HER LAST WISH Episode 21 – 24 by Azeemah Salami

HER LAST WISH Episode 21 by Azeemah Salami

saw Layla was about walking past her and she knew she had to do this, she suddenly got to her feet and leaped on Layla, biting her on the neck, Layla screamed in pain and everyone realizing what was happening rushed to them. Chloe bit deeper not caring if she’ll loose her hair to this.

But of course she cared about her hair and that was why everything had been her imagination, if her hair wasn’t at stake, she would have done just that. She watched Layla walked past her to her seat in contempt.
‘Africa Pig’ She muttered angrily only to the hearing of her friends.
They laughed.
“Why are you guys laughing huh?! You’ve been useless all along” She snarled, so pissed.

She tuck her hair properly behind her ears when Dan was about walking past her seat, and then plastered a smile across her face.
“Hi Dan” She said.
“Hi” He smiled back at her before walking off to his seat.
“He smiled at you! Way to go girl” Mira grinned.
“He smiles at every other person the same way, that’s just how he is” Sabrina countered.
“Just shut up, you’re bad vibes” Mira scoffed, of course she also knew Dan smiles at almost everyone but she had said that to lift Chloe’s hope, so she’ll feel less angry at them but this fool just had to spoil the whole thing.
Chloe knew Rina was right, he smiles at every other person the say way, so she hadn’t taken his smile so special but it had eased her anger.

She doesn’t say hi to him before because she had thought he should say hi first, every other guy say hi to her first but with Dan, it seems that’s not going to happen soon and she was determined to get his attention.
She likes him so much, and she hates that Layla has his attention the most.
That girl is just a lowly African, she’s not even worth being her rival. God knows if she could do anything to stop Layla from attending this school, she would gladly do it.
She turned and watched Dan but of course his attention was on Layla, they were discussing and the smile he gives her is quite different from the one he gives others.
Layla is no doubt special to him and that irks Chloe so much.

“Do you think I should keep saying hi to him?” She asked her friends.
“Of course you should” They said in a chorus.
“It’s going to make him notice you faster” Christy said.
“And whenever you do, flash him your biggest smile” Mira said.
“I think you should just tell Dan you want to be his friend, with the type of person he is, he wont have a problem with that, being his friend will make you get closer to him faster than you think” Sabrina said.
“Gosh! I hate how you think most times. You mean Chloe should stoop so low to ask Dan to be her friend, she already brought herself to the lowliest level by saying hi to him first and now she should do that shit you’re saying so he’s gonna think she’s so desperate to want to get closer to him and what if he refuses” Miranda said irritably.
“I don’t think he’s someone who will turn down friendship, he doesn’t look that mean”

“So dumb of you to have judged someone by their look, Chloe, do not try what Sabrina said or Dan is never going to rate you” Miranda advised and smiled when Chloe nodded.
~
“Really?” Layla smiled.
“Yeah, i’m serious. Your pictures made me get more likes and comments and everyone kept asking for your handle, my comment section has never raved so mad” Dan groaned and Layla laughed.
“It was tiring and when it got to a point, I stopped replying and started getting ready for school” He said.
Layla smiled.

“You don’t believe you are beautiful, do you?” Dan asked and she felt heat crept to her cheeks, she’s going to blush.
She shrugged in answer to Dan’s question.
“That’s it! You don’t believe you’re good-looking , you think so little of yourself and honestly, that should stop” Dan said.
Layla smiled.
“A lot of people must have made you feel that way and you are also wrong to have embraced it. I wonder though why half of the guys here are not falling at your feet”
Layla laughed. “Enough of this Dan” .
Chloe’s slander had really made a lot of people avoid her, even the males were just starting to want to get close to her now but she’s not giving any of them the chance, Chloe had made them feel it was very terrible to date an African and they had believed her. Though most of them were starting to see the light now.

“I said hi to Dylan while walking to my seat and he responded with a smile” Layla grinned.
“Really?”
Layla nodded, not able to keep the grin off her face.
“Good for you” Dan smiled.

~

“You guys have been giving me cold shoulders, what’s wrong?” Anne asked her friends as they sat to eat in the cafeteria.
They were not giving her silent treatment, they were talking to her like they would any normal day but she knew her friends so much and could tell when they were pissed at her.

