STORMS AND TWISTS

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Carl and his friends were at their usual spot- the back of the school. They seemed to find solace there and they also made important decisions there. They were the only ones that didn’t find the place as a terror and it was rather soothing to them.

Carl sat on a tree stump while Harry and Jeff stood up. It was out of will.

“We noticed something recently.” Jeff started the conversation.

“And what’d that be?” Carl said, standing up thereby showing enthusiasm in the new found matter.

“Why are you so close to Melissa these days?” Jeff queried. And

“Yeah I thought you detested her because she’s Cody’s sister.” Harry said, folding his arms with a frown.

Carl exhaled. He nodded his head and grimaced.

“I wasn’t to use that to get back at those two nerds”.

“How do you intend to do that?” Harry asked.

“It’s not hard. I will convince her to be my girlfriend and then shatter her fragile and stupid heart into pieces. I will get them through her.” Casey said with a maniacal laughter.

“That’s so cool bro. you are so smart”. Harry said.

“I wasn’t even reasoning to that respect. You are the man.” Jeff added.

“Exactly, anyone who gets in my way gets easily mashed like a tomato.” Carl said, cracking his knuckles.

“Let’s get out of here already. It’s closing time”. Jeff suggested. The trio walked back into the school after they had gotten their fill of truancy for the day.

…

The bell for lunch break chimed. Students thronged out of their various classes. Most of them headed to the cafeteria but Melissa wanted to be exceptional for the day. She walked into the football stadium and sat on one of the spectators’ seat. She just wanted to be alone for no reason.

She sat down in silence for about five minutes. She looked up and saw Carl approaching. He finally got to her.

“Hi. Carl. She said waving to him with a smile.

“I’m good. What about you?”

“It’s the same here. Sit beside me.” She offered, displaying a radiant smile on her face.

“Thanks”. He said and sat down.

“By the way, you are absent in class most of the time”.

“Yes, I don’t want to be the teacher’s pet. Only weaklings do that”.

“Although I attend, I’m not attentive sometimes. With my ear pods in my ear, I’m listening to the upbeat montage song I released last week. It was the one I released at that music fest concert.”

“I agree with you. Studying is for saps. Besides, I’ve listened to the song and it’s the best.”

“Thanks”.

Carl twiddled out of nervousness. He was about to ask the most popular girl in school out.

“Do you like me just as I like you?” He asked, regaining his boldness. The quest

“Yes, I like you.” She said with a smile that revealed her perfect dentition.

“How about we date?” He asked, doubting the effect the question would trigger.

“Yes, yes and yes.” She said and kissed him on the lips.

“This is working faster than I had expected”. He said to himself and smirked.

Casey had no idea about what was going on around him. No one wanted to listen to him. It was like they were keeping something from him. First it was his sister and now, his friend.

He remembered the phrases they told him to make him feel less concerned. “You are a sweetheart to worry about me. I’ll be fine”. On a serious note, those words made his worries aggravate the more.

He reflected that one of the ways to make some of these issues clarified and seen for really what it is was to engage Melissa in a conversation. He walked to the school stadium looking for Cody but he was in luck to see Melissa on the seats. He decided to talk it out with her first.

“Hi Melissa, how’s your life lately?” He asked after sitting down beside her. She cast a disdainful gaze at him.

“I’m cool but why do you care to know?”She said, stifling her anger.

“I….I have something to talk to you about.” She said shyly.

“Okay. Spit it out.” She said in a hostile manner.

“I know I am probably the last person you want to speak to right now but shouldn’t you think Carl is up to something by befriending you?” She was silent for some few minutes and then erupted into laughter.

“I know you think you can win me with sweet words. Go find your girlfriend elsewhere”. She said with a frown.

“So you guys are dating? That’s so fast. You just became friends two weeks earlier and now you guys do boyfriend and girlfriend stuff? Not cool.” He said, nodding his head in negation to show disapproval.

“I don’t need you to endorse this relationship and that’s it”.

“You know what? Cody was right. He said you do what you have in mind no matter what. You are so incorrigible”. He told her matter-of-factly.

