The Beginning of Never
Page 24
“I’m sorry,” she said, and the apology confused me.
“What?” I said, not quite certain I’d heard her right.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I shouldn’t have gone after you guys.”
“Kate, there’s no need to apologize,”
“There is,” she said slowly. “And I’m not sure what’ll happen, but Nathan removed your name from everything. He told me not to even mention the journal so the authorities think that he stole the key. But they’re not sure how and from where since they don’t even remember where they’d kept it in the first place.”
“How much trouble is he in?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “But I don’t think it’ll be too bad- the headmaster seems pretty calm about all this.”
“I don’t think he is,” I said. “He’s probably just trying to be patient until the festival ends.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Yes we do,” I said, and I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “How are you?”
She managed a small smile. “Better, my parents will be here tomorrow.”
*
I left the clinic even more depressed than I’d been when I’d gone in, and that was saying something.
Everything seemed to be in shambles, and I felt as if I was barely hanging on by a thread. Kate was okay, and for that I was grateful, but with Nathan keeping his distance from everyone, and the Headmaster still silent on how this would all end, I was very worried that the worst had still not come.
As I headed down the corridor to return to our rehearsal court, I found myself wishing that I could just collapse and remain unconscious for a while so that everything could pass by without my being a witness to any of it. Then I would wake up content and relieved, because everything would be back to normal.
Instead, I got a better wish. I turned the corner, and was startled to see Nathan walking down the stairs and away from the infirmary. My heart jumped.
“Nathan!” I called out, and sped up so that I could catch up with him. He immediately turned around.
Our gazes met for a moment but for the first time, there was no warmth in his. I stopped at the top of the stairs, and when I saw that he wasn’t going to make any effort to speak to me or walk towards me, I took a step forward. But again, something in his gaze stopped me.
“Are you alright?” I asked, but he didn’t respond.
“I’m just back from seeing Kate, and she’s told me everything. Please tell them about the journal.”
“Lenora,” he said. “There is nothing to tell.”
“But there is,” I argued. “I can’t let you just take the blame for everything.”
“There is no blame for anything,” he said. “Everyone made mistakes- let it go.”
I hated the way he sounded. “Nathan ...” I said, and took a step towards him, but there was a look in his eyes that didn’t encourage me to come any further.
“Nora ...” he said. “Let it go.” And he turned to leave.
I watched him walk away, and was stunned because I’d thought that he would come to me. That he would have been happy to see me just as I was to see him.
There were a million and one things that I could have concluded in my mind was the reason for his distance, but I wasn’t even sure which to settle on.
I remained there for a long time after he’d left, just watching the spot he’d stood on, and foolishly hoping -somewhere at the back of my mind- that he would come back and speak to me.
Finally, I just let out a deep, long, shaky breath. I turned around, and returned to the auditorium.
*
When I arrived at the auditorium, I found Elisa very invested in the preparations for the next day. I stood in one of the four entrances and looked around the massive room.
Everyone was busy and hard at work. Tables and chairs were being moved from one end to another, while different groups from various houses were clustered in different areas and discussing their preparations for the next day.
Elisa was by the corner of the stage, where a leafless tree with very crooked branches stood, and was assisting in the hanging up of various sizes of glittering glass balls. I wanted to go over to help her so that I could at least take my mind off Nathan, but as I was heading down the aisle, I changed my mind and slid into one of the middle rows to take a seat.
The auditorium was dark so it hid my presence enough to convince me that I was by myself, and that was just what I needed.
My mind immediately went back to how Nathan had just acted with me. The distance I felt from him reminded me of when I’d first met him, and the difficulty and lack of understanding that had been so colossal between us. I’d never imagined that we could go past that nor did I even think I’d have wanted to, but his care amidst his initial and infuriating arrogance had found a way to soften me to him.
