“Let’s join the competition,” she grinned.
“Fûck, what?!” Declan and Aiden burst out with widened eyes.
“I’m kidding, do you both have to scream that way?” Zoey laughed.
“Fûck, I know how crazy you can be,” Declan laughed.
“Nah, I was just kidding,” Zoey chuckled.
“Why is the competition happening anyways? I bet Western high has no other things to do with money,” Xyler hissed.
“I bet,” Declan raised his bottled water and prepare to settle on the couch.
The door creaked open and Vanessa entered slowly.
“Vanessa?” Zoey raised a brow.
“Hi,” she greeted rather awkwardly.
“Uhm, can I talk to you for a minute, Aiden?” she bit her lips nervously.
Aiden turned to look at Tiffany who shrug her shoulder.
“Yeah, sure,” he answered and stood up.
After they had exited the room, Declan leaned forward, “Hey, why don’t you call Skyler to come over? Vanessa is here already,” Declan said almost in a whisper.
“Do you think I should?” Xyler raised his brows.
“Yes.”
**
Both standing on the rooftop, hands on the railings, Vanessa exhaled.
“How long have you known about this? You knew it was Xyler’s twin and not him,” she asked, picking on her nails.
“I found out recently also. I got to know you were a victim also,” he answered, rubbing his hands together.
“When?” She asked and glanced at him.
“Recently,” he answered and their eyes met.
“I feel like a fool not knowing who fûcked me. God, I always thought it was Xyler,” she covered her face with her palm.
“Same here. Not to even think that I hated and blamed you, thinking you cheated on me,” he chuckled and shook his head.
“You know, I actually returned to be with you again at all cost, even though I knew you had a girlfriend already. I didn’t care. I thought I was coming to meet some easy bîtch who’d fidget at the sight of me,” she laughed tearily.
“She didn’t even fidget at the sight of DAX,” he said.
“I know, and that makes me hàte her more,” she hissed and wiped her tears.
“Really?” Aiden laughed.
“Yes. I have this injury because of her!” Vanessa snapped.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know you love her, more than you loved me. It is very evident,” Vanessa half smiled.
“How?”
“The way you stare at her, the way you defend her and all. You’d be lying to yourself and me if you admit that you loved me more.”
“I’m sorry, Vanessa,” Aiden apologize.
“Nah, you should not.”
“Can you forgive Skyler? I guess the guilt has been eating him up also, given the fact that he came to the school,” Aiden said.
“I don’t want to,” she shook her head.
“Okay, I won’t force you,” he smiled.
“I’m going back to where I have been. I can’t stay here anymore. It’s been a bad idea coming,” Vanessa exhaled.
“Do you really have to?” Aiden asked.
“I gotta get away from you and your girlfriend. If I continue to stay here, I doubt if I won’t lose it. I might get too obsessed and do the worst,” she answered.
“Okay. So, till when?” Aiden asked.
“I don’t know,” she shrugged her shoulder
“Really?”
“I need a favor from you,” Vanessa said.
“What is it?”
“Call me Nessa… and hug me, please…” she pressed her lips together.
“That’s it?” Aiden laughed.
“Come on, it’s not funny,” Vanessa hissed.
“Okay… Nessa. Come here…” he smiled and pulled her into a hug.
“I’m sorry. I’m very sorry, Nessa,” he said and patted her back.
“Thank you,” Vanessa whispered as she sniffed.
**
After a few minutes of long talks, they both prepared to leave. With a few steps to get to the entrance of the rooftop, the door burst open and Xyler rushed in.
Okay, it’s not Xyler.
“Hi!” He raised his left hand, panting.
“Skyler,” Aiden called out to be sure.
“Yeah, hi,” he breathed out.
“WTF…” Vanessa whispered with a furrowed brow.
“I’ll leave you two,” Aiden nods his head at Skyler and walked past him.
“Aiden, no!” Vanessa shouted and rushed after him.
“Hold on,” Skyler grabbed her wrist.
“Hey, let go of me!” Vanessa screamed and tried to let go of the guy’s grip.
“Just hear me out, please,” he pleaded.
“Let go of your fûcking hand!” she screamed and snatch her hand from his.
“I’m sorry,” Skyler pleaded.
“Tell that to my as$!” she shouted and then turned to leave.
“Vanessa!” Skyler knelt and grabbed her left leg.
“Let go of me,” she gritted her teeth.
“I’m sorry, I’m very sorry. Please…” He pleaded as a drop of tears falls from his eyes.
“Why did you have to do this to me!” She wailed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
*
“I shouldn’t have done that. I was very ignorant and I regret doing this to you,” he apologized, after a few minutes, and the lady had seem collected.
“I bet I’m not the only victim. Just because you two are twins, I bet there are a lot of victims,” Vanessa sniffed.
“No, I swear, you are the only person, and we’re so sorry to have done this,” he apologized again.
“Okay.”
“Please.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll keep apologizing till you forgive me. Every day I see you. Anywhere, anytime,” Skyler said.
“That’s not necessary. I’m leaving the country,” she forced a smile.
“Fûck, why?!”
“Why?” she beaded her brows.
“I mean… I mean…”
“I have to leave, and my flight has been scheduled, and I’m leaving tomorrow,” she announced.
==
After closing hours.
As soon as Tiffany and Zoey stepped out of the classroom, Vanessa stopped in front of them.
