ODETTE | MOETTI

EVERYONE WENT SILENT.

We all shared a look with each other.

Neo reacted first, pointing in the direction opposite to the door. "There's another exit that way."

We didn't stay long enough to know if his words were too loud because we dashed after him, past all the stainless steel and cupboards, past the numerous freezers and storage spaces. I somehow ended up behind Lesedi but in front of Kaede and I'd have to be deaf to miss his grumbles.

"Neo I told you we'd be discovered if we didn't hurry up and get out."

The thought of my parents finding out made my fluttering heart sink to my stomach. I couldn't let it happen.

Lesedi grabbed my hand and Neo's with her other so a chain formed. I felt no other choice but to offer my free one to Kaede's. I couldn't see his face, didn't know if he'd even seen my hand in the dark, didn't know if my palm would be sweaty, didn't know if he'd think it was weird— but it gave me something to worry about that wasn't my parents.

I nearly stumbled when he took it. His hand was larger than mine, slightly callused, but warm. It made the chill of his rings against my skin stick out more and I couldn't tell if that or the low temperature in the kitchens that made me shiver.

I hadn't been expecting this outcome from Lesedi's late night rendezvous. I felt an insane urge to laugh as Neo led us single file through various twists and turns.

I doubted the Head Chef even knew them.

There was no advancing footfall behind us and I noticed how our surroundings seemed to get even darker. Maybe to preserve the electrical usage or because of a manual lighting system but the overhead lights weren't switching on. I remembered Jae saying something about the kitchens undergoing renovations and realised that this was probably the result of it.

Neo slowed the pace of the chain from a jog to a walk.  "Let's slow down, there's less light at this end."

He pulled out his phone and switched on the flash, letting it guide the way. "Everyone be careful, watch your footing."

Lesedi only gave him five seconds before questioning his sense of direction. "What exit are you even leading us too?"

Neither of them sounded out of breath and I was glad we all had the stamina to handle the dash. "Y'know how the old dance studio was renovated to extend the kitchen? There's now another exit on that end, we're nearly there."

"How d'you even know that?"

Kaede's raspy voice grazed my ear and I nearly jumped. He was stood much closer to me than I'd thought.

It reminded me that my hand was still in his and I had an urge to pull it free. I couldn't tell if my hand was sweaty from the run or if I was imagining it. I didn't know if my hand was grasping his too strongly or weakly.

This was really going to be how I held hands with a boy for the first time?

"That's for me to know and you to wonder." Neo's sketchy phrase pulled me out my thoughts with a snort and I felt Kaede's eyes shift to me.

I looked over my left shoulder only to find his face inches away from mine.

He was lit by the stray rays from Neo's torch and the softness of it brought out shades of bark in his inky hair. I could discern nothing but darkness behind him but it only brought my attention to his features. His strong jawline, the cut to his cheekbones, cupids bow— the hooded eyes that were set on me.

My heart gave a heady thud and I sucked in a silent breath of air.

Too close. He was way too close.

It seemed like the sudden close proximity affected him too since his cheeks coloured with a flush I'd only seen twice before.

He pulled back slightly, "Sorry, I, ah, didn't mean to—"

I cut him off, feeling just as flustered "It's fine, I turned, um, suddenly."

I caught his Adam's apple bop but he nodded. "Even so, I'm sorry that Neo dragged you both into all of this."

I followed the sudden tug from Lesedi's arm and his minty breath ended up tickling my ear.

I trailef after the two bickering in front of us so he couldn't see my warm face. "It's alright, it's actually kinda fun. I've never done this before."

"Me neither," his mutter made me feel less bad for feeling so nervous, especially with the racing pulse I could feel from his hand.

"Ah, here it is."

Before I could question Neo's words, light suddenly streamed into my vision. It was instinct for me to squint my eyes shut. With my hands full I couldn't lift them to shield them. Just before I closed my eyes, I registered the outline of a door and deduced it was what Neo was referring to earlier.

"Freedom, my people."

I kept my weak snicker to myself as Neo led us out and into the dim hallway I'd usually only see after my skating sessions. It only reminded me of how I didn't have a place to skate anymore. However, as of right now, I was more grateful that we hadn't gotten into trouble.

"We're not your people."

Kaede's snippy retort was met with silence before the ridiculousness of it all set in and the four of us slipped into laughter.

What an experience. I definitely didn't feel tired anymore.

"What the hell, a girl really can't get herself some grapes in peace." Lesedi chuckled and I agreed with her.

"What about me?" Neo couldn't even grin without breaking down. "Can't have a little chinwag without a guard coming in and threatening us out the kitchens?"

