“He called you pretty” Ariana said niggling her friend who was frozen.
“Is this a dream or am I hallucinating?” Charlotte asked, staring into space.
“It’s real girl, let’s open the gift, though people would stare” Ariana said shaking the box which she placed beside her ear.
“Hmm… It’s a big diamond ring, a long love note and a little rose petal” Ariana teased and Charlotte collected the box from her.
“No, I’ll open it later or probably return it” Charlotte declared and Ariana opened her eyes widely.
“Return it?. No.. no no, you’re doing no such thing. He’s rich, so it means little for him to give out a gift” Ariana asserted.
“No, I just don’t feel comfortable with collecting gifts from him” Charlotte mumbled and Ariana smiled.
“Okay.. Everyone’s watching you, hand over the gift so I’ll keep it safe” Ariana said with a mischievous grin.
Charlotte looked at her suspiciously. “No, I’ll keep it in my bag” Charlotte replied, throwing the box into her bag.
A teacher came in and they became silent. The teacher gazed at Charlotte for a while then averted his gaze.
The class was super boring since Mr Maxwell taught astronomy and everyone sighed with relief when the closing bell rang.
Charlotte and Ariana walked out, going to the park. A few students peered at Charlotte.
“Cute dress, do you come from the circus?” A boy sneered and his friend laughed.
“Just ignore them” Ariana said as they walked to the parking lot.
They saw Austin and Donald waiting. “Hello sir” The girls chorused and Austin nodded without raising his head.
“Let’s go to the party” Donald said eagerly and Austin brought out two shopping bags from his car.
He handed one to Ariana and the other to Charlotte and both girls exchanged confused glances.
“It’s a pool party, you can’t go there dressed in these clothes” Donald explained and they nodded.
“But where would we change our clothes?” Ariana inquired.
“When we get there, you would be shown to your rooms” Donald said and both girls exchanged looks again.
“Let’s go already” Austin said, nodding at the crowd of students who were staying at him.
“Why wasn’t Brooklyn in school since?” He thought but shrugged it off.
They got into Donald’s car and zoomed off, leaving behind Austin’s car.
They entered a big house, with flowers decorating a path to the main door. They stared at the beautifully coloured and marveled at how beautiful the Italian house looked.
“Is this house more beautiful than Austin’s?” Donald questioned and both girls nodded cautiously.
“Ahh!. Finally. My house looks better than yours” Donald said, making fun of Austin who wasn’t bothered.
Ariana couldn’t believe what she heard. The house belonged to Donald!.
Donald led them inside and their breaths hitched and their eyes widened as they ogled the Italian, tiled ground, with a chandelier hanging from the top and several decorative bulbs hung at the side.
The sitting room was large and in a corner, was the winning with a long table and twelve chairs.
He led them to the first two rooms on the left, saying the second belonged to Charlotte and the first Ariana.
“Don’t give me confused glares, it’s a two days party” Donald said and the girls were gobsmacked.
“And lastly, the bag Austin gave you contains the clothes you would wear. If you need any help just ring the bell at the side and a maid would come in” Donald said as he and Austin left.
“Your boss is so unusual” Charlotte said with a sigh as they looked around the large, spacious room.
“I’m also amazed, he does things strangely” Ariana responded.
“This big house belongs to Donald, wow it’s enormous and beautiful” Charlotte said as they sat on the large king-sized bed.
“And it has lots of rooms, we were given separate rooms!” Ariana cried out with happiness.
“Let’s check the bag, I’m dying to see the clothes in there” Charlotte confessed pointing at the bag.
“No, let’s check the box Donald gave you” Ariana argued and Charlotte chuckled.
“Fine. Only because I’m curious though” Charlotte resigned as she brought out the box.
They opened the wrapped box and found a phone, a Samsung Galaxy, AirPods and its charger.
“Oh!. He got you a phone” Ariana gasped, enclosing her mouth dramatically.
“He called you pretty, he gave you a gift and he invited you to his party. Damn this dude likes you!” Ariana joked.
“No… I can’t take this. I can’t accept it” Charlotte said, shaking her head.
“Why?. What’s wrong?. It’s a friendly gesture” Ariana lectured as she switched on the phone.
“I don’t feel comfortable. Why would he give me gifts?. He doesn’t know a thing about me, I’m not gonna jump on his bed again because of his petty gifts” Charlotte let out and Ariana stared at her with wide eyes.
“AGAIN!. when was the first time? How come you never told me anything about the first?” Ariana bombarded and Charlotte blushed.
“Did I say again?. It must have been a slip of tongue. I mean if he thinks I’m a slut then he’s mistaken” Charlotte lied, looking at the phone and Ariana looked at her with scrutinising eyes.
