HIGH SCHOOL GAME (SEASON 1)
CHAPTER 14
“Are you crazy? That wasn’t part of it!” I almost screamed but he reminded me that the game doesn’t have a rule.
“Kiss me or have a drink.” He raised a glass up to my face. I gave him a deadly stare before taking the glass from him and gulp down the whole content without even thinking.
“I’ll be the one to kill this guy once this stupid game is over” I said to myself
“Truth or Dare?” I asked him. You’re about to go down you bastard! We continued the game for a little while, but then, I began to feel dizzy, so dizzy that my vision began to blur.
“Truth or Dare?” He asked but before I could utter a word, I collapse not seeing clearly anymore.
Jason had made the game so difficult for me, if I choose truth he’ll ask me an uncomfortable question and I’ll have to take a drink and when I choose dare, he’ll dare me to do something dirty with him.
“I think she has had enough.” One of his friends said but they only began to laugh and then as if it was magic or illusion, I saw a man sitting on the couch looking at me in particular. How did he even get in without anyone noticing him? The man looks different and strange. I wanted calling Jason’s attention to it but I passed out instead.
* * *
I still didn’t know how I got home yesterday but what I do know is that whoever brought me home must have bribed my mother not to say a word to me this morning or even scold me because she has said nothing and she even prepared my lunch box before I went to school.
When I got to school, I ignored both Emily and Jason and not like he cared anyway but Emily won’t stop coming around. The game started and I was among the players chosen from my class. It was a volleyball and it was my favorite.
“I’m counting on you Star.” Mr. Greg said as we bumped our fists before I went into the field.
Immediately the game started I saw Jason sitting alone, he was carrying a cardboard and my name was on it. What is this guy trying to do? After the nonsense he made me go through last night? I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him. Mr. Greg blew the whistle and the game started.
The game was going well until I saw that same man from Jason’s house smiling at me and he was sitting next to Jason. I tried ignoring him but any little win I had he’ll jump up applauding and it’s starting to get on my nerves. It’s even as if Jason didn’t notice him because he hadn’t even glance at the stranger’s direction.
The game took longer than normal but we finished it anyway with 30-28 and I couldn’t stop receiving praises from every corner but my attention was fixed on that mysterious man who was just sitting, smiling at me.
“Can’t anyone just tell that man to leave?!” I yelled in frustration and then everyone turned their gaze to the direction I was looking and pointing at but they returned their gaze back to me.
“There’s no one there.” Mr. Greg said.
“What do you mean by there’s no one there? He’s sitting right there, smiling at me!” I argued but instead, Jason’s laughter filled the whole place. Gosh! He was so annoying.
“I know exactly what her problem is. She has not gotten over the alcohol she drank yesterday.” He said and the other students began laughing while I didn’t find that funny, because that strange man was just there staring at me.
After the whole place had gone quiet, Miss Fisher turned her face to Mr. Greg and they both wore a sad face.
“We both know that Star isn’t drunk.” Miss Fisher said and Mr. Greg nodded his head in agreement.
“But why then is he back again?” He asked Miss Fisher.
“I think you need to rest. Emily, take her home.” Miss Fisher said and Emily took me by the arm and then we walked out of the crowd.
All the students of G.S Central high school that participated in the competition; the players and those that cheered on them hurriedly found their way out of the wide field in order to escape being drenched by the rain that was threatening to fall.
* * *
As the clouds gathered, leaving the sky completely covered in darkness, waiting for the slightest chance to shower down its beauty on people. Jason walked slowly through the narrow paths covered with fresh banal leaves that had fallen off its branch due to the swaying caused by the intense wind.
The banal tree had grown tall and had stretched out its length, serving as shelter to students. It had been rumored before that there was something about that tree and most students and teachers avoided it and soon the tree got a name for itself “BANAL WAY”. The story wasn’t really clear but soon enough everything will make sense.
As soon as Jason was half way into the banal way, everything became still, the insects and flying flowers stopped and for a while it seems he could hear the drippings of water trapped by leaves. Everywhere became dead silent in such a way that the only sounds that could be heard were the tick tock coming from the giant clock placed in the middle of the school. He felt A bit scared but he immediately shrugged and kicked off the feeling of fear that was about to engulf him.
He had so many things on his mind. Why was he feeling bad for laughing at Star? But he had no answer to that very question. He turned back and saw Star’s dazed expression from afar while Emily was gently rubbing her back looking confused. Mr. Greg and Miss Fisher were also standing together under the heavy cloud but their faces were plain.
“What the fuck is wrong with those three?” he thought to himself while referring to Star, Mr. Greg and Miss Fisher.
He was slowly going insane as he couldn’t get Star out of his head. Frustrated, he kicked hard against a plant making the sparrows and pigeons scurry away and then he screamed out.
Emily and I quietly walked back to my house alone because Miss Fisher had stayed back to help Mr. Greg return the some of the equipment that were used for the competition earlier. I couldn’t hear any of the conversation that they were having because I was a little far from them and Emily had a lot going through her mind too.
“Why was Star talking about an unknown man? Is she going insane? Does she have spiritual gifts that enables her to see people that others can’t?” All that and more were the questions that clouded her mind and for a while she forgot she was walking with me.
I noticed her absent mindedness and then stared at her for a while.
“A penny for your thoughts?” I finally spoke
“Is there something you feel I should know??” Emily said almost immediately I finished asking my question.
“Something like what? Is there something you feel I need to tell you? I fired back immediately.
“Never mind, I will take you home and then go back” Emily said feeling a bit annoyed.
“I can take care of myself and I can get home safely. I don’t think you need to stress yourself anymore” I said and walked off expecting Emily to run after me or at least call me back. I kept walking and then after a while, I turned when I’d gone a little bit far and was sad to find out that Emily was gone. I looked at the quiet street and fear gripped my tiny heart.
I began to feel some kind of strange presence and the aura was so dark. I instantly knew that it was that mysterious man that had just came into my life to frustrate me. I began to walk as fast as my legs could carry me and soon I found myself running.
I didn’t stop or turned back until I got home.
Tbc
