Chapter 10

Khloe's POV

6 month's have passed ever since Thomas and I had an argument, I actually haven't had guts to face him since then, truth be told I don't know what to make up of his sudden change of character and morals in his last visit ,or maybe I was just difficult unnecessarily,weird thing is I haven't touched the journal either somewhat that has led to less stress over surreal things , even mom's been wondering where Thomas's been hiding at . Evetually all I've been focusing on this past month's are my exams . Which have went well for the past three terms . I thought hard while getting my hair into a bun .

Today I'm writing my Life Orientation final paper . Summer holidays are just around the corner , mom suggested I should .

, her Aunt , Aunt Thelma . She says probably loneliness had drawn me into becoming obsessed with surreal things because I never take much time doing realistic things with real people . Which is absurd because I spent most of my time with Lizzy.

"Khloe you're going to be late for your final exam and we don't want rewriting matric do we ?." Mom exclaimed.

"I'm almost done mom ." I hurried out of my bedroom.

While walking to the taxi rank , passing by the spot where Thomas and I first met , it just made me feel despondent. I long for the times when he would stop by just to check up on me .

Just as I was about to catch a taxi a very well acquainted voice called me from a distance . In that moment some part of me felt sanguine. Could it be Thomas, has he forgiven me for acting up to my fears. I know what I had done was unnecessary what proof did I have besides the portrait in the journal that truly he was some monster .

I was astound to realise it was Martin , Thomas's cousin.

" Hurry up !." I called out , I couldn't let the taxi leave me behind when I had a paper to write in a couple of minutes .

He ran and got in the taxi , sitting right next to me . I couldn't help but ask.

"I thought you're supposed to be accompanied to school . Why did you decide to take a taxi today ?" I asked

He seemed bemused by my question that he chose to ignore it and ask me a question too.

"Where have you been Khloe , its been month's and Thomas won't let anyone mention your name in his presence . I was worried , I thought the worst that maybe you sick or dead .

I couldn't help but cackle in that moment interrupting him .

" Martin , out of all things , you really asssumed I was sick or dead . What about your cousin ignoring me for month's for absolutely no reason ." I asked .

" There's no way someone would stop talking to you for no reason . There must have been something . Though I would understand if you also don't want to discuss it with me but its seriously unecessary for you to actually not come back visit . We , reffering to the rest of the family. Seriously missed you ." He said cringing .

"That's absurd , I mean I've ever only came once . Eitherway with things going south between Thomas and I do not think me coming for a visit is appropriate at all. Because we aint together anymore ." I responded sad

I looked out the taxi only to realise, we were travelling a street away from the school .

"Could we please get off by the next stop sign ." I made the driver alert . He nodded in response .

By the next stop sign Martin and I got off and we began to drift off the "Thomas and I's relationship topic " into more questions and definitions we presumed might be on the examination paper.

We separated as we reached the school premises . Arriving in the examination class , everything was as expected . 6 desks in 4 rows , every learner had things to do , Lizzy was a few seats away ,Other learners were trying so hard to swot information out of textbooks , as if studying at a last minute ever got anyone a Bachelor pass. How irresponsible. Though others seemed rather relaxed like Nicholas Gwiba he had every stationary necessary already placed by his desk organised. He kept looking at the time . I guess that's what happens when you ready and you just can't wait to see what examiner's have prepared . That's the second best feeling I've ever experienced, usually get goosebumps.

An Indian teacher entered the class and began to introduce herself as Mrs Naidoo. She's never really taught me before , I guess it's because I've never studied History which is the subject she teaches . She seemed rather friendly . She read to us all the rules and the consequences of not respecting and abiding by the rules .

By 9am we all had our heads on the paper , nothing seemed off syllabus, I'm not saying I aced the test. I'm only saying I gave my best like any learner would . Since it was acceptable that when one is done writing , they could leave the class and go home .

By 10 minutes to 10am , since I had finished earlier than that. I walked out the class to the loo . I didn't notice any other learner follow me . I was surprised as I left the toilet room , seeing Nicholas waiting across the trash bin outside the ladies toilets .

" Nicholas?." I called out confused .

"I'm surprised you remember my name , I hope me waiting here for you aint weird..."

I interrupted whatever he had following with a lie , " No , not at all .I mean it's pretty normal anybody stands by the trash bin close to ladies room." I faked a giggle .

" I guess that's actually a yes , I'm really sorry . All I wanted to ask is if you will be going to the pens down party . I've never actually seen you into any school events . You hardly even went to the dance ..."

"Woah ! Chill Nicholas , I didn't realise someone was that interested in what I did and didn't do . Why are you here again ?" I asked irritated .

" Since well we closing for summer holidays , I was wondering if by any chance you and I could spend the holidays together . As friends ofcourse. " He said with assurance in his tone that's all he expected we should be .

Well truth be told Nicholas is smart , good looking and seems pretty understanding and for once it felt great being around someone who doesn't confuse me into wondering if wether he was real or not ...So I'll accept the friendship spending a couple of days with him before going to visit my mom's Aunt , Aunt Thelma this could do me great .

" Yes, I mean why not , you seem like a pretty cool person to hang around ." I responded.

