Chapter 13

Early the next morning Nigel and Lizzie met at the school cafeteria for breakfast. They sat together at a small circular table for two. As they ate, there was a considerable silence between them. Lizzie had been studying her boyfriend's face. His mind was clearly preoccupied.

"What's wrong, Nigie?" she asked.

He sipped his coffee before responding with a sigh, "Something's up with Wally. I don't know what it is, but it's definitely serious."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"He's not saying a word." Nigel scratched his scalp before leaning against the backrest and locking his fingers behind his head. "I'm worried about him, Liz. I've never seen him like this."

"Maybe it's girlfriend trouble," she said as she wiped her mouth with a serviette. Seeing that he didn't look convinced, she added, "Don't stress yourself about it, sweetie. It's probably nothing."

Nigel laughed humorlessly before saying, "If it was nothing, I wouldn't be worried. This is huge, whatever it is."

"Well, he's a grown ass man!" she said indignantly. "If he wants to mope around, let him be."

"How can you say that?" he asked, totally shocked. His hazel eyes bore into her as he continued, "He's my best friend. If he's got a problem, I've got to do what I can to help– "

She cut him off. "If he really is your friend, he wouldn't keep you in the dark. That way he wouldn't cover everyone with this dark cloud of his."

"What the hell?" Nigel asked angrily. "That doesn't even make sense. What the hell did my friends ever do to you, anyway?"

"What?" Lizzie said as she threw her used serviette on the plate. "Who said they did anything–"

He interjected. "If they didn't do anything, then why are you always so awkward with them? You don't even try being friends with them," he said with a frustrated wave of the arms. "And now when my boy has issues, you're bloody heartless!"

"How dare you!" Lizzie said venomously as she rose to her feet. "Go to hell!" she added as she stormed off, her ponytail bouncing from side to side.

Nigel watched her go as he fumed. He noticed the few students in the hall who were seated closest to his table were all looking at him, some doing so very openly. He ground his teeth in frustration as he put on the aviators that he had been carrying in his breast pocket.

xxx

Wally had been knocking on Kuki's door for two minutes. Dammit, where is she? I need her, he thought with aggravation. He knocked again and then listened intently for any sign of movement. Nothing. He looked at his watch; it was only 8:05 a.m. At that moment he seriously wished he hadn't destroyed his phone. He walked out of the building, thinking that he would have to pass by again later.

xxx

The inviting aroma of scrambled eggs roused Kuki from her sleep. She opened her eyes slowly. Beside her lay someone with long, beautiful dark hair that was spread on her pillow. Kuki blinked several times as she sat up slowly to look around the room. It was unfamiliar to her. She then looked down at the person sleeping beside her before finally realizing that it was Abby. She was about to wake her, but then thought against it. She rose from the bed quietly and walked gingerly to the door. As she walked out the door she brought her hand to her face as she partially covered her eyes and touched her fingers to her forehead. She had a killer headache. She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where she found Hoagie having his breakfast.

"Good morning, sunshine," he said with a hearty laugh. "You look like crap."

Kuki could only manage a grunt. She shuffled over to him and took a sip of his juice. She eventually downed all his juice. She had been really parched. She then poured herself a glass of water which she finished in record time. Feeling a little better, she finally spoke. "Hey."

"Hey," Hoagie replied. "Sleep well?"

"So – so," she replied with a yawn. "What time is it?"

Spying the clock in the living room, he replied, "10:30."

"Oh shit, I should be at work!" Then she thought for a minute before saying, "No wait, today is…what day is it?"

"Thursday."

"Oh, thank God!" Kuki breathed out audibly in relief. "It's my day off." She sniffed herself. "Eeew, I reek. I need to bathe."

"Upstairs, second door on the right. There are extra towels in the cupboard, and extra toothbrushes in the cabinet. But first," he said as he jumped to his feet to pour her some cereal, "have some breakfast."

xxx

While Kuki was in the shower, Hoagie had gone up to his room with a glass of water and a bowl of cereal. He put them on his dresser and then climbed onto the bed. He lay down and propped his head up with his left hand, while gently stroked Abby's hair with his right. She had been lying on her tummy, her mouth slightly open and her right arm hanging over the side of the bed.

"Abby? Abby?" he called quietly in a sing-song voice as he gently shook her by the shoulder. He was at it for half a minute before she finally moaned. She did not wake up though. Hoagie couldn't help but chuckle. If there's one thing this girl can do, it's sleep. "Abby…" he called again a little louder. This time her eyes opened, albeit very slowly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone was looking down at her. She turned her body around slowly and lay on her back. Looking up at Hoagie, she smiled. "Hi."

"Hi." He smiled back as he planted a kiss on her forehead and then caressed the side of her face.

"Thanks for picking us up last night," she said, her voice hoarse.

"Anytime, baby. I always got your back." He got off the bed to go and get the water and cereal. Handing her the glass as she sat up, Abby gulped down the refreshing liquid, and did not dare to stop until it was empty. Next, she gratefully reached for the cereal. When the bowl, too, was empty she sighed deeply. "Where's Kuki?"

