EPISODE 15-20
Chapter 15
I locked lips with him and everything stopped, I heard nothing else just the sound of my heart, I felt nothing else just my lips on his, at 7:00 Friday day night, I had my first kiss, with my monster. I broke off the kiss, not waiting for a second I ran to the gate and went inside, he didn't call back, I must have made a fool out of myself.
I went to bed immediately, not that am tired, I just need to be alone, I touched my lips as I lay down, he taste like vanilla, I still feel his lips cause mine kept throbbing.
"How will I face him on Monday" I said, how frustrating, I screamed into my pillow, I feel like exploding, I remember clearly when he said he never fallen in love.
"Am hopeless" I said, I smiled as I remembered the basket ball, I went on a date with Kevin but actually had fun with Eric. When I told him Kevin called it wasn't because I need help, I just want to keep talking to him. He really gave me a fairytale. I remembered his well chiseled abs and my face heats up, am so having not so innocent thought, I giggled and rolled around on my bed.
"Seem from Monday I will avoid you, at least let me bask in this memory" I said and touched my lips, am so not brushing till Monday.
When I woke up on Monday, I felt lazy to go school, am so embarrassed to see him, at the same time I want to see him so much like a pressed person needs restroom.
"Are you not going to school" my mom said to me as she saw me reluctantly walked out from my room.
"Feeling a bit under the weather" I lied, am just in a delimma,
"If its that bad you can sit home and I will get the doctor over" she said and that just helped me make up my mind.
"Its not that bad, I can survive" I said and went back to prepare, I hate doctors, anything related to hospital.
"OK go dress up, I will fix breakfast" she said, over the weekend I kept creating scenario where I meet Eric. And all the scenario I made ends up with me embarrassing myself the more
After my breakfast I left for school, I already made up my mind to avoid going to our spot, I will avoid him as much as I can, and I will make sure not to have eye contact with him. I took a deep breath and went inside school, I made sure not to look sideways, I don't want to accidentally see him, looking at me now, am like a terminator walking to kill her target.
"Cool it girl with your robotic walk" Amina said coming beside me, so it was that noticeable.
"Sorry, was lost in thought" I said, she just shrugged.
"They're here" she said, I regretted looking cause that moment I saw Eric coming down from the bus, our eyes met and I gasped. I turn and ran, literally I ran.
Everybody kept looking my way, how embarrassing, I held myself from breathing for I fear I might cry if I breath, I rushed to the girls room. I finally breath, what to do, I won't mind spending the rest of my day here, why didn't I hold myself, why did I kiss me. Its not my fault, he called me with that romantic voice, what did he expect.
I left the rest room cause I heard some noise outside, it was the same with the day in the canteen. I slowly came outside, the crowd have gathered, I shoved at them to see what's happening. I first saw Kevin on the ground with bloody face, and Eric was towering over him.
"What" I screamed and Eric's snapped his neck towards me,
"He attacked him for no reason" Kelly said, am confused, what would've happened.
"Since Friday, when Eric came back he have been a foul mood" Richie said, does he hate the fact I kissed him that much, what have I done.
"Eric" I muttered, I felt my feet moved forward, I should apologize for making him so angry. Before I could take a step closer the soldiers took down Eric, they cuffed him and dragged him away. Now out of my own selfishness I became the architecture to his punishment yet again.
"Where are they taking him to" I asked
"Camp" Richie said sadly and walked away with Amina, I watch as they took him away, slowly the student dispersed, I stood rooted to the ground with broken heart. I never knew I would have my first heart break two days after my first kiss.
Slowly the field was empty and am alone weeping, I feel so guilty, I should've think twice before laying one on him.
I went to class and all that was taught that day was a waste cause I heard nothing, worse I really became sick.
Chapter 16
"Never have you ever cried because of illness" my mom said baffled, dad is away on a business trip, I kept crying when I got home, my body so hot. She is right I've never cried because of an illness, but today I cried cause its emotional illness.
"Don't worry the doctor is on the way" she said and left me in my room, I need to see him that's the only way I can be cured.
The doctor came and administered some drugs, my mom wanted drip, but he said not yet, that if by tomorrow that am not getting better thenhe will give me the drip.
