CHAPTER FIVE

We're about to wrap up the term and let's just say a lot has happened. Apart from my usual uniform, am in a denim jacket. You can guess who gave it.

"There's Ian. Let's go say hi." Samya and Lisa look at each other in excitement before they come to a decision. I know they are joining me.

"Hi."

"You haven't left yet."

"Yeah. My aunt will come pick me up. She prolly isn't awake yet."

I know Samya and Lisa are feeling awkward here.

"Toriah, we're going to the principal's office." Lisa finally suggests.

"Yeah. We're going to finalize some stuff." Samya joins her and the two leave.

I wave the two as they match off. They're just trying to give us space.

"So, who's coming to pick you up?" 

"That's obvious. My mom."

I should have guessed. A captivating black Lamborghini takes over the focus. There's really loud music sabotaging the environment and the deodorant coming from it is crazy good. As it passes through us, I get a glimpse of this really cute light skinned lady who is in a cut and white tint. I can swear, everything about this lady is lit. The nails, eyelashes, the shades. The number plate reads VIOLA 1. Seems she's not only captivated my attention.

"Let's go." Ian starts to walk away.

OMG this makes sense. With the attention everyone was giving, it was obvious this was Ian's mom.

"That's your mom?"

Am really dog-tied right now. We carry Ian's bags into the car while this really cute Lady just stood outside scrolling on her phone. Everything about her is perfect; she's in all black and I really love her cardigan. Seems Ian aint the only one who vapes.

"Your mom seems really nice; I'll go speak to her."

Ian shrug as he walks away to get the rest of his stuff. In the meantime, I went to chat with this 'Viola diva.'

"Hi."

This lady stops whatever she's doing and draws her attention to me.

"Hey there sweetie. What's your name?"

"Toriah."

"Toriah…such a nice name. I like it. Am Viola. So, you're in the same class as Ian?"

"Yeah. In fact, we're on the same group. He plays basketball and so do I."

"Looks like you've got things in common. I like you already."

Ian's here now.

"Are you done with everything?" Viola asks looking at Ian.

"Yeah."

"You can join us, then. Toriah and I are having a chat. You didn't even tell me you have this cute girl." Viola smiles as she looks at me, making Ian kinda blush as well.

The principal has sent for Ian and it is more of a relief for me. Ian's mom and I chill for some time as though she's always known me. She's really cool and I love it. We talk of all sorts of things and then Ian shows up.

"We can wait for Toriah's aunt to come pick her up." Viola suggests. She's really a sweet soul.

"No, no. It's okay. It's really no need. I'll manage." I insist that they leave.

This pretty lady gives me a goodbye hug and gets in the car to give Ian and I space to say our goodbyes.

"Your mom is really nice. I like her. So…goodbye?"

Ian looks at me and then takes off one of his wristbands.

"You wanted one." Ian says as he puts it on my wrist.

"What? I can't believe it."

"Take care of it."

"I will."

He wraps his arms around me and then he smiles before he gets in the car. I smile back and wave him. As they're leaving, Samya and Lisa show up. Here we go again. As am wrapping up whatever happened, my aunt shows up. As soon as I was done with the parking I get into the car and remove my school shirt.

"You took long enough." I point out as I throw my school shirt at the backseat.

"I needed to drop Rahan to school."

"Where was Rahi? You could've sent him instead."

"He has his own work to take care of Toriah. What's wrong with you? Be thankful I came." For some reason, aunt Nala is always annoyed.

"You didn't take Nomi with?" I decide to change the topic.

"She's with Salma. My package is here so I couldn't take her."

Aunt Nala has a cosmetic store of which she orders the products from around the world. We get to the mall and we're told the package is still on its way from the airport so we stop by a café to wait. As am looking around I see Ian. What is he doing here?

"I'll be right back." I walk off to speak with Ian.

As I get closer, he notices me.

"We've met again, huh." Ian says, almost smiling.

"I saw you from a far and thought I should say hi. What are you doing here?"

"Derrick has a party. Mom is getting his cake baked."

"Wow. Wonderful."

"What are you doing here?"

"We're waiting for a package. Guess it's here."

I look back at my seat where a man is unsealing a big box of aunt Nala's cosmetics.

"You free today?" Ian suddenly asks as though he's remembered something.

"No. my aunt is going out today so I'll obviously be with the kids."

"Alright. Thought maybe you'd like to visit."

"Next time."

A week into the holiday. Aunt Nala and I attend a dinner party at Burg Khalifa hotel. Am in this really long, black dress that also has a really long slit and these heels are something else. I honestly won't survive in this room. I sneak out to get some fresh air and surprise, again. Ian is sitting on top of the car in all black.

"It's like you're everywhere!" I walk towards him in amazement.

Ian stares at me in a checking out manner and I feel kinda embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?" He finally asks, looking almost breath taken.

"There's a party going on and am escorting my aunt."

"You're outside, though."

"I came to get some fresh air. I can't breathe in there."

"You guys now getting along?"

"Nah. Same old stories. Am actually wondering why she took me along. What are you doing here?"

"My mom has some work and she told me to come pick her up."

