EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL - Episode 22

?Joseph’s POV ?

I walked down the crowded hallway with an earpiece plugged in my ear. I was just coming out of the cafeteria – alone. Emeka wasn’t my friend anymore, he was close to Cullen and Jamal now.

And I’m sure he must have told them about the fight that ensued between us. Even Elena st©pped talking to me because I’d refused to tell her anything. I told her to ask Kate or Emeka. Angella was avoiding me because I didn’t meet up with plans to hang out during break.

Well it seems the whole world was against me.

I made my way to the Basketball room. I knew no one would be there. And I don’t care if they don’t talk to me as long as my ball doesn’t fail me. That’s all I care about. And I was still determined to

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get back at Emeka. I just need a perfect time to work on my plans,probably on Thursday.

I picked up a ball and threw it into the net. I didnt reach for it again because fury crashed over me.

I heard the door cli-cked and I looked towards the direction.

And Kate was in the room!

Kate? I could h@rdly believe it. I thought I was hallucinating until she c@m£ over and said

“Hi Joseph”

She wasn’t smiling

“Why are you here?” I asked in a harsh tone.

I was mad at her for not staying away from Emeka!

“Um..can we talk?” She said

I tucked my hand into my right pocket

“Yesterday you acted as if I don’t exist and now you want to talk to me. I thought you don’t want to be in this position with me” I said

We were alone in the basketball room.

“Don’t get me wrong, I followed you because I want us to talk about what happened last week” she said

“Why did you choose him? And why do you hate me?” I asked

She shook her head slowly

“Joseph, I don’t hate anyone”

“But you hate me..And you don’t want to be friends with me”

“You’re mistaken”

she said

“I’m only staying away from you because I don’t want any problems with Angella. She is your girlfriend and I’ve heard so many things about her”

She emphasized

To Hell With Angella!

“So you’d rather stick with Emeka”

“I’m not sticking with Emeka”

“Then why did you choose him? Why are you still with him after I warned you to stay away from him?! He’s not good for you?!” I snarled in anger

“Its my life! You can’t tell me what to do!” She screamed back at me What?!

I moved to her but she stepped away.

“I’m sure he has alre-ady poisoned your mind against me”

“No,Emeka didn’t tell anything. He only explained the reason why you punched him”

“And he turned me to a bad guy. And now you think am a bad person”

“Its lame. I see no reason why you should like me since you have a girlfriend” Kate said

I was taken aback by her words.

“Emeka didn’t do anything wrong. He trusted you as a friend. And you know his story..”

“Oh so he told you his pitiful story”

I interrupted with a cl@p

Now I get it!

No wonder she was drawn to him!

“Yes he did. And you have no idea how much he’s hurting right now” she said

Her che-st rising and falling. She was defending him! And my anger towards him grew!

“Good for him! I really don’t care if he’s dying! Tell him to get re-ady for me” I pointed to her

“What are your plans?”

“You want to know?” I asked with a wicked smile

She nodded

“You don’t need to know now but you will find out very soon. I just need to work in the broadcasting room”

I walked away

“Joseph!” She called at me

I st©pped

“plea-se..Don’t hurt him” she pleaded

Anger crashed over me as I walked on.

“I’ll do anything!” She screamed

Wow! She was willing to do anything for him!

I turned to face her

“plea-se don’t leak any video of him on the school page” she said

“How do you know that I want to post a video?”

“Emeka told me..that you might be planning something”

“So he’s planning too?”

“No”

“Liar”

“He’s not planning anything” she said loudly

“Believe me..Emeka doesn’t have anything against you. As a matter of fact, he’s willing to be friends again”

“I don’t believe you” I gritted

Kate looked away from me

“Why are you so determined?” She asked

“He started it..”

If only he didn’t work up the courage to be with Kate to prove me wrong.