It was the same care that he’d exhibited through the last few months of knowing him, and now, in ensuring that I was completely sheltered from this entire mess with Kate. That selflessness of putting me before him in so many ways was part of the reason why I had completely let him into my heart. I wasn’t naïve enough to think that’d he’d remain there forever, but for the first time in so long, I didn’t mind if he did. In fact, I wasn’t sure how I’d fare if he didn’t and it pleased me that apart from Carlie and my mom, that someone else had won a spot there.
I was still yet to find the answer to so many questions, like what had made him continue to help me in the first place, or what had pushed him so much that my welfare practically became his responsibility. There was so much I now wanted to say, so much that I should have said.
I sighed and turned to look at Elisa again. She was now crouched on the floor and sorting through a pile of sparkling shapes that were laid out like jewels on the wooden stage.
I decided I’d tell him as soon as I saw him again. I wanted to explain to him how much he had come to mean to me… and to insist that he allowed me in on this battle so that we could fight it together. He shouldn’t be facing this alone as he had all the other times because yet again, I was the major cause of it all.
So I was going to insist that I took the responsibility or at least some of it and even though I knew he’d still refuse. I was going to try and ensure that he did not bear the consequences of this entire disaster on his own.
*
Later that day, I was in the studio watching the final fitting of the clothes being done on the models, when James came in to see me. I was surprised to see him because his houses’ rehearsals were back at the residential grounds.
“Hey,” he said, and he drew up a high stool just like mine to sit by me.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” I asked. I was pleased to see him, but was a little taken aback by his hair because his new haircut had gotten rid of his fat ginger curls. “And what did you do to your hair?” I cried. He laughed softly.
“It was getting too long,” he said as he raised his hand to touch his head. “Don’t worry it’ll grow back soon enough.”
Only then did I notice that his shirt sleeves were a little damp. “Is it raining outside?” I asked, and turned to glance at the window. I hadn’t even realized that it was.
“It is,” he replied. “I brought an umbrella with me.”
There was a dullness to his voice that I’d never heard before, but I assumed he was just tired since even his eyes seemed a little droopy.
“So, I was just with Nathan,” he said, and a pang of fear hit my chest.
I swallowed. “Okay.”
“Do you want to step outside with me for a bit?”
With a nod I agreed, and slid off my stool to leave with him. He just kept on walking so I followed, my eyes glued to the linoleum floor. We eventually reached the hallway that led to the courtyard, and only then did he stop. I could see the rain heavily pouring down on everything beyond the glass doors.
“So, the headmaster sent for him,” he began, and I listened attenti
vely, although I couldn’t get myself to take my eyes off the linoleum floor. “And, he gave him two options. It was either he would be expelled, or he could receive his academic transcript till date and just leave. He requested his transcript and left.”
My eyes shot up to his then. “What?”
“His brother came to pick him up about an hour ago. He told me to tell you.”
I just stared at James, refusing to believe what he was telling me. It felt like my legs were going to give out.
I could barely hear myself as I spoke. “Why didn’t he send for me so that he could tell me himself?”
James shrugged, avoiding my gaze. “I asked him about it but he didn’t say anything.”
“So … he’s gone?”
He nodded.
Silence …
“Okay,” I eventually said, and I would never know how I did it but I managed to force a smile to my lips.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Of course I am.” I told him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
James came closer to lightly touch the side of my arm, and then he turned around and went on his way.
I don’t know how long I remained there, just standing and staring at the linoleum floor. Eventually, I knew that my legs were going to give out if I didn’t find somewhere to sit. So I walked through the sliding doors and into the rain, and I took a seat on one of the picnic benches.
I stared at nothing until the rain stopped briefly. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave even when it started again because at that moment, it was the only place that I could be.
The rain hid my tears, and it was perfect. I didn’t feel them as they rolled down my cheeks…
The End
AUTHOR’S NOTE
*
I want to sincerely thank you for the taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this story. It was borne straight out of my heart, and bears a significant resemblance to a true experience. So whatever you may have felt while going through this book, trust me, it could have been worse.