I slept off since I was so tired, I woke up later at night, I brought out my phone to surf the internet but my data have exhausted, I don't know to recharge through the bank I just dropped it and put on the TV.
To my greatest surprise, they were showing barbie, fairytopia, I smiled as I watched it. I slept off again after the movie. When I woke up it already 9am. I rushed to the kitchen.
"Mom why didn't you wake me for school" I said
"I decided to leave you, besides you needed the sleep" she said cutting the carrots.
"What of school" I said, I need to go, what if he is in school.
"I already called them" she said
"But mom"
"No but, go freshen up, breakfast will soon be done" she said and shooed me away. I went to my room very angry, now I wish am a rebellious daughter.
After breakfast I went to my room with pretence of feeling sleepy, I just don't feel chatty, I got better today but hate the fact I didn't go to school.
I sent a text to Amina to call me once she get back, so I kept looking at my phone, my entire day was the spent watching barbie.
After what felt like eternity I got a call, from Amina
"Hello girl" she said as I picked up
"Hi" I said
"Didn't see you in school today"
"Yea, sick day" I said
"Well unfortunately for you, cause you missed a whole lot" she said and I sat upright
"What happened" I asked with fear that Eric caused another trouble.
"The reason why Eric hit Kevin was because he heard that you were just a bet to him" she said and I was confused
"Bet to him as in who" I asked
"Bet to Kevin, he had a bet with Kelly to date you when you came newly" she said, I heard some noise, like she is bringing out something from a bag.
"So to him I was just a bet" I asked weakly.
"Yea, it was a junior student that heard it, according to the boy, he saw Kevin and Kelly talking about it in the boys rest room"
"And" am very anxious
"Basically, Eric heard it while the boy was telling his friends about it, he confronted Kevin about it" she took a breath "I don't know much about it, since it might be rumour, Kevin said its a lie, that Eric attacked him with no provocation"
"Then how come you know of this" I asked, I always know nothing goes past her.
"It Richie, he said Eric told him, and we then asked the boy, basically Eric was able to describe the boy, the boy said its true that he heard them discussing about a girl named Barbara and the bet" she said
"So Eric, wasn't in school" I asked, non of the thing she said matter but Eric.
"No, still on his punishment" she said and I felt weak, "Funny, Richie kept asking of you, even Amanda asked of you, I think you're in trouble" she said
"You think so" I said, I guess he must have told them about the kiss.
"Well get well and come to school, you're now miss popular" she said chuckling, I scoffed and we said our goodbye.
If he's mad at me why then did he hit Kevin, or is it for another reason or is the boy wrong, all this am prepared to find out, am definitely not missing school tomorrow.
All eyes was on me immediately I came down from the car, seem am miss popular truthfully, well non of it matters am just here to see my monster. I should stop referring him as mine. I just walked straight to where Amina is and we both head to class, thank God this school don't have morning assemble like my former school, they only gather for announcement.
Chapter 17.
I watched as the bus arrived and everybody came down except Eric. So my coming was a waste, we all went to class, some of the teachers asked about my health, I was really surprise this school is sure different.
"I don't know what you heard about me" Eric said sitting behind me, that's Eric seat, no one have any right to seat there. I stood up and turn to him, I want to eat him up.
"Get up from there" I said I don't care if I was a bet to him, am angry he cause trouble for Eric and here he is on his seat.
"What" he asked not believing the intonation I used.
"I said get up from that seat" I shouted, I heard gasped from the student, Kevin looked at me in awe, he left the sit back to his own, I stood there gazing at the seat as tears flows, I started sobbing, I miss him, his smile, his dark eyes warm hands I miss him all. I ran of the class to the restroom, I shouldn't have come today. I was rinsing my face when Amanda entered, we both stare at each other.
"Please how can I see Eric" I asked in rapsy voice, she looked at me with pity, I never knew she could be this soft.
"You are in luck" we get visitors twice in a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, except it's the Friday we go home.
"Wednesday" I said, thats today'
"Yea today, so why not go home you don't look fine, then you can visit around 4 pm, I will take you to him" she said. I couldn't believe my ear, is this really Amanda being nice. I went forward and hugged her.
