It takes two to love

Chapter one

CHAPTER ONE

"Cathy, you are sure you don't want to go to prom?" Eunice asked as she poured orange juice into two glasses. "I'm sure, very sure. I'd just stay home and watch Netflix or something" I told her grabbing my glass and walking to the couch.

"I can tell peter really likes you"

"But do I like peter? I don't; so why not let him take a girl who would hold his hand without wanting to punch his face"

"You hate him that much?" she sat next to me

"I don't hate him but I don't necessarily like him. Look at you and Hugo, you guys are obviously "in love" I said emphasizing with my fingers the air quotes.

"You even think his basic style of fashion is cute. I mean pure love there" I continued with a smirk on my face. She shoved me by the side

"His style of fashion is simple and cute" she said with a stupid grin on her face.

I looked at my best friend, she was utterly in love. She and Hugo started going out a year back; Hugo was that quiet stud in basic clothing in our school back then and she, one of the hottest girls in school had herself crushing on the guy the second he stepped foot in our biology class. He asked her out when we went on camping trip, she was absolutely flustered and I was glad she was happy.

"You're at least coming with me to pick a dress?"

"Why? Hugh bear's not coming?!"

I said as I stood up and threw a pillow in her face. We threw pillows in each other's faces till we were tired and laughing as we both fell on the couch.

"I need a little girl time and I want to impress the pants off him'

"Ewwwwww" I screeched

She looked at me and we both laughed. 

"Prom's a month from now so we have time"

"Yeah we do, who knows? Even you can fall in love before then"

"Like anyone would love me" I scoffed

"Hey it's you not giving them a chance to love you; it's you always pushing them away"

"I do not want to discuss this" I said as I took the now empty glasses to the sink.

"You're always acting like you've got everything in control, you're hurting down there and you haven't let it go. You need to let it out cry about it or something. If only you'd let Bill help you"

I turned from the sink and gave her a stern but knowing look.

"You know I'm right. You only pushed him away because you started talking to him, he saw you at your weakest moments. Think about it though, he never turned you away, he stood by you. Bill loved you! Even you can't deny that. He didn't turn away from you; you turned away from him in the worst way possible"

"Enough Eunice, what happened is in the past now and I have to go"

I grabbed my bag and walked out of the house. I was about to drive out of the compound when I heard her say "see you tomorrow" I waved at her and sped off.

Bill, Williams smith; he was the first guy I was actually interested in. he was tall, handsome and had this warm aura that just made me want to snuggle up to him. I hadn't seen him since last summer. We spoke for the first time in his dad's coffee shop; it became my favorite place in the world. We didn't really like each other at first, I mean he was an ordinary guy and I didn't date guys in my class. I wasn't oblivious of his existence, I just was not bothered well until he was matched with me for a class project and I had to meet up with him at his dads shop. One thing led to another, he asked me out and I enjoyed his company a lot so I jumped right into it. It wasn't like my other flings though, he actually wanted to spend time with me; the other guys I'd gone out with only wanted me around when they were going partying or just showing off to the world that I was their girl. They were seniors and I got privileges' from it so I wasn't bothered. Bill wanted to be around me; it scared me at first. He'd come to my house with snacks and we'd watch the movies. My dad was barely around so he would come pick me from home; his mum made lunches for the both of us; she adored me like I was her own daughter. We talked a lot and I felt comfortable talking to him because for the first time; someone listened. Our first fight was because I wanted him to give me space, I was scared. That he was going to leave me even though he repeatedly told me he was going nowhere. I spaced out from him and got back to being me. I started taking my pills excessively again. Id pass out for hours in my house and no one would come; bill had seen me once like that, he was scared and asked me why I would do that. I broke down completely in front of him and he listened. I stayed away from bill and started hanging out with the Eunice more, I even went as far as hooking up with one of my old boyfriends; Stefan. The night we broke up, or that I broke up with him. I had gone clubbing with Stefan and we came back to my place. I'd never gone as far as taking my boyfriends to my house even though I was always alone, the only person I'd done that with was Bill.

We were laughing and kissing, my heels in my hand when I sensed a presence in the living room. "Dad" I called out but behold it was bill; staring at me eyes wide open.

"Oh hey bill; Stefan meet my boyfriend bill" I said staggering back to Stefan's side

He planted a kiss on my cheeks "hey man" he said as we both laughed.

Before I knew it, he threw Stefan out.

"Bye beautiful!" I heard Stefan scream.

Bye I said and stretched out on my couch. I heard the door open and close as someone walked in.

"What was that?" bill asked me

"Stefan" I said laughing hysterically as I was very drunk.

"Why are you doing this to us Cathy?"

"Come closer, closer"

He came close to me and put his arms around my waist to keep me steady.

"I don't love you!" I screeched into his ear.

He had this look on his face; hurt, betrayal, pity, disgust, I couldn't decipher it as I passed out at that point. That was the last time I saw him and I didn't bother looking for him or apologizing to him, I wanted to get rid of him; I did and that's that. I'd see him in school and look away. I knew I loved him but love wasn't for me and I didn't want it as I felt If I let my guard down, I'd turn out like my parents.

I drove to the coffee shop; I got out of my car as tears clouded my eyes. I could walk in there and make things right but what if he rejected  me; I didn't know that for sure but if I was him; I wouldn't forgive me.

© Aisha Adesuwa Akanbi