Welcome to a new chapter, my update 2/3. As y'all know I embarked on a journey at the beginning of the week to give three updates this week and I must say; the journey is still on. Dedicated to all my followers, I love you all ð. I declare this part OPENNNN
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AMANDA'S POV
(Amanda Aderinsola Akinde)
"Good morning Amanda, how are you doing today?" Miss Bethany greets from behind her desk as I walk in
"Morning ma'am, I'm good" I respond to my therapist's greeting
"Take your seat, I've not seen you since last year and I must say you definitely added some flesh" she flashes a grin
Okay..
My hands grasp the cushion back of the wooden chair and drag it across the tiled floors. I duck my head slightly offering a silent apology for causing a nuisance with the legs of the chair scraping the floor
"I saw your grades for last term I'm so proud of you" she offers an applause with the tip of her fingers
My cheeks heat up in slight embarrassment, I break the eye contact and shift my gaze to the plaque that holds her name and title instead
'Bethany Mbadiwe (Mrs)'
She's married? Probably a newly wed, she's probably like 24 or 25 max
"You're married?" I ask her
She blushes heavily as she plays with the little diamond rock on her finger, definitely newly wed
"Yes, since December last year" she lifts her left hand up to show me her ring
"Wow congratulations, the ring looks nice by the way" my gaze lingers on the glowing piece
I should have probably said more than 'by the way' I'm just a little uncomplimenty today, this shit is really getting old
"So how have you been sleeping?" She clasps her hands on the table
I do a mental eye roll- seriously? This again?
"I've been sleeping good" I give a straight reply
"Your doses?"
"I've not missed them"
"That's good, any panic attacks, hallucina-
"Let me stop you there" I shift closer to the desk, copying her position "this whole- play date thing doesn't make any sense"
"I'm not following" she says shaking her head slowly
"There was an accident, last year, my sister died" I swallow a lump in my throat "my family decided I needed therapy for God knows why"
"Okay.." she nods her head for me to continue, still not getting the point
"I guess it was useful at the beginning, considering I got medication and was just getting used to them but it's been over six months, THIS SHIT IS GETTING OLD" I state, raising my voice at the last part
"Amanda your parents got this-
"My parents got therapy for me so it could help, therapy isn't helping me heal it makes me relive the past over and over again" my voice breaks and I feel warm tears threatening to fall out
"This whole thing would have been much more effective if you were cooperative" she takes her spectacles off "if you talk to me like you're supposed to, you don't have to relive such pain again"
"Well maybe I don't want to 'cooperate'" I air quote 'cooperate'
"And maybe I'm better off without this treatment, you all act like I have a mental condition"
"Amanda it's not like that"
"It's exactly like that! Asking me if I have hallucinations, asking my mum if I've been 'exhibiting any strange behaviors'- or do you think I don't overhear your conversations?" I pant heavily, my lips shaking in anger
She lets a breath out, not offering me a reply
"I know you all are just trying to help but I don't need this, I don't" The last part comes out as a whisper
I wipe a stray tear from my cheek with the top of my index finger
"Okay, I'll tell your parents how you feel, they'll decide and we'll do something about this" she says quietly
"Whatever the decision is, I'm not coming back here, I'm sorry" I get up from the seat and pick my backpack on office bench behind me on my way out
Therapy sessions are meant to heal, mine makes me fall into a deeper abyss. Six months ago I didn't need this and I certainly do not need a doctor to remind me of my screw ups every Wednesdays and Fridays. My actions cost the life of my little sister, sitting in front of a therapist and being treated like the victim makes the guilt even worse. You remain in a special place in my heart and I won't ever forget what happened but please let me move on. Forgive me Ashley, I'd trade my life with yours if I could
With that, I dash out of the hospital and into an Uber, hoping to never set foot in here again.
**
"You guys in this class take me for granted, maybe it's because you think you're too intelligent or because you feel don't need the subject in higher institution-"
I tune out the Economics teacher's voice as I try to focus on the problem in front of me. We have math next period and somehow I forgot we have an assignment due today. Mr Richards is definitely not someone to understand that I was busy sleeping throughout the weekend and gathering energy for the new week.
"Young lady reading another subject in my class, get up" it takes me few seconds to process the teacher's words are directed at me
Everyone's eyes are glued on me, most of them wearing mocking expressions on their faces. I get up from my seat, adjusting the hem of my sport shirt, still not looking at the teacher
"Look at her! She's not even bothered by what's going on in this class" the teacher speaks with contempt
I look up at the teacher, focusing on the wrinkles on his forehead- he can't be that old, why wrinkles like WiFi icon?
