DUSK by Esther Machethe (top books of all time txt) 📕

“Not like I expected.” Jared didn’t question further as the car sped out of the neighborhood. 

^^^^^

I could hear the buzz, at first, I tried to ignore it but it grew louder, like it as coming closer until it suddenly disappeared. I was about to slip back into my dream when an image of mom popped into my head. She was bleeding and dad was holding her closer. It looked like an accident. Tears sprung from my eyes making my vision blurry as I thought my mom was injured.

“Mom!” I rushed to her but before I could get to them, my body started to shake vigorously and mom’s voice rang through my head, snapping me awake.

“Open your eyes, darling, it’s just a dream.” She soothed me, making me open my eyes. I was in my bed, sun rays penetrated through my window. I didn’t hesitate to throw my arms around her.

“It was terrible; you were hurt and lying there in dad’s arms. Your eyes were closed and dad looked so sad.” I sobbed.

“It was just a dream darling, look am still here and I’m okay see” she stood up so that she can show me she was okay. At least she was okay. Dad poked his head into the door.

“You girls okay?” he and mom shared a look but it disappeared before I could decipher it.

“Yeah, I was just waking Chloe up, she had a bad dream.”

“Oh, sorry baby girl. Breakfast is ready, get moving or you’ll be late for school.” Dad said before he disappeared and closed the door.

School?? Isn’t today supposed to be Sunday? I turned to mom and it’s like she read my mind.

“Today is Monday darling, you and Alec went to a party on Saturday and came back late. Yesterday you were sick and you took medicine, you slept the whole day, don’t you remember?” she looked concerned and I didn’t want to worry her.

“Oh yeah, silly me, I kind of forgot,” I said trying to ease her worry and saw her visibly relax.

“Well, I better let you get ready for school. Emma will be here at seven thirty.” Mom said, stepping out of the room. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. Shit! It was seven already.

I got out of bed and had to stop first because I felt a massive headache sweeping in but it went away after a few minutes. I jumped into the shower and within twenty minutes I was ready and made my way downstairs to get some breakfast while I waited for Emma. I was almost done with breakfast when a car honk from outside alerted me of Emma’s arrival. I ran out knowing very well that Mrs. Angus, our next door neighbor was waiting to shout at me and Emma for waking her up with the loud hooting which was weird because it’s not like we can reduce the volume of the car horn.

“Sorry Mrs. Angus!” I shouted as I ran towards Emma’s black Audi. It wasn’t anything fancy but at least she had a car. My parents didn’t think it was safe to get me my own car for reasons I couldn’t understand yet.

“Come on, we’re late,” Emma said as I entered the car.

“Morning to you too Em, what did I do or not do this time?” I asked amusedly. The thing with Em is that everyone could read her pretty well.

“You totally blew me off on Saturday. You didn’t even reply my gazillion texts that I sent you. Then at night I got one text, ‘sorry, was with Alec’. What kind of a friend does that?” she huffed. I would have laughed if I knew what she was talking about but I didn’t. I don’t drink so I can’t say that I was drunk. This was harder to explain.

“I’m so sorry Em, I’ll buy you lunch to make it up to you.” I tried to bribe her and I knew it worked when she tried to hide the smile.

“Okay, but I still am mad at you.” She said. The rest of the ride was short and quiet.

We managed to get there before the bell and we found Ashton and Sapphire waiting for us at the entrance.

“Where were you all weekend?” Ashton asked first. I wanted to say that I don’t know but I refrained.

“Aww, I missed you too Ash.” I tried and managed to smile even though it was a fake one. The only person who could solve this mystery was Alec.

“Have you guys seen Alec?”

No, by the way, why didn’t you guys ride together like usual?” Sapph inquired.

“Um, I don’t know, I just really need to talk to him,” I said, looking around for him. I caught sight of him heading towards the lockers and I followed him.

“Alec! Alec wait!” I called out, running towards him. He stopped abruptly and I mentally thanked him.

“What’s wrong? Are you avoiding me? What happened on Saturday?” I blurted out without even thinking. I watched as his eyes searched mine for something which I didn’t have. He looked confused at first then his face hardened and his jaw clenched.

“I don’t know Chloe; I was hoping you could explain to me what happened on Saturday. What I saw you do. On second thought, just stay away from me, we are done.” He said in a cold tone.

