Anne Cold shivers ran from my legs to the entire length of my body as I stared at him. My head had begun screaming immediately, ‘Explain to him! He saw wrong! He’s thinking wrong!’ I shook my head to quieten the insane voice. I owed him no explanation. I was only embarrassed he saw me in that position. “A good ol knocking would have made sense,” I blurted out, trying to regain my composure. “Sorry,” he replied calmly, backing away slowly. “Did you tell him yet?” came the eager voice of Fiona, who moved past Vincent and sauntered into the room. She immediately stopped when she saw me standing in the middle of the room. “Oh, Anny, you’re here?” she said, acting surprised. Like she didn’t see me leave with Andrew earlier today. She bent her neck sideways to peep at Andrew. Her face held disappointment when she looked back up. She must have been expecting Andrew to be shirtless, or even stark naked. “Hope we didn’t disturb you guys?” she said, staring at me squarely, a small smirk
Anne He sauntered in with his medium-sized traveling box rolling beside him. He was putting on a black leather jacket on top of a black round neck shirt, then had on blue crazy jeans that had slits more than my old, worn-out tights. His feet were covered in white sneakers, the size of my head. He was tall and slightly built. He had blue orbs surrounded by thick, short lashes and a subtle sharp-edged face. His nose stood tall, thin, and proud. He had thin lips covering a set of well-arranged white teeth that was sure to give his dentist no stress. On top of his head was a mass of short ginger blond hair. All in all, he was a nice male specimen. The same housekeeper that opened the doors for him took his luggage and disappeared. He just stood in the middle of the large foyer, looking around the walls and ceilings with a smile on his face, as if reminiscing the good days. When his eyes landed on me, standing on the staircase, with my feet on different steps, the smile he had vabished
Anne He saw me to my room before going to spend the rest of the night, catching up with Joshua. He didn’t let go of my hand the entire walk to my room. I didn’t protest either. He was happy. He had this bright sparkle in his eyes as he talked about his adventures with Joshua. He poofed and boomed, explaining with every part of his body. It was as if he was a kid again, reliving those memories of his buddy. I didn’t want to take that away from him by making him bother about my measly hand. At my door, he continued his escapade stories, not until I gave him a gentle tap on the shoulders did he realize. He looked around my door, then back at my face, giving me the softest stare. “As they say, time travels fast when you’re with loved ones,” he said in a cool, calm voice. “Well, you’ll be spending the fleeting time with Joshua,” I mused. His face scrunched up in disgust, “Eww!” “Get your head out of the gutters, silly,” I reprimanded, slightly smacking his forehead. He threw his head
Anne I looked from him to his extended hand, then back at his face. It wasn’t a joke. He wanted to walk me down the stairs. I hesitantly took his hand, subtly glancing at Fiona and Rebecca to see their reaction. Rebecca didn’t seem to mind as she took her husband’s hand. Fiona wasn’t looking my way either but I could tell she wasn’t happy with the development. I saw her limply take Joshua’s hand and allow him to lead her down the stairs. ‘I had no hand in this.’ I thought to myself. Vincent had taken my hand and put on the crook of his elbow, then gripped my arm tightly. It was getting weirder as the seconds went by. “What are you doing?” I blurted out. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Walking you down the stairs,” he replied casually as if it were something he did every other day. I didn’t want to think about the effects his touches had on me. It annoyed me that I still felt all gooey feet and tingly from them. I was beginning to think that this was a game to him. One time, h
Andrew My leg was hurting from all the exertion. Vincent had told me earlier to carry my crutches because he knew how crazy my friends were. I didn’t pay heed to him. I was paying the price now. After the chanting and turning me inside out with their rocky movements, they finally dropped me and proceeded to explode in a thunderous uproar, clapping and whistling. Honestly, today was one of the best days of my life. If not because of the joy my friends brought, it would have been the look on my dad’s face. He had turned the brightest shade of white the minute I was flown into the air. Pretend all he wants, he still loved me, and his reputation of course. I dare not fail to add that. If not for my mum’s intervention, he would have made everyone drop their phones with the securities before entering the party. The mad group dispersed, leaving the gentler ones who walked up to render their congratulation. My friend John had rushed out from nowhere and encased me in a knee-buckling hug. I
Anne I was speechless. I was scared. I was confused. Joshua’s words kept ringing in my head, as Andrew moved us both to the music. Jane had left, Pam too. Andrew and Vincent suddenly felt like strangers. I felt like I was in the den of lions. Any bit of movement and I would be devoured. I wanted to flee. Run away and never look back, but I was held down by the arms of this stranger dancing with me. Throughout my talk with John, I wasn’t myself. I was trying hard to answer his questions about Jane and Pamela. I didn’t even know anymore. Did they sense this all along and flee for their lives? But why did they leave me? I thought they were my friends. ‘Shut up silly, Pam is studying in her room down at campus,’ my head consoled. I could hear my name echoing at a distance, “Anne, Anne, ANNE!” “Yea, yea, I’m here,” I said, revving back to reality. “Are you okay? You took a while to answer,” Andrew asked worriedly. “Of course. It's just these heels,” I said, clamoring for more excus
Vincent My heart dropped into my chest. The scene unfolding in front of my eyes was like a horror movie. I knew it would happen in time. I knew I had decided to let go, but I still wasn’t prepared for what took place down on the dance floor. She kissed him. Anne kissed Andrew. The shocking realization had me dropping the microphone I had picked not too long ago. The static made from its contact to the floor had people recoiling in annoyance. It didn’t stop them though. They were still going at it. It was over, I guess. Anne no longer belonged to me. In my bid to compose myself, I caught sight of my dad standing with his guests at a corner. He was staring straight at me. I knew that look. My dad could read me like a book. Even with no outward emotions, he knew. Fiona was also giving me a weird stare. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking but somehow, I knew she was in on the secret as well. I wanted out. I felt stuffed. I felt I would pass out if I didn’t get a breath of fresh a
Vincent No doubt, she is breathtakingly beautiful. Many men would worship the ground she walked on just to behold her alluring slender curves and firm breasts. I know I’d felt the same way when we were dating. Maybe, I would have felt something if not for the state I was in. But at that moment, I was empty of sexual desires. She reached for my right hand, took it, and placed it on her firm boobs, putting pressure on my hand so that my hand could in turn feel its denseness. I stared from it to her face, and at the tears in her eyes. This woman loved me, there was no doubt. I wished I could give in to her need to make her feel loved like she’d always wanted, but to me, it only felt like taking advantage of her vulnerability and making her more miserable. I couldn’t do that to her. I slowly bent over and picked her robe, then covered her with it. She stared pleadingly into my eyes, pushing against my chest as if it was dead and she was trying to resuscitate it. I raised my hand and h