Chapter Four

Kehlani sucked in a deep breath, as she stepped out of her cooped up house, looking around cautiously and immediately her eyes met with neighbors from the house next door they gave her that knowing look before giving her a forced smile then continued their jogging.

 She knew she was the hot topic. She mostly was. They all knew and they didn’t try to hide too, always giving her looks, turning their head to whisper and then the pity, the sickening sympathy.

 She tore her gaze from them and began down the lane. It was a little early leave for school but she needed the escape, especially before her father woke up. She glanced up and watched Trinity run down the lane to her, she increased her pace.

 Trinity offered her a small smile between pant, not trying to hide that she was scanning her body. Trinity's eyes stopped on her face, her right cheek to be precise. She had applied some make up at that spot but it seemed she did a terrible job.

 She opened her mouth to say something, what exactly? She wasn’t sure. But Trinity smiled, staring down at her with an understanding gaze.

 “I’ve got you” 

Trinity told her, dipping her hand into her Gucci purse and pulling out a brown powder in a fancy case. She watched Trinity fuss over trying to hide the hand print properly.

 Trinity was family and a wonderful friend too, how she juggles the two was a mystery.  Trinity wouldn’t ask, never pushed either. She’d just figure it out and try to make it better by being the best company.

 “My dad says hi and there's pepper barbecue, salty too just how you like it…”

 Trinity kept blabbing on not being affected that she wasn’t listening. She liked to listen to Trinity, in fact anything with Trinity, she likes.

 “All done” Trinity said with a satisfied smirk, and then she turned serious, pinching her arm suddenly.

“Ouch Trinity” She whined with a pout.

 Trinity gave a friendly glare. “Never leave me on read” She scolded, shoving the powder case back into her purse.

 She nodded, flashed an apology smile. Speaking of apology she really needed to do that with Hardin.

 “I messed things up yesterday with Hardin”

 “I know. It’s my fault sending him over, I’m sorry”

“I understand”

 No she didn’t, it was totally all Trinity’s fault even though not entirely. It was just much fun putting all the blame on Trinity.

 “Don’t worry I’ll handle it”

Trinity tucked her arm around hers as they began down the lane heading for the bus station. Hopefully they won’t be late, especially with the pace Trinity has chosen.

 “So tell me about you outing, I want all the details”

 “Why did you choose Hardin?” She asked instead, ignoring Trinity’s question.

 Trinity shrugs. “He’s crazy about you. I’ve been watching him for weeks now and he’s freaking hot”

 Well yeah she couldn’t deny the hot part, but then the crazy about her part was a no for her.

“Now tell me Kehlani I’m dying to know”

 She puffed, with an eye roll. “It was cool”

“Did you guys kiss?”

 She frowns. “No. I’m not a pervert”

“Oh brother,” Trinity scowled, palming her face. “Do I need to teach you everything?”

 Kehlani smiled as she spotted the bus up ahead, great Trinity will have to shut up.

                            ………

  Mrs. Caitlyn gave her a quick nod before walking away leaving her with the three students seated before her in the empty library staring back at her with a strange gleam in their eyes, her editors as Mrs. Caitlyn had introduced they’d be giving a review on the book she submitted.

  “Hi Kehlani”

 The girl at the middle said with a small squeak, revealing her braces. 

 She eyed them, trying to maintain a calm face. Mrs. Caitlyn had organized this meeting immediately after her poetry class, finally she’s getting feedback on her book. She expected Mrs. Caitlyn to do the reviewing herself but instead she took her to meet these students who would apparently be doing the review.

 “Let’s begin”

Four eyes said. Was it rude to call her that? She did look like she had four eyes with those ridiculous looking glasses she was wearing, while blondie on the other left was studying her.

 “One word Kehlani impressive”

The blonde dude said, with a smile, but that was the least of her concern. He just called her work impressive. Finally, two weeks of Trinity’s initiation finally paid off. She had been watching a lot of romantic movies, even the Korean ones she found predictable and too based on unreal shits. Well she did get an opinion on romance ‘ a load of crap used to touch each other and have sex freely without restraints' Trinity had told her she was being too close minded, but she was really trying so hard.

 Trinity had gotten her mother to allow her to spend the whole week at her place, though it hadn’t taken any convincing. Her mother agreed immediately, thanking Trinity even. So this week has indeed been a bit stress free, and spending time with Trinity and her dad, Mr. Isaac was really good for her. And then there was Hardin, he was cool. That was all she had to say about him.

“It’s perfect,” The one with the braces said.

“And not to talk of the sex scenes” The blonde dude gushed, a bit flushed.

 So watching porn although not entirely pleasing had actually worked, she was actually thinking of skipping the yucky parts but Trinity had convinced her there was no romance story without sex and as she called it ‘making love’ what a joke.

 “Thanks” She narrowed her eyes on them as they all gave each other a look. “What’s wrong?”

 “But…” Four eyes said with a nervous laugh.

 And there had to be a stupid but. She thought dryly.

“It’s missing that spark” The blonde guy started and the others nodded in agreement.

“What spark?”

“You know the affection. The magic that makes love so beautiful, you know…”

 Love was meant to be beautiful? 

“Look Kehlani the book was indeed great but it’s not satisfying and it’s quite obvious if the story continued it’d be tragic” The blonde dude continued.

“It’s sad too, they both deserve to be together” Braces said with a pout.

She resisted an eye roll. They have got to be kidding her, that story had ended with the two main protagonists getting what they want, wasn’t that what a happy ending was all about?

“It’d make a wonderful book, but not in this case. It’s just not enough” Four eyes added with a shrug.

“Thank you for the comments” She forced herself to say when what she actually wanted was to yell ‘fuck you’. She gave them all a small smile. “Bye”

 She began heading for the exit with those dudes behind her whispering loudly.

 “Uh Kehlani”

 She growled silently, not even trying to smile as she turned to face them. Why are they flushed?

“Before you go, could you please sign our books?” Blondie said with a nervous giggle.

“We are huge fans of your work,” Four Eyes added.

It was at the tip of her tongue to tell them no but that would be rude.

“Yeah sure” She mumbled hoping she was hiding her discomfort well.

 They all gushed as she approached them, with the best smile she could work out. 

                                  …….

Trinity watched Kehlani pace around the room, gurgling loudly. Kehlani looked so stressed, and the eye bags under her eyes were proof enough. Kehlani was wearing a customized Billie Eilish gown, her hair packed up in a messy bun.

 It was quite easy to spot the new bruises on Kehlani’s body, and she was holding her waist more often than usual, so there definitely was a wound there. She has only been home for a day, yesterday and that evil man already did this much damage.

If not for the promise she made to Kehlani, she’d have that man rot in jail like he deserves.

 “Are you listening to me? Two attempts and those rascals  managed to drag it both into the mud. I can’t stand it anymore” Kehlani said all at once, out of breath.

“Breath, God damn it breath” She snapped harshly, snapping her out of her breakdown.

Kehlani stared at her, exhaling and inhaling loudly. She looked completely wrecked.

“You are a fighter, the strongest I’ve seen and this certainly won’t be what brings you down, okay?”

Kehlani hazel eyes studied her intently, her face clouded with so many emotions.

“Now come here baby, no work today” She said, patting the space beside her on the bed.

Kehlani brushed the curls off her face, and made her way to the bed.

 She wrapped her arms around Kehlani once she was settled, hugging her close. “I’ve got you” She reminded, placing a kiss on Kehlani’s hair.

 Kehlani snuggled closer. “I know”