Chapter 100 If we are near

Chapter 100 If we are near

(Margo's POV\]
I walk out of the elevator feeling disillusioned. Ratcliff is the director? But how? Well if you ask me, he does give "bad guy" vibes. Always strict and has a frown in his mean egg shaped face. One time he stared at me with a dirty look in his eyes. I bet he's the director. I've gotta avoid that dude.
The team planned to avoid me at school but we have a sleepover at my place tonight. I hope no one's late. I turn to the hallway and look at the large wall clock.
'Damn you, father time.' I smile before walking away.

\[Scottie's POV\]
I sent Anna a text. I hope she replies early. Anna's not the type to always be online. I even forced her to open a social media account. That's Whatsapp. Nothing else.
Now, I don't know what happened and why it did but Anna replied me. That's odd.
''I'll be there.'' It said.
I give Matty a thumbs up and he reply the same way. We were at the mall getting supplies for our last study group together. I invited Anna and she said "yes" to it. Something tells me she's coming coz of Jacob. You didn't hear it from me.
'You done yet?' Lenin asked, covering my hand with his.
'Nope. Matty has to get something for his sister.' I reply.
Oh speak of the devil. His sister just walked in. She waved at us and we did the same. How can a girl that beautiful be deaf and dumb? Nature's just cruel.
'Eyes up here.' Lenin grabbed my chin, willing my face to his.
I stared at him with a puzzled look on my face. 'What do you mean?'
'You were staring.' He leaned his face against mine and I was trying to push him away. We're in public.
'I was not.' I looked away.
'Are you ashamed of us?' His sweet fruity voice resounded in my ears.
'N - No.' I find myself stammering. How embarrassing.
Soneone cleared his throat and I pulled away immediately. It's Matty.
'Are you done?' I asked pocketing my hands.
'You know, you don't have to rub it in. Some single folks are still upset.' He extended a shopping bag to Lenin.
'Sorry?' I said as he walked away.
Lenin laughed amd I joined him.
Before we left, I caught a glimpse of Matty's sister, Bella, with the school's doctor. His name is John, I think. What are they doing together?

In the car, I finally plucked up the courage to ask Matty about it.
'Bella was with John.' It didn't sound like a question. It came out as an accusation, I guess.
'Yeah. They're picking things up for his mom's birthday.' Matty who was in the backseat replied.
'Why would they go shooping together?' My question trailed off as I connected the dots. Of course, they're dating.
I pursed my lips and looked at the rearview mirror. Matty was still on his phone.
'Home coming is in a few days. Got luck with any date?' I asked him.
Matty shrugged carelessly. 'Nah.'
I turn to look at him. 'Dude, what about Adira?'
Matty looked away. 'It's a long story.'
'No story is long, man. Spill it.' It was Lenin talking.
Matty gave a scoff. 'Aren't you supposed to be driving, dude?'
He turned to glare at him.
'Watch the road!' I yell at him and he resumes driving.
Thankfully, the car didn't crash with another.
I snapped my fingers at Matty. 'Talk. What happened?'
Matty settle his phone on his lap. 'Fine.'
'Go on.' I'm forced to roll my eyes.
The words are so heavy for him to utter but he finally gave the big reveal. 'I like Adira but I can't date her.'
'Why the heck not? Adira's the coolest girl after Charlotte,' I counted with my fingers. 'She's smart, funny, super caring. What is she not?'
Lenin answered. 'I don't know the chick personally but she's always there for her friends even though she can be a drama queen.'
'See? Even Frisbee knows that. What is wrong with you, Matty?' I palmed my face and heaved a sigh for my dear friend. He's a lost cause.
'We don't fit. I like her alot. I do but we won't last. We're world's apart.' Matty hung his head.
'Is it about her being rich and all?' Scottie asked.
'Maybe. She wants me to meet her parents and they want to meet mine. Have you seen my parents?' Matty looked up and I pursed my lips and looked away. I have met Matty's parents. They're a lovely couple but come on, they're not the type you'd want to go out with in public. They can embarrass you to the end of the earth.
The first time I met them was in Middle school. Matty was waiting for his mom to pick him up so I waited with him even though my driver had arrived.
I remember when his mom's car drove in. She was dressed in pink scrubs and white snickers. She looked tired from the lines on her cheeks and bags under her eyes but the lady squealed when she saw me.
She had called out to us. Her english affected by her Mexican accent. 'Matty, is he the rich friend you're always talking about? Omg he's so cool.'
'Mom, please.' Matty had palmed his face.
The kids in our grade had come out and by the time we both knew it, Mrs Sanchez was hugging the daylights out of me. We became the laughing stock of school for 2 days.
Matty heaved a sigh and I said nothing.
Lenin looked at me, expecting me to say something.
I rolled my eyes and turned back to Matty. 'There's nothing wrong with you or your parents.'
Matty scoffs. 'Please, don't patronise me. We both know how embarrassing my parents can get. Remember when they came to your house?'
'Oh.' I pursed my lips again. The Sanchez were invited to my mom's 30th birthday. At the party, Mrs Sanchez screamed when she saw the 3D wallpaper of dragons on the wall. She thought they were real and told us to call the president to declare state of emergency. I remember Matty had prayed the ground should open and swallow him whole.
I said notbing again. Lenin put some music. I'm glad it was NF but it wasn't the right song for the mood.
"If you want love, you gon' have to go through the pain" NF sang.
Oh boy.

