CHAPTER 5; nervous OR shy??
1575 Words
Early the next morning, Christian prepared for school and joined his family for breakfast. His mind wasn't on his food, and his mom noticed.
"Are you okay, son?" she asked, bringing Christian out of his reverie.
"Yes, mom," Christian replied briefly.
He stood up from the table to get going.
"Aren't you finishing your food?" his mom asked, noticing him already up.
"No appetite. I'm off to school," Christian said as he headed to the door.
"Expect your brother home when you return!" his dad said, making Christian stop walking.
Those were the worst words he'd heard in a while. Christian wasn't fond of his twin brother, Ryan. They were more like enemies than siblings. Ryan didn't like Christian, and although Christian didn't hate him, he didn't want anyone bossing him around or treating him harshly.
Christian didn't say anything but walked out of the house.
"I pray they get along this time," his dad said, as his mom shrugged.
"Good morning, mom, dad," Kemmy greeted her parents and quickly set the table to avoid being late for school.
"Good morning, Kemmy. I see you're ready for school already," her dad said, seating to eat.
"Why were you home late yesterday?" her mom asked curiously.
"Ooh...Yea...I failed to submit my notes, so I had to go to her house after school," Kemmy summarized.
"I saw a guy with you through the window yesterday; who is he?" her dad asked.
Kemmy felt nervous, unprepared for these questions.
"He's just a classmate who volunteered to escort me home," Kemmy smiled.
" And the jacket I saw you with yesterday?" Shane asked.
At this point, she felt like the ground should swallow her.
"I had no jacket in the rain, so he gave it to me. I'd have to go now or I'll be late for classes. Bye!" Kemmy rushed out of the house.
At school, Chris approached Christian.
"Hey dude, come here; let's talk properly."
Christian replied, "I'm not ready for anything now, pls... later."
Chris was puzzled.
"What's up with you, bro?" Jake asked, noticing Christian's behavior.
"Nothing. Just not in the mood," Christian said, trying to avoid questions.
Chris pressed on, "Spill it already!"
Christian finally shared, "My bro is coming back today."
Jake reacted, "Oops!" Chris's eyes widened.
"Look, Christian, you have to forget about the past and move on. Welcome him, or you'll remain like this till he returns," Jake advised.
Christian struggled, "I'm trying, but I can't!"
Just then, a smile crept onto Christian's face, puzzling his friends. They turned to see what made him smile – Kemmy had just entered the classroom.
Jake laughed at Christian, while Chris frowned.
Kemmy looked back, finding Christian staring with a smile. She rolled her eyes and sat down.
"So annoying," she thought.
Mr. John, the literature teacher, entered the class.
"Hola, people! Now, we'll write our individual poems. I'll give you a whole period to do that, and the next period, everyone will read theirs out loud. Go on!"
At the end of the class, Kemmy left her bag and went to the dining hall. Cassie stole Kemmy's work from her bag and copied everything.
Kemmy ate alone until Lawrence joined her.
"Hi, Kem! Why are you eating alone? Can I join you?"
Kemmy smiled, and Lawrence sat with her. They talked and laughed, making Christian jealous.
"Hey, bro, chill... they're just chatting. Besides, don't let them see you," Jake called Christian's attention back.
Jake watched Christian's behavior and finally asked, "So you've finally fallen in love?"
Christian denied, "Look! I'm not in love! Why would I like that girl? She's rude and arrogant! To hell with her!"
Christian left the table, still puzzled by kemmy's behavior.towards Lawrence.
Meanwhile, Mr. Harrison, Kemmy's dad, worried about paying Kemmy's fees for the next term, as no customers came to his fabric shop.
Just then, George appeared at the doorstep.
"Goerge! Is that really you?" Harrison exclaimed.
George replied nonchalantly, "Harrison!"
Harrison welcomed him warmly, "It's nice to see you again!"
But George's demeanor changed.
"I wanted to buy some fabrics, but I changed my mind knowing you're the seller," George said with hate in his voice.
Harrison became confused.
"What's the matter?" Harrison asked.
George's response stunned him, "You ask! Didn't you remember I loved Kate, but Kate loved you? I wanted to marry Kate, but Kate married you.
George laughed mockingly. "You're pretending not to know? You snatched Kate from me, and now you're enjoying her?"
Harrison's face turned red with anger. "That's not true! Kate chose me, and I love her."
George's mockery turned to rage. "You think you deserve her? You? A poor fabric seller?"
Harrison stood firm. "I won't engage in this conversation. Leave my shop."
George sneered. "This isn't over, Harrison. I'll make sure you regret taking Kate from me."
