Nora has been home for the past few days, and she has refused to eat anything. Her heart is broken and it feels like the world has decided to frown at her. Everything that made her world beautiful suddenly made her world dim. How was she going to live with this new identity of hers when everywhere she goes, she is being tagged a whore and a disgrace. Her brother tried talking to her but all fell on deaf ears. She was lying down on her bed thinking when she heard a familiar voice downstairs. She recognizes that voice anywhere.
"Is she in?" She heard the voice ask.
"She's been in her room all day, I hope you can talk to her and make her get back to her senses. Starving herself or thinking won't do her any good." She heard her brother say as she stood at the door with her ears placed on the door. She listened to every conversation her brother and Sarah had. Andrew must have been pissed off with everything that has happened, he is even more pissed because he warned her about it but she wouldn't listen.
" I will talk to her," Sara assured Andrew because she knew how much Andrew cares about his sister. She climbed the stairs to Nora's room.
Nora quickly jumped on the bed pretending to be asleep. Sara knew her best friend very well when Sara opened the door and saw that Nora was sleeping, so she joined her in bed. After a few minutes of observing Nora who was playing dead, Sara said, "You know I can tell you aren't sleeping, right?" She said as Nora tried her best to keep her eyes shut. Sara noticing Nora wouldn't stop the game she was playing went into the bathroom and got a bowl of water. She was about to sprinkle little drops on her when Nora grudgingly sat up on the bed, glaring at her best friend for wanting to sprinkle her water. "It works every time," Sara said with a grin of satisfaction. She returned the water and came to sit with Nora. "how are you feeling?" She asked.
"I don't know," Nora answered. She lay down on the bed with her face focused on her friend. "I just feel so lost right now," Nora answered.
"Your boyfriend??" Sara asked. "I am sure he would have heard about it. How did he take it? Did he call you to check up on you to know if you are ok??"
Nora sat up again with her legs crossed on the bed. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Do you want to know who my boyfriend is?" Nora asked looking at her friend who was shocked at the question.
This was a question Sara had been interested in but Nora didn't deem it fit to tell her so she shrugged. "If you care to share, I won't say no." She said with all honesty. She was the type of person who respected people's privacy. If you don't share things with her she wouldn't force you to and that is why she was hurt when Nora got mad at her for wanting to pry because on norms, she wouldn't have done it. She waited to hear Nora's explanation that's if she is going to tell her about it.
Nora moved closer to her and held her hand. "Promise not to freak out." Sara looked at Nora wondering why she was being serious all of a sudden.
"I am freaking out already." Sara looked at her friend with a worried look on her face. "Are you a les??" Sara asked. Nora immediately left Sara's hand. When she told her to promise she wouldn't freak out, she was just telling her to patiently listen to what she has to say and not come up with assumptions especially one as absurd as this.
"Are you kidding me?" Nora was furious. "Seriously? A lesbian??" she looked at Sara not believing her best friend in the world after how many months of friendship assumes she is a lesbian.
"Sorry if I said wrong," Sara said but Nora was already annoyed at that statement. Sara moved closer to her, held her hand, and apologized. "I am sorry." She tickled Nora just to make sure they don't start arguing.
Nora laughed but after some time, she looked at her in disbelief. "Like how could you have thought about something like that??"
"I am sorry." She apologized again tinkling her trying to get her to smile and when Nora eventually did smile again she adjusted a bit still holding Nora's hands. "So who is the person?" She asked.
Nora cleared her throat. "The person..." she paused trying to see if Sara was paying attention. Sara's eyes were firmly fixed on hers so she continued. "His name is Michael," Nora said waiting for her friend's reaction.
Sara felt the name sounded familiar but she wanted to be sure if it was the same person. "Wait! Which Michael?" Sara asked positioning herself well on the bed to get the full details.
Nora looked at her as she said his name, "Michael Daniels."
Sara's eyes widened in shock.
"What?" She asked in disbelief.
Sara stood up as she paced the room for a while and gave Nora a look of disbelief. She didn't say anything but her eyes were doing the talking and when she finally got ready to talk she asked, "But. How?... I mean...since when? Why didn't I know? where was I when this was happening?"
"He told us to keep the relationship private because of his reputation, he didn't want anyone finding out about it," Nora explained.
"So now, I have become 'anyone'," Sara asked pointing to herself.
"You know that's not what I mean." Nora defended.
"What do you mean then?" Sara asked folding her arms.
"Listen, I loved him and I just had to do what he wanted because I love him and care about his reputation." With a frown on her face, she said, "...besides we did that to protect each other. I am sorry I kept you in the dark all this while."
