ANDREW POV
I have never for once imagined my life as an easy one as I grew up with a single mother, the only love of my life.
I always wanted to take things step by step hoping to give my mum a better life, one in which she would be free from haunting others who committed crimes.
Everything began changing when my mum eventually brought a new person who began having a crazy obsession with me. I thought that was it all until I eventually ended my mother's life mistakenly. I do hope mum forgives me.
If I hadn't tried to add sleeping pills to her drinking, she would probably not have died that night. At first, I blamed myself, but with time I realized that letting go of the past was the best.
And when the WEIRD FEELING hit me hard, I became more saddened at my feelings for the same sex, something I deemed as an abomination.
I came to understand that caring too much, thinking too much always have an adverse effect. My feelings and the care I showed toward Caleb hit me hard when all the efforts, words of advice I have to him were not put into consideration and rather seen as burdensome, difficult to obey.
He did meet with the consequences. After all, there is always a thin line between right and wrong, and choosing either of them might bring good results or consequences.
I've learned a lot. When you have friends who cared and supported you, hold on to them tightly. We might not understand their value until we eventually lose them. Rachael, Joy, and Kevin were those friends that stood by me, through favorable and unfavorable seasons.
Feelings will come and go, trust me, as long as self-control is in place. Struggling with feelings for the same sex shouldn't bring one down. It is more or less a phase in one's life.
It is just like developing a crush, attraction, or infatuation with the opposite sex. Such sexual inclination will fade away with time.
I do hope things turn out well for me. As I am ready to take up with my college life, I do hope this WEIRD FEELING won't haunt me again. And if it does do, I am more than determined to put self-control into action.
God gave me feelings, sexual urges not to give in to them, but to learn how to control them. While a free will is used here, it is left for me to do the right thing.
JOY'S POV
Now and then, I always felt insecure. I felt dull in the middle and maybe not beautiful. Sometimes, I felt my eyes and lips were too big for my face. 'I was hideous,' I had thought, and standing next to my best friend, I felt her beauty overshadowed mine.
In no time, my insecurities bred jealousy, and with constant body shaming from Maya and her crews, my heart kept sinking at the body-shaming they insisted on me.
I stood my ground, but I still felt hurt by the way. Always grateful to Kevin for his kind words.
Deep down, everyone wants to be unique and appreciated. I realize that it is normal to feel insecure. But the point is to be strong and be me.

My grand creator loves varieties. Since God does not compare me with others, why should I? What matters is my inner self, the sort of person I am. With time, I learned to not think too much or little of myself.
I am sassy, smart, and caring. I am ME and do not need to pretend to be like others. Looking at myself in the mirror made me realize how important it is for me to view myself as being beautiful in and out.
Talking to the right person helped shaped my mentality, and I was glad I made good progress. I love myself for whom I am.
I thought that was all until I developed Feelings for one of my best friends. Probably the worst nightmare ever, and it was shocking.
When feelings are unrequited, they hit the highest level, and in no time, I was beginning to lose the grip on my feelings, and jealousy set in again.
Guiding against it wasn't easy. Seeing the one you like being admired or closer to someone else was the situation I found myself in.

In no time, I realize that self-control when it comes to my feelings for the opposite sex was paramount. And putting the interest of Andrew ahead of mine will make me see him as being free to everyone, the same way I was.
Everyone has insecurities, but not allowing it to get the best of me was the best feeling ever. I feel so happy and relieved. Life moves on, seeing myself in the right sense.
KEVIN POV
I started with developing feelings for my best friend. Probably the worst mistake ever, since it was unrequited.
I found it difficult to accept at first, seeing complete rejection on my face. It was one of the worst days of my life when she walked away from me on the day I confessed my feelings to her.
Knowing fully well feelings should not be forced, I decided to take things slowly and I am glad I did. Taming jealousy when I got to know she had feelings for someone else was one of those best things I did.
I'm glad the Feelings were finally requited in the long run. And you know what made me happier? Coming to know we had almost the same priorities when it comes to dating. I will wait, and if these feelings continue to linger in the few years to come, I would take the bold step of dating her.
Life is not a bed of roses. Sometimes you face the bad side and the next time you face the good side. It is more or less a cycle.
Betrayal is one of those things that hurt the deepest and realizing the one you viewed as a mother was just a mere imagination that will fade away in a twinkle of an eye makes one teary-eyed.
Comfort always soothe the best when I faced and danced to the tune of my music. My father was sentenced to prison and my foster mother, nowhere to be found almost left me crazy.
But I was thankful. When there is life, there is hope. I am so happy I made it to this point. I am glad I never wither just because of the circumstances I faced. Life moves on, and I decided to move with it.
Friendship with the right set of people brings peace and calmness. It felt as if I never had any problems seeing them around. They were supportive and the best thing that ever happened to me.
While looking forward to my life in College, I also look forward to seeing myself brave and determined to face whatever life throws at me.