“What do you want from me?” She asked

Good question – I smiled

I walked back to where she stood

“I want so many things from you. Let’s see..I can’t ask you to be my girlfriend because I alre-ady have one but I’m willing to dump her soon if you want me. Don’t blame me..I’m crazy about you” I

admitted

“You should st©p..Joseph”

“But I can’t..You’ve won my heart”

“You are not in love with me” she said

“Of course I’m in love..”

Wow! I was confessing!

She shook her head slowly

“You need to know the difference between Love And lvst” she said

I Wanted her to st©p talking!

“I don’t love you” she said

It broke my heart

“But you love him”

“Who?”

“Emeka of course!”

“No! I don’t love anyone of you! I’m in love with someone else”

“Who?”

“Its none of your business!”

She said.

Then we l@psed into silence

“Be my re-ading p@rtner and I won’t leak any video” I said after a long pause Kate looked at me

That’s all I can ask since I alre-ady found out she’s in love with someone! Another guy!

Who? I wondered

“Joseph you have to admit your faults and apologize to Emeka”

“Never”

“I know Emeka is a bad boy but am not going to stay away from him. And I want you to know that – ”

The door busted open. Kate eyes wi-de-ned in shock.

I turned at the door and – Angella was there!

Bad timing!

“We’ll talk later” Kate said

Angella rushed to her and blocked her pathway

“Where are you going?” Angella gr@bb£d her

“Angella..Listen to me -”

She pushed me away

“Why are you alone with her?!”

She screamed

Kate was scared! I could see it in her eyes. And before I could say anything Angella sl@pped Kate acroos the face.

I g@sped in shock

“Hey! Why did you hit her?!” A voice echoed in the room

I looked beyond and saw Jeffrey.

Jeffrey? What?!

He rushed towards Kate who held on to her right cheek. She didn’t move as Jeffrey questioned If she was okay.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“And who are you to hit her like that?!”

He snarled at Angella

She jumped in fear and hid behind me. Jeffrey was different!

“Tell her to stay away from my b©yfri£nd! Don’t try to s£dûç£him!” She said

I could see the anger in his eyes!

“What so special about him huh?! She doesn’t even care about him! Why don’t you ask your b©yfri£ndwhy he can’t seems to take his eyes off beautiful girls!” He yelled

“They are drawn to him because he’s the brightest star in EHS” Angella countered

I was speechless! I haven’t heard Jeffrey speak up like the way he’s doing today!

“Warn your b©yfri£ndto stay away from my girl!” He pointed at me

What?! My girl?

I heard Angella g@sped in shock. I was stunned!

“I won’t take things easy with you if you l@yyour filthy hands on her again!”

He threatened. Jeffrey held Kate’s hand and pu-ll-ed her out of the room.

What the hell just happened?!

Jeffrey spoke up for Kate!

When did they become close?

He just referred to her as my girl!

I recalled Kate’s words

Could it be Jeffrey?

“Stupid set of people. My love did you see -”

“Shut the fv¢k up Angella!” I yelled

“No you should keep quiet and let me talk!” She replied

“What were you doing with her?”

I rubbe-d my palms on my face

“We were just talking!”

“About what?!.. I shouldn’t have trusted you” she hit my che-st

“What’s your problem?”

“You are my problem! You have not changed, have you?”

I moved far away from Angella.

“Remember that girl in your Estate..and Adesewa too?”

I looked at her in anger

“Oh! Very good! Now let’s open the can of worms!”

I sh0t back

“Remember that guy in your church? And that boy you met in the club two months ago? And your cousin’s friend?”

“We are just friends”

“I’m just friends with Kate too!”

“No! Jeffrey said your eyes are on her!”

She cl@pped

“Oh! They were right! Its her now, isn’t it?”

“Angella there’s nothing -”

“You are horrible Joseph James! A disgusting and terrible b©yfri£nd! You can go to Kate If you want but I will get back at you! I’ll show you that you are not the best boy! There are better guys in the world! So Get re-ady for my revenge on you and Kate”

I gr@bb£d her upper arm and whirled her to face me.

“Don’t you dare try to hurt Kate like you did to Adesewa”

I said

“I’ll do worst things to her!” she j£rked free aggressively

She stalked off

“Angella!” I screamed but she didn’t st©p.

