Chapter 2

A week later, Surina arrived late to school. Quite unusual of her. She found Sonia by the gate and made their way to class.

Mrs Miller: [Looking at the two girls who stood in the doorway] Oh! Seems like you won't be staying back alone Mr Chris. Surina and Miss Mendez here will keep you company. Come in ladies. [Snapping Everybody's attention with her honeyed voice] Learners, go to page 65 of your biology textbooks!

Sonia did not concentrate that day. All she thought of was detention. With a boy.

Sonia: [Thinking out loud] Well, curse this day Sonia Mendez.

Mrs Miller: Say what now Sonia?

Sonia: Uhm…Nothing?!

Surina: [Whispering] You are thinking out loud. Are you scared of detention? it will be fun.

Sonia simply gave her a death stare and looked at the back of the class. Chris gave her an intense stare with something very strange in it. The nerve. He winked at her making her blush as she looked away.

Chemistry was the last lesson. A few minutes later the bell rang and Mrs Miller dismissed the learners. Chris, Sonia and Surina had detention, so they remained in class. Sonia sat in front, the first row. Surina sat behind her, while Chris sat far in the corner.

Sonia: I hate it here. This is the worst day of my life. My Mom is gonna ask me and I'll probably have to tell her I was in detention.

Chris: I'm sorry about that. [His voice deep and manly, he'd catch your attention as soon as he speaks]

Sonia: It's ok. WHAT?! How did you …Surina… but.

Chris: Relax! I just don't get why you don't like me.

Sonia: It is all in the back of your head. You are nothing special.

Chris: I guess that's the reason you don't like me then. Right.

Sonia: I never said I don't like you.

Chris: So you do like me?

Sonia: Noo… You know what? Stay clear off me. [ Moving to a different seat].

She sat next to the teacher's desk and faced the window.

Surina: He doesn't bite, you know?

Sonia: [Turning to Surina who sat behind her] Why do I feel like you two are in this together? You intentionally come late to school, So we could get detention. Never have we arrived late to school before. You were not bothered at all. And now, you exchanged seats, so the "bad boy" could seat next to me. I already told you I don't like him.

Surina: [Taking a deep breath] Do you remember back in the 8th grade when you set me up with George because you believed I liked him even when he didn't notice me. It hurts knowing that my best friend has a crush and I had to dig just to find out more. Instead, she hid it. Everyone can tell you like Chris.

Sonia: Surina you don't get it. I…

Before Sonia could explain the bell rang and Mrs Miller entered the class.

Mrs Miller: You can all go home. I hope you've learned a lesson.

Chris walked out of class leaving the girls behind.

Surina: [Running after him] Chris! Wait.

Chris: [Not looking back instead he continued walking ] What?!

Surina: I'm sorry about my best friend's behaviour. I tried to help by getting detention so you two can have time alone, but she's not ready to give in.

Chris: [ He suddenly stopped and stood stock-still as he pinched his nose bridge] Look Surina, You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Thank you. You and I will get along pretty well. Sonia has the wrong impression of me and I don't blame her. I fancy her and I'm going to win her trust somehow.

Surina: Should I persuade her for You?

Chris: No no. I got this, alright. I was once "that boy". I know these things. I'll let it slide for now.

Surina went back to her friend whom she found standing in the doorway, whining about how heavy Surina's bag was.

Surina: [slinging her backpack over her shoulder as they both stormed out of the school] I'm sorry Sonia. I know you are upset, I understand.

Sonia: Pffft, what? Girl, what are you saying? I should be saying sorry for hiding my little crush from you. You are my best friend. I shouldn't have done that.

Surina: So you do admit you like him?

Sonia: I don't know. He seems playful.

Surina: See, that's your problem. You are judgemental about almost everything. I'd give him a chance, you know. He's handsome. OMG!!

Sonia: You are delusional. Well, he's not as good looking as my best friend George.

Surina: That's an overrated statement.

Sonia: No. I know You still remember his face. You'll drool over his looks.

Surina: Is he still in Zambia?

Sonia: No. He came back a few days back.

Surina: Still full of himself I suppose.

Sonia: George's fine. Relax. [Glancing back] Is it just me or is that man following us?

Surina: [Looking at the disorderly man not too far from them] Of course not. He's probably a homeless man looking for food or something. I gotta go. I'll text you.

Sonia: Sure.

The girls parted ways. Sonia kept peeking back at the man who was now approaching her. She too increased her pace.

She felt a tight grip on her wrist and turned to see the same man she was suspicious of.

Brain: Hello Sonia.

Sonia: [Quivering] Let go of me or I'll create a scene.