I snorted and couldn't help but let out a, "I think he just didn't want you to cook."

I sobered up immediately as I realised Lesedi wasn't the only one present. The play on words probably sounded cringy and I was about to take it back when Neo collapsed against the wall he already leaning a hand against. Kaede covered his face with his hands so I couldn't decipher his expression but Lesedi grabbed onto me as her knees wobbled.

"Fucking hell, I can't breathe." Neo's wheeze was the worst and his gasps only made me hide a snigger behind my hand.

"That was terrible." But Kaede's shoulders were shaking and I knew he was covering his eyes so he wouldn't shatter.

"No it wasn't, I nearly died." Lesedi's arm hooked around the back of my neck and I nearly worried for her crumpled form. "I love you Odey."

Something in my chest felt warm for making a joke that landed. I bathed in the feeling as the three pulled themselves together.

"I think we ought to get back to our dorms before anything else happens." I was nodding at Lesedi's suggestion before she'd finished.

"You're right." Neo staggered over to Kaede and slung an arm around him in support. "See you girls, don't be caught by anyone else."

"You too." Lesedi responded and I waved at the two as they headed in the opposite direction to us.

My gaze met Kaede's one last time and I couldn't help but smile as I remembered that even he found my joke slightly funny. I didn't even have a chance to let my heart to settle from the night's outcome when Lesedi tugged me in the opposite direction of the East Wing.

"Where are you taking me?" Now the adrenaline rush was wearing off, my initial exhaustion crawled back tenfold.

She tutted like my question disappointed her. "I thought you wanted to hear an explanation about everything?"

My eyes met hers in a stare off before I sighed. "Alright."

There went my sleep schedule.

She grinned like she'd expected my reaction and resumed guiding me down the hallway. She didn't think to tell me where we were heading and I was too tired to ask. Yawns left my gob at regular intervals and it was soon becoming hard to put one foot in front of the other.

"Are we there yet?" I wasn't sure my mumble was audible.

"Of course you'd ask right when we arrive."

Her grumble had me opening my half-closed eyes to see we were before a metal door. My brows furrowed as I stared at it, racking my head for if I'd seen it before. Coming upon with nothing, I shifted my gaze to our surroundings to see if I recognised where we were.

Our location was currently a dimly-lit staircase that looked worse for wear, something that easily stood out in a building renovated with elegance and luxury in mind. We were in a place I didn't recognise.

I couldn't retrace our footsteps in my head either. To be fair, Lesedi had been holding at least half my weight as we'd walked; I was nearly asleep on her shoulder. My legs weren't complaining about the distance, but that meant nothing given the strength in them. But the mix of confusion and curiosity swirling within me meant I definitely wasn't sleepy any longer.

"Arrived where exactly?"

She just smiled at my bewilderment and finally let me go to push at the heavy-looking door. An emergency exit sticker and lever were the only markings on its surface. I doubted we were even supposed to be here. Then again we weren't likely to get in trouble trouble if we were caught.

Lesedi did love to play on the edge.

It gave a large creak that made my heart jump before it split open. I didn't have a chance to question her when I was hit with a rush of cold air. I blinked and found the night sky.

"Welcome to St Everfields' roof." She left me with that tidbit of an explanation and skipped out onto the barren rooftop.

My jaw hung in disbelief before I followed after her onto the roof. Goosebumps scattered over my skin even with the parka I had on. Whitborne weather wasn't particularly forgiving in Autumn, certainly not at night.

There was nothing occupying the large expanse except stray litter and, oddly, a few pens and pencils scattered on the ground. My eyes didn't spend any longer taking it in when I reached Lesedi's side. She stood against a large ledge that was tall enough for her to rest her crossed arms on it. I followed her gaze and had to pause to take it all in.

Lights.

Softly shining in the near distance. A product of air pollution of the village the school stood on the edge on. Away from Whitborne village, the view was filled with sloping green hills and patches of forests. The tranquil picture couldn't be seen from ground height, but up here with cold air filling my lungs, I realised how quaint it really was.

The sleepy village was mainly filled with natives. It meant most of the stores present were passed down generations. The young who managed them, continued their family's legacy. With the healthy funds St Everfields pumped into the village each year in return for keeping quiet about the school's location, ( plus catering to student outings ) I didn't doubt that they'd last.

The night sky hung above us like an endless black ceiling dotted with white splashes of paint. The quiet was a beautiful thing, peaceful and lonesome and I understood why Lesedi would come back here after being shown it.

I shifted my gaze down below to find the lampposts dotted about that illuminated the sixth-form college. The roof was situated above the north wing and overlooked the thriving grounds around the school walls. Tree branches stretched up towards us. Fireflies cast a cozy glow onto everything the poles couldn't reach. The corners of my lips tugged up at the sight of it all.

