School was now different for me, because I was no longer the shy introvert that nobody knew, I was now acknowledged by everyone in the school which kind of made me to start feeling free with anyone around, that was one thing with introverts, once you start acknowledging them for who they are they become open and feel free around you.The term was coming to an end which meant big games would be coming up volleyball to be precise,our school had made it to the finals of the volleyball competition.Chloe was in the volleyball team and she was so excited about the upcoming finals.
"How are you guys doing in practice?" I asked as we both walked down the hallway.
"Oh we are doing great" She smiled.
"Think you guys can win it this year?"
"Sure we'll win because I didn't play in the other years they lost"
"So you are confident you guys will win just because you are playing"
"Yes off course" She nodded.
They were very good volleyball players in their team because this is their third time in a row of making it to the finals in the other two years they've Lost the finals to a school in the neighbouring town.
"But why didn't the coach play you in those games?" I asked.
"He said I didn't punch the ball hard enough" Aurora giggled.
"What's funny?"
"He now calls me his most ruthless player" She giggled louder.
"He even said that no one punches the ball like I do"
"Well maybe you improved"
"That's the same way I played then,he just didn't see it because he was too busy expecting something elsewhere" She unlocked her locker to get her books.
"Can I help with that?" I offered to help her carry the books.
"Sure" She dropped the books on my hands.
I thought that was all,then she pulled out a pink and beautifully designed book.That was her diary I got a little bit nervous just looking at the book,as if it was my worst nightmare.
"Are you okay?" She asked noticing my change of altitude.
"Nothing just feeling a little hot" I said pretending to fan myself with my hand.
"Mike,it just finished raining" She said giving me her suspicious look now.
"Maybe I'm having a fever"
"Really, because you look fine to me"
"Do I, you know what we just go to class it's getting late" I said and ran of with her books, but her diary fell behind.
"Mike wait, you left something!"
I pretended I didn't hear her and continued to the class, but I knew Chloe she was smart and would figure out something soon,I had done something wrong to her earlier I let my curiosity take advantage of me and made me do something I didn't want to do, reading Chloe's diary but it was really coincidence how the novel fell and opened to the exact pages that were talking about me, those were the only pages I read but I still felt bad about it either way.
"Hey, you dropped my diary" She hit the book on my desk.
"Was that your diary?" I asked to create a diversion.
"Sorry" I quickly apologised, seeing the looks on her face.
"You still don't want to tell me what's wrong with you"
"It's nothing I'm okay"
"If you say so"
She gave up and sat down on her while she was there crazy things were going on in my head.
"Tell her, don't tell her" were the exact words playing in my head over and over again,it even got to the extent that I stood up to go tell her but I controlled myself and sit down after thinking of how awkward it would be to tell her now.
****************************************************************
Volleyball tournament finals were usually competitive,even though our team had lost it two times in a row the team could never proudly say that they had beat us easily.My school was to host the finals this year and it was going to be in the school's volleyball court which was easier an easier walk for me instead of across town.I wasn't really present in the other volleyball finals or even any of the games two years ago, but for the fact that I had gotten to know Chloe and that she was playing I had to be there.
I arrived earlier at the court to get a front seat, Chloe was there with her teammates and their coach was giving them some instructions, after that she walked up to me to have a little talk before the game started.
"So you decided to show up early"
"Well I had nothing to do in class"
"Really?,I thought you were the guy who always had more important things to do rather than watch useless volleyball games" She mocked me.
"Those days are behind me now"
"I can see"
"How are you guys doing?"
"Great, but I have to go back now" She said and quickly returned to her teammates who were calling her.
At exactly 12 pm the game started after waiting for the opponents to arrive for completely two hours both teams were ready for the game to start and with the signal of the referee the game started, Chloe was to take the first punch but the ball was quickly returned to them but they weren't able to get a second punch and the first point goes to their opponents from Freetown high school.They needed some cheering up which wasn't the kind of thing I would do but I would do anything for Chloe.In no time I got everyone cheering the girls up,I could see Chloe covering her face while she giggled, she really didn't expect something like this from me.And as I thought the cheering worked because the first half of the game ended with a draw.
"You are doing great" I clapped and cheered her as she walked up to me,I could tell she got embarrassed by what I was doing.
"I didn't expect this from you" She said looking surprised.
"What?" I asked,I didn't really hear her with all the noise being made.
"Cheering and getting everyone to do the same with you"
"It's nothing"
"But shouting is not your thing"
"It is now,at least for this game"
"Thank you Mike"
"No problem"
She was about to leave when I called her back.
"Yes" She answered.
"Confidence is the key to winning this"
"Okay" She replied casually and quickly hurried to her teammates.
