Max
Damn it! She is lying. I know she was lying! Busy? What could she possibly be busy with, and why on earth am I mad? Of course, she is a busy woman. She has three damn jobs.
"Easy man, easy on that phone. I am surprised it hasn't broken yet," Jake warned, tossing me a can of beer.
"Why are you even worked up. She just said she was busy. Why are you behaving like a puppy yearning for attention?" Ken snorted. I just shook my head, ignoring all of them.
"I know she is avoiding me," I muttered, but they heard it.
"Why would she avoid you? The last time you guys were cozy and acted like people in love," Jake teased with a grin.
"No, the better question is, what did you do to her?" Asked David, at least of all my friends, he was the one to know when I was serious and not playing along. I sighed and rested my hands on my waist.
"I think I scared her," I admitted.
"What did you know?" Davis perused, narrowing his eyes.
"I kissed her!" there I said it. Every eye turned on me in amazement. Not because they were surprised I kissed her, but because I was worried that I did it.
Honestly, I don't regret kissing her. It was the most beautiful kiss I had ever had, even though she did not. It was her first kiss that I was sure about. I don't know what I was thinking, but seeing that annoying guy buzzing around her house like a fly wanted me to mark my territory. I have also been dying to taste those plump lips for a long.
I had been dying to do that. I was able to control myself because I was the one in control, but the time Melissa decided to take charge of our little game, I lost it all. It did not help when she wrapped her arms around my neck, her body pressed against me willingly this time, not because I was making her do it.
At that moment, I thought to hell with everything. I could no longer hold back, so without thinking, I kissed her.
She didn't kiss back, which was a little bit disappointing, but I understood she was surprised, and this was her first kiss.
The disappointment I felt before was washed away immediately when I felt her trying to kiss me back. As much as I was enjoying the moment, I had to stop it. I was barely controlling myself, and I was sure that won't be even close to possible if I allowed her to kiss me.
And just then, her friend spoiled the moment. I was glad to see an angry Andy glaring at me like he was about to explode. I smirked at him as he walked away.
"Am I smelling something special about this one?" David asked curiously, snapping me back to reality.
"She must be, to give this guy a BB," Ken laughed, causing us to look at him in confusion.
"What's a BB?" Jake asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"You know blue balls, that's what my sister calls them," he threw his head back, laughing. We all sighed and went back to our business.
"What? It's a nice name if you ask me," I swear sometimes he acted like a sissy, but I couldn't blame him. He was still young.
"But seriously, man, why are so riled up. Melissa is just occupied with something. Take a chill pill, will you?" That was Kenny, not even sparing me a glance.
"That's what she said, but I don't believe her. She said she was going to some meeting at school."
¨You are right. She is lying." Jake stepped in.
"What do you mean she is lying?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.
"Well, because she is with Nicky," he grinned before going back to his business.
So I was right. She was avoiding me.
Getting Melissa's location was not that difficult. With Nicky at my back and call, I was able to know the exact location, they were. It's not like Nicky sold out Melissa because she was my friend; No, they have something called the girl code, with too many rules for her to betray Melissa. It's just that I had something against her.
By the time I was done with the calling, everyone was looking at me in shock.
¨What?¨ I asked, my eyes narrowed.
"Aaaaw, beautiful, we call her that now do we?" There went Kenny with his teasing.
"Shut up."
"Someone's defensive," And Jake joined in.
"Wait, do you like this girl?" David asked as the room fell silent. All eyes turned on me.
"What?" I spat at them. I did not want to answer that question. I don't even want to know the answer myself.
"They are right, you know." an unwelcomed voice came from behind. We all turned around only to see it was Andy, walking all tall and proud, an enraged look on his face.
"Do you like Melissa, or is she just one of your one-night stands!" he spat.
I sighed and tried to control myself. I had one enemy in school, and that person happened to be Melissa's suitor. Just great!
"Are you done? You can use the same door you came in," I said firmly, glaring at him but no, that didn't stop him.
