Chapter 8 ~Beats My Heart~

"Mother! I'm done preparing dinner" Ariana called out, her mother had been busy lately, it was good news to Ariana when her mother announced that she had been promoted in her work place, but her mother didn't share the same enthusiasm, she rather was worried, that she wouldn't have time for Ariana, the latter had assured her that she was fine, and that she was too excited to be thinking about that, gradually, the woman had adjusted to her busy work schedules.

Ariana dished out her mother's food before heading to her bedroom.

She balanced the tray on her right arm, knocking quickly on her mother's door with her other hand.

Her mother looked up from her laptop a small smile on her face.

"I brought you food." She dropped the tray on the desk near her mother's bed.

" Thank you Dede, I've been so busy" Her mother said closing the laptop.

"I see" Her daughter replied.

"How has school been?" She asked, making Ariana turn around to face her, her hand which was on the door knob fell to her side, she walked towards the bed sitting on the edge.

" It has been good, nothing I can't handle" She said.

" So when is the exams starting? " Her mother asked, mouth full with food.

" You could choke on the food Ma, anyways the exam is in June, and it starts first week in June, I've even chosen the schools I want to go to" Ariana explained, her mother nodded on as she talked with much interest , it made Ariana want to talk more about school, for she was excited, she was completing junior high soon, also she just was so curious about what highschool was all about, she just couldn't wait.

"Really, which schools did you choose?" Her mother asked her, Ariana sat up much straighter as she begun listing.

"Well, I chose my dream school as my first choice, Ghana National school, then I chose St. Danielle Girls as my second choice. I don't really know what school to choose as my last choice." She sighed, her mother set the tray of food aside looking at her.

"The headmaster, has not begun preparing yet sent information to the education service yet though" She continued, her mother's face morphed into a frown, it made Ariana continue speaking, she knew her mother had no idea about the information she was talking about, she didn't know how to put it or say it in a word.

"Like, our index number, list of school choices and course we would want to offer" Her mother's face lit up in realisation, she spoke up immediately.

"When are they going to send them to the GES" She asked.

"Maybe next month" Ariana answered shrugging.

She stood up to leave taking the tray, since her mother said she was well nourished.

"I see you've been talking a lot lately with the landlord's son... Is he your friend ?" The question made Ariana's heart beat faster, it made her lips dry, she wondered why she was so terrified, terrified of how her mother was going to react if she ever found out about their relationship.

She spun around for the second time to face her mother.

"Oh ! Yes, I don't really see him as a friend, we just normally talk about school and compare Mock papers" She said making sure her voice was calm and convincing, it was actually partly true, they usually compared Mock exam papers and re- answered the question, the best way to prepare for their final examination, she was much surprised when Perry had admitted he wasn't familiar with most topics, she was much surprised at his intelligence, the boy literally understood everything she had taught him easily and faster, they had decided not to see each other in secret places anymore, it would help them concentrate more on their final exams.

"Good, be careful with boys, you don't know how they are at this age, they can deceive you easily and the least I want from you is to get pregnant" Her mother said, Ariana shook her head disapprovingly, she understood where her mother was coming from, her father had left them for another woman, it really took a toll on her mother, Ariana had to stay with Ida's parents for half a year, after some customary rites and other things her six year old self didn't understand, her parents got officially separated, till now, she still hoped her father would show up and they'd be family again, but she knew it didn't work that way, life didn't work in that manner, one could hope but it still didn't change the events that unfold in life , fate.

Her mother didn't approve of male friends, she remembered how her mother had reacted poorly to her male friends back when she was in class six, she, at that time had only male friends, they were the geniuses of they school, good boys who talked about books and God, her mother had warned her not to be so close to boys, she stopped making friends eventually, keeping mostly to herself and it seemed to work, until she met Perry, she just hoped her mother never finds out about their relationship.

"Yes mother" She said closing the door quickly before her mother said another word, she sighed deeply when she got to the kitchen, placing the tray on the kitchen counter, she quickly dished out her own food, she made sure the kitchen was clean and tidy before leaving for her room to study.

Only if her mother knew what they had done before she came home that night, she thought as she steppes into her room. She closed the door quietly behind her. She was so hungry and her stomach growled loudly, she begun eating as she walked towards her study desk, she decided she wouldn't study that night, she was too tired to even read a book.

The night was pretty cold, and insects buzzed loudly around looking for flesh to feast on, Perry made sure he wrapped the cardigan tightly around him, the cardigan his Grandmother had woven, the only family he loved dearly, but was dead and gone, and he was alone, but not entirely lonely, he had Ariana, the thought made him smile. He saw a figure move gracefully in the dark night illuminated by dim street lights, he knew exactly who it was and he rushed quickly to get to her before she was too far.

She gasped as she spun around to face him, relief took over her features when she saw him.

"How do you always make my heart beat this fast" She said wrapping her arms around her body.

"Where are going to? it is late" He asked instead, ignoring her statement.

"Just taking a walk" She shrugged , her arms still wrapped around her body.

"In the night?" Perry asked amused, it was very late in the night, though the community was a quiet and safe one, anything could still happen.

"Yes! I love night walks" She stopped, looking at him.

"Seriously? Are you a vampire or something?" His voice was laced with amusement, this made Ariana chuckle, she begun walking again, kicking stones on her way.

"You are cold, next time wear something warmer" Perry said to her, her arms dropped to her sides as she looked at him.

" So I'm not getting your nice , girly cardigan ?" she asked.

"No" He simply said, Ariana looked at him a bit surprised, but she soon recovered, she knew Perry well enough, and she wondered why she was surprised.

" You are unbelievable, that cardigan even looks girly " She still said, Perry laughed placing one arm around her, she shrugged out walking away, this made the young boy laugh even more, Ariana couldn't help but laugh.

He caught up with her and pulled her towards him, he pecked her forehead hugging her tightly.

"I'm really going to miss you when we start senior high" He said quietly.

" Me too, I didn't even think of it, I think you should apply for the scholarship " Ariana said when she pulled away from him, they walked together slowly with their hands interlocked.

" I already decided, first step to be independent " He said.

"I know you are going to make it, Perry, you are going to make it in the future just work hard and don't give up" She assured him, he nodded quietly taking in her words, how her words could give him so much hope, right there, he felt strong and determined, he knew he could make it if he put in effort.

" Thank you" He said to her.

"No, don't thank me. I love you" She smiled hugging his side, he also hugged her.

They two soon decided to head back home, the night was getting colder and colder.

Meanwhile, someone was watching them quietly, and soon difficult times were soon to unfold, they still had time to enjoy their happy moments.

In a world where things always didn't go their way, where fate was an inevitable thing and there was nothing like fantasy, where life was unfair, could love overcome it all?