She Fell In Love With The Devil

The Bet

It was on a warm summer afternoon that Solace and her mother engaged themselves in a conversation. Both women spoke about the fact that Solace was growing up into a very introvert young woman. A girl of her stature should not posses the attitude of a child; meaning she should not behave as if she's still a child but a very sociable and disciplined adult. Solace plainly disagreed with her mother. She insisted that she was an outgoing person but just didn't like to mingle with the others.
Her mother gave her a warm smile in reply.
Mrs. Anderson grabbed her purse which was lying on the couch in the living room. She took out some money and a list of groceries she had made.

"Take this, don't forget to buy the carrots too. I didn't add that to the list." Mrs. Anderson said.

"Okay Moma, I won't forget."Solace reassured her mother.

"And don't be too long or else dinner will be delayed." Mrs. Anderson added.

"Alright Moma, I'll be back soon."Solace smiled as she left the house with a shopping bag.

The streets were busy as any Saturday afternoon in town. The supermarket was very close to the house therefore Solace walked a short distance.
Upon approaching the super market, Solace kept her gaze away from the guys of the "Top Thug" group. She inwardly was against their form of business and making money. She never considered that any of them may have or cherish good moral values.
She walked into the supermarket and picked out everything that was in the list in their respective quantities. She paid for every item and left the supermarket.
Upon reaching home, Solace remembered that she didn't buy the carrots.
She returned to the nearest market place and purchased the carrots.
Solace frowned when she caught a glance of the guys she was avoiding. She took a deep breath and walked pass them.

"Hey miss!" One of the guys called out to her.

Solace pretended as if she didn't hear him and continued her journey home.

"Hey miss! Turn around." He yelled once more.

Solace stayed planted at one spot; not making any move nor speaking a word.

One of the guys walked up to her and forcefully grabbed her by the wrist.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, little slut!" He screamed in her face.

Solace grimaced at his face which she thought resembled a rapist.

"Are you done? Now let go of me." She let out in a cold tone.

"I won't." He tightened his grip on her wrist.

"You're hurting me." Solace cried.

"Gabriel, stop it." Another guy named Jude from the group said.

"Oh no, she has to learn to respect others-" he said.

"-No Gabriel, let her go." The guy convinced his colleague.

He gave Solace one last look before he released her. She just grimaced at them and walked back home.

"What was all that about?" Jude asked.

"Oh no man, I should be asking you that. I almost got her this time." Gabriel replied.

"Why are you always torturing that girl?" Alvin asked.

"Did you see her face? Different from others girls. And her body; perfectly shaped. Now tell me, why won't I torture her?" He smirked.

"Gabriel, you think she's like other girls you can just use and dump?"Jude inquired.

"She just has it all, the total package. I would love to hit that!" He laughed.

"You're never gonna get the  chance, she's always indoors.
Besides, I won't let you touch her." Jude let out in anger.

"Wait, wait, wait. . . Jude, all of us here know she's never gonna show interest in any of us. Why do you try?" Alvin asked.

Jude stood quietly without uttering a word or making a move.

"You know what? Let's make this fun." Alvin smirked with a devious plan in his mind.

"Let's make a bet. Whom ever puts her to bed and has evidence of it will claim my role as the leader of the Top Thug group and enjoy all the luxuries that come with it." He said effortlessly.

All the guys stated at each other as if they were debating on whether they should do it or not.

"We're in." They; except Jude,  said in accordance.

"Nice. May the best man win. I wish you guys luck with that girl.
You're gonna need it."Alvin smirked.

"And what of you?" Terry asked.

Alvin smirked at all the guys and said, "I have my ways."

"That girl would surely be mine." Gabriel fantasised.

"You guys are crazy, you shouldn't be doing this." Jude protested.

"Shut up! Look at you behaving like you don't want her." Alvin once again pacified Jude.

After a few minutes of the guys describing how they were going to sleep with her, Jude left.
He went after Solace to warn her.
He reached her doorstep and didn't hesitate to knock.
The door flung open and there stood a confused Solace.

"What are you doing here?" She grimaced at him.

"Are you here with those bastards you call friends?" She fumed.

"Solace, lower your voice. Your parents can't know I'm here." He pleaded.

She felt his idea made sense so she stepped out of the house and shut the door quietly.

"What do you want Jude?" She asked in a bored tone.

"I'm sorry for bothering you. I just came to warn you." He said with shame.

"Warn me? Just like your friend did back there?" She asked in anger.

"No, not that Solace. I'm very sorry for that too." He apologised.

"What is it then? I was doing something before you showed up." She reminded him.

"I won't take up much of your time, I just came to tell you that you should be careful around my friends." He said.

"Why? And what proves you aren't gonna hurt me too?
You're one of them anyway."She said.

"Look Solace, I'm here because I care about your safety and well being. They're planning something and they would get it anyhow and anywhere. Please just be careful." He spelled out clearly.

"So you're saying, you and your dear friends have plotted against me and you being the traitor of the group pretending to be a hero, has come to tell me to be careful?" She asked rhetorically.

"I'm just trying to help Okay." He pleaded furthermore.

"Help?. . .Did you just say help?
My dear Jude, the last time you tried to help me, you tore my heart apart.
What proves you aren't in on it too?" She inquired.

"I'm just here to warn you okay.  Just be careful around them, especially Gabriel. Goodnight."
Those were Jude's last words before he left.

Solace was left dumbfounded at his words and how he had the guts to come to her house to speak to her. The most annoying part was how he was able to tell her that they're planning something against her and that she should be careful; thought Solace.
Solace just ignored the whole issue and walked back into the house.
Solace returned to her mother who was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Who was that?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"It was just a friend Moma." Solace smiled.

"Alright dear. Prepare the table for dinner." Her mother instructed.
Solace replied with a nod.
The evening was certainly one of many surprises. Solace couldn't help but wonder what they had been planning for her.
She finally fell asleep after she got tired of asking herself too many questions in just one night.