~ Monday, Erudites High ~

RRRRINGG!!! The sound of the bell informed everyone it was time for P.E. Patra and Stella walked into the changing rooms_ Stella was a cheerleader and Patra felt like keeping her company. As usual these days, girls milled around them both, their centre of attraction on Patra.

"Patra, coach wants you on the cheerleader's team".

"No, thanks", Patra replied politely.

"Um, Patra what colour would be perfect for the cheerleaders?"

"What design do you think will look good on the uniforms?"

"Would pompoms be necessary?"

"Patra__".

The velvety voice cut through the hullabaloo and the girls turned toward the voice. Patra's fan girls giggled. Stella frowned. So did Patra.

"Can we have a talk?", he asked, eyeing Stella who all the while was sending death glare his way. "In private", he added.

Stella held her back and signalled her not to go but Patra shrugged her off, pleading to settle whatever she had with Kendrick. Stella finally sighed, giving in.

"Its alright, I'll be back", Patra assured and turned towards Kendrick. "Okay".

As they were leaving, Patra overheard one of the girls say something along the lines of: "They were such a perfect match. I wonder what went wrong".

What went wrong?, she asked herself.

They reached the garden and sat down by the proprietor's memorial. The building tension and silence was eating into Patra's soul and she didn't like it one bit. Kendrick seemed to have noticed as he reached for her hand but she was quick to slip her slender fingers from his warm larger ones. Her hands burned and tingled from where he had touched by t she managed to to keep her composure.

"Patra, I__".

"Don't. Don't say anything. You did what you had to", she smiled sadly.

"Getting married was a mistake. I shouldn't have listened to my father who was hell bent on getting out of bankruptcy by all means. I should have followed my heart".

"I understand, Kendrick. But as long as my cousin is happy with it, I'll be too. So don't hurt her and taken good care of her".

He stood up in anger.

"Screw your cousin", he snapped, attracting a few passersby who were now watching and even making a video of it. "I acted out of irrationality the night I proposed. Now I'm thinking straight. I want to make a better proposal", he said and went down on one knee. Patra stood up, her face scrunched.

"Patra, please be mine. I could have asked you to marry me but we're in high school and I want to make things right. I'm asking you to come into my life. Into my heart. Please, Patra. Be my girlfriend".

Tears welled up in her eyes at his utterances. "Kendrick, I__I'm sorry. I can't. It's too late for that",she choked out.

"Why not?"

What do you mean by why not? Are you stupid, you're married, she wanted to say.

"You're with someone else, Kendrick", she said weakly.

"So? Who cares?", he huffed out.

"I do. It's Ally's feelings at stake here".

"My spirit and body may be with her, but mind and soul and passion's with you. I don't love her, Patra. You are the real deal. I love you. Like hell, I'm crazy about you".

I am too, she felt herself want to say but restrained herself. He wasn't hers to keep. He was married to her cousin not her.

"I__I__I can't. I'm sorry", she said and walked away, pushing through the throng. She reached the female convenience and dragged herself to the nearest open stall. Closing the door behind her, she crouched as she broke down in sobs. It was her solace the past few days.

Kendrick stood there. The crowd had dispersed as the bell had rung for first lesson. He was deeply sorry and felt regret about what he did to her. What the hell have I done?, he kept asking himself.

"Hey man".

Kendrick was taken out of his train of thoughts and turned at the mention of his name. It was his best friend, Mike.

"What's disturbing you? It seems something is eating you into your soul".

Kendrick smiled. Mike knew him like the palm of his hands. For as long as he could remember, Mike and Devon were his confidantes. However, in their seventh grade, Devon left for boarding school while Kendrick and Mike schooled here.

"It's nothing, really".

"Girl trouble?"

Kendrick sighed. "You could say that again".

"It's okay. If it makes you feel better, we'll head out for drinks after school. Come now, you wouldn't want P.E. practice. Coach wants to hold a meeting in his office now, so i came to look for you". Kendrick agreed and they walked to the school's main building.

💖💖💗💖💖

She sat down in the mini living quarter of her room and sipped on her orange base drink. Her phone pinged. Jerk, it said. It was a message.

She contemplated whether or not to check it. I thought I made it clear to him not to contact me anymore, she asked herself. After much deliberation, she picked up her phone and checked it.

Come downstairs. I news to see you:- Jerk
Sent 2mins ago

What is he doing here? Haven't I made it clear that we couldn't see?, she asked herself. She put on her black ankle length pop socks, bum shorts and a free long sweater. She had twisted two streaks of hair and joined it at the back, leaving the rest down. She started to applying make up but stopped herself.

What am I doing? It's not like I want to impress him. He's married. Hello? Do I really need a sign to remind me over and over again?, she berated herself and washed the concealer off her face and put on diamond studs instead.

She headed downstairs, only to see Kendrick with flowers

"What are you doing? We could get caught", she whisper yelled.

"And a good afternoon to you too. Get in the car", he said and handed the flowers to her. After a stare down that seemed to last to an eternity, she reluctantly collected the flowers.

"Yeah, and allow me to get into something more appropriate. I can't be seen around you in some outfit", she said and sauntered off. Kendrick smiled. He was planning on taking to one of the best restaurants and still hoped she'd accept him.

💖💖💗💖💖

"This evening was awesome", Kendrick said when they got back. They were in the car.

"Yeah". There was silence. "Do you wanna in?"

"No thanks. Rain check? I just wish we could do this some other time"

We?, she thought.

"You know we can't. Take your wife out once in a while. Don't lavish your money on me. Do that on her".

"Patra, we have__"

"Goodnight, Kendrick", she said and got out of the car, closing the door shut and walking away. Kendrick sighed as the chauffeur drove off.

•~•~•~•~•

Hey Beauties

*Secretly cowers somewhere from angry fangirls* LOL

Sorry for the late (veerrry late) update by the way. But I updated so yay me. *throws confetti*

So, news is, I entered into the wattys this year and I really hope my book will make it and win. So don't forget to vote and follow me...

Lots of love...
Ciao
Valerie Jolie