˗ˏˋ༻ʚKrystian's POVɞ༺ˎˊ˗

Footsteps. Blood. Guilt.

Hair. Knife. Struggles. Screams.

My eyes opened as I sat upright on my bed, sweat streaming down my body despite the cool air coming from the air conditioner. I closed my eyes and moved my palms to my temples before leaning against the headboard. It'd been almost a month since I'd had this recurrent dream, and each time it felt more terrible than the last.

I looked at my bedside alarm clock. It was just after three a.m. I knew I needed that sleep so I could get up in the morning, even if I had to force myself, as I did every other night. So, I grabbed my phone and switched over to Netflix. Watching any basic films would've to do the trick.

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

Ring~

My body jolted as my phone rang. I groaned briefly before snuggling deeper under my cover to embrace my warm bed.

Ring~

It was too early for a phone call. I had planned to sleep in since it was a Saturday.

Ring~

The caller refused to give up. I let out a tiny grunt and groped my bed, blindly looking for my phone.

"Hello?" My raspy voice filled the room as I massaged my drowsy eyelids while still buried under my comforter.

"You're still not up?" 

Finally, I pulled my comforter down to my waist and sat straight, my back against the headboard.

"Hymn?" I didn't look at the caller ID before responding, but that was Hymn's voice. It was either him or my youngest uncle, who was three years older than me. But I was certain it was Hymn. "What is up, man? Why did you call so early?"

"So early?" I heard a scoff from the other end. "It's past eleven, bro."

I pulled my phone from my left ear and looked at the screen that had automatically lit up before pressing it against my ear once more. He was right; it was nine minutes past eleven. 

"Oh."

"And it's not a pleasant morning," 

"What's up with you?" I scoffed and rubbed my temples. I removed the cover from my body and climbed down from my bed before proceeding to the adjoining bathroom. I looked in the mirror and observed my bloodshot eyes, which were the result of not getting enough sleep.

"Ore, and of course, Toyosi." I applied toothpaste to my toothbrush before wetting it with the water from the sink tap. "They're both on my neck right now. Who did we offend by having girls as best friends?"

As I cleaned my teeth, I glanced at the mirror, my mind racing. Toyosi and Hymn have been my long-time buddies. Then Ore appeared two years later. We were told to get close to her so she would not feel lonely or out of place.

Toyosi. 

Her name reminded me of yesterday and what I'd seen on the data I had downloaded to the drive. There must have been an error somewhere; there had to be. Delphine was nothing more than the new girl, and there was no way she was going to let me doubt my best friend of seventeen years. 

"Are you listening to me?" 

"What?" I was pulled out of my thoughts. 

Hymn groaned out loud, "Guy, are you serious? I need you here, right now."

"Where's here?" I gurgled my mouth and spat out. 

"You haven't been listening to anything I say?" I knew he was done with me. I placed my brush back in its cup and stepped out of the bathroom after splashing water on my face and wiping it with my face towel. "Groovy Lit."

I wasn't in the mood to go out today; that was evident. It was also the weekend, and I wanted to recharge. "I'll be there." 

"Now, Krystian," I sighed, stepping out of my room and towards the stairs. "I've got two Vikings that wouldn't hesitate to eat me raw."

I scoffed at his statements before hanging up the phone and putting it in the deep pockets of my pyjamas. I had no desire to go out. For one thing, I had a terrible headache from spending the majority of the night watching a movie to fall asleep.

"Morning, Mum," I began as I entered the kitchen, expecting to see my mother there. She held a large green bowl as well as a mixer. I went to the fridge and opened it to fetch a bottle of water, which I gulped down before returning it to the fridge.

"What have I told you to always use?" I knew the scolding was coming, so I didn't react much. "A glass, Krystian, a glass."

"Sorry, mum," I said, moving to the island. "Where's dad?" 

"Upstairs, sleeping." Mother informed, then added immediately. "Do not wake him up."

I lifted both hands as if surrendering to her demands. "What are you making?" 

Mother turned to place the bowl on the counter. "How do pancakes for breakfast sound?" 

"Perfect." Then it hit me. "Too bad, I won't eat any." Mother turned to give me a puzzled look. "I'm meeting up with the gang."

"They shouldn't stress you for me," my mother knowing whom I was referring to, leaned against the counter and pointed her index finger at me. "Remind them that you're my only child."