“Yeah, we planned to tell you over lunch initially” Sarah said.
“Okay . . .” Anne dropped her fork.
“Your parents had a thanksgiving party and you didn’t deem us important enough to invite us” Jessie growled.
“Oh my God, guys” Anne sigh, now she get why they were giving her cold shoulders, they must have felt so offended.
Kate started eating her lunch, looking as pissed as others.
“Guys, im so sorry. I didn’t mean it that way but you guys houses are so far, I will be stressing you if I should invite you over”
“What type of stress do you mean? Don’t we all have cars and personal drivers?” Sarah asked.
“Exactly” Kate said with a mouth full.
Jessie rolled her eyes, she was more pained than Kate and Sarah, she had even been the one to point it out to them.
Seeing the pictures on Dan’s Instagram account with Layla present had made her almost sick and it looks like the party was fun, considering the way they were all smiling in the pictures.

“I don’t even know how to explain myself but you guys houses are so far and to be very honest, I just didn’t want to stress you, knowing the next day was a school day made me throw the thought of inviting you. I’m so sorry” Anne said and they could all see she felt really sorry.
“But you should have invited us still and leave it to us to decide if to attend or not” Kate said.
“I’m sorry” Anne said.
“It’s fine, we thought we weren’t important enough to be invited” Sarah said.
“No, you all are important to me and you know it. But you guys have never been pissed at me for not inviting you to any of my party, what’s going on?” Anne asked.
“We saw the pictures Dan posted and it looked like this particular party was fun” Jessie said and Anne laughed.
“Yeah, it was.” Anne smiled, feeling bad she hadn’t invited her friends.
“And you even invited Layla ” Jess said resentfully.
“I didn’t invite Layla, Dan did and even if he hadn’t , I would have. Layla’s house is not so far from ours”
“Whatever” Jess scoffed.

“And we know we’ve never complained about you not inviting us to your parties, that was because we didn’t see it as an issue then but now it has become one” Kate said, crunching her fries and Anne realized her pasta was getting warm.
” After all, we always invite you over for parties at our houses without even thinking about how far your house is or how it’s gonna stress you. So you also need to dismiss that thought and start inviting us over for parties” Jess said.

“Okay then, i’m going to start inviting you guys over for every party my family will be hosting and . . . my birthday is in a month’s time, i’ll be hosting a glamorous party, I don’t care how far your houses are, you must attend!” Anne said.
“Yaaaaay” Her friends squealed, drawing attention to their table but they didn’t even seem to care.
“That’s how it should be girl!” Kate said, her palm meeting with Anne’s for a high five.
“Way to go Anne, now eat up, your pasta will get cold” Sarah said.
“Thanks for forgiving me guys” Anne smiled and started eating.
“And .. ” Kate paused, her cheeks heating up. “Those other guys in the pictures are Dan’s friend right?”
“Of course” Anne said.
“How could Dan be so selfish, he’s hot and even kept hot friends” Kate said and Anne laughed out loud.
“Kate! Just go to the point, you like one of them?” Anne teased.
“No, three of them” Kate said and they exclaimed before bursting into laughter.

“I like one of them though” Sarah said when they stopped laughing, they all turned to her, surprised.
Sarah is the least person they expected to hear that from, she has never felt attracted to any guy and Jessie had even teased her about it and she had indeed confirmed that she’s yet to like anyone but now she likes someone and it’s one of Dan’s friends.

Wow.

Anne dropped her fork once more. “Who among them?”
Sarah brought out her phone from her pocket and looked around to make sure no teacher was in sight before handing it to Anne. “That one in the middle”
Kate and Jess eagerly peered into the picture, smiling.
“Wow” Kate grinned.
“I’m so glad you finally like someone, a hottie at that” Jessie smiled.

“That’s Felix” Anne smiled, handing Sarah’s phone back to her, she couldn’t tell why she was secretly relieved it wasn’t Elvis.
“His name is Felix?” Sarah asked, pushing her phone back in her pocket.
“Yeah, and I must say he’s a cool guy” Anne said, eating a forkful of her pasta.
“Does he . . have someone, like .. a girl?” Sarah asked and it felt like her heart was stuck in her throat as she waited for Anne’s answer.
She has never felt this way towards someone, she had never even liked a guy but seeing Felix’s picture . . gave her heart a new feeling.
She couldn’t quite place it but she knows she likes him.

