CHAPTER 18: TANGLED
As he moves towards the corner Sylvia sat he makes eye contact with Olivia who winked at him with a smile, he just looked away and kept moving till he got to where Sylvia sat.
REX: Hi,
SYLVIA: hey!
REX: Why didn't you get a partner earlier?
SYLVIA: I was literally the last person before you entered.
REX: Oh..!
MR FORD: Alright we start now, but first put on your gloves and nose masks.SYLVIA: I looked for you after the game yesterday but I couldn't find you seems you you went early.
REX: Yeah! I had somethings on my mind I needed to clear off, but it's nothing. (Shrugs)
SYLVIA: You sure about that?
REX: Absolutely! You were with your boyfriend so you shouldn't be bothering looking for me?
SYLVIA: I needed a company back to the girls' dormitory, you know make good use of my boyfriend's absence.
REX: (Pouts)
MR FORD: Follow the instructions and ensure your specimen does not die, remember work along with your partnerRex begins the work while Sylvia watched him as she admires his work.
SYLVIA: You seem really good at this...
REX: that's 'cause I'm following the instructions, simple!
As he worked he stole few glances at Sylvia whose gaze was stuck on him.
REX: You should continue from here...
SYLVIA: Me?
REX: Yes you. (looks at her)
SYLVIA: Er... I was kinda distracted could you please just finish at once?
REX: You were gazing at me weren't you?
SYLVIA: Nope I was distracted by something else.
REX: (Smiles) We're supposed to work together remember?
SYLVIA: I know that but just go on I'll cover up the next practical alone I promise.
REX: Sounds fair enough!
SYLVIA: Sure.
(He continues his work)
SYLVIA: So tell me, mind sharing what was on your mind which made you leave without even Kim Eva your bestie?
(Rex is taken aback by the question as he misuses the dissecting knife). Careful with that!
REX: (Sighs)
SYLVIA: I know I shouldn't ask you since we aren't even close...
REX: It's fine, just that I'm not in the right mood to talk about it.
SYLVIA: Fine I get it you don't want to tell which is kinda cool since I will do the same if I were in your shoes.
REX: Thanks for understand.
SYLVIA: (Smiles) Mind going out for a walk after now?
REX: But your...
SYLVIA: (Cuts in) my boyfriend! I know, I have an explanation to give him. So what do you say?
REX: (Raises a brow and pouts) it's fine with me.
SYLVIA: Good, I don't want to look for you after the class tell Kim Eva and Josh you're hanging out with me.
REX: (Smiles weakly) Ok miss!
Rex concludes the practical and they both submit with few other students. They walked out of the lab after submission
(Olivia glares at both of them as they walked out).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sylvia and Rex strolled down to the race track opposite the big field.
REX: How does it feel being the current best student of the class?
SYLVIA: It's awesome but also disturbing
REX: How?
SYLVIA: You tend to be the eyes of the teacher, more stressed out just to maintain my Gp of 4.8. What about you, how did it feel when you decided pluck the eyes of the teacher by solving a math problem.
REX: Normal I guess, I felt the same as ever. It's not a crime to not know something,
SYLVIA: but you seem to know everything.
REX: That's because I assimilate faster.
SYLVIA: In seconds?
REX: Yeah, in seconds.
SYLVIA: That's crazy!
REX: To you, I'm a hyper-human.
SYLVIA: I don't understand?
REX: Forget it. I don't really know everything as you think, maybe you could help me out on them.
REX: K, like what?
REX: Kissing.
SYLVIA: (Laughs) Are you kidding me right now?
REX: (Smiles) I'm serious!
SYLVIA: I can't teach you that!
REX: Because you have a boyfriend?
SYLVIA: Technically yes, because I have a boyfriend.
REX: Okay! (shrugs)
SYLVIA: You should get a girlfriend and experiment it out or maybe Olivia, she'll be delighted to help you.
REX: I lost my feelings for other girls, I only
have feelings for.... (Ruffles his hair)
SYLVIA: (Laughs) you can't be serious.
REX: I've literally lost my wits as a result of you and I hope I don't regain myself 'cause it's worth losing.