The game was back in action and our team looked more confident and dangerous, this time Chloe was to start with the ball and her first punch got them a point, the game got more intense as none of the teams ever got two points ahead of the other,we were nearing the last minutes as Peutonia punched their ball and the force was too much for free town to catch but that was to their advantage,there was only thirty seconds left on the clock and Freetown had the ball which meant that if they punched the ball and Peutonia was not able to deal with it they would become the volleyball champions for the third time in a row, but if Peutonia deals with it perfectly and returns it to their side divided by the net without them dealing with it they would become champions for the first time in seven years.When I saw the situation I knew they were going to need some cheering up so I changed the words from " Go girls!!! you have all it takes!" to "Go Chloe!!! Apply confidence" and everyone joined in immediately, Chloe was really afraid of this last hit because she lost concentration and the ball almost dropped on the ground but when she heard our words she quickly dived after the ball which was dropping really low she wasn't alone two of her teammates dived after the ball together with her and with the force coming from three of them punching the ball together Freetown just couldn't deal with it.
"I can't believe it,three players going after the ball together.And Peutonia are the new champions!" Said the commentator.Chloe and the rest of her teammates screamed joyfully as the crowd clapped for them they had just achieved a great feat.
Chloe walked over to myside with their trophy after they were done taking pictures with it.
"Congratulations Chloe"
"I owe it to you, which is why I want to take a picture with you"
"Ok but we do that lots of times"
"With the trophy dummy" She hit me.
"Ouch! you just finished punching volleyballs"
"Get in here silly before I punch you like I punched that last one" She threatened jokingly.
She brought out her phone as I got closer to take a cool selfie with her and the trophy.
"Ok see you around then"
She was about to leave when I rembered something.
"Chloe wait"
"What?" She turned to face me, with the trophy in between her arms now.
"I just wanted to ask if you were free this weekend"
"Yes,why are you asking?"
"I just wanted to know because I may need some company"
"Are you asking me to pay you a visit?"
"Yes" I said after a little struggling.
She started laughing.
"I knew you missed me the moment I started climbing down that hill, that's why you wanted to climb down with me"
"Yes don't rub it in" I felt annoyed a little bit.
"Don't worry I will be there" She stroked my chin and quickly left to return the trophy and listen to what their coach had to say to them.
************************************************"**************
I woke up on Saturday bearing in mind that Chloe was going to be visiting,I didn't Aurora so she wouldn't start planning something, she was still fast asleep when I woke up which gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted to do without getting asked unnecessary questions.I had to prepare everything for her unlike the other time she visited which was unexpected if you asked me.
"Mike" My mother called.
"Yes mom"
"Are you making breakfast?" my mom asked,surprised to see me in the kitchen that early morning.
"Yes"
She then pulled close to say whisper something to me.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"Why do you say that mom?" I tried to deny it.
"Is there any other reason you would be in the kitchen this early morning instead of going outside"
"And you are smiling happily instead of your usual morning frowns"
Wow! this woman was fast in detecting any of our sudden change in altitude and would easily find out what was the cause.
"Fine mom, Chloe's coming over today"
"Well that's wonderful"
"Don't tell Aurora please" I pleaded.
"Don't worry she won't know a thing" She assured me.
"Thanks mom" I returned to the eggs I was frying.
"But Mike" She called back my attention.
"Yes mom"
"This Chloe looks she's very special to you"
"She's my best friend mom" I said, transferring the egg to sieve to let the remaining oil out.
"Don't you have other friends at school?"
I didn't know how to answer this question,off course I had people I talked to in school apart from Chloe but she was the one I considered a true friend.
"I do mom"
"You don't act like you do"
"How?"
The door creaked open as Aurora walked into the kitchen yawning and I had to change the topic immediately.
"Why don't you help me with the other things mom" I said and quickly rushed out of the kitchen.
"Mike come back I didn't understand what you meant by other things"
"What's wrong with him?" Aurora asked after taking a sip from her glass of water.
"It's nothing"
"And why's he making breakfast?"
"I asked him to help me out" mom lied.
"Ok see you in the dining mom" She dropped her cup and left.That was Aurora joking and pretending she didn't care what was happening, but I knew Aurora and I knew she suspected.
"Hi Mike" Aurora appeared at my back, while I was out the leaves in front of the house.
"How are you Aurora?"
"I'm fine"
"Well that's good to hear" I said and continued gathering the leaves together with a rake.
"What's up with you this morning?"
"What do you mean?"
"A few minutes ago you were in the kitchen helping mom,now you are clearing the leaves"
"So"
"Those are not things you usually do, unless mom had to force or beg you" She said folding her hands.
She was starting to suspect something but I had to think of something to stop her from finding out because if she does she will ruin it from the start.
"That's nothing my ways are changed now"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Really.....?"
"Yes Aurora and why don't go find something to do"
"Ok then" She said, looking back at me as she walked to the house.
"That was a close call" I heaved a sigh of relief.
Chloe was less intrusive in the rest of my preparation activities she didn't ask any questions but the last phase got her talking when I told them that they had to wait for a little while before having breakfast.
"And why do we have to wait before having our breakfast?"
