21

Keira's POV
I checked out myself in front of the mirror, straightening my rumpled clothes and caressing my lips, to make sure one side isn't swollen than the other.
I stepped out of the bathroom, trying to act like I was just bullied, and as fate would have it, I started feeling uneasy as eyes from different angles started rolling at my direction. I heaved a heavy sigh and started heading to my classroom for my exam.
I had barely taken few steps when I heard the sound of the bathroom door being slammed.
Why would Raiden choose to come out now?
Can't he barely wait for some minutes before he comes out - I thought.
Thoughts filled with unanswered questions dominated my heart, and I couldn't help myself but wish that the Earth splits into two and save me from this impending doom knocking at my door.
With bead of tears emanating from each strand of my hair, I managed to tilt my feet, which had been rooted at the same spot, towards the bathroom door.
I saw Stephen. My eyes met his, and he grinned devilishly before breaking the state and walked down the corridor.
I was stuck between being suspected for being in the bathroom together with Raiden, and Stephen, the person I slapped earlier today for spanking my ass, now coming out of the bathroom, grinning devilishly at me. It took everything within me to stop imagining crazy scenarios as I walked into the classroom.
I sank quietly in my seat, wandering what fate had in stall for me this time around. I bit my lips restlessly while awaiting question paper.
I managed to focus on my finals than my worries. After all, is there anything bad that is yet to happen to me in this school? No! Have I ever had the cause to resit an exam? Hell No!!
Isn't it better to protect my academic prestige, rather than bother myself over what is likely to happen? Maybe Yes!!!
Soon enough, I was done with my exams and I tasked my tiny feet to save me from the tantrums some Bullies might want to throw at me. I felt every eyes plugged into my flesh as my feet swayed me out of the room.
I hurried to my locker, to get my stuff and leave for home before anyone sees me, including Raiden.
Arriving at my locker, I saw a piece of paper shoved into it. My heart raced as I wondered who could've done such.
Could it be a threat from Sasha? Could it be from Raiden? Was the paperfrom a random student - all these thoughts filled my head as pulled the paper out, opened and it read :
"MEET ME AT THE TENNIS COURT IF YOU STILL VALUE YOUR EXISTENCE"
The paper is obviously from one of my Bullies, but which of them could be waiting for me at the Tennis Court.
I gave a heavy sigh and slapped my back against the locker, giving out a sound that beckoned on the attention of those within my vicinity stealing glances at me. I pulled myself back on my feet, adjusted my glasses, then dipped hands into the locker to collect my stuff, after which I made for the Tennis Court.
Why would I ever consider giving in to the threat?
Well, the content on the paper says it all. If perhaps I cursed whenever I'm being bullied or existing at all, depriving myself of existence has never crossed my mind, and I can't imagine the fate of Dad, if the news of my death gets to him.
With my heart almost popping out of my mouth, I stepped carefully into the Tennis Court, making sure no one sees me.
I was expecting the message to be some sort of prank from Raiden, and I imagined him apologizing for pranking me again.
Well, maybe I fantasizes a lot.
I felt some cold shiver run down my spine when I saw Stephen playing squash alone. I stood rooted to a spot and didn't know what to do.
Stephen came closer, took a 360 walk around me, counting each breathe I take.
I wondered if he was the brain behind the paper or there's still someone else. I prayed that I hadn't walked into his trap. I maintained my peace, staring blankly into the space, expecting a weird and odd action from him, before I mark the other side of his face with my stinging slap.
He stopped pacing around me and let out a dry laughter, which I mistook for a growl.
"Hey, come over here..." - he said as he walked towards the spectators stand.
Reluctantly, I moved closer, observing every object in the Court. I stood abruptly and called out to him.
"Hey, what am I doing here?" I asked, trying not to sound fidgeting.
"Oh sorry...I just wanted to ask if you'd show up for the party tomo...
"No, I'm not" - I cut in abruptly, feeling mad at myself for not thrashing the paper in the first place. I turned round to excuse myself from being irritated the more by his presence.
"What if I tell you that I was in one of the cubicles this morning!" - he announced, not bothering to look at my reaction.