SYLVIA: (Smiles) I hope you regain yourself because you don't deserve me that way, let's just be friends no strings attached.
REX: Hm.
(A brief silence followed)
REX: Tell me'bout your boyfriend.
SYLVIA: Sorry but, I'm kinda secretive about my boyfriend...
REX: Ok then, tell me about yourself.
SYLVIA: Well.... I'm complicated .. That's all I can say!
REX: And beautiful too,
SYLVIA: Yyyeeeesss....and that! (Raises an index finger and nods like he made an important point)
REX: I bet your boyfriend is really lucky to have someone like you.
SYLVIA: (Smiles) not really...
REX: What do you mean?
SYLVIA: Forget it, it's nothing.
REX: Ok, whatever the boss says.
(She smiles again)
SYLVIA: (Places a palm on his cheek) You should really get yourself a girlfriend she'll be very lucky too. (She leaves him)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEXT DAY
THE LAVATORY
Rex is washing his hand by a sink when he notices Olivia's presence through the mirror in front of him.
OLIVIA: (Whispers) I see the way you look at her,
REX: Who?
OLIVIA: Come on Rex, don't act like you don't know...
REX: That's 'cause I don't!
OLIVIA: Sylvia Wilson!
REX: (Pauses and looks at her from the mirror) What about her?
OLIVIA: Her boyfriend would kill you if he finds out you're going out with his girlfriend.
REX: I care less about that! We are just platonic.
OLIVIA: But I like you!
REX: I don't feel the same.
OLIVIA: (Trying to keep her cool) Face me and stop talking to the damn reflection on the mirror!
REX: (Turns around)
OLIVIA: Repeat what you just said!
REX: I'm sorry if I hurt you but... I don't feel the same way, seriously!
OLIVIA: (Eyes begins to glisten as she whimpers) B... B-but I like you! (Breaks down) I... I know you might think I love taking people's partners from them but the truth is that... I... I-it also happened to me, my friend fucking betrayed me and... And..... I swore to embrace this life, being a player and a hoe! I never believed I could love anyone after what happened to me b...(amidst tears) But yours was different. Though I still displayed that flirty act but I actually liked you. Why are you this stubborn? (Hits him severally) You never seemed to fall. (Continues to hit him) Why are you this heartless? You're even worse than I am. She doesn't even like you why kill yourself for her? I'm not giving up that easy not when I've gone this far. (She wipes her drowned face and walks out rather majestic than weary)
Rex just stood motionless he ruffles his hair with both palms, he was visibly confused.
Kim Eva sees Rex coming out shortly after Olivia left and judging by his ruffled hair and look she suspected something messy might have taken place. She didn't bother to call him but walked out quickly to look for Olivia.
IN THE OPEN FIELD
Kim Eva walks angrily up to Olivia who was sitting with her clique.
KIM EVA: Olivia!
OLIVIA: (Looks up) How can I help you?
KIM EVA: Can you give one good reason why you wouldn't understand the fact that Rex doesn't like you? Would you stop bugging him and move the fuck on and realize he's not gonna be played like you do to other boys?
OLIVIA: (Stands up and walks closer to Kim Eva) Says the girl whose useless boyfriend left for a much cooler and hotter girl.
KIM EVA: I didn't come here for you to insult me bitch! I came here to warn you to stay off Rex...
OLIVIA: Or else what?
KIM EVA: (Moves closer and closes the gap between them) Trust me baby, you don't wanna know.
OLIVIA: Oh really? Where were you when I took Shayne from you? You think you can stop me from getting Rex huh? Well I'm sorry because you might have lost your wits! (Spits on her)
Kim Eva wipes her face, she is visibly angry. Her fist tightens.
OLIVIA: Come on, bring it on. I dare you.
KIM: Don't provoke me!
OLIVIA: What are you waiting for coward!(Nods her nose as her head swings backward with her hands holding her nose firmly)
KIM EVA: Bitch! (Raises her hand to deliver a hard slap but it stops halfway)
KIM EVA: (Turns) Josh?
JOSH: Let's go!