I felt someone drag my right hand, as I felt my body tremble a bit.
"Are you okay?", Abigael's voice sounded, as I touched my neck nervously.
" Yes, of course. I mean you almost scared me like that", I said as she laughed which I frowned at.
"Hey, sorry about that. You sounded more like a scaredy-cat. Anyways, you promised to explain that chemical combination to me", Abigael explained, as I touched my forehead, totally forgetting about it.
" Don't tell me you forgot. I have to understand today. Remember that the insane lecturer might give us a test tomorrow. I don't want him to start his whole drama again" Abigael clarified.
I glanced slightly as I noticed Joseph walking out of the lecture room. Can my day get any better? I guess Abigael just thwarted my plan of talking to him. But can I talk to him? I chased him away before.
"I guess we are doing this Abigael. Let us start, the earlier, the better", I stated, as we both settled down together.
Abigael and I have been on a good page since we confessed our feelings to each other. To be honest, I have gotten over my feelings for her but I still see her as a good friend.
We advise each other and I am amazed by her free nature and nice attitude. No pretense, and always be herself.
We continued for close to 45 minutes before we rounded off. I gave her some exercises to do as well as assignments. She was a fast learner, but I guess she is not on the good side with Mr. Akpan, who happens to be one of our crazy lecturers.
" I will wait for you. I have this film I want to watch", Abigael reassured me as I went to drop the weekly attendance to my assistant who asked me to meet her outside.
As I made my way outside, I caught a glimpse of Joseph who was with the boys I saw earlier. I hid behind the walls as I felt nervous, trying not to make him see me.
"In the next few days, I will report to you", I heard Joseph say to the boys as they chuckled.
" Time will tell. Don't forget the consequences if you fail", One of the boys said as they shook hands.
I peeked at them as they left in different directions. What is Joseph trying to do? It must probably be a bet to break a girl's heart. He is a player. Maybe if we were still together, he wouldn't have been thinking of something like that", I thought as I left to give the weekly attendance to my assistant.
I headed back as I saw Abigael head bent, her earpiece placed in both ears. I glanced at the video she was watching, my eyes almost popping out of its place.
On the screen was the title of the movie 'Addicted to you". I saw as the older guy tried to force the young guy into having sex with him. The other guy tried his best to stop him but the young guy dominated him, making him give in.
I felt my eyes blurry as I held the chair which startled Abigael as she paused the movie and removed the earpiece turning to see me.
" Sorry to startle you. You watch BL movies?", I asked, the movie scene resonating in my head.
"Yep. I know you might judge me. I just felt like watching this particular one", she replied as I sighed.
" I'm not going to judge you. It is your phone and as long as you watch anything that does not derail your trained conscience, I guess it is okay", I said, not sure if I spilled the right words.
I jumped over as I picked my books and put them in my backpack.
"You know I once had feelings for my best friend in my high school. It was as if the feelings were mutual. We always hang out together. Whenever I see her with someone else, I feel jealousy in my body", Abigael explained, making me stop as I looked at her, her eyes brimming with tears that refused to fall.
I squatted in front of her looking at her eyes.
" My mum just died at that time and I had to change schools. I feel lonely, sober, and quiet most of the time as I was called ``Ghost girl", she explained, as I gave her a handkerchief to clean her eyes.
I have never seen Abigael this sad. Everyone does have his or her story to tell.
"I'm so sorry about that. I hope you will see your mother in the new world to come", I explained as she nodded.
" You can tell me the other part of the stories if you want", I prompted her to speak as she nodded
"She was there for me when I cried and wept. I was very emotional then but she always encouraged me. But one day, in a quiet place in the school, she asked me to close my eyes.", Abigael cleaned her eyes, her hands trembling as I held them.
We were the only ones in the lecture room, which made it better that way.
" I thought that it was one of her tricks to cheer me up by giving me sweets but she did something else. She kissed me", Abigael said, whispering the last part.
I looked at her and realized she was somehow feeling guilty.
"I left her front that day, shocked by what she did. I kept praying to God to forgive me. I realized we both had feelings for each other. Feelings I believe are against societal norms.
For the first time after my mum's death, I prayed. I was not sure of the words I said but I just said something", she voiced out, as she began to calm down.
" You did the right thing by leaving your friend at that time. You don't have to blame yourself for it. You also prayed, which shows that you fully understood that no matter what you passed through in life even if it has to do with feelings, God understands and is ready to help", I counseled as she nodded.
" You are so right because the next day, I never felt guilty again but a new source of confidence. I called my friend and told her gently we can still be friends but must keep our physical distance to a minimum. I explained that I can never engage in sexual conduct with her which she frowned at. From that day our friendship broke as she started mingling with other students. I was not happy about that but inwardly I felt this relief that I made the right decision. I told myself I was never going to give in to that feeling", she declared as I gave her a thumbs up.
"I like your courage. Feelings like that will come and go, especially if you focus on other things", I started as she smiled at me.
" While watching this video, it reminded me of my best friend. I felt if things were to continue going that way, she might have forced me. I have never developed feelings for the same sex apart from the one I told you about. Your words are true, I should try to steer clear of things that might arouse that feeling again", she said
"It all depends on you. I hope you make the right choice. I admire you for letting it out", I told her as she smiled.
" Thank you. You will be the first person I told this to. I appreciate your attentiveness.", she spoke up as I smiled.
We both stood up as we went out. It was a good day for both of us. A day that reminded me that even when I have this blooming feeling that seems out of control, I should never give in to it because they are temporary and will fade away
with time.

****
The next day came with my almost daily challenge as the Class Captain.
Sitting lazily in the rear of the lecture room, I felt disturbed wondering why Joseph was not in the class.

The next lecture will start soon as he has missed one already. I closed my eyes trying to warn myself to keep my thoughts off especially towards him.
I put on my data connection as I continued chatting with my friends on WhatsApp, not until a message popped up.
The message has a picture of Joseph who was curled up under a blanket. I squinted my eyes, noticing his dry lips and his face which does not look good. I let my eyes down as I saw a text under it.
JOSEPH IS SICK. My heart raced instantly.
A/N: Thanks a lot to those spending their time reading this. I appreciate it. Your thoughts on Abigael. What do you think Joseph is up to? The next chapter will give light to it. Enjoy.