Falling in love for the first time is indeed a powerful feeling that many get to experience in their lifetime. And since for most it happens at a critical age, it can sometimes seem to take over your entire world. A lot of people recover from it, but some don’t. This you will get to see in the sequel to this book – ‘The Way to Never.’ You can click on the link to acquire the book.
It has been scheduled for a late June release, or at the latest, sometime in early July of 2015. An official release date hasn’t been set as of the time of writing this note. To get in contact with me, you can visit www.oeboroniauthor.com. You can also click on this link to sign up for my private newsletter which will enable you to receive insider information about my upcoming projects, events, extras, prize giveaways, and other newsworthy items.
I do hope that you will continue on this journey with Lenora and Nathan, and get to see through their eyes, the true meaning of forever. If you have enjoyed this book, please take a moment to leave a review on whichever eBook retailer you’ve purchased it from. It will be immensely appreciated.
Thank You.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
*
I want to sincerely thank all the people who have helped me survive the birthing of this novel.
My God, for helping me whenever I got stuck, and for helping me see beyond my doubts. You were there at every moment to encourage, and teach me all I needed to know.
You are my everything.
A big thank you to my parents for always supporting me; To my mom for being so selfless and caring, and to my dad for your constant encouragement. You are the best parents that anyone could possibly ask for.
To my siblings, Odalo, Edafe, and Ahuose,
for your enthusiasm when you found out I was writing this book,
and for your threats when you thought I was being too slow. I love you all.
Uyi, Amaka, Toya, Viano, Sasha and Layla.
My amazing beta readers and friends; You’ve helped so wonderfully in shaping this book.
Uyi, for encouraging me to finish this story, Amaka, for threatening me if I didn’t, Toya, for encouraging me with your enthusiasm,
Viano and Sasha, for taking the time to add an extra shine to the final manuscript, and Layla, for all your advice and support. Thank you for listening to me constantly talk about this book, and for your honest feedback. I sincerely appreciate you all.
To Nene, for being as excited as I was when I shared the idea of writing this book with you, and to Busayo, for being a wonderful reading buddy.
Edozie, your presence in my life is priceless. Thank you for your wisdom and your love.
My editor, Melissa-Jane Fogarty, who contributed so powerfully in making this story the best it could possibly be. I appreciate you for your patience, and for your willingness to always offer your advice.
And thank you my dear reader, for taking a chance on me and picking up this book. I do hope that it inspires, and entertains you.
May others help support your dream, just as you’ve helped support mine.
OTHER BOOKS BY O. E. BORONI
*
1. The Way to Never
When falling out of love, refuses to become an option…
Nathan Roque first met Lenora Baker, a beautiful, exasperating, and bitter girl when she was just fifteen years old. He fell so deeply in love with her that he suspected that in his lifetime, nothing else could ever mirror the kind of commitment that she drew out of him. But she is left heartbroken when an unfortunate incident drives them apart.
Thirteen years later, he sets out to reach out to her when he can no longer resist the consuming thoughts of her that have haunted him for so long. However, the same demons that caused him to let go of her in the first place are still holding him back. But when he is thrust into a situation where he has no choice but to become professionally involved with her, a Pandora’s Box of angst, resentment, and passion is unleashed.
Now they are forced to make the decision on how to proceed. But will it justify the one that they made in the past, or will it mock it?
Now available for sale on Amazon.
Table of Contents
« CHAPTER 1 »
« CHAPTER 2 »
« CHAPTER 3 »
« CHAPTER 4 »
« CHAPTER 5 »
« CHAPTER 6 »
« CHAPTER 7 »
« CHAPTER 8 »
« CHAPTER 9 »
« CHAPTER 10 »
« CHAPTER 11 »
« CHAPTER 12 »
« CHAPTER 13 »
« CHAPTER 14»
« CHAPTER 15 »
« CHAPTER 16 »
« CHAPTER 17 »
« CHAPTER 18 »
« CHAPTER 19 »
« CHAPTER 20 »
« CHAPTER 21 »
« CHAPTER 22 »