Story Of My Life

chapter 8: mistakes

"what's with you? You look like you've seen a ghost " William asked Liam. "I knew this place was haunted" Wilma said under her breath ,Andrew shook his head as he stroked her hair.
Liam tried to compose himself, only managing a chuckle.
"Wilma, who's Taylor? " he asked. Wilma sat up. "Ooh Taylor" she smiled as if remembering a fond memory. "really awesome human being that one. he was once at our school but two grades ahead of us, Lola's best friend. Some time back, his dad got a transfer to South Africa so he had to leave as well." she finished her short story. Time paused for a bit and she realised he'd just asked about another male and how uncomfortable he was. "they haven't talked in a while though" she said looking at him from the corner of her eye.
"why do you ask? " she asked. "well umh, his name was sort of mentioned...in the middle.. Of things. " . The room filled with shock. "Ooohhh" mark said as he shook his head, holding back his laugh. "ouch" Andrew said. Wilma couldn't hold on her tiny laugh "that's a burn fam. I'm sure there's a somewhat logical explanation for this. But hey look, you really have nothing to worry bout. Lola really likes you.. It's even shocking. " Wilma assured him.
"I'm sorry, as much as this is awkward, it's funny. " mark began to laugh. "shut up, she really likes you bro. " Andrew said.
"yes, I do"
I walked into the room
"and I'm sorry"
Mark, Wilma and Andrew saw me and began to leave the room.
I swallowed my embarrassment and went to sit next to him and took his hand. " I'm so sorry. Are you okay? " I whispered . " I'm fine actually ." he laughed. "just jealous, to be honest " he added. "you have no idea how happy I am to hear that." I said. "look, judging by the story you told me, I don't think you're over the whole thing yet" he said. "but I am-" I tried to defend myself before he cut me off. "shush! " he put a finger on my lips. " I'm just going to have to work hard and make you forget what happened between you two" he said and gave me a warm smile. I stared at him, relief rushed through me before defense crept in. "but it's all forgotten. I don't want this stupid mistake to sway what we have going. It's my fault, I should have told you I'd be the worst girlfriend on earth. You know what? It's not too late maybe I could-" I then felt Liam's lips on mine. I forgot everything else I wanted to say. "you talk too much" he chuckled.

This whole relationship was new to me. Part of me hated that I'd allowed myself to like Liam so bad.
I thought back to last year when he showed up in the middle of a semester and we spent the rest of it becoming so close. Now it was the beginning of a new year and I was his girlfriend.
I was proud to be his girlfriend. He was talented, sweet and attractive. Cute enough for most girls to lose their minds over.
Before everything, Liam was well you know, Liam but after the official boyfriend title, something changed. Maybe I was being paranoid but I was noticing a few things here and there. Like how much my male friends got to him all of a sudden and how he gave a few females a little bit more attention than before talking bout 'they're my friends Lola, you're being ridiculous '.
Maybe it was just my girlfriend jealousy at work.
Maybe I was being ridiculous and being the loving girlfriend I was trying to be, I waved it away.
A part of me was also convinced that our relationship was cursed but I knew I'm an over thinker and I'm over thinking everything so I just went with the flow. I was never one who liked relationships but after finding myself in one, I tried not to screw it up.

That week ,we went back to school and I made sure to grab Liam and kiss him passionately in front of Stacey, taking unnecessarily long. My epic PDA moment. He really liked that and I loved the fact that I won. I could feel her eyes burning holes through my clothing .
"oh Stacey, I didn't see you there honey. " I said with much sarcasm, still in Liam's arms. Her face tensed. I laughed.
"looks like I won huh? " I whispered. "this ain't over Navarra. " she said and walked off. "yeah, ba-bye " I waved as Liam smiled. "what was that about? " he asked. I watched her make her exit. "nothing.. " I said before He kissed me again.

More days went by and the school decided to move the dance to early March because of an unexpected flooded gym.
I was glad. I actually wanted the whole thing cancelled being that I loathed anything to do with Valentine's. But it was different this time, I had someone I was convinced I.... Loved?
Well, like-liked.
During the course of those months , things began to feel weird. Liam and I became distant. I'd constantly feel that that wasn't how relationships were supposed to be. The more he got popular, the more I'd disappear. I'd get mad but he'd tell me some really assuring stuff.. And I'd forget that I was mad. Then he'd do it again and the cycle is repeated. It got tiring and I'd start to rethink a lot of things.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, late February and I was sick of feeling like this. I needed to get this off my chest. I made my way back to the music room where everyone was and looked for Liam. I found him in a corner with a guitar in his hands, talking to a female student whose name I didn't know. Their bodies too close for my comfort. They were laughing about something. As she laughed, a hand went out and rested on his shoulder. I suddenly wanted to laugh as well. What the hell was so funny?
I walked up to him, their chuckles died down and her hand dropped.
Why y'all stop laughing huh?
Nah, put that hand back baby girl.