"I asked you a question, Max! What is Melisa to you?" He continued, stepping into my personal space, irking me further.
"And since when did I start answering to you? Whatever she is to me, it's None. Of. Your. Business!" I said, poking him hard on the chest with every single word.
"No, it's my damn business! Melissa isn't someone you can just mess up with." he snarled, grabbing the collar of my shirt. Good thing I was taller than him and also stronger. There was no way he was going to stand a chance against me. He never did.
"Let. Go. Of. Me!" I gritted my teeth.
"Man, you better don't start trouble if you can't handle it," David warned. At least he was a smart guy to know when to stop.
"Stay away from her, Max!" he spat, pointing his finger at me, and now he was getting on my nerves.
"Why would I stay from her, huh?" I grabbed his shirt and was ready to punch his stupid face.
"You had your chance, but you were not man enough to win her over. Now she is taken, and you are trying to show your fangs? She. Is. Mine! The sooner you get that in your dumb head, the better!" I let go of him by pushing him away from me. Andy glared at me, then my friends, before fixing his shirt and turning to leave when and without warning, he turned around and punched me in the face. I tasted copper and silver in my mouth by the impact.
And I lost my cool.
He tried to punch me in the stomach, but I dodged easily, kicking him hard on his chin. Without giving him a chance, I punched him hard in the face, and I am sure I broke his jaw. Before the fight could escalate further, the boys interfered and pulled us away.
"You better leave now, Andy!" Dave growled at him. He knew better than to stay. David wasn't at all violent but would become hulk when angry.
"This isn't over, Max. She will be mine!" Rage flowed through my blood like hot lava. I yanked myself from Jake and Kenny, roared in anger, and headed towards him, he started moving back, and I could see fear in his eyes.
What a coward.
"Max!" Dave's hand on my chest stopped me. I wanted to push him away, but I also knew better than to go against him.
"And you, I better not repeat myself!" he warned, glaring at Andy, who ran out like a chicken. I sighed with frustration running my hands through my hair.
"Man, what was that all about?" Kenny asked, squeezing my shoulder.
"What was what?" I spat.
"Spare me, man. I have never seen you that angry over a girl," and it dawned on me. I got angry when Andy claimed that Melissa would be his. I don't know why but the thought of Melissa being with somebody did not sit well with me.
"I don't know what you are talking about. You know pretty well how I can't stand that guy," I said, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand.
"But how does he know Melisa?" Ken asked with a frown, curiosity dancing in his eyes.
"They grew up together," came my curtly reply. Just the thought of Andy knowing Mel more than I irked me the most.
"Oh boy!" Ken shook his head in disbelief.
"Do you like this Melisa girl?" Dave was at it again.
"Of course not. I only see Melissa as a friend," was my quick answer. Yes, I liked her, but not to the point of being so possessive of her. My reactions and action made me question myself.
"Then do not lead her on." I frowned, hearing his words.
"I am not leading her!" I deadpanned.
"Are you sure about that?" Jake was the one to ask this time. "You took her to your apartment, kissed her, got upset for not answering your call, and now lost your cool, that it was close to jealousy. Just admit that you like her, man."
¨I like, Melisa," Kenny chirped, receiving a glare from me. "As a friend, it doesn't matter if you like her, but you are not the type to commit. So better set things clear with her. It will be a mess if you hurt her." The others agreed with Ken. And I could not help but wonder if they were really my friends or Melissa's.
Why were they all talking for her and not me?
****
I have never behaved in such a manner over a woman, and with just the mention of Melisa's name. I lost my cool and acted like an angry wolf, ready to rip off his throat.
What is happening to me? I shook my head and left for my apartment.
I tossed and turned all night and hardly slept at all. It was hard to fall asleep, especially with Andy's voice echoing in my mind.
She will be mine
Sh***t! I sat up, looking at the watch. It was barely morning.
She is mine!
Wait, what?
Oh, scratch that. Melissa isn't mine. She is a free bird and can do whatever she wants.
