Adept in Peril

Chapter XVIII - Unraveling.

It's been a long while. Enjoy.
P.S. Read the author's note after this chapter, thank you.

Annie's POV

My brain cells worked earnestly, trying so hard to fix the missing pieces in the ridiculous puzzle that just came up. A love triangle? Wale, Anndora and Isabella? Color me shocked.

The remaining classes for the day met me in a state of disarray and disbelief as I had never ever imagined in my wildest dreams that I'll have to try to seperate my best friend from dirty-fighting. I directly faced the white board but my mind was far gone from whatever was going on there.

Secret prayers of supplication left my lips to God because rumours were already flying around that they had been suspended.

I couldn't see her as a result of Mr Akpan stepping into the class almost immediately after the bell, threatening to punish anyone that leaves the class and Isabella went off without stopping over at my class.
I couldn't wait for the day to be over so I could go over to her place - I could not even remember the last time I was there. She was the one always coming over.

Immediately the closing bell went off, I packed my books which were sitting uselessly on the table into my locker, carried my bag and left the noisy school premises. People were already spreading supposed gist about the whole scenario this afternoon.
Practice would have to wait for this one.

Getting closer to the school gate, I whipped out my phone to book a ride as I didn't know the route well enough and was not about to become a missing person. Luckily enough, I remembered the name and number of her street - just not the particular house number.

"Annie, Annie!" a very familiar voice called out, interrupting my train of thoughts.
Carlo?
I turned around, just in time to meet his gaze.
He gave a little smile, quickened his steps and jogged towards me, the sweat on his brows glistening under the sun.

He finally got to where I stood.

"Hey Annie," He exhaled, and scratched the back of his head. "I've been calling your name for a while, you seem to be in a hurry. Are you alright?" He inquired, as he dabbed his face with his napkin.

"I guess I am, I just need to attend to something quickly, can we talk later or something?" I said, hoping I conveyed the urgency I felt in my statement.

"Uhmm sure," He shrugged, he seemed taken aback by my reply. "Do take care of yourself, I'll call you later on."

"Yeah, bye."
This boy almost made me lose focus sha.

The urgency I felt a few minutes ago returned with a full force. I ran down to the gate this time. Thankfully, my ride was already here. The driver seemed friendly as he waved me from the red, matrix Toyota. I got in and made a little prayer that everything was going to be alright.

The number you're trying to reach is currently unavailable, please try again later, thank you.

The automated voice called out for the one-millionth time since I started calling Isabella.
We slowly approached her street, I racked my brain trying to remember landmarks so as not to get lost. Thank goodness for retentive memory.

Thirty minutes later, I was standing in front of the fifth blue gate on the street after I alighted. Dripping with sweat and perspiring like a he-goat, I clutched my school bag hoping I finally got the house right.
Joke's on me and my retentive brain because it blatantly failed me as I had been to five different houses with blue gates - each of the gate men looking weirdly at me when I asked for Isabella.