Brain: [Loosening his grip] I'll only let you go if you listen to me.

Sonia: [Twisting her wrist for Brain to let her go and finally he relinquished his grip] My ears are not on my wrist, you nutcase.

Brain: I'm not as mad as you think child. And the only reason I'm here is that you and your family have something special.

Sonia: [Looking at him in disgust] What are you talking about?

Brain: Your mother, Kate, has a book that will bring you no peace for as long as she has it. If you give it to me I'll make sure I protect you.

Sonia: You mystify me with all this arrant nonsense you are telling me. What book are you talking about? And why would you protect me? What're all these?

Brain: I used to work for your father and he's asked me to protect you from a girl called Furore. Only if you give the book.

Sonia: [Reflecting the good old memories of her father]A girl you say? [Giggling] That was the dumbest thing I've ever heard. By the way, my father is dead. FYI.

Brain: He's not dead. Everybody thinks he's dead but he isn't.

Sonia: Well, where is he?

Brain: Your sister, Malisa has all the answers. Provide that! Or you'll face my wrath. I'll see you.

Sonia: You didn't even tell me who….

Before Sonia could demand any more questions, Brain vanished from sight without a trace. Sonia rushed home to ask Malisa about the man she met earlier.

Kate: [Getting up from her seat] And where are you coming from miss Good characters?

Sonia: Mom I was at school. And on my …

Kate: Why am I even listening to you? Go to your room. You are grounded. No phone, no TV and you can only go out under my instructions, or Malisa's. You should move back into your room cause exams are coming up. It will be a distraction studying in one room.

Sonia: But mom my room is smaller…

Kate: So are you Sonia. What do you need a bigger room for? You are 17, Don't argue with me.

Sonia scurried to their room and slammed the door behind her. She turned her music player on and flopped down onto her bed. A few minutes later, Malisa walked in and sat beside her.

Malisa: Hi. What are you listening to?

Sonia: Jazz. Go ahead. Rub it in my face.

Malisa: You met Brain earlier?

Sonia: Who's Brain?

Malisa: You were trying to tell mom something, weren't you? About a man.

Sonia: [Sitting up right] Oh yes! I met a man earlier on my way home and he told me about a book in mom's possession and that you have every answer I need.

Malisa: So he finally got to you?

Sonia: He also said dad is alive and that my family has a book. If I give it he'd protect me but he didn't say much about it.

Malisa: He's lying. He's trying to intimidate you. I don't know about dad being alive though.

Sonia: So you know him? What's your deal with him?

Malisa: I don't know him, Sonia, He's called me a few times before and today to ask about what both of you spoke about. All I know is that he's a fat liar.

Sonia: How are you so sure?

Malisa: You said he spoke of a book that mom has. Uncle O'Neal is the only person who can lay his hands on it. Nobody else. Not even mom. If he was so sure about what he said, he would've known that that book isn't ordinary. He wants the book. I know. Please don't mention any of what we have discussed to mom.

Sonia: Why?

Malisa: Well, because it would affect her health adversely. Plus we are not sure if dad's alive or not.

Sonia: I don't know Malisa. I feel like we are camouflaging something major from the person who is acquainted with the issue we are currently faced with.

Malisa: You should listen to me for once.

Sonia: But…

Malisa: [Cutting her off] But nothing, Sonia.

Sonia: What about the girl he talked about?

Malisa: [Pulling her into a warm hug]Nothing bad will happen to you Son.

Later, around 7 in the evening…

Kate: Sonia, Malisa!![Calling from the living room] Come here!

The girls rushed to the living room.

Malisa: Oh, hey Chris!

Chris: Wass good Malisa?

Sonia: Chris!!? [She raised her head and met his piercing gaze]

Chris: Hi? [Lubricating his lips by brushing his tongue across his lips. And his voice was deep, it could weaken one's knees].

Kate: Oh, you know each other? Very well. Chris is Lurna's son, you know Lurna, my best friend. And his father, Mr Walks used to be Aleido's right handyman. His mother is going overseas, so he'll be staying with us for a few months.

Sonia: [Whining] Months?? Mom!!!?? Couldn't he have gone somewhere else? I'm sure his father has a lot of connections. Ndee meme neh?

Kate: Keep your mouth shut or you'll go back to your room.

Sonia: Mom??!!!

Kate: Sonia!!!

Sonia ran back to her room and locked the door.

Kate: Malisa, take Chris to his room. And go get some clean sheets from my room. I'll go and order something for us to eat for dinner. Feel free Chris.

Chris: Thank you, Mrs Mendez.

Chris felt a bit uncomfortable because he knew Sonia wasn't happy with the idea of him staying with them.