TST, 2020
“Who’s she?” Macy said, slapping Leo’s shoulder.
Leo exhaled.
“Who are you?” Isla said, looking at Macy.
“I should be asking you the same question.” Macy said.
“What are you doing in my boyfriend’s room?”
“You must be hysterical. He’s my boyfriend.”
Isla turned to Leo, her eyes welled up. “What is she talking about?”
Leo’s lips became heavy.
Isla snatched Leo’s shirt. “What does she mean saying she’s your girlfriend?”
Leo avoided Isla’s eyes.
“You’re changing girls like clothes.” Macy said. Her eyes were wet.
“Once a cheater always a cheater, they can never be trusted again.” Isla said. She walked out, slamming the door.
Leo sighed, lowering his head.
“You wanted everything… well, now you get nothing.” Macy said, leaving the room.
Leo fell on his knees. His face was full of sweat. Words have power, the power to soothe, the power to skewer someone through the heart, and the power to render someone speechless.
You can’t have everything. Where would you put it? Benjamin told him when he was 12. He stood and left the room.
There was a wood log under a tree near his room. He fell on the log and leaned on the tree.
“Prof Lucy is in the class now, what are you doing here?” A girl of about 18 years old stood before Leo. She was black, the black that no man can stop looking at, black beauty. They were in the same class. He knows the face but he doesn’t know her name.
Leo raised his head and covered his face with his palms. He exhaled. The girl sat on the log next to him.
“I’m Daliah.”
“What do you want?”
“Leo, do you believe in love at first sight?”
Leo chuckled. “Can we just not talk about love for a moment?”
“I fell in love with you the first day I saw you.”
Leo sighed. “Please… I’m just too tired.”
“Do you know for how long I have wanted to say this?”
“What’s wrong with you ladies?”
“I’m in love with you.”
“I’m a man of terrible past and my present is full of troubles.” Leo chuckled. “You don’t need to be a prophet to predict my future. Why would a girl trust his heart to a man like me?”
“They say love is blind.”
Leo stood. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t see me either.”
“Leo wait—”
Leo’s phone buzzed.
“Who’s this?” Leo said.
“It’s about your mother.” The other side responded.
“What’s with her?”
“Doctors say she needs a quick surgery.”