Episode 8

Angie walked into the school gate hurriedly, searching for her friends to tell them about the recent development in her life. She was almost at class building when she saw Grace walking hastily towards her. "Hey you won't believe what happened..." Angie said to Grace.

"Yeah I know, Luke is back" Grace exclaimed

"Wait...what!!?!" Angie asked with a puzzled look.

"You didn't know? I thought that was what you were gonna say" said Grace.

"No I didn't and no that's not what I was going to say"

"Then what were you going to say" Grace asked.

"Well, you know how we got a new househelp?" She started

"Yeah I do" Grace confirmed

"Yeah, it turns out to be kelvin's mom" Angie blurted out

"What do you mean Kelvin? Our Kelvin?" Grace questioned with widened eyes.

"Yeah. And his mom is currently sick, so he his filling in for her in the meantime. So he came this last Saturday to do the cleaning. Imagine my surprise" Angie explained.

"Oh my God" Grace exclaimed.

"But that's by the way. Tell me, how do you know Luke is back?" Angie asked with a curious look as they both started walking to the direction of the classroom.

"I saw him with his dad entering the principal's office and he was putting on the school uniform" Grace explained.

"But the term is almost over. Exams are around the corner" Angie pointed out.

"Well I don't know how they are going to do it but I think he's coming back. You still haven't told me what happened between you two" Grace inquired

"Well it was during the holiday..." Angie explained and told grace all that transpired and led to them splitting up. She had finished spilling the beans by the time they got to the classroom and had taken their seats.

"But you told me you had stopped taking those pills" Grace whispered

"Keep your voice down. I stopped after the incident, I only took it because of the stress and issues with my parents. They were all weighing on me and I had to escape somehow and I did the way I know best" Angie explained.

"It's a good thing you have stopped" Grace stated. "So are you going to talk to him?" She asked

"I don't know"

"Good morning class" Mr Uzi, the organic chemistry teacher greeted as he walked into the class. "I trust your weekend was good?" He asked and just then Luke walked into the class and stood by the door. "Oh, welcome back Mr Luke. Please look for someplace to sit" the teacher announced and all eyes turned to his direction.

The class was filled with silence. Everyone was surprise and confused about what they were witnessing, wondering where he had been and why resume when the term was almost over. Kelvin who had been witnessing the scene too, was surprised. Not only because Luke was back but that he didn't let him know he was coming back.

Luke walked slowly, scanning the classroom for a free seat. Walking past Angie's seat, he noticed her. He kept on staring at her hoping she would look back at him but she avoided his eyes as he continued walking until he got a free spot, two seats behind her. "Okay! now that we are all settled in, let's get to the topic of the day." Mr Uzi began scribbling on the board.

***

Angie got to the library, trying hard to avoid Luke as best as she could. She sat down, brought out her book and tried to read but to no avail as her thoughts kept fighting for attention. She began battling with her thoughts, completely oblivious of what's going on around her. "Thought I might find you here, good to see you after all this time" Luke spoke behind Angie as she jerked with a startle back to reality."Sorry didn't mean to startle you" Luke continue while sitting opposite her.

"Never mind" Angie spoke, still trying to avoid eye contact.

"So how have you been?" He asked

"Good" she replied nonchalantly.

"Aren't you going to ask me how i've been, where i've been or what happened?" Luke questioned, trying to make eye contact with her.

"Well, you have now, so answer them" Angie quipped

"Still got that attitude I see. Well I have been good, I have been at my uncle's place in cape Town and a lot of things happened, mostly "none fun things" He explained.

"But why resume now? The term is almost over" She inquired

"That I'll tell you later. Why didn't you pick up my calls?" He asked

"Because it was odd. Since the incident at your house you never replied my messages and you never called" She replied.

"There's a reason for that ..."

"Well well well...if it isn't the one that disappeared" Kelvin interrupted as he joined them. "So sad Luke, you couldn't even call me to notify me of your coming and you're supposed to be my friend!" Kelvin joked

"Wait, you two know each other?" Angie asked with a confused look.

"Yeah, we do" Luke answered, smiling at Kelvin.

"You came to school and the first thing you did was to go see a girl, without even seeing your guys, I'm hurt" Kelvin held his chest in a mocking way.

"I'm sorry man but I will explain later, to both of you. But for now I need to go see the principal, I have an appointment with him" Luke stated, checking his watch while standing up to leave. "Catch you guys later" He added before disappearing.

"It's just you and me again Miss Angela" Kelvin said sitting close to Angie

"How do you guys know each other?" Angie asked

"Well it's a strange story not too strange though but I promise I'll tell you when I come home dear" He quipped, holding back laughter.

"Home? Which home?" She asked with a puzzled look.

"Yours of course, have you forgotten I'm coming over" He said still smiling.

"To clean, well I wouldn't forget that" she said with a snare.

"Well do ready a nice bucket and clean towel for me" he winked at her and stood to leave. "See you later"