Immediately she asked that question, they heard the bathroom door unlock. A few seconds later, Kuki walked into the bedroom wrapped in a towel, her wet hair clinging to her face and back. "Morning, Abs," she said sweetly. "Thanks for drinking with me," she said with a little laugh.

"Of course," Abby replied. "Us girls gotta stick together." She patted the space on the mattress in front of her, and Kuki sat. "So, you first or me?" she asked. Hoagie sat up straighter as he moved closer to his girlfriend, shifting his gaze between the two girls. Kuki pointed at Abby, indicating that she should go first.

Abby sighed and then said, "Well, my mom and Jamie are here. My folks had a fight, coz my dad had an affair." Hoagie's eyebrows rose in shock. He looked at his girlfriend and instantly saw the anguish in her eyes. What he possibly say? He just kissed her temple and held her hand.

Kuki rubbed Abby's crossed leg, her lips forming a very thin line on her face. The look in her eyes showed how sorry she was to hear that. Then she spoke flatly, "Wally is cheating on me." Her two friends simultaneously asked, "WHAT?" the expressions of shock on their faces reiterating how she initially felt. Now she was just numb. Numb yet angry.

"Are you sure?" Hoagie asked, perplexed.

She nodded before continuing, "I saw it with my own eyes. He was kissing some guy in an alley not too far from Pasty's." She was quiet for a moment. "You know, he's been a bit weird of late. Kind of distant, like he's got something on his mind. I just never imagined that this was it, that he could be cheating on me." She brought her hands to her face as she felt fresh tears well in her eyes. Abby moved forward and hugged Kuki, rubbing her back slowly. The dainty Asian rested her head on her friend's shoulder, while Hoagie just shook his head slowly in shock as he crossed his arms. His eyes roamed randomly about the room as he wondered just what was going on with Wally. He'd better have a good explanation.

Kuki pulled away from Abby with a sad smile. "You stink."

xxx

Later that afternoon, Wally was at Kuki's door again, knocking incessantly. Abby opened the door, and he was relieved to see his girlfriend seated on her bed. He gave her the best smile he could muster, but his face scarcely looked any different from before. However, as soon as Kuki laid her eyes on him, she said slowly and deliberately, "Go. Away. Wally." He looked at her, his brow furrowed. He then looked at Abby, as if to ask 'What's going on?' He returned his gaze to Kuki.

"Babe, I don't know what's wrong, but can we talk about?" Then he added in a quiet voice, feeling a little self conscious with Abby being there, "I really need you right now." Kuki's dark orbs were cold as ice as she looked him in the eye and told him she didn't want to see him. Surprise, shock, worry, despair - all were reflected on Wally's face as Abby held him by the arm and led him out of the room, shutting the door behind them.

"What the crud did I do?" he asked Abby as they walked down the corridor.

"For starters, you've been distant with her," she replied as she studied his face.

"I've just had a lot on my plate –"

She cut him off. "And you cheated on her." Her face was now stern.

Wallabee turned to her, an incredulous look on his face before realization hit him. Abby noticed the change in expression. "Seriously Wally, seriously? Why?"

"It's not what she thinks happened…I didn't cheat on her. I'd never cheat her," he said with an utterly defeated look on his face. Shit, this is bad, he thought. "I have to talk to her," he said, turning around. Abby stopped him, roughly turning him around again.

"She will not listen to you right now." They were now walking in the school's compound along the path leading to the cafeteria. She looked up at him beseechingly. "What's going on, Wally?"

He sighed and ran his hand roughly through his hair. "I can't tell you. But I swear, I am not cheating on Kuki," he said as he shook his head.

She looked at him hard and long in the face. "I believe you," she said eventually. "But you're gonna have to come clean with Kuki if you expect her to believe you."

Just then Pauline walked up to them from up ahead. "Wally, I need to talk to you." She then smiled at Abby. "Hey." He friend reciprocated the greeting.

"Can we talk later? I'm kinda in the middle of something," he said as he inclined his head toward Abby.

"It's important," she stressed.

"It's ok. I'll see you later," Abby said as she walked back to her room.

Wally shoved his hands in his pockets. "What's up?"

"I saw you yesterday with that guy."

He rolled his eyes. Can't I get a break? His green eyes quickly turned murderous as he eyed Pauline suspiciously. "Wait a minute. You're the one who told Kuki?" he asked as his voice rose a by quite a few decibels. "You fucking told her?"

"Wha…?"She was confused. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I've not seen either of you since yesterday." They stared at each other for a few moments until Wally calmed down. "Listen, I saw you, and I'm pretty sure you and that guy are not an item. What the hell is going on?"

He growled. "I wish everybody would stop asking me that." He looked at her. "I know you're trying to help. But getting your nose into this is not helping."

"Fine," she said curtly. "But you need to talk to someone about it. Particularly Kuki. From what I gather she thinks you're cheating on her, but I'm convinced there's more to this. Either way, talk to her. She may be sweet, but if there's one thing I'm sure of, there are some things Kuki will not tolerate." She walked off, leaving him to wonder what he ever did wrong to deserve this.