“Just get out of here already.” She said, yelling at him.

“Alright, I will leave.” He said and stood up.

“But I earnestly pray that you do not learn your lessons in a hard way”. He said and walked away.

“Fool”. She said in anger. Just then Carl walked up to her.

“Hi babe” He said and kissed her.

“Hi love I guess your practice is over is over for the day”. She said, beaming with smiles.

“Yes it is. What the heck was that buffoon doing here with you?” He said with a keen frown.

“He’s so stupid. You can imagine that the i***t was telling me to tread cautiously. And he was yarning dust continuously. I felt like spitting into his face.

“Don’t worry, I and my guys will take care of him”. Carl said, using his hands to rub he shoulders.

“I’m really tensed right now.” She said, using her hands as a fan.

“Thank goodness it’s Friday. We’re going to club tonight.” Carl said, grimacing.

“I can’t attend.” She said, shoving his hands off her shoulders.

“Why?” He said, sitting up to listen attentively.

“My parents are around and they wouldn’t consent to such”.

“Alright, tell them you have a sleepover at Priscilla’s place. She’s also coming to the club with Mitch”.

“Okay. You are a genius”.

“I will come and pick you up at 8:00p.m. Riverside Lounge” He said.

“Thanks babe”.

“I got you back”. He said and kissed her.

It was the evening of the same Friday. Clara was set out to go on an evening walk. She wanted to enjoy the evening breeze and relax around nature. That would cool her head a bit. Or so she thought. It was 5:30p.m. She had already informed Casey that she was leaving.

She left the house without taking anything but her phone. She had a short-sleeve pink jean jacket and a white mini skirt on with leggings. As she took her walk around the estate, she saw pink flowers at a nearby garden. She went there to sniff the flowers. She walked around the garden happily.

“Nature is so beautiful. I don’t feel like leaving.” She said, beaming with smiles.

Just then, the sky began to turn dark. She gasped in fright. The thunder clapped and the clouds gathered. It seemed like it was going to rain heavily.

“Oh dear” She said in fright. Her heart was racing speedily. She didn’t think it could rain because the sky was clear when she left home. She was now two kilometers away from home and she would get drenched if she attempted to go back home anytime soon.

The estate was lonely and the heavy rainfall began to pour. There was no shade to hide under and the rain poured on her. She tried calling her brother but her phone fell into the trench.

“Darn it”. She said.

Just then, she heard a car honk. The driver stopped and emerged out of her car. She saw the figure coming towards her. She had mixed feelings of fear and relief. The figure got closer and she was able to see that it was Josiah. She cast a gaze at the sky and saw that it was dark already.

“What are you doing in the rain? Let me take you home”. He offered, stretching his hands towards her. She would have declined the offer if it was broad daylight but it was dark and not accepting to leave with him would place her at the mercy of the weather and the darkness.

Reluctantly, she took his hand. She was as wet like a hen that was drenched in the rain. Josiah looked into her eyes. She looked pathetic for the moment though and her face was pale.

She tried to dry her hair but the water splashed into his face.

“I’m sorry”.

“What were you doing there?” he asked, revving the engine of the car.

“I was strolling when the rain began.” She said and sneezed.

“Bless you, you are a female and you don’t need these adventures you put yourself in”. He said.

“Does he even know my destination?” She thought to herself.

“Of course I do. I was coming from your dad’s house. I had to deliver some documents to him”.

“How is he in my thoughts?”

“You’d never figure out”.

Josiah stopped the car.

“Why did you stop?”

“I’m sorry. We meet so often these days and I think we should exchange contacts”.

“My phone fell into the trench. That’s why I was unable to get reinforcements.”

“You do talk like you are a soldier but I think I really need you number.”

“I know my brother’s contact. Don’t trouble him”. She said. She knew Casey’s number offhand and gave it to him.

“Okay. We are here already”. He said and stopped. They were finally at their home.

“Thanks a lot. You are a life saver.” She said and alighted from the car

“Okay. Stay safe.” He said and drove off.