CAROLINE.

I felt a burning sensation on the back of my neck as I walked into my apartment and sighed.

I had just escaped from the blazing sun.

My eyes had gotten dim from the effect of the sunlight.

It took some seconds for my eyes to adjust to the deemed light of the house interior.

Outside, the sun wasn't smiling. Its scorching effect on my skin was irritating and unwelcoming.

I dropped my bag on the couch,

"Where is everyone? I thought we were going out this evening." I said to the empty room.

"Safarat, Quenlet, Lovett,"

I called out their names.

"In here" I heard Lovett reply.

Picking my bag from the coach, I walked into Quenlet's room.

Standing at the entrance, I pulsed a little to look into the room.

The once neat room was in its height of disarray as dresses and makeup littered the floor.

Designer dresses flew in different directions while rushing around to get dressed.

I walked into the room, and they stopped to look at me. I felt like a deer caught in the rear light.

I know I am late, and their eyes all hold their judgments. Without a word, they all go back to what they were doing.

I felt my bladder needed emptying.

"I am sorry I am late, but give me a minute." Before anyone could reply, I dashed off, heading for the restroom.

After the relief, I walked back into the room. Quenlet was sitting in front of the vanity mirror while Cynthia worked on applying some finishing touches to her makeup.

Lovett is on the bed applying her makeup while Safarat is strapping up her laced shoes.

"I can see you all are busy," I said as I moved

into the room again,

"Why are you not dressed?" Safarat said, eyeing me, taking my appearance to full detail. I followed her eyes as they moved over my body. I was dressed in a white floppy top and a pair of blue jeans trousers.

I also had on flat blue covered shoes and a matching bag.

"No, I am not dressed, just coming back from class," I replied quickly.

"Really? A while ago, yes, but not now? We were all so ready to go now. Why are you not dressed?" Quenlet asked, standing up.

"I am so sorry, just now I had to visit the ladies that you know is compulsory, and earlier the lecturer delayed," I replied, simply smiling.

"Then you should have just bailed the class, written your name on the attendance, and bailed.

That is what I do when we have an outing like this," Lovett said, smiling.

"Bad girl, teaching my friend bad things," Safarat said, slapping Lovett playfully on the back. They both laughed.

"Like we do not all do it, please." Cynthia chipped in.

"Please let us leave presently, Prince, you know does not like to be kept waiting," Quenlet said as she wore her shoes hurriedly.

Dressed like this?" I asked. They all looked at me, forcing me to look at myself.

I am in no way ready for an outing.

"I guessed not." Safarat said, "Please give us some minutes.

I will be quick with her. Her make-up only needs a touch-up." She quickly dragged me into her room.

She dashed straight to her wardrobe.

Why not mine? I wanted to ask, but I kept quiet, late as I am. I had no say in this.

"This should look great on you" She handed me a long slim-fitted glittery blue gown with a slit that almost touched my waist.

I looked at it with disapproval on my face. "Isn't this a bit too much, considering the slit?"

"Please, no time for questions, dear, just put it on." I did as told, feeling very uncomfortable.

I knew there was no time to search for any other dress or go into my box of clothes, so I stopped feeling.

She quickly touched up my makeup while I scanned around for shoes and a matching bag with my eyes.

My eyes rested on the silver shoes and bag I hung on the wall close to my hanger.

As she touched up my make-up, I quickly slipped on my high-heeled sandals."

I stood up and checked myself out in the mirror. "You look gorgeous," Lovett said, and I smiled.

"Thanks, dear, you look wonderful too.'' Her smile was the reply to my compliment.

"Let go quickly. Others are so impatient," she said as we heard Quenlet's rude remark of leaving us behind and locking us in.

"Look at what I found inside, a Princess," Lovett said, presenting me to the others. They all nodded their agreement except Quenlet, who said.

"You are not looking bad, but please, just don't steal my Prince since she called you a princess." I smiled as she faked a Frightened mouse expression.

"Don't worry, dear. You look too dead gorgeous for that to happen," I replied.

She dismissed my reply with the weave of her hand, then said.

"Please, let's hurry. As I said earlier, let's not keep Prince waiting, or we have no outing." Quenlet said, and we all rushed out.

Dismissing me like that, I have always known no love between Quenlet and me.

Outside, the sun had lost most of its intensity.

The cool breeze touched my skin for a change, and I loved it.

"Where is the Uber driver?" Safarat asked once we were outside the gate.

I scanned my area for a cab, expecting to see one waiting for us, but there was none.

"We can't wait for Prince here. We are late. Let's wait for one at the bus stop." Quenlet answered.

"You would have told us before now," Safarat said, sulking and examining her shoes. The shoes look uncomfortable, and I wonder how she will feel walking a distance in them.

