CHAPTER TEN

Someone knocked at the door. "It's me Soren," he called out.

"Come in," I said.

Soren opened the door but didn't walk in. He stayed outside. "Addie, please come to my room," he said, excitedly. "I have an update on mom's case."

I had forgotten that told him to investigate mom's acid attack. I got off my bed and followed him to his bedroom which was next to mine.

His room was a bit disorganized. Some of his clothes and socks were on the floor. He handed me a file that was on his table.

"I've been busy investigating what you told me last time," Soren began, his tone serious. "I've researched acid attacks here in the UK, and I've come to realize that Mom's acid attack wasn't random. How can someone just come and pour acid on you because of a mistake?"

"I was able to obtain the case file that your holding of the acid attack and read through it," he continued. "The police investigation ruled it as a case of mistaken identity. According to their report, the acid was meant for Nana Boateng, Mom's neighbor at the time."

"They said both Mom and Nana resembled each other greatly," he explained, his voice tinged with skepticism. "The attack took place at night, as you know."

"The police concluded that the attacker thought they were pouring acid on Nana Boateng, who was a prostitute and had a falling out with one of her clients," Soren recounted.

"But I disagree with the police report," he stated firmly. "I think the acid was meant for Mom, not the other woman."

"Why do you think that?" I asked, feeling a sense of dread.

"Acid attacks are usually crimes of passion," he explained. "Mom says the person was dressed in all black, their face hidden."

"I strongly believe the attacker was a woman. She must have known what her victim looked like. She wouldn't have made a mistake," Soren claimed. "According to Mom, the area where she lived was well-lit."

"This means the attacker was able to identify her before spilling the acid. I think the police closed the case because Mom is black, and they didn't care," he said, his voice filled with frustration.

"If your theory is true, then her attacker is someone she knows," I ventured.

"Yes," Soren agreed. "My analysis has made me believe that Mom was attacked because of Dad. I don't think he was truthful with the police. Mom says she met Dad when she had just moved to the UK; she only knew Uncle Mofe, who, as you know, lives in Scotland."

"Dad, on the other hand, had lived here for five years before they met. I am now looking at Dad as my first suspect," he declared.

"It can't be. Dad is Dad. He's not an evil person. Why would he get someone to pour acid on Mom when she had agreed to marry him?" I protested, struggling to comprehend.

"I will exhaust all angles. For now, all evidence points to him," Soren said, his determination unwavering.

"I hope you don't find anything on Dad because it will destroy our family," I whispered, fear gripping my heart.

"I know, sis. I know," he replied softly.

"Don't ask Mom any more questions about the attack; you know it hurts her."

"I have what I need from her, so I won't ask anymore," he assured me.

I gave him back the file. "I can't bring myself to read them."

I returned to my room, my mind spinning. Could Soren be right? Could Dad really be involved in the attack on Mom? It didn't seem possible—Dad wasn't perfect, but he was a good man. Why would someone attack Mom because of him? What could he possibly be hiding? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like Dad was the missing piece of a puzzle that was slowly coming together.

I drifted off into slumber as I was thinking about what Soren had told me. I woke up to the sound of the neighbor's dog, Smiley, barking. The room was filled with light, even though I distinctly remembered turning it off earlier in the night.

I got out of bed and walked over to turn off the light switch. But when I reached out to flip the switch, my hand passed right through it and into the wall.

"Why can't I turn off the lights?" I wondered aloud.

I tried again and again, but each time, my hand went right through the switch. Something was terribly wrong. I needed answers, and the only person who could give them to me was Mom.

I walked to the door and tried to turn the handle, but once again, my hand passed through it as if it wasn't even there.

"What is happening to me?" I asked myself, panic rising in my chest. "Am I dead?"

I turned back towards my bed, and there I was, lying sound asleep. My heart raced—how could I be standing here if I was still in bed?

Desperate to understand what was happening, I tried to reenter my body, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. Fear gripped me as I wondered again, "Was I dead?"

