A Seat in His Heart

Chapter 3 - My Goldie

[Gold]

I was about dozing off, my phone went off, ringing louder than ever. This was exactly what I dreaded, receiving a call at night. My mum had always warned me not to give my numbers to anyone except family and I’ve kept to her words not until days ago I decided to disobey her by giving Pete my contact, and now I’m facing the consequences a little too much aren’t I? My phone goes off more frequently these days.

"who dares disturb my beauty sleep?” I picked up the call with my eyelids half closed and I did not check the ID.

“Sorry, sleeping Beauty, maybe I should have sent a kiss instead.” came the voice at the other end.

“Who the hell are you again?” I tried to sound rude just to please the ears on the wall who stopped their conversation to eavesdrop on my call. That’s my Uncle and aunt in the other room. And I succeeded because with that, they’d know it’s an unwelcome call, perhaps a wrong number. They continued chatting once more.

“Jeez! chill Goldie, it's me, Pete.” His voice came. How do I tell him I already knew his identity from his voice and that I was only faking the harshness? “really? Sorry Pete, I played along. So what’s up.” “I only called to say goodnight…”

Who does that? You know what, I feel like taking back my sorry, It’s not like we’re anything so why say goodnight to me every night.

“You know, I just dropped a call with Beatrice. So I thought to give you a shout out.” He continued.

“how nice of you.” I said even though it seemed odd to me.

“Gold, I have a little surprise for you.” What could it be? I don’t do well with surprises, but my good girl instinct kicks in immediately. “What could Mr. Gentle have for me?” I inquired.

“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise now, would it?” he chuckled.

“See you in school, Good night” came his reply. “good night.” I called back.

Whatever this guy has up his sleeves Don’t you dare fall in his trap.

The inner me warned, reminding me of my mum’s warning, as sleep rushed in.

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

7:55 AM read on the clock, as I half opened my eyes due to the blasting sun rays from the window. “Jesus Christ!” I yelp automatically, throwing myself off the couch. I rushed to check on everyone. My uncle was in his room, packing his stuff into a bag. “Good morning uncle,” I called. “morning.” He answered without looking at me. “Where is Diamond?” I asked in a worried tone. “She's off. And I will be leaving soon.” This means Cindy is dropping her off to school.

“I’m so dead” I mumbled knowing she won’t let this one go. “I’m sorry, I woke up late today.” I apologized to my uncle as I rushed back to my room.

“No need, I won’t crucify you this time, I pray I won’t have to anyway.” My uncle called to me and shut the door behind him.

I had my morning prayer shortly, as I have missed the family general prayer already. Dashed in and out of the shower and hurriedly went to get dressed.

I am ready in just ten minutes. Normally I would spend twenty-five. I’ll skip breakfast today due to my lateness. I rushed out!

I got to class just two minutes before the lecturer got in, he too was late thank God! Class began in full swing immediately he got to the podium. “And please do well to turn in your assignments in twenty minutes.” Professor Joyful said curtly at the end of the class. My eyes widened and furrowed my brows at the mention of the assignments I’ve no idea about. “shoot!” I scratched my forehead.

“What could the problem be?” A concerned voice asked. This voice is familiar, yet still very irritating as I first heard it. Due to my lateness I couldn’t survey my surroundings earlier, as I just flung myself into the nearest available seat, so I had to turn to look at whoever this voice belonged to, and I did.

There it was yet again, those perfect brown eyes and pink lips. “nothing of your concern” I snapped. My eyes darted through the hall searching for Pete and Trice.

“hey, hold your fire, I mean no harm.” He said, holding out his hands in a fake surrender. I just rolled my eyes. “surprise!!” I looked up and it was Pete handing me a couple of bound sheets, it had my name on it and this was what I most needed at the moment! “the assessment!” I squeal, jumping up and down. “Yay! I nailed it right.” Pete grinned.

“more than a carpenter…thanks! I’ll quickly go through it.” I said while flipping the pages open to be honest the guy was good. He really nailed it, Pete is intellectually sound. Though the presentation is a little different from how I’d present my work if I were to do it myself, now all I can do is accept what I have and be grateful. I passed it to the course rep. “Thanks Pete. What would I do without you.” I smiled.

