"How could you!" Lola asked, screaming at Elizabeth in anger. Her teeth were gnashed in fury, one of her fists was clenched too.
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth was begging profusely.
"So, you go out there and ramble on to your brother everything he needs to know about me, huh? why will you do such a thing? I feel like I can't even have a private life anymore," Lola was clearly pissed as she demonstrated.
Elizabeth clasped both hands of her tightly before her, "I'm so sorry, Lola. He said he only wanted to know you because he is interested in you, and he likes you a lot. That was the reason why."
"But you shouldn't, I feel like my life isn't mine anymore. Why will you believe your brother? You know him too well, you do know him too well," she repeated the last words in a slur.
"Lola, he is my brother. How can I refuse him, how can I say no to him? I know he likes you and he will treat you well. Matthew will never rest until he is sure to have you," Elizabeth said to her.
Lola scoffed, "Can you simply hear yourself? what rights does he have to own me, do I look like an object of play to him? don't test my patience, Elizabeth. Don't let me hate you for this," she shot out a stern finger.
Lola turned around, picked up some stacked of books and placed it close to her chest, hugging them tightly. Elizabeth tried to touch her, still begging.
"Don't take it out on me, Lola. I know I was wrong, infact, I am wrong. I should have asked your permission. Don't be mad at me," she pleaded.
Lola shot her a glare, shoved her out of the way with her body then started all the way to the library. The fact that Matthew had introduced himself to Joseph made her feel like a pot on fire. Matthew had indeed made a fool out of her. What was she supposed to do about Joseph? He wasn't supposed to find out in such a way. How would she make Joseph believe her steam of more lies? She could lose him and she didn't want that for herself. She walked into the library, greeted the librarian as Lola showed her her library card.
The woman at the counter nodded and watched as Lola strut off with the books in her arms. She found the usual spot where Joseph usually sit. She knew that he would be there reading. He sat behind the third shelf of stocked books.
"Joseph," she called him quietly as she took the seat before him. Joseph looked up, his deep brown eyes were calm, then his eyes returned to the books, ignoring her.
"Joseph," she called again.
"Go ahead, I can hear you," he said without looking up at her.
He was certainly pissed, Lola could detect that. She had continually lied to him, it wasn't healthy. She inhaled deeply, after a while, she let go. Where would she start, how would she place her exact words?
Joseph placed his book down on the table, then looked into her face, "Isnt there something you should be saying?" he asked her. Her brows knotted and winced at his question. He was right, she should be confessing.
"From what I did recall, you told me that Matthew was an old senior of yours on whom you had had a silly crush on. You also clearly pointed out that he doesn't school here, neither does he live nearby. You even protested to the fact that you haven't seen him in a while. How come all this turns out to be just but a lie? I find it quite baffling. When I think about it, I feel like I'm the bigger fool here.. ," he shook his head sideways, pausing briefly for a while.
Lola took the hint and plunged in, "I know that I begging you wouldn't eadmse the disappointment you have in me right now. But, you have to believe me. He was just far away some days ago, I recently got to find out that he is a student in our school," she treaded with caution.
"Why won't you know all of that?"
She didn't understand why Joseph was making such a big deal over this like they were in some intimate relationship. Why all the fuss? Yes, she knew that Joseph did like her but she barely felt the same for him. All she felt was the need to keep him as a friend. She certainly didn't want to lose him.
He kept on staring at her that it was getting quite irritating. Calmly, she said, "You really don't have to believe me, Joseph," she placed her books back in her arms as she stood up. As she turned to go, Joseph stood up, and backed her into the shelf of books, caving her there.
She gasped, shocked by his reaction. She looked back at him bewildered but his eyes were lowered in three seconds, was he shy, and why was he doing this?
His breath lingered on her face that it made her stomach cringed. Then he looked up at her lips, leaning into her.
The librarian should save her now! Her head screamed, she needed help right here. He wouldn't absolutely kiss her, would he? she thought.
"I just want you, Lola," he breathed, leaning in as his hands were splayed in opposite direction beside her head.
"Don't," she said to him softly as his lips almost met hers.
Embarrassed and ashamed, he pushed himself backwards, turning away from her. Next, he bent to pick up the book that he had been reading, placed it back into the shelf then walked out of the library without saying a thing to her. Lola watched him leave, slightly soothed that he wasn't around her. Why was she refusing him? Joseph was sweet, intelligent, cool headed and had everything a girl could ever need in a guy but she doesn't like him.
What was wrong with him anyway? Why wasn't he bent on having her? he could have any other girl his heart desired, why her? And, why was he so jealous of Matthew who was not even in a relationship with her. Why should he be inlove with her in the first place? She wished she understood why the heart doesn't yearn for someone who was better for her.
She sat back to read but nothing was processing. Her head felt heavy. She picked up her books once again as she headed back to her hostel, hoping that she wouldn't get to see Elizabeth. Luckily for her, Elizabeth wasn't in the room. She fell face flat on her bed, exhausted from what was happening to her.
Two guys wants her but she can only have one. The good one was perfect but her heart beats for the bad guy. She had so many thoughts running through her mind. Why will two young boys want her so badly?
********
Joseph was eating in the cafeteria when he saw Matthew walking directly towards him. God! he knew how much he detested Matthew, the mere fact that Matthew was more good looking than him made him cringe.
"Isn't she with you today?" Matthew asked Joseph.
"You ask me? I thought she was with you?" Joseph said with knitted brows.
"Woah, woah, I meant no offense," Matthew sat across from him, "I can see that you are infuriated by my presence alone."
Joseph ignored him, munching on his chips.
"I bet you are curious to know so many things about me, including what I am to Lola. I'd presumed that she must have prepped you," Matthew laughed, bemused at the revelation.
"I don't need to know anything about you," he said to Matthew.
"Good," Matthew rubbed both hands of his, "Cause I came here to let you know how much I like her. You shouldn't probably fight to win her love before I do. If not, I will be taking her away from you," Matthew warned.
"Is that some threat?" Joseph placed down his fork.
"No, it isn't," Matthew stood up, "We are rivals, Joseph. Let's see who wins the heart of pretty Lola," he winked at Joseph then started walking away, leaving Joseph feeling agitated.