Lost in his embrace

Chapter 3.1

I immediately move aside and Britney follows suit because I notice we're obstructing his way. Before he passes beside us, my eyes catch him give me a furtive nod which I don't reciprocate. His manly scent comes following his towering figure. I let it enter my nose when it gently brushes my face.

My eyes are glued on his lean back as he makes his way down. Somehow, his black jeans accentuates his thick and long legs.

“Our belongings are still in the room,” I say as Tyler fades from my view.

Knowing Britney, I'm not surprised when she gives me a teasing smile and look when I turn my head to her. I just role my eyes and don't pay her a heed. We continue to walk downstairs while she still incessantly teases me. When I reach our floor, my eyes meet an empty classroom which means our classmates went home already. I head over my chair, gently put the books inside my bag, I pick the bottle of water out of it and take a big gulp.

I slump my butt in my seat, lean my back before I listlessly put my right arm across the armrest and spread my legs out.

Aside from the tiring volleyball earlier, I didn't do much today but my body feels like I ran all day inside the campus. Britney and I talk a bit regarding what happened earlier and about the books I borrow, she also teases me and jokes occasionally. I don't get offended to her teases because I have already grown accustomed to it.

A moment later, a loud ring of a phone resonates inside the room. I see Britney pick up her phone and place it on her ear.

She looks at me and mouths 'Dad'. I just nod before I close my eyes. I try to listen to the sound of my heartbeat and it feels so loud in my ears.

'How are you? It's been a while since I talk to you'

The only thing I find solace is the constant beat of my heart. It has become my comfort since I was a child; telling her my everyday problems has become my permanent habit. You might call it weird but it is my sole way out of my problems.

In fact, I made her a name, which is, I assume, weird to some, Samantha.

Samantha, according to google, means a good listener which suits her really well because she's keen to listen to me, and she will never go behind my back and talk bullshits about me after she hears all of my problems all day, she will never divulge everything to everyone. My secrets are completely sealed with her and I can attest to that.

In truth, I trust her fully more than anyone.

'Why do you beat so loud today? Are you upset because I didn't talk to you recently?' I inquire feeling every beat it makes.

I don't hear Britney's voice, I guess she takes the call outside. I languidly open my eyes and see Britney in the doorframe through my eyelashes. She leans her shoulder against the Jamb, while her phone is pressed against her ear. I can see some students make their way down outside, there are some who linger in our floor, maybe they wait for their friends.

Britney waves her free hand when someone greets her.

She saunters back once she's done, I arch an eyebrow, signalling her to spill the tea.

“Are you going to linger here a bit longer? I'll go now.”

I take a glance on my watch and I'm taken aback to know it's already twenty-one past five, I stand on my feet, organise my belongings before I give her a sidelong glance while I zip up my bag. “No. I don't have anything to do anymore.”

“Can you give me a lift?" I role my eyes on her and nod.

“Okay, I thought your dad is fetching you.”

“He said we'll fetch my sister at the airport, She has been away when I was a child.” She has told me about her sister who lives in The UK for how many years.

“The one who lives in The UK?”

“Yes, I only have one sister.” I don't reply anymore. We make our way outside after we pick up our things.

“Who will turn off the aircon?” I just shrug my shoulders. She constantly asks me stupid questions as we make our way downstairs, there are still students when we reach the ground floor. I also spot our class president, whose eyes are roaming around, He seems in search for someone; I see an irritated frown between his eyebrows. When his eyes catch us, They immediately flare in recognization before he quickly trots in our spot.

“Thank God!” He places his hand on my shoulder while he plasters the other one on his knee. His heavy breathing says he's been looking for us which means we're doomed.

I shot him a curious look.

He takes his hand off my shoulder and says, “All clubs' members will have a practice at around six to eight p.m. you can go home first so you can ask for your parents' consent. . . ” He checks his watch before he continues, "But since you don't have enough time left, you can just call them to ask for permission.” He shots us a you-should-partake-because-I-drain-all-my-energy-in-search-for-you look.

For consecutive three hours?! Are we joing Olympic games? He must be joking.

“One more thing, I've been looking for the two of you. You weren't in the room. I almost lost all of my oxygen in my lungs searching every corney in the campus.” He runs us a questioning-look.

I turn my head to Britney. “That doesn't count.” I don't want to lose my two dollars again. Stupid bet.

She only laughs.

“I don't think I could partake later, I'll be fetching my sister at the airport,” Britney says. She then turns her head down to check the time on her wrist watch.

“What club are you in?"

“Math.” Bryan, Our class president, nods and smiles in understanding.

“No, It's okay. Music and dance club are the ones who are obligated to practise since our school will hold a program in the subsequent month, but make sure that you could practice tomorrow because there will be quiz bee, and since you're a math genius, I'll let you not partake today.” He laughs and then turns his attention to me.

Britney's knowledge in math is beyond my adequate understanding in numbers, her parents are both engineers, Including her sister in The UK, hence her skills in math. But I guess that doesn't apply to everyone. My parents are both business minded and so are my older brothers. However, I never see myself running a business in the future and I don't foresee myself clad in a business suit.

He arches an eyebrow. "And. . . YOU Donovan, I will not accept any of your reasons."

I suddenly regret joining in the music club. Although I'm not the best singer in our group, I can say that I have the talent to sing.

I feel the phone in my pocket vibrate.

I nod. “Okay. I'll just call my mom.”It's only fifteen minutes left before the practice will start.

He nods. “Okay, then. See you later. I have to go." He gives us a gentle pat on our shoulder before he quickly leaves.

“I also have to go. I'll just hail a cab.”

“You sure?” She nods.

“My dad texted me already probing where I am,” she says with a wee worry in her tone.

She bids her goodbye before she leaves. I watch her figure fade from my view before I decide to fish the phone out of my pocket. An unseen message pops up on the screen.

From: +139**********

Why take so long?

I don't reply.

I instead search for my mother's contact number and dial it. She's probably swamped up today. Given our food business has unexpectedly skyrocketed since last month. You can't imagine how happy my parents are when all our businesses across the city bloom since last year. They even went to Israel last week to thank God for the constant blessings they receive but despite the blessings, They don't spoil me. They always say: I should not let myself be accustomed to obtaining what I want easily. Things are worth it, If you get it by walking across path full of thorns.

My mother always tells me to always perceive things that will benefit me. If things aren't beneficial to me, Then I don't see any reasons to keep it tight grip in my hand.

I shiver as the temperature drops down dramatically. I head over to a wooden bench while I wait for my mother to pick her phone up. There is a towering lamp stood behind it which gives life to my shadow. I see every bench has a lamp beside it.

I'm not surprised nor worried when she doesn't pick it up, I'll be surprised even more if she picks it up. I decide to just text her regarding our impending practice. I still wonder how are we going to die later due to boredom as we practice for consecutive three hours. Who practices one song for three hours?! I already imagine my ass getting bored for the whole three hours.

I mentally roll my eyes.

I shove my phone back in my pocket, I decide not to wait for my mother's reply. I lean my back, letting the chilly breeze engulf my body. I scan my sorrounding to see it has dimmed already, I look above the darkening sky and exhaust a profound breath. I spot some students walking across the pathway and they are not in their uniform already.

I stand up and let my feet propel me towards the parking lot. I still have five minutes left before the practice. I might just be late. My steps halt on their own volition as I notice a towering silhouette leaning his lower back against the window of my car. He rests his one limb across the other one. I purposely park my car in a corner where it can barely have light. He runs his fingers in his hair before I see him seemingly typing something on his phone.