#CHAPTER 5# Deeper in love.

"Tara has stepped on the cobra's tail and she will reap the consequences." Anna told her friends as she walked around the basketball court, stirring with disdain and contempt at Asher and I as we played basketball, giggling. 

"She thinks she is now on top of the school." Priscilla, one of Anna's friends, replied. 

"Yeah, she is feeling like a star. Let her enjoy it. It's just for a while. It won't continue when we are through dealing with her. " Amelia, another friend, added. 

"The girl made fun of me in class. Imagine that pig mocked me in class. I was the apple of the class, but now one useless Tara, or rata, or whatever she is called, came one morning and caught the attention of everyone in class, and even the whole school. She did not stop there; she went further to take the love of my life away from me. I think she was sent to me. She wants to steal my star, but it won't work. " She said, shouting. 

"Wow! Wow! Wow! What a nice speech. You really did great at this one. You never informed me that you have a speech tonight that you are rehearsing. " Ashley said, clapping her hands. 

Ashley, Bella, Benedita, and Dennis walked up to Anna and her friends. 

"Amelia, you never mentioned that you are good at bullying, as short as you are." Dennis said. 

Let's leave these termites and go to where we are going. It's their guilty conscience that is their problem. Yes, jealousy is one of them. " Benedita said. 

"Look, let me advise you guys." Jealousy is rottenness to the bone. If you keep getting jealous, you will have a rotten bone. " Dennis said, jokingly. 

The four of them left Anna, Amelia, and Priscilla alone, giggling all the while. 

'Ouch.' That hurts. I complained. 

"Really? Does it? " Asher asked. 

You know, I can't run after you and the ball. "So you took advantage of that and ran around the courtyard with the ball.Is that how you teach me how to play basketball? With my condition? " I said, almost serious. 

"I am so sorry, my love." "He said, laughing."

"But that doesn't mean you should injure yourself." He continued.

I can't possibly injure myself intentionally. You were the cause. I tried getting the ball from you and got my ankle twisted and my toe bruised. How do I explain this to my mom? She must not know I am engaged in sports. " I said. 

"Don't worry, she won't know." I will cook up a story for her. " He said. 

"So how will I walk?" I asked. 

What are my muscles and packs for? I will carry or back you home, depending on which you prefer. Asher said. 

"Better. I would prefer both. " I said, happily. 

"Really? Why can't you pick one? " He asked. 

"You offered both, and I have the right to pick both. In addition to that, you will also help me with my chemistry assignment. That's your punishment. " I added. 

"Ahh... You are really driving me crazy." He said, smiling. 

Guy, What's up with you? He greeted Dennis. 

"Can you please get me my bag and Tara's own?" He further asked,

"Anything for you, bro?" "We cool." Dennis replied, and went away to get our bags. 

Dennis carried my bag, while Asher backed me. 

"You two are good boys." I said, satisfyingly. 

Asher, you are going to pay me for this labor I am rendering. Dennis said, grumbling. 

"Why?" Asher asked. 

"Because I wasn't involved in the basketball saga, so why should I receive punishment?" Dennis replied. 

"Guy, you know, sometimes the righteous ones enjoy punishment with the wicked." Asher said. 

"Oh, thank God you have accepted the fact that you are wicked and I'm righteous." Dennis said. 

Asher looked at him and said, "Really? You and I know the wicked soul between us, and we can ask anyone. Should we? " 

"Clinton! "Clin...," Asher called out. 

"Calm down now. It hasn't got to that. " Dennis said. 

"Any punishment you receive now, know it is the result of your past wicked acts." Asher added. 

I laughed as I listened to their conversations. They are both cool to hang around with. Dennis has a good vibe. Day after day, hours after hours, minutes after minutes, seconds after seconds, my love for Asher grew deeper. I listened to the way he and Dennis were interacting, and I pecked him on the cheek. As we approached the gate, where other students were, Bella and Ashley came toward us and pierced my buttocks with their fingers. 

"Newly born baby." Benedita shouted from afar.

Asher, you never told me that you had given birth to a baby. " Ashley said. 

Well, I did not give birth, but I have a baby. A pretty girl at that. " Asher replied to her.

Anna and her friends looked at us with hatred. 

"Look over there, the duchess and her accomplices." Benedita said. 

"Can someone tell Anna that she looks uglier when she's looking with jealousy and hatred?" Asher said. 

Everyone laughed. 

"Today, that dwarf called Amelia, said she has a plan on how to deal with Tara." "We overheard her and her friends talking about it. Both of you were at the basketball court at that time. " Bella said. 

"If they are already planning something like that, I think Tara should not be left alone because those girls might do something very foolish." Benedita warned.

"I agree with you, Benedita." Dennis said. 

"As for Tara not being alone, I am in for that. I will be with her always. " Asher said. 

"Awwn..." I am jealous of you, Tara. You have a caring boyfriend. " Bella said, jokingly. 

"What happened to your crush, Bella?" Is he not also caring? " Ashley asked, teasingly. 

Does Bella have a crush? Who is he? " Dennis asked, curiously. 

"Well, that is for us to know and for you boys to find out." I said. 

"Point of correction. We are not boys; we are men, or you can call us guys. " Clinton said. 

"Speaking of men, Clinton, made me remember something," Ashley said. 

"Guys, do you know that Clinton actually stopped bedwetting at age 14? I found out from his diary lately. Ashley continued. 

"OMG!!!" Everyone shouted, and some burst into laughter. 

"WTF?" Is that true, Clinton? Dennis asked. 

"Ashley? Which diary? " Clinton asked, looking frustrated. 

"Come off it. I'm just joking. " Ashley told him. 

Everyone laughed louder than before. 

"That was an expensive joke." I don't like expensive jokes. Most especially, the one that has to do with my life. It affects my heart. " I said. 

"Ashley, take note. You are the one who gives people suspense a lot. " "Clinton told Ashley

"So you have me as that, right?" Ashley asked angrily and tried walking out of our midst, but Clinton stopped her: "I am sorry." "Please."

She stopped, looked at him, and said: "I have forgiven you." Actually, I should be the one begging you because I let your secret out today and you know it's true, but you didn't flare up. I love you for that. "

I can't get mad at you. That is in my past. Besides, you already said it was a joke. Clinton said, calmly. 

"Those two make a perfect couple." I said in my mind.

Everyone started departing.

"Asher, are you tired?" I asked. 

"Yeah, my back has started to ache." So I think I should switch to my hand. He replied. 

He carried me like a baby, while Dennis followed us behind. 

Who is Bella's crush? Dennis asked me

"That is for me to know and for you to find out." I said. 

"If you need clues, you will have to pay for them." I added. 

I'm willing to pay. Name it. " He said. 

"Why are you so desperate?" I asked. 

"Never mind," he replied. 

"Or do you have a crush on her?" I asked, jokingly.