Her Other Half

Chapter Nine

"Am good Uncle." Gideon replied, shaking his hand and giving him a shoulder bump. "So, what brings you here?"

"Am going to Kenya tommorow." he said heading into the kitchen and pouring himself a glass of water from the fridge.

"Oh." They had a car company and a hotel there too.

"Yah, l will meet with a new investor.

I love the way you take care of this place." his added and gulped down the content of his glass. "But remember, you are always welcome to stay at my place."

What was he supposed to say to him? Thank you? It was his duty to take care of this place. This place made him feel his mom's presence. There was no way he would dessert it. "Thanks for the offer uncle. But am cool here."

"You are one tough boy." his uncle acknowledged.

"I will just go and take a shower." Gideon said and his uncle nodded.

A brown girl with toothpaste form smeared on her lips and a toothbrush in between her teeth stared back at her in the mirror. She didn't cared how childish she looked while brushing. This was her personal space and whoever saw her in that state, it was their problem not hers.

Fri-nally, it was Friday. She loved Fridays. They felt like heaven on earth. Even knowing about its arrival was enough to get her giddy. She loved how her whole being responded to it. Friday filled her with good vibes. Even though she was having exams the following week, she still embraced this day. She wasn't going to do anything revision. That would have to wait.Why won't other days be like Friday. Atleast Saturday and Sunday were.

Thinking about Gideon, she was so done with him. There was no way she would go near him. Not even for a talk. They had different perspectives of talks anyway. His a jerk. But she still let herself wonder what he was doing at that time. Was he also getting ready for school? Did he love Fridays like her?

Oh Gideon...

After rinsing her toothbrush and washing her face, she went in for a hot shower. It always did her miracles; loosening all the tense muscles.

She brushed and blow dried her hair, wincing at it's waywardness. Atleast she would survive the torture of brushing it. Today she was going to plaint. She hadn't come to a conclusion on which style. Maybe braids; Alinda's signature style. Alinda... Atleast her parents allowed her to spend the holiday in Malawi with them. She would be in Malawi with in ten days. The day was getting closer.

Butterflies accumulated in her tummy as she walked to the History class. After what she and Gideon had done yesterday, she would have done anything to avoid him. He had walked down on her after seeing her in her most vulnerable state. After being needy and longing before him. The hell... She shouldn't have let her guard down.

But then, it slides down itself whenever she sees him. Just like right then again, but this time it remained in mid-air. Not disappearing fully. And within a second, it pulled back up.

He was with Nandera again. She felt her blood boil. She had also taken over her favorite seat in the classroom. She had no choice but to take the middle seat. She wished the lesson would just end and she would be on her way to the salon. Or atleast be cancelled. Maybe she should just dodge it. But no, not for their benefit.

The teacher came in shortly and the lesson begun. The day's topic was Bantu Migration. Not her take but she wasn't the syllabus organiser. She felt good about herself for not thinking about Gideon during the lesson. She was doing well in her compaign of erasing him from her life.

The siren went off in unison with the teacher concluding. The students started leaving the classroom immediately once the teacher went out. Yve too stood up to leave after placing her books in her bag.

"Yve." She knew right away who it was. She reminded herself about what she agreed on doing before looking up at him. But just then, Noel appeared too. Nandera was there anyway.

"Hi Noel." she said. Evil Yve had ignited and she wanted to do some revenge. If he loved or was crazy for her— whatever. He should be hurt somehow. The tension between them was also tangible. Gideon's eyes were blazing but she stood her ground.

Her heart was pounding in her eats but she reminded herself about how he had treated her. And then she had found him with Nandera even though he claims she's just his friend. Ok... maybe she was overreacting, but whatever.

"Let's talk as we walk." Noel suggested, completely aware of Gideon's menace gaze.

"Yah, sure." She was quick to reply. Maybe it was the adrenaline taking control of her lips. She needed to escape Gideon.

"I was still talking to her." Gideon's voice was firm and threatening.

"Am pretty sure she doesn't want to." Noel replied. And Gideon lunged at him, their chests almost hitting. His jaw tightened and his hands folded into fists. He was ready to punch Noel. The two looked at each other in a way that showed they would tear each other if given a chance.

Oh God! She didn't want any blood spill.

"Let's go Noel." she pulled his hand.

"What did you want to tell me?" Yve asked after them walking through the noisy hallway.

"Are you in a relationship with Gideon?"

"No." she replied.

"Do you love him?" She kept her eyes down as she contemplated on what to reply. Of course she did, but good would it do to tell someone who has always been chasing her.

"Hey, Yve." she heard Odrah's voice say. Thank God... He always sent rescue at the time she needed it. "Hi Noel." She greeted him too.

"Hi."

Yve gave her the help-me look and she sprang into action right away. "Can I borrow Yve for awhile." Odrah said and Yve sighed inwardly. She didn't want to answer his question. It was for his benefit.