Ian seems to be a mom's boy, though he doesn't realize it. I finally give a detailed look to the ride. It is actually a latest BMW.

"Wanna try it?" Ian notices how much am staring at his car.

With no questions, Ian opens the door for me and I hop in.

"Where are we going?"

Ignoring my question, Ian starts the engine and we take off. We pass by Ian's place and the rest is a road trip, I guess. It's twenty minutes into the drive and Khaleel's calling. Am really nervous right now.

"What up?" Ian asks.

"Khaleel is calling."

I decide to take Khaleel's call.

"Toriah, where you?" Khaleel sound pretty worried.

"Am coming from Ian's place. We're on our way now."

"I have a lot of questions but right now just hurry up. Aunt might realize you're not around. Where you now?"

"We're on the roundabout. "

"Just hurry up."

I am about to breakdown but I hold it back knowing Ian has it under control.

"Aunt will soon find out that I left. And I don't want that to happen."

"Crap."

"Can you drive a little faster?"

One thing, Ian is really good with cars. We get to the hotel before I know it. Khaleel is standing right by the hotel in a blue tux.

"Well, that was fast. There's Khaleel."

So Khaleel is someone who knows me since childhood. He's basically a close friend.

"Guess we'll meet at school now, for real." I say to Ian with a warm smile.

I carry my heels from the back and drop off the car.

"Your bracelet."

"Thanks."

I walk right at Khaleel who seems to patiently be waiting for me.

"Hey." I excitedly say before I start to share my wonderful experience.

"How do you know him?" Khaleel doesn't seem to be in a smiling mood.

"Ian…he is my classmate."

"And you really went with him?" Now Khaleel's voice sounds serious.

With the look Khaleel's giving Ian, I can tell he's not happy at all. Khaleel is really protective when it comes to me.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Toriah, can you trust someone like him…him, the way he looks."

"He's a nice guy."

"What you're saying is totally different from what am seeing. Honestly, I think he's just using you." Now he's getting to my nerves.

"Do you mean you don't trust him?" I finally ask as I look him in the eye.

"I don't."

"You know what, it's ok. I honestly didn't expect you to trust him, anyway." I don't want to hear anything from Khaleel so I walk into the hotel.

School has resumed. For the holiday, there wasn't much to see. My roommates and I are basically sharing holiday experience. Then someone shows up.

"Lauren, hi."

I can already see how annoyed Lisa is upon seeing Lauren.

"We're sharing holiday experiences. You can join us if you like." Lisa is almost excited.

The sarcasm in Lisa's voice is on another level.

"Toriah, can I speak to you?" Lauren finally requests.

"Okay."

"Don't forget your way back, Mesho."

"I won't."

"Be back fast." Samya adds.

"Yes Samy."

I walk Lauren outside.

"I got your results. You're starting to drop, Toriah."

I get my papers and notice that I've only dropped a bit in Physics.

"It's just physics. I'll work harder next time."

"This isn't like you, Toriah. You were never like this."

I am currently on the benches with Bianca and Natalie. How I started chatting with these girls again is a story for another day.

"The names are out." Bianca excitedly announces.

"Let's go check out the notice board." Natalie responds as she gets up.

"Why is everyone standing there?" I guess am the only one unsure of what is happening.

I rush to the notice board with Natalie and Bianca. Homecoming is coming up and the nominees name list is out.

"Oh my God!" Natalie excitedly exclaims.

"Congratulations, Natalie." Bianca wraps her arms around Natalie.

I couldn't get it till I saw Natalie's name on the notice board. Am as excited as these two. Am honestly happy for Natalie. She deserves it.

"You have my vote." I proudly say.

"Thank you so much, Toriah." Natalie is almost in tears.

I didn't expect Natalie to still be this nice to me. People seem really happy. Let's see who is on the boys' list. Ian is on the list. Am just as excited as everyone else and would really like to personally congratulate him. The day has been pretty long, I didn't even get to congratulate Ian. Prep is over and all I wanna do is lay my body to rest. 

"Are you busy?"

"Lauren, hi. Well, I was just leaving for my room." I say as I yawn and pack my notebooks.

"Can I speak to you?" Lauren requests.

"You don't look happy at all."

"What happened between you and Ian?"

"What are you talking about?" I stop everything am doing and draw my attention to Natalie.

"Are you and Ian going out?" Curiosity is written all over Lauren's face.

"We just met like two times and it was a coincidence." I finally confess.

"Just answer my question."

"Ian is my best friend." Now Lauren is getting on my nerves.

"Yes, or no?"

I can't help but be sarcastic at this point.

"Everyone is talking about it." Lauren adds looking so worried.

"What's wrong with you, why are you so against him?" I stand up, looking so fade up as anyone can guess.

"Am not against him, Toriah. Look, I know him for quite long enough. Ian is using you. Can't you see your performance is dropping?" Lauren presses her hand on my cheek.

"What are you implying, that I should stay away from Ian?" I remove Lauren's hand from my cheek.

"Toriah, he's distracting you."

"Lauren, I've already told you. I'll improve and Ian has nothing to do with this. Don't worry."

I don't want to hear any more repleads from Lauren so I take my bag and walk over.