We weren't exactly dating. Everything was just a show in front of everyone. We were both just using each other, that's all. And after all this is over, I will be going back to my normal life.
But the question was; Do I want to go back to the way I used to be?
But still, I wasn't going to let Andy have his way. Even if the deal comes to an end, I won't let her be with Andy. He is a coward and evil. If the rumors in school are true, then Melisa needed to be aware of the true him.
She will be mine!
That sound again reminded me of how messed up I was. I had to see Mel. I got up from bed and went down to the basement gym to do some workouts.
By the time the sun was up, I was done and headed to see my mom first before heading to school, and by the time I was done with my classes, I headed straight to one place I felt whole.
And there she was, my fake beautiful girlfriend. She was dressed in blue faded jeans that held her body perfectly, with a white tank top. Her short hair and natural. Beautiful as always.
I strolled slowly with a smile that I didn't know was glued to my face until her eyes met mine, and my heartbeat increased. How can just staring cause such an intense effect on me? I saw her gasp, totally not expecting me.
That's right, she was avoiding me.
"My boy, nice to see you!" Bibi exclaimed once she spotted me, hugging me tightly.
"Hello, Bibi. Nice to see you too," I smiled down at her.
"Beautiful as always, of course," I added, raising my eyebrow, causing her to slap my arm softly.
"Oh, you flirty boy, is that how you won my Habibi's heart?" she asked teasingly, with a light laugh.
"Oh no, they never worked. But my looks and appearance did the trick, you know,"
"Oh, such a spell you have on her that even at night she..."
"Bibi!" Melissa quickly covered Bibi's mouth and laughed nervously. She released her hands from her mouth, whispering something to her. Bibi slapped her mouth, eyes wide, and gave Melisa an apology look though she was laughing at her.
"Oh dear, what I was trying to say is that at night she thinks of you." Bibi started, trying to disperse whatever she wanted to say before, making my eyes narrow at them.
"Bibi!" Melisa warned again.
"I mean, she texts you at night, there, that's what I mean." Melisa face palmed herself, and I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was.
"So, someone's been dreaming of me, I see," I teased, poking her on the ribs with my elbow, remembering how she had reacted when it happened to me.
I am not sure if she had that kind of dream, from what I have deducted from Bibi's words, or if I was overthinking.
I sighed, and she turned her eyes ahead.
We were now taking a walk and soon ended up on a football field where we sat down under a shade.
It was quiet and calm.
"Why are you avoiding me?¨ I asked after a while and saw her go stiff but then sighed loudly.
"No am not avoiding you. It's all in your head," she said, not sparing me a glance.
"Really? Then why the lies. You were supposedly busy the whole of this week, even today," she turned and looked at me. She was about to speak, maybe come again with another lie, when she frowned.
"What happened to your face?"
I cursed under my breath.
I thought I covered it well. Her hands reached up to my face and cupped my jaw. Her touch alone sent a jolt of electricity to run through my body until stirring the little me down there.
Damn!
I moved my head away from her, but she held my jaw tight, stopping me from looking away.
"This is a punch.¨ She stated, examining my jaw.
¨Did you get into a fight?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed. I shrugged, looking anywhere but her.
"Wait, did you fight with Andy?" My eyes snapped at her at once. She must have noticed since she blinked, taken aback.
"With all the people I could fight with, why do you have to bring up that...?¨
"Calm down. I was just asking. He also came home yesterday with bruises all over his face, but they were intense compared to yours." I smirked at her sentence.
Serves him right
But then again, my eyes narrowed when her sentence sunk in. Andy was at her home, again? For what? To tattle tale about me? I scoffed, pulling Melissa's hand off my face, and looked ahead at the football team. Fewer people were practicing playing football.
"Why did the two of you fight?" I heard Melissa ask for a while.
"I don't want to talk about that, and I don't want you near that guy,"
"Excuse..."
"For this travesty to work, you need to keep clear of him," I cut her off with finality. She was silent for a while, making me want to take my words back or rephrase them in a good way until I heard her say a small okay.