With that, George stormed out of the shop, leaving Harrison shaken.
Harrison became angry. "What have I done wrong? Why the sudden change?" Harrison asked himself.
He couldn't concentrate on his work. George's words kept echoing in his mind.
Just then, Kate returned from the grocery store, finding her husband worried.
"Honey, what's the matter?" Kate asked.
"Kate, I met George today!" Kate's heart began to pound.
"What did he tell you?" Kate asked fearfully.
"He threatened to take you and destroy my shop!" Harrison said.
Kate began to laugh, puzzling Harrison.
"Kate, aren't you aware of what George can do? He's in a higher position than I am!" Harrison reminded.
Kate reassured, "Yeah... true. But don't worry for now; he's a harmless lion. Let me get food for you because I know you haven't eaten yet."
Harrison relaxed a bit.
Kate continued, "By the way, how was your day?"
"It was fine until George came," Harrison said.
"What did he say?" Kate asked curiously.
"Nothing," Harrison replied.
Kate sensed something was wrong but decided not to press further.
"Okay, let's eat then," Kate said.
Harrison nodded.
As they ate, Harrison couldn't shake off the feeling that George's threat was real.
Meanwhile, Kemmy sat in class, updating her notes when Christian came and sat directly facing her.
"What do you want?" she asked, seeing him seat.
"Nothing!" he said nonchalantly.
"Then go!" Kemmy replied.
"Why?" Christian asked.
"Because you're attracting attention here!" Kemmy whispered.
"Is it bad?" Christian teased.
"I hate it!" Kemmy said.
"I love it!" Christian smiled.
"Just get out of here, Christian!" Kemmy whispered.
Christian kept staring at her. Kemmy tried to stay still, pretending it meant nothing to her, but deep inside, it gave her butterflies, and she suddenly became nervous.
. Her hands began to shake as she tried to focus on her notes.
"Christian, please just go!" Kemmy begged, trying to hide her trembling hands.
Christian saw that she was nervous.
"Alright... since you don't want to talk to me, I'll just go." He said, getting up to leave. Actually, he got what he wanted – staring at her beautiful face.
Kemmy gave out a loud sigh as he left. Everyone kept talking about them. Everyone suspected Christian liked her.
"You behave very suspiciously, Christian," Jake said as Christian returned to his seat.
"Is that so?" Christian only said.
After school, Sonia approached Kemmy.
"What's going on between you and Christian?" Sonia asked.
"Nothing! Nothing is going on between us!" Kemmy said wide-eyed.
"Why are you behaving suspiciously? You looked very shy around him earlier," Sonia said.
"No! I'm not! By the way, Sonia, I want to talk to you," Kemmy tried calling for her attention.
"Later! I have a lot to read for my upcoming test... bye," Sonia said hastily.
Kemmy sighed and walked back home.
Lucia, Christian's mom, was seating worriedly in her office. They were running short of fabric designs, and she needed new designs to ensure the uniqueness of her company.
"Hey honey? Are you in?" Ronald walked in to find his wife worried.
"What's wrong, honey?" he asked seeing her worried face.
"We're running short of designs, my business is dying, and our fabrics are being rejected by other companies and industries. I'm scared, Ronald!" Lucia explained.
Ronald reassured, "Don't worry, all will be fine. I have good news for you. Ryan is back home!"
Lucia's face lit up. "Oh my God! I really missed my son! Let's go!"
They prepared dinner and waited for Christian to return for a welcome-back dinner for Ryan..
As Kemmy walked home, she couldn't shake off thoughts of Christian.
"What's wrong with me? Not as if I saw him for the first time!" she said out loud.
"Him? Who?" she heard Christian's voice from behind.
"Not your business!" she replied hastily.
Christian grabbed her hands, making her stop.
"Let me go!" Kemmy muttered.
Christian's eyes locked onto hers. "
"Why are you running away from me?" Christian asked, his grip on her hands tightening, drawing her closer.
"Let me go!" Kemmy demanded.
Christian's eyes locked onto hers. "Why are you shy or nervous?"
Kemmy's face flushed. "To hell with you!"
She begged, her voice softer, "Please, let me go. What if someone sees us?"
Christian couldn't help but smile at her beauty.
"Why are you laughing? What's funny?" Kemmy asked, misinterpreting his smile.
Christian released her hands, and Kemmy quickly walked away.
As she hastened her pace, Christian laughed, genuinely amused. Everything about Kemmy drew him in, but he wasn't ready for love's complications.
Yet, he couldn't deny the intrigue she sparked within him.
- Writer
