LIFE AFTER DEATH.

ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR.

It started with a terrible headache. As I tried elevating myself from where I laid, which was still unknown to me, I felt a hard knock inside my head which sent me back to the surface.

I made muffled sounds of pain and grabbed my forehead, my vision was yet to be clear.

After consistent head thrusts to an upper direction, I was able to fight through migraine and uplift myself.

I also struggled to get my eyes open, when I came to, I turned my head around to verify my surroundings. I later got to know that I was in my very own room.

I stretched my palms all around my face and eyes to be exact, I was in terrible shape. The pains arching from my head was one I had never experienced, I got to know what the infamous hangover was all about and I absolutely hated it.

Thankfully, hangover didn't come with amnesia, at least not for me. I vividly remembered what happened the previous night, and I remembered being glad I didn't mess up.

And then it came to me, what if I actually did? because my memory stooped when I fell on my table, and then I went empty, I couldn't remember anything else. I grew worried.

Still in my current state I drifted my phone away from me, without looking into it, I sat up. My eyes wandered to the wall clock, it was 12:35pm. What came to next was a loud gasp, I was late for school that day, or so I thought.

I threw myself utterly out of my bed, but before I could reach my table, Curly had found himself inside my room, through his known entrance, my window.

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

" Relax Afro, it's Saturday. " He began as he landed inside my room. He wore yello shorts which had SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick the starfish imprinted around it and a blue vest.

" Oh my God, " I whispered stopping halfway, I clung to my table with my hand on my head at the realization of what day it was.

Curly laughed, " You were pretty steamed last night. "

" Steamed? " I could barely open my eyes, " What's that? "

" Drunk, you were drunk. "

" Gustavo, " I felt the urge to cry, " My head__

" Here, " He placed three tablets in my hand, " Hangover? yeah, I know. Take that, it'll ease the pain. "

Without thinking, I dropped the medications inside my mouth, curly handed me a bottle of water which I used to swallow.

" Remind me never to drink again. " I replied walking back to my bed and taking a sit.

" Yeah, I also said that and believe me... you will drink again, but it'll be better, trust me. "

" I feel horrible, " I grazed my forehead again, " It's like a bowling match in my head. "

" You'll be fine, after some sleep that is. " He replied as he spun himself on my chair.

" What happened last night? " I inquired.

" Don't tell me you forgot. So much for the skate practice, you didn't even touch a board. "

I chuckled, " I guess I was too STEAMED. "

" You remember the dare part? "

" I remember everything, I mean after I past out, who even carried me home? "

He gave me no response.

" Was it Scott? "

" Nah__

" Oh my God, " I shook my head, " Don't tell me my aunt saw me like this, my mom will find out, " I crept inside the bed and located my phone.

" Hey, " He called out to me, " Your aunt didn't see you, I made sure of that. "

I felt deep consolation, " Thank you Gustavo... Jesus Christ. " I lowered my phone back to the bed.

" You hungry? " He asked me and yes, I was, I guessed it also comes with the hangover.

" I made soup. " he said with so much bravery.

I remembered lacing him a perplexed glare, " soup? "

Curly wore a wholesome smile, it made me began to suspect. " Yes, I made soup. "

" Are we talking Mexican soup? "

" Nigerian pepper soup. "

I remembered being captivated and surprised, was he trying to woe me? it felt like it was working at that point, because I was caught off guard.

" I made it with chicken and white rice. "

" Why did you make that? " I wanted to know.

" I hear is Nigerian food and a good remedy to cure hangover. "

I was swept off my feet and it was evident in my facial expression.

" Stay put__

My phone rang and it was Suresh.

" Excuse me, " I replied taking the call,

" Don't tell me you forgot about Art originality contest, " Suresh began

" That's today? " I had forgotten.

" 2pm sharp, don't be late. " He provided.

I yawned without control not realizing I was with company. But when I caught Curly's reaction, it was that of admiration.

" I'll... I'll be there. "

" You better, " The call ended.

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

" Art originality contest? "

" Yeah, it's Suresh's competition, he invited me. "

" That indian nerd? "

" Stop, " I replied, " He's my friend. "

" Whatever, can I come with? "

" Sure. "

" Gustavo! "

We both heard someone yell his name from the window, it was his stepbrother, Parish.

Curly grew a frustrated look, he angrily went over to the window while I listened from the comfort of my bed.

" Get your ass in here, we need to talk. " Parish yelled.

Curly looked at me, he was embarrassed.

