***
I was seated in the cafeteria early the next morning having breakfast when a shadow fell across my table. I dropped my spoon on my plate and looked up.
“What do you want?”
“Someone isn’t very happy to see me.”
“Why would I ever be happy to see you?”
“That wasn’t the case a couple of years ago,” Ryan said as he grabbed the seat opposite me and made himself comfortable. I noticed his guys weren’t around him this time.
“Exactly,” I sneered. “That was in the past.”
“Why don’t we go back to how things were before?”
“Are you crazy?” I hissed.
“Watch your mouth.” His voice was a low growl which nearly shut me up immediately.
“Just leave me alone and let’s pretend neither of us exists.”
“Oh, but that’s impossible now,” He grinned wickedly. “Especially considering what you know.”
I realised he was talking about the fact that I knew he was involved with THE REDs.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t trust you to keep that information confidential so I’ll be watching your back very closely.” He whispered the last words and it sent a chill of dread through me.
“Why do you love to torment me like this?” My fingers clenched around my spoon, my appetite was long gone.
He said nothing. He simply smiled and walked away. I was sick and tired of his games but I didn’t have the upper hand and we both knew that.
>>>>
Later in the evening, the girls and I decided to treat Lisa to dinner at a popular restaurant on campus which was known for its quality, but a costly menu.
“Okay, you guys, what’s the occasion?” Her gaze was filled with suspicion as it moved from one person to the other.
“Once in a while, there is a need for a little bit of change.” Alison shrugged.
“Well, this is quite an expensive change though.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Jeez, just enjoy it while it last.
Even the air smelled different in there. The plastic chairs I was so used to seeing in the school cafeteria were replaced with plush, velvet comfy looking chairs and the harsh lighting was replaced with a soft glow that gave the place a certain air of sophistication.
“I now see why some girls are so eager to get a guy to take them to this place.” Alison sighed.
“Good thing we can take ourselves.” I grinned.
“Although it is a group effort.” She said.
“It doesn’t matter.” Lisa shrugged and grabbed the menu off the table. “Hmm, let’s see what they have here.”
We took it as a cue to go through our own menus and ended up wincing at some of the prices. After a lot of deliberation, we decided to go Chilly dogs meshed with burger for the appetizer and macaroni Bolognese for the main course. The girls argued over the choice of dessert but eventually agreed on strawberry ice cream sundaes. Suffice to say, the meal was heavenly.
“Hey,” Lisa whispered. “What’s going on over there?”
We followed the slight tilt of her head towards the direction where we found a couple in the middle of a heated argument.
“Uh oh,” Stacy snickered. “I guess there’s trouble in paradise.”
We watched as the buff looking guy held the arm of a girl who was already halfway out of her seat. I just hoped he wouldn’t squeeze too tight or else she might lose an arm. It didn’t seem like he planned to hurt her though, just to keep her in place. The girl rolled her eyes before she sat down and folded her arms across her chest. I squinted closely at the back of the guy’s head. Something about him looked familiar, especially his build. That was when it clicked that he was the huge guy I saw on the night of the raid. The same guy who I also saw with Ryan.
“Are you guys through yet?” I asked the girls.
“Not yet,” Stacy said, licking her sundae. “Why? You seem nervous.”
“I just remembered I have some things to do back in the hostel, how about I catch up with you guys later?”
“What’re you talking about? You can’t bail on us. We came here together so we’re leaving together.” Alison said firmly.
I angled my body away from the view of the couple and lowered my head as I took another spoonful of ice cream.
“Have you guys heard the latest gist?” Stacy cleared her throat.
“Nope, what’s new?” Alison asked as she turned to her eagerly.
I wish they’d just hurry up already, it so wasn’t the time to gist.
“You guys remember all the fuss about THE REDs right?”
“Who can forget that night?” Lisa shook her head.
I gave her an encouraging look because I knew her mind had gone far ahead of what they thought she meant. I mean, one would have expected it to be one of the cultists that would commit such a violent act, not a lecturer to a student.
“John told me that the group is planning to make another comeback on campus, in fact, many of its members are already on campus as we speak.” Her voice was as low as a whisper.
I knew she was talking about Ryan and his friend but who knew how many others were out there.
“Only God knows what would happen if another raid happens on campus, it’ll be worse than the last one.
That’s it, I’m calling my parents and going home.” Alison said.
“Don’t be stupid, exams are just around the corner,” Stacy rolled her eyes. “Where are you running to?”
“Well, not all of us are protected like you are.”
At this point, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, that the couple had gotten up from their seats and they walked out arm in arm like they never fought in the first place. I didn’t feel at ease until they walked out of the restaurant. I released a breath I didn’t even know I was holding and tuned back into the conversation.
“This is the last time I want to hear about this.” Stacy hissed. “I love John and he loves me, that’s what matters.”
“I still think you’re being very stupid Stacy, he’s a cultist for crying out loud.” It was Alison that said this.
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