SECRETS

CHAPTER 8

As I narrated the story to Harvard, we both burst into laughter, shaking off the bad dinner. We found ourselves sitting on our beds, deep in thought. Feeling guilty about leaving Harvard to sit with her brother, I apologized.

"I'm sorry about leaving  with your brother. I noticed you were kinda pissed about it," I said, genuinely apologetic.

Harvard looked up from her book, her expression softening. "I'm not pissed about anything. I understand. You're in a new environment, and I know how it feels to crave companionship. Besides, you're just my roommate. It's not like we have any strong ties," she said, trying to brush it off.

Her words stung a bit. I thought we were becoming friends. At least she was understanding, unlike my other roommate who would throw tantrums over small things like the position of her toothbrush. The silver lining was that she was rarely here.

******

Feeling lonely in this unfamiliar place, I couldn't help but compare it to the concept of "home." I chuckled to myself, realizing I never really had a true home. Those mansions, estates, and villas were just empty shells. I was used to being alone, but this level of isolation was different. I felt trapped in the English countryside, thousands of miles away from anyone I knew. It was a choice between turning this hell into heaven or finding a way to escape.

Feeling the need to escape the confinement of the dorm, I decided to take a stroll around the school. Harvard was too engrossed in her novel that she fell asleep reading it, and Brett hadn't returned yet. And I?, I found myself fixated on the intricate patterns of the ceiling, unable to fall asleep.

I made my way to the giant window at the opposite end of the room. With a gentle tug, I pulled back the curtain, revealing Manor House, standing  across from my dorm. It was a fleeting moment of connection before I let the curtain fall back into place.

Sleep was what I craved, and I needed it ASAP.

Without a second thought, I put  on my slippers and quietly ventured out for a late-night stroll. Faint chatter echoed from the nearby rooms as I made my way to the elevator. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was 12:05 AM.

In my lilo and stitch onesie, I couldn't help but feel like a lost kid. Nevertheless, I continued my walk, seeking solace in the open air. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, providing some much-needed respite. It dawned on me that this moment would be even better with some music. Lost in my thoughts, I gazed at the dark grey clouds hanging beneath the stars, a sign that rain might be on its way. As I shifted my attention from the dim moonlight, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder.

Turning around in fright, my eyes met a figure with a cap dressed in a tanktop and gym shorts. "Hayden?" I exclaimed when he removed the cap,revealing his face. "You've got to be kidding me. What are you doing out this late?" I questioned.

"I should be asking you that question. It isnt safe for pretty girls to be outside. All alone. In a onesie. Where no one can hear you scream for help." He replied in a tone that screamed psychopathic serial killer. "What" I said chuckling,taking what he said to be a light joke.

"You could get chocked to death, stabbed,raped." He said moving a step closer. It wasnt funny anymore. A chill just ran through my spine. I looked at his muscular figure. His face was dead serious. His eyes had no humour. My heart rate escalated in a second.
Then he burst out in laughter. I stayed still, looking struck and confused. "You should have seen your face." He said in between laughter. "That wasnt funny." I said punching his gut,sighing trying to calm the organ trying to race out of my body.

"I'm sorry. But for real,your expression could win an oscar." He said lifting his hands in surrender.

"It still wasnt funny. But you didnt answer  my question." I said after finally getting the hang of my breath.

"Just an early morning stroll. You?"

"Needed to get some air. I can't sleep."

"You know whenever i can't sleep,i come out and take a stroll as well. But not in my pajamas." He said, his british accent lightly echoing.

"Well i dont take morning strolls or in the afternoon or evening. Basically i dont take strolls. I love the comfort of my bed. But seemingly, i cant find comfort here." I said, as we continued the conversation walking around the compounds.

"Maybe you're homesick. Everyone was. My first time here i wanted to run away from school. Harvard on the other hand was happy. She liked school. I missed home. Until i decided to make this my home."

"So you dont miss your home anymore?"

" My home is a three storied house with a pool and a ranch, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, butlers,chauffeurs, maids. Whatever you could think of. You name it. We got it. A woman and man, i call mom and dad and my sister Harvard. What's your home like?" He said the word 'home' with so much sarcastic emphasis that it made me feel like we were sailing on the same boat. One without destination. Having it all but in reality having nothing.

I smiled as i thought of it. What life was like before. When we were actually a family. " My home,.." i said as we sat on one of the compound benches. " i can scarcely remember what it was like. I too, have a man and woman, i call dad and mom..." we both chuckled at that.
"All that you have, i've had it too. Heck even more. We move from country to country. Estate to estate. Anyone from a far can say, 'Damn, i want that girls life.' The truth is, no would want it. Even i dont want it. I could trade it for a bag of dorritos." Then we both burst out into laughter.  
" I have a brother and i had a sister. And yeah. Thats my home."  I hadnt realised that tears were rising up in my eyes at the mention of my sister..

***Heyyy!!! Hope you're liking the story so far. Suggestions are very welcome. Please share,vote comment!!!😊❤️. Jah Bless😇***

I apologise for the short chapter. The next update shall be in soon.
Qn: what do you think of Hayden and Rapha so far? (Your responses actually help in character development🥺)