LIFE AFTER DEATH.

PARTY AFTER PARTY

We decided to make a stop at McDonald's. Melanie had gotten hungry and to be honest, we all needed to eat something. My mind was heavy all through our ride to McDonald's. My thoughts weighed me and all I yearned for was to lay in my bed and hopefully place my thoughts to sleep.

I placed myself in what I thought was Scott's shoes, and I felt bad for him. The way I left him was abrupt and what's worse was that I didn't get to say goodbye. I breathed deeply as I imagined how things would go, and I forced myself to make peace with it.

I wondered why Curly came the time he did. I never knew he was friends with Jojo and Melanie. I thought about the kiss Scott gave me, it made me stroke my lips gently as I reenacted it. I felt myself delving into the force he instigated. I enjoyed it. Maybe I should have stood my ground when Curly came, maybe I should have stayed back. But I followed suit, almost like I lost control of my body.

I thought about what Scott said. It was his reason for kissing me, and I refused to believe it. Maybe he was drunk, he did look like he'd been drinking long before we came. Maybe it was a reflective action, but did it explain what later transpired? Maybe it wasn't what I thought, that's right, I was going to brush it off all as the influence of alcohol. It was for my own good.

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

" He wanted to mark his territory. "

Jojo said out of the blue, Curly had gone to use the toilet and Melanie was outside on the phone with her mother. That was probably why Jojo was comfortable enough to converse with me.

" What? " I initially didn't understand her.

" He wanted to mark his__

" I heard you for the first time. I don't understand what you meant. "

She stroked her well-carved brows, " Scott... the kiss? isn't that what you're thinking about? "

My fingers twitched, how did she know my thoughts, or did my facial expressions give me away?

" What about the kiss? " I didn't realize it immediately, but that was a daft question.

" Don't try to act dumb. "

I hated that word, " I'm not acting dumb, I just don't understand why he did it. "

" I think you do. " She pointed at me and drank her soda, " But you don't wanna believe me. "

" I think that it's surprising that you're talking to me. " I decided to step outside the box.

Jojo bit her lower lips and restructured her facial expression, " I'm only telling you what the kiss meant, he practically owns you now. "

" You're kidding. "

" Watch and see. "

Not too long after, Curly joined us.

* * * * * * * * * *

The ride home was quiet, but the air around us was heavy. Melanie had probably cried herself to sleep. I saw the sad look on her face when she left that boy at the party. Curly's hands were locked on mine, he said it was to keep my palms warm and he was right. From the rear mirror, I caught Jojo sending a few glares toward me, but when I tried to reciprocate it, she ran.

Maybe I should have focused more on Curly's energy. I figured he was trying to send some sort of message. But the car was clouded with different energies and I was distracted. I couldn't wait to get home, get to my room, and lay on my bed. I never knew the amount of comfort and peace I had at home until I yearned for it.

We finally got to my destination and I eagerly went down. I couldn't say goodnight to Melanie because she was fast asleep. I didn't want to speak to Jojo either, I felt she didn't like me. I strolled far and watched as Curly attempted to communicate with Jojo, but instead, she sped off before he could commence.

Curly stood behind me as I fumbled with my bag, fumbled with the door, trying the key over and over again, but to no avail. I instantly got worried, and my hands began trembling from the cold and also, fear.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" It's locked from the inside. "

I turned to Curly, " Tess is at home. Why will it be... " I paused as I began to make sense of the situation, " Why will she lock me outside? "

Curly shrugged, " I don't know. "

" Like if you did, you'd tell me. " I aggressively went back to trying to force the door open.

" It's not gonna work that way. " Curly tried freeing my hand from the doorknob.

" Then how is it gonna work?! " I wailed, it was a sign of frustration and rising anger.

Curly took me away from the door, " Relax__

I was breathing heavily, " She locked me out because Tom left me in charge, she wants them to come home and find me outside? " It was a rhetorical question.

" Amaka calm down__

I wasn't paying any attention to him, " How can she stoop so low, if she has a problem with her dad, she should FIX IT. " I sniffed, " Who was I kidding? She has problems with everyone. "

Curly held both sides of my cheeks and stared directly into my eyes, " CALM DOWN. "

I now paid attention, I exhaled severally and watched as my breathing stabled.

" Are you okay? " He asked me.

I didn't want to talk yet, so I shook my head.

" There's another way in. " He replied with a tricky smile.

" Gustavo! We're not breaking into my aunt's house. "

" Well, " He scratched his head, " It's not technically breaking in. " He winked and gestured elsewhere, the side of the house where my room was located.

My eyes lit up. How could I not have remembered that I always leave my window open? I gasped and subconsciously hugged Curly tightly.

I wasn't sure I had hugged anyone since I came to the U.S. I forcefully parted ways with Curly when I realized how comfortable he was getting.

It was awkward for a second, I couldn't look at him even though I saw his gaze from my side eyes.

My heart raced, the cold wind wasn't helping matters by swinging my hair carelessly in his direction. I patiently waited for his eyes to move somewhere else and when they did, I took the opening.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" C'mon, let's go. " I urged him and ran to where the window was located.

The struggle to get up was tricky. I had no experience at climbing but Curly got me covered. He assisted me by planting his hands firmly on my waist. Soon enough, we were inside my room. Without hesitation, I dived into my bed and inhaled my sheets deeply.

Curly stood and watched me, he probably thought I didn't take notice, but I did. It made me lay on my bed for a while, hoping to observe his stance more.

" Are you friends with Jojo and Mel? " I asked.

Curly followed suit after minutes of staring and joined me in bed.

" Nope. "

" Really? " I was surprised, " It looked like you were. "

" With Jojo? " Curly arched a brow, " Pretty sure I will remember if I was ever friends with her. "

I was faced first with Curly. He stared directly into my eyes with a smile. And when we least expected, Tess bursted into my room, upsetting our balance and position.