“Why do you look like you’re going to collapse if I say he has a girlfriend” Anne chuckled.
“Just talk already, Sarah’s looking like her heart is in her throat” Kate said.
“Yeah, Sarah keep it that way, the best place your heart should be right now is your throat. So you will get to vomit whatever feeling you have for Felix if he has a girlfriend and if he doesn’t, you swallow it back” Jess said and they laughed.
“It’s not funny though” Sarah roll her eyes.
“Well .. I cant say if he has a girlfriend or not, he has never mentioned it. I’m going to ask Fel” Anne said.
“Why not Dan?” Jess asked.
“Dan is going to have my head” Anne laughed.
“Really?”
“Yeah, he’s so against such” Anne said.
“Because he feels we’re still young?” Kate asked.
“Yeah and some other reasons best known to him” Anne said, gulping water, she’s almost done with her pasta.

“What if he doesn’t have a girlfriend” Jess said and Sarah smiled.
“And what if he does” Kate said and Sarah’s smile fell.
“Well, till I’ve confirmed from Fel” Anne said.
Sarah sigh deeply. “Mehn”

They laughed.

***

“It was so fun, I had a great time” Layla smiled, giving Aria the details of the party.
They were resting after serving the last customers, but they were still on their feet knowing another person might walk in.
“I knew you would” Aria smiled, listening raptly.
“You wont believe Phil applied a light make up on my face and even styled my hair” Layla grinned.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I was looking so dolled up, so many people complimented my looks” Layla smiled.
“OMG, I wish I saw how dolled up you were” Aria said.
“I took some pictures on Dan’s phone, you’re going to see them when he comes around”
“I cant wait” Aria smiled. She really wanted to see how Layla had looked.

“But Phil is really changing, isn’t she?” Aria asked.
“Maybe” Layla shrugged.

“Their parents were so nice to me and Dan’s other friends too, I’ve never felt so special in a long time” Layla said.
“We danced, talked, laughed, played games. The fact that i’m an African seems very intriguing to them and I was glad to answer their questions” Layla laughed, remembering how they had tried pronouncing her African name.
“Wow, i’m so happy for you Layla, you’re finally experiencing how fun the world can be” Aria said, glad Layla is finally getting the joy she’s been denied for long.
“Yeah, i’m glad too” Layla smiled sadly.

“The party was great, I had so much fun” She smiled.

“I’ve never seen a pair more talkative than you both” Philia said, glaring as she walked up to them.
“It seems she hasn’t changed after all” Aria said to Layla’s hearing and Layla stopped herself from laughing.
“You both talk nonstop! to the extent your lips seems to be getting bigger. Well, talk all you want but stop SPILLING YOUR FOUL SALIVA OVER PEOPLE’S COFFEE!!!” Phil screamed and a little boy who had walked into the coffee shop with his mum, ran out wailing, terrified at Phil’s scream.

His mum ran out after him, shouting his name.

HER LAST WISH Episode 22 by Azeemah Salami

” STOP SPILLING YOUR FOUL SALIVA OVER PEOPLE’S COFFEE!!!” Phil screamed and a little boy who had walked into the coffee shop with his mum, ran out wailing, terrified at Phil’s scream.

His mum ran out after him, shouting his name.

**

Anne sat on the couch in the living room, munching the delicious hot pie she just baked.
“Oh . . I will forever be grateful to Layla” She savored the taste with her eyes closing and opening repeatedly.
She glanced at the plate on the table, there are two pies remaining, it will be enough for Dan.
She had baked just five pies and had given one to Paul, ate two.
She cant believe everyone wants to eat her pies now, they’ve always rejected it like it was one horrible thing and indeed it was.
She also couldn’t eat her pies then, no matter how much she tried to, it always tasted horrible.

She’s even thinking of baking some on her birthday, but her mum might not allow that, she already said the caterers will take care of everything that’s to be eaten, Anne only needs to drop a list of the meals she wants for her birthday.

The doorbell rang and she stopped chewing, she dropped the half pie in her hand on the plate and got to her feet.
Who could it be . . she wondered.
It clearly cant be Fel or Rylan, because they don’t ring the bell and Paul, he doesn’t ring the bell also.

She got to the door and pulled it open.
A delivery man was by the door with Paul beside him.
Their parents hadn’t told them to take a delivery . . .