I moved my hand towards the door, and it passed through to the other side. My entire body followed, as if I were a ghost. The corridor was lit, even though I knew Mom always turned off the lights before going to bed.

Soren's room was right next to mine, so I went there first. His room was also bathed in light.

"Soren!" I screamed, but he didn't respond. I screamed his name over and over again, but he didn't hear me. I tried to touch him, but my hands passed right through his body.

"Let me go to Mom's room," I thought.

When I reached Mom's room, she was sound asleep.

"Mom, help me. Help me, please!" I pleaded, but she didn't stir. I tried to touch her, but once again, my hands went right through her body.

I cried out in frustration. There had to be someone who could hear me. I left the house and walked to the neighbor's compound. Their dog Smiley barked harder—it could see me, even though no one else could.

I returned to my room, desperate to figure out what to do next. To my shock, I found Kemi sitting on my bed, next to my body. She looked directly at me, indicating she could see me.

"Kemi, please help me. Tell my mom that I'm stuck out of my body!" I begged.

"Why would I do that?" she replied coldly.

How had she gotten into my room? What had she done to me?

"I've locked you out of your body," she said with a cruel smile. "You're in limbo, caught between life and death. You'll stay like this, watching everyone's life move on without you, until the day your body dies."

"Everyone will think you're in a coma, but you're not," she laughed, a chilling sound. 

"All this because of Tendai—a boy who doesn't even love you!" I said.

Kemi's anger flared. "This is about you and how you keep hurting me," she snarled.

"How did you end up here?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

"Astral projection," she said matter-of-factly. "My body is at home."

"I've known for a while that you practice witchcraft," I said, my voice shaking. "I saw you one day in class, smoking a hookah and chanting."

Kemi was startled that I had seen her, but quickly masked it. "Well, I don't care that you saw me," she said, trying to sound unfazed.

"I know it's you who sent that email to NectarNoir about Jensen's dad being a Freemason," I added.

"Good will always triumph over evil. You don't own my soul, so you don't control my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I order you to leave my soul alone," I declared with all the strength I could muster.

"No!" she screamed 

She vanished into the shadows, and suddenly, everything around me turned pitch black, swallowing the world into nothingness.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my bedroom, the only light coming from the faint glow outside. I sat up, touching my hands, feeling the warmth and solidity of my flesh. I was alive. Thank God.

I rushed out of my room and into Mom's, where I found her reading her Bible.

"Mom!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face.

She put her Bible aside and stood up, wrapping me in a comforting hug.

"Ade, I had a nightmare," she said softly. "I heard you scream out for me to help you in my dream. I could hear you, but I couldn't see you. I'm so glad you're alright."

"Mom, I did scream for your help, but you couldn't hear me," I said, my voice trembling.

"What happened?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I found myself outside of my body. I tried to get back in, but I couldn't," I explained.

"You astral projected, Ade. That is sorcery," she said, her voice serious.

"It was Kemi. She performed some kind of ritual that forced my soul out of my body. She even appeared in my room and told me so herself," I said, still shaken.

"Someone was in our house?" she asked, alarmed.

"Not physically. She said her body was at home. She astral projected into our house!" I exclaimed.

"This Kemi has serious ties with the devil," Mom said, shaking her head. "But what I don't understand is why she targeted you. What did you do to her?"

I couldn't tell Mom about my history with Tendai.

"Mom, she's always picked on me ever since I joined Riverview Academy," I said instead.

"Ade, God has got your back. You're alive because of Him," she said, pulling me into another hug. "Glory to God."

"Mom, I'm going to watch the Easter play at school this afternoon," I said, remembering Eloise's invitation. It felt like the right moment to ask.

"Okay, Ade," she said. "Make sure you stay away from Kemi."

Two things I've learned from last night. One is to live my life to the fullest because life is short. My outer body experience showed me that my life could be snuffed out at any moment. The second thing is that we need to appreciate animals more. The neighbor's dog was the only one that could see me when I was stuck in limbo.

