Chapter 27
Shane’s POV
He paused in front of the door but didn’t turn to look at me. “So I heard there’s this new hot babe in your class. Folks say she’s gonna attend the party downtown and I’m gonna get her.”
No, wait. Was he talking about Renee? She was the only new girl in our class but how did Kade know about all of that? It’s not like he’s in high school or he ever attended our school.
“I’ll be leaving your silly ass for college soon so I guess a little fun won’t hurt, right?” He asked and chuckled lightly. “Oh, it’s alright, I get it, I get it. You know nothing about fun and parties and girls. But wait, do you even know how to touch a girl? Don’t get me wrong. All I meant was touching a girl in a holy way, not shoving your fingers up her pussy”
He laughed and I felt disgusted. I knew exactly what he was trying to do but as usual, I remained quiet. He kept laughing until he walked out, shutting the door behind him. When he was gone, I rushed into the bathroom and threw up inside the washbasin. I felt sick in my stomach and I knew that the disgusting things he had said were the cause of it.
How do people feel so comfortable saying obscene things? I looked down at my fingers and shook my head. I couldn’t imagine shoving them inside a woman’s vagina. Holy Christ, not even in my wildest dreams.
When I got out of the bathroom, the first person that came into my mind was Renee. She’s gonna be at the party and Kade is gonna meet her there. No, I couldn’t let that happen. Even if he’s my brother, I know he’s not a good guy and he’s definitely no good for her.
Kade is a player who sleeps with anything under the skirt and trousers too. Yeah, he sleeps with guys too and I know that because I caught him twice. I was so shocked that I mistakenly yelled out his name. The next thing he did was walk over and shut the door in my face. Later at night, he came into my room and sealed my mouth with a sellotape before pouring a cup filled with ants on my bed.
I remember screaming my lungs out and writhing on the bed as the ants bit me but all he did was laugh. That happened three years ago. I was sixteen, he was nineteen. That night, I had a panic attack but I guess he didn’t care. No one heard me scream so I assumed I was just gonna die but not until he made me promise that I wasn’t gonna tell a soul about what I saw.
I nodded in response and that was when he took off the tape from my mouth. In tears, I immediately ran out of the room and went In search of Georgia. The ants had bitten my skin and it was hurting so badly.
Georgia was shocked but she still managed to drive me to the hospital. Dad was informed and in less than four hours, he arrived from Korea and rushed over to the hospital. The last thing I remembered was being injected. When I woke up the next morning, I was told that I couldn’t go to school until I was fully recovered and that Kade was grounded for a month. I didn’t know how that happened but I guess they had figured out that he was behind everything.
“Shane, where are you going in such a hurry? Dinner is almost ready” Georgia asked as I jogged down the stairs.
“I’m going to Layla’s. I need to get an assignment from her” I lied and scratched my nape. Jeez, when did I start lying? I always told the truth.
“An assignment huh?”
I nodded and she hummed in response. Oh God, with the way I kept scratching my neck and avoiding her eyes, one could tell that I was lying. Lord forgive me.
“You never miss any assignment, Shane. It’s always Layla and Theoden who comes over to get them from you”
“Yes, I… Um… I copied the assignment. What I meant was that I needed to get it back from Layla. I mean my um… notebook, yeah”
She scrutinized my face and I felt my heart hammering against my chest. She knows I’m lying, yeah, she does. Maybe I could just tell her the truth. I could just tell her that I needed to save Renee from Kade.
“Look I…”
“It’s alright, Shane” She cut in and smiled softly. “I believe you. It’s just that I’m worried because it’s getting late. But drive safe, okay?”
I heaved in relief when I got outside. Goodness, that was close. I can’t believe she didn’t figure out that I was lying. I smiled and pulled out my phone to call Theoden. I needed the location of the party.
*
Layla’s POV
I stood in the facade with folded arms, watching as the gate closed behind Ashley’s car. She drove in some minutes ago to pick up Renee and now, they were gone to attend the party downtown.
They both wore matching short outfits and shoes. The only difference was that Ashley’s outfit was Red and Renee’s was Black. Judging by their dress and makeup, I knew they were certainly gonna get laid at the party. Cause who the hell dresses that way and doesn’t attract a thousand lustful guys?
“Layla, aren’t you attending the party?” Mum asked and came to stand beside me. “What’s wrong? Renee and Theoden are out for the party”
“I don’t attend parties mum, I thought you knew that already. Besides, did you see the way they were dressed? Gosh!”
“Yes, I saw the way they were dressed and it was beautiful, Layla.”
I scoffed and shook my head. Yeah, I expected that. I knew she’d say that. Since Renee came into the picture, she has been taking sides with her. I mean, everyone has and I’m so sick of it.
“Do you like her more than me, mum? Is it because she’s more beautiful? Is it because she helps you in the kitchen? Is it because she dresses like that and you call it beautiful? What is with her that everybody likes because I don’t see it”
“No, Layla, don’t speak like that. I adore you as my daughter and I love you for who you are. Renee is being real and there’s nothing to hate about her. She’s a good girl and so far, she hasn’t brought us any trouble.”
Well, I don’t like her. I don’t like her because she’s prettier than me and has a smart mouth. She does whatever she wants but that’s not the only thing. I feel she’s gonna take Shane away from me.
“Look honey, you don’t have to keep behaving that way towards her. Forget about whatever you think she is and try to embrace her. That’s not hard to do, is it?”
I took a deep breath and gritted my teeth. There’s no way I’m gonna embrace her unless she stays away from Shane. I trust him but I don’t trust her.
“Layla?”
“Alright, fine mom” I begrudgingly answered even when I knew it was a lie. “I’ll go to bed, goodnight”
She sighed. “Now, look. You’re the only one who hasn’t gone to the party”
“I don’t have to, Mom. Besides, I’m not the only one. Shane hasn’t gone too, I’m sure of it”
“Alright, if you say so. Goodnight honey, I love you”
“Love you too, Mom” I replied and walked into the house.
After brushing my teeth, I washed my face and went to stand in front of the window. I felt bored because I was the only person in the house. Picking my phone, I sent a text to Shane.
“Hey, so there’s this party everyone is attending except us. Theo is gone as well as Renee but I’m home. Care to come over for a movie night?”
I waited for his reply and after what seemed like forever, he finally responded.
“Can’t, I’m busy right now. Good night, Lay”
I sighed and decided to go to bed. It feels great that I’m not the only one who hasn’t attended the popular party that has been the talk of the whole school for days.