Joy felt tensed for a while. She refused to speak to Andrew because she felt she might overreact and go far with her words.
Even when Andrew kept pestering him, she just kept mute like a dummy. ' Was that the right thing to do?' she asked herself as she waited for her driver, frustration boldly written on her face.
She could see some worried expression on Andrew, but she cared less. ' He has so many female admirers and compared to herself, she does not look fit'.
She reprimanded herself inwardly when she began feeling her insecurities coming back to life. She draped her face with a handkerchief and felt even more impatient because her driver was not yet around.
She sighed, as she looked at her wristwatch, realizing it has been some minutes past the normal time she was supposed to be picked.
"Joy. Are you going to leave me to trek home", Joy closed and opened her eyes as she heard Rachael's voice.
She turned back, trying her best to be calm and collected. She knew she needed to talk but how? She feels terrible now, especially since she had developed a bad trait which is JEALOUSY. There was no doubt her feelings came at the wrong time.
"I'm sorry Rachael. I was rushing, and somehow my driver is not here", Joy complained, hitting her face slightly with her hand.
"Oh! Sorry about that. Hope he comes on time. In the meantime, can we find a shade nearby, we need to talk", Rachael mentioned, as Joy nodded.
She has discovered her friend would have a hint to what was going on, and possibly the boys too.
They both walked to a small table and chair, situated at the other end close to their school gate.
"Joy, what is going on?" Rachael asked patiently.
"I don't know. I hate this feeling of mine. How did Kevin manage to do it? I wish I could be like him. After all, even tho he had feelings for you, he never showed any sign of jealousy. But look at me here, battling with the likeness I have for one of my best friends", Joy said her mind out as she enclosed her face within her two palms.
Rachael moved her right hand closer to her.
"You do not need to be like anyone. You are YOU and that is what makes you different. Kevin also gets jealous too", Joy released her hands, as she raised her brows.
"Really?" Joy asked.
"Yes, he does. Just as it is normal to feel angry, one can choose to control that anger or keep getting angry and probably lose it. Jealousy is also like that.
Rather than acting on jealousy, Kevin chose to tame it, using his insight and self-control. You can do this too, Joy", Joy groaned slightly, trying to get Rachael's words.
"I wish. I don't know why I get easily jealous when I have a crush on someone and the person is being admired or talking to other girls. I feel stupid sometimes", Joy declared.
"Hey, maybe you can try seeing your crush as a normal person who is not restricted to only you. He has to vibe with other people too, and possibly might not feel the same way about you.
You will know the saying that' Feelings might be very strong to tame, but if self-control is applied, it will come and go." Joy breathe in gently, as she listened to Rachael's words.
She concluded that she was probably making a mountain out of a molehill. Andrew is his friend, and trying to gain him in his possession was more like the beginning of a growing obsession, which she was definitely against.
She realized how she needed to see Andrew. As a friend, and not a property she owned. She made it a point of duty to develop more self-control and tame her feelings. For now, that feelings must stay at bay.
The two continued talking until Joy's driver came to pick them up.
.........
Getting over the past can always be the way forward. That admonition was one Andrew held on to. He has been through different obstacles. Not only did he blame himself for being the cause of his mum's death, but he also developed a WEIRD FEELING which was something he viewed as an abomination. Now comes in was his stepfather who wouldn't put an end to the dark obsession he had on him. But in all, he was happy at the progress he was making.
Andrew's phone beeped as a message came up. He looked at his screen surprised at the message he saw.
"Please, I need your help, Andrew. I need to see you. Am at my house, all alone", Andrew sighed as he read silently the message that came from Caleb.
"Any problem bro?" Kevin asked as he noticed the disoriented look on Kevin's face.
"Um, I need to visit a friend. Just drop me over there. You can go home. I will meet you in the next one hour", Andrew answered.
Kevin nodded as he parked at where Andrew asked him to.
"Thanks, bro. I will explain everything when I get home", Kevin smiled warmly as he drove away, making sure to keep track of Andrew's movement in case there was any danger.
Andrew continued walking as he reminisced over the time he once came to the street. That was the first time he finally got to meet in Caleb's house.
He walked inside as the door was opened. The sitting room was quiet, making Andrew more than curious. Somehow, he felt a bitter taste at the back of his tongue.
He made his way upstairs as he was familiar with Caleb's room. After all, he had once taken him to his room, when he once got drunk.

The door to his room was opened as Andrew walked inside. It was silent, as he felt something was wrong somewhere. His room was neatly decorated with American song singers.
Andrew looked around but felt he was making a mistake by coming to his house alone. They haven't talked after their previous huge scene or friendship break up.
Andrew decided to ignore him, no matter how much he pleaded. That was Andrew for you. Always ready to put more in a friendship, and always get hurt over and over again. Even with his resilience against Caleb, he figured out Caleb already made up his mind.
He was the typical asshole, who put having sex with girls as a normal code in his eyes. Something, Andrew deemed as sin, and something he never liked about him.
"You got here fast. Never expected you will come", Andrew turned as Caleb walked in with just a pair of boxers, while the other part of his body was exposed.
Andrew knew better why he resolved to come, and that was because Caleb sounded as if he was in trouble, coupled with the fact that he was even absent from school.
"Stop being cocky. You said you needed help, but it seems obvious you don't need any help from me", Andrew was slightly annoyed and said.
Caleb wore a sad expression as he sat on his bed. Andrew's eyes trailed at him, as he realized he lost a little bit of weight and probably is going through some things.
"I know you are angry with me, but I'm sorry. I am. You have been the best that has ever happened to me during my teenage years.
I guess your words of advice are the best, even when they seem outdated or burdensome to me. I realized some things have consequences and my sexual immoral life did too."Caleb sighed as he bowed his head slightly.
"I have Gonorrhea. I have been battling with it for about three days now. I've used some medications as prescribed by the doctor." Andrew felt his heart skip a bit.
Caleb got a Sexually Transmitted Disease? He was stunned for a while.
"I thought I was enjoying my life. Having that temporary fun, sleeping with girls. It got more intense, and with time I forgot to use protection. I never realized I would later feel so much pain from this disease.
All your words of advice to always tame my sexual urges and never to give in to them came to my mind. I ignored all your words, as I felt there were too restrictive.
But here I am battling with an infection, that will take weeks to go away", Andrew felt tears brims at his eyes as he listened to Kevin.
He closed his eyes and opened it.
"Those words were never my WORDS. They were simply from the holy writing. We all have free will, and that is why God gave us instructions, leaving us to choose from right or wrong.
Sex, especially with multiple girls might give temporary fun but always have its consequences. Sexual immorality is a sin, but it is usually left for someone to make the right decision. You made yours, and you have seen the consequences.
I hope you realize soon that I cared for you as a friend, and that was why I gave you that advice. I hope and pray you get well soon, especially before our exams next week. Caleb, God gave us feelings, sexual urges not for us to give in to them, but to learn how to control them", Saying those words, Andrew walked out.
He felt this inner calmness again and hoped Caleb had learned his lesson.
In Andrew's words, everyone has choices to make. What might give temporary fun(casual sex) will always have its consequences. It is left to one to make the right choices and do the right thing.