I took some meat from the fridge and walked outside to see Smiley. It barked excitedly as soon as it saw me, its tail wagging furiously. I smiled weakly and patted its head, feeling a small warmth despite the heaviness in my chest. As I fed Smiley the meat, it devoured it eagerly, clearly delighted.

If I had stayed in limbo, Smiley might have been my only friend... the only one who could see me, I thought bitterly. Tears welled up in my eyes as the realization hit me—Kemi hated me so much, she wanted me trapped in that place, stuck until my body died. The thought broke something inside me, and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I stayed with Smiley, crying quietly as the morning dragged on. By the time the sun rose higher in the sky, it was already 8 a.m. My eyes were red, swollen from crying, but I forced myself back into the house.

Soren was awake, sitting at the kitchen table with a plate of toast in front of him. He looked up from his breakfast as I walked in, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Hi, where have you been?" Soren asked, his brows furrowing as he noticed my tear-streaked face. "You look like you've been crying."

"Did you hear any screams last night?" I asked.

Soren looked at me, confused. "Screams? No, I didn't. What happened?" His voice was laced with concern now, and he set his fork down, leaning forward slightly.

"It wasn't someone; it was me," I replied. I then told him about the entire ordeal.

"I'm sorry, Addie, for what you went through, but you need to stay away from Tendai," he said, his voice serious. "Clearly, Kemi hasn't moved on."

"Does Mom know the real reason Kemi is after you?" he asked.

"I didn't tell her why. But I won't leave Tendai because of Kemi. I didn't break them up—her behavior did," I replied.

"Be more careful, then," he said, his voice laced with concern.

I texted Eloise to tell her that I was coming to watch the Easter play. She was so excited and invited me to come see her backstage before the play began at 4:00 p.m.

In the afternoon, Mom drove Soren and me to the auditorium to watch the Easter play. We navigated through the bustling crowd, making our way to the entrance. Soren headed inside while I made my way backstage.

Eloise was dressed in her attire for the play. She greeted me with a smile. "How was last night?" she asked.

"It was fine," I replied. "I wasn't yet ready to tell her what was happening in my life."

"And your night?" I inquired.

"My night was lonely," she confessed. "Mom went to Atlanta, and Dad is in Paris on business."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said, feeling a pang of sympathy.

"No need to be sorry," she said with a small, bittersweet smile. "I'll be leaving them soon anyway. I got accepted to Juilliard. But enough about me—what about your plans for the evening?"

"I'll head home after the play," I said.

"The drama club is throwing an Easter party after the play. Will you come?" she asked, her eyes bright with hope.

"Sure, I'll be there," I agreed.

Eloise beamed. "Break a leg," I said, wishing her well.

"Thanks," she replied before heading off.

I left backstage and took my seat in the auditorium. Grayson and Mae arrived shortly after and sat nearby. Mae pointedly ignored me, while Grayson gave me a casual wink.

I ignored him.

Mae never traveled during the holidays, so it was no surprise to see her at the play. Jensen would go on vacation with his mom. His dad, Roman, traveled with Jensen's stepmother and their kids to South Korea for the holidays. Although this time they mightn't because of the election in May.

Jensen had invited me to join him in the Bahamas several times before, but my parents refused.

"Andrew, on the other hand, travels to Tonga to be with his extended family."

As I scanned the auditorium, I noticed Liz sitting alone. Kemi and Raven weren't around to keep her company. She looked slightly out of place amidst the lively crowd.

"I texted Mom that I was staying behind with Eloise and that she should leave without me when she comes back to pick Soren." Mom didn't complain because my out-of-body experience had shown her that I could die at any moment. 

The play began. Eloise did a great job in her role as Mary Magdalene, capturing the depth of emotion and devotion that the character required. But it was Blue Braeden's performance as Jesus that truly stole the show. From the moment he stepped on stage, his presence commanded attention. His portrayal was so powerful, so authentic, that the audience sat in rapt silence, hanging on his every word. When he delivered the final, heart-wrenching lines, the auditorium was filled with a collective gasp. 