Rachael's POV
I've always been a determined person since I was a child. When it comes to principles of right and wrong, I always try to take justice to heart. What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.
Feelings themselves are not harmful. They are healthy, and a significant one is growing. The attraction icon was something that almost cost me, and I was glad I got a grip of myself.
I was able to put away all sorts of fantasies, even tho it was difficult. After all, feelings can make one do the imaginable. And that strong sense when you are with someone you are deeply attracted to can make you fall into a trance.
Imaginations, sparks flying around. Everything might seem like being in a Wonderland viewing beauty and handsomeness at its peak. The smiles caused me to smitten. The closure brings nothing but goosebumps.
But when self-control and discipline were put in place, I realized they are important things to focus on. With time, those feelings went off like a gust of wind.
I thought my life would be better when I eventually meet my dad, but he proved the opposite of what I imagined. All that I thought were just LIES OF THE HEART.
He simply saw me as a tool to ace up his business game, when he eventually grow up. Love of money is indeed the root of injurious things.
I stood firm refusing his demands but he decided to disown me as his daughter. Wasn't it a little bit inhumane? That was life for me.
And having a step-sister who seemed rather determined to get me out of the way was more than enough reason to fear. It only makes me wonder if ' BLOOD WAS REALLY THICKER THAN WATER?'
I am happy that even with what I have gone through, I was able to edge on doing the right thing. My feelings for Kevin blossomed and I do hope that when the right time comes, we will be a happy couple.
Our story will probably fit this title:" HEART MATTERS,' THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE".
Till then, I will continue to abide by my trained conscience in doing the right thing.
CHAPTER 74- EPILOGUE
There is a true feeling that comes from within when you have friends who are ready to stay by you through thick and thin. They are friends who put one's interest ahead of theirs. A blessing in disguise.
Loud chattering could be heard as the four jolly friends hung out two weeks after their graduation. It was a happy sight, as they looked vibrant, with joy on their faces.
"Guys, I have good news," Andrew confessed
"Shoot," Joy said, putting some shrimps in her mouth.
"I have gained admission into Faculty of Medicine and Surgery," Andrew stated.
"Congratulations. More wins," Rachael smiled.
Aww, Congratulations. I will miss you," Joy gave Andrew a side hug as he smiled.
Kevin simply smiled as he already knew about the news.
"I would still be around during weekends. I don't want to miss the girls' faces for too long," Andrew announced as they all laughed.
"Let's make a promise. That no matter what, we will always have each other's back," Lifting her hand in front of the table, Joy stated.
The other three placed their hands over hers, and the count of three, they raised their hands as they laughed.

That symbolizes their friendship. They smiled happily, a ray of happiness on their faces.

THE END

AUTHOR POINT OF VIEW
Special thanks to Jehovah God for the completion of this book.
I want to use this opportunity to thank all of my readers. It has been a long journey writing this book(my second book and my first American-themed book). All thanks to your reads and ever-supportive reviews.
The book has shown certain stages of teenage feelings ranging from a crush, infatuation, attraction, and same-sex feelings.
When I wanted to write this book, a question came to my mind. "What can help teenagers and Adults control their feelings?
I did my research realizing that feelings are normal, but controlling them can be the best thing to do.
It is not always easy when those fantasies kept ticking in. Sometimes such feelings might feel like true love, but are they?
When finding it difficult to control your feelings either toward the same sex or opposite sex, the following can be put into consideration:
*Pray about it
*Fill your mind with upbuilding thoughts
*Dont give up, even if the feeling persists
God created us not as Robots but as someone with free will, to decide between right and wrong
God gave us feelings, not for us to give in to them but to learn how to control them.
Thank you to all my readers, I appreciate it. I don't know when I will write the next one but the title will be HEART MATTERS: WHAT IS TRUE LOVE? (A ROMANCE GENRE), which will be a continuation of the love life of Rachael, Andrew, Kevin, and Rachael.
If in case you feel like talking to someone, I am available, most especially if it has to deal with same-sex attraction or anything about advising. My FACEBOOK ID: Komolafe Olamide Israel. My Instagram is @prof_israel 2021
My nickname is Prof Israel. Don't forget to drop your comments, most especially what you anticipate for the sequel.
I drop my pen here.
I AM NOTHING BUT A PENCIL IN THE HAND OF THE CREATOR.
LOVE YOU ALL.