Chapter 4- Sweet over cunning

I spent most of my time in class watching Qadira.

Out of pure admiration…I feared her more than any other competitor I've had. She was smart, beautiful and had the heart of a junior. She often caught my attention without trying. Though I literally spent every moment with her she still managed to shock me with her intelligence by always surprising me with something and today as they announced her name on the intercom and asked if anyone dared to win the scholarship she had kept within her arms for almost 2 years I smiled winking at her. Though I wanted to be intimidating it was I who was afraid, why did my best friend have to be my biggest competitor?

She approached me with a form forcing a frown, "Sign it," she demanded

"What's this for?"

"The scholarship competition…" she announced almost too confidently, "I will no longer live in your shadow," she said placing a pen in my hand.

I smiled looking her in the eye, "Are you sure that you want to lose your title…" I inquired cunningly

"You can try," she said folding her arms, " IM PREPARED TO USE MY ENTIRE ...brain this time and not half…" she said playing with her bangs

I signed handing the form back to her. She submitted it and a day later we had a poster put up about our little feud. I laughed to myself. My school didn't do much but then again everyone was famous at that school. As I proceeded to the principles office to complete a newspaper interview about the most recent race I met with Layla in the hallway.

"Where are you off to?" she asked stopping me

"Office…" I replied avoiding eye contact

If you look into this woman's eyes you will be placed into a trans, one that would take you ages to escape. Don't get me started on her smile, and all of that combined with our history made it unavoidable to want to not do her bidding. She reached out to my neck fixing my tie, "Why are you so messy?"

"I didn't notice," I replied removing her hands

"How many times do you want me to apologise…"

"We are just teenagers, I'm too young to be holding grudges or living in a constant cycle of what-ifs. I would appreciate it if you stayed away from me…" I said stepping back, "It's inappropriate for us to be together like this…"

She caught my arm…if only she knew that whenever she did that it drove me crazy, "You have to forgive me, I still love you."

"But I don't feel the same…I am simply enticed to you truthfully so. As a boy sometimes my hormones get the best of me…so I do apologise for looking at you inappropriately…"I said sliding her hand off my arm, "I have no bitterness towards you…you were a good memory, Layla. But a momentary one that I wish to not relive…"

I walked towards the office. My mood mixed up with a tie too tight. I loosened it up calling for Qadira to meet me at the door of the office. She arrived with a bottle of water which she handed to me, hiding away her junk food. I grabbed both watching her face turn sour. I chuckled for a moment walking through the door of the office, but she had tried to pull me out. She, however, ended up hugging me from behind. The principal baffled at the scenery cleared his throat telling her that she will be dealt with later. She was escorted to class and I remained to answer the questions. Her silly childish behaviour had me feeling lighthearted and I could be myself for the interview.

After the interview, she ambushed me with whipped cream.

"Vengeance?" I inquired wiping the cream off my glasses

She laughed filling them up again. I rubbed some of it onto her face which led to a fight between us. We arrived at the principles office covered in cream and confetti. The news went wild about the 2 top students' childish behaviour and how we were always caught doing the most absurd thing.

~

Later this week I arrived at Qadira`s fashion show. Her confidence had dropped drastically since the arrival of Layla. I understood well. She passed an innocent beauty compared to Laylas, striking features. She however arrived on stage stealing the show, and every day I believe that she grew into a much better version of herself. Strutting and turning, she scored slightly higher than Layla…I smiled to myself thinking of how Qadira`s innocent beauty surpassed Layla's sexy aura. She hopped onto me in excitement as she announced that she had made it into the next round…and of course asked if we could get chicken. I agreed to take her.

"Congrats," Layla said tapping her shoulder, "Never thought you of all people would beat me…"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Qadira asked hurt by the statement

"Is he your boyfriend now?" she asked rolling her eyes

Qadira gave her a puzzled look turning toward me with a furrowed brow. At that moment I pulled her against my chest smiling, "Yes…" I replied

"I see…" Layla said, "It's always been here, hasn't it…

"Your heart."

I covered Qadira`s mouth, " I believe so," I replied, "We have to go, celebrate…"I then said walking out

When I let go of her she punched me in the gut heating, "Girlfriend?" she asked

I held onto my tummy moaning in pain. She continued to ramble until I placed my hand over her mouth asking for her to shut up.

"I just want her to stop bothering me…"I replied trying to get up but she punched me again, "You owe me 2 buckets of chicken now…"She said hopping onto the bike, "let's get going…"

I turned to her in amazement wondering if she had a heart. She had literally almost killed me with her fist and now she was asking for chicken. I popped a piece of gum into my mouth before leaping onto the bike as well.

"Hold on..." she made sure to hold on extra tight today. When we reached our location I hurled.

She watched innocently before handing me a drumstick….

If the lord allowed for murder on earth. She`d be the first that I kill. I grabbed the drumstick along with a bucket and bit a piece in an ever-so-violent way.