\[Charlotte's POV\]
Lin comes to whine to the group chat about how she lost the role of a movie to some newbie. We all sympathized with her. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes after listening to all her voice notes, blowing her nose and probably ugly crying.
'I don't even know how I lost it. It's me, guys. Lin Da Benco.' She sobbed more.
'Won't she just stop?' Sophie who was lying beside me on the bed, hissed.
'Nope. She's a drama queen. It's that bad.' I tell Sophie who nearly grabbed my phone.
I hear a knock on my door.
'Yeah?' Sophia answers.
The door is opened ajar and George pops his head in.
'I hope I'm not interrupting anything.' He said with a smile.
'Get in here.' I wave him in.
George steps in and shut the door. 'Sup.'
'We're good.' I went offline and turned my phone down.
George plops the bed next to Sophie.
My phone rings and I check to see who's calling. It's Levi.
'Someone's boyfriend is calling.' Sophie tickles my side and I laugh like a maniac.
I managed to escape her grasp and dash out of the room.
It was just her and George.

\[Sophie's POV\]
'You want something?' I eyed Georgie. He was busy on his phone. I bet he's replying his mum's messages. That woman is such a worrywart. She called him 5 times in the morning. Apparently, she doesn't like it when her children wander far away especially America. She hates the place. It's ironic that her husband is one.
'Not really.' He shrugged carelessly and I squinted at him. He's hiding something. I could tell.
'Are you sure?' I ask, still squinting.
'Bruv, chill out. I'm serious. There's nothing to tell. I just felt I should escape from Johnny. That kid is a nuisance.' George laughed as he typed.
I place my head on his shoulder. 'Tell me about it.'
He pushed me away lightly. 'Dude, don't read my texts.'
'You really are hiding something. Give it to me!' I reach out to grab his phone.

\[Charlotte's POV\]
'Hey. How're you doing?' Levi's deep voice asked. I can never forget that seducing voice of his.
'Great for now.' I play with my hair.
'Dude, get me back my phone!' I hear George yell in the background.
Levi laughs. 'Who's that?'
'Georgie and Sophie.' I walked back into the bedroom.
Feathers were sprawled on the floor while Sophie and George had their hands in each others hair. When our eyes met, I escaped into the bathroom. Nothing to see there. I don't even wanna know what happened.
'You're coming for the sleepover at Margo's?' He asked.
Before I could answer, someone yelled from Levi's end.
'Hey, sister-in-law!' A chirpy female voice said.
Now, I ahd to laugh. 'Who's that?'
'My weird cousin' Levi replied. 'Hey.'
The girl is now on the phone. 'Hey, there. I'm Amara, your future sister-in-law. I'm Levi's cousin-in-law.'
Don't even try to connect the family free if you dont wanna end up confused. I'm in no shape to do that either.
'Oh. Ada's twin sister.' I remember them. Levi had told me about them.
'Give me my phone bor I'm telling mom!' Levi yelled.
Amara chuckles. 'Look at you being all mommy's boy.'
I had to laugh too. This is a new side of Levi. He's never said that before.
Levi takes over the phone. 'There's no privacy in this phone.'
'Same here.' I chuckled.

\[Margo's POV\]
The gang arrived in two's - the couples I mean except Anna. She came with Scottie, Lenin and Matty. We had all gathered in the game room upstairs awaiting the queen and her king to arrive. I'm talking about Levi and Charlotte.
There's a call on my homephone and I answer it. They're at the door.
'Let them in.' I tell Doorman Israel.
I'm arranging the flower pots by the door when I hear a knock. It's them. I rush to open it but it's not Levi and Charlotte but the handsome stranger from school.
'Oh. You're here too.' He said with a smile.
I smiled back. 'Yeah. I'm Margo.'
'Margo. Great. I came to the right place.' He winked at me.