Ghost Lover

Austin couldn’t close his eyes throughout that night, after that happened. He sat at the edge of his bed, with his mopping stick held tightly to his chest, ready to smash Tasha’s head into the wall. He automatically saw her as a threat to his life. Hearing her call his name, he flung his phone straight to the wall and went right under his bed. His breathing was uneven, and even with the air-conditioner on, he was sweating like someone who ran a marathon. Anywhere he looked, he could see Tasha’s face. It was all dark, but he couldn’t help seeing her face everywhere. He wasn’t so sure about how he treated her, and now he regrets it.

“What happened to your eyes?” Mr Richard asked with concern, walking towards Austin who was making breakfast before leaving for school. He tried to cover his face but his father took away his hands and notice his swollen eyes and even cheeks.

“Allen!”

“Sir” Allen’s voice echoed from the bedroom upstairs and soon the staircase Started making hard sounds, announcing his arrival.

Austin scolfed and didn’t understand why he’s father was making so much drama out of nothing, he knew his face made it habit of swelling anytime he doesn’t get enough sleep and it’s something he thought his father should be used to.

He went for the old mirror which was on he table. His mother always used if for her make up before she leaves the house.

“I do not understand what the fuse is all abou….” Austin paused as he looked as his face in his disbelief, he pressed his hands on his cheeks and face and it felt like some sore boil.

“What in God’s name is this”

He felt disgusted with himself and he knew Allen noticed it, after he smiled. His father directed his attention to Allen.

“What happened to your brother?”

“How am I supposed to know, I’m not his father”

“And what’s that supposed to mean” Mr Richard asked, stunned by what his son had just said.

“Need I remind you that I’m your father”

“Aside providing for else, what else do you do? Do you even pay attention to the things that go on with us? You just drop money for lunch, and school and you leave. You are nonexistent to ..”

Allen was cut shot with the palm of Mr Richard stinging his cheek. He held it as his face tilted sideways, facing his father back. He met it with a red eyes and angry face.

“Do you know how much pain you’ve caused me, and I still do everything in my power to make sure you get everything you want and you stand there, saying all this to me!”

He tried to loosen his belt, but was frustrated by the stiff grip it had round his waist.

“No allowance for you this week” he shot at Allen, picked up his back and left for work.

“Whatever ” Allen held his cheek and went back upstairs.

Austin who was the cause of concern, just stood there, no one said anything about rectifying his problem, No one.

He gave a thought to the swelling on his face, but he didn’t think Tasha could be capable of this. Well she’s a Ghost, she should be capable of anything. On the other hand, he hasn’t stayed up all night before, maybe that’s why his face got this way. He wanted to think that but his mind kept hammering on Tasha doing this to him.

He would have gladly stayed home but he needed to see Nala, he wanted to sort out things with her, letting them go on for too long with this issue would just result to him losing her and he couldn’t have that

Nala was in her usual spot in the school cafeteria, texting on her phone. She saw Austin coming from a distance and quickly locked her phone, sliding it into her breast pocket. Austin witnessed her sudden movement but pretended not to.

“Why are you wearing a cap?” she asked him, as he sat down, bending his head. He was trying to minimise the view people had of his face. He raised his cap a little, enough for her to get a glimpse of his face. She gasped

“What happened”

“It’s nothing serious, Just couldn’t sleep well last night”

“Why?” She questioned, tilting his face and pressing his cheeks gently.

“Well, yesterday event bothered, I thought you might end up not talking to me again”

“And you couldn’t call?”

“I’m sorry, I am” he hurriedly responded, stretching his hands out to grab hers. But before she could respond to him, Jason came in patting his back.

“Hey man, where have you been?”

Austin rolled his eyes back and leaned back

“I’m fine man, isn’t it obvious” he turned his cap in order for Jason to capture his face well.

“Oh shit, what happened man..” Jason asked, concerned about him

“Don’t ask” she shot back. Nala could tell he was cold to Jason, but she just sat there in silence, staring at him with his face showing he wasn’t pleased with Jason’s presence.

“Hey mama,” Jason said to her, smiling.

“Hi”

Jason moved to sit beside her, “You know I’ve been..”

“Hey man, can you come back later, we are actually having a serious conversation here”

“We are?” Nala smiled, but she could tell with Austin’s eyes twitching, he needed her to agree with him. Jason looked at her, asif trying to get permission from her to leave, she shrugged off her shoulders and he quickly understood.

“I’ll see you later man”

Austin stared at him until he was out of the cafeteria, but was just brought back with Nala’s question.

“Okay what’s your deal with him, he’s obviously a nice guy and quite handsome too” she smiled, but tried to cover it up by using her hands in covering her face.

“Oh really, I could call him back for you,” Austin said, unimpressed by her trying to tease him.

“I want just the best for you Nala, and people like Jason? They are just the same as Allen”

“Did he try to get someone killed when he was younger, because that’s what you said about Allen”

Austin sighed and leaned back “do you trust me?”

Nala nodded, with every reassurance that Austin only had the best interest for her in heart. She had always known him to have her back since they were young, so obviously she trusted him.

“Good, that’s all I needed to know”