"Thank you" I said, I felt her shrug but didn't hug me back, it felt awkward for me
"You know I won't hug you back, so you can now unwrap your hand" she said, I freed her with a sheepish smile, I think I understands Amanda's personality, even with all her strong behavior, she's really warm and soft inside
"So go home, the school will pardon you since you don't seem fine" she said, if I go home mom will take the illness serious I won't even make it to the camp, so I rather endure it.
"Don't worry, I will manage" am already feeling better with the thought of see him, I left the rest room
"Do you love him" she asked when am nearly at the door, I turned to him.
"With all my heart" I answered, she smiled, and motioned me to go, I left feeling happy. Yet again all that was thought today never entered cause I was busy starring at my watch, I spent our break in our spot, to feel closer to him.
I was so happy when I heard the bell for dismissal. I rushed to Amanda to let her know am coming so she will tell Eric.
"So you're now in close relationship with Amanda" Amina asked and just nodded "nice" one thing about Amina is she is just a beautiful happy girl.
"Did you hear what happened" she asked
"What" nothing goes past her,
"Mr Stephenson had a heart attack" she said, I felt bad but I don't know who he is "so they're saying his grandson will soon be back, to take over, some say he will leave it for his step son" she said, I have no idea what she's talking about.
"Oh" I said, am waiting for my driver to come, earlier I get home earlier I can come out, I wonder why he's not yet here.
"Have you see Junior's picture before" she asked, I shook my head, "Gaberiella" she called and she came
"Show us juniors pics" she said, Gabriella brought out her phone, I thought its prohibited, I guess some people are just rebellious. She scrolled through her pictures and clicked on the pics.
She passed it to Amina who passed it to me, I wondered why she's showing me, I took the phone and gazed at the pics. By far he is the most handsome guy I have ever seen. He was leaning on a pillar wearing a blue shirt and a white polo, he seems to be from heaven cause there is no way a mere human can be this handsome.
I stared at his eyes and it looked familiar, it gave me that warmth am so use to, its the same eyes with the boy at Stephenson's mansion, its also the same with Eric. I froze as the epiphany hits me, I looked at his lips its the same, I used my finger to cover his face and its the same.
"Its Eric" I muttered.
Chapter 18
"Its Eric" I muttered
"What did you say" Amina asked not hearing what I said, I looked at her, should I tell her or just keep quiet.
"Nothing" I said, IRS not position to say, and I need to be sure
"Give me the phone, my driver is here" Gabriella said and left, Amina left too after her goodbyes and that's when my driver arrived, he apologized, which I didn't need, he is old enough to be my father.
I got home and took out my phone, I browsed up the pics, I typed in Mr Stephenson's grandson and his picture appeared, there are a lot of rumours about him but I ignored them and stare only at the picture, I have a lot to uncover. I took my bath and prepared.
"You are all fine today" my mom asked surprised at my recovery, she have no idea how healthy I am now.
"Yea, seems the medicine was magic" I said already heading outside. "Mom, I have to visit a friend, mind if I go" I asked, she looked at me briefly
"Come back on time" she said. I hardly go out so when I do she never stops me, she always say I should get back on time.
"Thanks mom" I said, I came out and gave my driver the address of where the camp is, Amanda gave me Tue address, all the while, my heart kept beating am so afraid of what will happen.
After a while we arrived, a lot of cars are already packed, I saw Richie with his parents, I waved at him, he waved back but I could see the confusion on his face, I searched around with my eyes and saw Amanda.
I rushed over to her, she is with her parents, they seem like a fine couple
"Mom, dad this is Barbara, my friend" she said, still not smiling
"Wow, you finally have a female friend" her father said smiling, I greeted them both
"Do take care of our daughter, don't mind her mean nature, she actually soft on the inside" her mother said, I giggled
"I figured it out" I said looking at Amanda, who scoffed
"Come let me go show you the way" she said and we excused ourselves,
"It warm my heart you see me as a friend" I said really happy
"Don't push your luck" she said and stopped after we reached at the back of the house, here seem quiet, just a place my monster will like
"Just keep going straight, you will see him" she said point at the road, I nodded and walked down not even wasting a second. What felt like a minute I saw a figure leaning on a tree, I smiled.
"Eric" I called and I saw him tensed up, he turned and saw me, he is wearing the same mask he wore the day he came into our school.
"You came" he said, he used the same voice the day I kissed him, that exhausted voice, I dashed towards him and hugged him. The motion made him drop the book his read and hugged me back
"You silly monster, why did you have to fight and get punished" I muttered to him.
