My Toxin

Chapter 19: Lines crossed

As summer drew closer and the excitement for the upcoming trip to Santorini grew, it was overshadowed by an increasing tension. Kemi's discontent with Alex had not only simmered beneath the surface but had started to bubble over, spilling into their wider social circles. She had begun to bad-mouth Alex to others, subtly but effectively rebranding him as a "white snob." It was the kind of insidious gossip that spread like wildfire, reaching Alex through some mutual friends in his economics class. The whispers annoyed him more than he expected, gnawing at his composure.

One afternoon, while they were studying together in the library, Alex finally reached his breaking point. The quiet hum of the room did nothing to soothe his growing frustration. He closed his MacBook with a decisive snap and turned to Marjorie, who was engrossed in her notes.

"Marjorie, we need to talk," he said, his tone more serious than usual.

She looked up, concern etched on her face. "What's wrong?"

"It's Kemi," Alex began, trying to keep his voice calm, though the frustration was evident. "She's been bad-mouthing me to people around campus. It's not just annoying—it's disrespectful. And honestly, I'm upset that you haven't put her in her place."

Marjorie sighed, feeling the familiar weight of tension settle on her shoulders. She had hoped to avoid this conversation, knowing how delicate the situation was. "Alex, you know Kemi can be difficult, but I can't control what she says or does. She's my friend, and I'm stuck in the middle."

"Stuck in the middle?" Alex repeated, his voice tinged with incredulity. "You're my girlfriend—aren't you supposed to have my back? The fact that Kemi feels so comfortable disrespecting me makes me wonder if you respect our relationship at all."

Marjorie's face tightened as the stress of her exams compounded with the pressure of Alex's words. "I'm not your girlfriend, Alex. And you know I care about you, but Kemi's my friend. I'm trying to balance everything—our relationship, my friendship with her, and my exams. I can't deal with this right now."

Alex's expression hardened, her words stinging more than he anticipated. "Fine, Marjorie. You win—we're not in a relationship. And I guess Kemi can continue to drag my name through the mud because she's your friend. I'm done."

Feeling overstimulated and pushed to her breaking point, Marjorie stood up abruptly, gathering her things with a sharpness that matched her tone. "For fuck's sake, Alex, give me a break! I can't focus on my exams with all this drama. I'm not talking to any of you until they're over."

Alex watched her walk away, already feeling the weight of the conversation settling in his chest. With a resigned shrug, he reopened his MacBook, deciding to bury himself in his academics, hoping the upcoming holiday might offer some much-needed relief.

For the next week, Marjorie went silent. She didn't answer calls or texts, not even from Kemi. Alex didn't bother contacting her either, still nursing his wounds from their argument. The silence between them hung heavy, a stark contrast to the usual banter they shared.

In his frustration, Alex found himself confiding in Chanel during a late-night phone call.

"I'm done, Chanel," Alex vented, pacing his room. "Kemi's still out there talking shit, and Marjorie doesn't seem to care. I don't get why she isn't upset about it."

Chanel listened, her voice calm but firm. "Maybe it's time you confronted Kemi directly. And if she gets physical, call me because you can't put your hands on a woman, but I can."

Alex laughed at Chanel's enthusiasm, a small break in the tension he felt. "Thanks, Chanel. Talk to you later."

Bolstered by Chanel's encouragement, Alex decided it was time to end the drama once and for all. He arranged to meet Kemi alone, determined to resolve things face-to-face.

When they met at a quiet corner of the campus, away from the usual bustle, Alex didn't waste any time.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice steady but firm.

Kemi crossed her arms, already on the defensive. "What is it now, Alex?"

"I know you've been bad-mouthing me to other people," Alex began, his frustration bubbling just below the surface. "I don't get why you have such a problem with me, but this needs to stop. I've tried being nice, but you're making it impossible for me to have any peace."

Kemi scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "You think this is all about you? You're just another rich guy who thinks he can buy everyone's loyalty. I'm not impressed, and I'm not going to let you control Marjorie or me."

Alex's patience wore thin, his voice rising slightly. "I grew up with Marjorie. She comes from money just like me. My money doesn't intimidate her, so don't project your insecurities onto her!"

Kemi's anger flared, but underneath it was something more complex—something raw and unspoken. "You wouldn't understand. You've had everything handed to you, while I've had to fight for every scrap. You and Marjorie—people like you—don't know what it's like to struggle."

Alex shook his head, the anger now tinged with pity. "I'm sorry for everything you've been through, but I can't be the scapegoat for your insecurities. It's not fair to me."

"You're not the fucking victim here, Alex—I am," Kemi shot back, her voice trembling with emotion. In a sudden burst of anger, she pushed him back.

Alex grabbed her wrist instinctively, holding her at arm's length. "And how long are you going to live as a victim, huh? How long are you going to be a bitch to people who are trying to befriend you?"

The air between them was thick with tension, the unspoken words hanging heavily. Then, in a move that took Alex completely by surprise, Kemi closed the gap between them, grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him into a kiss.

For a moment, Alex was too stunned to react, his mind spinning as he tried to process what was happening. Her cold lips against his was what brought him back to reality, he quickly pushed Kemi away, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Kemi, what the fuck are you doing?" he demanded, his voice a mix of shock and anger.

Kemi's face was a tumultuous mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and a hint of regret. She didn't respond, just turned and walked away, leaving Alex standing there, reeling from the sudden and unwanted kiss.

As Kemi disappeared from view, Alex stood alone, his mind racing with the implications of what had just happened. The situation had gone from bad to worse, and now he was faced with an even bigger dilemma: how to deal with Kemi's unexpected and unwanted advance—and what this would mean for his already strained relationship with Marjorie.

The lines had not just been crossed—they had been obliterated. And now, Alex had to figure out how to navigate the wreckage without losing everything he cared about.