Chapter 2 - Annoying Elements

"Listen, Asher, I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I didn't mean to text you." I said as he pulled me along. The game was still on. I couldn't believe he had just ditched it because of me.

"Liar, liar." He sang.

"Why would you think I'm lying?!" I snapped, irritated by him and the attention we were drawing. "We've never even said a word to each other, so why on earth would I randomly text you out of the blue?" 

"You should know better." 

We were already walking out of the field. When I looked back again, I found Mia, Nicole and Regan in a heated argument. He dragged me across the field and back into the building until we stopped in the hallway near the male locker room. I frowned.

"Wait for me here. I need to take a quick shower."

Before I could blink, he dumped a bag on me and I was forced to catch it. "That's my phone and laptop. Hold tight!" And just like that, he disappeared into the locker room, shutting the door behind him.

I really hated this because I hadn’t even recovered from losing a wristwatch entrusted to me, and now this. I slid down the wall and sank to the floor, clutching the bag tightly. If his phone and laptop were really inside, and anything happened to them, my life would officially be over because I knew they would cost over a thousand bucks.

I must have sat there thinking and staring into space for about ten minutes when Matt, Asher's best friend showed up.

"Hey, you.” He snapped his fingers to get my attention. “Thanks. You can hand it over now. It’s not your baby. The owner needs it.”

"Tell him to come get it himself." I mumbled icily.

Matt chuckled, taking big strides towards me. "What if he doesn't want to?"

"Then he can bid it farewell."

He stooped low in front of me now, and for dumb reasons I couldn't explain, my heart began to race. Matt wasn't quite different from Asher in looks. They were both tall, athletic and annoyingly attractive, with the perfect abs and muscles. But Asher had full long dark hair, which he always left to fall over his face, while Matt's hair was cute and spiky. I felt like running my hand over it so they flew in more different directions.

"One word of advice, gal." He lowered his voice. "Don't join the throng of girls forcing themselves on him. It's never going to do you any good. Not when you're not in his league."

Okay. This was actually the most hurtful word I've heard today. 

"Can I have it now?" He tugged gently at the bag. 

I sprang to my feet with anger and indignation, then smacked him repeatedly on the head with the bag while he struggled to rise. I must have hit him about five times before it dawned on me that I could be doing damage to the phone and laptop, then halted instantly. 

"What the heck?! Are you crazy?!" He yelled at me, trying to regain his composure. 

"You must be the crazy one for using those stupid lines on me!" I shot back. "And listen carefully! I will rather die, than force myself on spoilt jerks who think life is all about drinks and girls. I find them utterly worthless!" I finally flung the bag at him and then stormed off. 

I had barely taken a few strides when a familiar steel voice stopped me.

"Grace.“

I turned around with an equally steel stare at the caller. 

Asher.

He had just come out of the locker room. His hair, dripping wet, fell over his face. He wore a fitted shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing those annoyingly perfect abs that did something unsettling to my stomach.

I refused to let it leave an impression on me.

It did though.

"Do you realize the gravity of what you just did to the devices in that bag?” Asher demanded in an unusual calm tone.

My hard stare melted at the spot. Oh no. I swallowed hard. "Really?" 

"Come have a look." He commanded.

My gaze wandered to Matt, and then back to Asher. I did a quick calculation. With the small distance between us, if I turned around now, I would be able to run off even if they chased me. I mean, what if they tried to hurt me in the process of going ahead to "see" the devices.

"Are you coming or not?" Asher growled, looking angrier.

"I'm sorry. No." I muttered firmly in an innocent tone. "I gotta go now. I'll see you tomorrow. Just send me the bills for the damage." Without waiting for a response, I turned and bolted, scurrying off like a mouse.

They chased me.

Runner runner. Good thing I had great legs. 

And a smarter brain too.

I flew down the stairs with ease, by sliding down the handrails, a skill I had acquired as a kid with my brother, Faith. I chuckled, hearing the stomps of their boots. Weaklings.

The moment I landed, I slipped under the staircase and hid. Seconds later, they rushed past at full speed.

I chuckled.

I won!

Didn't they say he who flees a fight, lives to fight another day? I don't remember exactly how it goes though, and I don't care. But one thing was sure. Tomorrow is another day. I might have the energy to deal with them then.

I felt so worked up and didn't dare to return to the field or exit the school just yet. Instead, I found my way back upstairs to the restroom, to buy myself some time. I sat on the closed toilet seat feeling depressed, and had a good cry. I must have dozed off crying because when I finally opened my eyes, I realized it was already dark to my horror.

On my way home, I rehearsed several lines in my head for Regan, but none of them made sense. I gave up trying and rather decided to seek solace in Nicole's words; Regan won't put a bullet to my head.

Regan's dad, a sweet guy, and my mum's elder brother, was the one who opened the door for me, but he was on a call. The rest of the house looked empty, so in relief, I made for my room immediately. However, I was greeted by a surprise the moment I turned on the light switch. 

Regan was seated on my bed, legs crossed, as if she was in a yoga meditation. 

"So you have a thing with Asher? How long has it been?" 

I rolled my eyes, pulling off my bag as I flung it to space. "I have nothing to do with idiots like him, Regan. Please lay off. I'm tired." I began to undress, but she didn't budge.

"Mia told me you sent him a text, asking to hang out."

I said nothing, determined not to indulge her.

"Don't you dare ignore me, Grace!" She raised her voice.

Heck! What was this? "What if I do?"

"I will make sure you regret it." She came down from the bed now and walked up to me with slow steps like a cat, waiting for an opportunity to prance on its prey. It was till she came closer, I realized she was recording me. 

I grabbed the closest thing next to me immediately, my skirt, covering my chest. "What exactly are you doing, Reg?!"

She gave me a bitter smile. "If you don't tell me the truth. This video is going to the class group in five seconds."

I was totally exasperated at this point. "What freaking truth? I told you I have nothing to do with that jerk!"

"Make me believe you then. Call him."

She brought the camera closer to me, but thankfully, I still had my undies on, and my skirt was doing a great job till the bills Mia gave me fell out. 

My heart literally dropped this time. I ducked down to pick them immediately, as Regan tried to beat me to it. She grabbed three hundred dollar bills, while I was able to grab the remaining two. 

"Where did you get this from?" 

"You can have it. It's for your missing wristwatch."

"I asked you a question, Grace."

"I stole it. If you don't want it, you can return it." I muttered coldly. 

"So you slept with Asher for five hundred bucks?" 

Okay, this was the height of it. 

"Get out." I ordered, gesturing at the door.

"What? Excuse me?"

For a response, I grabbed her by the hair, shoved her out the door, slammed it shut and locked it.

I went to bed without food that night. Despite all the entreaties by my aunt to open the door, I didn't budge. I had enough for the day already.