CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66

What is she doing here? That was the first thing that popped into Rhea’s mind. She stood in the middle of the room, her feet rooted in place, her eyes plastered on Athaliah’s face.

Athaliah turned from Tia to her, her smile stretching into a grin, her eyes narrowed into straight lines.

"Hi, Rhea. You’re back. Hope your journey went well?" Athaliah asked, like a malfunctioning robot.

"What are you doing here?" Rhea questioned, a skeptical look wrinkling her face.

"I came to visit my friend." She replied, both arms resting on the couch, swaying her feet like a child.

"Friend?" Rhea glanced at the quiet Tia, then back at Athaliah. "I believe I told you to let me think about it?" Rhea’s voice cracked, her tired muscles tense as she stood.

You guys just met, how is she your friend in a few hours? Rhea thought, looking at Tia, who had a smile on her face.

"Oh, I see. You two should have a good time, then. I’ll be heading to my room." Rhea gave a slight nod, a small smile tucked at her lips.

With her bag slung lazily in her left hand, she strode to her room, her mind reeling.

I just can’t wrap my head around how they became close so quickly and now Tia is inviting someone to the house? That’s not like her at all.

Right now, I have to shower and rest my bones first. Then later I’ll talk with Tia. Rhea glanced back before she stepped into her room. That’s after she has left. Her eyes flicked from Athaliah as she stepped inside.

Their laughs echoed again as her door closed behind her. Murmuring laced with gossip and giggles filled the apartment.

Later that night at around seven to eight, Rhea made her way to Tia’s room.

"You sleeping?" Rhea asked through the closed door.

"No. Coming." Tia replied her voice echoing from within her room, followed by her approaching feet, the the loud, opening sound of her door lock.

"What’s up?" Tia questioned, moving back to her bed, while Rhea followed.

"Nothing much, busy?" Rhea enquired, sitting on the single couch near her bed.

Tia, fell onto her bed. "A little, working on a project. But don’t worry. Want something?" Tia continued what she was doing asking Rhea to go on.

Rhea hesitated for a while, watching Tia on her laptop. Then asked, "You and Athaliah are pals now?"

Tia glanced at the wall, then back at her laptop. "Yeah, pretty much so." She went quiet for a beat, before continuing. "After you left, we some how talked. Uhh, she’s seemed nice and easygoing, and I like that vibe, so we exchanged numbers and I invited her in."

"Oh." Rhea eyes twitched imperceptibly, her tongue reached for her bottom lip while she swallowed as her throat suddenly became dry.

Is it that I’m the only one sensing hostility from Athaliah? Or I’m being bitchy because I don’t like her?

A genuine smile paved Tia’s face as she continued, "She asked a lot about you. I think she really likes you. A lot." Tia informed.

Rhea didn’t utter a word, her gaze were fixed on Tia.

Noticing Rhea silence, Tia place the laptop on her lap on the bed, move closer to Rhea, took her hands and said, "I know you’re sceptical about people, but why don’t you give her a chance, it won’t cause you any harm and if you still don’t like her you can always stop."

"I don’t know. She seems funny to me. Some how, I can’t explain it." Rhea managed.

"If she acts weirdly towards you, I just punch her right in the nose." Tia practically throwing multiple punches into the air.

Rhea sank into the chair, giggling, then sighed. "I’d give it a shot."

Like Tia said, if it doesn’t goes well I’ll just cut ties with her.

The following day at school...

"Rhea!" Athaliah shouted from her seat the moment Rhea stepped into the class.

"Athaliah, I’m coming into the class so you didn’t need to shout like that." Rhea mumbled through her teeth giving apologetic smiles at her glances other students were throwing at her.

"I miss you." Athaliah gushed, throwing herself at rhea who was now seated.

You miss me? As what exactly?

"Thank you." Rhea replied smiling then gently pushing her to sit properly and not on her body.

Athaliah leaned close, eyes glinting. "Had any dreams about me last night?" Athaliah asked casually, tucking her hair behind her ear, her legs crossed.

Your questions are so weird. Why would I dream about you. I’ve never dreamed about Tia before. So why you though. Ugh.

"No didn’t. Did you?"

I seriously hope you didn’t.

