CHAPTER FOUR
The next game starts and the whole school is basically at the stands. As expected, Ian's team is doing great. This Dylan guy has noticed me and the communication is crazy. Seems Ian has started to lose focus. The first round comes to an end and Dylan's team is triumphant.
"Ey. I told you they wouldn't survive."
"This is just the first round. Wait and see." I make it known to Dylan that am rooting for my school and its going to make it.
"You won't give in. So, am I getting your tens or you're the ten am getting?" Dylan starts to flirt.
"My phone's in the hostel." I give an excuse hoping he'll back off.
"Here's a pen. I can basically just write it on you."
This guy is so charming. He jots down the number on my arm and also sketches a heart. Ian's passing.
"Catch up with you later." I say as I run after Ian.
"Hey. What's up with you. You seem to be losing focus. Are you alright? Did I tell you, today I've met someone. He's so amazing."
He doesn't even look at me. Something must be up. Finally, the final round. I look away for two minutes and realize there's a fight on the court. Rumor has it that my people started to cheat. Teachers come in to stop the fight with the other school. Claire chartered school students are so rude they actually called our fees their spare change and yet it's just a couple thousand differences. After everything, I look for Ian.
"Rub that off." Ian angrily hisses, looking at the sketches on my arm.
"Why?" I am filled with some sort of fright.
"Will you do it or not?" Ian sounds serious as he looks into my eyes.
In the middle of everything, Dylan shows up.
"You should've you were a couple." Dylan gives a one-sided smile.
"Piss off." Ian seems really bothered.
"You'd rather just piss off." Dylan responds.
"What's happening?" I ask, unsure of what am seeing right now.
So, am in the middle of these guys who seem to be beefing and yet am trying to get what's going on.
"I was this close to proposing to you." Dylan admits, almost looking hurt.
"Luckily I was here to save her in time." Ian responds.
"Toriah, can I speak with you? You should've told me you were dating this loser." I can see some desperation in Dylan's eyes. On a second thought, I like Ian more.
"No. I don't like your tone towards my friend." Dylan has honestly been mean to Ian and there's no excuse for it.
"Screw you." Ian walks down on me.
I really didn't like how Dylan was behaving with Ian and I just really wanted to support Ian. Instead, he is walking away.
"Yeah. Screw you." Dylan finally says as well.
Now Dylan leaves. At least I know Ian's not okay. I decide to go after him.
"Ian…Ian, wait up!" I shout as I try to match his speed.
"What?! It seems you have to get in trouble and I have to defend you!"
Now this has hit me to the core and I definitely wanna reply.
"Be practical, Ian. Where is all this coming from? Was I about to propose to myself? Ian, am talking to you, thought you were my best friend!"
"Best friend..."
The sarcasm in his voice. Ian walks away and then my roommates show up.
"What's wrong with him?" Lisa asks as she looks at Ian walking away.
"He's mad at me."
"Ian's never lost a game. Guess you're the reason." Samya concludes.
Samya never misses a reason to make me feel bad.
"How am I the reason?"
"You distracted him." Lisa joins Samya.
"What?"
"He was looking at you the entire time. And you were busy with that Dylan." Samya adds.
"Really, guys?" I can't believe what these girls are telling me.
"You and that Dylan distracted him." Lisa says and she's just made my situation worse.
I've been thinking and there must be some truth in all they're saying. So, I decide to be the bigger person. It is evening and I decide to text Ian.
Toriah
U up?
20:08pm
"It has now been like 10minutes and Ian hasn't responded."
"Don't worry that much, Toriah." Lisa acknowledges.
"He must be busy." Samya adds.
Finally, he's seen my messages. Okay, this is 10minutes later and he still hasn't responded. Am still trying to keep my cool and I can't take it anymore.
Toriah
Seems you're ignoring me on purpose.
20:32pm
Ian
What's your point?
20:40pm
Toriah
Can we meet up and talk of all this?
20"41pm
Again, Ian ghosts me and now he's offline. There's one way to confirm it.
Toriah
I know this is all about Dylan. Maybe
we can sort it out.
20:50pm
Ian
Fuck it
20:54pm
Now am pretty sure Ian's high. A meetup will be better.
Toriah
Let's just meet please.
20:55pm
Ian
Did I tell you what pretty girls do?
20:55pm
I wasn't sure this message was meant for me.
Ian
They just wanna have fun. Fuck
around and have more fun.
20:56pm
Toriah
Where is all this coming from?
20:56pm
Ian
Girls always give excuses.
20:57pm
Toriah
Is all this really just about Dylan?
21:00pm
Ian
They do more than that
21:00pm
Right now, this whole situation is making me foolish and I can feel it.
Toriah
I have no idea of what all this is but
I think it is trash.
21:01pm
I could see Ian typing and it all seizes. After some moments, I realize the worst has happened. I get to bed with a heavy heart knowing I've lost someone special.
I sit on Lauren's group knowing someone doesn't want to talk to me.
"What up with your group, you and Ian are in bad terms?"
"Yeah. He is like mad at me for what happened yesterday and he blocked me."
"I could've guessed. What really happened, anyway?"
"He kept on saying things I did not like. I did not understand nor could I follow so I ended up using emotions."
"Toriah, Ian takes drugs and he has a really bad temper. But in this case; you have to understand it. Anyone in his place would be mad."
"Gosh…Ian's my best friend- "
"Best friend, really, Toriah?"
"At least that's what I know."
"If you say so. Let's leave it in that way. I think it's good that you people have stopped hanging around."
Lauren wraps her arms around me and let it sink in. We eventually continue with the group discussions. All in all, Lauren has a point. Am starting to think of what I am to Ian if not a friend. That's actually a story for another day.
Am at my desk reading this awesome book and these two queen bees arrive.
"Who wants to play a game?"
"Truth or dare."
I turn around and it is Natalie and Bianca respectively. A third of the class join Bianca and Natalie and yet am trying so hard to concentrate. Bianca is giving me this awkward look right now and am sure she's up to something crazy.
"Toriah, you look like a bitchy dyke. Prove me wrong and go kiss Ian."
The hype is crazy and yet Ian and I are in no-contact mood.
"I won't do it. Am not even part of the game, anyways."
Natalie feeling as challenged as always leaves her seat to stand by me. Head-to-head.
"If you're in this class, you are part of the game."
"If you don't like it then you don't have to do it, Toriah."
Lauren to my rescue again.
"Very well then."
Natalie and her minion, feeling offended leave.