HAZE

CHAPTER 5

THE LAW

Sunday morning, the day to discharge Griff from the hospital, arrived. He had asked his friends to come late in the afternoon, hoping that Amara would turn up. Hope they say is the mother of all disenchantment. She did not come to his utter disappointment, and it was time for him to leave.

He had a heavy heart; he longed for her. He was mentally panting her features, from the delicately chocolate skin to her slender build. He craved just a touch of her hand or rather a smile from her tiny heart-shaped lips. Her not turning up made him feel like he had not left a significant impact on her as she had on him. He felt like a fool for dreaming that he had. Finally, after packing his clothes in the little bag Rick had brought to him the day before, he was ready to leave.

When he reached the reception, the nurse called him and gave him a gift basket. He sat down and opened it.

Griff

Congratulations his bloodiness,

You are on the right path to blood fullness,

I hear apples and bananas are good sources of iron.

That's why I packed them for you.

I am sorry I did not make it yesterday.

I hope a tight hug can fix that.

Amara.

Even though she had not come, she hadn't entirely bailed on him. She thought of him; he smiled as he took an apple out of the basket. His friends were super excited about his return that they had planned to go gate crash a party in the name of a "welcome back" party for him. They had a school break for two weeks that meant no classes early Monday morning, giving them the liberty to enjoy the entire weekend and party on a Sunday.

*

"Come on, Amara, nothing bad will happen; I will take care of you and make sure you do not go overboard." Nana pleaded.

"It's not a good idea Nana, besides, what makes you think you can ensure it won't happen?" Amara asked.

"Because I am your best friend, and it's my job to ensure you do not lose control."

"From a person who fought and lost her beautiful hair. No thanks, I will suffice fine on my own."

Nana made a mocking frown and went ahead to pick an outfit for the party. She also picked one for Amara as she insisted that she wore it to ensure she was not dressed like a prude. Nana considered trend over comfort, while Amara was thrilled with comfort over trend. Something that was always a bone of contention between the two of them. However, this once Amara had to oblige without so much drama as she knew Nana knew the group they would hang out with better than she did.

*

By the time they arrived, the party was already in full swing, the music so loud that talking would be a waste of time since the bass would swallow up every word. The party was being hosted in a shared apartment near the school. The neon lights made it hard to see people on the other side of the room, the disco ball setting the mood for the place. No sooner had they arrived than Nana bumped into some of her school friends. They were perplexed at the contrast of her day self and night one. After exchanging pleasantries, she excused herself, and she went on ahead with Amara to the corner where her friends were.

"Shots for everyone," Nana shouted over the consuming music.

Her friends laughed, already knowing it was her signature move. Amara scanned the room; all she saw Ken, Nine, Norbert, and Rick. She wondered out loud why the party boy was not there. She was told that he was somewhere avoiding the huge crowd or taking his supplements.