Sara sat down on the bed trying to register all of this into her brain. "I am your best friend Nora. You could have told me."
"What use is it anyway??" Nora asked with sadness in her voice. "What use is it telling you I was in a relationship with Michael when he broke up with me three days ago."
"What?"
"I thought he loved me, Sara, I thought he cherished me but seeing how he believed those videos and all those hurtful words he said to me... I can't help but believe I was one of his toys. I gave him my heart and all he did was smash it against the wall like it was nothing." the uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks. "So, what use is it telling you I have Michael Daniels has my boyfriend when he has discarded me like a chaff...what use is it?" Nora sobbed.
Sara came closer to wipe her tears. "What were you thinking to have accepted him in the first place?" Sara asked. "He is a star, a well-known celebrity. Do you think he'd stoop so low to date someone like you not saying there's anything wrong with the way you are girl, but even a blind man can tell he wasn't in love with you maybe he wanted something else from you?"
"Something else?" Nora asked. Sara nodded. "Something else like what?"
Sara shook her head. "You are too naïve Nora and that's why people like Michael Daniels won't hesitate to do whatever they want with you. You are too soft-hearted, too kind, too loving, too understanding." She commented. "I am not saying it's a bad thing but at least prove difficult for once," Sara advised.
Nora thought about it and she knew Sara was right. Nora knew she had the kindest of all hearts but she realized now that being too kind also has its disadvantages. "Let's forget about me and my dilemma," said Nora. "How is Mrs. Wade?"
"she has been busy trying to solve the issue." Sara told her. "it hasn't been easy on her and to say the truth, I can tell that she misses and wants you back but with everything, accepting you back won't be the right thing to do."
Nora nodded. "I understand and I am sorry."
"But who would be stupid to do such kind of a thing?." Sara asked. "I swear if I catch that person, I won't let him go scout free."
Nora thought about that night when she remembered that guy's face she saw when she entered the room. He was the only guy left in the room before she decided to take a nap. "I think I know who the person is," Nora said.
"You do??" Sara asked.
Nora nodded. "If I see him, I can recognize him but I have no idea who he is or where he is."
"Don't worry. We will surely catch him." Nora nodded to the determination in Sara's voice. It's really nice having someone ready to fight for you any day, who believes and trusts you even when the whole world doesn't, someone who is supportive. Sara has been that kind of person to her and she appreciates all her efforts.
Sara's stomach rumbled as she held it tight. "I guess my stomach has been filled with stories, now it needs something else. How about we go grab lunch?" She asked getting up on her feet and stretching her tired muscles.
Nora laid down on the bed pulling the bed cover over her face. Sara tried pulling the bed cover away from Nora but Nora held it tight whining she doesn't want to leave. "I don't want to go anywhere.." Nora whined. She was about to complain when Sara dragged her and pushed her to the bathroom.
"Go take a bath, we are going out for lunch. I will be downstairs waiting for you." Sara said as she left the room while Nora entered the bathroom to have her bath.
Nora must admit she was glad that Sara did come around and is planning to take her out because if she was alone, she wouldn't have done anything; just lie down in bed and die in silence but she was glad she has a friend who pushes her to the limit. Sara was one of a kind and if she hadn't apologized to her because of Michael, she would have lost both Michael and Sara but she was glad that she made amends immediately.
Sara was in the sitting room chatting with Andrew. She sees Sara's brother as an inspiration because he advises her on things she thought she knew but doesn't. He told her some of the experiences he had with ladies, how many hearts he has broken, and how many ladies he had had sex with but when the accident happened there was no one there for him because no one would want to date someone in a wheelchair. Maybe someone out there would love him for who he is someday but for now, he hasn't found anyone.
"I am sure you will find that person someday." Sara admonishes.
"Even if I don't it's because I deserve it," Andrew said.
"Why would you say a thing like that?" Sara asked.
"I broke a lot of hearts, rendered so many girls useless...this condition I am in is too small for a punishment considering the shit things I did."
Sara looked at Andrew for a while taking notice of his expression. "Let me ask you.." Andrew came closer to Sara and said, "...if in this state I come to you asking you to date me, would you agree to date me?" he asked.
Sara froze.
"Forget the fact I am your best friend's brother, if I come to you in this state, would you say yes to me?" He asked again.
Sara thought of it. If he had come to her in the state he is in right now she wouldn't just say no, she would also reign curses at him.
Andrew smiled, it was as if he knew exactly what Sara was thinking about.
She was about to reply when Nora came down. She felt relieved as they both bade Andrew goodbye. Sara wouldn't deny, that her heart raised when Andrew asked her that question.