“Hi,” she greeted.
“Oh, hi,” Tiffany answered with a beaded brow.
“Can I talk to you for a second, please?” she asked.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Alone,” she added.
“You think I’d want to listen in your conversation? Huh!” Zoey scoffed and walk away.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” Zoey added.
“Okay.”
“So?” she stared at Vanessa.
Vanessa peeped into the class and when she realized that there was no one there, she cleared her throat and started.
“I am sorry.”
“Huh?” Tiffany raised her brows.
“I said I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything I said to you because I wanted Aiden. You won, and I lost,” she said.
“Wait, what has come over you?” Tiffany chuckled.
“Just accept my apologies while we’re at it,” she scoffed.
“You’re still rude, like ever,” Tiffany rolled her eyes.
“Coming from the badass bîtch,” Vanessa shrugged her shoulder.
“Whatever.”
“I don’t stand a chance against you, so I’m leaving. Hey, don’t think I’m leaving because I’m giving up. I just don’t… I don’t… Whatever, I’m not weak anyway. Mind you, I hate you as fûck!” She snapped.
“I don’t like you either,” Tiffany stuck her tongue out.
“God, I hàte that I’m losing to you, for real,” she laughed tearily.
“I know, right?” Tiffany smirked.
“Shut the fûck up!” She snapped and Tiffany laughed.
“Anyway, I’m sorry,” she apologized again.
“I’m sorry too. You know… Your forehead,” Tiffany pressed her lips together.
“Fûck you!” Vanessa hissed.
“Sorry,” Tiffany laughed.
“When are you leaving?” she asked.
“Tomorrow. I’ll be catching my flight in the morning,” she answered.
“Oh. I hope to see you again. Not as a rival,” Tiffany said and Vanessa nods her head.
“Yeah. It’d be nice to have a tough bîtch like you for a friend, but Nah, my ego would never allow that,” she said, laughing.
“I agree,” Tiffany nods her head.
===
… Saturday.
Wesley’s…
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Tiffany breathed heavily for the umpteenth time as she stared at the huge gate of Wesley’s.
“Why are you nervous?” Aiden chuckled.
“Shouldn’t I be? They know everything about me!” she half yelled.
“So? Mum called herself, she wanted to meet you, she’s been expecting you,” Aiden said.
“Still,” she pouted.
“Come on,” Aiden smiled, and take her hand in his.
“Okay, let’s go,” she exhaled.
***
Tiffany trailed behind Aiden slowly as they entered the big living room. All of a sudden, Aiden moved to the side, exposing her to his parents who stood side by side.
Theodore smiled widely at her while Martha gave a pitiful smile.
Guess the woman is getting sorry or something.
“Welcome, Tiffany,” Theodore smiled.
“Good day, sir,” she bowed slightly.
“How are you, child?” Martha smiled.
Child?
“Fine, ma’am,” she answered.
“You can call me mum, I am your boyfriend’s mother,” she smiled.
“Alri… huh?” She widened her eyes.
“I am sorry, Tiffany,” Martha moved closer to her and took her hands in hers.
“I am very sorry, for everything I have done,” she pleaded.
“You had it tough only because of me. If I hadn’t sent your mother to the mountain, then all of this wouldn’t have happened. Even after realizing who you were, I thought I shouldn’t be near you. I was afraid of karma. I wronged you, and I know. I am so sorry, Tiffany,” she pleaded.
“It’s fine. I’m okay now, the demon is gone and I am just me now,” she smiled.
“For real?” Theodore mouthed to Aiden who smiled and nods his head.
“I am sorry,” she fondled her hands.
“It’s okay, I mean it.”
“Then, can I hug you?” She asked.
“Yeah, why not?” Tiffany smiled.
Martha grinned and pulled her into a tight hug, as she stroked her hair and caress her back, she kept murmuring to her ear how sorry she was.
“So, I haven’t entered the kitchen in many years, and guess what I did today?” She said to Tiffany after she disengaged from the hug.
“Yeah?” Tiffany only smiled.
“I made an extravagant meal for us!” She cheered.
“Mum?” Aiden laughed.
“Don’t worry, it tastes so great, your dad and I made it together,” Martha said.
“Then, that’s worse,” Aiden shook his head.
“Only my daughter-in-law gets to say that,” Martha tilts her head and patted Tiffany’s shoulder.
“Let’s go to the dining,” Theodore said.
“By the way, do you know your dad is campaigning for the presidency?” Martha asked as they walked.
“Uhm, no,” Tiffany shook his head.
“He’d probably win. What’s there that Lawrence can’t do?” Theodore shrugged his shoulder.
“You think so?” Martha raised her brows as she pulled the chair for Tiffany.
“Yes. He has a knack for making people love him,” Theodore said.
“I know, I almost fell for him,” Martha answered and sat beside Tiffany.
“What?” Theodore raised his brows.
“I mean, I met him before you. He came to woo me on your behalf,” Martha clarified.
“Dad was shy to come to meet you?” Aiden raised his brows.
“Yes, very!” Martha answered.
“That’s not true, son,” Theodore hissed.
“Well, that is,” Martha drawled and laughed.
Tiffany only watched and laughed.
These people were a handful also.
She had never imagined Aiden’s mother throwing jokes the way she was.
Huh, that’s not bad at all.
TBC…