chapter twenty

There was silence between us as we cruised under the moonlight. I stared out the window trying to disrupt my thoughts from wondering too far. I wasn't watching anything outside in particular, l was just watching the hazy vision of trees lined along the road side.

James switched on the car's music player to banish the uncomfortable silence. He lowered the sound discreetly in a way that it would break the tension but not break the mood.

I turned to look at him when l saw that he was now driving out of tared road into a sandy drive. He did not look back at me to tell me where we were going. Just as l was about to ask him, he halted the car and eased his hands of the steering. He looked through the windshield into a far away distance. l turned my head to see what he was looking at.

In front of us was a stretching blue rippling blanket of water. A beautiful lake with a fishing platform and canoes at the bank. A few reeds were sprouted at the edges of the lake, one could make fishing rods with them.

The place was looking magical, even more because of the large moon reflecting it's light on the surface of the water. The ripples were making the water look alive like it was enjoying itself under the night sky.

"This is where l come to have a peace of mind", James said still looking in the far distance.

"It's beautiful", l said mesmerized by the view.

"You know, so are you looking tonight", he said now turning to look at me.

I did not turn to face him but l still smiled. He kept his eyes on my face waiting for the moment l turn my face to him.

"Do you know why l chose this place tonight?", he asked. I frowned then shook my head but kept looking outside.

"You are resembling this place tonight", he said. This time l turned to look at him questioningly.

"The dress you are wearing tonight, that's the sea under a night sky. It's reflecting the stars in the sky", he said this time really catching my attention.

"How did you know all that?", l asked really impressed.

"I wanted to ask you to be my date for tonight, that dress was on the list of the ones l wanted to buy for you but then l heard that you were already taken ", he said the last part looking down as if in disappointment.

"James l wasn't taken", l said. I was wondering what he was talking about because l didn't choose a date.

"What about Stewart?", he asked.

"He was not my date, it was just part of .... it's hard to explain", l was struggling to find words to make myself clear.

"But that dance tonight, it was just the talk of the night. Everyone is talking about it. I also heard that he proposed to you and you accepted. I was on my way to you that day but I just stopped along the way", his tone was the bitterest disillusion l had ever heard. I felt pity for him.

"James like l said, it was all just part of something, it was not what it seemed", l paused for a second. "I- l am not even sure why l am feeling the need to explain this to you".

After those words silence followed. I wasn't sure why l just started to play with my fingers nervously. There was a awkwardness between us. James turned his head to face me, searching for my eyes but l was starting to feel like l was unable to look back at him.

He took out a wiper from the dashboard then leaned to me. He put his forefinger under my chin and pushed my face up to make me face him. I looked at him with a face marred with questions.

"There are tears on your face", he said gently dabbing my cheeks with the wiper.

The touch was so gentle and caring. I softened up and closed my eyes. This was mostly to avoid the contact of our eyes because everytime we looked at each other, our eyes locked. It felt awkward to me. I wasn't sure if l liked it or not.

Suddenly l felt a warm breath brush over my face. The hand that was once wiping my tears off, subtly slid to my neck. I felt his warm hand gently pulling me by the back of my neck closer to his warm breath.

The realization of what was about to happen struck me at once. My eyes shot open with shock. The tip of his nose was touching mine. His eyes were now closed, his mouth slightly open.

He was pushing himself into me. I slowly started backing away but he was too consumed to notice, he kept leaning into me. I kept backing away until my back finally hit the window. That's when he opened his eyes.

My eyes were wide open with shock. I hadn't noticed that my hands were shaking. He looked at me terrified at his own advances. He looked guiltily at my startled condition.

"I'm so sorry, oh please forgive me, l didn't mean to... to force myself on you. I didn't mean to scare you or take advantage of you, please forgive me", he was apologetic and sympathetic and ashamed of himself all at once. He looked like he now hated himself.

"It's okay ", l said softly.

"No it's not okay, please you have every right to be angry at me or slap me. Just don't stay angry at me forever", his voice was full of regret.

"James, let's not spoil a beautiful night and a beautiful scenery. Let's just forget about it". After l said this, he looked at me, l smiled at him and he nodded then looked away.

"Are there paddles in those canoes?", l asked.

"Yes".

"Do you know how to canoe?"

"Yes".

"Please teach me".

That night we spent about an hour paddling in the lake under a moonlight, talking lightly and laughing. It was now more of a friendly relationship, ease going.

After an hour of fun, we got back into the car. The ride back was quiet but comfortably quiet. Soft music was playing and we were just enjoying the cruise. The car was comfortable and no external sounds were sipping in.

In less than half an hour we were waiting at the gate. The gates opened, James drove in. He stopped at the water fountain then he ran to open the door for me. He helped me out of the car.

As we were walking to the house, l saw Deborah walking out of with a purple flossy towel. She ran to me and wrapped the towel around my bare shoulders. It felt so warm that l started to realize that it was a little cold tonight.

Deborah thanked James for bringing me back home safely. James kept saying that he should be the one thanking for the good time he had with me. After their talk he drove out.