"I couldn't stand the fact my Barbie, was a game to someone else" he said and jerked out of the embrace.
"Your Barbie" I asked, he scratched being his head. Is he shy I wish I can see his face. "I know who you are" I said and he crane his head
"Excuse me" he asked
"What's your fathers name" I asked, he took a breath
"Eric" he answered
"That makes you Eric junior" I asked and he nodded, I remember people referring to the guy in the picture as junior. "You're Eric Stephenson" I said and he scoffed.
"The day on the cap, when we were doing question and answer, I thought you will ask me my full name, but never did" he said, I wonder if he is mad about it.
"It was fast so it skipped my mind" I said, now that I know can't he remove the mask I so want to see his face.
"Its funny, even my friends I grew up with didn't recognise me but you did, how?" He asked
"I saw your birthday picture, and I recognized you from your eyes" I said, he looked down, we are still standing.
"What about my eyes" he asked, I came closer to have a clearer view.
"Nothing draw me more than your eyes, so I can always recognize it" I said, and he chuckled,
"Now that I know you, can I see your face" I asked and he froze.
Chapter 19
He slowly removed his mask, and by God the photo did him no justice, he is more handsome, looking at him up close
"My beautiful monster" the word left my lips as I caresses over his face, he leaned to my touch, his perfect smooth face, his pink lips well carved nose, all my life I've been a sucker for cute guys but the person standing before me can easily be herald as handsomeness reincarnation. The unexpected happened, he leaned forward and place his lips on mine, suddenly a wave of emotion swept me off my feet and I had to grap on to him in other not to fall. He nibbled on my lips and I moaned he used the opportunity to deepened the kiss. I know there is no school that teaches, how to kiss, but Eric is a perfect kisser, like he learnt it from the best school.
I held on, as the kiss made goosebumps assault me, I felt my lower stomach explode with fireworks, I squeezed him tighter, he left my lips and kissed my neck just below my ear, the feeling was just heaven. I melted to his every touch, he stopped and looked at me. Am surprised, I thought kissing him made him mad.
"I thought you were mad I kissed you" I asked still feeling dizzy
"Where did you get that from" he asked with confusion
"Richie said you were angry when you came home that Friday" I said looking down, he made me sat down and him beside me
"Barbie, I was angry true, but it wasn't because you kissed me, you kissing me was the consolation in my dark days" he said and my lips curled up
"So what made you angry" I asked and his face darkened.
"The reason why I hid my face is because my life is in danger" he said and I have no idea what to think
"My father was assassinated, we left the country for security reasons, they still tracked us down, in other to save me my mom paid with her life" he said and hits his chest showing it hurts "I was barely eleven Barbie" he said looking at me, the hurt I saw in his eyes made me cry.
"My grandfather have to smuggle me back to the country, nobody knew about it, not even grandma, only my grandfather and the army general his old friend" he said
"That means you have been here for six years" I asked bewildered
"Yes, I told Richie its just 2 years, I have been here alone away from the public just for my own safety, and non of my friends could recognize me cause I left as a kid so everything about me changed" he looked at me "but you did, my very own Barbie" he said smiling, I smiled too
"The day you had your date with Kevin" he said and I flinched
"The day you gave me a fairytale" I corrected for that's how I choose to remember that day, he chuckled
"Right, I got a call that grandfather had a heart attack, so I snuck out to go see him, but the general stopped me on the way, saying it's not safe for me yet, since they haven't figured who is trying to kill me" he said and exhaled
"I was going back home when I saw Kevin leaving the restaurant, I then remembered its your date today, I peeked in and saw you weeping, I wanted to go beat Kevin up, but rescuing you was more important" he said and smile looking at me.
"So you enjoyed every moment with me" I asked
"Yes, so much that I never wanted it to end" he said
"But wasn't enough to make you forget your grandfathers situation" I said, I want to make him forget all pain
"After you kissed and ran" he said in a mocking tone, I shoved him "I left, the cap I took had the radio on, they were talking about the heart attack, people were calling saying how wicked I was, for I haven't even called or visited, my grand mother told them it seem I don't care, I don't blame her, she have no idea whats happening" he said, I see that's enough to surface his wound. "They don't get, for six years I have trained to become stronger, the general report my activities to grandfather I don't know why he think am still weak" he said with frustration.
