I saw Beth

The ride home was not hasty. There was no need to rush, so I took my time, and eventually, I arrived. I parked the bicycle that Mr. Benjamin had lent me temporarily in the garage and headed inside.

Mom was sitting in the living room, engrossed in her mobile phone. Turning to me, she asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah," I replied, joining her.

"I just got a job and will be starting on Monday," I informed her.

She smiled, I could sense that feeling of satisfaction in her for the kind of son I was becoming. Not moments long, she inquired, "What kind of job?"

"Nothing of a big deal, it's a delivery service," I answered.

"Big deal or not, at least I'm happy my son is starting to have a sense of responsibility in him," my mom said, returning her focus to her phone.

Glancing around, I had to distract her so, I asked, "Where's Sarah?"

With a surprised expression, she said, "She didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" I asked.

"She's gone to pick up Bethany at the airport."

"Beth is coming back?!" I exclaimed with joy.

"Yhp."

Bethany, though I usually called her Beth, was my childhood friend and my only female companion, in the meantime. We grew up together until our senior year, one year before high school graduation, when her parents decided she needed to attend a Catholic boarding school in the UK. She had to stay with her uncle and wouldn't return until she completed high school.

I had always wondered about the sudden move. I asked her severally about what had ensued the sudden relocation, but she wouldn't tell me, promising she would reveal everything in the future. We didn't talk for a year. I tried calling, but there was no response, so I decided to wait until she felt comfortable reaching out. Occasionally, I did ask Sarah how she was doing.

"Oh... silly me," I thought to myself, realizing I had forgotten to check my mobile phone for the notification I received earlier. I pulled out my phone and saw it was a message:

"Hi Tony, I'm coming back. Can't wait to see you and catch up." - Beth.

I smiled, "Me too," I verbalized aloud, though only to myself.

"I'm going to Sarah's," I informed my Mom.

She simply gazed at me, smiling... I understood what the smile meant. I mean, she understands my plight at the moment.

I wasn't going to wait around for Beth to come over. Sarah should be back by now, as the trip to the airport is half an hour either way.

I rode my borrowed bicycle swiftly, so much so that the wind had no choice but to kiss my lips, ears, and cheeks until I arrived. I sped my way into the compound, stopping at the entrance of Beth's family's grand house as I invited myself in.

Sarah! Sarah!! Sarah!!!

Oh my God I couldn't believe my eyes.

Sarah ran towards me, more mature, busty, curvy, beautiful brown eyes with a naturally tanned skin. I couldn't explain why I had to observe her this closely now, but I did.

Opening my arms, she jumped in and took my embrace. She's a breed. Her father was white while her mother is Indian, giving her a beautiful light caramel skin.

It was a long embrace, and I felt everything, truly everything. "It's nice to see you," I whispered in her left ear.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered back into mine, her voice cracking as if she were trying very hard to be strong and not let me notice.

'So much? Had my going to apply for job taking long?' Concern welled up within me, and I gently pulled her away from our embrace by her shoulders. As I looked at her, tears streamed down her face. God, I felt how vulnerable she was at that moment, and I couldn't find the words to speak, let alone ask her what was wrong.

It wasn't long before a gentleman, dressed in an expensive cologned suit, with scent so strong I could smell him feets away—he smelled money. He looked the Same age as me, or slightly older.

"Hmm hmm..." he cleared his throat. Sarah withdrew from my grip, wiping her face very fast with the speed of lightening.

"What is going on," I thought to myself.

"...Em Tony, meet Jack. Jack, this is Tony," Sarah introduced us to each other.

"Nice to meet you, Tony," Jack said with a non-steady tone, but I knew better.

"Likewise," I responded to keep up the pretence.

"Let's go," Jack commanded.

The air felt thick, like I couldn't breath, like I wasn't supposed to be here. Looking directly at Sarah, her facial expression was one of pity. "Whom did she pity?" I thought to myself.

Right then and there, I knew something significant was happening. I was about to leave when my mom walked in. Sarah approached her, hugged her, and, while looking directly at me, mouthed silently, "stay."

After separating from my mom, they both sat together, and I joined them. I couldn't speak; my mind was overwhelmed. My chest felt heavy with each breath, as if I could see something beyond mere sight. My intuition screamed at me that Beth was not okay, but how sure was I?

The feeling of what Beth could probably be experiencing seemed to trouble me.

Beep... beep... beep, a message from my phone jolted me out of my thoughts.

It was still on the same HS app.

[Empathy Activated!]

[Having experienced genuine concern and sorrow for Beth, as if you could perceive her emotions, you've unlocked the Empathy system.]

[However, you will feel this way towards the women you are destined to conquer.]

'Yeah, Beth should now be a woman if I was eighteen.'

I read through, thinking, "I'm going to conquer Beth—interesting." I was going to do it anyway as the thought ran through my mind.

During my whole momentary stay at Beth's, all I could do was observe to better understand the situation.

After hours of observation and listening, it was time to go.

'But, I haven't seen Beth yet. I wished I could convince my mom to allow me stay a bit longer. My coming to her house is almost a vain.'

My mom stood up and walked towards the door, accompanied by Sarah.

At that point, my instincts told me to tilt my head, and when I did that to the right, I saw Beth. Her face was a perfect representation of fear, sadness, and loneliness. As I waved at her, she brightened slightly and waved back.

"Get your bike into the car," Mom instructed. I guessed she would explain the situation with the Watson family to me in more detail.

I merely hoped she might.