I must have done a really bad thing to see him like that. I raised my hand to touch him when a flash of fear crossed his eyes but it was gone before anyone could see. What the hell was that? I was about to ask what was that but a sweet and calm voice interrupted us.

“Hey babe, you ready for class?” I knew that voice. I turned my head so fast that it was a miracle I didn’t get a whiplash; I came face to face with Angeline, the queen of Hollow High.

She walked up to him and pulled his head to her and kissed him. I wanted to scream but my voice got stuck in my throat, I could only watch and pray that I could hold it together until the end of the day. She pulled away and turned to me, a smile in place but I’m sure everyone could tell it was fake.

“Chloe, right?”

I could only nod.

“I know you two dated but you have to accept that he broke up with you. Stay away from my boyfriend and don’t try to ‘win him back’, trust me sweetheart, that something you can never do. Okay? Good, now run along, I know how much you like to be on time.” She said in that cool tone.

I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t cry. I took one last look at the guy who ruthlessly broke my heart then turned away and walked towards my first class, math. I love math but not today. My head hurt, my heart was in pieces and me, for once hadn’t seen that coming. I entered the class to find that everyone was already in, including the teacher.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, not really sure if Mr. Johnson, the math teacher heard me.

“Chloe you know the time class starts. It’s not usual for.., Chloe, are you alright?” Mr. Johnson suddenly appeared in front of me. Wow, when did he get up from his desk? I tried to smile but I’m sure it came out as more of a grimace.

“Yes sir, I’m just not feeling so well.”

“Would you like to go and see the nurse?”

“No, I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, take your seat but don’t be late next time.” I nodded and sat at my usual spot. Class continued but I didn’t hear a word he said. Whether he noticed or not, he didn’t call me out which I’m really grateful for. Classes went on and I really tried to concentrate on them but my mind didn’t listen. I just wanted them to be over so I can go home.

When lunch rolled on, I couldn’t face them, they had been flaunting their relationship all through school and it was sickening. I had to escape all of this so I went to the one place where everything was quiet and no one ever looked; behind the library.

 I sat down on the green grass and continued to read the novel from the wattpad app on my iPad. It was the only way to escape this cruel world. An apple appeared in front of me and I looked up to find Ash staring down at me with concern.

“No thanks, I already ate.” I lied.

“Eat it or I will start screaming your secrets especially last year.” Ash threatened. I would have held my ground if I thought he was bluffing but in reality, he wasn’t. If there was one honest person, it was Ashton Kyle Jacobs. He can give you an honest opinion, sometimes without coating it with sweet words. I took the apple from his hand and he sat next to me.

“I saw Alec and Angeline together. When did that happen?” he asked without looking at me.

“I honestly don’t know, but she said that he broke up with me. To be honest I don’t even remember what happened this weekend but I feel like there’s something missing. I know it sounds stupid but I can’t shake the feeling that something happened that I should be aware.” I said it all in one breath.

Ash looked confused.

“What makes you think that?”

I sighed; this will sound more insane than the theory of flying pigs.

“Alec asked me to explain what he saw me do on Saturday. The last thing I remember doing is making lunch for both him and me then Em was supposed to come in the afternoon, everything else is blank. I don’t even remember what I did yesterday.” I tried to reason out. I turned to look at him for any advice or any theory on what might have happened but he looked back at me with a blank face.

I studied his face for a while. He had black hair that wasn’t too long but wasn’t too short either, his face belonged to the cover page of a fashion magazine with those beautiful green eyes that had speckles of brown, a smooth and well-tanned skin coupled with a strong jaw and one of those smiles that made girls swoon. It made me wonder why he spends almost all his time with me when he could spend it with any girl he chose.

“Maybe it’s for the best that you don’t remember. If he replaced you that fast then maybe he didn’t love you as much as he claimed. At least that is what I think.” He said with a shrug. He seemed sure of his words that it made me suspicious.

“Is there something you’re not telling me because you sound awfully sure of yourself?” I looked up at him again; ready to call out his lie. He dropped his gaze and focused at the green grass bellow us. Bingo.

 “Look, I should have told you but I didn’t want to sound like I was meddling in your business but word has been going around for the past week