Questions without Answers
1238 Words
Kiesha had spent the entire day trying to convince herself that Eddison no longer had any control over her.
She had told herself that repeatedly.
He could say whatever he wanted.
He could send whatever message he wanted.
He could stare at her from across a room with that irritating half-smile of his.
None of it mattered.
At least, that was what she wanted to believe.
Unfortunately, Eddison seemed determined to prove her wrong.
The next morning, Kiesha arrived on campus earlier than usual.
She wanted peace.
She wanted a normal morning.
Most importantly, she wanted to avoid Eddison.
She walked toward her classroom while checking something on her phone.
Then someone walked past her.
She immediately recognized the familiar scent of his cologne.
She stopped.
Eddison continued walking as though he had not noticed her.
Kiesha turned around.
“Eddison.”
He stopped.
Slowly, he turned to look at her.
“Yes?”
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You walked past me like I wasn't there.”
He shrugged.
“Maybe I didn't see you.”
“You're lying.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“There she is.”
“What?”
“The Kiesha I know.”
She frowned.
“You're annoying.”
“And yet you called me.”
“I called you because you deliberately ignored me.”
“I didn't know you wanted my attention.”
“I don't.”
“Then why does it bother you when I don't give it to you?”
Kiesha opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Eddison smiled.
“That is what I thought.”
He turned around and continued walking.
Kiesha stood there, annoyed.
He was doing it again.
He was playing with her emotions.
One moment, he acted as though she meant nothing to him.
The next, he behaved as though he knew exactly how to get inside her head.
And the worst part was that it was working.
She hated herself for it.
Later that afternoon, Kiesha sat with Pamela under one of the large trees near the student center.
Pamela had been unusually quiet.
Kiesha knew that look.
“What?” Kiesha asked.
Pamela looked at her.
“What?”
“You've been staring at me for five minutes.”
“I've been studying you.”
Kiesha laughed.
“Studying me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because something is wrong with you.”
Kiesha's smile disappeared.
“Nothing is wrong with me.”
Pamela gave her a look.
“You've said that every time I've asked.”
“Because nothing is wrong.”
“Then why do you look like you haven't slept?”
“I slept.”
“Why do you keep checking your phone?”
“I have messages.”
“Why do you become nervous every time Eddison walks past?”
Kiesha froze.
Pamela noticed.
“Aha.”
“There is no 'aha.'”
“There is definitely an 'aha.'”
Pamela moved closer.
“Kiesha, what exactly is going on between you and Eddison?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.”
Pamela stared at her.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Yes.”
“I don't.”
Kiesha sighed.
“Pamela, please.”
“No. I'm your best friend. You have been acting strangely for days. You disappear. You avoid questions. You look terrified whenever someone mentions Eddison.”
“I'm not terrified.”
“Then tell me what's happening.”
Kiesha looked down at her hands.
She wanted to tell her.
She really did.
But how could she explain everything?
How could she tell Pamela that one terrible decision during an exam had created a chain of events she could no longer control?
How could she explain Eddison?
She couldn't.
Not yet.
“It's complicated,” she finally said.
Pamela softened.
“Then make it simple for me.”
Kiesha looked at her.
“Eddison and I have a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“The kind I don't know how to fix.”
Pamela studied her face.
“Does he hurt you?”
Kiesha immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“Does he threaten you?”
Kiesha hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Pamela's expression changed.
“Kiesha.”
“It's not what you think.”
“Then what is it?”
“I made a mistake.”
“What kind of mistake?”
Kiesha looked away.
“I can't tell you.”
Pamela sighed.
“Fine. I won't force you.”
Kiesha looked at her gratefully.
“But I'm going to say one thing.”
“What?”
“Whatever Eddison has over you, don't let him convince you that you deserve to be treated badly because of it.”
Kiesha's eyes widened slightly.
Pamela had unknowingly touched the exact place that hurt.
Before she could respond, her phone rang.
Dad.
Her stomach tightened.
She answered.
“Hello, Dad.”
“Where are you?”
“On campus.”
“Are you alone?”
Kiesha glanced at Pamela.
“Yes.”
Her father was silent for a moment.
“I want you home early today.”
“Why?”
“We need to talk.”
The seriousness in his voice made her sit upright.
“About what?”
“I'll tell you when you get home.”
The call ended.
Kiesha stared at her phone.
Pamela looked concerned.
“Everything okay?”
“I don't know.”
That evening, Kiesha arrived home to find her father sitting in the living room.
He looked serious.
She immediately knew this was not a casual conversation.
“Dad?”
He looked up.
“Sit down.”
Kiesha sat opposite him.
Her father took a deep breath.
“I know you're growing up.”
She frowned.
“Okay…”
“You're going to make your own decisions soon. You're going to meet people. Some will be good for you, and some will not.”
Kiesha listened carefully.
“I need you to stay away from trouble.”
“I am.”
“I'm serious, Kiesha.”
“So am I.”
“I don't want you getting involved with anything that could damage your future.”
Her heart started beating faster.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why are you saying this?”
“Because I know how quickly one bad decision can change someone's life.”
Kiesha looked down.
The words felt strangely personal.
Her father continued.
“Whatever happens at school, think before you act. Don't let people pressure you into doing things you don't want to do.”
Kiesha swallowed.
“I understand.”
“Good.”
He leaned back.
“And Kiesha?”
“Yes?”
“Stay away from trouble.”
She nodded.
“I will.”
That night, she lay in bed thinking about his words.
Then her phone buzzed.
She looked at the screen.
A message from Eddison.
“You looked beautiful today.”
Kiesha stared at it.
She immediately knew what he was doing.
He wanted to confuse her.
He wanted her angry one minute and curious the next.
She typed a response.
Deleted it.
Typed another.
Deleted that too.
Finally, she switched off her phone.
But even in the darkness, his words remained in her head.
And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.
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