TEENAGE TRAUMA

Chapter 17-Agreements

Kevin stared at me for a few seconds and I could feel the confusion in his head. I couldn't even look at his face, I felt like I should be ashamed of my actions. The build up of tension between us was beginning to get into my head when he finally broke the silence saying, "I understand what you're saying, Deborah and I'm sorry you were dragged into this. I should've stopped to ask you how you felt about the situation. You're scared, no one will persecute you for that" Kevin sighed and gave me a hug. I definitely needed that level of comfort because the whole situation was beginning to tear me apart. I didn't want the moment to come to an end but I realised how it might look to other people so I pulled away and said, "Aren't you scared as well?"
"I am, but I can't get myself out of this mess, it is what it is". He answered.

We went back to our seats, meeting Tricia and Cristal having a conversation behind us. Kevin joined in the conversation, asking Tricia to come with him to have a chat with Amber. Cristal and I watched them get far away enough before beginning our discussion. "You aren't going with them?" She asked me.
"No..aren't you?"
"I withdrew myself from this whole Aunty thing a long time ago abeg. And I guess you're doing the same", she answered me.

Soon later, the bell rang and classes continued. The day went by really fast as neither Tricia nor Kevin brought up Aunty's matter or anything like that. After school, I was packing by things, about to go home when someone tapped me from behind on my shoulder.

"Boo!" He shouted, startling me.
"Oh no, I was really scared", I responded sarcastically, turning around to see Josh smiling at me. "Oh hi Josh". I began. "Hello, Debbie. Sorry to disturb at this time, though. I don't have time to talk to you during school". He apologised. "It's fine, so what do you want to speak about?"
"Your phone number" he said, handing his phone over to me and asking me to put in my phone number.
"Straight to the point", I remarked, " And I've refused to give it to you multiple times, what makes you think it'll be any different now?" I continued. "I know Kevin has been asking Amber to speak to her dad about something or so. She's refused but I can change that. On one condition though" Josh answered with a wink. "Seriously?" I asked, laughing, "You expect me to believe Amber would say no to Kevin but yes to you? Besides, everyone knows she isn't close to her dad or something so what's the assurance that he'd agree to whatever she asks? Abeg this is a waste of time", I answered with a soft chuckle.
"You'll never know if you never try. And believe me when I say Amber would listen to me. I know what this is about, it's quite obvious so at least do it for Tricia" Josh said trying to change my mind.
"And if she doesn't listen to you?"
"You can just block my number then, I'll be out of your hair", he answered. I collected his phone from him and put in my number saying, "Don't breathe a word of this to Amber, you understand". "Sure.." Josh confirmed, retrieving his phone from me. Then thanked me and left, leaving me pondering why he even wanted my number, since I was quite vulnerable and he could have asked for anything in return. I of course went to Chloe's classroom afterwards so we could walk home together. When we got into our compound we sat in my balcony, just talking about school when she brought something up.

"Let me confess something to you but promise you won't be angry o". She suddenly said. "I'm not promising anything because I know you very well. So what did you do again?" I asked her in curiosity. "I gave your phone number to Amber", Chloe said and paused for a second before continuing with a smile, "But It's actually not bad though. She was begging me saying she has something you would be interested in. Expect a call from her or something". "Seriously? I guess it's not that big of a deal and I think I know what she wants to talk about" I answered. "Anyways..I have to go home now, tons of homework. And let me know whatever Amber says o" Chloe said, getting up and ready to leave. "Sure" I answered. Waving goodbye at her and getting into my house.
As expected, I got a call from an unknown number a few minutes later and immediately believed it was Amber. I was initially reluctant to pick up the phone but I had to convince myself that it wasn't that big of a deal. "Hey", I said, answering her call.
"Usually when I call, people pick up on the first ring, were you nervous or something?" She began. I rolled my eyes and I thought, 'This is definitely Amber'. "What do you want?" I asked her.
"Damn, why are you being so rude. I literately just called to say hello and the first thing you say in reply to me is 'what do you want'. Relax". She answered.

"You did not call me just to say hello"
"You're right. I'm sure you're aware Kevin and Tricia came to me earlier today, asking for a favour which is basically impossible for me to do. But you can change that."

"You want me to do something in exchange for a meeting with ur dad? You know I'm not the one who wants to see him" I answered.

"You and I know what that meeting is going to be all about. And that's Aunty. You really think I'd risk getting my dad involved just for free? Besides, Tricia is your friend. Don't you want justice for her? It'll be quite selfish if you refuse to at least try your best to help" Amber continued in a serious tone.

Really, guilt tripping? What do you want?" I asked in a defeated manner.

"I don't know yet. But I know I won't let this opportunity pass me by without me taking advantage of this weakness of yours".

"Weakness?" I asked her, "I'm in fact trying to stay away from this matter as much as possible. Can't you even make Kevin do something in exchange for that meeting instead? I'm sure it'll be worth more to you"

      "I know what I'm doing. I'll speak to my dad but just know you owe me. And you'd better not even think about acting like this deal doesn't exist when I ask you to do something in return. Promise!" Amber answered in a demanding tone.
"No..I have to know what you want me to do first. You might ask me to set myself ablaze for all I know. I'm not risking it. But I give you my word, I'll do what you ask when you're ready to ask, as long as it's something reasonable". I assured her.
     "Ugh why do you have to be so difficult? Just don't try to double cross me. I'll get back to you". Amber replied, frustrated and with that, she ended the call.

"Gosh I really hope I don't regret this" I mumbled to myself.