Chapter 26 : Follow her

"What were you guys doing man? You've been skipping school someway or the other every day." Kyle said as he sat next to me.

"That's not my fault. Besides I can just get the materials from you, and we have exams only once a year." I scoffed.

"If you say so. Remember that you also a have to use your head. Martial arts isn't only about fighting, meathead."

"Sounds counterproductive coming from the knight himself." I responded giggling.

We always had banter like this even in untimely situations. I had never attended any form of formal education in my life before, but from the multitude of books I read, it was obvious that 'friends' were the cornerstone of a good education, and a good life.

As we were engrossed in a deep and animated discussion, Kainan suddenly appeared at the edge of our gathering. He strode toward us with an unmistakable air of triumph, a wide grin stretching across his face, as if he had just come into a small fortune. Yet, there was a noticeable stumble in his step, a slight wavering that suggested he might not be entirely steady on his feet. It didn't take long for me to realize he had been drinking—an observation that came as no surprise to anyone familiar with his unpredictable habits. His exuberance was infectious, but there was an underlying tension in the air, as we all wondered just how much liquid courage he had consumed to arrive in such high spirits.

"Yo! We're having a get together tonight, make sure you come dry, because were all getting down hard today! You cant leave unless your head is spinning!" he said not totally in his mind, but just enough to lower his voice.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. We are having a get-together today. Ariana said she would come tell you personally, but I dont see her anywhere. You have something to do with that, dont you?"

"Oh please. She came in on my space, and I gave her a piece of my mind for once. She's just mad that I wont let her have her way" I left out 'why' she was in my space. There's no way I could have another person know that I lacked an energy core. That's two people already if I count Anne, and two too many.

"I knew it! You're always causing trouble are ya!" Kainan expressed, still vibrant.

"Kainan, sit down" Kyle said with his face in his palm.

"Let me tell ya. You need to control that ego of yours. Ari wouldn't get mad at someone for no reason. As vulgar as I can get, she's never done that to me. You've actually got a serious problem on your hands."

"He's right." Kyle confirmed.

"She never holds a grudge without a reason. That why we all trust her so much"

"Sure, whatever."

..............

As evening descended, casting a warm, golden hue over the courtyard, we all gathered in a secluded corner, far from prying eyes. Jaden had expertly set up a small fire, carefully engineered to produce no smoke, ensuring we attracted as little attention as possible. The air was rich with a joyful atmosphere, filled with laughter and light-hearted banter. Some of us were indulging in smuggled bottles of booze, while others shared an assortment of snacks, each bite accompanied by stories and deep conversations that wove us closer together.

I found myself sitting directly across from Adriana, drawn to her infectious laughter and the way her eyes sparkled as she engaged with her friends. I relished the sight of her animated expressions, each one illuminating the space around us. But the moment I glanced her way, she suddenly turned her head, a sour look crossing her face that struck me like lightning. The weight of my previous words hung in the air between us, and I couldn't help but wonder if they still lingered in her mind. Did it matter now, in this moment of camaraderie and warmth? My heart sank as I pondered the impact of my past actions, wishing I could take back the hurt, even as the laughter and joy continued to swirl around us.

"Yo! Lets play a game. I got just the perfect one" it was Oliver the player. We called him a player, not because he was good with or had a lot of women around him, just because he never stopped trying. He tried every girl he came into contact with, over and over again.

He brought out a rubber hammer and a big plastic bowl.

"In honor of the entrance exams, we'll play the good ol' rock, paper ,scissors. The winner takes the hammer and try to bash the loser's head in, and the loser will use the bowl to protect his temple. Enough talk, lets play, everyone get in a circle!

"Who wants to go first? huh?"

"I'll do it." I said.

"Who else?"

"Me. I'll do it." 

"We all blinked in disbelief, trying to convince ourselves that we weren't caught in some dream. The world around us felt surreal, as if we were suspended in a moment that defied logic. Each of us exchanged glances, our expressions a mix of astonishment and wonder, as we processed the scene unfolding before us. It was undeniable—this was reality, and it was unfolding right in front of us.

Then, with an air of confidence and purpose, Adriana stepped forward. She looked strong, her posture exuding a sense of determination that captivated us all. Yet beneath that exterior lay something worth uncovering, something softer, something vulnerable., something brittle.

She sat before me, staring into my eyes. Oliver sensed there was more going on, more than meets the eye. He quietly dropped the hammer and bowl, and made away.

She held out her hand, gesturing for the game to begin. Then, I had an idea.

"Venus, you are sensitive to QI right?"

"Why does that matter?

"I need you to read her mind. Tell me what move she about to make Shouldn't be hard to do right?"

"No. You said you didn't like that sometime ago. I'm not going through that again. No. Why? So you can win?"

I had indeed told her to not do that, it was very creepy.

"Not quiet. Its so I can lose. Its better she vents her frustration now. Most of the books I read say it better to strike the iron while its hot." I tried my best to persuade her.

"No" she responded.

"If yo do it. I'll do anyone thing you want, as long as its in my power to do so.

"Fine"

With every move she made, I kept losing, again and again, as if caught in an unending game where the stakes were far too high. I didn't squirm, dodge, or squint my eyes; instead, I faced it all head-on without the bowl, taking each blow wholeheartedly, absorbing the weight of the moment. The night deepened around us, shadows creeping in as the atmosphere grew heavier. With each strike, I could see the determination in her eyes intensify, but I also noticed something else—tears began to well up, glimmering like stars against the dark backdrop. It was a complex dance of strength and vulnerability, as she hit harder, channeling her emotions into every gesture. I understood then that this was not just a simple party game, but a release of everything that had been building inside her. The air was thick with tension, and I felt the echoes of her pain resonate deeply within me.

After a total of 40 rounds, the tears were imminent. We were on the 41st and I lost again. She picked up the hammer, but stopped. Her hand was shaking, her voice trembling. Her strong gaze had weakened to a child's cry.

"I think that's enough why dont we-"

Adriana got up, pushed Oliver out the way and dashed deep within the bushes, her glimmering tears shining in the darkness, every step frantic and magic, at least into my eyes,

"Follow her"