Chapter Sixteen

Kamji winced as she heard the crack of a bone when the fist came in contact with Buchi's nose. She felt him release her wrist and stumble backwards.

"Were you deaf when she asked you to leave her alone?" Joshua who had landed the punch asked. He was the last person Kamji had expected to help her out of this situation but she was glad that he did.

"You son of a bitch," Buchi fumed. There was a lot of blood dripping from his broken nose and he had brought out a handkerchief to control the bleeding.

The commotion seemed to have garnered the attention of everyone and the music stopped. Kamji could feel the hole place go quiet as everyone's attention was fixed at them. She cursed her ill luck and wished that she could crawl into a closet and lock herself until everything was over.

"Funny that I am not the one yelping like a puppy from a single punch," Joshua Impassively replied, "Whose mother is the bitch now?"

The statement seemed to have flared Buchi up as he lunged towards Joshua, wanting to get an even punch. He threw a fist at him aiming straight for his face but seconds before his hand could make contact, Joshua grabbed hold of it and twisted it at an odd angle behind his back.

He released a groan of agony as the pain spiraled through his arm. The pain felt even more intense as Joshua twisted it even more and he felt it was going to snap in any minute.

"Let go off me," he clenched his teeth tightly in a bit to endure the searing pain.

"Not until you apologize to the girl," Joshua demanded.

"Heck no!" Buchi snarled. His ego was wounded enough by getting beaten in front of the entire school and there was no way he was going to make it worse by apologizing to a girl.

Joshua increased the pressure on his arm and heard him release a cry, "Don't think I won't be able to break your arm if you don't. That would teach you not to go touching people that don't want to be touched." he snapped.

Buchi felt his arm was starting to feel numb from the pain. At this rate he couldn't help but take Joshua seriously when he talked about breaking his arm. Gritting his teeth he muttered an apology to Kamji.

"I am sorry."

"Did you whisper something? Because I clearly didn't hear a word you said."

"I said I am sorry," He spat.

Joshua released his hand and pushed him roughly on the ground.

"Monster! He's a monster everyone. Sick and Crazy just like his mother." Buchi shouted to the crowd as soon as he was released.

Kamji could hear people beginning to talk in hushed tones, some of them even pointing accusing fingers at Joshua. She frowned at how Buchi had managed to turn the situation around and make Joshua look like the bad one. And did he really have to bring Joshua's mother into this?

She turned around to gauge Joshua's reaction to the new turn of events but he wasn't there anymore. She soon caught sight of him walking off in a distance and soon hurried after him.

"Joshua wait!" she called to him. Although she was certain he had heard her voice, he didn't lower his stride neither did he stop to look at her.

It was not until she caught up to him that he spared her a glance, "What do you want?" his tone was unfriendly.

Kamji was a bit taken aback his attitude. Wasn't he the one that teased her a few seconds ago about being tricked into buying a cheap drink? And wasn't he the one that had come to her rescue tonight when Buchi had tried to harass her? Why was he acting cold all of a sudden. And here she thought they had finally gotten past the stage when they were still strangers.

"I just wanted to thank you for helping me earlier." She began as she fell into step beside him.

Joshua said nothing in reply and Kamji wondered if he had regretted helping her. He was being tagged a monster now all because of her.

"You should go back to the dance." he said in a gruff voice. "I don't think it's wise to be alone with a guy called a monster."

"You're not a monster Joshua. It was just a misunderstanding on their part. No one knew what happened." She said. The air around them was chilly and she was starting to feel cold. Wrapping her hands protectively around herself, she wished she had worn a dress that offered more coverage.

He gave a slight hum at her reply, "I don't remember denying the accusation. What makes you think that I am not one?" he had stopped walking, "What if I had stepped in to save you earlier so that it would be easy for me to earn your trust and lure you to this secluded place all alone?"

It was then Kamji took a look around, although they were still within the school permisis, they had gone quiet a distance away from the party. If Joshua was to do anything to her, it would be hard for anyone to hear her. But despite the realization, she didn't seem to be scared.

"I don't think you would do anything to hurt me," she said. She too had stopped walking and Joshua had turned to face her.

"And why would you trust someone you barely even know," there was a look of disapproval on his face. "You shouldn't go around trusting people because they helped you."

Kamji couldn't tell if he was talking from experience. Had someone betrayed him in the past?

"I still trust you anyways," she said shyly looking away. There was a moment of silence between them but to Kamji it felt like eternity. She saw Joshua remove his jacket and toss it at her.

