TWELVE.

Graduation was slowly creeping up close. It was three weeks away. Chloe and I had already discussed our plans for college. I was sad and disappointed to know we would be going to different schools.

"I'm going to miss you" she pouted

" I won't " I said with feigned boredom resulting in my pillow being thrown at me. I dodged easily.

"I'm kidding, I'll miss you more"
I told her as we continued with our assignments.

"Hey Clo?" I called her with my eyes glued to the textbook in my hands.

"Do you thi-"

"Wow" Chloe uttered as she opened my window which I had closed earlier so we wouldn't get distracted and start talking about Chris. I have had enough of him to last me a lifetime.

"I didn't know your room was directly opposite HIS room" she put emphasis in the his like there was a hidden meaning to her words.

"Chloe, please come back here before he opens the window and sees you, then yo-"

"Oh hi beautiful" I heard Chris say as I felt a pang of jealousy.

He had never called me that. Well, what do I care. It's his life and he's free to call whoever he wishes, anything he wished. I didn't bother looking up as I was sure he could see me clearly because I was on my bed.

They continued talking about nothing in particular as the minutes passed. Minutes turned into hours and they still continued talking. My jealousy was now a faint ache in my chest.

"Hey Kamara?" Chloe finally called me. I hummed in response.

"Can you come here please?"

"I am not talking to youknowwho" I responded without looking up but I could feel her gaze on me.

"Please" she pleaded in that tone she knew I couldn't resist

"Fine" I said sighing and dragging the one word as I made my way to the window. It was evening time now so Chris's window had the orange glow from the sun.

His soft blue eyes searched mine as I spared him a glance then quickly looked back at Chloe who already had her book bag over her shoulder.

Like really, Clo?, it was necessary you set me up with HIM??!!. I mentally screamed at her while glaring at her. I'm sure she saw murder in my eyes before she responded.

"Don't kill me in my sleep Kamara, you guys need to talk these things through" she raised her hands in surrender.

After giving me a quick hug and uttering a small 'I'll leave you two to it', she left the room.

"So" Chris started

"So" I muttered

"Care to explain why you've been avoiding me like I'm an avalanche?" He asked calmly

"Care to explain why you're back with Elle?" It was out before I could realize what I was saying.

"So that's what the attitude is about?" He asked more like to himself

"Come over and I'll explain"

"Okay" was all I said before closing my window and drawing the curtains close.

There was no way I would miss this. I've waited a while to hear what he had to say. I quickly put my black jacket over the tank top and changed into some ripped denim jeans.

I made my way downstairs and outside. After the uncomfortable exchange with Luke, I made my way upstairs. This was going to be the first time I was going to actually enter his room.

"Come in" came his voice after I knocked.

His room looked like the typical boy room except there was not a single speck of dust or any misplaced pieces of clothing.

"So" this was the second time I was saying this to him today but I didn't care.

He tapped a spot on his bed beside him. I hesitated.

"I won't try anything, I promise, scout honour" he held up two fingers making me smile. Even in this moment, he was still the funny person.

I sat beside him leaving as much space as humanly possible between us.

He sighed running his hands through his already messy hair making me itch to do the same thing to it too.

"When you didn't come back, I went crazy" he almost whispered but I still heard him nonetheless. The silence was palpable.

"I called your parents and they told me you had been missing for weeks then" he paused

"I continued calling periodically but you were nowhere to be found. On the second month, I kinda lost it"

"I didn't sleep much, I didn't eat at all. Starving myself for days at a time" he lowered his voice more before he spoke again

"I couldn't help feeling like you were dead. Then she approached me, trying to comfort me and it worked. We got back together even if you were still in the back of my mind, I continued seeing Elle but never really had or developed any feelings for her"

"When you came back, she knew I would leave her but she wanted me all to herself and I promise you I'll break it off with Elle for you" his head was lowered now.

I stood up and stood in front of him then I did something I had never done before. I hugged Chris. It wasn't an uncomfortable hug. It was a hug that told him how I felt. I didn't need words to express it and he seemed to understand.

"I missed your coconut scent, your big honey brown eyes, your sarcasm, your smile, even your wild hair. I missed everything about you and last but not the least, I missed you"

"When I woke up everyday you went missing and I couldn't see you through your window, it felt like my life was empty" he finished.

We stood there in each others embrace for I don't know how long but it was dark when I finally spoke.

"So we're cool?"

"We're cool" he confirmed as he finally released me.

"See you at school" I said as I left his room with my heads in the clouds. I was beyond happy.

***