Pretty Predator

Chapter 12: Michael

I woke up early today and drove to school without eating breakfast. I didn’t want to talk to any of my family members. If what they told me yesterday was true, then that meant they lied to me my whole life. The last couple of weeks, I was suffering, but they didn’t even bother to tell me the truth. How could I possibly trust such people? I only had two classes for the day, and the first one started at eleven, which was two hours away, so I called Emmanuelle.

“Dude, where are you?” I asked him.

“I just got out of that first-year class, Bruh.” He said, and I laughed at him.

“Why did you fail?” I asked him while laughing.

“Yoh, I regret it now, Bruh. It’s not nice to attend with the juniors.”

“Thank God I don’t have to experience that. Either way, I am already here on campus, so can we hit that Cuppa Café? I could use some coffee right now.” I told him.

Sure, wait for me by the car, and I will be there in a minute," he said, and I hung up. Emmanuelle arrived soon after, and I drove to our favorite place. All my friends and I went to Cuppa Café as often as we could because of the vibe, the food, and the top-notch customer service. I also liked that customers could write their reviews on the wall, which is very creative; I never miss a chance to write something. There were also cards on the table with verses, which I appreciated because I put God above everything and everyone else, so I felt like that was the most important reason I kept going back to that place. It only took a few minutes to arrive at the café. When we entered, I could already feel my heart at ease, and the aroma of the food was making me salivate. After settling in, I ordered an English breakfast and a cappuccino with cream, and Emmanuelle ordered French toast A and an Americano with milk. Like usual, the service was brilliant.

“Michael, are you okay?” Emmanuelle suddenly asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Why? “I wondered what he had noticed to ask me that.

“On the drive here, you were not like your usual self.” He said, and I nodded.

“It’s just that something happened at home, but you don’t have to worry about it, I’m okay.”

I assured him.

“Okay, but just know that I am always there for you.” He said, and I felt a surge of gratitude.

“Thank you, Em, that means a lot to me,” He laughed.

“Don’t go crying on me, Bruh. I can’t deal with your bestie’s tears and then yours as well. I already have my hands full.” He said jokingly.

“I know, you jerk,” I said, laughing. Our food arrived at that moment. We started eating as soon as we were served, and the food was delicious as always.

“So, about Mae, did you guys talk? “Emmanuelle asked because he had been the one to tell me about Mae and Khwezi hanging out together.

“Yeah, I went over to her place yesterday,” I said, not elaborating any further.

“And?” I guess he didn’t get the memo.

“And I feel like it’s best to just end things with her. She did tell me the reason for hanging out with Khwezi, but I’m not sure I trust her, and you know that lack of trust in a relationship is a deal breaker for me.” He nodded.

“I know, and if you think that is for the best, then I totally support your decision.”

“Thank you, dude. I feel like I am forcing something to be there, which is…” I couldn’t finish my sentence because Mae came walking through the door hand in hand with Khwezi. Emmanuelle followed my gaze, and as soon as he saw them, he stood up so quickly I almost laughed. He attempted to walk over to them, but I stopped him.

“It’s not worth it, Bruh. I am so over her. I have a lot on my plate to worry about her as well. Today, I will break up with her officially.” I said, and he sat back down.

“This stuff is messed up. How could she do that to you? I want her out of the group asap.” He said fuming. Mae saw us and let the guy’s hand go, but it was too late because we had already seen everything.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said.

“Let’s go before I do something crazy. I am barely hanging by a thread right now.” I laughed, but I appreciated Emmanuelle standing up for me and being there for me; it made me happy to see that I had made such wonderful friends in my life. We walked to the till and talked with the owner before paying. After we finished, we wrote our reviews on the wall and then left. The atmosphere was ruined when Mae entered the place, but oh well, there was still next time.

“Michael.” Someone called my name, and I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.

“Please don’t annoy me. I am trying so hard to control myself right now.” Emmanuelle said, standing right in front of Mae.

“I just want to talk to him.” She said while looking at me.

“As if I would allow that. You cheated on my friend for crying out loud. Are you not ashamed of yourself?” He asked her.

“I’m sorry,” she said timidly and looked to the ground.

“You don’t have to be. Your sorry doesn’t help me with anything right now. It’s over, Mae. Let’s go, Emmanuelle.” I got in the car, and as soon as Emmanuelle got in, I drove to campus. Thankfully, Emmanuelle didn’t talk about Mae, and I appreciated that a lot. When we arrived at campus, we went to our first class and immediately afterward attended the last class of the day. After class, I waited for Emmanuelle outside because he had to talk to the lecturer about something.

“What was that about?” I asked him as soon as he came out.

“He is the same lecturer who teaches the first-year module, so I had to ask him some questions about the test I have on Friday.” He sighed.

“Ooh, I guess you are determined this time around,” I said jokingly.

“I am, and I’m going to pass the module this time.” He said, determined, and I clapped for him.

“If you pass, I will buy you a gift,” I told him, and he beamed.

“I want it immediately after I show you my final results.” He said, and I nodded. “So, do we tell the guys what happened today?” He asked, and I already knew what he meant.

“I think that is for the best. Everyone deserves to know the truth, so I won’t keep them in the dark.” I told him, and he sighed in relief.

“Ooh, thank God. I have already told Mellissa, and she said she will wait for you at your place.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oof, that girl is dramatic. She must be so angry right now.”

“I know, right. You'd better go before she comes here.” We laughed and said our goodbyes. I drove home, but when I arrived, there was no one.

‘I wonder where she is?’ I wondered and searched for her downstairs. When I couldn’t find her, I went upstairs. I heard sniffling coming from my room, and I quickened my pace. When I entered my room, Mellissa was sitting on my bed crying. I didn’t like it when she cried; it made me feel like crying as well. She was like a sister to me because we grew up together, and we promised to protect each other as well. I walked over to my bed and gently pulled her into my arms.

“Stop crying, please.” Somehow, instead of comforting her, I made her cry even more.

“I can’t,” she whispered, but I could still hear the tremble in her voice.

“Why are you crying?” I asked her, and she got out of my embrace.

“I just feel bad because I can’t do anything to stop you from getting hurt. I couldn’t protect you, and now you got hurt.” She jutted her bottom lip out, and I laughed at her.

“You, silly, cute girl. I know we promised to protect each other, but there are just some things that we must experience so that we can learn from them and eventually grow.” I told her, and she nodded.

“I know that, but I just don’t like it when you are sad.”

“And I don’t like it when you cry, so stop crying and show me the strong girl that I know you are.” She smiled a little as I wiped her cheeks.

“Okay, now where is she? I am going to hurt her so badly.” She said suddenly, and I started laughing. She looked at me weirdly, but I could see her trying so hard not to smile.

“You don’t have to do that. She is honestly not worth it,” I told her after I had composed myself. It took a while to convince her that I was okay and that I was not hurt by the whole Mae drama. After she had calmed down, I dragged her to the movie room so we could watch something fun, preferably an action movie because she was a pretty aggressive person, that's why her nickname was Godmother.