Messed Up
1026 Words
MESSED UP
" Please, I don't want any trouble. I am not particularly as popular and polarizing as you are. I don't want any issues drawn to myself." Glen looked down at the papers strewn on the table in front of her. "I just want to sit and attend to my projects in peace."
"I can give you what you want...the recognition you crave...I could be around you and that's all you need to set tongues wagging. If it hasn't already started."
" I think I am good."
Leo raised a brow." You don't want it?"
"You had your chance... you misused it."
" What are you talking about? "
She observed him. " ... you definitely messed up with Sarah..and you didn't do good by me."
" I treated you like a little sister Glen. You should be grateful for that."
" No, you banned me from your circle..made me a ridicule in front of my friends and scolded me every chance you got... it's not my fault my interests are different from everyone else."
Leo shook his head. "Yes...your interests are different..and that's what makes you special..but you are too stupid to realize that. Besides, that was high school...I do hope things change this time."
Glen didn't respond, she simply adjusted her glasses.
"Now, tell me what the hell has come over Sarah."
" A picture...of you and Astra kissing."
Leo didn't say anything, but he didn't look at her at that moment.
"Why did you do that?" Glen pushed. "She won't ask, so let me do the asking for her. You could have had any girl you wanted, and maybe she wouldn't have taken that much offense but her sister? Leo... you have no bloody idea how much that hurts."
" Who says I did anything?" Leo stood. " We're done here." He made to leave when she said. " I don't expect anything from you... really I don't..I'm better off being the way I am. "
Leo turned his head. " You should expect a lot from me... because I am going to be expecting of you too...so this time around, I am keeping close watch on you." He pointed to his watch with the euphoria of a grim reaper. " It won't be too long now."
--SARAH--
At the end of class, Sarah packed her things into her bag. She despised the shrill screeching of the polished wooden chairs framed with blue steel--which were crafted like stadium seats--as they pushed back against the floor.
They reminded her to her dismay that the day was over.
And yet, this ache was still hooked on her chest like a persistent worm unwilling to let go.
Students left their desks one by one, chattering happily to themselves.
The brown parched envelope lay there on her desk, a virus to the computer that was her life-- her love life.
"Aren't you taking it?" Heels clunked on the marble floor, approaching her.
Sarah didn't bother turning. "Do I have a choice?" She shoved it into her bag and zipped up before turning to Astra. "Thanks by the way. You are the highlight of my day."
Astra's face softened just then, then she sat. " Sarah, you are my sister...the eldest between us definitely, and we may not get along some of the time. "That's normal between siblings, but I don't want you to think we are sworn enemies..." She sighed, leaning into her chair in a relaxed poise.
She was a leopard that had just had its fill of meat and now had to rest. "I apologize for raising my voice at you earlier..that was uncalled-for."
" Raising your voice?" The incredulity was clear in Sarah's tone. "Are you crazy? Is that what this is about?"
Astra was silent for a moment." What would you have thought of me if I hadn't shown this to you? If I had hidden it, deciding you didn't deserve to know the truth... Would I be a good sister then? Knowing your man was doing that to you"
Sarah narrowed her eyes. " I'm sure you were being a good sister when you kissed him back."
" Who says I did..? "I just couldn't resist his advances...I'm a lady, you know."
Sarah scoffed. It was all she could do---find amusement in the pain that was festering in her heart like cancer. " Yes of course... you can't resist a billionaire son. "No girl in this school has tried to..." Sarah hung her bag slowly over her arm." And you couldn't be an exception...even if it meant your sister going to hell"
"You are making me feel like a bad person here?"
" Are you forgetting the words you whipped me with?" Sarah raised a brow defiantly. " Back off.... that's what you said. If you want Leonard. You can go for him."
Just then Glenda walked in, but stopped where she stood as she observed them.
"Are you aware your friend and boyfriend created a scene at the library? " Astra said, her gaze glued to Glen.
Curiosity gnawed at Sarah like a squirrel on a nut. " I have heard enough news about Leonard and his private affairs. And he's not my boyfriend if he wishes to dance around with every girl on campus..." Her gaze rested on Glen. " He ceases to be"
"Well then... Aren't we going together? Wait for me.. I have a few things I need to do."
" I am not going anywhere with you Astra."
Astra stood, her demeanor deciding Sarah was impossible to deal with. " Fine...be careful on your way back. "
When Astra walked to where Glen was, she stopped. "Where is Leonard?"
Glen didn't look at her. "I don't know." She moved on to her desk to get her things, without waiting for a response.
When Astra left, silence sheltered the space between the two friends.
The class was now empty.
"You stayed so long at the library," Sarah started.
Glen's books slammed on the plywood desk with a loud thud as she dropped them. "Why did you look at me like that?" She asked, turning to her friend.
- Writer