I almost couldn't believe how high up we were; it had to be at least four floors. But the sense of serenity over the space seemed to nullify the fact.

It seemed wrong to burst the silence but the question left me on a breath. "How d'you even know about this place?"

I glanced to my left to take in her profile as she gazed across the landscape. She didn't respond immediately, instead looping a braid that had escaped her bun.

"Someone showed it me."

I tapped my chin and muttered loud enough for her to hear. "So she means Neo."

"Shut up." The phrase held no heat, and coupled with the way she didn't deny it, I knew I was right.

I wonder what they'd spoke about up here.

Despite my thoughts, I let out a knowing hum.

"Do you want me to tell you or not?"

I stifled my smile. "Go ahead."

Still, I opened my ears and listened to the girl that I saw as my sister.

"From the beginning he's always been a flirt." She pursed her lips after her first admission but carried on. "You know how I feel about guys like that so I laid down boundaries the same hour we were partnered up in psychology. Sure he liked to sneak in the extra compliment every now and then but I didn't take anything he said seriously. My priority was on getting the best predicted grade, not a boyfriend."

She sighed and took down her bun to shakily run her fingers through her braids. "I was surprised we gelled the way we did though; he's excellent to work with when he puts his mind to something. It was only a matter of time before we became friends. . .but like I said, I made sure he knew I wasn't someone who was interested in dating him. But my feelings on the matter now. . ."

I read her body language because it spoke more than her words. From her fingers now fiddling with her earrings to the small pout of her lips, my eyes caught every emotion her actions were conveying. Shyness.

I took her hand in mine to squeeze and let her know that I was not only there for her, but I would provide no judgement.

She'd never judged me.

My voice was soft among the owl hoots and l rustles of leaves. "So you fancy him?"

There was conflict in her eyes so I wasn't shocked when she let out a sigh. "It's complicated."

I knew it wasn't a cop-out so she could avoid giving me an answer. Lesedi was the type of  person who was always sure of herself and stuck to her morals, however bizarre they were. It only highlighted to me how conflicted she felt.

I leaned over to wrap the fluffy girl in my arms so we could look at the view together. I ignored the laughter that left her at the move and the few birds that squawked as they left their roosts. I didn't care; I didn't want her feeling like she was going through the storm of feelings alone.

"And those emails?"

I was referring to the long chain of them I'd stumbled upon by accident when using her Mac over the summer. I didn't dare snoop since everyone deserved privacy, especially her. But I did remember the numerous correspondence between the two of them throwing me off initially.

I knew it was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to her and Neo's relationship. If they were chatting so easily over mail — which wasn't the most seamless way of communication — they had to have hit it off to a certain degree.

Lesedi dipped her head and her braids tickled my chin. "I don't even know when we started, but he's— yeah. I didn't even know he had that side to him: I thought he was a player and that was it. But I'm constantly learning new things about him—" She shifted so she could lock eyes with me. "—girl,  he writes poetry."

There was nothing that could stop my mouth from dropping open.

I never expected that one.

I didn't finish my thought when Lesedi grabbed my shoulders; I guess my face said it all. "Exactly!"

She resumed her initial position so her back rested against my front to pout. I knew she found order in mentally putting people in boxes in a way that only made sense to her. She'd told me once that it allowed her to go about her day without overthinking a single action and stressing.

I couldn't imagine how cluttered her mind was right now.

"Have you done owt about it?"

Her eyes rolled in faux disbelief like she couldn't believe I hadn't caught on. "What did you think tonight was for?"

In my snorting I barely got my words out. "Canoodling in rendezvous?"

I tightened my arms around her so she couldn't escape them and throw hands. "You actually peck head."

The Mancunian phrase on her tongue just made me laugh harder. "Alright, tell me what you talked to him about then."

She didn't speak for a few moments and I knew she was nailing me with a vexed look. "I was restating my boundaries, in case he forgot any over the summer. Making clear what I'm comfortable with and not comfortable with. There's things I've told him about that—"

Her frame filled with tension and she took a step out of my reach when she cut herself off.

"Things you've told hin?" I kept my voice hushed, gentle.

"It's nothing." She had a habit of growing quieter when she lied and it revealed itself in moments like these.

I didn't push, even though it stung. Sure I bared myself to her, but she didn't owe me the same. In fact, I shouldn't have been piling my thoughts, feelings and situations all on her in the first place. I had to have a support system that didn't start and end with her.

I had to branch out.

Her next whisper distracted me from the realisation. "It was after our talk that I realised I should have done a bet with him— but by then we were on the run."

