Chapter 21

~

“How was class today?” Chloe asked, sitting adjacent to where I was sitting, we were having some cereals and milk. She took a spoonful, tilting her brows for an answer. I lifted my head and shuddered.

“It was great”

“Great as in...”

“Great as in Great Britain... What else Chloe?!” I rolled my eyes and she pouted a little.

“Well, don't give me attitude!” She snapped. “I noticed something lately, you've been hanging out a lot with that Watkins girl!”

“She's got a name. Tiffany.”

“Wow, what are you now? A spokesman?” She teased and I coyly smiled. “She’s...”

“Yeah, I know, she’s a pervert-”

“...she’s cool. It's just that she's way too disproportionate with some things. She's a lovely kid,” She pointed off and I nodded lightly. I did not expect that comment from her but then she told her mind.

“So what do you think? Mom and Dad are kinda not cool with it...”

“Kinda? They are not cool with it.” She continued and I nodded positively. We talked about Davis and his twin but I just couldn't tell her about my feelings for Davis, she'd go wild. Most definitely.

I told her that I was going out for a walk err with Raphael, and her jaw dropped as though she had seen a ghost. She pulled away a bit and forced a smile.

“Claudia, that guy is way older-”

“It's just a walk. Nothing more I promise.” I explained to her that we were just friends and just it, Chloe gave me a pass on that. She was wary of the idea like I was but I wouldn't always be holed up. I've got to explore. In a better way.

I am sick and tired of everyone telling me that I needed to break out of my cell. I hastened my assignments so that I could catch up with time. 
 I looked into the large mirror and beamed. I wore baggy jeans and a top, I had an overcoat as well, the weather could be improved unpredictable sometimes. 
 I tied my hair into a ponytail, I didn't care about an attempt to make up, I mean, Raphael is not Davis. I bet he would not even care that much, why would he expect so much from a girl like me anyway. 
 Davis hurt me. I have not been physically and psychologically or emotionally disoriented like the way I feel at the moment. It's hard to admit the fact that Davis owns my thoughts, I can hardly spend a day without him seeping into my mind, and sometimes I feel like kissing his lips.

It's absurd, I know but I would wait for that day. 
 
 My head tells me but I'm not fluttered, any which way I would make it to that level.

I strode down to their apartment and stood by the driveway.
 I remembered that my cell had been crushed by Davis, I stood in the hope to see Raphael pop out like a dolphin in the sea, with my scrutinizing my tight-lipped neighborhood, it is better off this way though. I hate it when people stare at me with double thoughts running through my mind.

“Pretty one!” I heard someone say from beside me, I turned around abruptly and smiled.

“Raph!”

“You are fucking stunning!” He complimented and I smiled a little; in the hope that I was not doing too much. “I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting, I had my Dad on my ass about a few.” He made it clear. If only he knew that I didn't care that much about that, I wanted some air.

He offered that we could go to the coffee shop nearby, and he offered that we could go in his car. I paused, I didn't plan that. I mean, I'm so naive about things like this. “Don’t worry baby, call the cops if I dare a thing. I wouldn't dare.” He said as though he read my mind, I agreed as we hopped into his car and zoomed off.

~We ordered milkshakes, he had initially opted for something like cakes but I simply declined his offer. I slurped and he smiled. 
 Truth is, Raphael had been gazing at me. He isn't making any effort of hiding it. Oh my.

“You look beautiful.” He began and I stopped like a clock.

“My thanks!” I beamed.

“So wanna talk about earlier?”

“I knew you'd come to that,”

“Who wouldn't?!” He snapped. “Why did you stand up for Davis? It has nothing to do with you,”
 “I-I know that. I didn't do it for him, it's for Iffy!” 
 “Davis is the criminal here and not Tiffany.” I agreed, I don't want to admit it either.

“Do you in any way know what you've just done?” He tilted his face towards mine, his arms folded on the surface of the table. “You saved him. Dad could have sent him away... Hawaii...”

“Not good to hear,”

“That's my point!” He sighed. “He usually gets away with the things he does but this was supposed to put him in his place. Thanks, sweetheart, you're amazing.” He said and I beamed. “If you need my help with anything, be it trouble, I’m only a call away.”
 That was stupendous. My actual reason was to keep Davis close, I can not imagine a world without Davis, that's hell on earth. I would lose my mind. 
 “Want more?” He asked and I nodded negatively.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Why am I a nun or overly ancestral?” I asked, almost in a form of an attack. He squinted at me and nodded negatively. 
 “That's a very disgusting way to describe yourself pretty one, don't do that!” He said.