I understand his grandfather wants to protect him, I will do the same, but at times the best thing to do is let him spread his wings, he need to be free and face his demons.
"Then show him you're strong" I said, I have no idea how to do that.
"You're right, his awake, I will go visit him now" he said I gasped I never meant this early.
"Will you be by my side Barbie" he asked, how can I refuse this offer, I nodded, he stretch out his hand and I took it, he dragged me up with him.
"Time to show the world" he said and stepped out without his mask, I hate attention but for him I don't mind, immediately he stepped out everybody snapped their head towards us, I looked at him and he have no fear in his eyes. My monster is out of his cage.
Chapter 20
I don't have to look at peoples face to see how surprise they are, soon reporters will hear about this, I wonder what he's planing.
"Barbie, now am out to the world, how do you suppose I go visit my grandfather" he whispered to me, I smiled I felt so important for he relied on me,
"We can take my car" I said, and I saw his eyes lit up "this way" I said leading the way still holding him, am not planning on leaving this sweet sensation. We entered my car and drove off, he told the driver the address.
"Before we get there, the reporters might be there, you can go after dropping me" he said, but I can feel his reluctance.
"Shhh, am in it till the end" I said and he smiled
"Would I be considered hormonal teenager boy if I kiss you" he asked whispering, I giggled, I kissed him instead, I planned to make it a quick one so my driver won't see it, but he held me and deepened the kiss, and I being a wuss couldn't resist the vanilla taste.
"Naughty Monster" I said, hiding my face in the chest, I can't face my driver anymore. He chuckled
"Don't worry Barbie, I got you" he said and wrapped his arm around me. After a while we arrived, truthfully the reporter have flooded the hospital gate.
"You ready" I asked, he nodded, then opened the door, on seeing him they all rushed to us, he shield me from them, it seem impossible to leave here.
"When did you return"
"Have been here all along"
"Who is the girl you're with"
They kept with their questions, damn reporters,
"Make space" I heard a muscular voice, I looked up and saw five muscular guys shoving the reporters.
"Let's go Barbie" Eric said and led me with him, I could flashes of camera, the time is around 5:30 pm, I wonder what mother will say when she hears of this.
We climbed up to the hospital, we got to the private world, he asked the first nurse which room his grandfather was, she was too dazed to answer. Subconsciously I wrapped my hand around his arm, the nurse looked at me and gave him the stink eyes, back off.
"He is in the 3 room to your right" she finally said after our eyes battle, I won, she blinked first.
"Jealous much" he asked as we walked to the room.
"Am not the typical Barbie they know" I said, he smiled, truthfully there is still no label to us but I still think what we have is the perfect special kind.
He slowly opened the door, I saw a figure standing looking out the mirror, he is on hospital cloth, I take it his the grandfather. Thought he had attack how come he's standing.
"Grandfather" he called
"I see you disobeyed me" he said not turning back, his deep voice made me week on the knees, I looked at Eric and he squeezed my hand.
"Am ready" Eric said.
"Is the girl beside you the reason for that" he said still not turning, Eric moved me behind him in a protective position, I have no problem with that.
"What does it matter to you who made me come out" Eric said and I can feel the Alpha male in him, the grandfather scoffed.
"Your action boy just put the young girl in trouble" he said, Eric looked at me, he seem like epiphany hits him
"Your life is in danger, you're like a time bomb to people around you, and you have just dragged her to your war" he said, I saw Eric eyes turned glassy, he agreed to what this old geezer said. He might be fearful, but nothing is keeping me away from Eric.
"We live everyday having no idea which will be our last" I said already crying "everyday with you might be dangerous, I get that, but its more dangerous being without for I will turn suicidal." I took a deep breath to calm myself "let me have this moment with you even if tomorrow might be our last, am in it till the end, remember?" I said and he smiled.
"Son, you just found yourself the perfect woman" we heard the grandfather said, we turned to him, he's already looking at us with tears in his eyes.
"My boy" he said and Eric rushed to him and fell in his warm embrace, I watch as the man I thought hardened cry on the shoulders of his grandson.
"What took you so long" He said and I smiled, this what he have always wanted.