Naya and Vince

30

PARTY POOPER

On Saturday things were going smoothly. I spent some time at Constance's party before heading inside for Vincent's or rather Stephen's. Constance loved my gift so much and I was glad. It was a spray painting of the sunset at the sea.

I was surprised at the turn up at Stephen's party because Monday was the beginning of the mid term test. I thought everyone would be busy reading. Everyone from the science class was invited and very few from other arms. Amanda was the only girl from science class that didn't come for the party though she was invited. Jessica said Amanda told her that she was going to visit a family friend with her family. Aliyah only honoured the invitation because her junior sister was a friend to Constance.

Aliyah was clad in jean trousers, a black polo and a white hugging long sleeve underneath with her Hijab on her head of course. Aliyah was the first Muslim I had seen on trousers. She laughed at me when I told her that. Chijioke wouldn't stop clinging to Jessica at the party. She was very very very pretty in her red lace mini gown. She was on packing gel this time and her boots suited her legs. I wouldn't blame Chijioke.

When Vincent saw the mini gathering, I knew he wasn't pleased. But he acted like he was and thanked his friends and disappeared. . .poof.

Some hours into the party and I hadn't seen Vincent. I had thought he was at Constance's party at the back of the house until Alec came to ask Stephen who was seated beside me (and had been clinging to me ever since I arrived) if he had seen Vincent.

I should have stayed back and tried talking to Jessica who had been behaving like we had a problem but I went with Alec and Stephen in search of Vincent. I should have stayed back and said hi to Aliyah's siblings but I chose to go and cause trouble.

We were supposed to head up the stairs but  they paused. Alec looked at me then Stephen.

"She's been coming here on weekends. There's no way she hasn't gone up the stairs or into his room," Stephen said running up the stairs. "I just hope Ayo hasn't done something stupid."

Alec mirrored his actions. "This was not a good idea?"

"I don't know bro. I don't know."

I followed behind them. Stephen opened Constance's room and Alec opened the room opposite it. They did the same for other doors. Alec opened Vincent's room. It was very dark inside. I spotted small platform on the wall at a corner. Candles burned brightly on top it illuminating some objects on it and a framed picture. I wanted to ask about it but common sense told me not to. Stephen checked his bathroom, came out and shook his head. The next unlocked door was definitely his father's room. The place was a mess. Pictures including framed ones and clothes were were scattered about.

Alec shut it immediately.

"He can't be here," he said. The two boys looked at each other in the eyes as if communicating something.

"Let's check!" Alec said with urgency in his voice. "I do not like what I'm feeling."

Stephen shook his head. "We've done enough by coming up here and poking heads into every room. Ayo won't forgive us if we do it."

Do what? I was tempted to ask but again common sense wouldn't let me. I just hoped Vincent was alright.

"Steve-"

"If he's there and we barge in, he's not going to forgive us."

"And if he's not there? Stephen I don't feel good."

"Let's check the quarters, if he's not there we'll come back and check."

They ran off totally forgetting about me. Their mistake. I went back to Constance room because something had caught my attention. On her bed was a solved Rubik's cube. I left it to admire her walls which where decorated with her arts. I smiled at her funny but talented mix of colours. My heart swelled when I realised my painting on the wall, she didn't even waste time. The sound of glass chattering startled me. I rushed to where I heard it from and pushed the door open. It was Constance's bathroom and Vincent was on the floor weeping. An empty bottle of alcohol broken on the floor.