LIFE AFTER DEATH.

STATEMENTS

''Hey''

Curly was the first to commence a verbal approach. He got to his feet and briskly walked to where Tess stood.

I noticed the spontaneous feeling of distortion and abruptness from Curly. I must confess, the scenario got from weird to worse. Tess wore a shocked expression, mixed with anger and hate. At that point, I felt relieved that I hadn't been caught indulging physically with Curly, it would have caused trouble. I also got the rendition that from that moment on, I needed to keep my doors locked.

''what are you doing here?'' Tess questioned with fire in her voice.

''we just came back from the party, how are you feeling?'' Curly had caught up with her and tried to gain physical contact with her, but she evaded him.

‘’hey,’' Curly called, ‘’how are you feeling?’’ He asked again.

Tess didn’t reply, instead, she ran her eyes through my room, as if she was searching for something.

’’let’s go.’’ I figured Curly had tried the only means to avert a negative engagement, ‘’Tess,’’ He called as he saw that she had no response.

She turned to me, ''were you trying to kiss my boyfriend?''

I scoffed and got to my feet, now searching for the mirror, ''you locked me out of the house, were you trying to make me sleep outside in the cold?''

My reply only infuriated Tess the more, ''if I hadn't been here__

''nothing would have happened.'' Curly jumped in, ''why'd you lock her outside?''

Tess shot him a trenchant look, ''I must have forgotten the keys__

I gripped tightly the edge of the chair sitting in front of my mirror, ''Let's assume that you're telling the truth, because we all know you're lying,'' I caught sight of her eyes flinching, ''did you want me to sleep outside?''

without providing an answer, she took Curly by the forearm, ''let's go''

Curly and I made brief eye contact. He looked like he wanted to remain where he was, but had no choice but to leave.

''and don't you ever let my boyfriend in from your window.'' Tess shot at me as they headed out the door.

''don't bang__

It was too late as Tess banged the door close and hard, leaving behind a loud noise.

I soon settled in to sleep, after having my bath and sliding into something comfortable. My eyes didn't just shut close, I subconsciously did a recap of my day and it left me in an uncertain corner. First and foremost, Scott's approach to me was unexpected. I daydreamed about the kiss and didn't want to have that as my first kiss, because it indeed was.

I didn't leave out the way the crowd looked at me while the kiss took place. I shivered just at the mere thought of it. Hanging with the rich, handsome Scott didn't feel so bad later on in the party though, I reminiscence on the pure feeling of belonging and safety I was bathed with while I was with Scott.

Jojo, yes, Melanie's bestie, who had a problem with me hanging with Scott, so much so, that she was able to make me run just by looking at me. The apparent drama between the people I was surrounded by, gave me little concern.

Like why they acted as though they had an underlying issue, not that it was any of my business. My first guess was that either Jojo dated Scott in the past, or she harboured a massive crush on him. And as for Curly, I didn't yet know why he pulled me away from Scott like that, and joined the crew he claimed were not his friends.

I stared at my door as if trying to peer through it. I was expecting Tess to be knocking on my door, to plunge Curly back through the window. I guess they used the front since the adults were away. As I let my thoughts swallow me, my eyes felt heavy. I turned to the left and positioned myself to sleep when I received a text from i********:.

''hey beautiful,''

The name of the sender was Scott Emerson.

***********

I left home very early in the morning. I can't say the same for Tess, since I didn't give a flying f**k. I was in an awfully good mood. That was because Scott and I talked for a while last night. I got to unveil a lot about myself and he did the same. It was the first time I recall having a deep conversation with someone since I entered America. And it was soothing.

My second appearance in Crenshaw high was worse than the first, the attention I received quadrupled. I wore a peach-coloured shirt which had several ropes and a few buttons from the neck region to just below my breast. The black jeans I wore was bogus, that was my initial plan of life, hiding my body behind big clothes. I hope it didn’t changed. The jeans had pockets on the front, back and the lower region.

I had boys flocking around me as I located my locker that morning. They were sports boys, about seven. Jocks. Some took the ropes in my dress into their hands, twirling and playing with them, while some circled me. I've never felt so cornered in my entire life.

My heart thudded fast and my breathing was misplaced. The boys muttered words that were not audible, as they all spoke in unison. I had a surge of emotions, fear, confusion and slight temperament.

''Guys... guys, why y'all crowding her? Give her room.''

A familiar voice sprung from the crowd; it was Scott. The moment I laid eyes on him, I heaved a sigh of immense relief. He parted ways in the middle and came to me, took his hand and surrounded my neck.

''did they scare you?''

I didn't expect to answer his question. I was struggling to maintain my cool and strong stance. ''back off guys, leave her alone.'' at the sound of that, the boys began to dissolve. Some laughed, some playfully thumped each other's shoulders, cheering and teasing us, as they all dispersed.

Scott released me and looked down at me, ''you, okay?''

''was... was that_

He must have seen through my facade through my shaky lips, ''I'm sorry about the boys' bad behaviour, relax, they don't mean any harm.''

His eyes shone way more than usual, his veins in his arms were visible as he hung tightly his bag.

''Its okay,'' I played cool successfully.

''what class you have now?'' He swung by next to me and journeyed with me. I was over-shadowed by his big statue.

''arts.''

''we have English classes together, right?''

''I think so,'' I slowly began clinging nearer to him. I caught sight of Tyler, the art kid swinging by us. The look he returned to me was questionable. I ignored it.

''what if, after English, we have lunch at the bay?''

I arched a brow, ''the bay?''

''oh,'' he backed me, still gliding backwards with a flexible smile, ''Its where my friends hang, its a cool place.''

''its inside the school?'' I had to be sure.

Scott chuckled, ''it is,'' He turned back front, ''relax, Amaka. We have to talk about why you feel so awkward around me. What has Jojo has been telling you.''

I was still for a second, he wasn't far from the truth, Jojo did say something about him. The sound of an invitation to the bay appeared tempting, but I was not totally sure about going. I had just met Scott.

''so, you with me?''

There was something about the way he asked, or perhaps it was my walls crashing.

''I am... I guess I am.''

Scott moved ahead of me and stood in front, ''thanks, can't wait.'' He winked and brushed past me, that was when I knew that his direction was behind.

I felt a rush of immaculate feeling of excitement, too surreal for me to accept. I asked myself severally the reason for my happiness, it was an obvious reply, Scott. It was like a bright light had pitched on my face and I saw things clearly. I got hold of myself, not to be seen smiling excessively, but the feeling of jolliness was not hidden.

Just before the entrance to Art class, I saw Jojo standing by the side. Her glare towards me was the first red flag, her arms were folded and her legs crossed. JoJo’s stance at me disorganized me. And as I got closer, I queried myself if i should do something or let it slide.

The gaze stiffened, before she decided to call it quits and relocate inside the class. I placed my left hand in front of her, putting a halt to her movement.

''what's your problem?'' I asked as my brows met in the middle. I made sure to stable my voice.

She gave me yet another mean look, ''what do you think you’re doing?'' her gaze fell on my hands, ‘’what’s your name again?"

To my surprise, she didn't fight to break my blockage free, so I took it down myself. ''I'm not blind, I see the way you've been looking at me.''

Jojo bent her head and slowly shook it, ''what's on your mind, newbie.''

She sounded so relaxed, ''Is this about Scott?''

''we're not friends, but take this as a warning, advice, a statement... whatever, but, stay away from Scott.''

With that said, she walked out on me and into the class, leaving me passive.