Naya and Vince

31

ALL DOWN THE DRAIN

Immediately assembly was over, I rushed out of the hall straight to the art studio. It seemed like it has been ages since I had been here. After finishing my sketch and starting tutorials with Vincent, I didn't come here frequently anymore. I knew that if they didn't see me in class, they would suspect that I was in the library so I chose to come to the studio instead. I wasn't ready to face anyone neither girls nor boys. The boys knew what happened on Saturday but I didn't think the girls did.

I fished out the studio keys from the pocket of my blazer to unlock the studio. I had to bribe Mr. Ola into giving me the keys. I told him I was going to make a portrait for him. 

I closed the door behind me before taking a seat in the outer studio. I didn't think there would be any need to go into the inner studio. Luckily I took my bag to the auditorium during assembly. I brought out my civic education notebook to read. The tests was holding for a week with three subjects each day and two on the last. As I flipped through my civic education notebook, I couldn't help but remind myself of Saturday. It had been playing in my head like a broken record. I kept reprimanding myself for going. If only I had stuck to the plan I made when coming to Regal high. . .

I gasped as someone pushed the door of the studio open and stomped into the place. My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as I widened them in utmost shock.

How did Vincent know I was here?

And he must have known Mr. Ola was not around that was why he settled for a grand entry.

I quickly stood up. "Vincent."

He came to stand in front of me too close for comfort. I knew Vincent was annoyed with me. He was really angry. I decided it was best to just be the bigger person and apologize.

I wouldn't die if I apologized right?

"You're happy now right?" He was breathing upon my face. I wanted to tell him to step back but I decided against it.

"I'm. . .sorry about Saturday Vincent."

"You saw me in one of my weakest states and you thought it was best to finally snap the last string holding my family together?" I saw the tears glazing his eyes and threatening to poor out. It broke my heart and made me feel as guilty as a serial killer who had gotten over her thirst for blood.

Why on earth did I go to that party?

"The freaking last string!"

"I didn't plan to cause trouble. Sorry," I apologized with all sincerity looking everywhere but Vincent. I never knew I could apologize so easily.

Vincent chuckled bitterly. "You didn't have to plan. Nairobi you're trouble." When he called my name, I remembered when he called me Ro. I liked it. So now it's just Nairobi. I doubt he would ever even call my name again. I could see it in his eyes. Vincent hated me now. I was forced to imagine how much damage I had caused not only for Constance but also Vincent, his family and me. Vincent clapped his palms. "You parents just came together and decided to create TROUBLE."

Why did he have to bring parents into this? But then he didn't know. He didn't know because he didn't want to know.

"When we have problems, let whatever you want to say stay within us. DON'T BRING PARENTS INTO IT OKAY?!" My voice was breaking for unknown reasons. This time I looked into his eyes. His dark brown eyes was so close to black and his pupils were dilated. Vincent was so close that if anyone sighted us, they would think we wanted to kiss. The irony. Vincent stared at me but said nothing.

"We're cancelling this tutorial," he finally said with a calm voice. He was struggling to be calm. It was as obvious as the sun on a sunny day.  "I don't want to talk to you, touch you or come near you ever again."