NINE

It was a Saturday morning at home and it seemed like mother would be going nowhere for the day. She didn't like it when mother stayed at home all day, she'd be uncomfortable for the entire day. To be fair, Mother always minded her business whenever she was home but her presence made the entire house uncomfortable.

"When will your results be out?" her mother asked .

"I don't know yet" she said and mother nodded.

"Well, you already know that you're not allowed to get a C. The least you should get is a B and I'm not completely comfortable with that but I'll take it"

She on the other hand, had plans with Gabriel and Ruby. Well, it was Ruby's birthday and Jason, Ruby's boyfriend was throwing a party for her. She was going to pick up a present for Ruby with Gabriel before going to the party . Because of her mother's surprise outburst the last time she wore something slightly revealing, she wasn't sure what to wear. That outburst still baffled her a little bit because it wasn't the first time her mother had seen her on revealing clothes before. She dressed like that almost all the time so her mother just needed a reason to yell at her that day, her anger wasn't about the outfit. After thinking about it, she opted for a floral playsuit and a pair of black sandals. She let her braids pour out on her bare shoulders. In order to give her hair a bit of shine, she took generous amount of hair cream into her right palm. She went into the toilet to get a little water. She turned on the tap and realized the water had finished.

"Miss Rose! There's no water!" she yelled

"Are you from the jungle?!" her mother stepped out of her room immediately.

"I'm sorry mum" she apologized. Her mother rolled her eyes

"You're always sorry. Can't do anything right. What would it you cost you to go downstairs and tell her?" She kept mute. Mother hissed and went back into her room. She rolled her eyes as mother disappeared. She spotted a bottle of water on the table and she used that on her hair.

When she was ready to leave, mother instructed the driver take her to the venue. She stopped at Gabriel's house to pick him up. Gabriel wore a white graphic shirt and a pair of black cargo pants and white unbranded sneakers.

"You're looking nice today" she complimented and Gabriel winked at her.

"Did you wear the white lace two piece like you promised?" he whispered in her ear. She bit her lower lip to hold back a smile. "You'll have to wait and see" she whispered back.

She had already ordered for the present a week ago, she just had to pay and pick it up. "Thank you": she said to security man who opened the door to the store for them.

She walked over to the counter and was recognized immediately.

"Welcome, let me get the package" the store attendant smiled at her. She looked over to Gabriel and saw him checking out half of the women in the store. She paid for the package and they left.

Jason had rented out the entire pool area of a hotel for the party. When they arrived, they placed their presents on the table for presents. She didn't want to swim which was why, she didn't pack her swim suit. "I'll get us drink, find a place to sit" he gave her a small kiss and disappeared into the crowd. It was barely night time and people were already drunk and high. As she struggled to find a place to sit, she kept bumping into people she knew either from school or the numerous parties she had been too. She spotted the birthday girl from afar giving her man a lap dance and she winked her.

"Hey!" Gabriel called out and she turned. "No seat yet?" he asked and she shook her head.

"I found somewhere, come on" he gave her a bottle of beer and led her to a seat. They sat down and watched as people swam and danced. Few girls tried to make their move towards Gabriel but he didn't seem interested. Which wasn't a surprise. Whenever they went to such events with the intention of getting together afterwards he tried not to do anything with anyone else. They were a popular duo in town, everyone knew they were best friends mostly because they went to every party together and they were always posting each other on social media, especially Gabriel. Everyone also knew they were sleeping together not because they had said it publicly but because of their display of sexual attraction towards each other in public, particularly Gabriel. He had no self control. He didn't trust himself to stay faithful to her if they ever started dating that's why he never tried to make such a move with her. He knew that if he wanted to have her, he would.

"When are we leaving?" she asked and he shrugged. "Jason kept a room for us, so whenever you're ready let me know" he winked and she threw her head back in laughter. "When last did you fuck, guy?" she asked and he smiled. "The night before exam. I was supposed to on the night we went to the club but you were fucking drunk. I wasn't going to leave you alone to satisfy my craving. But that girl was ready to do anything" he closed his eyes and kissed his teeth at the last part. She laughed a little and he shot her a glare. "It is not my fault oh" she chuckled

"Of course it isn't" he rolled his eyes.

The party went on for another hour before she decided to go to the room, Jason had kept for them. She had been grinding against Gabriel when she made the decision.

She turned around to face him. His hands fell on her bum and he gave it a light squeeze. Her arms were wrapped around his neck. She stood on her toes and whispered, "Let's go" Gabriel smiled at her.

They laid in bed all sweaty and panting. Her head rested on his chest and he ran his fingers up and down her bare arm. She grabbed her phone from the side table beside the bed. She looked at the time on her phone and she sat up. She had to return home earlier than she normally would because of her mother. They both began to get dressed.

"I'm going now" she said to her best friend who was already dressed. "Let's go" she said to him as she wore wore her sandals and walked to the door. "Wait" his words made her stop. He walked over to her and gave her a kiss. She returned the kiss with a smile but pulled away almost immediately. Gabriel groaned in disappointment. "I really have to go" she explained. "You sure?" he asked seductively. He kissed right under her ear, that was her weak spot. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath. She needed to fight the temptation that was her best friend. "Yes, very sure!" she stepped back and walked to the door. "Fine!" Gabriel sighed in defeat. They walked back to the pool area holding hands. She need to tell Ruby she was leaving.

"Happy Birthday Ruby! I'm leaving now" She smiled at the birthday girl. "You really have to go?" Ruby cried, hugging her and she nodded. "Enjoy the party and don't do anything I wouldn't do" she said and Ruby laughed.

"Call me when you get home" Gabriel said and she nodded "I will"

When she got home, she could sense that something was wrong. All the workers were giving her a strange look. "What happened?" she asked.

"You left the tap in your toilet on and now the rug in your room is soaked" Miss Rose explained. "Fuck!" she said under breath. "Where's mummy?" She asked. "She's waiting for you" came Miss Rose's reply.