CHAPTER 23

Ayra stared at him in shock, really it's that what you are bothered about you should be grateful that my mom didn't catch us together. Gosh next time before you come make sure to give me a heads up she said without thinking, I feel like I have burnt a lot of calories in one night she trailed on.

Oh that means you want me to come again jack said smiling sheepishly.

Uh when -I never said such.

Yeah you did, you said "next time" meaning you want me to come again.

Jack stop twisting my words to suit your whims, c'mon you have to get going already it's late plus someone might come inside my room again.

Jack dragged his feet up, hating the fact that he had to leave so soon he wanted to stay with her little bit more but he consoled himself because he would see her in school tomorrow.

He stood really close to her, that if she protruded her stomach it would touch him. She could feel his warm breath on her neck and her body froze she swallowed many times , trying to avoid his intense gaze but it was impossible.

Jack what are you doing? She asked with shaky voice.

Ayra are we good now? He asked ignoring her own question.

Ayra thought for a moment but because she wanted to escape the confines of his aura, she nodded repeatedly like an agama lizard.

Words ayra, I want the words.

Yeah Jack we are good, in fact friends she said raising her hand for a formal handshake but frowned at her formality and gently tucked a stray strand behind her ear. Her hair was so soft and he wanted to touch them again but she was looking at him with surprised Bambi eyes at his actions.

Ayra I want to more than fr-

Jack I already said everything was okay between us, c'mon you have to leave now she interrupted him and using the opportunity to move away from his heavenly space.

Okay it's too early, I will take it slow okay see you in school tomorrow ayra.

Yeah see you in school , she replied following him outside and worrying about his safety it was late already. What if something happened to him?

He turned back to have one last look at her, she was imprinted into his memory and this was one of the best nights of his life.

Sleep tight and make sure you cover yourself properly against the cold , he said remembering her cold fingers.

Okay ayra muttered, ignoring the way her heart fluttered at his concern over her health.

And you take care okay, get home safely.

Yes ma'am he said saluting her , go on inside now.

No I will stay here till you leave she said.

Awwww are you missing me already? Don't worry we will see each other tomorrow.

Don't be delusional Jack, stop yapping and get going already tsk you are something else she said scratching her head.

Ok okay am leaving before you bite my head off, thank you for listening to me I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders.

She scoofed loudly and in an unladylike manner, as though I had a choice in the matter.

He flashed her his most striking smile, good night ayra before sleathely jumping over her verandah like he entered.

Ayra touched the strand of hair that he had smothered and pinched herself to make sure everything that had happened in the past hours was real , and not a dream Christ this would be a long night she said to herself closing her doors.

***

Jack still wore a smile as he got home, but his mood changed immediately when he was stopped by his dad on his way to his room.

Where are you coming from? Mr Norman questioned.

Jack stared at his dad surprised that he was sober today, maybe they had a vist from grandpa or grandma because his father was a chronic drunkard.

Are you deaf? Or is your mouth sealed?

I heard your question, am coming from a friend's house he grumbled in reply.

By this time of the night his father said, continuing his interrogation don't you have a curfew?

You know it's funny you ask me , you are parent you are supposed to know if I have one.

Hey watch the tone you speak to me young man.

And you should watch your liquor old man he replied back without thinking.

They both looked surprised by his reply, his father seemed as though he was slapped across the face. You think you are smart? But you don't know a thing when you grow up you would understand me and my decisions in life.

Perfect but for now I don't, good night dad he said storming off to his room but he heard the loud shouts of him calling him back and cursing him for walking out while he was still talking.

Lying down on his bed, he stared at ayra 's pictures on his phone but a bitter bile at his father's attitude lay in his throat.

As the night sank deeper into the depths of nothingthingness, they both thought about each other and for the first time in long time jack slept with a smile on his face.