Chapter Twelve – Good Friends Show Up

I made my way to Sly’s room for our study session. My friend group was certainly chaotic but I wasn’t about to let the drama going on cause another case of Mr. Mintah’s test. Even if graduating with stellar grades was no longer the goal, I at least needed to maintain some level of dignity.

Going to Sly’s room was such a breath of fresh air for me. Literally. It afforded me a break from the mess of my friends and the room had such a cozy vibe. I don’t know who said boys were messy because this one was more organized than me.

He had ambient lights when the main one wasn’t on for studying. Since he was in a one-in-a -room he had a little sofa with some throw pillows and a TV. His shoes were neatly stacked and his gaming console was neatly packed in the corner on a tiny shelf he had brought in. The room constantly smelled by lavender since he had invested in scented candles and diffuser oil. I mean, how many men did it.

I hoped that by the time I was in my third year, my life would be together like this.

“Hey” he said coming out of the kitchen area where he went to get us drinks. He gave me one and took a seat on the bed while I sat on the sofa.

“How’re you doing? Were you able to read over the things I asked you to?” he said picking up a textbook from the shelf.

I nearly choked on my drink. “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed, “I completely forgot” I confessed.

“No worries. But why though? I feel like you’ve got a lot going on and you’re just a freshman. Is it a boy or something?”

I was embarrassed. He was definitely right.

“Yes. But not the type of boy that you think. It’s my best friend. He’s dealing with some stuff and I’m trying to help him”. That was all I was willing to say but he adjusted himself in a way that suggested that I go on.

“Well, his parents are getting a divorce after his father cheated and he’s not handling it well. He’s been getting high and then yesterday he was in an accident. I’m worried. His dad is getting married to the mistress who is now pregnant and he didn’t even tell me. I don’t know why he didn’t tell me or doesn’t tell me when he’s not okay. Instead, he makes these terrible decisions that are hurting him and others too.”

Sly was quiet for a while and I was almost regretting my honesty when he began to speak.

“I think he’s acting that way because he’s in denial, yes but also because he’s embarrassed by his own feelings. I think from the few stories you’ve told me of your friends, you’re the one who seems to have a handle on things and that can sometimes be intimidating. Maybe, if you were vulnerable with some of them about your own shortcomings, it would help them to be more honest and open with you.”

Sly definitely gave me something to think about. Even with Lara’s predicament, we had talked but it wasn’t in that open way that we should have spoken and he was right. Throughout our friendship, Boateng was always the one with issues; girlfriend drama, parent drama or some other thing. I always looked like I knew what I was doing.

I was still deep in reflection when Sly said “I’m glad it’s not that kind of boy drama”.

*

Lara replayed her conversation with Kwame and wished she could shoot herself in the head. What was she thinking? Obviously, Kwame said he was flattered but confessed that he still loved Nana Yaa. The shame of it all!

Lara had said okay and brushed it off like she didn’t care but she was mortified. She had texted me and I was already on my way over. I didn’t even sit in my chair before she started to recount the story to me and how she had been feeling.

Sly’s words came to mind because I had no idea this was what she had been dealing with.

“I know you’re going to say that I’m wrong but then I can’t help how I feel” she confessed. She looked drained and exhausted.

“Yes, I understand. I don’t there’s anything strange or terrible about how you’re feeling but I’m worried. And I’ll be lowkey honest with you, I don’t think you should be with Kwame. I mean, think about it. This man cheated on his woman with you. Who’s to say if you guys become an item, he’s not going to do the same to you?”

“It’s different” she said emphatically.

I nearly hollered but I remembered Sly’s advice. In this case, lacking relationship experience prevented me from giving a vulnerable example of my own so I silently listened for her to elaborate.

“The only reason he cheated on Nana Yaa was because she didn’t want to do stuff with him. I’m different. I’m more willing.”

“Okay. So what happens when you’re not willing or he wants something that you can’t or won’t give him? He’s going to try getting it from somewhere else, obviously”.

She wasn’t pleased by my reasoning. I felt I was too harsh.

“Besides you can do better than him. He’s clearly hung up on his ex and you don’t need that type of energy. There’s plenty of men out there who would give anything to be with you. I always say this. Even after this scandal, your DMs aren’t dry and Lord knows I’m sick ad tired of your numerous visitors. I think you just need to throw yourself out there and then you’ll see that your feelings were misplaced.”

Lara wasn’t happy but she was excited about the prospect of bouncing back. I reminded her of her own motto which was that to get over one man, you need to get under another. I’ll be honest, that’s one of the worst pieces of advice I’ve ever heard. It’s like slapping a plaster over a deep gash and laughing at the knife that it wasn’t able to hurt you. But hey, who am I to speak?

I was in a counseling mood so I decided to go and see Boateng, who had made it a point to avoid me. I expected him to be more disturbed to see me but he seemed more relieved.

“I’ve missed you” I confessed. The words felt like lemon on my tongue. I hated mushy stuff like that but I was all about being vulnerable.

“I missed you too” he said happily. He almost resembled a little child.

“I came so we’ll talk about how you’re doing and I mean like really talk. I feel like you’re not being honest with yourself and you’re not opening up to me. It worries me.

He was silent.

“You’re upset about your parents, right?”

“Well, obviously. Yeah. It annoys me so much that all this is affecting me. It’s not my marriage and it’s not my problem so why is my life feeling like it’s ending?”

“I don’t know. But I think as their child, you love them both and seeing them both like that hurts you. It’s not your marriage but it’s still your family. You grew up thinking your parents loved each other and now you’re watching your father marry some other woman. I know that would definitely upset me. You’re really strong because it’s not easy to go through that”.

Boateng seemed happy to hear what I was saying.

“I love you, okay. You’re my best friend. You shouldn’t have to deal with these things alone. You need to talk to me. I’ll always be here for you” I said, rising to give him a hug. He hugged me back and we stayed that way for a few seconds.

“Thank you” he said.

“You’re welcome” I replied.