Chapter Thirty – Getting Help Doesn't Mean You're Weak

Eventually, all of us in the friend group got to hear about Mara’s case. It was being handled discreetly but Mara had decided to tell all of us about it because she needed a bigger support system than Lara.

We were all surprised and happy that she and Lara were getting along so well. Just a month ago, they were cordial at best. The boys were very impressed by Lara’s skills. I was not surprised. If there’s one thing about her, it’s that she’s resourceful.

It was decided that since we were all kind of stressed out and there were obvious strains in the group, a day out would resolve everything. Of course, it was Carl’s idea. I really am beginning to think that he is the drama. Am I wrong? That is not a rhetorical question.

The plan was that a van would come and pick us and send us to “Treasure Island” where we would have a boat ride and then a lunch afterwards. I wasn’t in favor of the plan at all but I didn’t want to be that girl that dawgs her friends because she has a boyfriend now.

The van arrived as planned. I sat by Mara while Lara sat by Kwame. Carl was next to Boateng even though Boateng was still upset with him about snitching twice. Carl’s slippery tongue had cost him two important relationships. They were boys so they had to act cool, but deep down, Boateng wasn’t over it.

You always hear it said that never believe everything you see on social media and how very true. Here we were taking videos and posting on our Snaps and Instagram stories. Meanwhile, Mara was absolutely petrified about what might happen to her. Especially, her parents finding out about the whole scandal. Then there was me, Carl and Boateng with our issues. The only two people who were really having a good time were Kwame and Lara.

As we walked to the poolside restaurant for some drinks, Lara decided to ask Kwame a question that had been plaguing her for a while since Valentine’s Day. Why did he choose her?

“Because you get me. I asked myself who would be better for me. Who would make me feel good and who would show up for me no matter what? It was you.”

Now, personally, I would not have that but that’s why it’s not me. Lara was very satisfied with this response and smiled to herself. Ugh! The bar is literally in the depths of hell. Anyway, not my relationship; not my business.

The restaurant had a very bohemian and relaxed feel to it. There were three beach benches arranged around a low wooden table where our drinks would sit. As we sat there, we saw a couple engage in a fight. After exchanging words loudly, the woman got up and left. The man sat there sheepishly for a few seconds before standing to go after her.

Carl giggled. “Boateng, I’m sure you can relate” he said. Boateng chuckled cynically before rising to his feet and smacking Carl clear across the chest. Carl was a steady man himself so the blow didn’t send him toppling over but it did push him backwards. The smile left his face and he frowned aggressively.

“Ah. Why? What was that?”. He inched menacingly towards Boateng who was also getting ready to square up. Kwame casually inserted himself in the middle without saying anything. Whatever spirit is at this restaurant is causing these fights. The owners need to get a pastor.

“You’re one to laugh when you’re the cause in the first place.”

“I’m the cause? Bro, you’re the one who doesn’t even understand himself. I’m not the one who turned down my hot girlfriend or asked my best friend to go to a resort with me. Be for real.”

Boateng grabbed his drink and stormed off. Carl took his seat and picked his drink. When Kwame was sure that both boys would not be getting into a fight, he also took his seat next to Lara who rubbed his back. Oh please! Like he did something.

You might be thinking to yourself that I don’t like Kwame. Don’t think to yourself. Know that this is true and very factual. I will not deny or leave much to the imagination. When a man hurts your friend, your friend may forgive because she’s the one in love but you, not so much.

We might be fighting like a typical American High School drama but we were not about to waste money like they do. So, we all got on the boat ride.

Boateng sat off to one lonely corner while Kwame and Lara were off on their own. Carl decided to hang with Mara and me. I watched as the waves danced along the boat. After a while I decided I needed to go and speak to Boateng. It had been more than a week since our fight and I knew he wouldn’t be feeling good.

“Break up with your girlfriend, break up with your best friend and break up with your friend; that has to be a new record” I said, sitting next to him. He shifted a bit so I was more comfortable.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry. None of this is my fault but I want you to know that I’m sorry that you’re going through this” I said. Boateng looked at me and then stared into the distance.

“Thank you” he whispered. He was so somber it made me sad to see. I spent the whole ride sitting next to him because I didn’t want him to feel alone. That’s what he was though. He was alone.

“I realize that the reason I haven’t been supportive of your relationship is that I’ve been using you as a crutch. You being with someone means that I can’t do that anymore. I can’t have you all to myself.”

“I understand that but I’m a human being too. I also need a relationship. I need to find my own way when it comes to love. We’ll always be friends and I’ll always be here for you but you need to figure out how to be your own crutch sometimes.”

The trip produced the opposite effect of what we had desired. Well, not entirely. Boateng and I may have fixed things but then he and Carl were worse off. Mara was not any calmer.

The trip did make Boateng realize something. He realized that if he didn’t fix his issues, he would keep destroying his relationships. Those issues wouldn’t be fixed by another relationship or sabotaging mine. He needed actual help. So, the next morning, he made his way to the Career and Guidance Counseling Department.

*

Mara got a call from the Head of Student Affairs saying that he needed to talk to her about the pending case. When she arrived, he intimated that the investigations about Mr. Mintah were about to be made public and so he just wanted to give her a heads up about it.

“You will be kept completely anonymous but we need to inform the rest of the student body about the allegations and the pending investigations. We also think it’ll be a good idea to inform your parents about what is going on.”

Mara gulped. Inform her parents? She had completely forgotten about that part. How was she going to tell them? There was no way they would understand how she got an F or why she decided to go and see her lecturer.