"See the way she's even looking at me, am I a joke to you?" The teacher raises his voice as he walks to stand directly in front of me
"I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again" I let out a breath in frustration, today is not my best day
He walks away from my seat with a huff followed by stomping of his feet. I slide down to my seat and gently pull my legs in from the corner of my desk. The teacher resumes his talking
"We have finished our syllabus so from now on we will move directly to revisions and studying of past questions from the next class-
"Psst psst" I hear a whisper beside me, Erling
I don't turn to answer him or act like I hear he is calling me. I hold my head up with my two hands, supporting them with my elbows on the table- Erling is supposed to get that I don't want to talk to him. My eyes catch a little piece of paper land on the desk in between my elbows, I look at the thrower to ask 'what the heck' but he's focused keenly on the teacher's words, as if he didn't just throw something at me
I roll my eyes at the childishness but at the same time unfold numerous flaps on the piece of paper
U ok? U're not paying attention =_=
A sigh escapes my lips as I read the note, I pull off the cap of my pen then scribble
M good, just a lil bit moody, thanks for asking
I don't fold it like he did, I crumple it then throw it when the teacher isn't looking. I face forward, trying to concentrate even a little- I feel the folded paper hit my cheek I almost groan out loud what is the matter with this boy
Y r u moody? Did sumthn happen?
It takes a lot of brain racking for me to understand the gibberish he wrote, what kind of abbreviations are these ones?
A little home stuff, don't ask, I'll be fine in a couple of minutes
I crumple the already tired piece of paper and throw it back to him. I watch him as he opens it to read it, he better not send another one if he doesn't want to get us in trouble
"Kingston, is there something you and Akinde would like to share with the class?"
Oh God
"No sir there isn't" he folds the paper quickly
The teacher walks closer, towards Erling's seat this time. He stretches his hand in a swift motion, hoping to snatch the piece of paper from Erling but the latter shockingly throws the piece of paper into his mouth before the teacher can get his hands on it. My eyes widen in horror as he chews on the piece of paper This boy is mad oh
The teacher glares at him as he takes steps backward to his previous position. He nods slowly, exchanging glances with each and everyone in the classroom. Erling shoots his hand up
"What is it?" The teacher asks impatiently
"I need to spit something out" he says with a boyish grin as he holds the piece of paper in one cheek
The teacher tries to maintain a stern expression but his facial expression betrays him
"No stay there and swallow it" his lips curve up in a smile as he speaks
Erling on the other hand is choking on his laughter and at the same time trying not to choke on the paper in his mouth, his right cheek clenches, making his dimple more obvious as he tries not to swallow the piece of paper. He faces me, his lips moving
"Amanda tissue" he repeats
"Oh sorry" I dip my hand into my bag and tear a piece of the tissue I always have in my bag
I hand it over to him, earning a little 'thanks a lot' as he spits into it and wipes the remnant of his lips
"You did not have to do that" I whisper while trying to contain my laugh
"Walai (truly) I didn't" a deep chuckle rumbles from him
I laugh genuinely, for the first time today. That little stunt pulled by Erling caused my mood to tilt just a little, apparently I'm not the only one his wits had an effect on- even the teacher seems to have lightened up in his teaching. Bravo Erling you managed to actually brighten everyone's day, contrary to your usual
* *
"Good afternoon coach, you requested for me" I duck my head slightly in greeting
"Yes I did, how are you Amanda?"
"I'm fine thank you sir"
The coach uncrosses his legs but keeps his arms folded in front of him
"So for the competition coming ahead I want you to make a list for the team based on your assessments of their strengths and weaknesses, submit this list to me by next week Monday"
"Okay sir, is it only those that will represent in the race I should add or also some members that will be there as support to the team?"
"The substitutes are enough support, we weren't given too many slots so we can't take more than six swimmers"
"Okay no problem sir"
He turns his back almost immediately, a silent dismissal. I turn around too, towards the pool exit
"And please tell the male Captain to do the same please" he calls after me
"Okay sir" I turn around in a swift motion then turn back almost immediately to continue my journey
My mind is more focused on the competition and the jittery feeling I get everytime than on where I'm going so I bump slightly into someone.