“I thought-”

“I like you the way you are.” He cut me before I could even utter a word. “You are superb, you remind me of a pastor’s daughter I fell in love with back in the day. She was...” He dragged in some air and breathed out. “...my girlfriend. I loved her, she was heaven-sent until her father married her off to another pastor’s son. That was...”

“Horrible!” My eyes widened, and I tried to put myself in his shoes, it was hell.

“You remind me of her.” He added with a grin. “I'll treat you like her, I'll protect you.”
 Now, I was getting a mixed interpretation about everything, I did not imagine that Raphael would be this sweet and calm.

“I know you will, I bet she's a hell of a beauty,” I said and nodded. H pulled out his phone and showed me a photo of her. She was white-skinned, blonde, and pretty indeed. I smiled at the photo.

“She’s really pretty,” I added

“Yeah. I don't why but I feel so good around you. Calm. Thoughtful. Deep. Every good thing is involved in it. 
 Raphael, why are you speaking that way? I know you to be jolly but what is all this? He cracked a joke about a time that he was caught sneaking into her room, and he was arrested on the spot. 
 It didn't make any difference to them except for her both parents. He was spanked with a plunger and we laughed it off. For a minute, the awkwardness around me disappeared into thin air. 
 “You got a... boyfriend?”
 I pursed my lips and then answered.

“Nope, why?”

“I thought you did,”

“No way!”

“Either way, I’d be your first...” He teased with a chuckle, I reciprocated after a sip.

“Okay. That's funny!”

“Not kidding, girl next door! I know that my limits!” He smiled. “ I saw you stare at my brother but he's not fit you, I'm more experienced!” He bragged

“What if I prefer him?”

“We'll just fight it out with guns and knives. I'm a bad boy, I'm from the hood so ain't difficult for me. Davis is just a jerk.” He teased. We laughed. I liked his countenance and presence but I love the JERK.

“Okay Raph, I hear you. I hope you know that I'm not fooling around, I'm dead serious.” He said and my face squeezed a bit. What this time? “I'm partly kidding.” His lips curved into a smile. My face loosened too, I felt much better.

Raphael cracked a lot of jokes that made me laugh my brains out, I was feeling ecstatic. I barely get such kind of feeling, Chloe had little or no time for me so I treasured this moment more than ever. We stomped out of the coffee and walked into a jewelry store. 
 It was his pestering idea to get me a gift for being open to him, he thinks that I'm a great girl full of surprises. He thinks that I could be what I wanted without being indecisive. 
 Maybe he’s right or wrong. I want to believe that too.

“Pick anything of your choice, and it's s all yours!” He spoke up. I turn to him with a slight nod, he gave me that ‘if you wanna go home, pick something’ gaze. I had no option. I took a peek at each of the pieces of jewelry before me while the jeweler pointed out choices best for me.

“Pick anything, my dear, worry not about the cost, for thou hast got everything covered!” Raphael teased and I laughed about it, I should be mad at his innocent jest but I'm not. I know that he wouldn't do that on purpose. 
 Davis would. That boy is just sinfully attractive to me no matter what the world says, jerk or not, I'm not thinking twice about Davis. He’s my first love, my heartthrob, my work of art...
 “Do you prefer this, honey?” The jeweler asked, I was brought back to my senses. There I go again, Davis here, and Davis. 
 I finally pointed at a silver necklace that had a moon-shaped pendant but Raphael picked out one that was more expensive. It had a diamond pendant on it.

“You deserve more, for my brother’s ungrateful ass back there. He’s such a fool!”
 Raphael said. He was getting pissed.

“You are not going to our your anger on me, are you?!” I teased. I just wanted him to quit talking about Davis. It would not change a thing. He wore the necklace around my neck. I was nervous, a boy never comes this close to my parents, and they would go crazy if they caught a glimpse. He promised not to hurt me, and that was when I partly agreed. It's not my fault that I'm being too cautious but then I reminded myself about the other day with Davis, his hands were stuck on my breasts. Quit thinking, I told myself. When we stopped at my apartment, Raphael turned to me immediately.

“Did I make you feel uncomfortable back there? Tell me, I won't be offended.”

“Of course not, you kept your promise. I was only being...”