Deborah came beside me wrapped her arms around my shoulders then walked me to the house. I rest my head on her shoulder as she walked me to the door. She must have anticipated that we would be exhausted and it was true because my legs felt like they could give away at any moment.

We got into the house, l realized how late l was because l could smell that they had already eaten supper. The house was also unfamiliar quiet.

"Arielle, you were getting us worried", Deborah said gently drawing me away from her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, l was just refreshing a little, you shouldn't have worried yourselves", l said looking into her concerned eyes.

"I kept your food in the oven, it's still warm. Should you like me to take it out?", she asked with a soft look.

"No, l think l can eat tomorrow morning". The following day was a Saturday so there was no harm in eating a heavy meal in the morning since we wouldn't be going to school.

A thought crossed my mind,"is auntie Yolei still awake?"

"Yes she is. She couldn't sleep not knowing that you had come back home safely", Deborah said.

I felt guilty for making everyone worried again. My family is always worried about me, they care so much about me. I feel l don't deserve their love.

"Can l go see her?", l asked.

" Maybe tomorrow morning. Why don't you just go and sleep right now, you had a long day", Deborah said concerned.

I went into my room, took off the dress and got into my bedclothes. Before l went to bed, l thought of Keisty. I didn't know if she was asleep yet or still awake.

For the first time l used the door that linked my room to Keisty's. l softly opened the door and walked into Keisty's room.

A heart melting sight of Keisty softly sobbing whilst hugging a pillow broke my heart. She was in a small loose red nightdress. Her hair was covering her face, she didn't see me coming.

I lightly sat beside her and touched her back. She jumped startled and quickly sat up. She looked at me. Her eyes were red like she had been crying for a long time.

"Keisty", l was short of words. "What's wrong?".

She quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She kept trying to avert her eyes from mine.

"Keisty, for what it's worth, l really thought you would be the new Miss Aquila, l really did", l paused for a minute. "Tonight Keisty, you were really looking attractive".

This time she smiled. I took the chance.

"Keisty, you look so sexy in red, you were looking so hot. I almost fainted when l saw you", l was getting her attention at every word so l continued.

"Don't worry yourself that you didn't win the Miss Aquila, l'm sure the judges are the ones who have missed such a great person. They are the ones at lose not you"

"Arielle thank you for that but that's not it", Keisty finally spoke.

"Oh then what is it?", l asked.

"Arielle please be honest to me about something", she said looking into my eyes.

"Yes", l fearfully nodded.

"Do you like me?"

My whole body froze at her words. My eyes widened. I looked at her face searching for the meaning of her words.

"Why did you ask such a thing?", l asked confused.

"Because you are now avoiding me. You want to go out with anyone except me, with Whitney, with Stewart, with James. Do l bore you, am l too possessive for your liking or l'm just not the kind of a person you would like to be with?".

My heart collapsed into deep regret at her words. I fought back the tears that were filling up my eyes, Crying wouldn't solve anything in such a delicate situation as this. I braced up myself.

"Keisty,  l didn't realize that's how l made you feel. I'm so sorry. Keisty please don't ever think that way it hurts me", l let out a shaky breath. "Keisty, l never stopped liking you, l don't just like you, l love you.

She looked at me with wide eyes. I didn't look away, l wanted her to understand.

"Keisty, you are very caring, very loving, very protective. All the things one could ask for in one person. I love you more than Stewart or Whitney or James, you take the first place in my heart".

Keisty looked into my eyes with a soft look. She found the sincerity she sought in them. She just scooted closer to me and rested her head on my chest, like she wanted to hear the beating of my heart. l wrapped my arms around her and we stayed like that for a moment. Finally she rose from my chest and looked at me.

"You know, l think it was a clever decision to put that girl with the peacock dress as the new Miss Aquila", Keisty said.

"Why?", l asked.

"Did you notice how uncertain and fierce the challenge was this term. Choosing me or you or Whitney or Beatrice would cause an uproar. They had to choose someone with the least chances of causing divisions."

Now that l think about it, Keisty was so right. The four of us would surely divide the school unless they make us all Miss Aquilas which would not be possible. I realized that our school depends on social influence.

"Wow Keisty that's so true, l hadn't figured that out until now you said it".

"By the way, why were you late for the nomination?" Keisty's words caught me off guard. I stopped to think.

"Are you in love with Stewart. You don't have to lie if you are. I promise that l will understand?", she asked.

"No Keisty, he had just asked me to be his date for the night".

"I thought you said you didn't like him that way", Keisty said looking concerned.

"Well yes l don't, it was just for tonight".

Keisty looked at me thoughtfully then nodded. She rolled off the blanket on my side.

"Please sleep with me tonight and we can talk until we doze off", she said patting the space on the bed beside her. l agreed then went under the bedcovers. Keisty followed in.

That night we talked and laughed. We talked about many silly things and how we were going to spend the weekend. It was binding, it was intimate friendship. I didn't even realize it when I fell asleep.