Chapter Eight: Plans

It was Friday afternoon and I was waiting for Kevin to finish his prefect meeting so that we could go grab lunch together. I was standing by Kevin's car, but my eyes were fixated on the blue BMW that belonged to the Jackass whose naked image haunts me at every waking moment, whom I've been avoiding since Wednesday evening. I don't know why I was avoiding him. I enjoyed our little weird conversation in the gym that night. It made me look at him as more of my dad's friend than my principal, and it wasn't all that bad. Maybe it was the naked image that was making me shy to be in his presence. Although I had no problems being around Gia, who's naked image amused me.

I watched as he made his way through the teacher's parking lot which was across the student parking lot. His long strides were dominating as he walked past all the other vehicles and walked towards the best parking space in the whole school, the principal's parking space. I watched further as he unlocked his car and deposited his briefcase on the backseat. He rounded the car and opened the driver's door, but as he did this, his eyes met mine and he held my gaze. His eyes revealed nothing. I was saved from the stare down by my best friend's voice.

"Hey babe, what are you doing out here?" she was dressed in a pink leotard with black running shorts and Adidas flip flops. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail. It was said that Ayanda defies gravity and logic by being so great at gymnastics with a head full of long, 'heavy' dreadlocks. She had quit the team when they tried forcing her to cut it; only for them to beg her to come back when they went a whole season without a win. Ayanda has been undefeated ever since.

"Waiting for Kev. I thought practise had already begun?" I asked as I shifted my gaze across the parking lot again, looking for the BMW, and I was a little disappointed to see that it was no longer in sight.

"I'm the star of that team. They need me more than I need them. They can wait a couple more minutes. What's wrong? You've been out of it these past few days." She said as said as she studied my face.

"Nothing, I'm just tired and a little depressed because I'm missing the first game of the season because of my stupid injured tailbone, ya know?" I added sadly.

"Oh well, you'll be fine in a jiffy. Then you can paint that court with your skill and fierceness." She said with a wiggle of her eyebrows. Kevin walked out of the school building wearing an irritated face, making me frown.

"Anyway, call you later boos. I got to go. Are you coming to the competition tomorrow?" Ayanda asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Plus, you know how much I love watching you do your thing." I added with a wink, making her laugh.

"Oh, shut up! Hi Kev! Bye Kev!" she shouted hastily and disappeared out of sight. My attention shifted to my frustrated boyfriend.

"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously and planted my palms on the lapels of his school blazer.

"Do you wanna go out tonight? I want to get hammered." His tone was urgent, so I didn't press on the issue. Instead, I went up on my toes and kissed him softly. I felt him relax against me and he wrapped his arms securely around me.

"I am surrounded by idiots." He sighed heavily and buried his face in the crook of my neck. I chuckled and hugged him tighter.

"I hope that doesn't include me."

"It does. But you are my idiot. So, you I can tolerate."

"Gee, I'm flattered. Where are we going tonight?"

"Just let me worry about that pretty woman. You just worry about what shade of lipstick to wear. Okay?" and he did the thing that made me weak at the knees; he winked.

"Funny. I also need to worry about how I'm going to sneak out of the house tonight. I'm still grounded, remember?" I said coyly. He threw his head back.

"Oh yes. You do that, sweet thing. We'll work out the details later yeah? For now, just worry about what you're going to wear tonight." He pressed my nose playfully.

"Take me home then my lord. I have a man to impress." I said, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Oh, my lady; your man would be impressed with whatever you have on ... or off." He added seductively and I smacked him, making him laugh.

"You're perfect Azania." He said genuinely and I launched myself at him, kissing him with every ounce of passion I had in my body.

"Whoa! You look hot girl! Where are you going?" Gia asked excitedly, making me jump out of my skin with surprise.

"Damn it, you scared me!" I whispered furiously. She was sitting on the couch at the patio in front of our cottage, seemingly reading a book.

"I didn't mean to. So, where are you going?" she asked me, putting the book on the small table next to her.

"I have a date with Kevin tonight," I paused, biting my lip. My eyes quickly darted back to the door of the cottage where I had just snuck out of. I hope my dad is still asleep otherwise I'm fucked with a capital F. If I told her to keep it a secret that she saw me, would she do it? "And thank you Gia, it took me a long time to come up with this outfit." I did a little twirl, feeling myself.

"I love it. It's warm but sexy as hell. Kevin will enjoy that." She said, as if she knew him and raked her fingers through her red hair. I fought the urge to scoff. I need to play this wisely. I looked down at my outfit, pleased with myself. I was wearing a black long-sleeved turtleneck, a black leather mini skirt, with black stockings and black block heels. I had straightened my hair, so it cascaded down my back. My makeup was as dark as my clothes, with a red lip. I was ready for a night out.

"Oh, he better. I went through a lot of trouble." I said, looking back at the door again. I expected it to fly open at any second. My phone buzzed, signalling a text. It was Kevin, telling me he's outside. I looked nervously at Gia, who I was surprised to see, was looking at me with a smirk.

"Don't worry Azania, I won't tell your dad. Just be responsible. And don't make a lot of noise when you come back." She paused and chuckled quietly to herself. "Use your bedroom window to enter, just push the corner, it will open. That way, he'll never even know you left your room." I was stunned into silence, to which she laughed at. I thanked her and headed through the house, and out into the driveway. Looking back behind me nervously, I surveyed the area for any wandering eyes. When I found none, I dashed across the long driveway and out of the gate, waving to the gateman as I did. Kevin climbed out of his car upon my approach.

Kevin looked sexy in his school uniform, don't get me wrong, but he looked good enough to eat when he was in regular clothes. His dark hair was hidden under a black beanie. He was dressed in a plain black shirt; under the black leather jacket he wore so well and dark washed jeans with black and white Vans. He gave me a lopsided grin as I checked him out.

"Damn mami, you weren't kidding when you said you're coming for my neck tonight. Look at you." He said dreamily, running his eyes and hands over my body.

"You don't look so bad yourself, baby." I cooed, running my hands over his biceps and resting them on his broad shoulders.

"You didn't tell me that you're living in a mansion." Kevin said mockingly as he opened the passenger door for me.

"It never came up." I answered sweetly and got in the car.

"It never came up? That's your argument?" he asked and closed his own door.

"No, it's not my argument because we are not arguing. I just didn't see it necessary to tell you that my dad and I are squatting at his friend's house. That's all. Now can we please not argue? It's our first date night in forever. Let's not ruin it."

"You say 'date night' like we're an old married couple." He said with a sigh, starting the car.

"We've been together for 3 years. That feels like marriage to me."

"Touché. You ready?" he prompted, putting the car into gear.

"Step on it."