CHAPTER 20- JUSTINE’S OFFER
Kylie’s POV
My phone buzzed and I looked at the notification from the calendar. It reminded me that it was the final day for the submission of fees. I took a deep breath and closed it. I could not arrange the money and I had already told the principal about it. He was pretty sad that I am being forced to drop out but he said he will welcome me with open arms if I ever decide to come back to school to finish my school.
I was in the canteen waiting for Jessica to finish her class and come. When I spotted her coming towards me, I asked impatiently, “Did you find out anything?”
Jessica looked a little hesitant as she revealed, “I asked around, nobody knows where Elijah is.”
Colours drained off my face when I heard her words. The team had returned yesterday and the whole school was celebrating their triumph. Everyone was there except for Elijah!
I was thoroughly disappointed not finding him anywhere; we had not spoken since the fight we had in the alley. I did not react much at school and hoped that he would come home later that night but to my utter shock, he did not swing by.
He has come back to the city, he was in the bus along with the team until they reached the school. But after getting off, he disappeared into thin air with nowhere to be found.
He did not even call me or reply to the texts have been sending him.
Where could he be? What could he be doing? Is he alright?
Jessica saw the sadness on my face and covered my fist to cast her support. She said, “Don’t worry. He must be busy with something, he will come around.”
“I don’t think he will.” I said, “All he tried was to protect me but I screwed up. I hurt him pretty badly this time.”
She said, “But you gained your brains and did not go forward with it, did you?”
I kept mum and did not say anything. At this point, I did not even know what to say. Elijah was unpredictable! Should I tell myself that he would come back and forgive me? What if he doesn’t? I was already going through a tough time, I did not want to get more disappointed.
The bell rang again, indicating that it was the end of break hour. After the lunch break, Jessica and I go to our internship.
We went to the nurse’s office to put on our gear and get out first aid kits. After it was done, we walked to the court where the athletes usually practice or fool around in the name of practice.
We were in the common area and I was waiting by the lockers as Jessica had to rush
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out to get something.
While I was waiting there, my head was occupied by thoughts of both Elijah and how this was my last day in this school.
I don’t know what lies ahead for me in the future. I don’t want to leave this school or city but…
If I cannot avoid moving to another city to sustain myself, I don’t want to leave without meeting Elijah.
I don’t want to part ways with him but if I had to, I don’t want to leave without a proper goodbye or closure. If not goodbye, at least a ‘sorry‘ for hurting him.
My thought process was hindered when I felt a figure approach me from the corner of my eyes. Before I could turn to see who it was, the person called me out, “Kylie.”
I turned to my side to see Justine standing there in his sports attire.
My face immediately twisted, “You? What do you want?”
“Nothing. I saw you here standing alone so I thought I would come check on you. Are you alright?”
After Justine said this, I looked around to realize that everyone had left the room and I was so spaced out that I did not even notice them turn the lights off.
‘said, “I did not notice. You can go ahead first, I will lock the door and join you.”
d first, I will lock
The boy waved his hand, “Naah, I can stick around for a while. Elijah has benched me, there is nothing I am going to achieve by practising.”
As soon as Elijah was mentioned, I slipped into my thoughts again. I remember the day when Elijah removed Justine from the team and put him as an extra player. Justine was not that good but he was still a decent player, there was no reason for Elijah to bench him. He just did it out of sheer spite after he caught Justine trying to Woo me back.
He said, “You and Elijah are close. Can you ask him to take me back to the team?”
My mood immediately dampened when he suggested this. I straightened up and looked away, “Can’t do. We are not in contact anymore.”
“I see…”
I did not want to carry on this conversation anymore and wanted to leave but Jessica was nowhere to be found. Iwas losing my patience, so I said, “I am going to find Jess.”
“Hey, wait!” I had just taken a step towards the exit when Justine stood in front of me, stopping me from leaving.
“Justine, what is this?” I asked coldly.
With a concerned tone, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I am.” I snapped at him.
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Justine raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you sure?”
“What are you hinting at, Justine? Say it straight, I don’t have time for this.”
This was the thing with men, they will go around in circles and circles unless them to speak up.
Justine said, “I heard about the fees issue…”
you force
My fist clenched out of shame and anger! Of course he would know, Lisa must have had her sweet time telling him about it. I was furious, “Yes! Whatever you heard is right. I failed to pay the fees and I am getting kicked out of the school. I know you and Lisa
must be poppin champagne over it but you know what? I don’t care. You guys can laugh all you want at my miseries.”
“Laugh at your miseries? What are you talking about!” He sounded hurt, “Kylie, is that what you think I am? A monster who finds pleasure seeing you suffer?”
I crossed my arms, “You are telling me you did not hear about this through Lisa and did not laugh along with her?”
“No… Yes… I mean…” He fumbled, “Technically, she was the one who told me about it, I won’t lie but I was not laughing along with her.”
I did not say anything and just looked at him. It was evident from my expressions that I did not believe him.
He said, “Kylie, I know I have been a jerk to you in the past but please trust me, I am not like that anymore. When Lisa told me what your parents did, I was very upset. I even scolded Lisa for being happy about it.”
“What are you trying to say, Justine?”
The boy intoned, “I know I hurt you and I was stupid to have let go of a girl like you, Kylie. I lost my sight for a while but the love and care I have for you is genuine. I don’t want you to drop out of school.”
He paused there and looked me on the eye, “I can help you.”
will
pay your fees and will sponsor your higher education as well. You don’t have to ever depend on your parents again.”
Justine looked extremely sincere saying these words but nothing in this world comes for free. If I take his help, this would mean that I am agreeing to get back together with him.
I pursed my lips, I did not want to get back together with him especially how he hurt me but…
I did not want to drop out of school either.
The two options in front of me were tearing me apart and I was having an internal battle, trying to decide what I was supposed to do.
Justine said, “Don’t think too much, Kylie. I am sorry, I regret what I did to you and I
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want to fix it. Please give me a chance to prove myself.”
He touched my chin and leaned forward to kiss me.
“I… I…” Just when I was about to say something, the lights off the hall were turned on.
“Step away from her.” Elijah roared at Justine, making the whole hall thunder.