"hey" I said. "hai babe" he responded. "hi Lola. " she said. I smiled at her "Could I speak to you for a minute " I turned back to Liam. He and the girl exchanged looks before she got up. "I will catch you later, Liam. Lola, your boyfriend is really talented.. And funny. " she giggled and stared at him while biting her lip. He was smiling. Just then, my palm held her whole face and turned her around before pushing her "thank you, girl whose name I don't care to know.bye" I said as I guided her. She was shocked. So was Liam.
"Lola, what was that?" he asked "who is she?" I answered with a question. "Trisha. " he said. "well couldn't you tell that Trisha was being way too friendly? She almost bit off her bottom lip! And what was she doing laughing her ass off like that?you're not that funny " I sassed for a bit and made him laugh in the process. "this isn't funny. " I said. "are you jealous?" He asked. "well duh Liam, this isn't a new feeling for me BTW. You've been doing quite a lot of things to put me in this position and I don't like it. This isn't who I am. " I said. "oh come on. You've been doing it too. Spending so much time with jamjam And the other males. How do you think I feel? " he said. "I'm only with my other friends cause you seem to have no time for me these days Man... We can't start this 'jealousy game' Liam. Someone is going to get very hurt.. " I said. We stood looking at each other. He was quiet. "did you hear a word I said? " I asked. He stood, looking at me. "right. " I said and walked off.
I was irritated and we didn't talk for the rest of the day. I switched off all my devices and went to school the next morning. I didn't sit with him, I went to sit with my girls. Mark noticed and came to sit with us. Liam and I would occasionally glance at each other. He was okay. Seemed not to be bothered too much so I wasn't either... But I was.
"ANYWAY! " Mariah's voice echoed in my ears. "aside from the fact that your boyfriend is being a butt, I've got other news?" she said. "so tell us. " I said. "James asked me out guuurl. " Christina, Jolè and I were excited for her then I noticed Marks expression which he fixed before saying how great it was. I pretended not to notice his crushed soul.
We were so engulfed by our stories that we didn't notice time fly by. The class got really noisy all of a sudden and people sounded shocked. I didn't bother looking for the attraction cause I was busy.
The noise died down and my divided attention was at work. I heard a deep voice say "I'm looking for Lola Navarra " I took my time to turn. I was trying to figure out what trouble I had gotten myself into now and more importantly, why the voice sounded so familiar.
The class went utterly quiet now. Why were people good at minding other people's business. I still hadn't turned cause I was frozen.
"Lola.. I can see your braids from here mama. " he said and chuckled. I couldn't believe who I thought it was. I turned and there he was standing in the frame. Wearing black and grey. His jet black hair, smooth mocha skin, and glittering blue eyes with one of his famous wide smiles showing his perfect teeth.
"Taylor.. " I said. "Lolita " he responded with open arms. Before I could breathe, I ran towards him and jumped, he caught me and we shared an amazing hug as I was lifted off the ground with my legs wrapped around him.
After he put me down the rest of the class began greeting him, he was our senior before he left and most people already knew him.
"what are you doing here? "I asked holding back most of my joy. "I'm back.. " he said. Those words brought out my joy and I hugged him again.
Jamjam, Derick and AJ came over to greet him. The girls did as well as they all have him a hug. "Hey" Mark stretched out his hand which Taylor shook "Hey Man, I'm Taylor ."
"Mark. Nice to finally meet you. " mark said.
William, who was with Liam and Stacey walked over to us, making the rest of them follow. "Taylor" William said. "William, what's up. " he responded. "Hey Taylor. " Stacey said. He paused for a bit. "Stacey.. " he nodded. It got awkwardly shirt after that. Liam walked to take his place beside me before he put his arm around me. "Taylor this is Liam. My boyfriend " I said. "I've heard a lot about you. " Liam said "all good things, I hope.." Taylor responded. they looked at each other for a bit. "yeah..babe, I'll call you later on" Liam said before kissing my cheek and walking away.
"you have a boyfriend?...That's weird. " Taylor said before I kicked him.