CHAPTER 3

Like greased lightening, they tumbled out of the sheets faster than I could blink. I gasped as their nudity came closer into view. The boy, naked barely pulled on his boxer briefs before I caught a glimpse of his pubic hair. I flushed, my eyes immediately darting away and unfortunately came to rest on her. She was merely wrapped up in the bed sheets, her palms kissing the floor.

              "Crap. Crap. Shit. Kill me now." The words flew out of her mouth like a mantra. "I thought you locked the door, motherfucker." She scowled at him while trying to hurl a black piece of clothing over her head but shot it straight at him instead.

He caught it mid air, shrugging it on. "I thought YOU locked the door."

She tossed a pale blue camisole over head and threw his pants at him, the scowl only multiplying. "Don't give me that crap, Adrian. You were supposed to, stupid."

                 "How was I supposed to?" Like a bat out of hell, he slipped into it . "You had the keys and I'm Aiden. Thank you please."

                "Just get out. Get the fuck out."

                "Oh, I was just getting on with it." He replied, sarcasm laced in his voice. Grabbing what seemed to be his shirt, he strode past without batting an eye at us and left, shutting the door violently. I was worried for its hinges.

I glanced at mum discreetly, the look on her face emphasised more on her mood. Surely, she wasn't pleased with what just happened. Her lips formed a grim line, a deep frown etched on her face. Jace on the other hand seemed to be enjoying this more than he should. What surprised me more was the absence of Miss. Hampson. She was nowhere within the four walls of the room. She had left. I probably would have done same.

The atmosphere was so brittle, it could snap. For a moment, deep silence gnawed at the air. The silence was like a gaping void, needed to be filled with sounds and voices but no one spoke. What was their to say? Platitudes wouldn't cut it right now.

My eyes flicked over to her and I noticed her stance changed every now and then. With her arms clasped tightly in front of her stomach, she constantly fiddled with her knuckles, weaving her fingers in and out of each other. Her palms travelled and came to rest on her cheeks thus creating a tail and two branches.

She took a step forward. It was almost measured, like she was treading lightly.

Her lips parted. "I'm so so, extremely sorry you all had to see that. I'm...You...I..." She sucked in air and let out a slow controlled breath. Then, clasped her hands together as if to pray.

I swallowed, at a loss for words. Stealing a quick glance at mum, I  gauged her reaction and it wasn't strange to see her grim gaze set on her. I knew that look. That displeasing look. That look mum creates when she was disappointed at something or someone. It was the same look she had given Jace earlier today during his saga with dad. That look. Mum was disappointed. It wasn't what she had expected to witness. It wasn't for her evangelical believes and moral ethics. It wasn't what she had taught my brother and I. It had nothing to do with the morals she had imposed on us. It all boiled down to keeping ourselves pure and innocent till the perfect union with our forevers.

My eyes widened an inch when she extended her hand to mum for a handshake.

               "Um...I'm Lana. I suppose she's your daughter." Mum played mute.

The silence dragged on. Realizing she wasn't intending going in for the shaking, she retrieved her hand and advanced towards me. My brain cogs couldn't turn fast enough to ascertain her motives till she snuggled me into her arms, crushing my body hard against hers in a welcoming embrace.

The hug didn't last long. Abruptly, she withdrew, a large grin plastered on her face. My gaze shifted to the floor, suddenly finding it interesting. I wasn't used to this. I wasn't used to being social.

"Freshman?"

My brows shot upwards, "Y-yeah. You?"

She smiled. "Third year. You can be absolutely sure you came to the right college. There's no room for regrets here. You would completely love it in Oklahoma." Her smile only widened. I returned the smile, not knowing how else to respond.

               "Uhhh...guys..." I diverted my gaze at Jace. "Where should I put this?"

Forthwith, he got her attention. "Yeah....um...okay, let me help with that." They shifted to the corner of the room, taking my belongings along. I grabbed one resting on the floor and proceeded to find a space to house it but apparently, mum had other plans.

                "Genesis." She called.

I turned, facing her, dark brown to hazel. "Yeah?"

She threw a quick glance at Lana, "Can I see you?"

                "Uh..Sure."

                "Outside."

I frowned, depositing the bag back on the floor and disentanged the straps from my fingers. I followed her out.

Mum curled her arms and sagged them on her chest. The sparkles in her eyes were switched, replaced with disappointment. I shut the door and stood few feets from her locus, awaiting the reason she had privately called me out, though I had a hunch. It couldn't be far fetched from my notion.