" Parish, stop yelling my name, what is wrong with you? "

Parish seemed to be laughing, " Are you coming or not? "

Curly bit his lips, " You realize how much I hate you? "

" Okay, then I guess you want me to say it out here, I will. I NEED YOU TO__

" Shut the f**k up! " Curly began exiting through the window, " I'm coming. " He turned to me who was already feeling awkward by the scenario.

" Gimme a sec, I'll be back with the food. "

I replied with a forced smile.

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

The medications worked, the headaches had reduced to bare minimum. I had brushed my teeth and taken my bath before curly returned with the food. I was combing through my hair when he arrived. I got the fresh smell of white rice and caught the spicy smell, I hoped he hadn't drowned the food with pepper just because of the name.

I helped him with the flasks and positioned them on the bed.

" You're already ready? "

" I don't want to be late. " I told him.

He opened the flasks and gave me the most expectant glare I'd ever seen in my life.

I already felt pressure mounted on me as I took a spoon of the soup, it was nice. He'd done a good job. He knew to roughly blend the pepper and not to over cook the chicken.

" Well, how does it taste? "

" It tastes good. " I replied with a warming smile.

" You serious? " He sounded genuinely happy.

" Yes, but it's missing one thing. "

" What's that? " He suddenly became worried.

" Scent leaves. "

" Oh, "

" But overall, the food tastes nice. "

" Rate it, over a hundred. "

" Hmmm, " I held the spoon with my tongue, " I'll give you a six. "

" Screw you, " He replied laughing.

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

We got to the location for the art originality contest. We were welcomed by a cast of different paintings, the scenery was colorful. It made me remember the Janitor's closet, and that wonderful painting of me.

Speaking of the Janitor's closet, I spotted the owner, he saw me too. We did our usual exchange of glances. He stood by a herd of what appeared to be paintings, but they were all covered, it was understandable. Next to him lined a trail of artists with their covered painting.

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

Suresh called me from a distance, waving and motioning for me to come to him, I went over with curly by my side.

" Hey, " I commenced.

" You came, and you brought company. "

Curly attempted to be cordial " Hey, nice uh... "

" Save it until you see the real deal. "

Just then, a group of adults made their way to the first person on the line.

" Go to the side, it's starting. " Suresh urged us.

" Good luck, " I told him as I moved away.

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

Art originality contest began, it started with the artist unveiling their painting and talking about it as the judges concluded on the performance.

I took my eyes back to Tyler again, he lacked every ounce of pressure, he was overly confidence. He should be, I've seen his paintings first-hand.

I wished my friend Suresh good, but I loved Tyler's paintings more. He was casually on his phone with a drag look on his face. while his mates including Suresh had their hearts on their hands.

While my eyes lusted on the art kid Tyler, I heard my company take a call.

Before Curly gave me distance to pick his call, I heard Tess's voice at the other end, and it sounded miserable.

" Hold on, " He tapped me by the shoulder and went away.

That was their problem, I thought and got back to the contest.

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

It was Suresh's turn. The judges gave their permission for him to reveal his work and he did, when I laid eyes on it, I felt my eyes sting as I was shocked. It was the exact replica of Tyler's painting.

I was thrown into distortion, I couldn't believe it. Tyler also went through the same phase but a higher level as he sent me a cold look.

Suresh had copied Tyler's work and presented it as his, was that what he meant by getting prepared? Suresh original concept was the wind and the air, but now, the underwater concept just as Tyler depicted in his art were mounted on Suresh's cast.

Tyler was broken to pieces, I could tell by how he froze. He even went as far as opening his painting to verify. I instantly felt terrible, I was the cause of this.

To make matters worse, Tyler stormed out of the gallery in anger, abandoning the contest.

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

" What the hell? " I took Suresh to the side, " You stole from Tyler "

" It's not stealing, I just.... I merged his idea with mine. " Suresh fidgeted.

" What? does he know? because he looked like he had no idea. "

" I'm sorry I didn't tell you. "

" What do you mean? you stole from him! " I was panicking.

" You gave me the paintings, okay? " Suresh took me by the shoulder, " And I thank you for that, you're a really good friend. "

" No, " I smacked his hands off from me, " Don't do that... you never told me that was your plan. If I had known you'd steal, I'd never gotten them from you, you just ruined his chances, that's not fair. "

" All is fair in love and war... " He pinched, " Who said that? "

" John Lyly. " I answered.

The judges began calling him, it appeared he had won.

" I gotta go, talk to you later! " He jumped away.

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

I felt my heart heavy, I was a part of this, a key player at that. I glanced at the exit and caught Tyler standing there and watching me. He'd seen my brief discussion with Suresh, he'd known I was at fault. As our eyes met, he left for real, leaving me in shambles.