Oh Lord! What have I done to myself? Kate will never forgive me because of what Angella did to her.

How do I apologize to her and protect her from Angella’s wrath?

So many thoughts flooded my mind. Angella had just ruined my last chance with Katherine.

And with Jeffrey coming into picture – everything’s so complicated!

?Jeffrey’s POV ?

“You need to come with me” I heard Lizzy say to Angella as I walked on.

“Why?”

“I just saw Kate going into the basketball court with Joseph” Lizzy panicked

I st©pped on track

“Are you serious?” Angella asked

“I..I think they are meeting secretly” Lizzy added

“I’ll deal with that Sly!”

I turned to face them. No it can’t be true! Lizzy must be pu-lling Angella’s legs! Kate can’t be with Joseph!

“Don’t come with me!” Angella screamed at her girls.

They st©pped following her and she raced off.

What if Kate is truly with Joseph?

I must check things out before Angella does something bad to Kate. I rushed to the basketball room. I heard noises when I got to the entrance but I was late. I couldn’t st©p Angella from hitting Kate.

The reason for sl@pping Kate wasn’t far fetched – Angella was annoyed because she met Kate with Joseph. I was vexed in my spirit and at the same time i Wondered why Kate was with Joseph.

Like alone in the court with the Starboy!

Annoyance was clear in my tone as I yelled at Angella. And that stupid boy couldn’t st©p Angella from sl@pping Kate!

I should have bounced on her and teach her a lesson but she was lucky that I don’t beat up girls!

Kate didn’t utter a word. She couldn’t defend herself and that made me angrier.

She should be aware of the consequences of being Alone with Joseph now. I dragged her behind me and pu-ll-ed her into an empty cl@ssroom few blocks to the courtroom.

“What happened?” I asked

Kate didn’t respond

“Kate..I need to know why you were with Joseph?” I grounded

She stepped away from me

“W..we were just talking..” She said shakily

“Talking? What were you talking about?”

I questioned frantically

She avoided my gaze

“I don’t want to believe anything Angella said back there..”

She looked at me

“You really think I was trying to s£dûç£Joseph?” She raised her voice a bit

“I didn’t say..”

She cuts me off

“You know what? I don’t care about what you think or believe!” She blurted

Kate made her way to the door. I knew she was mad at me! I was too fast and I didn’t think properly before sounding like i Believe she was trying to s£dûç£Joseph.

“Kate..” I gr@bb£d her before she could reach for the door knob.

She j£rked free!

“Let..Go..Of -” her voice broke

She was crying!

What have i done?!

“I’m sorry”

I pu-ll-ed her into into my arms

My words to Joseph and Angella replayed in my head “…stay away from my girl”

My Girl?!

That had sli-pped my mouth!

Kate struggled in my arms

“No..No plea-se don’t go..I’m so sorry”

I held her ti-ghtly

“I swear I don’t believe Angella” I whispered

Kate calmed and relaxed in my embr@ce.

She buried her face in my che-st as she sobbe-d quietly.

“I..I was not trying to s£dûç£him” she said

“I know Katherine. And she won’t t©uçh you again I promise” I mumbled into her ears

Kate nodded

She drew back and wiped her face. It was w€t from tears.

“I went to talk to him about Emeka” she fiddled with her f!ngers

“Emeka? What’s wrong with him?”

Kate moved away from me

“Actually, they had a fight because of me” she said

“What? When? Why?.. I mean I don’t un-derstand” I said

Then Kate explained everything to me. I could h@rdly believe my ears. Joseph likes Kate? What about Angella?.

That boy is so selfish!

What about Emeka?!

No wonder! I saw Emeka with Kate! He also likes Kate!

Now they aren’t talking because they fell for the Same girl. And Kate was trying to settle their differences.

“Emeka doesn’t have anything against him” she said

“Why don’t you stay out of it?”

“I can’t..”

“Why?”