“Chill baby, I got you. Talk to me if you ever wanna, I'll be here.” He said and I thanked him for it. 
 He suggested that at least once a week, he'd take me to a new place. A place I felt comfortable with, he was nice and sweet and I agreed. There's just so much that I'm clueless about, I'm new to almost everything on earth. My life is bound in a cocoon, I want to rip it apart. I need it. Chloe was waiting to hear everything, I told her the things I would tell just anyone and not other things, like breaking free. She sighted the necklace and warned me against it though, she thinks that I’m too young to wear diamond jewelry.
 Should a teenager be hindered from that?

“You’re acting just like Mom, it's not harmful. It’s just a gift.” I defensively tope her

“Wait until Mom sees it. I'm preparing you for the worse, I'm not gonna take your crown.” She said to me. She was sarcastic and annoying, she walked out of my bedroom holding her cell loosely. Boom! It dawned on me again, that my cell has been crushed. It would be silent tonight, it's not fair Davis.

~

“Woah, Claudia, I had no idea that my parents believe you! It's incredible!” Tiffany could not hold back any further, we strode down the hallways, side by side. Her right arm was wrapped around my shoulder m, I narrated everything to her, in detail, and she couldn't be less proud. 
 We stopped by my locker, and she crossed her arms tightly and asked.

“Why did you do Claude, I'm not trying to be ungrateful but... we both know why I'm asking!”

“I have no idea!” I snapped, I wanted to bury myself already. I had the perfect lie to tell to their parents but not them, that's unbalanced. I pulled out a textbook and turned to her slowly, I heaved a deep sigh. 
 I just wanted to help! I thought about you Iffy, what if your parents canceled your birthday goodies because of Davis?”

“Or could it be that you like Davis?”
 That was the last thing I expected her to say, why did she think that anyway?

“I can't believe you right now, Tiffany. I was looking out for my friend,”
 “But I told you that he'd figure it out, Claude!” She was serious, and her tone was.

“Tiffany-”

“I'm thankful-yeah, but don’t go overboard for someone you barely know!” She cautioned. “He treats you like garbage and I don't support it. You're my friend and not his, we are looking for each other and not him, we are-”

“Iffy, sorry about my help. I shouldn't have done what I did, I shouldn't meddle with family matters, I promise that it would happen again.” I calmly said to her, I yanked my locker and headed away.

“Claude... Claude I-” I heard her call out my make from a short distance, I didn't look back.

I should not have meddled. I'm beginning to think that both Raphael and Tiffany wanted Davis out of sight, perhaps. Maybe I was a spoiler, me and my busybody.

I'm mad at myself. Three periods had gone by, and all I tried to do was focus. Lacey sat next to me but wasn't speaking to me that much, I tried to initiate a conversation but she'd just shut me off.

“I'm not feeling too well to talk!” She would say to me. 
 My friends were finding faults, one way or the other. I let her be, I can't keep pressuring Lacey about us, maybe she's not cool with Tiffany.

I can't just avoid Tiffany, I don't have a reason to do so, she plays a primal role in her life too. She's a lovely person who has accepted me for the person I am so why should I shut her off? My fingers sunk into my hair, and my face fell on the notes I had taken down several minutes ago. 
 Once upon a time, I was happy and stress-free but now, the reverse is the case. It's just on another level. 
 Lacey tucked her books into her bag and caught up with a girl we both disliked once, what a shocker, it's s her life. I took my time packing my books rocking reach into my backpack and then I felt someone tap my shoulder. 
 I was startled by Johnson, compelling turnaround. My heart jumped out of my body, seeing Johnson behind his smile comforted me, I conclude it to be Davis. Thank heaven that he's not, or else he'd remind me of how useless and unimportant I was in his life. Just like yesterday, I still remember the things he said to me.

“Chill Claudia, it's me.”

“Of course, I know it's you,” I snapped chinning up, which made him laugh instead.

“But you were scared as fuck Claude, don't pretend!”

“You got me on that one, brag all you want.” I snapped.

Johnny and I steered to the soccer field, we sat from a short distance on the grandstand eating my lunch. Cookies. Lacey loves cookies but she wasn't here, I feel her absence every second. She's sister, I wish she could trade places with Chloe sometimes. It's just the way I loved our friendship.

“I noticed you and Lacey, everyone knows that y'all ain't talking like before!” He stirred

“I know right? She thinks that I prefer Tiffany to her, I would never leave Lacey for Tiffany.”

“Those Watkins kids are big trouble, stay away Claudia.”

“You’re talking as if you know a THING about them,” I said.

“I know nothing but you would get in trouble honey, I see the way he treats you. He's bad enough to make your life a living hell. Leave those guys, I'm being serious.”Johnson stated with a tighter frown.