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“I was just checking out some interesting stuff.” I said, deciding not to mention the encounter I had.
Lisa was most likely to ask me questions I might not be able to answer.
“Well, come on, we’re heading to a different area before it gets late and we have to head back to the hotel.”
“Sure,” I said and followed her. I turned to glance back one more time just in case but there was no one behind me.
I was glad that there was no traffic.
The journey was smooth and quick.
“Do you want anything?”
I looked behind me to see a guy who I recognized from campus but rarely spoke to.
“No, thanks.”
His expression dropped slightly and he looked like he was stalling for time.
“Umm, Monica, what do you think about the trip so far?”
“It’s alright,” I replied simply.
I realized I didn’t know his name but he knew mine. He licked his lips nervously and cleared his throat.
“I don’t think I’ve introduced myself.” He said, ” I’m Joseph.”
“Nice to meet you Joseph.” I smiled lightly.
It seemed that was all the encouragement he needed because he rambled on and on for the duration of the trip. The driver stopped at a small restaurant so we could stretch our legs and get refreshed before we continue. When I felt like I couldn’t take any more of Joseph’s ramblings and was only a second away from snapping at him, I firmly excused myself and went to the restroom. It was the only place I was sure he couldn’t come in to start a conversation.
“Looks like you’ve made yourself a new friend.”
I looked behind me to see Lisa grinning mischievously.
“It seems so.”
“So why aren’t you more excited about it?” She frowned.
“He speaks at the rate of a thousand words per minute.”
“While you say nothing at all.”
“Don’t tell me you planned this?” I raised an eyebrow at her. She raised her hands innocently.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Honestly, I had nothing to do with it.” She said. “This should make you realise something.”
“Realize what?”
“People are interested in getting to know you, in talking to you and being friends with you but you always push them away, why?”
I shrugged, not knowing what to say.
“You need to work on that.”
“Why’re you so interested?” I asked.
“What if I just want to live vicariously through you?”
Although her smile was broad, I could tell that there was a deeper meaning to her words.
“Lisa, don’t be like that. You still have your own life to live.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” She sighed.
“Don’t give up already, wait until the test results come out, okay?”
“Fine,” She nodded. “Anyway, this isn’t about me. It’s about you coming out of your shell and getting to know people. Do you really plan to go through four years without a single solid friendship or anything close?”
“You aren’t going to quit this are you?”
“No, not until you realize that I’m trying to help you. You’re always trying to fade into the background and disappear.” She took in a deep breath before she continued. “Listen, I may or may not have long to live but at least I know I got to know some awesome people and I got to do some things I’ve always wanted to do. Of course, not every decision I made was wise otherwise I wouldn’t even be in this position in the first place but at least I lived a little you know.”
Her words struck me and I realized how it must feel for her to be uncertain about her health while she watched me live a healthy one. She felt I wasn’t using the opportunity I had.
“Lisa, I can’t be someone I’m not.”
“I’m not asking you to be. I’m just saying you shouldn’t waste the life you were given.” She gave me a final look before she walked away.
I turned to face the mirror and splashed some water on my face before I patted it dry with a disposable face towel.
I need something to cool me down. No one understood tha I didn’t feel like this but then i didn't feel like telling the story of my life to anyone.
They were deep scars that were yet to heal and ripping them open now wasn’t going to help the situation. I returned to the bus with everyone else but Lisa was noticeably quiet for the rest of the day.
When we returned to the hotel, she went to bed earlier than everyone else after declining Sarah’s offer for a movie night in the hotel lodge. If we were lucky, we would be the only ones there, after all, there weren’t many guests at the hotel.
“Are you sure she’s okay Sarah asked me quietly.
I nodded but I don’t think it was very convincing.
“Aren’t you girls close?'' Jane said.
“We’re…” I trailed off not sure what to say.
“I don’t mean to pry but we know how Lisa usually is and she isn’t acting like her usual self these days.”
“We just want to be sure she’s okay.”
I didn’t know whether they were seeking gossip or genuinely interested so I decided to play it down.
“Lisa’s just having a rough time, she’s alright.”
Their faces dropped slightly in disappointment and when they exchanged glances I knew I had made the right decision.
“That’s fine then,” Sarah said.
Not long after, I also left the lounge and went to the bedroom to get some sleep.
On the final day of the trip, it became glaringly obvious that Lisa was determined to prove her point by giving me the silent treatment.
“So you’re just gonna ignore me right?” I asked just as the bus pulled up to the campus gates.
She glanced at me but didn’t say a word.
“Okay, I don’t mean that. What I mean to say is that you need to respect the fact that we’re different types of individuals.”
Her face softened and I could see her loosening up.
“It’s not that I don’t respect that. I just don’t want you to always try to live life in the background or you’ll wake up one day and realize your whole life has passed you by.”
I didn’t notice the bus was already emptying out until the coordinator made an announcement.
“Alright everyone, we’re glad you could come on this trip with us and we hope you had a great time while learning!”
I got off the bus alongside Lisa who was more approachable than before. Joseph smiled as he walked past us and I returned it which seemed to make his smile even brighter while Sarah and Jane waved in our direction.
“Come on.” Lisa smiled and I decided that I prefer the happy side of her to her other side.
When we walked into the room, we found Stacy and Alison seated on Stacy’s bed and they were deep in conversation. They turned to us and welcomed us with smiles but something didn’t feel right.
“What’s wrong?” Lisa asked with a frown on her face.
“Nothing.” Alison twirled her braids around one finger.
“Something’s up,” Lisa said as she crossed her arms and dared them with her eyes to say it.
“You guys should get settled in first okay?” Ada said.
“No, tell us here and now.”
“Okay, listen up.” Stacy began. “There’s a rumor spreading around the campus that you were seen at the medical Centre and frankly, people think you’ve got something to hide.”
News sure travels fast, I thought.
“Is it true?” Alison asked Lisa.
“So what?” Lisa scoffed. “Is that such an unusual behavior?”
“Not at all, unless people think you’re pregnant.”
Lisa’s jaw dropped in surprise and I think I felt mine drop too.
“What!”
“Hey, calm down. We didn’t start the rumors.”
“Why on earth would people think that?”
“It’s mostly because Sarah said she saw you and Alison follow Mr David to his house on the night of the Fresher’s party.” Stacy shrugged.
I knew it! All she had shown earlier was fake concern for Lisa. It really was gossip she was after, just gathering information to dish out.
“So why am I the one being accused of pregnancy?”
Alison looked like she was trying hard to hold back her words but Lisa turned to her and asked her to spit it out.
“So I’m the one who’s capable of that kind of behavior?” Lisa’s face was filled with disbelief. “Wow, it’s nice to finally know what people really think about me.”
With that, she spun around and slammed the door so hard that the frame rattled on her way out.
“Well, that went well,” Stacy said, her voice was laced full of sarcasm.
“You guys, we need to find a way to clear this up,” I said.
“We already tried but gossip like that spreads like wildfire and you can’t quench it easily.” Alison shrugged.
“Look, Monica is right, we need to stand up for her. She may have her flaws but even I don’t believe she would do a thing like that.”
“So what do we do?” Alison shrugged.
“We need to shut down the rumors from the source.” I began, “And since we already know the source, it shouldn’t be too hard.”
“You’re right,” Stacy got up from her bed and walked towards me. “Let’s do this.”
They may not know the full story behind what happened that night but knowing the fragile state of Lisa’s mind, I was worried that she might do something she’ll regret if this doesn’t clear up as soon as possible...
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