The head girl, seated in the front row, was the first to leap to her feet. She clapped so vigorously that her hands must have stung, and her cheers rang out above the crowd. Her excitement was contagious, sparking a wave of standing ovations throughout the audience. She turned to those around her, her face alight with joy, clearly overwhelmed by Blue's performance. Although I couldn't hear what she was saying, her enthusiastic gestures and bright smile made it clear that she was beyond impressed.

I appreciated the play more this year than I did last year. I remained seated when it ended, savoring the lingering excitement and relief of the performance. Since I was waiting for Eloise, I didn't see the need to rush out. 

I heard some girls talking in the row behind me. "I hear Kemi is sick; that's why she didn't come today," one girl said.

"Who told you?" her friend asked.

"Liz told my friend Nita," the first girl replied.

"I didn't know Kemi was sick; she seemed okay yesterday!" the second girl exclaimed, her surprise evident.

"Was Kemi sick because of my prayers?" I wondered, a knot forming in my stomach.

The girls walked out. When the auditorium finally emptied, I walked out too and waited outside for Eloise. She joined me a few minutes later, looking slightly flustered."

"I'm really sorry for making you wait," Eloise said, her face flushed with apology. "We had to pack up our costumes and everything else we used."

"You were amazing tonight, Eloise!" I said, genuinely impressed. "Your performance was the highlight of the show."

Eloise's face lit up with a mixture of pride and modesty. "Thank you, Addie. But honestly, Blue really stole the show. I'm a little jealous, but I'm happy for him. He did a fantastic job."

"I'm sure Blue was great, but you were incredible too," I said, trying to cheer her up. "Your talent really shone through."

"It's sweet of you to say," Eloise replied, her smile widening. "I appreciate it. Let's just say I'll use this as motivation for next time."

"It's okay. Where's the party?" I asked, shifting the conversation.

"It's a bonfire party; it's being held on the vacant land next to the school," she explained, her eyes brightening with excitement. "Let's head over."

As we arrived, I saw that some students had already started the bonfire. The warmth of the fire and the friendly faces of the drama club members made me feel a bit more at ease, even though I still felt a bit out of place.

One of Eloise's friends handed us beers, and I sipped mine slowly, trying to get into the party spirit as more people arrived and the night grew darker. I spotted Grayson. My heart sank. I hadn't expected him to be here, partying with the drama club kids. He was chatting with a blonde girl I'd seen around school.

"He has no shame, cheating on Mae right in front of everyone!" I thought, anger and betrayal coursing through me. "Maybe I should snap a photo and show Mae."

"What will she say then?" I wondered aloud, feeling a mix of frustration and uncertainty.

"That's Grayson's younger sister," Eloise said, catching my gaze.

"Oh, I didn't know that," I said, feeling a wave of relief that I hadn't taken any incriminating photos.

"Why is he here? Doesn't he bully you guys in the drama club?" I asked Eloise.

"He doesn't bully us because his sister's in the drama club," she said, her tone calm.

"Grayson's sister is in the drama club," I said, flabbergasted.

"Yes, she was one of the Magi in the play; her face was hidden, which is why you didn't notice her," Eloise explained.

Just then, someone came and dragged Eloise away, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the growing effects of the alcohol.

"Careful, Darkie, you might end up passing out," Grayson said, suddenly appearing beside me.

I hadn't noticed him sneak up on me. His presence was like an unwelcome shadow.

"Where's your bae?" he asked, his tone almost mocking.

"He traveled; not that it's any of your business," I snapped.

"I told you Tendai isn't Prince Charming, Darkie," he said, his smirk deepening.

"Grayson, just leave me alone. Go be with Mae," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

"Kemi is dangerous. Leave her boy toy alone," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"And you're not? Do you know the damage your words cause? Just go," I retorted.

Eloise returned, her concern evident. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice soft.