“Good afternoon” The man greeted and Anne almost knocked herself for forgetting her manners.
” Hi, Good afternoon” She smiled.
“I have a delivery for Mr Daniel Keyes”

Daniel~ Anne thought.
He rarely order things.

“Okay, can I have whatever it is?” Anne asked.
“I’m not sure” The man smiled tightly. ” Besides, he needs to sign and he didn’t order our company to drop his delivery for anyone”
“Oh okay, i’m going to get him” Anne said, walking back into the living room.

“Mr Daniel Keyes, there’s a delivery for you” She shouted.
“Oh, im coming, Miss Anne Keyes” Daniel shouted from his room and Anne chuckled.
She took her seat back on the couch and poured more juice into her glass cup, she gulped half of it, before picking the half pie. It was warm now.

Dan was down the stairs in seconds, winked at Anne who smiled before walking to the door to get his delivery.
The TV was on and she hadn’t even bothered to watch it, because she had been enjoying her pies . . haha.
She picked the remote control and searched through the channels and finally clicked on the one she likes with a satisfied sigh.

She heard the door close and she knew Dan was done collecting his delivery.
She turned towards him with a questioning gaze, and then turned her gaze to the his hand, she couldn’t see what it was he had ordered because it was in a customized nylon of the delivery company but with more intense gaze, she could pick out the shape.

It was rectangular . . . in shape.

She sigh and adjusted her glasses, “Aren’t you going to tell me what it is?”
“I thought you would figure it out with how intense your gaze was” Dan laughed and she pouted.
He sat on the couch beside her. ” Oh my pies”
He picked one of them and bit into it. “Hmm” He murmured with a smile, taking more bites.
Anne poured him some juice which he took in a gulp after finishing the pie.

He sighed, a satisfied grin on his face.
“You’re so good at making pies now” He winked and she smiled.
“All thanks to me” He added and laughed when Anne snarled.
“Mum called me to bake some pies for Dad and her, they are going to eat it once they are back, before she starts making dinner” Anne said.
“And have you?” Dan asked.
“Not yet?”
“Why? You should have just baked it together with this” Dan said, picking the second pie.
“Nah, It’s gonna get cold before they get back”
“You can microwave it”
“Nah, I want it fresh and hot for them” Anne smiled.

“Oh” Dan sigh, now chewing on his second pie.
“The pastry and fillings are ready though, I just need to roll them out onto the pie cutter and then bake”
“Oh, great” Dan nodded, almost done with the second pie.
“You want more juice?” Anne asked and he nodded.
She poured more for him and he finished the pie before gulping the juice.

“Oh…” He smiled, stretching happily on the couch. “Thanks Anne”
“And this .. ” He said raising the customized nylon.
He passed it to Anne .. “It’s a phone” He said before she got to open it.
“A phone?” She peered into it, it was really a phone and she almost gasped as she brought it out.
Though its still in it’s expensive and classy looking cover but reading the imprints on the cover, she could tell it’s the latest brand of iPhone.

She threw her gaze back at Dan who was grinning.

“Your phone . .? Is something wrong with it?” She asked.
“No, it’s still in a perfect condition and i’m not even thinking of changing it soon”
“Then . . why this? and even if you wanted a second phone, you could have told dad or mum to get this for you, you shouldn’t have purchased it with your own money. Dad will be so pissed at you” Anne sigh.
“It’s for Layla, I got it for her birthday” Dan eased Anne’s confusion.
“Wow” Anne sigh and then smiled after few seconds.
“So thoughtful of you” She said, checking out the phone again.
“And yeah, it wasn’t so expensive, just a monthly allowance covered the purchase”
“Oh” Anne smiled, knowing Dan is capable of buying a car if he wants to, they’ve been saving their monthly allowances years back and their bank accounts has gotten so fat that their parents do tease them about it.

“She’ll be so happy to finally own a phone” Anne grinned. “An expensive one at that, Chloe will be so sick with envy” Anne laughed.
“Who’s Chloe?” Dan asked.
“Really? You don’t know Chloe?!” Anne expressed her surprise.
“I don’t, there are so many names in my head already, the new ones are still struggling to find their way in” Dan said.
“Wow! Chloe! Doesn’t it ring a bell in your ears” Anne asked.
“It rings nothing in my ears, with how surprised you are, it seems she’s someone I must know”
“Of course, she’s in your class”
“Really?” Dan asked.
“Yeah and every students knows of Chloe. She has three friends or rather puppies always with her”
“Oh!” Dan widened his eyes. “The girl with pink hair!”
“Yes!” Anne said.

