebrow is slightly raised due to how that side of his face is atop his arm. There's a poker dot (usually known as God's mark) on the right side of his cheek. It's so tiny that I sometimes forget it's there. I almost reach for the dot, amazed by how that tiny part of him enhances his charm, when his eyelids flutters and I shut my eyes immediately.“Do I have something on my face?” his voice is quiet and raspy
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