"Everything's fine, isn't it, Adessa?" Grayson taunted, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"No, it's not. Stop bothering me," I said, my voice strained. I walked away from him, and Eloise followed.

"Are you okay, Addie?" Eloise asked, her voice gentle and concerned.

"No, I feel irritated whenever he talks to me," I said, shaking my head.

Eloise nodded sympathetically. "Let's go dance around the bonfire with everyone else," she suggested, trying to steer our conversation toward something more uplifting.

The warmth of the fire and the lively atmosphere helped lift my spirits as we danced around it. We weren't alone—many of the drama club kids had joined in, moving to the rhythm of the night. The collective energy and laughter made the moment feel almost magical.

Blue and the head girl were seated near the fire, their faces illuminated by the flickering light. They were sharing brownies and chatting animatedly, their laughter carrying over the crackle of the flames.

Despite the fun, exhaustion set in quickly. The energy we had seemed to drain away, leaving us both feeling pleasantly worn out. 

"I need to go home, Eloise. I'm too tired," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"How will you get home?" she asked, her concern palpable. 

"Uber," I said. 

"Okay, see you after the holidays," I said, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.

"See you soon," Eloise replied, her smile faint but sincere.

I had drunk quite a bit and was feeling dizzy. I zigzagged along the dark, bushy path leading to the school parking lot. The shadows seemed to loom larger than usual."

"Maybe I should head back to the party and leave with Eloise," I thought, but then stumbled and fell.

I got up but stumbled and nearly fell again. Someone caught me just before I hit the ground.

"Careful, Darkie!" the person said, their voice both familiar and infuriating. It was Grayson.

"You again! Get lost!" I shouted, my anger bubbling over.

"Haven't you heard about girls being taken advantage of by Uber drivers?" he said, his tone unexpectedly serious. "In your state, anyone could take advantage of you."

His words struck a chord. I didn't want his help but couldn't ignore the hint of truth in his concern.

"Grayson, I can get home on my own. I don't need your help."

"Let me drop you home," he insisted, his voice firm.

I tried to walk away but stumbled again.

"Now will you take my offer?" he asked, his patience wearing thin.

Realizing I might end up in an even worse situation if I refused, I reluctantly agreed, "Okay."

"Let me carry you," he said, his voice softer now.

He lifted me off the ground before I could refuse and began walking with surprising gentleness.

"You're very strong, Grayson," I said, a mix of surprise and gratitude in my voice.

"You've left your sister behind?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"She wants to stay with her friends," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Why aren't you worried about her?"

"Because she has pepper spray. Anyone who tries something will get sprayed," he said, his tone defensive yet reassuring.

"Why are you so mean to me and everyone else at school?" I asked, hoping for some insight into his behavior.

He didn't respond, leaving me with my thoughts.

We reached the parking lot. I knew Grayson drove a Jeep Wrangler. He set me down, fished out his keys, and opened the co-driver's seat for me before getting into the driver's seat himself.

"I'm feeling hungry. Can you buy me something to eat?" I asked.

He didn't respond right away, lost in thought.

"Did you hear what I said?" I pressed, hoping for a reply.

"Yes, Darkie. I was just deciding where to get you food," he said, his voice slightly resigned.

I felt my blood boil the moment he said it. I hated that nickname. "Don't call me that!" I snapped, glaring at him. "What if I called you Whitey?"

He turned to look at me with a bemused expression. "I am white, so why should I get angry?" he said, shrugging like it was the most normal thing in the world to say.

I clenched my fists. "It's a racist thing to call someone, whether they like it or not," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Why didn't he get it?

He sighed, turning away as if the conversation bored him. "Where can I buy you takeout from?" His voice was sharp, cold. "Or are you no longer hungry?"

I wanted to stay mad, but my stomach growled, reminding me of my hunger. "Go to Fish n Chips restaurant," I mumbled. I wasn't about to miss out on food, no matter how frustrated I was.

"It's on my way—" I started, but he cut me off before I could finish.