“Oh my . . how could I forget her name, she’s always causing a fuss in the class with her friends” Dan frowned.
“Two of her friends might just start yelling at each other all of a sudden” Dan groaned and Anne laughed.
“And she really dislikes Layla, Layla told me the feeling is mutual though” Dan chuckled and Anne laughed again.
“So how come you don’t know her name? I’m sure you must hear it in class frequently” Anne said.
“I know her name, just didn’t put it in memory. It’s the same with most of my classmates, they have to remind me of their names whenever I say hi to them. I really need to put an effort in memorizing their names” Dan sigh.
“You are still a new student, still adjusting to the school ways, it’s normal not to remember everyone’s name, you’re going to, with time” Anne said, dropping the phone back into the customized nylon.
“I hope so” Dan said, pouring himself more juice.

“And . . ” Anne paused and stared at her brother.
“What?” He ask, gently dropping the glass of juice.
“Do you think Layla is going to accept this? You know how she is in terms of accepting gifts or favors” Anne said thoughtfully.
“That’s the reason I had to wait till it’s her birthday before giving it to her, no one rejects a birthday gift from a friend and not just a friend but a special friend” Daniel wink and Anne smiled.
“You are right, though she might be a bit reluctant with how expensive this is but she’s going to accept it anyway” Anne said.
“Exactly” Dan gulped the juice.
“And have you wanted to give her a phone before now?” Anne asked.
“Of course, I’ve wanted to get a phone for her the moment she told me the reason she didn’t have one but I know she wont accept it and when she told me her birthday is in a few weeks, I sprang into action. I pre ordered the phone even before it was in stock” Dan flicked his fingers, smiling.

“Wow” Anne sighed, observing Dan whose face was fixed on the TV.
Could she be imagining it? Or there’s truly this spark in Dan’s eyes whenever he mention Layla, she could remember that look on his face . . . It was always there then whenever he rambled on about Jennie and albeit she hadn’t seen that look on his face since he broke up with her, she could still remember it clearly.
Though even Dan seem unaware.
She’s definitely not mistaken, that’s the look on Dan’s face now. The only difference was that they weren’t talking about Jennie but Layla . . .

“You should start baking the pies, Mum and Dad will be back soon” Dan cut into her thought, facing her.
“Oh okay” She flushed a bit as she scrambled to her feet.
“Do you want me to come help you?” Dan asked.
“Nah, i’ll be done soon” Anne said.

***

Fel sat in the corner of her bed, clad in a bright pink crop top and a pair of blue jeans, her legs were folded beneath her and she flung the pillow she had been hugging to her chest, she looked stressed and worried, her hair loosely packed in a ponytail and some strands hung on her forehead but she didn’t even care at the moment.
She stared angrily at her phone.

Jacq wasn’t picking her calls and he had avoided her today till school was over, tears pooled the corners of her eyes as she dialed his number one more time.
She’s going to his house if he doesn’t pick this last time and just like he heard her thought, he picked the call.

“Hey” He said.
She blinked back her tears and swallowed hard.
“Felia” Jacq called. “Are you there?”
“Hi” She said, her voice sounded even terrible to her own ears.
She cleared her throat “I’ve been calling you”
“Yeah, I’ve been busy”
“Were you busy at school also to have avoided me all through?” She asked, her voice gaining more nerve.
“Is that what you called me for?” Jacq sounded irritated.
“Partly”
“You should understand that I’m avoiding you because there’s something going on in my life! Stop acting like a kid Fel” Jacq almost yelled.

“If you don’t want to bother me with whatever is going on with you at the moment, that’s fine! But don’t make me bear the brunt of something I don’t even know about! That’s unfair” Fel shouted louder than she intended.
“Stop yelling at me! After all you told Dan everything going on with us and he even approached me like the hawk brother that he is, spilling thrash in my ears!” Jacq yelled.
“Is that what you’re pissed about? of course no but just an excuse. I’ve always told Dan everything going on with me and you know that! and you were fine with that! Why the sudden change” Fel got up from her bed, brushing one hand through her already loosely packed hair, the band went off and her hair spilled on her back.
She sigh.