"I will," I said, giving out a slight nod before reaching for the bowl containing fruits. 

"How is Toyosi doing?" my mother asked as I peeled a banana. 

"Fine," I shrugged, taking a large bite. "She hasn't shown any sort of depression ever since that incident."

Mother sighed, placing both hands on her waist. "I just don't understand Yemisi and Wilson one bit."

I knew my mother was angry. She usually called Auntie Yemi by her full name whenever she was angry. 

"Divorce is one thing; leaving a child to fend for herself is another." I watched my mother tap her feet continuously on the tiled floor. "Wilson is somewhere in Dubai with one ugly babe I saw on his Instagram story."

"Mum—"

"And Yemisi," my mother ignored me. "That one is in Los Angeles, doing a Hollywood contract."

"Toyosi is fine, mother." I stepped over to the wastebasket to throw away the banana peels. "Toyosi's home is teeming with workers because her mother made sure she had all she needed. Every month, both of her parents send her generous allowances. Between Hymn, Toyosi, Ore, and myself, I'd say Toyosi is the wealthiest at this point, given how both parents spoil her."

"If I knock that your head," my mother responded immediately, making me chuckle. "Do you think money is everything? Is that what I thought you in your seventeen years on earth? Back in the day, when I was around your age, I didn't run after material things and remained humble till I met your father."

"That's not what I heard from Dad," my mother sent me an icy glare, forcing me to let out a nervous laugh. It was wise not to get my mother angry, even Dad knew that.

"My point is," Mother continued regardless. "Toyosi deserves way more than material things from her parents. That parental touch is the most essential thing in her life right now. Promise me that you, Hymn and Ore, will take real care of her. You three are the closest to home for her right now. And do not let anyone try to break the bond you four have created. Okay?"

Delphine's face flashed in my thoughts, and I felt nervous all of a sudden. I turned to my mother, trying not to think about it too much. "Do not worry, Mum; no one will."

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

Groovy Lit. I looked up at the building's enormous sign after transferring the Uber driver's money. Because of its two-segment beauty, this was the top choice of every teenager in town. I walked into the main building, which served as the first segment of Groovy Lit.

The main structure resembled that of a bar and it was parked. They were adults, of course, so the bartenders were always careful not to give alcohol to minors. The majority of young people gathered at the main building for the food and soft drinks and I wasn't an exception. I made my way to the food counter to get something to eat, fully aware that I couldn't eat breakfast at home due to the unexpected meeting with my best friends.

"Sorry," a little voice said after I was hit on my way to the food counter. I looked down and noticed a familiar face in Groovy Lit's staff uniform.

"Ivie," the girl looked up, her eyes bulging out a little. 

"Sorry," she whispered before hurrying away. Who would have believed she worked here? Ivie was in my class, but many people forgot she existed because she rarely spoke to anyone in class, including her seat partner. Everyone labelled her as strange because she rarely engaged with others. Even the teachers gave up trying to engage her in class by asking her questions. She was called Ghost Face in Ss1 because she behaved like a ghost and was never seen.

Ignoring the encounter, I ordered a typical breakfast of jollof rice, fried plantains, and fried fish. I didn't order any soft drinks since I needed something more refreshing, which was where the second segment of Groovy Lit came in.

I exited the main structure through the back, which led me to a bamboo-made gate. This was the second segment of Groovy Lit. Unlike the first half, which exuded a wild, exciting feel, the second segment was similar to that of a tropical paradise. It had a gigantic swimming pool with fake coconut trees all over the area. Several huts were built to protect customers while they rested and had fun, and a drink counter was set up to sell fruit drinks to them.

I approached the drink counter with my tray in hand and ordered an orange drink, which was given in a big glass. A bending straw was made available, and an orange slice was affixed to the tall glass. I transferred the money to the employee behind the counter and turned to look for my friends. I was walking by the pool when I spotted some girls attempting to get my attention. I winked and forced a smile down at one.

"Krystian!" I looked up and became aware. I saw my friends occupying a hut in the distance. I marched over to them, sat on the concrete bench, and placed my tray and drink on the concrete circular table.

"You didn't eat at home?" Ore snarled as I was about to dig in. 

I looked at Hymn, glaring at him, before placing a spoonful in my mouth and turning to Ore. "Morning to you too."

