Chapter Sixteen – Friendship Breakups

When I had been turned around, I briefly saw Boateng looking intently at us but I didn’t pay him any mind. He was just being a jealous bestie. I remember being that way myself when it came to Farida. He would eventually get over it.

I ignored everyone for most of the night as Sly and I talked. He asked me how the exams had been going and as you know I like to do; I began to rumble. I quickly checked myself and apologized.

“Don’t apologize” he said, “I love to hear you talk”.

Hmmm. Reader, this recollection is stirring me. I need a few minutes to recover.

…

Alright, thank you. Where was I? Ah, yes! I was telling you about our conversation. His statement tickled my ears, massaged my heart and hugged my mind. Every part of my body was excited and awake. I was actually here growing feelings.

I was in the trenches like Lara had said. Alas, love had found me and after chasing me these eighteen years, it caught me. I had no desire whatsoever to speak to anyone else that night. I only wanted to melt myself into Sly’s chest and stay there forever.

Eventually he had to leave because he had a paper the next day but he would come and see me tomorrow. I tried and failed to seem nonchalant about this piece of information.

Lara came up to me still fuming from her altercation with Mara.

“Can you believe that girl?” she cried. I said nothing. I really didn’t want to get into it.

“And why were you pandering to her and holding her hand like you guys are besties? How could you do that after what she did to me?".

I had had enough.

“Lara, I’m sorry, you know I love you and I will always be on your side but I’m not about to treat Mara badly for your sake. She’s also my friend. Was what she did wrong? Yes, maybe. But you’re the one who was sleeping with someone else’s boyfriend. You can’t be mad at her if you’re facing the repercussions of your actions.”

“Wait, are you for real right now? Araba, you must be joking. Seriously? That girl ruined my life and you’re taking her side?”

“I’m not taking her side, Lara. I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t be so spiteful since you don’t have clean hands yourself.”

Lara looked like I had slapped her in the face.

“Wow, Araba. You always do this. You act like some self-righteous God who can do no wrong. I can’t believe you right now. I’m leaving” Lara said before storming off. I made no effort to chase her.

I had accommodated and supported her terrible actions for long enough. I tried to act tough but I was worried that our friendship might be over. And what was I to do really? She was wrong and I would be a bad friend to pretend that she wasn’t.

As if my friends weren’t done displaying their foolishness, Boateng came over to me with a worried look on his face.

“You and Sylvester spoke for a while. I couldn’t even hang out with you the whole night.”

I apologized.

“Araba, I’m worried about you. First, you’re going with this guy to places, next he’s getting you food and now he’s showing up to your party. Like, what is up?”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing” I observed.

“Is it not?”

“How is that a bad thing?” I asked, getting annoyed.

“You don’t even know this guy. I don’t trust him. I’ve seen his kind before. I think he’s taking advantage of your respect for him and he’s trying to manipulate you.”

“You don’t know him” I said emphatically, “and I’m not some naïve girl who can’t handle herself okay? No one is manipulating me. Honestly, how childish can you be?” I asked before storming off.

Looks like a night for storming.

I went over to Carl and asked him to go with me back to campus. I was certainly over the night. Welcome to adulthood, I suppose.

Carl pleaded with me not to be upset with Boateng who was just trying to be a good friend. He reminded me how Boateng himself could be manipulative so it only made sense that he'd expect another man to be the same.

I asked him what he thought of Sly and he said he felt he was a good and responsible guy.

"Do you like him though?" Carl asked. I knew I did but I wasn't quite ready to share that information.

"He's just a good friend" I said. "Mm" Carl replied with a nod. I could tell he either didn't believe me or he felt I was in denial about my true feelings.