She was waiting for Jacq to talk but he didn’t say anything and then she knew she was right, Jacq had only used that as an excuse. There was something else.
She continued. “You’ve been avoiding me for days now, acting sullen whenever I try to talk to you and yet you wont say what’s wrong with you, if you’re insisting on not wanting to bother me with whatever is going on with you, not telling me is bothering me more. I’m sick worried”
“I’d advise you not to be, it’s not something so serious and it’s not even something to worry yourself about” Jacq said calmly, and Fel thought she heard a faint chuckle in the background.
“What is it Jacq? What is it you don’t want to tell me?” She asked.
“You’ll know soon” Jacq said in a voice Fel doesn’t recognize. A chill ran down her spine . .
“Soon” Jacq repeated and this time Fel was sure she heard someone chuckle, someone was chuckling where Jacq was and . . it was a girl.

“Bye, see you tomorrow” Jacq quickly disconnected the call and she knew her suspicion was right.

Fel dropped on her dressing chair, her phone almost sliding off her hand. She dropped it on the dressing table and her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror, she looked a mess and . .

She was in tears.

**

“Stop chuckling, if she wasn’t so dumb, she would have noticed it” Jacq snickered, kissing his girlfriend on her cheeks.
She laughed. “Well, it’s quite good to be dumb at times, it’s going to save her some tears”
“Of course, some tears before she finds out” Jacq smiled, stroking her long blonde hair.

He stared into her bright blue eyes and she blushed.
“You’re so beautiful” He said admiringly.
“I know right and .. ” She paused.
“What?”
“You should break up with her soon, It’s taking too long” She said icily.
“She’s out of my life already, I only need to announce it to her and it’s going to be soon, I promise”
“Great” She chuckled.

Jacq smiled as he cupped her smooth oval face in his palms and kissed her on the lips.

HER LAST WISH Episode 23 by Azeemah Salami

Chloe screamed so loud that she attracted everyone’s attention in the cafeteria.

“How dare you touch me? How dare you?” She yelled at the girl who stood trembling in front of her, she had mistakenly brushed her arm with Chloe’s while walking to a table with her lunch in hand.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to . . It was not intentional” The girl said, blinking hard.
“I would tolerate it if you weren’t so ugly! Ughhh! ” Chloe growled in irritation, rubbing her arm vigorously like a forbidden thing just touched her skin.

Her friends stood behind her saying nothing, Sabrina was particularly uneasy with the amount of gazes on them.
“I’m sorry” The girl said, she had stopped shaking but she still looked scared.
“And your skin . . OMG! did that s-k-i-n of yours just touched mine?” Chloe screamed, slamming the girl’s lunch off her hand.
Few people exclaimed.
Chloe’s known to be that way.
“OMG I need to go take a bath” She said, rushing off with her friends trailing behind her.

“Puppies” Jessie snorted and her friends laughed.

“What was that?” Dan asked Layla, stunned at what just happened.
Layla laughed. ” You don’t know who Chloe is?”
“I know she’s our classmate of course, but what was that? why did she do that? ” Dan asked, watching the girl clear her lunch on the floor, he felt so sorry for her.
“Oh, I guess Chloe has never created a scene since you resumed, well . . there you have it” Layla said and continued with her lunch.

“Is she allergic to people’s touch?” Dan asked.
“Allergic? you heard her say if the girl wasn’t ugly, she would have tolerated it ”
“Oh yeah, wow . . that was so mean and unfair” Dan furrowed his brow, he suddenly didn’t like Chloe.
“Chloe has always been that way, so mean, the girl is lucky not to have been slapped” Layla said.
“Really? You mean she can still get slapped even after her lunch was wasted?”
“Of course” Layla said.
“And no one is going to do anything…” Dan asked.
“No one is going to do nothing, if you cant stand up for yourself, then no one is going to do that for you” Layla said.
“Wow” Dan sigh.
“Though if a teacher was around at the moment, Chloe would get reprimanded but if not …” Layla shook her head to complete her words.

