BEFORE

CHAPTER 8

So I decided to take a small break tonight and go out with Wes. I thought he was taking me out for dinner or anything else, but I should’ve known we are going to a party, a house party rather. One his friends, Allen, has a birthday party at his house tonight. So that’s where we are going. Wes has respected my wishes and just gave me some space. Sure we texted and called each other during the week but I last saw him when he came to apologize. I am not fully back together with him, just to make that clear.

“Chin up, Bubbles. Your friends are going to be there, so you will have people to chat with.”
I frown. “Which friends?” I don’t remember Haley talking about this party.

“Melo and her squad. Since Allen is kind of her man, she helped with the planning and everything. Usually when one of my friends have a party, it takes place in two of our houses. Half the night is going to be spend at Allen’s house and the rest will be spend at my place until the morning bang.”
“Oww, okay.”

I have a bad feeling about this. I have ignored Melo’s texts all week. I know she will confront me about that but I will just tell her I was busy with school work. I don’t know about hanging out with them. She and her friends are con-women, so it’s hard to chill with them knowing where their heads are at.

We get to Allen’s house and it’s packed. There are really nice cars outside and in the driveway. Wes parks on the street because it is closed down for this party. Snobs. We climb off the car and head inside. The moment we step inside the house, we are drawn into the chaos. Sweaty bodies rubbing against each other. It feels like I am in a night club. Melo appears in front of us with a smile and she pulls me away from Wes to the kitchen which is full of her friends and other girls who seem drunk. Who gets drunk at 8pm?

“You have been scarce. What up? Did I scare you after brunch? And I also saw you walking out on Wes. What was that all about?” she asks after shoving a dumpy in my hands.
“I was really busy with assignments and submissions. I still am busy but Wes literally dragged me here. So I am sorry if you felt like I ignored you. My roommate is a witness, I hardly touch my phone when I am working.”

She nods. “Okay. I can take it. So our plan is in motion tonight. Just be cool and have fun. Don’t act weird.” Plan? Does that mean they will rob Allen? “Don’t look so shocked. You be cool and do you boo. Maybe you might get a share in the end but you have to work for it.” She winks.
“Let’s go dance.” Chelsea chirps in, pulling me to the lounge which is full of people. There is even a DJ.

I can’t get over my conversation with Melo. Shall I warn Wes and Allen? But do I wanna get in the bad books of these girls? What if they fun out I sold them out and do something bad to me? Also, what if Wes and his friends find out I was somehow involved, even not directly, and do something to me? This is a fucked up situation. I wish I can leave right now but I can’t because what will be my excuse? I feel like the ‘assignments’ one is overrated at this point. So I try and soldier on and just dance as if everything is alright.

Wes comes to me about half an hour later and then we head over to greet his friends. Barren is with his fiancé and that throws me off a bit. Didn’t he hook up with Haley not so long ago but he has a fiancé? Men are trash. His fiancé looks so adorable and innocent. I hope he is not continuing with his fuck boy ways.
“So Barren has a fiancé?” I ask Wes as soon as he pulls me away from his squad.
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t judge, babe. Let them do their thing.”

“That means you have a fiancé somewhere out there that doesn’t know about your endeavours?” I ask, folding my arms and staring up at him.
“Honey, it would take a sorcerer to pin me down because I am a social butterfly.” It’s my turn to roll my eyes. He is so full of himself.
“I am glad I am leaving South Africa and won’t stick around to see your sorcerer.”

He frowns. “Leaving SA? Where are you going?”
“After getting confirmation that I passed my qualification, I am heading off to Europe. I am still not sure about my financial situation but I am independent so I will make a plan.”
His frown deepens and he pulls me to a quieter room. “Why am I hearing about your plans to leave SA now? Weren’t you planning on telling me?”

I shrug. “Well we are not really in a relationship, so I am not obliged to disclose personal information about my life. You enter nowhere in that.”
He turns angry instantly. “Is this payback for last week?”

“As much as I would love to polish your ego right now, this has nothing to do with you. This is something I have been looking forward to ever since I started my studies. I have no family here so nothing really ties me to this country. I have to spread my wings and fly up high.”
He rubs his forehead. “You said something about a financial situation. How much do you need?”

I huff. “I don’t need your money, Wesley. I am capable of taking care of myself. If it means working a nine to five job to pay bills while I discover more about my talent, so be it. But I am ready for anything.” I smile up at him and then walk out.

×××
These people really know how to turn up. From Allen’s house to Wes’s house, the party hasn’t lost its vibe or energy. Wes is wasted. He even asked for a quickie not so long ago which I gladly gave him. I am not as drunk as I am expected to be, so I request a cab to fetch me. I leave Wesley sitting with his friends in the lounge and head over to the kitchen. I find Melo and her squad whispering to themselves. I am sure they are plotting their moves.

Melo looks up. “Where are you off to, beautiful?”
“I am just getting some fresh air outside. It’s really stuffy in here.”
She nods. “Come back quickly. You don’t wanna miss the big birthday gift.”
I wish I never bump into her and her squad in future. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I head out and I am relieved to finally breathe fresh air. It is really stuffy inside Wes’s house.

When I arrive at my place, I walk in to see Haley packing. I frown. Where the fuck is she going?
“Don’t tell me you forgot about the exhibition in Maputo.” She frowns at me and my eyes pop out.

My God. I have been so busy with Wes and school work that I completely forgot about out last exhibition before exams. We are supposed to fly to Maputo for the Southern Africa fashion show or exhibition. Most fashion colleges’ senior students will be there to show off their work. We had to submit our outfits to the dean a month earlier to avoid procrastination and doing work on the last minute.

“My God. Fuck my life. I am going to pack right now.”
She rolls her eyes and point at a suitcase in the couch. “I did something any loving friend would and packed your clothes, necessities and kit for the weekend. You’re welcome. I can’t believe I am saying this, but Wes is such a huge distraction. Cut him loose. If he wasn’t around, you wouldn’t have forgotten about this trip.”

I sigh. “Thank you so much, boo.” I hug her. “And after this weekend, you won’t hear about me chilling with Wes and his people.”
“Hm.”

I rush to my room to check if she left anything that I might really need. After making sure I have everything, I change my outfit and we head down the gate where a taxi is waiting for us. We get in and it takes us straight to the airport. I am grateful for my scholarship otherwise I wouldn’t afford all the benefits that comes with this college.