Not Your Regular

Chapter Thirteen

For the support thus far, I say thank you. For reading, for commenting, for voting, for following and for being patient.... I'm honestly grateful. I hope this chapter is satisfactory 🤗

Steve's POV

I drove Linda home with Bryan's car almost after we finished washing the plates. Or should I say after spilling water, tossing pillows, throwing a few punches and finally, putting Grace's house back in order.

I drove back to Grace's house and stayed in the car. I parked in the driveway patiently waiting for Grace and Bryan to return. I knew for sure Bryan would come back to her house that night, because of his car. I was hoping to settle our quarrel.

They got back around past nine. It was easy to tell by the giggling and dragging footsteps I heard. I stayed put in the car, in the passenger's seat and patiently waited for Bryan to come. I had dropped the car key in the house so nothing would be suspected. I wanted to talk to Bryan alone. No interruptions.
In about fifteen minutes I could hear could their goodbyes and the door of the house slammed close. I sensed footsteps coming closer to the car and Bryan stepped inside. He started the car and moved out into the road.

"You might as well get up", I heard Bryan's voice say as he turned out of the street towards his own street.

"How did you know?", Surprised, I asked him as I got up to make myself visible.

"I know my best friend's scent anywhere.", He said and parked the car in his driveway. His house wasn't so far from Grace's. "Moreso, I can easily guess you'd be in the car because you have a lot to apologize for."

He didn't sound angry anymore, but even in the dim light I could still see the hurt in his eyes.

"Want to come inside or do you prefer a stroll?", He asked me as he opened the car door.

"No, let's just sit in front of your house. Linda once told me that sitting and staring at the night sky is a good way to settle a quarrel", I meant to crack a joke, but my best friend was in no mood to laugh.

"Okay then", he stepped out of the car and waited for me, sitting in front of his house.

I got out of the car and sat beside him silently.

"Why did you take the offer?", He broke the silence.

"Bryan, my uncle is sick. He may not be alive for much longer"

"His cancer got worse?", I could start to hear worry in Bryan's voice.

"Yes, it has caused a partial stroke. He can't move the left part of his body."
I didn't take my eyes off the sky and the stars even for a second. I loved the twinkling shiny feeling it exuded. The blend of the dark sky with the shiny colored stars was just the comfort I needed.

"Oh my God, but why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't ready to let you get worried for me again. I've been the cause of your worry all through the year, I'm not causing another.", I replied.
"My parents think I should at least show some kindness and help him with his business, I've been finding it really difficult to refuse their plea. They are my parents after all."

"Should we do this together?", I heard Bryan say.
It was just like my best friend to be there, to offer all the help he can even at the detriment of his.

"That would be unfair of me Bryan. I can't take you away from your grandmother. You're the only one she has", I turned to look into his eyes, making sure he saw the sincerity in my words.

"But I also can't start our business without you. It's impossible."

"It's not", I said turning my head back to the sky. "You have to start without me Bryan and you can. You have one year to prepare, our final year. Immediately after our final exams, I'm going to California, to take over my uncle's business."

"You have decided, haven't you? Leaving me behind as always, to follow through with you decision. You think an already established business is much more better than the one in our imaginations, you think you'd quickly walk your way through life if you take over your uncle's business.
And as usual, you make it seem as though it's your parents pushing you. Do as you please Steve, as you please", Bryan's sharp words cut straight through me. All I could do was watch as my best friend entered his house, leaving me seated right in front of his house. He slammed the door behind him and I knew. I knew I had started a rift between us. A very great rift that would be hard to calm.

Not knowing what else to do, I stood up and went to my room. In some way he was right. I didn't have anything to think through. I had already decided I was taking over my uncle's real estate business. I had to do what I had to do and in my own opinion, taking over that business was the right thing to do.

I tried to enter my room as quietly as possible, but I knew I failed when I saw Jason get up from bed, yawning and stretching his hands lazily.

"Did you go somewhere?", he mumbled inbetween yawns, sounding very sleepy.

"Yeah, to Bryan's house", I said removing the clothes that had been on my body since dawn.

"Have you guys finally settled your little feud?"

"It was originally not a feud, but I think it is now"
I finally succeeded in removing the trousers that were proving difficult and tossed them by the side of the bed.

"What do you mean"?, he sat up.

"I tried to settle but he says I'm not considering him and I'm making all the decisions on my own.... Blah blah", I set my pillow and sat on the bed, very much prepared to sleep. "You see Jason, I'm not much interested in this talk. I need some sleep, tomorrow is busy", I said and laid down on my sides backing Jason.

I heard him mumble some words, but soon those words turned to stillness as I slowly drifted off to dreamland.

Linda's POV

After Steve dropped me off at home, it didn't take long before I slept. I was totally exhausted. First, from the fight that had ensued between best friends causing our picnic to end so abruptly. Then, to the excessive play I had engaged in with Steve in Grace's house.

The absence of Joan in the room made falling asleep easier for me. She went home immediately after exam because she had to travel with her family for summer. Better still, it felt good to have the room all to myself. I didn't have to hear words like, 'Do I look good?', 'Is my makeup matching perfectly with my dress?', ' Is my dress short enough?' and other annoying questions that she enjoyed asking. Only good thing was, she was as sweet as she was annoying. Which made it difficult for me to take any offence with her.

The brightness of the sun woke me up the next morning. I had opened the curtains in the middle of the night because of the heat. Hence, that allowed the direct penetration of the rays of sunlight into the room and directly to my face. My eyes fluttered as they tried to adjust to the bright light. I rose up from the bed slowly and gently as though if I rushed I would crack a bone. Setting my feet on the floor, I slowly recollected the yesterday's events.

It was then I remembered that I had promised Steve I would show up in the morning. He had told he was going to settle with Bryan after he dropped me at home, so I had said I'll come to his room to know how it all turned out. Even though I believed it would turn out fine. I honestly hadn't seen any other best friends who understood each other like them.

I finally rose up from bed and went to take my bath. I was just doing out from the bathroom when I received a call. I didn't bother to look at the phone, thinking it would be Steve calling to remind me. After wiping my body dry, I rubbed some body cream and started to rummage my wardrobe for the cloth to wear.

My phone started to ring again. I left my wardrobe and picked up my phone, it was Jason. I picked up the call wondering what was up.

"Hey Jason, good morning", I said lazily.

"Is Steve at your place?", he asked, not even returning my greeting.

"No, why?", I asked, my mind trying to understand the tone of worry in Jason's voice.

"He's gone. He came back to the room yesterday. He refused to talk and went to sleep, but then I woke up this morning and he was gone. I can't find him anywhere"
I heard Jason say, then he cut the call.

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