“Okay. Stop acting like it’s a big deal. He’s rich and is willing to spend his money on you” Ariana said and Charlotte ignored her and put the phone back in its box.
Charlotte opened the shopping bags and muttered a curse. She brought out 6 pairs of shorts, 6 crop tops and 2 gowns.
“I’m dazed, we are gonna spend just two days here but he got us fours clothes. What is wrong with your boss?” Charlotte questioned with a smile.
“Don’t know. If he could get me two phones, pay my salary and gets me lots of expensive dresses, then he’s filthy rich and insane” Ariana answered back and both girls burst into laughter.
They heard a knock and stiffened. “Come in, the door is open” Ariana said and a maid walked in, bringing a cart that was filled with food.
They exchanged peeks. “Sir asked me to give this to ma’am Charlotte and Ariana. He said you should come down when it’s 7 pm. When you finish eating, please ring the bell so I could come to clean up” The maid said with a bow and she left.
“Geez, rich guys are so unpredictable” Charlotte said with a sigh.
“Don’t know about you but I’m starving” Ariana said as she opened the plate and licked her tongue noisily.
“Chicken and waffles, pancakes with syrup, chocolate chip cookies and many more, wow!. I feel like a celebrity” Ariana mentioned, looking at the fountain of food with hungry eyes.
“Wait. You can’t just eat without me” Charlotte said, going to sit beside Ariana who was at the bedside.
“Yes I can. He’s my friend remember?” Ariana declared, lifting her brows and Charlotte rolled her eyes.
“Enough talking, let’s devour this meal and have some rest” Charlotte said, rubbing her hands together.
They ate in silence, taking water and ignoring the wine that was at the side. Ariana rang the bell and immediately, a maid walked in and wheeled the cart away.
“Leave my room, you have yours” Ariana announced, pushing Charlotte away.
“Please ma’am Ariana, could your humble servant share this bed with you?” Charlotte inquired with a mock now.
“Since my maid is so humble, I’ll be merciful to her” Ariana answered and Charlotte bounced on the bed.
“Stop acting childish, if Donald sees you this way, he’ll if you as immature” Ariana mocked.
“Argh!. Please give me a breathing space. Who cares about what Donald thinks?” Charlotte asked with a groan.
“You do. I can see the love in your eyes. I’m envious, never have you called my name with so much love and tenderness” Ariana taunted with a giggle.
“Urgh!. Please stop it already or I’ll inform your boss that you have a crush on him” Charlotte threatened.
“Oh please I don’t and even if you do, he’s not gonna believe you and I doubt you have the guts to stand before him” Ariana said with a chuckle.
“Oh yeah, watch me do that” Charlotte said, wearing her slippers, she stood up and opened the door, pretending like she wanted to head out but Ariana didn’t bulge or go after her.
“Fine, I give up, your boss has cold and frightening eyes, how would I walk up to him?” Charlotte queried, returning and Ariana burst into laughter.
“See, I told you, you’re a scaredy-cat” Ariana taunted and Charlotte used the pillow to cover her eyes as she fell into a deep sleep.
Outside, Candy heard noises as she walked past their room. “Does Donald have guests?” She thought.
“Does my brother have guests in that room?” She asked, pointing at Ariana’s room.
“Yes miss, sir has two guests” The maid answered and left after Candy had nodded.
“Who could those guests be?” She asked, then shrugged it off and went to the room that had been reserved for her.
After a few hours.
Charlotte had woken up already and taken her bath when Ariana woke up sluggishly. She sleeps more than a pregnant woman.
“Hey go freshen up already, you have just 15 minutes” I said as I used the towel to clean my hair since I had one of the fluffy robes.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?. You know I sleep a lot” Ariana said as she yawned.
“I did but you’re a deep sleeper” I answered with a laugh and she went to the bathroom.
Within 7 minutes, she came out, shivering with her teeth chattering. ”The water is fucking cold” She said.
“You should have used the hot one but I guess you’re not into modern technologies” I mocked and she raised her brows.
“I’m better than you please. I know how to operate a phone while you just got one” Ariana said with an eye roll.
“Uou boast like you’ve been using a phone for more than a year now. Please share your experience” I said sarcastically and we both giggled.
We argued about the shorts and eventually, I took the pink one while Ariana took the purple.
We got dressed and were nervous about who would go out first. Someone knocked on the door and we sighed with relief.
Ariana opened the door and I smiled when I saw Austin
He stooped for a moment when he saw Ariana. His eyes widened and I almost laughed.
Ariana also stared at him with a gentle gaze and I knew she had fallen deeply for this guy.
