Psyche

°II. Friend Zone

Wait for the Lord ;  be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord !
                                                                 _Psalm 27:14

Chatter.
Loud Chatter.

The rain pattered on the ground leaving puddles of water to make mud where the floor wasn't cemented. There wasn't a time that it wouldn't rain on an important day especially on a day like this.

It was their valedictory service after all and it had ended on a light note with the graduands in the rain, throwing off their caps as they chanted "they made it". The rain got nothing on them.

Irene on the other hand after throwing her cap quickly went into a class to dry off. She was shivering and her teeth were chattering. She tried to stop them but it would begin as soon as it stopped. She started cleaning her face and shaking off the water from her hair until she felt a presence.

That scent. That sandalwood scent that tickled her nose whenever they were in sight. She never forgot it. Caleb.

"Are you okay, Irene. You're shivering". The voice said reminding her of the days she got drowned in his voice.

She slowly raised her head up until it met his jaw, "What brings you here, Caleb? Last I checked, you called me..." she hesitated taking in slow breaths and releasing,...bitch

He dropped his eyes to the ground and said quietly, "That's what I am here for. I don't want us to end with bad blood. I applied to Nsukka.

"The almighty Caleb is apologising. I thought you were better than this. What's my own with Nsukka?" She retorted dryly.

Caleb's eyes widened and he raked his hair, "I am sorry, Irene. You were my first girlfriend and I didn't want to mess it up".

"Wait! ,She said with a pitched voice raised her hands in the air, "You think we dated. Come on Caleb. You were just a fling. It didn't mean anything to me".

Caleb flinched. He definitely didn't see that coming. A fling. Fling! Freaking fling. He wanted to grab her and shake off the lies that just came out but when he caught her face, he realized she wasn't joking. He paced about the class quickening his strides when he met her eye. It was still void of any emotion.

"When you're through with your parade, you can leave the class. I am out."

She started to go but he stopped her. She stumbled on her heels but he was quick to catch her. She wriggled herself from his embrace and straightened her gown.

She spoke up, "What is it?"

"Let's end this fling. I don't want to go out of secondary school with you still on my mind. I want to be happy when I think of this place."

"Caleb, it's your life. You can choose to be happy or not. I shouldn't be the key to your happiness. I forgive you for all those things but you have to start with loving yourself not waiting for some key".

She hesitated surprised at what was spewing out from her mouth. She met his eye and saw an insecure shy boy who thought having a girlfriend would boost his reputation.

She sighed and continued, "Caleb, you weren't a fling. I just said it to hurt you and with your expression, I succeeded. You're funny, kind , shy, beautiful , talented. I would go on and on because you're a good person. You made a drawing of me and I can't even find it. You don't deserve me. You should love yourself not a girl." She completed taking his hand in hers.

In a blink of an eye, Irene was met with his broad chest. She stilled but later leaned in to his embrace. She was shocked to the bone. They never hugged when they were still dating. No hug could match Tola's. He took his hands to her torso and kept his jaw on her shoulder.

"I will miss you, Naya. I am so glad that you think I am beautiful. That's a strong word coming from the Irene." He would have air quoted but her eyes would not see it.

Irene giggled when she realized that he called her  Naya. The name was gotten from her Ibo name, Chukwufunaya. He started calling her that when he saw her ID card in her purse. She didn't want to remember what ensued afterwards so she shook her head.

Irene gently pulled out from his embrace and gazed at his eyes. Light twinkled in his eyes. This was the first time she looked at him without averting his almond eyes. It was the first time she wasn't lying to him. I am such a horrible person.

"Let's go, it has stopped raining plus you're not shivering anymore". He said awakening her mind from her reverie.

****
The breeze that followed after the rain was cool. Irene despised cold but this one was peaceful. Peaceful cold. She turned to her left and her eyes met with boarder girls. Her girls.

They showed her that family isn't only blood. They had seen her when she was vulnerable, weak and some turned it to their strength while others taught her to stand on her own. She just didn't like hurting anyone's feelings so she endured it. She was good at it. Multiple personalities isn't a disorder. It was her saviour.

You promised to forget it. Just savour the moment and forget. One side of her mind tugged at her. It's your last anyway. They don't deserve you. Enough! She screamed at her thoughts.

She turned to her right. Those very eyes. Why was today about eyes? Those eyes that tormented her mind causing butterflies in her stomach. She wouldn't see those eyes again, here.

"Irene, hi! You look so pretty even without makeup." The voice jolted her from her daydream.

"Amara, thank you. You don't look so bad yourself..." Amara's eyes darted to her sides and she suddenly became uncomfortable. Irene looked to see what was making her look like that and her lips made an o shape.

....Call me, yeah". Amara completed and walked briskly to meet a group who was taking pictures.

"Irene, where have you been?". Tola said in a deep voice that made her jump.

"Jesus". She held onto her chest and let out a breath. She sighed realising who it was, "Tola what's your problem? Why did you scare me like that".

"Drop the act, sugar. It doesn't fit you. Amara saw me coming and told you so why the act".

Irene ignored him and asked instead, "Where's Dimeji?"

"He escorted his mum to the gate. What's up with you?"

"Nothing, I am just sad that we are finally leaving and no more triangle. It makes me want to cry." She sniffed, holding her eyes to clean the non-existent tears.

Tola clapped his hands mockingly, "If you don't want to leave, tell the principle not me. At least you will carry the whole prizes since you have gone through this before."

She chuckled and tugged at his chest. She went closer to draw him in and wrapping him with her arms. Tola's body suddenly went stiff.

"Won't you miss me? You aren't even hugging back." Irene said in a quiet voice.

Tola drew her closer and replied, "it's not like that. I will miss you too. Thank you for allowing me to become your friend. Boom! We have been friend zoned Oh! My weak heart. And I am glad you are opposite. Together we can be SOH."

Irene giggled cleaning the stray tears that had fallen, "You're still stupid". Yeah I am stupid for you.

"Am I interrupting?" It was like a fire had touched them and to think they had a moment. They jolted apart. Tola face palmed while Irene's heart did a summersault. It was just Dimeji.

"Come here". Tola grabbed Dimeji along with Irene and did a group hug.

"Ughh, I hate hugs but I love you guys." Dimeji spoke up and held them firmly like they were his kids. He was the adjacent after all.

A three cord shape isn't easily broken. Not now but not forever.

Note:
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