His words caught me unaware and I felt I didn't hear him well. The thought of asking him to repeat himself crossed my mind, but I shunned it immediately, knowing well that he won't repeat himself.
"And why do you think I should believe you?" - I managed to sum up some courage.
"As expected, just give me a minute and I'll give you a reason to believe." he said, giving another dry laugh.
I was shocked and curious at the same time2; shocked because I never knew how he managed to sneak into the bathroom without even noticing him, and curious because I wasn't sure of what he has in store against me.
I watched him closely as he lust his fingers after a mini speaker, trying to connect the speaker to his phone. Less than a minute, I heard my voice and Raiden's fill the Court.
"...they are gone Keira
It doesn't matter...they think of me as a slut...everyone thinks I'm a boyfriend snatcher...
But are you though?
I'm in a restroom cubicle in school, making out with Sasha's boyfriend with your...with my panties in your hand...
That's because I'm making you do this...you should never believe you'd do something wrong
Well, I have no choice but to believe... I kissed you back, and I rocked against you... I... I thought about doing so many things to you Raiden... I couldn't stop thinking about you yesterday...
I touched myself while thinking about you..."
I couldn't do a thing but stare at the mini speaker, as though I could see through it. My collar had already been soaked in tears, clouds of tears make my sight go gloomy, my fingers trembling and my teeth biting real hard against my lips. Once again, I feel the Earth would divide itself into two and rescue me from this mess and shame. I tried to utter some words, but my tongue failed me.
"Do you need more evidences or what do you think?" - he asked, bringing my soul back to consciousness.
"Oh...I think I show play the erotic part..."
I tried to cut in but words kept failing me. I signaled to him not to do so, and thank God, he understood the sigh.
"What.. do you.. want? - I eventually found my words. I wasn't sure if I had asked the right question.
"What do I want?" - he asked rhetorically.
"What I want is to see Sasha's reactions to this audio, and by extension, the whole school genera...." - he announced.
"Ste...phen...please..." - I asked shaking on my knees.
"Please...don't do...that...I'm...sorry for slapping you...in the...morning" - I continued.
"What do you want me to do?" - he asked mockingly.
I couldn't help myself but release the pool of tears that had hoard itself in my lids, mucus drooling from my nostrils.
The thought of what would befall me if the secret gets leaked , pierced my heart like a sledge hammer. I wished I hadn't stepped out to get coffee that night.
"I don't have much time to myself" - he roared, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"I promise... to do anything... you want, please ...just don't let this get to Sasha... or anyone else" - I pleaded tearfully.
He looked scornfully at me like a rag. His eyes rovering over me and this made me cried the more, sensing what he'd probably demand from me in return.
"First of all, I want you to be at the party tomorrow!"
But why would he be interested in my coming to the party? Or is he planning to embarrass me publicly?
"Alright, I promise to come" - I whimpered, wiping my nostrils with the back of my hand.
"Secondly, you would be my date for the party...we'd dance and act like boyfriend and girlfriend tomorrow" - he explained.
"I promise to do as you've said"
As if he had read my thoughts, he told me the reason for his demands.
"I know that you would be wondering why I'm so much concerned about the party... it's all because of my mate."
I wanted to ask "why?" but my subconscious mind did great job by melting my lips against each other.
"I have always had the quest to sit side by side with my mate...and until today, I have never stopped to execute plans that could make me have my mate to myself" - he narrated.
All these while, I was already on my feet, listening to every bit of his parables, as I tried to connect the dot that brought me into his love picture.
Or am I the mate he's referring to?
Nah, it can't be!
"And you...Keira, you just gave me a the golden slot to win this feat" - he continued, raising his phone in the air.
"I'm sorry about that, Stephen, but if I may ask, how do I get into this?" I interrupted.
"Don't be too curios my dear, come around tomorrow, and see things for yourself." - he declared as be bend over to pick his mini speaker.
He walked elegantly towards me, halted right in front of me before landing his treacherous lips on my left cheek.
"See you tomorrow, my date" - he announced and he walked out of the Court.