MESSY GIRL

chapter 4

Andrea looked at Mitch through the mirror and said, "is that the cause of this hatred"

"yes you heard me," she said angrily.

"really? now am confused. I don't know why you're so angry!"Andrea said and smiled.

"stop laughing cause am losing my temper..." Mitch said when she opened her eyes and saw him smiling.

"Okay, that day I laughed cause you were eating something sweet and crying. and, right now and only smiling because you look beautiful " Andrea answered her.

"it's a lie you're making it all up you laughed cause of that name!..." Mitch accused him.

"what name?" Andrea asked.

"That name!" Mitch said and looked at him accordingly.

"messy girl? is that the name?" Andrea asked.

At the mention of that name, Mitch quickly stood up and placed her hand on his mouth and opened her eyes widely. she moved her hands slowly and said.

"see.......this is the reason I don't like you".

"why.......what did I do wrong?" Andrea asked.

"you like messing around with people" Mitch said. she still didn't move away from him.

"but am sincerely sorry about what you think I did then!" Andrea said.

"no, you're not, and stay away from me".Mitch said and wanted to walk away.

she slipped even before she could move two steps away and Andrea caught her and said."if I laughed that day then I would have allowed you to fall so I could laugh even more... don't you think?" Andrea asked looking into her beautiful eyes.

Mitch pulled away from him and stood right."am sorry," she said looking straight into his eyes.

"so.... does that mean we're friends now?" Andrea asked expectantly.

"no way!! ....." she said studying his face. she smiled and continued. "well until you prove it, maybe we can think about becoming friends..."

"prove what"Andrea asked curiously.

"that you didn't laugh at me., she said and started walking away when she heard him say.

"you're a bad actress".

"keep your comment".she said not looking backward.

*********************

The next day at school, Mitch came to school a little bit too dressed up which made her look prettier. Andrea was knowingly standing in front of her locker.

"Please excuse me"Mitch said the moment she got to him.

He moved away the moment she talked and continued talking to Tessy pretending not to see her.

"Mitch did your photoshoot goes well" Tessy who was talking to Andrea asked.

"yes it went well but ........" she said and looked at Andrea.

"but what!!!!!" Tessy asked curiously.

"someone came.........a long time friend whom I have an issue with and he is my sole enemy.

"Sorry for asking but are you willing to forgive your old friend since you both had a little ..... you know friendship".Andrea asked calmly.

"Why are you concerned?"Mitch asked making a face.

"nothing just asking," Andrea said.

"well don't be gentleman, if he does what I asked him to do then I'll think about it." Mitch said and walked away after taking what she needed from her locker.

Andrea stared at her for a moment then smiled, Tessy looked at Andrea then smiled to herself. she knew something was changing between them.

During the lunch break, Tessy decided to ask Mitch why she hated Andre so much

"Mitch, can I ask you a question?

"Yeah sure go ahead"

"Why do you hate Andre so much. I believe you guys just met like 2 months ago but your hatred for him seems to be something from the past." Tessy analised.

"Yes, it has something to do with my past." Mitch answered after some thought.

"So can I hear it? I mean can you tell me why you just hate him so much or whatever he has done to you that you can't seem to forget." Tessy said hoping to know whatever it is that happened between them.

"Ok here's the story but remember I hate going back to my past! it reminds me of all the pain, the shame, and everything I went through and lost," Mitch answered

"I'm all ears and if you feel it's too painful to talk about, you can stop and tell me another time." Tessy suggested after seeing the painful look that crossed Mitch's expression.

"I was 10 years old when I lost my parents my mum died in an accident, and my dad followed some months after I guess he couldn't take the pain of losing his beloved wife. I once had a brother who loves me like a father and mother. He does everything to take care of me but his only mistake was joining the wrong set of people and messing with them!" Mitch said. Talking about her past made her feel the pain in fresh waves so, she stopped to gather her wits before resuming.

"My brother came home one day looking so scared, I was just 16 then. when I asked what the problem was he just replied and said everything was fine but little did I know all was not well. at about 3 a.m. in the night I had my brother arguing with some people. when I went into the living room to check I saw my brother and a group of well-known armed bad boys who lived in Rough town also. if only I had known, I wouldn't have shown my face. when they saw me I heard them telling my brother they will let him go if they can have their way with me. my brother refused, claiming they could take his life but they should never touch me!" Mitch explained. she was seeing the image like it was happening right there. Tessy held her hand in comfort and Mitch continued after a few minutes.

"I couldn't be there and watch my brother being killed when there was something I could do. I asked them to have their way with me and spare my brother's life," Mitchell said almost on the verge of tears.

"You can stop if you don't want to continue I guess it's too painful," Tessy said

"No, it's okay let me continue. so the guys r***d me one after the other! they were 3 in number and they all slept with me that night. after having their way with me they promised they will spare my brother's life. little did I know they are all liars. The next day my brother's body was found in the dumps and I was not allowed to give him a befitting burial neither was I allowed to touch him. My whole life shattered after that day. the whole Rough town started calling me MESSY GIRL after that incident.They didn't just take my brother, they took my pride and my life. I lost everything I had that day. my confidence, my family, and everything was taken away from me that night. the name Messi girl got stuck to me like glue and that's where Andrea comes in.Andrea's father Mr. Collins was like the Mayor of Rough Town I went to him several times asking for a job but he never approved. most times when I go there Andrea would just be smiling and not say a thing.Then, one day he knocked me down with his car, he helped me to the hospital and then got me ice cream. I thought I have found a friend I didn't know he was like the rest of them. after the accident he would always come to check on me and acting like he cared. One day the other kids decided I couldn't live with them in our part of the town. They all came at me and were shouting messy girl over and over again. They pushed me and I fell on someone, when. I looked up it was Andrea and thinking he is a friend I asked him to help me and he just looked at me and said he was sorry, then left me to the kids... I started living in the streets because I couldn't go back to my little house. it was taken over by the guys who killed my brother.Then, one day I was in a little restaurant in Rough town where I can afford their food and while eating I couldn't help but cry, Andrea came In and when he saw me he laughed at me and then I ran away from there...It was on that day that I met Francis who took me to the city and made me who I am today " Mitch said and she was already crying when she finished

Tessy couldn't do anything but hug her friend and even cry with her.

" Am sorry I made you remember. You are a different person now and that's all that matters, Francis helped you out, and it's all thanks to him that I got to know you but you need to forgive. Maybe Andrea has a reason then, why not just give him another chance" Tessy consoled her

"it's not easy but I will try and thank you for listening," Mitch said and they both left to go to class