“Emeka said Joseph was planning something to get back at him”

“So did you find out if Joseph has any hidden plans?” I asked

“Yes he wants to leak a video of Emeka on the school page”

“What video?”

“I don’t know..Maybe a video of him k!ss!nga girl or worse..” She said

I covered the inch between us and cu-mpped her face

“Kate you should stay out of it”

“I can’t let him hurt Emeka”

She said looking into my eyes for a second

“Why are you so concerned about him?”

“You can’t un-derstand..” She avoided an eye contact with me

“Then make me un-derstand Kate”

She didn’t respond. Kate Simply stepped away from me.

“Are you in love with Emeka?” I spat

“No!” Her answer was sharp and immediate.

Thank Goodness!

“He’s my friend and am trying to help him” she added

“Well it’s none of your business if Joseph wants to leak his video”

She lifted her eyebrow

“You should stay away from these boys. You have no idea of what they are capable of doing to you” I said in a raised tone

Easy Jeffrey! Stay calm!

Kate was silent

“All I see is trouble” i added in a ti-ght whisper.

I went to her again

“Kate..” I called her name and squee-zed her hands gently.

“Jeffrey, I know Emeka is a bad boy..”

She said

I nodded in agreement

Joseph + Emeka = Bad Boys

“But un-derneath his bad boy act, is an innocent child craving for attention and Care” she said

“What do you mean?”

Emeka?! Innocent child!.

Kate shut her eyes

“Remember that story I told you at the Restaurant?” She reopened her eyes

I nodded

“It’s Emeka Story”

“What?!”

“Yes, Emeka is putting up a bad boy act because he doesn’t want to wallow in self pity. He doesn’t have anyone, that’s why I can’t stay away from him”

Oh My God!

I never knew Emeka had such a pathetic story! So he was only acting that way (tough) to hide his pain and loneliness.

I closed the gap between us and hvgged Kate again.

“Its okay..I un-derstand” I muttered

Slowly she wra-pped her arms around me. She hvgged me ti-ghtly. I tried to think –

Emeka loves Kate but she doesn’t love him. I hope he won’t try to win her heart?

Even though I un-derstand that Kate wants to be close to him as a friend, I still have to be careful.

I can’t let him take her away from me, because now I know that I was feeling something for Kate too.

What?

LOVE! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

I guess Aunty Joke was right!

I LOVE KATE!

“Did you try to talk Joseph out of posting any video?” I stepped backward

“Yes but he gave me a condition because I’d said I was willing to do anything”

“What’s the condition?”

“H..He..He wants me to be his re-ading p@rtner”

“What?!”

Hell no! I am not going to allow it! I’m pretty sure it’s one of his hidden Plans to get Kate!

“I’m going to talk to him right away!” I said

“Jeffrey no..” She blocked my pathway

“Why? Do you want be his re-ading p@rtner?”

“No” she replied

“Then how do you want to save your dear friend Emeka?”

“I don’t have any plans of becoming Joseph’s re-ading p@rtner. I only went to him because I wanted to know his plans”

“Now you know..”

“Yes”

She looked at me

“I’m not going to be his re-ading p@rtner. Well I’m sure Joseph won’t want his dad to hear that he fought with his friend because of a girl”

I stared at her

“And he won’t hurt Emeka if I threaten to tell his dad everything”

That’s true! Joseph was a bit scared of his dad!

“I’m pretty sure he won’t want his dad to find out the nas-ty things he’s done with Emeka” I added

Kate nodded in agreement

My gaze fell on the red lines on her right cheeks. I balled my fists knowing that Angella left those lines on her face.

She’s definitely going to pay!

“Does it hurt?” I asked

“Don’t bother about the lines..I’ll be fine” she rubbe-d her cheek gently

“I think its best you don’t get close to Joseph”

She nodded

Fierce protectiveness welled up in me. I need to keep track on Angella from now on. I know she won’t st©p at just Sl@pping and yelling at Katherine.

How do I find out what she’s planning?

I need someone’s help here!