K.C Philips

Chapter Eighteen

K.C knew he was in another dimension. He was back in the hall, as it was on prom night, at the event centre, 11 years ago, in his tuxedo.

Why am I here?

K.C was back to his 17 year-old self, yes. Still, he had the awareness of his 26 year-old self. To that effect, he knew already that the night would end in a Shakespeare-esque tragedy. Dotun and Fisayo would walk in. He would freak out. Jessica would calm him down and kiss him. Fisayo would witness it. He would go after Fisayo. He would know about her rape. He would beat Dotun to a pulp.

K.C stood as he awaited the avalanche of the night's events to fall on him. Time passed and nothing bad happened. K.C wondered. Suddenly, K.C lost touch of his mature self. He was 17 again. He was in a real world.

"K.C! What's up man? You don't look bad at all." Dotun, his very good friend, said as he appeared in front of K.C.

"I can totally say the same for you. Where's your babe, Fisayo?" Fisayo was his Year One crush. He had been over her ever since; they were good friends, like he and Dotun.

"She should be here any moment from...." Dotun didn't finish. He didn't need to. Fisayo had just walked in with her very close friend - K.C's sweetheart, Jessica. Dotun and K.C began to palpitate.

"They're here. Together." K.C said.

"Come on," Dotun said. "Let's do this."

They both approached their prom dates and embraced them warmly. K.C was stunned by Jessica's simple-yet exquisite-prom dress.

"Hey." K.C said. He couldn't feel his face.

"Hi K.C" Jessica replied. She blushed and bowed her head shyly.

"You look amazing." K.C said.Jessica smiled. Soon, they were walking slowly. K.C began.

"I never imagined on that day in Year Two, the day we met, that we'd be prom dates and love-birds."

"Me too." Jessica said, blushing heavily.

"Can I have this dance, my love?" K.C said, in a show of mock European aristocracy. Jessica let the tears flow from her eyes.

"K.C..."

K.C kept on hearing his name, each new calling sounding more distant. He felt his picturesque world dissipating in shreds. He felt himself close his eyes. Everything was black and silent. Suddenly, he heard his name resurge, each subsequent calling louder. And more realistic.

"K.C."

Where am I?

"K.C?"

K.C could feel himself shaking. Or was he being shaken?

"K.C!!!! Come on, wake up!"

K.C jolted off his bed. He had been dreaming. Jessica-the present and real Jessica- had been calling him. He turned in his bed. He winced as he held his head. Jessica wasn't done.

"You overslept. You have an important meeting in less than an hour, and you're not even ready."

K.C remembered. Ikenna sent him a text five minutes before Jessica arrived the previous day. Would he blame Jessica?

K.C stood up. "Jessica?"

"What?" Jessica answered, looking serious.

"I had this perfect dream of you and I. It was so wonderful. And short."

Jessica said nothing after that, keeping her face straight. Then she said emotionlessly, "How nice," before walking away. K.C was piqued. Acting on impulse, he dragged Jessica back to himself and French-kissed her. They broke away slowly.