"You haven't told me why you have been avoiding me," I asked, hoping to change the subject from that jack.
"I told you I haven't..."
"Is it because of the kiss we shared?" I cut her short, going straight to the point.
"No, of..."
"If it's about the kiss, then forget it!" I cut in again, stopping her from talking further.
Malissa froze for a while, and gave me a questioning look, but I was too angry to feel anything. I was angry at that Andy guy. Mad at Melisa for ghosting me and making a big deal out of nothing.
At first, it was because of that incident where I dreamt, and things got out of hand. But now, because of a stupid kiss? She needed to grow up and stop making a fuss about everything.
Mostly, I was angry at myself. I recalled the kiss we shared, and it brought different emotions. I couldn't tell what it meant.
Was it because I had not been fooling around lately, or I might have started developing romantic feelings towards her?
No!
I shook my head internally and agreed that Dave was right.
Melissa is different. She is not like the girls I went out with, and I am not someone to commit to.
"There was nothing special about it. We needed to give that guy proof, and we did it. So stop worrying your head or trying to avoid me because of it. I have kissed many, and I don't see the difference." All this time, I was looking ahead, afraid to see the expression on her face. Afraid to see the fluctuations of emotion on her beautiful face.
I was expecting her to retort with one of her comebacks, but she said nothing. It was silent for a long time, and I was starting to get uncomfortable. I wanted to turn my head so that I could look at her;
Was she crying? Was she mad or sad? Was I too harsh with my words to the extent she could not talk to me?
I was about to speak. To correct my earlier words when I detected a movement beside me. I tilted my head only to see Melisa moving, shifting while still squatting until she settled in front of me - in between my legs. I was surprised by her sudden move and the calm look on her face giving no emotion at all.
Behind her was the setting sun. Creating an illusion of her hair on the flame while her honey-kissed brown skin glowed and her dark eyes shimmered, reminding her of dark onyx. Her lips reminded me of particular chocolate that my little sister liked to bribe me with.
It was a breath taking sight to behold. Melissa then raised both her hands. To my surprise, she cupped my cheeks in her warm palms.
Her touch was like magic, full of energy and sparks, making me yearn for more than a simple touch.
She then leaned in, slowly, excruciatingly painfully, anticipating what she was up to. Her eyes were not just looking at me but deep into me as if she knew my desires. And then her eyes made their way, stopping at my lips.
I felt my heart beating faster against my ribcage and unusually louder. I could not look away. I couldn't stop staring nor utter a word.
My entire body went stiff when she closed in the remaining distance, and her lips were on mine. For a brief moment, my absolute being froze as the warmth of her lips, so soft like feather teasing, tested my self-control. She didn't move nor attempt to continue with what she started. I was running out of patience, I yearned - wanted - more, but she was not giving it to me.
I wanted her lips, not only locked with mine but our tongue as well, entangled in the heat of passion, devouring her until we were left breathless.
I was about to deepen the kiss when she suddenly pulled away. My closed eyes opened with a frown, wondering why she stopped abruptly. However, I was met with eyes twinkling with mischief, merriment in her smile. Her thumb rubbed my lips slowly and sensually.
"You think too much, Haze. It was just a kiss," she said, her voice low and seductive at the same time, turning my already turned on body even more.
Then she did something I never in a million years would have expected. I don't know if she was doing it unintentionally or if she was messing with me. She placed one of her hands on my thigh, squeezed it, and then bit her lips.
I said all the profanities I could think of internally, feeling my body reacting to her teasing ministrations.
"Are you sure you can keep up with this game?" I asked in a warning tone, gritting my teeth.
"What game?" She asked innocently, blinking her eyes adorably. I got whipped by her eyelashes. She did not give me time to react when she applied pressure on her hand and used my kneed to pull herself up.
"Get up, let's go now. It's getting late," with that, Melissa started walking away. Like she did not just tease and seduce me.
For a moment, I saw the girl who I met on the bus, the one who blew me a kiss and ran away.
Now I am doomed!
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