Chapter 5

Quote4 :Life is a bit messy. We all make mistakes.

Rule 4: Never show your weakness.

〰️ Tougher times can really be frustrating and at the same time there are various lessons to learnt throughout those process... Betrayal is one bitter lesson we must learn.〰️

  Kema stared at the pages of her books frustratedly at the words inscribed on it.

Her thoughts was disturbed by a knock on the door which made her close her books.

"Mom is that you?" She asked in familiarity.

"Oh...yes" A middle aged woman entered the small room which was brightly lighted.

"You came early today

"

"Yes I did...I got sacked" Her mom said with sadness looming in her voice as she sat on the bed.

"What- "

"I know this is the fifth time I get sacked from any menial jobs I do" Mrs Williams said frustratedly .

"What are we to do then?"

"Well...I found a new job at your school" Mrs Williams said standing which made Kema surprised at the mention of her school.

"You mean Zeal high?"

"Where else uhn? I found a job as a cook it would be nice right ?" She smiled at her holding her hands.

Not that she wasn't happy that her mom had found a job which was more suitable but it was her school.

"Mom...my school? What -"

Mrs Williams looked at her with a stern. "You don't want anyone to know am a cook at your school?embarrassing isn't it?"

"That wasn't what I meant" Her voice cracked.

"Kema dear," she paused. "Just act like you don't know me at school I will be fine...I don't want the rich kids at school to bully you for having a mother like me" Her voice trailed slowly with sadness as she left the room closing the door behind her.

She stood still staring at the door with tears forming in her eyes.

When will this end?

Seeing her mother struggle alone everyday for their daily ends was heartbreaking while her father was nowhere to be found.

He left us...He left me

She said silently as she broke down in tears.

Ariel gazes at the people who trooped in oblivious at the world around her.  She glances at the exit door with vast interest as the tar- black cloud steadily approach the sky which made the atmosphere dark.

"It's going to rain" Ariel said to herself while engulfing herself at the sight of the people who entered the restaurant.

"Ariel...when you're done with your shift make sure you check the accounts" A red haired girl approached her dropping her apron on the counter.

"Sure...I will done soon"She flashed a smile.

"Bye then"The red haired girl left leaving Ariel alone with her usual thoughts.

"One Americano and waffles please" A familiar voice said making Ariel lift her head.

"I knew I heard that voice before" Ariel smiled in familiarity and at the same time surprised at seeing Nate Chandrick here, right before her at where she worked after school.

"I won't say the same for me"He chuckled collecting what he ordered from her hands.

"I didn't know you came here"

"Well... you know now"he said walking to a seat near the window.

Ariel watched him closely as he sat at the empty seat near the window,she had to admit he looked handsome with his uniform his white shirt and black trousers with his black jet hair which contemplated his pale white skin.

They walked along the pavement of the street with cars and people running along the road. The endless rain had finally stopped which made the clean road wet and people moving hurriedly to their destinations to avoid another upcoming downpour.

"Will you board a bus?" The silence which engulfed both of them finally broke as Nate said slowly.

"Yeah"Ariel said in a hushed tone covering her body with her hands due to the cold.

"Look like you're cold" He slowly used his jacket and covered her back while Ariel flashed a grateful smile at him while accepting it.

"Well I didn't know you did a part-time job"Nate dipped his hands on his trouser pocket has they walked further.

"You weren't supposed to know"

"Like it's surprising...for me, students who have part-time job is because they can't really afford their essential necessities, but you...no" he said with a light chuckle.

"Maybe I just feel like it"Ariel smiled as he talked casually to her as they strode.

"I thought so..."They got to the bus stand and sat under a shed while waiting for the next bus.

"Mind telling me about that incident?"Nate asked casually.

"No" she replied firmly.

"Am curious... you know"He crossed his hands titling his head towards her making Ariel pulled back in shock.

  "I wasn't thinking" she replied hastingly with a sigh.

"You could have died without thinking"He replied casually looking at her while admiring as her black wavy hair which was a bit wet due to the rain which was drizzling.

She didn't respond at what he said, her eyes were fixed on the road pondering over what he said which made Nate inquire further.

"Feeling uncomfortable?"

"Your questions make me uncomfortable" Ariel glared at him.

"You can't blame me...it really took me by surprise. Anyways I don't want to hear a sad tale" He smiled lightly also focusing on his attention on the road.

"Why were you there?"Ariel asked not looking at him.

"It's was a fated coincidence I was there... maybe I was there to think about my life..." He paused, now looking at her seriously.

"Two deaths could have happened that day?" He twitched his lips suddenly surprised at realisation.

"What are you talking about?"Ariel asked looking at him.

"Jade died that same day" he simply stated.

"Would you have preferred you saved her instead?"Ariel didn't know why she asked such an insensitive question which she immediately regretted but Nate there were no expression on his face rather he folded his hands looking at the vehicles passing like he didn't hear what he asked.

Maybe he was hurt...or he wasn't , Ariel thought silently. Finally the bus showed which made her eyes lit due to the fact that she was already uncomfortable.

"See you then" Ariel stood up.

"At school right...my bus will arrive at about five minutes." He smiled at her.

"Bye then"With that she left entering the already filled bus. She wanted to apologise for the question she asked but for some reasons which she couldn't decipher the words didn't come out.

Sitting beside the window as the bus slowly moved ,she could see the waving hands of Nate with a smile plastered on his face which made her heart fluttered but at the same time a frown immersed on her face as a thought crossed her mind.