“Chloe bullied me for years and I only got free when I stood up for myself, taking that decision wasn’t easy but I took it anyway and I’ve never felt so happy to have made the decision” Layla smiled sadly.
“Chloe was the mastermind behind the ill treatment you got from everyone for years?” Dan asked and she nodded.
Not only didn’t he like Chloe, he felt angry towards her. He hates bullies so much.
“She turned everyone against me and even students in lower classes treated me like shit, except Anne, knowing there’s at least someone who didn’t hate me kept me going. Anne is a life saver honestly, how would I have coped with being scorned by everyone in the whole school, it would have been hideous” Layla pressed her lips together. “And yeah, Dylan kept me going too, the thought of getting to see his face again every new day was enough to get me off my bed and prepare me for school”

“Oh .. talk of the devil” Dan said and Layla thought it didn’t sync with what she just said until she saw Dylan appear beside her.
“Hi” He said to her, not giving her the time to adjust to his presence.
She swallowed hard, Dylan talks to her now but every time he does feels new, her heart wont stop thumping.
“Hi” She said pulling herself together, she hopes her cheeks wont betray her.
Dan continued eating, acting oblivious of Dylan’s presence.
“So, we’ll be having truth or dare after lunchbreak, I came to ask you to join” Dylan said and Dan raised his brow.
‘was it not after this same game he had embarrassed her’ Dan thought, glaring at Dylan.

Layla stared at Dylan, surprised. The aftermath of the last truth or dare replayed in her mind and she quickly shook it off.
The fact now is Dylan is asking her to join the game, he came to her himself . . did he really wanted her to join that much ..
It’s not like him to ask people to join the game, he must really want her to. The fact that he considered her important enough to ask her almost made her feel over the moon.

“I can see you’re still yet to forgive me, it’s fine” Dylan said, about walking away.
“No, it’s not that. I was .. just surprised. I’ve totally forgiven you, I hadn’t even taken it as an offence” Layla said.
“Oh, so …?” Dylan asked.
“I’ll be joining” Layla said and he smiled.
“Okay, see ya” He winked before walking away. Layla smiled.

Dan scoffed, irritated with the fact that Dylan is using Layla’s weakness against her but of course, she was too blinded to see it.

“Do you think that was a good decision?” Layla asked Dan, slightly embarrassed.
“You already told him you would join and telling you it’s a bad decision wont make you change your mind, so if you think it’s a good decision, then it is” Dan shrug.
“Oh” Layla blinked, facing her meal.
Dan has never given her such attitude and she guessed it was because him and Dylan doesn’t like each other.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

~~

Dan sat on his seat watching some students gather for the game, Layla included. They all sat in a circle.

“Dan aren’t you joining?” Chloe suddenly asked loudly and he almost grimaced. Everyone turned to him.
“I’m not joining” He said, switching his gaze to Layla who had been avoiding his gaze since they left the cafeteria.
He hope she’s not feeling bad because of how he had responded to her. Had he been harsh?

“You should, Dan. It’s always fun” Chloe smiled too widely and Dan almost felt irritated.
“As the newest student, you should join in the game” Miranda quickly added.
“Is it a ritual?” He asked.
“Not really”
“Then i’m not interested”
“We would really love for you to join us Dan, isn’t so every one?” Chloe turned to the girls in the circle, knowing they would all love Dan to join too.
“Yes Dan, please join” They chorused, all staring at him with pleading gazes, the girls most especially.”

He sighed, obviously not able to turn them down. They had thought of him highly enough to plead with him to join them. He didn’t have the heart to turn them down though he wish he did.
“Okay” He said, getting up from his seat and smiled when the girls cheered. He knows how much he attracts girls but he just doesn’t dwell on it, he doesn’t need to.

He approached the circle and got seated on the last empty seat which was between two girls.
He recognizes one of them as one of Chloe’s friends. He turned to look at Layla and she was staring at him now, he winked at her and she smiled.
She was looking more at ease now.
Dylan fumed where he sat, he hadn’t expected Dan would be begged to join the game he had organized, he was pretty sure some people would have pulled out if Dan hadn’t agreed to join. No one even cared anymore if he wanted to join, whom they wanted now is Dan.

“Okay, we should start before the teachers end their meeting” Chloe said and took a seat opposite Dan, grinning.
The bottle was rolled and the game started and everyone watched.
Halfway through the game, a girl was dared to kiss a guy she would love to date and she giggled as she chose Dan, much to Chloe’s chagrin.
Dan stood up and the girl grinned shyly, Chloe fumed, tightening her fist. She made Dan join so she could get to share an intimate moment with him! She cant believe other girls are getting the chance. This is the fifth girl who would choose Dan as the guy they would love to date. Why has the damned bottle not rolled in her direction!
She glared at the guy in charge of the bottle, hating him instantly.