"Yes," Athaliah whispered, lips curling. "I actually did."

Rhea head snapped towards her, hands frozen in place, disgust creeping onto her face.

"Oh."

"Come on is that all you got to say? Shouldn’t you be asking what the dream is about?" Athaliah said moving closer to Rhea’s face or should I say practically almost in her skin.

I seriously don’t want to know. For my own benefit.

But Athaliah was not having it. Her eyes were telling Rhea she must ask, while her body was itching to open Rhea’s mouth if she didn’t.

Rhea’s let out a breath, then asked, "what was it about?"

Athaliah lips stretched up to her ears, her eyes beaming with satisfaction. Then she moved closer Rhea, pressed herself on her and whispered in her ears.

"You were begging me not to eat you up, while I was eating you alive." Athaliah pulled away with a grin, stood up made her way to the other side where Tia was seated like nothing happened.

Rhea face twiched, not knowing what kind of expression to make, her eyes glued on Athaliah

What nonsense was that just now? Is she mentally challenged?

"Everyone settle down." A lecturer strode Inside.

Bring Rhea momentarily weird morning to a halt.

*

"That will be the end of today’s class, see you next week."

"Yes Sir." The class chorused.

Before Rhea could even process the assignment given to them. Tiffany was already at her desk.

"Hey Rhea can we talk." Tiffany stood at Rhea’s seat, leaning on one foot her arms folded on her chest. "Outside."

Rhea glanced at her, returned her gaze back to her laptop. "I can’t right now I’m busy." Rhea responded.

"I wasn’t asking. I’m telling you to follow me." Not giving rhea another chance to speak, she stalked towards the entrance.

Rhea furrowed her brow, then turned to Tia and said, "Could you watch my things for me? I’m coming." Rhea stood already making her way out of the seat.

When Athaliah cut in instead. "Oh I’m sorry but she can’t. We are leaving you see. So it would be better you take you things along." She gestured with her fingers, taking in Rhea’s stuff.

"The person I was asking hasn’t even spoke. And you are already answering for her." Rhea fired back, she scoffed in disbelief.

"We are leaving now actually." Athaliah added, nodding while battling her lashes. "So if you don’t want your things to be stolen. I’d advise you start packing."

Rhea glanced to Tia, and Tia simply shrugged with a smile.

Rhea exhaled sharply, hissed, turned to her seat, shoved her laptop and everything else on the desk into her bag and stormed out the door.

"Tiffany what do you want?" Rhea frustration laced in her tone.

"Rhea, I’m going to say this once, and I honestly hope you slow brain can grasp it. Whatever it is you have going on with Mr Zeenare, cut if off."

Rhea bit on her teeth staring calmly at Tiffany, her inside churning.

"And you decided to call me here for this... shenanigans. Wasting my time?" Rhea’s voice was raspy.

Tiffany chortled at her words, "Is there anything you use your lousy time for?"

Rhea blinked once as a groan escaped her lips, while her fingers massaging her forehead, "I get it you are full of yourself, but don’t let that deceive you into thinking I’m one of your lackeys."

Rhea stepped forward into her space, her voice low. "You see what you did yesterday and two days ago? Don’t do that again." Rhea walked past her, heading back to the class.

Tiffany was reviled by Rhea’s audacity for walking out on her "Don’t worry, you’d be the one to beg to level him."

As Rhea stepped into the faculty hallway. A voice echoed behind her. "Having a great day?"

She looked over her shoulder towards the voice.

"What do you want Zack?" She said, rolling her eyes.

"Is your school life going well for you?" He strode towards her, hands in his pocket.

"And how is that any of your business?" She asked, turning to face him.

"Don’t worry it would start going north soon." He scoffed bitterly at her face, then walked past her."

She stomped back to the class, her mind reeling. I can’t believe what’s happening to my life.

As Rhea stepped back into the class, Athaliah and Tia still in class talking, was the first thing that caught her attention.

"I thought you said you guys were leaving?" Rhea turned to Tia.

"We changed our mind." Athaliah answered.

"I wasn’t talking to you, Athaliah." Rhea glared at her.

"Hey Rhea. What’s your problem." Tia said, staring daggers at Rhea. "Don’t talk to her like that Rhea."