Theresa glanced at the white paper presented to her by her maths teacher with an "A" inscribed on the top left corner. She is sighed.
"Dedication," the maths teacher presented the last paper to Matthew." If we try, we can succeed. Keep it up Matthew.
"Thanks." Matthew told him a contented sigh. Leaning back on his chair, he stretched out his legs and shot Christopher a look.
" Christopher.Theresa. It seems you students have another competitor." the maths teacher moved to stand beside Matthew. His eyes moved from Matthew to Theresa then to Christopher.
"yes sir,"
"yes sir,"Two of them said at the same time. Other students smiled, liking the way the sound of the teacher's voice mixed with the clattering of the be. "William and Moffat see me in the office."
It took only an instant for the both of them to respond by nodding.
At the hallway, Christopher looked at Theresa carefully, the careless curls, the white sneakers she wore. she was not his conception of a short lady. The careful hairstyling.
Theresa frowned as she shifted his position. In a moment she was close, facing him.
"Matthew's good. I think we should let him join our study group."
"sure," he agreed not giving a second thought about it." He might come in handy some day."
Theresa stood tall facing him. With a quick tug, he had her colliding against his chest. She felt a strength there which wasn't apparent in the masculine somewhat body-built frame. Before she could express annoyance, he started crying.
He never cried. From the instant of contact, Theresa's mind had emptied, to be filled with thoughts of Christopher, what made him cry?. His eyes were watery than she'd thought, and too smoky to read clearly.
"My grades are dropping," Christopher said softly." It seems as though someone is changing them." he gave her hands a companionable squeeze before releasing one of them. Panic was selling up inside him. Theresa could see it Hough he tried to suppress it.
"I'll help you. But you can't let your parents see you like this." she told him in calmer tones.
"thanks. Will you have dinner with me?"
Her brow lifted in speculation. It might, she reflected, it might be worth it.
" All you have to do is have dinner with me tonight," Christopher continued, watching her face." just a couple of hours."
"All right," she agreed impulsively. She wriggled her fingers, but he didn't release them." but you still have my hands." she said as the burst into laughter.
"let's meet Mr Malachi." he reminded.
The basketball court was deserted but for the Captain. He stood for a moment facing west, enjoying the rich glow of the sun. He thought of how he would make Theresa like him. Reminiscing about his days in junior year when she wore a black gown, he wore a three button suit and they were partners. He smiled. But what had made her to change towards him, she no longer showed affection except for today when she allowed him to hug her.
Christopher jumped when Matthew hands came to his shoulders.
"Easy," Matthew murmured, kneading the suddenly tense muscles as he stood behind Christopher. "I love this time of the day when everyone leaves the court." Matthew spoke from behind interrupting Christopher's moment.". I do come back to practice."
Christopher turned back to face Matthew still dressed in his basketball wears.
The afternoon sun reflected on Matthew's left wrist revealing a tattoo.
" You got a tattoo on your wrist?"
Slowly and meticulously Matthew looked at his wrist and began to rub it. He too glanced to see the tattoo on his wrist.
"It's not a tattoo.its a scar I had when I was seven." a smile crept across his mouth.
There was something altogether too cozy about the two of them standing in the court, Matthew was tall, lanky, dark skinned, he was no doubt handsome, Christopher thought. He could sense the growing friendship between the two of them and it didn't worry him a bit.
"Tell you what?" Christopher sighed." why don't you join Theresa and I for dinner tonight at my house. I'll send you the address."
Matthew opened his mouth to protest, but Christopher spoke again.
"we'll make dinner. And besides my parents are out of town." he said.
"thanks." he said, knowing his involvement with Christopher was beginning to slip beyond his control.
"let's play. Right now."Christopher challenged
The ball was in session as the Matthew held on tight to it. He tried his best to put the ball through the hoop. Christopher blocked him from attempting to score. The noise they made attracted more students to the court. some took pictures, videos of them playing. Finally Matthew scored one that made the audience to roar.
"What's going on?" Theresa among the crowd asked then ran over to where Christopher was to check on him.
********
"Matthew will be joining us for dinner,"Christopher said softly."I saw something on his wrist,"
"what did you see?." The door bell rang
"nevermind. I think Matthew's here." he told her. she slid her fingers lazily up and down his neck then placed a perk on his cheek.
It was Matthew at the door, he had a picnic basket and in it a white tablecloth, glasses, champagne.
"I decided I wasn't in the mood for hamburger. So I got fried fish." he said handing the basket to Theresa who was trying to calm her fluttering pulse.
From what Matthew saw outside. the houses here were larger, more elaborate than those outside the estate. There were neatly trimmed lawns, willows, blossoming crepe myrtle, and asphalt drives. He had wandered farther along the stone path that led to the house. He looked at the house, the widespread yard.
Christopher invited him in."come in"
"you stay here with your parents?" he asked as they climbed the dinning steps.
"Erm....no. Actually I live here alone. My parents are out of the country."
It was scantily furnished, but with style. The was a low, sectioned sofa in biscuit with a hodge-podge of colored pillows and a wicker throne chair coupled with a large hanging ivy in a pottery dish.
The room was open, with stairs to the right leading to the second level.
"It's wonderful chris,"he called him Chris, something nobody has done in a long time.
There was a rich, red wine to accompany the meal they ate on a smoked-glass table. A dozen candles flickered on a sideboard behind them, held in small brass holders.
There was a rich red wine to accompany the meal they ate at the smoked-glass table. A dozen candles flickered on a sideboard behind them, held in small brass holders.
Christopher's mood was as mellow as the wine that waltzed in his head. When he rose to stack the dishes, Theresa took his hand.
"Let me help you." she said
Without hesitation, he let her do it.
She climbed the stairs, wide, carpeted stairs which were split into two sections by a landing. Coming back she found the two men laughing.
Matthew's just about to tell me about himself."
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