"Next time when you decide to wear such revealing clothing be sure the weather is compatible with it," he said dryly. He had noticed the girl trying to warm herself up

by constantly running her hands over her arms. He had wondered why she had chosen to wear such a dress that was enough to send the men wild at the first look.

It was no wonder why Buchi couldn't control himself, the girl was simply stunning. From the way her long braids cascaded down her bare shoulders and the dress that that did justice in revealing her delicate feminine curves. The green dress might look dull in anyone else but it was perfect on her, complementing her glowing brown skin.

Kamji wore the jacket, feeling warmth instantly from the thick material. There was that faint scent of lavender and she inhaled deeply, soon lost in the sweet scent. She had wanted to ask him of what cologne he used but couldn't bring herself to do so.

"Don't get too comfortable, I am only lending it to you for a while," he said noticing the girls actions, "Except if you want to hold onto it like you did to the shirt I lent you the other day."

Her cheeks heated up at the fact that she was caught. She was grateful that he couldn't see her reaction as the place was fairly dark. The only source of light was the full moon that gave the entire place a slivery hue.

"I would return it. You don't have to worry about that."

"Please do, It's cost a fortune and it's my favorite one."

Kamji nodded and checked her watch, "I should be going back now. My cousin would be looking for me."

Joshua stared at the girl as she headed back, wrapping the oversized jacket around herself like it was some prized possession. A small smile formed between his lips, he had never seen someone as innocent and naive as she was even though she acted like she wasn't.

Kamji headed back to where the party was held and It didn't take long before she could finally spot her cousin that seem to have been looking for her.

"Where have you been Kamji?" she pulled her close for a hug, "I was really worried after witnessing what happened on the dance floor but you just disappeared."

"I am fine, River" she assured, "Where is Peter?"

"We split up to look for you, I think he headed towards the back to check if you were there," she replied, "I can't believe Joshua would act rashly. I know he's into you and everything but punching Buchi in the face because of he's jealous isn't cool at all. I mean you're not his girlfriend or anything right?"

Kamji was surprised to hear what her cousin had said about Joshua being jealous and all. She could tell who was responsible for spinning up the lie but she still asked to clear her doubts, "Who said Joshua was jealous?"

"That's what Buchi told us, He practically went around telling whoever was willing to listen." her cousin replied.

Kamji frowned, she couldn't believe he would stoop so low and go around lying with Joshua's name. "That's not what happened, River. He only came to help me when Buchi assaulted me." She went on to tell her cousin what had transpired earlier and a subtle frown formed on Rivers lips.

"I can't believe he would do something like that." she said, clearly heartbroken that her dream guy wasn't as perfect as she thought he was. She turned around looking for him, "Where is he? I am going to give that creep a piece of my mind." she said, waving a clenched fist in the air.

"Hold your horses sis, We all know you can't hurt a fly," Peter said as he approached the girls, "Where have you been Kams? We've been looking all over for you? River said you got into a fight. Are you hurt?"

Kamji smiled wryly at the thought that Peter had also inherited the anxiety and worrisome traits as his sister.

"I didn't get into a fight Peter, It was just a small misunderstanding." She sent a glare at River.

"I am glad you're not hurt. I mean I know you're pretty but I didn't think it would lead to two boys fighting over you." commented Peter. "Nice Jacket by the way. Who owns it?"

Before Kamji could give a reply, they heard the loud honk of a car and their mother wound down the glass and leaned out. "It's ten O clock, time to leave."

As the teenagers entered the car, their mother started speaking, "Can you believe I saw two students making out in the corner on my drive here. I thought I made it clear that such things wouldn't be tolerated in the premises. Plus I couldn't find a single teacher on duty."

"You won't believe what happened to Kamji today mum?" River began and Kamji immediately stepped on the girls foot. Not too hard but just enough to shut her up.

Her Aunty's head piqued with interest, "What happened?"

"Nothing much Aunty, I just won a lot of prizes from various stalls today." Kamji quickly replied ignoring her cousin that was making whimpering noises.

"I am glad you all had fun." she glanced at them through the rear mirror before adding, "Nice jacket by the way Kamji."

Crap, she hadn't expected her Aunty to notice. And she could clearly tell with the tone the elder woman that she was suspicious.

"A friend of mine lent it to me." she replied. She could hear her cousins trying hard to suppress their laughter.

"What a nice friend you've got," her Aunty said taking a right turn. The ride home was quite after that although she heard her Aunty mutter something about being there to supervise the dance herself next time. But Kamji didn't bother, she would have graduated long by then.