A love worth fighting for

Chapter Nine

I reluctantly dressed up in a pair of grey shorts with a vintage shirt after washing my face in the bathroom sink. The breeze would be heavy when it gets dark so I carried my jacket.

I hadn't had that long hour of rest in a while. Brad had called twice, Lauren too. I didn't feel any interest in attending this party. It was optional but I had to be there for Brad, the same Brad who's betraying me.

The last school party I attended only came alive when I stepped in, that was two years ago, probably that was the reason Brad wanted me to come. He wanted to enjoy the party with Lauren and he wanted me to add live to it.

The drive down to the beach was slow, quiet. Only honks of impatient drivers blared on every corner and police siren chorusing about some few blocks away.

Dr. Starr's lips had made an impression on mine, my brain had made a snapshot of her smell, I could still scent her on my skin. Our kiss didn't live long, though not in my head even though it didn't get past that. 

Her words “Richmond, I'm in love with you,” had stopped the kiss, and was re-echoing in my head through the journey. 

I didn't know what to answer. I'd rather not toil with her emotions, but I knew I had a feeling for her. It's never been me to care about a woman's emotions at least since Lauren had wrecked my heart after I loved her with all that was in me.

Dr. Liz was my lecturer, I'd be in so much trouble if I led her on and left her, but those kisses, they'll mean so much to me for quite a long time.

The party had started, but like usual; it was yet to come alive and I didn't plan being part of it. ‘I would only sit on one side and watch them do their thing.’ I had decided.

“Look who we have here.” Lauren screamed in excitement in the midst of her friends as soon as she spotted me. “I thought you wouldn't make it.” She said as she got closer to me, her big breasts bouncing in her yellow bikini. Her waist was tied about with a big scarf.

“Where's Bradley?” I asked with a cold voice, halting her from making physical contact with me.

I looked around the party, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Everyone had taken off their shirts, some couple had spread a mat or sheet on the sands and were publicly making out.

“I've not seen him yet. Come let me show you something.” She held my hand, but I flipped her grip off and gave her a smirk. “What's with all these attitude? You don't even notice me again.”

“Nothing, Lauren. Just keep to your hands and stay off of me. Listen, if you break Brad's heart, you'll see the dark sides of me. The darkness you created.”

“What are you talking about?” She halted, folded her arms on her chest. “I'm not having an affair with Brad.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don't even like him that much.” She took her gaze off me and started walking again.

My eyes widened, my lips almost agape. “Does he know?” I began following her.

“He hasn't said anything. He's just been kind, even though I know he likes me, I enjoy the care.”

“Lauren, everything doesn't have to be in your gain. Tell him or I will.” My voice was stern.

“Tell him if you would replace him.” She turned and came towards me. She stood in front of me, keeping her eyes firmly on mine. Her hand was already on the back of my head, caressing me from there down to my chest. “I miss you Rich, I miss us.”

I flipped her hand off. “Stop dreaming Lauren, it'll never happen.”

We walked through the beach, there were many small clusters of friends, the music was faint and the MC just announced that everyone should gather up.

When I looked up I saw a crowd, a little violent cluster, two males were on the ground, one over the other, driving punches into the other's face.

I ignored them, and continued my search for Brad solo, since Lauren had heed to the MC’s call. I looked over there again, I saw Fernandez, he was on over another male I couldn't recognize. I started moving over there.

Fernandez paraded himself as the strongest in the class and the school, he bullied any one he could, after the previous blow I shot at his face, I'd looked forward for another opportunity, and here it was, I'll be the hero, and I'll take vengeance for who ever he was punching on.

As I closed in, I saw Brad. He stood up, still trying to get a space to hit Fernandez. There was a sudden surge of Adrenaline, I clenched my fist and sped towards them.

I knocked through the crowd, dashed a clenched fist straight into Fernandez’s face and pushed him away from Brad. Time for the bully to get his.

He sucked his lower lips, and wiped it with the back of his hand. “Who invited you into this?”

“You hit him, you hit me.” I went closer to him, dragged him at the collar of his tee shirt. I threw another punch before he opened his mouth and tried to talk. He was struggling to free from the grip, but I had him pinned hard.

“This is not any of your family issues.” His face was furrowed, he grabbed my right hand, the same one I used to fold him in by his tee shirt. 

He punched me back after I gave out the third blow. Just what I wanted, a fight back. By the time I was through with him, my shirt was ripped, but his face was bleeding.

“Brad, c'mon. I told you this party was gonna be a mess.” I helped my friend walk back to where his car was parked. “What happened with that dog?”

“Nothing, I was looking for Lauren when I walked through where they gathered.” Brad was limping and gasping for air.

“Can you drive home?”

“No. I'm still staying for the party.”

The party had begun, the music blared out loud, students were dancing and raising cups of whiskey in the air.

I helped Brad clean the blood, and he returned to partying. “I'll have to find Lauren, I left my phone in the car, I can't reach her.”

“I'll be over there, just come there when you need me. I need some air.” I pointed towards the less crowded side of the beach.

I had a few drinks, the party had started for me too, and I was dancing with a girl I wasn't familiar with. It helped me put out thoughts of Dr. Starr from my head, I needed to clear my head.

Brad returned. He couldn't find Lauren, the frustration had etched on his face. The wound had stopped bleeding but his face was really disfigured.

“C'mon man, I told you earlier I needed to tell you something.” Brad screamed through the thundering music from the speaker.

I wanted to hear what he had to say, was he going to tell me about his plot with Dr. Starr and Anna. ‘Speaking of Anna, she's not here.’ but she wasn't my concern, would never be.

“What's it Brad?” I asked when we got to the quiet side of the beach.

“I haven't been entirely honest bro, and I feel bad about it.” He was wrecking of alcohol, probably he had to be intoxicated to tell me about it.

“Tell me about it.” My heart sank, finally I was going to hear the truth, but I was not sure I could handle it.

“It's about me and Dr. Starr and the assignment.” He smiled. “Promise you'll not be upset.” He held my shoulder as the smile diminished from his face.