FATIMA GOTTEN WOKEN up because she heard knocking on Grian’s front door. And his doorbell rang. She got up from the guest bed before checking the clock and noticed it was close to midnight. She stumbled to get out of bed as she walked herself out of the room, through the living room, and finally the door.
“Who’s there?” she asked tiredly as she rubbed her eyes with her hand.
“It’s me.” Phil’s voice is heard from the other side. Footsteps behind Fatima and was also heard. She turned around and saw Grian with a sleepy and confused face. “It’s my brother,” she said and he nodded before walking past her and opening the door for Philippe.
“Who gave you a ride?” she asked as he entered the house.
“Chris just called an uber for me. He seemed kind of.. off? I don’t know, I’m tired,” he explained and her eyes furrowed.
“He was probably tired as well,” Grian commented and she nodded thinking it probably is the reason.
“How was the party with Nikki, hmm?” Fatima teased and Philippe rolled his eyes before running to the living room. “Come on, tell me!” she insisted and followed behind her brother while Grian laughed as he closed the door again.
WHEN THE SUN GREETED the house, Fatima and Philippe got up early so Philippe can go to school early since driving back home is two hours and Fatima needed to get ready for work as it is also back home. Grian permitted them to do anything they want as long as it’s no trouble.
“I’ll cook us breakfast, you go and take a shower. Be careful with it, you can turn the temperature to hot and cold,” Fatima warned him and his eyes lit up in excitement. “What?!” He ran to the bathroom and checked the water. She heard a scream of joy from him which made her giggle.
When Philippe was little, he was a bit spoiled until their lifestyle changed. This is the first time in forever since he took a hot shower. While he was in there, Fatima looked through the kitchen cabinets to find anything to cook. It looks like everything she will ever need is in his kitchen.
She grabbed a pot to cook some soup because the weather is a bit cold today. She’s wearing a shirt and shorts inside the house with the cold air conditioning on, which makes it worse. “Hmmkay,” she whispered to herself after gathering the ingredients and putting them in the pot. He grabbed a knife and started chopping some vegetables.
“AHHHHH!” A woman screamed and she looked up and saw a person wearing a jacket, sunglasses, and a skirt with blue shoes screaming at her.
“AHHHH!” she screamed as well and pointed the knife at her, in a defensive position. The two stared at each other in shock.
(She’s a robber!) the woman thought to herself.
(She’s a robber!) Fatima thought to herself as well.
As they stared into each other, Philippe got out of the bathroom, still fully clothed, and went to the kitchen to see Fatima pointing the knife to the woman who’s far away from her. “AHHHH!” he screamed and so did the woman as they looked at each other. The three looked at one another in confusion as they heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs.
“What the fuck is go— AHHH!” he screamed when he saw the woman standing in his kitchen. He blinked his eyes and fearfully looked at her. “Who is she?” Fatima whispered to him but the woman clearly heard it.
“Mom! I told you I’ll pick you up tomorrow!” Fatima and Philippe looked at him before looking at the woman before looking back at him. Fatima immediately dropped the knife and awkwardly smiled while Philippe scratched his head.
“Explain?” His mother removed her sunglasses as she looked at her son before looking at Fatima.
All of them sat in the living room as Grian explained to her mother who the people are in his house. “She’s uhm, Fatima. You know..? The girl back in college,” he said in a whispering tone to his mother, and her eyes lit up.
“Fatima?” she asked in an excited manner and Fatima looked at her.
“Y-yes, ma’am?” she stuttered talking to her. She cleared her throat to keep her composure. She can’t believe she pointed a knife at Grian’s mother. His MOTHER!
(You’re so stupid) she scolded herself in her head as she stared at his mother apologetically.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said sweetly and Fatima raised her eyebrows in confusion before looking at Grian and back to his mother. (Is she not mad about the knife?) she thought to herself.
“What’s your relationship with my son? Friends? Girlfriend? Fianc-“
“Mom, that’s enough,” Grian said, trying not to make his friend uncomfortable.
“We’re friends,” Fatima answered politely and she smiled.
“With benefits?” His mother curiously asked.
“What?” Fatima asked with widened eyes.
“What?” his mother asked while blinking her eyes as if oblivious to what she stated. Grian groaned before getting up from his seat and dragging Fatima away from his mother.
“Go get ready for work, I’ll talk to mom.”
AT THE MANSION of Christopher’s family, Nikki got ready for school early as well since it’s the same school Philippe goes to. After she got ready for school, she approached the room of her brother and knocked. After knocking a few times, he didn’t answer. “Hey! You told me you’ll take me to school today!” she exclaimed for him to hear. She grabbed the knob and twisted it, finding the door open.
She cracked open the door and noticed a broken flower pot near the door. She opened further and saw the room was a mess. Broken picture frames, misplaced items, and her brother sitting on his bed while looking down. “C-chris?” she called out and he opened his eyes and looked at the door. He got up from his seat and started walking in her direction which made her feel uneasy and she backed away. Once he reached the door, he closed and locked it.
She tried comprehending what just happened and approached his door again. “Are you okay?” She called his name but he didn’t answer.
She blinked a couple of times before someone touched her shoulders. She flinged before looking up and seeing her mother. “I called the driver to take you to school today. Let’s go outside?” Her mother held her shoulder as she walked so Nikki would also be dragged.
“But—“ she got cut off.
She got dragged all the way downstairs and to the driver waiting for her. “Good luck studying, sweety,” her mother told her and she looked at her with squinted eyes.
“But Christopher-“ she got cut off again. She frustratedly entered the car with furrowed eyebrows before looking at her mother for answers.
“Your brother is fine, go on how,” her mother said before closing the car door and making the driver go before she could say anything else. She furrowed her eyebrows not knowing what the heck was going on.
An hour and 45 minutes later, they arrived at her school. She got out of the car and noticed Grian’s car driving to the school. She waved at them and smiled. The car pulled over and Philippe got out of the car and wore his backpack. Nikki approached him and wrapped her arm around her neck and pulled him as if she’s choking him. “Hey,” she greeted and he removed his grasp on her.
“Do both of you have money for lunch?” They turned to look at Grian who’s car window was down. The two nodded and he nodded as well. “Let’s go!” Nikki excitedly dragged him and he groaned.
“Nikki!” he complained as she dragged him inside. They arrived at his classroom and she gave him a flying kiss and a wink before leaving. The other students watched as she left their classroom before surrounding Philippe. “Wah. What was that about?” one of his classmates asked.
“What’s going on between you two?” another wondered and he groaned in frustration. While they were asking questions, they heard a loud thud and looked at the front. They saw their arrogant rich classmate staring directly at Philippe’s soul after he threw the chair. The other students went back to their seats as the two looked at each other.
The teacher arrived at the room and wondered why there was a flipped-over chair and no one dared to answer. The arrogant student casually walked to his seat with his hands in his pocket without looking away from Philippe.
Philippe squinted his eyes as he followed his classmate’s eye before looking away and scoffing. (That arrogant asshole. Was he threatening me?) he thought to himself before shaking his head as if he’s done with his classmate.