He looked at her and swallowed nervously. They maintained eye contact and I coughed slightly and they broke contact.
“Are you ready?” He asked, scratching his head, more to Ariana than me. We nodded and together we left the room fn walked to the pool.
The pool was dimly lit with a blue bulb and a grill was at the side, making the air filled with barbecue and alcohol.
The party was filled with mostly people from school since few waved at Austin who just ignored them.
Nervously, we sat in two recliners and Austin sat beside Ariana as few stared at us.
Mi Amor, was being played. They conversed as they took shots of alcohol from the waiters who passed by.
Austin was beside Ariana who blushed shyly, his sun-tanned skin shining in the blue light.
Many girls were in the pool, wearing tiny bikinis. They revealed so much flesh. I was irritated at the way boys touched girls.
My eyes drifted to Donald. His well-toned and glistened in the light and my eyes wandered his chest, inch for inch.
I blushed when his gaze met mine and he winked at me. He came out of the pool, dripping with excess masculine strength as his muscles vibrated.
He was walking toward me when the red-headed lady blocked his way. She was wearing a g-string and her large breasts were covered with a tiny patch on her nipples.
She kissed him and my anger grew for no reason. Who was she?. Why is she always around him?. My subconsciousness asked and I peeled my eyes off them.
A guy came to stay beside me and I pretend to be asleep. ”Hey cutie” He said and I ignored him.
“I know you’re awake. I’ve been staring at you from afar” He did and I opened my eyes lazily.
“Hello, I’m Josh, grade 8 at Sawyer College and you?” He asked and I cussed.
“Charlotte, grade 7” I replied and he laughed.
“It’s funny, I’ve been watching you from school and even here, I’ve come to conclude you’re a shy damsel” Josh said and I smiled.
“Words don’t flatter me” I replied and he held his chest as if someone had hurt him.
“Pardon me Charl.. I’m not one to flatter” He said dramatically and I laughed.
“There’s a lot of guys staring at me enviously because of you. I’ll leave you now milady but we would meet at school” Josh said with a sly bow and I laughed.
I liked his funny behaviour. I saw Donald staring at me with eyes that threw daggers. He seemed angry and I wondered why.
Donald had been looking at Charlotte from where he, Shantel and Candy were.
Candy noticed he wasn’t paying attention. She looked at where his gaze was directed and fumed when he saw Austin sitting beside Ariana.
Hissing furiously, she left. Donald got furious when Josh sat beside Charlotte and even angrier when she smiled.
“She always frowned or acted shyly whenever she was with me but she could smile at other guys” Donald thought angrily as he walked toward her.
He greeted a few friends as he passed and he sat on the recliner beside mine.
“Hello Charlotte” He said and I rolled my eyes. He wasn’t interested in me, yet he gave people the wrong impressions.
“Hello” I answered, turning to look at Ariana.
“You’re enjoying the party right?” He asked and I nodded.
“Take your gift. I can’t accept it” I said, returning the gift which I had kept beside me.
His eyes dropped and it pierced my heart, looking at his moody face, it felt like I had hurt him and I looked at my fingers nervously.
“Why?” He muttered lowly.
”S.. sir” I mutrered ans got lost as I looked at his deep purple, eyes. His nose was long and pointed and his brows creased into a frown.
He had the look of a demigod, who was staring at his subjects. ”Why can’t you accept it?. Do you not like me?” He asked and I opened my mouth in shock.
“No.. I don’t… I mean… I do but..” I stuttered and he stood up.
“I’ll never show my face to you again” He mumbled and left. I rose and ran after him.
Shantel had stood in front of him and he held her waist. “Do… Donald” I stuttered, looking at them with sad eyes.
“Do you know her love?” Shantel asked, pointing at me with disgust.
“No, I don’t” He answered, staring at me with cold eyes.
“Good. Excuse us, we have a long way to go this night” Shantel said as she and Donald walked away.
I stared at them with shock. I moved back slowly and bumped into someone. I was about to fall when he held my waist.
“Easy Charl, you gonna get injured” Josh said to me as I balanced myself.
“Thank you” I muttered and he raised my head.
“What’s wrong?. You look moody” Josh said, his eyes piercing mine.
“No.. no.. thing” I said, choking on a sob. I ran off, leaving him behind in awe.
Tears rolled down my cheek as I recalled Donald’s last words.
Why did it always have to be me?. Why must I always get rejected?. Why did guys make me feel inferior?.
Just last week, I was treated like trash at school by my crush and today I was rejected.
All the boys at school ignored me and threw terrible remarks at me. I opened the door to my room and lay on the bed.