"Good question Aurora,emmmm... I will answer your question when I'm back" I quickly left to avoid any more of pressurising questions from Aurora.I was expecting to see Chloe when I walked outside but that was all mere expectation.
I walked over to the edge of the hill to see if she was climbing up but there was no sign of her,I felt disappointed after all this preparation and she just didn't show up.I sat down at the edge of the hill feeling very sad and wondering why Chloe refused to come."She was here earlier than this last time" I thought to myself,then suddenly I felt something touch my feet which was hanging over the edge of the hill it was a human touch, but how could someone be up here already,when I looked down earlier I didn't see anybody climbing up.
"Hi Mike" Chloe said,as she pulled herself up.
"Chloe! I didn't even see you climb up" I sounded surprised.
"I climbed up from the sides you couldn't see me from here"
"Well look, your body's all dusty from climbing from there" I said cleaning the dust on her shirt she saw it and started cleaning herself with her handkerchief.She was wearing a Jean short with a nice looking red shirt,I figured why she never wore skirts nor gowns while coming up here, the experience would be terrible for her but Aurora was used to it anyway.
The looks on Aurora's face when I walked in with Chloe was one that said ,so that's the reason, Chloe joined us for breakfast that morning and I could easily tell that she enjoyed it, while we were eating my parents decided to ask her some annoying questions at least that's what I thought of the questions.
"So tell me Chloe, how did a pretty girl like you end up becoming friends with hot head Mike over here?" My mom asked.
"Mom" I groaned as if I was in pain, but seriously their questions did put me in pain.
"I don't think Mike's a hot head, he's a really good person" Chloe complemented me instead of mocking me.
"Although he does act like a baby sometimes" She added,I should have expected that from her.
After that came more and more annoying questions from both of my parents, Chloe almost told them about Chris but I gave a sign not to because my parents would be furious if they heard that I risked my life because of a girl.
After breakfast I took Chloe around the house to show lots of cool stuff then after that we both sat down under the tree in front of our house.
"Is that your garage?" Chloe asked pointing at the room at the side of the house.
"I don't know, I've never gone in there before" I said relaxing on the tree.
"Come let's go check it" She said excitedly, pulling me up.She was always excited about new things.
When I opened the door I was surprised because the first thing you would see were a group of stairs leading down which was strange.
"Let's go check it out" Chloe said taking the first two steps.
"I don't think you should go down there"
"Why?"
"Because that's what my dad always told me when I got near the door, don't go down there" I mimicked my dad.
Chloe was a girl who respected her elders and telling her that my dad didn't want anyone to go down there was enough to stop her.
"Maybe he does important things there" Chloe said as we headed back to the tree"Yes maybe"
Even though I thought dad did important things there I have never seen him open that door ever.
"Mom's calling you Mike" Aurora came running.
"Why?"
"Why don't you go find out yourself"
"Ok I will be back"
"No pranking Aurora" I rembered as soon as I was about to enter the house.
"Don't worry Mike Chloe's not pranking me again" Said Chloe.
When I was done with mom at the backyard I returned to Chloe outside but she wasn't there.
"Where did they go now?" I thought to myself.
I walked to our room to find them them there doing pedicures this time instead of make up.
"Hi Mike" Chloe said immediately she saw me.
"Are you done already?"
"Yes"
"Aurora set you up so she could do pedicures with me" She giggled.
"I just figured that out"
Aurora just smiled and looked at me with her innocent looking eyes.After watching them for a little while I decided to give them some space.
******************************************************************
Chloe had spent an entire day with me and Aurora off course and now it was time for her to go,I was walking to the edge of the hill with her while we talked,we came to a halt when we reached the edge.
"You make my days wonderful" I said.A
"Really?, that's nice of you to say"
"See you then" She hugged me and was about to leave when I called her back.
"Chloe"
"Yes"
"If I ever did anything wrong to you, would you forgive me?"
"Sure,as long you felt sorry for doing it"
"Well....." The words just couldn't come out.
"Well what Mike?" She asked.
"I read your diary"
She was silent for a few seconds looking straight into her eyes her face was still the same I couldn't tell what she was feeling now.
"I know" She said.
"I'm sorry"
I wasn't sure of what she meant because I didn't hear her clearly.
"Wait you know?" I was shocked.
"Yes I knew all along"
"So you knew, that's the reason I started acting strange when I saw your diary"
"Yes"
"And you still asked me why"
"Because I wanted to see if you would say the truth, which you did now"
"I'm sorry for reading it" I apologised again.
"It's okay, it's no big deal"
"See you around then" I said feeling very ashamed of my self.
"Yes but before I go" She pulled closer to me.
I wasn't really expecting anything but she kissed me on the lips,it was just a short kiss and after that she said goodbye and left.I was frozen there for a moment thinking,why did she do that? but I think she did it to show that there was no hard feelings in me reading her, but getting kissed by a girl was a big deal for somebody like me.