                 "I do not like that girl." Here, she came out blunt. Straight to the point and pellucid just as always.

I didn't speak nor give a reaction. One look at her and I knew she had more to say so I swallowed my words, waiting for hers to drain out.

                "I do not think it would be best if you took up this room with her in there. You two are very different from each other, obviously different backgrounds. I do not want her ways influencing what I have taught you since you birthed.

It would be best if we opted for somewhere else, somewhere better, somewhere I wouldn't have to worry if you inhabited the room because this one..." She pointed at the closed door with her pointer. "It's a danger zone. You're too young, Genesis, too innocent. You're too beautiful for this world. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

My eyes which were fixed on the floors since the words began spilling from her lips slowly shifted and met her hazel ones. I knew what I wanted. I knew what I wanted to say but unfortunately, it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

I looked away, ushering her into my thoughts, "I want to stay." Glancing at her just for a glimpse of her reaction but she gave nothing out, nothing to aid me ascertain her state of mind.

              "Are you sure?"

This time, my eyes didn't drop. They held hers, never backing down as I inwardly called for some kind of assurance on my path. "Yes."

She breathed, "Fine." Sauntering and once beyond arm's length, her hands found they way to my cheeks. She held my head in her palms, gazing at me with extreme affection, with all the love in the world, just like a mother should as a warm smile touched her lips.

Then they parted, her warm breath fanning my face, "After everything, it still depends on you, sweetheart. You're the one with the choice. I won't force you to do what your mind doesn't agree with. All I'm asking is that you be careful. Be careful with everything and everyone. Take nothing from noone. Choose your friends with wisdom.

People from similar backgrounds with you, people who would stand with you no matter the circumstance, people who would love you unconditionally and have your back and you have theirs. Those are your friends, darling. Those are who you should hang around with. Remember all I have taught you, Genesis. Let them help you, let them guide you because they will. Do you understand all I have told you?" I nodded. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my brow.

My eyes squinted, my lips quivered and I knew just what was coming next. Just on cue, the dam broke.

She embraced me in her arms as I clutched her shoulders tightly, an emotional hurricane momentarily writhing through me. She peppered me with more kisses, caressing my hair, at the same time, humming my favourite tune. To the sound of her soothing voice, I listened. I see my body relaxing and the tears staying away.

I don't know how long we stood or how long we stayed embraced in each other's arms but when she pulled away, I could say that I was happy. Happy she was here with me-happy she had called me out-happy she had opted for private.

                "My beautiful, beautiful, wonderful, sweet girl." She kissed me again. I laughed, swallowing as she helped wipe the tears from my eyes.

                 "Promise me you'll be fine." I inclined my head in response.

She shook her head, "Say it. I want to hear you say it."

                 "I'll be fine, mom. I promise. I would call all of you every second, every minute, every hour of everyday."

She smiled, "Good. I have to go now."

                  "Okay."

                  "Take care." With one last kiss to my brow, she turned to leave, taking the stairs. I watched her go, smiling all the way till she was out of sight.

Twisting the knob, I ventured into my room again but hung at the entrance at the sight in front of me. Confused at the scene, I stood in the doorway, unmoving as I watched the two individuals bent over their knees, laughing boisterously. Their laughter echoed, bouncing off the four walls of the room and sweeping through the doorway and into the halls.

I folded my arms, eyebrows arched, gazing at Jace as he bit his lip, his face muscles tightening and there came again another roar of laughter. I could only think of him as the cause of Lana, my roommate laughing, unrestrained.

Advancing further into the room, I shut the door. It clicked lowly when it met its hinges. At the sound of it, they turned to me, their eyes locking with mine, grinning faces and stretched cheeks.

               "Oh you're here." Jace chuckled some more, little tears of which he wiped blurring his eyes. "Where's mum?"

               "At the lobby waiting for you."

               "Oh, I better start heading down then." He turned to Lana and took her by the arm. I watched with stunned surprise as he ducked his head, pressing his lips to the back of her hand.

               "Till we meet again, milady."

She bit her lips, attempting impassivity. "Till we meet again." Her lips twitched upwards, holding in laughter. "Handsome." And then, waves of laughter came crashing down on them again.

Lana coughed and guffawed "Oh my God, where were you fished out from?"

Jace followed suit, trailing towards the door, "You could ask my mum that."