" How about tomorrow we meet up at Protea Vlei Mall , at 10 am ? Is that okay , I promise we will back before the curfew ." He said that with his pinky finger stretched out to me .

" Is that a pinky promise ." I asked .

Ofcourse it was, who still makes pinky promises are we like 7 years old . Though usually people who make promises , find it hard to break them . I think I could trust Mr Gwiba here .

I stretched out my pinky too and we had them crossed and just like that . Nicholas and I had a first outing tomorrow .

I waited upon Lizzy we walked home quietly . Which was weird cause we both talked alot around each other that could have only meant something bad could have happened and we both were trying to hide the situations from each other .

" Are you going to tell me what happened or I should simply assume that all is well ? " I jumped in front of her blocking her from moving any further.

" Oh Khloe , how can I simply just tell it to you , though you know you're the only greatest friend I've got if I do not confide in you to whom shall I .."

Okay so for starters my mind is running around through her words trying to guess what the problem is, Could her grandparents be sick or one of them be possibly be dying , or could her boyfriend have left her for some nymphomaniac girl, I was growing tiredly trying to guess. So I stopped her blabbling and asked impatiently.

"LIZZY WHAT IS GOING ON ?"

" I'm pregnant!." She said sobbing

"What do you mean you're pregnant Liz , I thought you and Marcus were planning to wait till, you both ready . When did this happen . When and how did you find out you were pregnant ?" I asked curiously.

That was too much for me to handle truthfully speaking . I mean she has no one except her grandparents, I mean I could see where the stress was coming from , She's probably wondering how her grandparents are going to react . She simply stood there without response like she was beginning to regret ever letting me know of what was happening in her life.

" It's okay Liz , will figure something out ." I said as I approached her giving her a warm hug .

" Hope this situation didn't stress you too much to strain you , or make you write gibberish stuff on the exam paper ."

She chuckled " Ofcourse not. Just wondering how Mama G(Her granny) will take this whole situation. "

"I'm here for you , you know that right ."I said as we walked towards the taxi rank

We took different taxis home . She was too sad for me to be telling her that I'm leaving for the holidays.

Arriving home was just so mind easing, Mom wasn't home lately and I just missed my bed .

Just as I was about to take a bath a there was a knock on the door . Who could it be ? My mom wouldn't knock she has a spare key.

"Who is it ?!" I asked as I approcahed the door knob

"It's me , I mean it's me Martin ." He answered

I opened the door and rather went outside , instead of letting him get inside the house . I didn't seem to care for a moment how cold it was outside . I just simply wanted to know what could have made Martin walk to my house so late .

"What are you doing here so late ?"

" I came to talk to you about Thomas , I know it's not my business whatever could have happened between the two of you but after meeting up with you this morning , when I arrived home , I told my Aunt . I mean Thomas's mother how badly the sudden unavailability of Thomas had affected you. I'm just simply here to let you know that you're not the cause of anything that has happened to him..... "

"What are you talking about Martin ?" I asked in response .

" Thomas is unwell , Khloe , Thomas is going through psychological trauma . There are certain things that he didn't get a chance to open up to you . Its just when I saw you with that Boy at school , I just felt like some part of me was falling apart it aint fair Khloe , it aint fair for Thomas and for me that we , I mean he has to see you move on like he never existed when he does. My Aunt said it's okay for you to come visit him whenever you feel like it . She truly believes you the only thing that kept him sane.

"For you ... What does any of this got to do with you Martin ?" I asked agitatedly

" No need to get worked up about it . I'm really sorry that came out wrong . If only she knew that came out right . If only she understood how I felt about her maybe things would be different but what are the chances she simply just that aint into me ?.

" It's okay . I'm just too tired."

Oh no ! He didn't just say that. I lived the past month's insane ever since I met Thomas because he made me think that somewhat, there was a chance true life could turn like the life on books . No ways I'm going to involve myself with such a person .

" I know you probably have your reasons for hating him and actually deciding to end things with him . But I couldn't agree more with my Aunt , indeed you're one great thing that has kept Thomas sane . I'm not asking you get back together with him . All I ask is if by any chance would you consider come spend your summer holidays with us at Tropillsion , my uncle owns a mansion there . "

That's weird I thought, because that's exactly where my mothers Aunt , Aunt Thelma lives.

" Well I don't see a problem of me coming to visit y'all. I mean I was already going to visit my mother's Aunt at Tropillsion. "

" Oh really , Then I guess I'll see you there . I'll send you my uncles address on Facebook. Since well I don't have your contacts. "

" Alright then. Thank you for letting me know about Thomas hope he gets well soon . I hope you also won't get in trouble with thieves while on your way home ."

" Goodnight Khloe ." He said walking towards the gate

" Goodnight to you too ."I said while waving a goodbye .

After that conversation with Martin I didn't have the appetite for supper , I only decided to have a long warm bath , I got into my pyjamas . I was tempted to text or call Thomas as I stared across my phone by my bed , instead I took out my Life Orientation notebook in which Nicholas wrote his contact details on , inboxed him on WhatsApp that tomorrow would have to be cancelled, and went to sleep .