Two weeks later, a campus fest was organized. The event was set up to celebrate the new and old faces on campus, and to also get the residents acquainted. It was fun, wild, and buzzing with loud music, food and lots of booze.
Eva and Sade seemed to be having fun, dancing to the tune of the song and laughing like little girls. Shortly after, they noticed Theo moving inside the crowd and holding a girl. A girl they believed to be his new girlfriend.
Eva turned to her friend with concern…
"Remember Sade, we're out here having fun, and nothing else matters, okay?" She reminded her best friend.
"I know. It's just that I can't help seeing him with her, you know. It's hard!" Sade admitted, feeling emotional.
"I'm sorry, and I know you'll need more time to heal because it's all happening so fast. I get it…" she comforted her, "How about you talk to someone new tonight, huh?" She suggested, looking unsure at her friend's reaction.
"Thank you, but no. I know you're only trying to help, but I still love him so it won't be easy for me to find someone new."
"But that's not what I mea…"
Sade stormed off before she could even finish. Terrified she might have offended her, she buried her face in her hands, feeling regretful…
"Hey! Eva, right?" A voice said.
She turned to her side, trying to trace where it could have come from. It was a boy she'd never met.
"Do I know you?" She asked curiously.
"No, but I've seen you around. Care to dance?" He replied with a cocky smile on his face.
Feeling uneasy, she decided to take a few steps back while maintaining eye contact with him.
"C'mon, I won't hurt you, just one dance."
He insisted. Moving closer to her and grabbing her hand, she tried to shake him off while resisting his grip. Just then, Dunsin sighted the struggling duo, and as soon as he figured out it was Eva, he walked up as fast as he could to try and rescue her from the intruder; but before he could get there…Benjamin Gates had already beaten him to it…
"Hey man, just leave her alone, alright?" Benjamin pushed him away.
"What? I was just trying to speak to the young lady. What's your fucking problem?" The unwanted presence protested.
"Don't you ever fucking touch me again, you nameless creep!" She said spitefully.
"How dare you?!" She yelled.
They seemed to be causing a scene for the onlookers who cared to mind anything else but their business, and Eva felt like melting into the earth…
"Okay, you've had your fun. Now leave!"
Benjamin said in a frightening tone that suggested he was ready to go physical on the intruder if he did not yield.
Without hesitation, he left them, avoiding further troubles for himself. Eva could hear the side talks and murmurs of people talking about what had transpired, and she wanted nothing more than to disappear from there.
"Are you alright?" Benjamin asked with concern all over his face.
"I'm fine. I just don't understand what's happening." She cried out.
"I'm sorry about what just happened. He's just some creepy-ass moron who came out of nowhere. Pay no attention to him. I'll make sure he doesn't bother you anymore, I promise." Benjamin said, comforting her.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
" I wish to leave now before some psycho shows up again. Could you please come with me? I need to find Sade." She pleaded.
"Sure. C'mon, let's go." He held her hand as they walked.
Dunsin stood in the distance, watching the events unfold. He appeared uncomfortable at the sight of both of them together. Concerned with the turn of events, he decided to approach Eva this time around…
"Hi Eva. Are you okay?" He asked, fixing his gaze on Benjamin.
"Hey, I'm Benjamin." He introduced himself, "Eva's not exactly in good shape right now, so maybe you can…"
"I believe she can speak for herself!" He interrupted him rudely.
Shocked by his sudden change of attitude, she joined in the conversation before it turned ugly…
"Yes, Dunsin, I'm fine. Benjamin and I are looking for my friend, Sade. Have you seen her around somewhere?"
"No, I haven't. But if I do see her, I'll let her know you're looking for her." Dunsin replied.
"Alright then, thanks for your help!"
They both turned to walk away, until Dunsin called out to Eva…
"Can I at least see you off to your hostel?" He offered.
Benjamin stared in amazement, his request making him chuckle.
"And what's so funny about that, Benjamin?" He mocked, imitating Eva's tone.
"Cut it out, Dunsin! What's your problem? You've been acting up tonight, and I really don't appreciate that. Now's definitely not the time for this foolishness."
Eva blew hot at him. She was starting to get irritated at his unreasonableness.
"I apologize for my foolishness." He said, but Eva didn't seem to be listening to him. Her thoughts seemed to have drifted into space…
Could I have said something to trigger her to leave the party? Perhaps I should return to the room, she could be back there.
"Eva, are you even listening to me?" Dunsin said, feeling ignored.
"Yes, yes, I heard you very clearly." She lied.
"So, are you busy Friday night?" He inquired.
"Yeah. Benjamin and I are going out together."
The sound of that made him slightly upset.
"And what about Saturday?"
"I'm sorry, Dunsin, but perhaps you can ask me later. I have to get out of here now, I feel unwell. Goodnight…" She replied, walking away.
Dunsin stood there, feeling disappointed at his behavior that night. He wondered if his earlier outburst would affect the trajectory of their budding romance. He also wondered if she and Benjamin were together now, and the thought of that sickened him.
I thought she didn't like him? Why the hell is she out here with him tonight?
With nothing left, but unanswered questions, he accepted his losses that night and retired to his apartment…