Chapter 1
“Babe, you want to eat out or in?”
“Definitely in, I don't feel like getting glammed up for dinner.” I yelled from the kitchen where I was pouring myself a drink.
“Okay babe, what you want to eat?”
“Hmm babe you decide. I don't really know what I'm craving.”
I heard his sigh of “girls” before he replied.
“Nuggets and fries sounds okay?”
“Perfect.” I yelled.
Alex was one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my entire life. My parents were too rich and busy to give me any attention. I wake up every day to different stories about them on the news in different countries. I can still remember the night I asked Alex if he'll live with me if my parents agreed to buy me a house. His shouts of excitement and happiness wouldn't be something to be forgotten. We were teenagers but it seemed we already had our lives figured out.
I woke up startled by the rustling of the trees, the air smelling earthy and moist. It had just started raining. I loved staying indoors and the rain had just given me another excuse to stay in bed. My phone flashed. A message from my best friend, Lena.
“Thank goodness for this heavy rain. At least the deadline for Math homework would definitely be extended. I'm sure you're still on bed Nell ( :”
I smiled at her last sentence but stiffened when I realised I hadn't even touched my Math homework from last week. Today was supposed to be the deadline, thanks again to the rain.
I rushed to the bathroom to freshen up and get back to my room before my brother woke up. He can be very grumpy in the morning coupled with the fact that he takes a ridiculous amount of time in the bathroom.
As I approached the bathroom, I realised I hadn't texted Lena back and she usually keeps malice with me each time I ignore her texts. Shit! I hurried back to the room when I heard Chris’ room open. Great!
“Yes Lena.” I replied sarcastically. Poor Lena. She could never stand being ignored, even for a minute.
As I dropped my phone, it flashed again. I knew she was waiting for my reply all these while.
“Meet me at the library in ten?”
“Chris just entered the bathroom and how'd you expect me to come out in this heavy rain??”
“Your Math homework at risk then? Miss Morris gon’ be up your ass then. And remember this is a make up homework considering we also forgot to do the previous one. I'm already at the library Nell, don't keep me waiting.”
Why does she want to come out so bad? I thought to myself. Well, I better shower and dress up before she starts blowing up my phone.
I sighed.
“Okay”
What'd I do without Lena? I thought to myself. I'd been behind in school work considering we just moved to London. She was the first person that I met in Preston Bridge University. We instantly clicked and remained best friends. Since then, we've pretty much been inseparable. I smiled to myself as I recalled my first day of college at PBU.
The bathroom door opened and I rushed to bathe.
I was putting on my boots when my dad's door creaked open.
“Morning dad.”
“Why're you off so early in this weather?”
“Early? It's past 11 Dad. And I want to meet up with Lena at the library. We've got stuff to do.”
He shifted his gaze from me and I thanked my stars he didn't press further.
“Can I borrow your car?” I asked already knowing the answer but I hoped he'd change his mind considering the bad weather.
“No gas.”
I wore my coat and grabbed my umbrella ready to face the rain.
------
I got to the library with a drenched body, puddle in my boots and broken umbrella. Eyes were on me as I made my way through, every step echoing with my soaked boots. To be honest, I'd have just stayed home at this point.
Hanging my umbrella, I glanced through the library and I thanked my stars when I saw Lena at the far end of the library.
I sat down across from her with a dead look on my face.
“Please tell me you're almost through.”
She laughed.
I hoped she was laughing at my drenched clothes but I looked at her phone to see the seemingly hilarious video she was watching.
“LENA!”
“What's wrong?” She looked at me with amusement perched on her face.
She had the audacity to ask what was wrong. One day I'll just strangle this girl and make sure no breathing is left in her.
I stood up to air my clothes while she brought out the Math questions.
Two hours later, it seemed the rain only increased but we were already bored.
“How's Mike?”
An expression crossed her face within a split second before she smiled but I already caught it.
“He's fine.” She replied without looking at me.
“Lena, what's happened again?”
She sighed before replying.
“We had a fight.”
I wanted to say something but she continued.
“That's why I was so persistent about coming out of the house because we haven't talked for days.”
“Since then?”
She had a look of worry on her face.
“In BIO class when he accused you of cheating.”
She sighed again before replying.
“Yeah, since then.”
“See, Lena I don't mean to spoil your relationship but I think it's high time you broke up.”
I continued.
“The endless fights, the late night cries, the drama and embarrassment in front of everyone. He doesn't deserve any of this, Lena.”
Lena stifled a cry as she nodded. We've had this conversation multiple times but she keeps being stubborn.
“My mom will disown me if I break up with him. You know we can't afford all this on our own Nell. His family has helped mine so much and my parents can't afford to lose the only ties we may have in common. You know all these stories Nell. What would you do if you were in my shoes? I can't break up with him Nell, you know the story behind all these.”
Lena finished with a tear rolling down her cheek.
I took a deep breath I didn't know I was holding as I listened to the story for the umpteenth time.
“It's okay Lena, it's okay. Let's not talk about this okay? You know your cry is loud so you don't get us kicked out of here girl.”
I said as we started getting glances from people.
She stopped immediately and I dug out a crumpled tissue from inside my bag for her to tidy herself up with.
She smiled at me as I made a disgusted face at her wiping her catarrh.
----
The rain was now falling in drizzles and we decided to round up our homework.
“Lena, could you review my answers again before we leave? I really want to ace this course.”
She grabbed my book and glanced through making minor corrections here and there.
What would I really do without her?