"Yeah, yeah. I know it's on the way to your home." His tone was dismissive

"How do you know?" I asked, a bit taken aback.

"It's before Tendai's home," he explained. "I have been there before."

"Seems like everyone knows where I live," I said, feeling a pang of self-consciousness.

Grayson started the engine and began driving. I tried to tell him how much I hated the way he bullied me, but he didn't respond, so eventually, I just gave up and kept quiet. The tension hung between us until we finally reached the Fish n Chips restaurant.

I felt dizzy and tipsy, barely able to keep my head straight. The thought of getting out of the car made my stomach churn.

"Just get me a fish and chips and Coca-Cola," I mumbled. "I can't go in with you."

Grayson glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Okay," he said simply, then got out of the car, leaving me alone. I rested my head against the seat, the dizziness washing over me.

When he returned, he handed me a package, the delicious smell of fried food filling the car and started the engine once more.

"Thank you, Grayson," I said, taking the food gratefully. The warmth of the package was comforting, even as the world around me still felt like it was spinning.

"You know, Grayson, if you weren't such a jerk, I might actually say you're a good boyfriend," I continued, surprised by my own candidness.

I don't know why I said that. The words just came out. I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't look at Grayson anymore.

I focused on the food Grayson had bought me. When I opened the packaging, the rich, savory aroma of the fish and chips filled the air. The crispy, golden coating of the fish had a hint of herbs, and the warm, slightly greasy smell of the chips made my stomach rumble with anticipation. I picked up a piece of fish, dipped it in the tangy sauce, and took a bite. It was incredibly satisfying. I followed it with some chips and more fish, savoring each bite.

I ate quietly, avoiding eye contact with Grayson. I could sense his gaze on me, but I dared not turn my head. All hell broke loose when I drank the Coca-Cola. I began to feel nauseous. Before I could say anything, I found myself vomiting. It splattered on my clothes, the food, and all over the co-driver's seat where I was sitting.

Grayson quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road. I continued to vomit until there was nothing left but bile.

"Here," he said, handing me a bottle of water. "I always carry one for when I go out drinking. Just sip a little, or you'll puke it up too."

I looked at him, unable to avoid his gaze. For the first time, I saw a genuine kindness and concern in his eyes. I took the bottle from him, opened it, and drank some water slowly.

The water helped, and I stopped vomiting.

"Are you okay?" Grayson asked, his voice soft.

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and shame. Grayson started the engine again, and continued driving. I removed my sweater and tried to clean the vomit off my mouth and the surrounding areas as best as I could. I felt deeply embarrassed by the whole situation.

"I am so sorry," I said, my voice breaking with embarrassment.

"I'll pay for the cleaning," I offered, feeling mortified.

"Never mind," he said, his tone impassive, making it hard to tell if he was upset or just indifferent.

The car was filled with the unpleasant smell of vomit, so we had to open the windows for some fresh air. Grayson dropped me off at home.

"Your car is dirty because of me. Let me get some water from inside to clean it," I said, feeling guilty.

"No, I'll take care of it when I get home," he replied, his voice firm and unyielding.

I got out of the car, but before I could say goodbye, he drove off, leaving me standing alone in the driveway.

Mom opened the door. "You've got vomit all over you," she said, her voice a mix of shock and concern.

"Mae vomited on me," I lied, hoping to cover up the situation. "She got really drunk."

"Who was that who dropped you?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at the unfamiliar car.

"It belongs to Grayson. He was our designated driver. He'll drop Mae off after me," I explained, trying to keep the details vague.

"Go to bed. You must be tired," Mom said, her tone softening as she guided me to my room.

I wish I hadn't eaten the fish and chips. I had been so hungry, but now all I could think about was how it made me vomit in Grayson's car. My last thought before drifting off to sleep was a promise to myself: I'll apologize to him when the term begins. Shame gnawed at me. He had every right to be upset, yet he handled it with such grace. I was sure he would yell, maybe even throw me out of the car, but instead, he just remained silent.