"Sorry, let's walk quickly," Quenlet said,

"Only this shoe kills." Safarat pouted her mouth, and I laughed at her, but she ignored me, putting her focus on her shoes.

"I do not know who you wish to impress. Prince is Quenlet's boyfriend, not yours," Cynthia said, walking away like she said nothing.

"You are kidding me, right?"Safarat asked, all of a sudden, looking deadly serious. "Quenlet, let's be clear here. Are we hanging out with Prince alone or with him and his friends?" Safarat asked, looking directly into Quenlet's eyes.

"Do I need to answer that? Please don't mind Cynthia, you have someone to impress." She said and laughed at her.

"Miss fashionable?" she added.

"Caroline, Caroline," I heard someone call my name.

That voice I know even in my sleep.

Everyone stopped to look back, but I pretended I didn't.

"Oh my God, not now." I thought repeatedly.

"Oh my God, why now?"

The voice sounded closer, and my heart that instant missed a bit. Not, now, I repeated in my head.

Please, Phillip, not now, not here with these joy killers.

Safarat touched my shoulder.

"Do you know him?" She asked, displeasure features on her face.

I turned away from her, not answering her questions, to see Phillip was very close to me.

My face fell.

"Caroline dear, we have a date today, remember," Phillip said as he stood smiling from ear to ear.

Phillip is my boyfriend of three months.

We talked, and I liked him a lot. We hung out a lot as I loved kissing him. We never went beyond kissing.

I know my friend wanted me to end things with him. My friend's reason was that he was not rich.

That is one reason I can't even accept as being reasonable. I had to obey my friend's reason since I needed them to survive on campus.

Safarat had time without numbers convincing me to end the relationship with Phillip, but I couldn't bring myself through it.

I told her I would, but instead, I hung out with him privately.

I forgot I promised to hang out with him today. As I wanted to answer him, Quenlet asked.

"Why are you still talking to and dating this guy? What part of not dating campus guys did you not understand?" She asked me angrily.

Nathaniel looked at us but stepped back in confusion.

"I guess bad timing." He said, turned and walked back to his friends.

"You have to end this nonsense now," Quenlet said.

"Yes, now, not tomorrow, now." Safarat seconded.

"But, how? I asked, not wanting to. I like this guy. He makes me laugh, and I am happy anytime I am with him.

"Say something you know he can't forgive you for. He will never come near you again," Lovett said, crossing her hand around her and resting most of her weight on the right leg.

"What if he goes violent?" I asked, shaking my head, wishing for anything that could stop this from happening, anything at all, from the Uber's suddenly arriving to Prince emerging or the earth opening and closing.

Anything that can distract my friend's attention from forcing me to end things with Phillip.

"Don't even get me started. Do you want to be with us or Phillip?" Cynthia said.

I looked at Nat.

He heard what my friends said and was waiting for my decision.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds. I wanted to continue partying with my friends.

I depended on them for a lot, for things like food, clothes, and a roof over my head.

I can't lose all that for a guy who can't feed himself well.

When I opened my eyes, I saw him look at me, then shake his head and turn to leave.

"Ok, fine." I said, addressing my friends, "Phillips, please wait." He and his friends waited as I ran towards them.

"Did you change your mind, dear? He asked, smiling.

"You wish," I said, closing my eyes, then with my heart breaking with each word, I said.

"Listen, I don't want you to call me again. I am not yours, ok." I opened my eyes and let him see as tears rushed into them, then closed my eyes as I said my words.

"And listen, I will never be yours. I don't date poppers like you, who do not have anything going for them.

You are poor, and you surround yourself with poor people, family, and friends all the same. I don't think you can ever be rich, so you can't have me or my virginal ever." I said, rushing my words as tears ran down my cheeks, grateful that I did not wear mascara and my waterproof makeup would hold my makeup in place.

I hoped, against all odds, that he would see that I did not mean what I said. I opened my eyes to read his expression, but I couldn't read the plain look on his face. All of a sudden, he feels distant.

So distant that I felt ashamed of letting him see my tears. Quickly, I dabbed my tears and walked away before he could say anything.

I heard his friend laugh but didn't look back as I walked to my friends.

My heart felt so heavy like I was leaving a part behind.

"Like seriously, you talk about your virginal like that?" Safarat asked, and I Forced myself to laugh as they all laughed except Lovett.

"That sounds like a challenge, you know. Nat, or what is his name, might just become rich to get between your legs," Lovett said seriously, but we all laughed once again. I laughed as if forced out of me like an unwilling goat.

"He is welcome to try," Quenlet said aloud as our Uber arrived, and we all boarded, I, with very heavy hearts. I couldn't look in his direction. It hurt so badly.

The funny thing is, I never stopped wondering if I could see him again. I wished I could turn back the hand of time and unsaid what I said to him.

I knew I had said too much. Some words are better left.

That day, I knew I crossed the line. I never saw him again.