"Hey girl what's up" Toke says with a smile
I return the smile, I haven't seen her since the beginning of the day
"Nothing much, just got a call from the coach"
She's really good at hiding her expressions but I'm almost sure I saw her face drop at the mention of the meeting with the coach
"Oh really, competition stuff right?" She asks with a smile that seems a little forced
"Yep, he wants me to make the list" I tuck a braid behind my ear so it stops blocking my view "wait you can even help me prepare it since you know these things more"
I beam in excitement and relief
"Uh- I'm a little busy and since he gave the task to you I think you should do it, good luck" she says quickly, offers me a tight smile then walks past me into the arena
Weird
I walk past the gymnasium where the basketball boys are practicing, I almost push the door open but instead I keep walking forward. I place my ear on the door of the dance hall and I can hear the loud speaker booming, cool
I push the door quietly and step inside. I feel my nose scrunch as the wave of sweats hit me, they probably don't know how this place stinks but since I'm coming from outside- where there is nobody dancing and sweating by the way- I almost collapse
The guys are dressed in their usual joggers or shorts and sleeveless tops while the girls are either wearing tee-shirts or sports bras with matching skin tight trousers. Nancy is going over the routine in slow motion as they try to copy the steps, she claps loudly to tell Noel to stop the music
"So at the count of three it's jump, land, twirl then sturdy eight times okay?" She uses her hand to gesture to those at the back to ask if they can hear her
She signals to Noel to play the music, he taps on play and they begin the routine while she stands in front of them and corrects their errors. She makes eye contact with me and sends a wink telling me that she's seen me. Noels does the same but with a toothy grin that almost makes me laugh
As they go over the routine for the 100th time without the music my gaze drifts to the door, from the glass part of the door I notice how Aidan glances at the door and lets his gaze linger before continuing in his steps
I guess he's leaving her alone for real
Still looking through the transparent part of the glass, I see the very familiar figure of Amaka trail after him as usual . She peers into the glass in a less subtle manner, our gazes meet and I might have imagined her holding the gaze for a little while and her lips curling up in a smirk, she blows a bubble then lifts her face off the glass to keep moving
I roll my eyes so hard my head starts to ache me immediately- totally not worth it. The music comes on again drawing my attention to the centre where they are. They all are so concentrated on their steps and at the same time giving so much energy, those stomps alone are shaking the foundation of the school. Nancy walks to the middle row of the arrangement and hits the exposed arm of one of the junior dancers lightly with a ruler. She gestures for her to take her hand higher like the rest of the crew, which she immediately does
Nana walks out of the gathering just like the other dancers are doing just to run towards me and jump, almost toppling me over. I shriek in panic and stumble back, causing me to hit the floor butt first. She giggles then stretches her hand out for me to stand up, I accept it and pull myself up, standing at the same height as her- because of my high Doc Martens of course
"I'm so tireddd" she drawls on her words as we walk out of the school sports arena
"Sorry, your schedule must be really tiring"
"Yess I'm the track captain as well as the dance team captain, I'm carrying the whole world on my shoulders!" She states dramatically, wiping a fake tear from her eye
"Pele (sorry)" I pat her back "thank God the only thing I'm handling is just the list for the swimmers this year" I say with a sigh of relief
"List of swimmers? Isn't that Toke's job?" Nana says with one of her eyebrows lifted
"I don't even understand at this point, the coach just prefers sending messages through Erling and I instead of Erling and Toke" I say with a shrug
She nods her head slowly, I notice her countenance when I mentioned it so I decide to ask her
"I'm just surprised both of you are still friends and she doesn't feel like you stole her job and her spotlight" she scoffs
"Nah Toke is not that kind of person" I say causally brushing off the comment
"Whatever, all I can say is be careful, watch that she doesn't suffocate you with her pillow overnight" she says with a mischievous grin
I shake my head at the thought Toke would never do something like that, she couldn't
Unknown person's POV
(The observer)
Earlier today
"I told you you didn't have to come with me to the hospital, you should have just let the driver take you to school"
"No I want you to take me to school today,
I want to be late then use your name as an excuse" I smile at her broadly
"Whatever sha don't disturb me while I'm working" my mum states as she pulls the mask over her nose and mouth
"Okay but I want to visit Aunty Bee"
I jump off the chair and race to the elevator, taking it to the second floor where Aunty Bee's office is
I'm about to burst the door open as usual but the conversation on the other side of the door changes my mind
"It's making me relive the past over and over again" I hear a familiar voice yell from the other side of the door
I've heard that voice somewhere. I walk forward to greet the anaesthesiologists and orthopaedic doctors in their offices as I wait for Aunty Bee to be done with her extremely loud client. The slamming of the wooden door makes me turn back to face the door and what shocks me isn't just the person that walks out of the office but her face and the beads of tears streaming down her cheeks
Amanda?
I wonder what she needs from a therapy session with my Aunty, I wonder what those words I heard mean.
I consider asking Auntie Bee what that was all about but considering how Professional she is, she will never reveal client information
I don't have to hear it from anyone, I'll know the full story eventually
I am The Observer after all
**
End of chapter peeps, end of update 2/3, still have one more scheduled for this week, pray for me that I have the strength to write another tomorrow ð©ð
From this chapter, what new fact can you deduce about the Observer's identity? Comment!!
Y'all know the drill, I'll be back to edit tomorrow, my eyes are closing ð
Thanks for reading voting and commenting on the previous chapters. I love y'all â¤ï¸â¤ï¸