After I'd taken my shower and gotten dressed, I'd gone to the kitchen, only to discover that my mother hadn't begun the pancakes yet. I couldn't wait for it due to Hymn's unexpected call, so I had to leave home on an empty stomach.

"Krystian." Toyosi's soothing voice caused me to look up at her. I was seated next to Hymn, and we were both facing the girls. Toyosi's hands were about to touch mine on the table, compelling me to drop both of my hands down onto my lap. Toyosi noticed this and drew her hands back. "I saw Delphine get into your car yesterday."

Toyosi had the same expression she had back then. The same expression that made me feel so uneasy. I reached for my glass and drank a large portion. I needed a distraction as soon as possible. Spyro's 'Who Is Your Guy?' started playing over the speakers and everyone in the pool area began crying out the lyrics. I groaned deep down my throat, knowing it wasn't the distraction I wanted.

"And?" Toyosi blushed, as she often did when she laughed or wept too hard. That sign was enough to indicate that she was holding back tears so hard that they were already visible on her face, considering how fair she was.

"And?" It was Ore's turn to speak. "You saw what that girl did to me, and you thought it best to be nice to her by giving her a lift?" 

A lift? Far from that. But both were acting so entitled that I somehow wanted to put them in their place. Was this the reason Hymn asked me to come over?

"What did she ever do to you?" I asked, looking at Ore. "You started it, didn't you?" 

"I started nothing!" Ore yelled. One thing about Ore was the fact that she couldn't control her emotions. Something I knew would be her downfall one day. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to end it, 'cause I won't. I'll have my revenge."

"Don't do anything stupid."

"Why?" Toyosi looked at me in disbelief. "Are you going to start protecting her now?" I ignored the challenging look from Toyosi. 

"We are all friends; we shouldn't fight, but instead, try to be at each other's pace," Hymn finally voiced out in a calm voice. "Can we?"

 "Can you stop hanging out with her?" Toyosi pushed Hymn's remarks aside. She gazed deep into my eyes, looking for God knows what while giving me that vulnerable look. "It makes me feel uncomfortable."

I pushed my tray aside because I'd already lost the appetite to eat anything. "You can't tell me who to hang out with and who not to hang out with."

Toyosi visibly flinched at my stern words, forcing Hymn to reach out to me. "Calm down, man."

I wasn't furious. I simply didn't like where this discussion was headed. I avoided Toyosi's stare, and Ore sipped her fruit drink quietly, her forehead furrowed.

"I've found a way to get my revenge!" Ore slapped her glass on the concrete table. It was a miracle; it didn't break. 

"Can you not?" I reached up and touched my temple.

"It will only end when I get my payback." Ore's tone held no room for argument. "What's your deal with Delphine anyway?" She challenged. "Do you like her that much?" 

Toyosi locked her attention on me. Even Hymn's glance was one of inquiry. Like Delphine? I didn't even know her, and she was not particularly attractive. Being worried was not the same as liking someone.

Worry motivated me to assist her in retrieving the drugs from Romeo's backpack. Worry compelled me to drag her out of the school before the security guard apprehended her in front of the class teacher's office. Worry drove me to agree to assist her in obtaining what she required in that office, and worry, pushed me to lie to Mr. Obi after he'd discovered us in his office. I was worried for her, the same way I was worried about my friends, especially Toyosi, considering what I saw on the day of Danielle's death. 

Maybe I wasn't ready to face the truth; maybe that was the reason I refused to believe that the student's record was fabricated. 

"You know what?" I pulled myself out of my thoughts and looked in the direction of the pool instead. "Do whatever; I don't care."

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

That's it for today's chapter.

What are your thoughts on it?

We finally got to see a different POV and it's that of Krystian. Don't jump at me, 'cause I know many are curious about the way I ended the last chapter. You'd find out soon🫠

Krystian's chapter was going to come sooner or later, I just wasn't sure how to introduce his POV yet... but I guess now is the right time. We know a bit about Romeo and Kim's life cause they're closer to Delphine. With Krystian's POV, we'll know more about the Elites. We'll also get to see other side characters with Krystian's POV.

This book will have three POVs... Delphine's point of view contains 90% of the story. Krystian POV contains 7% of the story, and the last character's POV contains 3%.

Till next time✨