“Not just me, Kyle also deserve a thank you.” Pete said as his eyes moved to the person next to me, Which I never noticed was still there, the brown eyes bearer. He stood there with hands in his pocket and a smirk on his face. “Gold meet Kyle, and Kyle, Goldie, '' Pete introduced. “And why does he deserve gratitude?” I asked, looking from Kyle to Pete Irritated with a huge question mark on my face. Pete gave me a narrative on how he met Kyle along the way during the week end and got information on the course activity as it was emailed in late by the course rep…blah…blah…blah. All I did was remind myself to set up an email and give it to the course rep to avoid missing out next time. “And since when did you two know each other?” I asked, pointing from Pete to Kyle and acted like a filial grandma.

“The day of the entrance aptitude…and I also met Trice then.” Wow! that explains the closeness between Pete and Trice, I thought to myself.

“He knows Trice too?” I asked and Pete nodded. No matter what circumstance, I don’t have a room for any Kyle as a friend, not the tiniest of spaces. “Trice is not in school today; she needs to attend to some things.” Pete told me, I mean us if Kyle was included and we both nodded. I couldn’t help but admire the closeness of these two. I wish someday, just maybe someday I will experience such a bond.

It was time for the next class Pete sat at my right and Kyle on my left. As we settled in our seats Kyle leaned over to my ears and whispered “You are welcome.” I jumped in my sit as I wasn’t expecting that, I shot him a death glare, he just smiled deviously revealing his dimples. Omg! He knows exactly where to aim and with what he should use. I cleared my throat lightly and tried to concentrate in class,

Beating myself up to be more polite.

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

The two guys really made my day fun, I have to admit, although I don’t really talk much, if there was any need to speak, I only did because of Pete. Listening and watching them lit up me in strange ways. I keep asking myself why I had to stop myself from experiencing these kind of things all along.

After classes, Pete suggested we take a walk to my apartment. I wanted to decline, I should have but I was beaten to it by that irritatingly sweet deep voice “that’s a great idea!” Kyle said, he earned himself another glare from me. However, I just shrugged it off. On our way back, Kyle was funny, he would point to us funny number plates on the moving cars along the road, amidst his chatter with Pete about sports, music, and the crazy things guys do chat about. These two seem too close and must have known each other for a longer time than they claimed, I thought to myself. I was in between them, and I felt strange. I've never felt this way before, I don’t know this feeling…or maybe I did but it was much more amplified and articulate than I had always felt it. I felt cherished and accepted. And I hoped that it doesn’t go away at least not so soon. As we approached my apartment. I decided to make things right for once as I pulled together all my courage, suddenly feeling sober.

Someone is acting like they want to confess their feelings. My mind teased. I swear I would detach my mind from me if possible.

“this is it?” Pete said. “yeah.” I sighed.

I turned around, backing the house and faced them both. “thank-” I was cut off. “you’re welcome” they both chorused with a smile on their faces, which instantly made me change my mind about punishing them for cutting me off. I foolishly smiled back as the cuteness of these two combined was overload!

“See you in class!” I said. I turned and walked into the house with a new worry on my mind. My aunt.

No matter what she would do to me, I won’t let it get to me this time, not with how happy I was at that moment. My happiness was my bullet proof.

*Shoot me down but I won’t fall*…I started humming Titanium by David Guetta.

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

I was on the bed in my room trying to figure out how to get a job because I needed one. By now Trice and the boys must be on their shifts. I just came into town and it's time to try and settle in. As I was rambling on and on in my head, my phone beeped.

' how is my frightened cat doing'

Who else would It be if not Pete? I smile as I read. Pete thinks I'm afraid of something, I didn't understand what he was talking about.

' Who's afraid? And who's your cat'

I shot a text back.

'My Goldie...'

Pete's reply came with just two words and I don't know why my heart squeezed. My battery died before I could reply. I went to drink some water from the fridge, I couldn't explain what my body was doing.

My aunt ended up punishing me by seizing my internet access, increasing the number of laundry, and my other chores. Darn, this woman thinks she won herself a maid.