"Sure."

"Goodbye Noel." Odrah smiled as they walked off.

"Goodbye."

"What were you two talking about?" Odrah asked as soon as they reached the school parking lot.

"He asked if am in love with Gideon."

"Are you?"

Yve scowled at her. Not her to.

"Sorry. Of course, it's obvious."

Really!

They drove off to the salon when Wamono arrived and Annabelle too seconds later.

One of the reasons Yve loved Innovate Salon was because of its soothing atmosphere. It's color scheme would swell anyone's heart. It reminded her of a rainy day in the woods. Expressing enthusiasm in its own unique way. The furnishings and floor plan was lush yet looking simple and vibrant. It had an exclusive appealing look. She felt relaxed and special in Innovate.

The reception was warm and welcoming. But you wouldn't have gotten the whole vibe of the it if you didn't go into all its in-s. The most comfy chairs were found there.

Yve had decided to settle for twists and Annabelle too. Odrah was going to dye her hair purple after having it white for sometime. Truth be told, she looked more flourishing with her hair dyed. The style matched her skin color. The complexity of the lighter shades of brown skin with white or purple hair just looked fantasized.

Yve, Odrah and Annabelle had decided to be start their driving lessons on Saturday. They wanted to acquire driving licenses as soon as possible since they would be all turning eighteen by next year. It would be convenient if they would drive themselves. They spent most of Saturday at the driving school. Their first day wasn't complicated since they knew the basics and the instructor was friendly.

Yve spent Sunday at home, revising for the exams. Time ticked by so quickly that she didn't notice it come to six in the evening until she had her parents' car pull in the driveway. Atleast she managed to cover most topics she was more than ready for the tests.

Yve was exhausted after having three papers that day she couldn't wait to fall into her bed on arriving home. It was only day one of the examination week. But it was still tiring. She hoped to get used to the energy drainage other wise how would she cope up. The day's tests had been pretty fair. No doubt she had hammered them.

Best of all or worst— whatever she rolled her eyes at her subconscious for still wanting to see Gideon. He was bad news.

She spotted her family's Bentley in the parking lot. Would they let her drive it after getting her driving license?

First thing she did on arriving home was to take a nap. She needed to regain her strength. Her parents were not going to be home till later in the night. After waking up, she bathed and then was back in her books. The weren't going to revise themselves.

Every body in the classroom had gone for lunch expect Yve. Examinations pushed away her appetite. The next test was History. Gideon. She hadn't seen him on Monday. Thank heavens. After what happened on Friday... She didn't want to go down there even.

She lifted her eyes up as she memorized text and her eyes landed on someone. She was rather calm and ignored him. You're doing great Yvonne Wandera... her subconscious cheered her on. Thank you. Her insides were churning but she wasn't going to give in.

"How are you Yve?"

"Am fine." she kept her eyes in her book.

"You know l can take it away from you." he sat beside her gracefully. Her heart begun racing. She was right. Everything about him drove her insane. She remembered some other person who had done the same to her too.

"Why are you treating me like this?" he added when she didn't reply.

Get a grip Gideon. "Just stay away from me." she stated.

"Is that what you want?" she felt his gaze on her. No way she would look in those eyes. They always did things to her. She nodded and he smirked.

"And why would I?"

"Because I want you to."

"Is it because of what happened in the library?" he held her chin, turning her face and making her look at him.

"Gideon," she snapped. "just leave me alone."

In a nanosecond, his lips were on hers, the kiss was simple but it infuriated her. Why wouldn't he listened? She pushed at him and smacked his cheek, hard. Her hand throbbed. She gulped. She had never smacked or hurt anyone physically "Am—" she was about to apologise but then, she remembered he deserved it.

His hand was at his cheek and eyes locked at her. What had she done? Just then a group of students entered the class. His hands raked through his hair, pushing it back. "What was that for Yve?" he was rather collected.

"You should just do what I said." she answered and with that, he stood up and left.

How would she concentrate on revising after what had happened. Was he going to stay away? You pushed him away yourself. It was for the best. It was for the best. For the best of what even. Aaaaaah... this was so confusing.

The exam begun a couple of minutes later. Gideon sat at the back this time and she had to scold herself for thinking about him too much during the paper. At exactly four thirty in the afternoon, the teacher told them to hand in. She saw Gideon and Nandera march out of the classroom with her hand in his. A sword of jealousy pierced through her heart. That could be you Yve, but you pushed him away.

He did what she had told him for the following two days and for some reason, she was miserable. They had had the second paper of History on Thursday but he didn't make any effort to speak to her. All this quietness was bugging her. But then again, she had caused it herself. Maybe she should just forget about him. He hadn't been in her life at one point. She should just behave the way she used to before him. Hell! was it hard. She still wanted him.

She prayed he would make the first move. But maybe it was so easy for him to forget about her. Her heart ached.