               "No way. I've got her pissed enough."

He glanced my way. Seemingly unable to ascertain his stand with me, he diverted his gaze. Before he could slip through, I grabbed his arm and snuggled in, pressing our bodies close.

I whispered, "I forgive you. Apologize to mum and dad, please. Call me when you've done so."

He didn't speak. He didn't move but I knew he heard me. I knew he concurred. I knew he agreed to do as I had said because I knew him. I knew my brother. I knew Jace.

He left. The door jiggling behind him.

Lana spoke, causing my eyes to avert from the door, "So, I helped you put out your stuff." She walked over to the small sized closet by the corner of the room and pulled it open, revealing two medium sized boxes and a lighter one which stomached my clothes and two pair of shoes I owned. I didn't possess much but the box itself was heavy on its own.

On the left side of the wardrobe stored her belongings. Expensive looking clothes sagging from shiny metal hangers and a bunch littered on the floor. The wardrobe stored more than half of her items as more still sprawled out beside the wardrobe, mattering it up. Mum's, dad's and Jace's possessions didn't measure up to hers. Adding mine to the mix did little to help push the metre level to meet hers. A glimpse of her, just a look and I knew she was way out of my league. We weren't equals.

               "Thanks. I'll-I'll just unpack later."

               "I could help, you know." She offered.

               "No, don't worry." I forced a smile. "I didn't pack much. It wouldn't take up too much of my time."

She grinned, taking me by surprise. "You know, I'm glad you're here. I have  never had a roommate sharing this space with me and staying here all alone was beginning to get really boring." Not knowing what to say, I smiled in response.

                "Your brother is really cool, though. Funny kid. Let me guess, I don't know but let me just have a go. I think he's the jovial, social, outspoken, goofy kinda guy and you're the level-headed, reserved and quiet sibling. Am I right?"

I chuckled slightly, taken aback at her assumptions. No to say, they were correct. Was it so easy to see through?

                 "I guess you could say that."

                 "Wow." She reached and ran her long, manicured fingers over my hair.

                 "I love the texture." She abutted, brushing her hands against the afro. "It's so smooth and elastic. What product do you use?"

I shook my head in the negative, "None." She gasped and withdrew, staring at me in surprise.

               "Wait." She said with a wheeze. "You mean to tell me you don't employ any form of hair product or hair care on these gorgeous tresses?" She avered in shock and surprise as her hands absentmindedly bumped my locks so that it bounced up and down on my head. Her eyes were bulging out. It had me thinking maybe it was neccesary to apply products upon products on my curls if I envisioned an outstanding appearance. Maybe, I had gotten it wrong. Maybe, mum got it wrong.

I stared at her in confusion, "Am I meant to?"

                 "No. I mean your hair looks so great, moisturised, smooth and you're telling me you use nothing on it? Then, how in the world does it feel this good against my fingers? Like seriously."

                "I don't. I never had to. It's just the way it is." I shrugged.

                "Is it natural?"

I inclined my head in response.

                "Wow, you're a lucky girl to be honest. I am almost jealous of you right now. Really. My hair isn't half as good as yours. Girl, do you know what I have to do to maintain it, to minimize the breakage and keep it disentangled? I go through hell and back just to get it the way I want it. The bathroom is littered with all of my hair stuffs. Bitch, believe me when I say you're freaking blessed. Like seriously."

I blanched, puzzled at her choice use of words. She turned to look at me, taking note of my unsettlement.

                "Did I say something wrong?" She queried, totally puzzled.

                "No. I just...You said..the word...I don't.." I squeezed my eyes. "I'm just not used to that."

Promptly, she understood and I was grateful because I wouldn't want to explain further.

                 "Oh." Her hand reached up, clasping her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think before speaking." I looked up at her and noticed something in her eyes. I noticed the sincerity of her apology. It was all there.

I smiled to her, to lessen the situation. "It's fine. It's nothing serious."

                "I think I've got to add more attributes to your personality ASAP." She suggested, grinning.

I didn't have to ask her what they could be because they came flying out of her lips because I could inquire.

                "Guileless, greenhorn, pure, ingenuous, innocent, genuine, unwordly, artless....." And the list went on as she ambled along the brown polished table housing her cosmetics, perfumes and feminine accessories, arrayed herself through the wall-mounted mirror, spritzed her neck with cologne and stepped out but not before flashing me a wink.

And I concluded right there.

That I liked her.