A bet? That definitely wasn't something that I was expecting for her to say.

I gave a false tut as I hugged her tighter. "Of course you're blaming someone else."

"Yeah because it's never my fault." She gave a light scoff that made me smile.

"So what was the bet you had in mind?"

"A kiss one." She paused then mumbled the rest of her explanation. "If he kisses me before the end of the year, I'll cut him off. Like no communication between us at all. As in back to strangers again."

I tilted my head as I tried to understand her logic. It made sense. . .in the complicated way Lesedi thought in; she could see if he was satisfied with growing solely a platonic relationship. His choice would bring his motivations to light: whether he was interested in her on a personal basis or a sexual one.

"Do you think it's a good idea?" The question betrayed her doubt.

I hummed. "The principle, yes. I'd maybe change the ultimatum to him making any sexual advances at all, but you have the final decision."

Even though I didn't get it completely, I knew that if she'd made the decision it wasn't lightly.

"No, yours is better. I'll change it to that."

To get her mind off it all, I tugged her into a hug she had no chance of escaping. "D'you feel better now you've talked it out?"

She relaxed against me and let me hold her weight. "Yeah. . . Did you know that you make a great cushion?"

I snorted as my chin settled over her shoulder. "Ta, I'll add that too my personal statement then."

"Hmm." The sound vibrated near my ear so I didn't miss the laugh she was suppressing. "You should, you'd defo get accepted anywhere with arms like this."

"You'd think so after all the hours I put in to these bad boys."

"Speaking of bad boys, what about your own boy trouble?" She snickered but I wasn't surprised that she shifted the topic of conversation onto me.

Boy trouble?

I felt my face warm and I let her go as I mentally prepared myself for the incoming conversation. "What d'you mean by boy troubles?"

Instead of a response, I felt her eyes linger on me and I tried not to give her a dirty look. "I have no eyes on any boys."

She only hummed like she didn't believe me and I rolled my eyes. I shifted a few steps to the left of the ledge.

"Doesn't look like it."

I peered back over the tranquil sight. "Okay, hit me then."

"Mr blushy?"

A chuckle escaped me at the title she'd given him. However, it did reinforce the fact that I hadn't imagined it. To think I'd been the reason for the pink to his skin. . .it made me feel funny inside.

"I knew it!" She turned to me with a victorious grin on her face. "You're laughing because you know!"

"No, you're wrong!" I groaned and covered my eyes. "Okay he's cute, but I don't feel owt for him."

Which worked out for the better since he definitely wouldn't be interested. Plus there was no point of me even skirting the idea of dating: my parents wouldn't have it and I was way too busy as it was.

"Not to mention he's AJ's ex."

In my eyes at least, that meant there was a line there I couldn't cross— especially when I didn't know anything about their breakup. For all I knew, the two still harboured feelings for each other, and I'd never get in the way of them.

I thought Lesedi had already come to the realisation, but by her elevated brows she clearly hadn't. "Oh. . . Well they're exes for a reason?"

Her quick retort made me smile and I shook my head at her. "You're actually somet else Les."

"Excuses, excuses." She remained firm in her line of thinking. "It's so us to be entangled with guys who are best friends."

I levied her with a look, only half surprised at her words. "I don't know about you, but I'm not feeling the slightest bit tangled up. . ."

She caught my unuttered slight and grabbed me while I burst out laughing. "Oh shut up, you know I was joking."

"Uh huh, sure you are."

But I had a feeling that she wasn't.

EL SPEAKS !
wow an update on time 😻😻 look at me go?? #theres probably a million spag errors

but ANYWAYS what do you think?? was the chap good or nah? cute, boring? yall tell me cause i'm trying to give them a realistic pacing 🙏🏽🙏🏽

okay i know this is sudden but to those who've been stalking me (i love you guys) i've got alevels coming up in june. they're basically exams i take so i can get into the uni i want and i've always been an academic girlie so ofc wattpad will be on the back burn. basically i will be on hiatus till july because i cant spend so much time away from revision in good conscience since education always comes first to me 🤞🏽 the plan is once i return in july the updates will be back to weekly and ill be more active on insta and tiktok too again so 😻 if i dont respond to anything / am late to, you know why (im hashtag not a rude girlie i swear 😕)

to my remaining supporters who vote and comment and interact with me (you all know who you are) i genuinely am so so thankful for having you,, you push me to write and make doing so feel worth it 🥹🫶🏽 love you guys for realll

VOTE and COMMENT to show me you want more scenes like this. 😍 hope yous have had a good day 🫶🏽 you can always rant to me if it wasn't 😠❤️

( posted; 11/05/24 )