As the popular saying goes, it's always darkest before dawn. Things took a rough turn for me as our nanny resigned, the burden of everything in the house was on my shoulders, I had to bath my little brother, prepare breakfast for everyone and lunch before leaving for school. I tried balancing everything but it started taking toil on me and my academics. If things continue like this, I might lose my position as the first. How do I keep up I asked myself each day. Lost in thoughts one day in class, I felt a someone tickle me , who's that I said while laughing, turning around it was Elijah, his messy curls bounced around as he continued to tickle me and I tried running, the next someone pushed me from behind almost tripping, Elijah caught me in his arms. The mood changed, his eyes fixed to mine we stood like that for minutes, whispers and giggles brought us back to reality. I turned around and went back to my seat, he followed me, taking a seat beside me, he took my hands. I was surprised, I mean people have relationships and were open about it but I have never being in an open relationship. When I was with Adrian, I always rejected his advances to hold me, or touch me in class because my parents are missionaries. People will gossip about from that, I believed there shouldn't be such thing as a girlfriend or boyfriend for secondary school students. My beliefs have always been so strong and unwavering until today. Elijah's hands on mine got me feeling some kind of way, electricity crackled between us. The tension was heightened as he shifted his chair facing me directly. He took my hands and kissed them, I felt the world spin, emotions threatening to be unleashed. I thought I had tamed this part of me, why is it showing now???
My control was slipping, I had to act fast. Stop that I screamed, the whole class turned towards us , I stood up wanting to walk away. However I felt someone pull me in, the next second I was in between a wall and Elijah's body, the whole class gasped, my knees suddenly turned jelly as my legs gave away. Sensing it, he caught me mid way, Elijah please stop I pleaded. The whole class is watching. I will if you promise to listen to me, I have been trying to get to you but you have been cold, I'm happy this is working. Ok I will listen to you, please just shift or the class might get the wrong idea.
He released me, out of the corner of my eyes I could see Adrian burning with jealousy. I dragged Elijah out, when we got to an empty classroom, I looked around ensuring we were alone. Speak up I'm hearing you. What do you want
You" he said, that simple word got my insides rejoicing. My heart was elated, but I kept a straight face, what do you mean.
I like you Soar, I love you so much, I want to get to know you, I don't care what others say. I am in love with you Soar. Be my girlfriend .
Unfortunately I can't I said, he laughed you are indeed like they said, straight forward. Yes I am, I don't want to tarnish my reputation in this school, I'm almost done Elijah, I can't be caught up in any scandal. Is it the scandal you avoid or you still have feelings for him? I stopped dead in my tracks, who are you talking about?
You know Adrian, I have heard a lot about the both of you. Who told you, I thundered. People gossip Soar my love, you can't stop them, whether you are doing the right thing or not there are people that will always hate you, gossip you and try to make you feel bad. One thing you should do is forget about everyone else and ask yourself what you truly want. And if you ever need to talk, I am here waiting for you he said as he smiles and left. Wow the words hit me hard, people are always hard to please, my eyes opened to a new part of life I didn't always think about.
I went home that day smiling, my routine didn't seem so bad anymore. I found strength to move on, taking things one step at a time.
On getting to school the next day, I looked around but couldn't find Elijah, why wasn't he here, my heart dropped sitting down I prepared for the lessons. Throughout that day, I didn't see Elijah. What was going on? Is he ok? I didn't know who to ask as I barely knew anything about him. The next day, I came late, the teachers were angry and shouting at me for coming late , that I seemed to have changed since I entered this final year. Nobody really wanted to know what was going on with me and why I was coming late. They just assumed I felt big now. Hurt by their words and actions, I felt bad, so bad I didn't notice Elijah was sitting beside me. What are you thinking about he asked. Mind your business I said. Oh I see someone's pushing me away, he leaned in whispering into my ear. If you don't talk now I will kiss you here in class, I turned to look at him, our faces were just an inch away, I could feel his breath on my face. I turned away instantly feeling hot suddenly, I needed air. He wasn't budging, Elijah please shift , I need space
I won't until you agree to be with me . I thought you said you would give me time, I asked ?
Yes I said that but until you agree, I won't let you be alone. Those words filled my heart. I found myself thinking about him each day, I didn't realize it but I had fallen deep for Elijah. I refused to acknowledge it. I can't let another man control me. No it can't happen
I began to avoid however he had a persistent habit. He refused letting go and gradually I found myself accepting him. We began to hang out, ear together and play. I found happiness again in school, not just award nights but normal school days, I looked forward to seeing him. One day he asked me out once again and I accepted. I decided to be his girlfriend, I have never had an official boyfriend before, he was my first. Adrian and I had connections but I never agreed to date him and he understood, well he also never asked.
The next day, news of Adrian's withdrawal flew round the school, not just him but also his younger siblings. Everyone of them were withdrawn, some said it was because of me, some said it was because of his low grades, they were many versions of the story with no definite truth. The only truth was that Adrian was withdrawn.
I sat down wondering what really happened. Are you sad about Adrian's withdrawal, Elijah's voice rang in my ears, erm no I'm just wondering what really happened. Is everything fine with him.
Why are you wondering he asked, seems you still care about him. I tried to find words to explain but words seemed to elude me. I kept mute while Elijah avoided me for the rest of the day, what was going on? Did I offend him, should I apologize
We went weeks without talking to each other, I felt myself breaking finally I mustered the strength to approach him, Elijah let's talk. He said I should say whatever I wanted to say in front of his friends that he isn't moving an inch. Swallowing my pride, I tearfully apologized and left there in shame.
My pride had been hurt , why was Elijah doing this to me ? Wasn't I good for him. In my sadness, someone approached me. Hey Soar, it was Peace 1 what does this bitch want, I muttered under my breath. Hey peace can I help you I replied. Soar I need to talk to you, leave Elijah she said. Erm why would I? It's all a bet she said
I looked at her laughing out loud, I mean do you really want to break us up that bad I asked
Why lie against him. You will soon find out she said, I hope you won't find out late she said walking away. I was speechless, what was going on really.
Elijah soon came, telling me that he is sorry for his behavior and that we should get back together, I readily agreed however Peace's words stayed like a plague on my mind. I refused to believe it, if it was true I might kill myself. Why would Elijah do such to me.
One day while watching videos on his phone a message popped up and he snatched the phone from my hands. I knew something was terribly wrong. Was Elijah cheating, was it really a bet, were all those feelings lies? I decided to get closer to Peace 1 and we started talking, we became friends. Whenever Elijah wasn't around I had someone to talk to but I noticed Elijah didn't like the friendship. He always tried to tell me to avoid Peace. I became confused, who is the bad person between them, is it peace or is it Elijah.
I had to find out.