To the surprise of everyone, Dan turned his cheek to the girl.
“Hu . . h? . .” She asked.
“You can kiss me on the cheek, the kiss wasn’t specified right?” He asked and the girl nodded, embarrassed.
“So I guess a peck would do” He smiled at her, lowering his cheek to her height.
Chloe chuckled loudly, loving Dan more. Most people tried to hide their chuckle.
The girl kissed him lightly on his cheek, looking sullen. Even the blind would tell she had wanted to kiss him on the lips.

Dan sat back on his seat and sighed, he hadn’t meant to make her feel that way but kissing someone he doesn’t have any feeling whatsoever for is just something he cant do. Kissing is very intimate to him.

“Dan, your turn!” He heard and brought himself back to the game, his mind hadn’t been in the game all along because he wasn’t even interested in the first place.
“Huh?” He asked.
“Truth or Dare?” He was asked and he looked confused until he saw the bottle was pointing to him and the girl who had asked him ‘truth or dare’
“Oh” He said, not even recognizing the girl as one of Chloe’s friends.
“Truth or dare?” Christy asked again.
“Truth” Dan said and Chloe secretly winked at Christy. Though they hadn’t planned anything but Christy knows she better do this in Chloe’s favor.
Everyone watched eagerly.

“Which female do you think is the most beautiful in this circle?” Christy asked, and Chloe smiled to herself.
She is the school’s queen and she has always ranked the most beautiful female in Ocean High, everyone knew that and Chloe is indeed beautiful.
Anyone would point to her as the most beautiful in the circle, her pink hair alone attracts attention to her not to talk of her finely carved face albeit always covered in make up.
Everyone already knew what Dan’s answer would be or rather they thought they knew what his answer would be.

“Layla” Dan said shocking everyone, including Layla herself whose mouth fell open slightly.
Everyone turned to look at her and she felt her cheeks go hot, she stared at her laps, biting the inside of her cheek.
“And I don’t ‘think’ she’s the most beautiful girl here . . she is.” Dan said with all seriousness, Layla had to raise her head to look at him, stunned. He winked at her and she smiled sitting up straight, her head raised high like the most beautiful girl in the circle that she is. Dan’s gaze has this way of giving her courage whenever she lacked it.
The students were stunned too and some of them started whispering that it seems Layla is indeed the most beautiful here, having studied her face closely.
Chloe’s lips trembled in anger and it took all the strength in her not to scream.

The game continued and after a while, the bottle faced Dan again. He sigh.
Sabrina is to ask him . . . and she avoided Chloe’s gaze as she asked Dan ‘truth or dare’
“Truth” Dan answered.
“Whom do you like most in this circle asides yourself?” She asked, still not meeting Chloe’s gaze.
She’s so fed up of Chloe’s obsession for Dan and she had asked that question knowing well that Dan would choose Layla and that might make Chloe see she stand no chance, that should make her let go of her obsession for Dan and go for the guys who want her, Dan clearly doesn’t like her.

“Layla of course” Dan said, tucking a thick strand of his hair behind his ear.
Chloe fume yet again but she wasn’t the only one fuming now, Dylan was too. He hates the fact that Dan seem to have Layla’s attention the most, the way they exchange smiles and knowing gazes irks him so much. Everyone seem to admire how close Dan and Layla is, though most of the girls were envious of her and they did little to hide it.

The game continued and this time the bottle was facing Layla and Dylan.
Everyone watched expectantly, knowing how the last truth or dare between them turned out.
Dylan smiled .. finally. He had sat opposite Layla knowing the chance of getting to ask her a question or dare her is high. He already has it all planned out. He’s doing this so Dan can know he stands no chance against him on Layla, albeit they seem the closest of friends but he knows Layla is going to choose him over Dan and that’s gonna make Dan pissed and that’s exactly why he’s doing this. To piss Dan off, yeah .. it’s petty but he would do anything to see Dan look so down and pissed. He’s done with Dan having the upper hand.

“Truth or dare?” Dylan asked Layla with a sweet smile.
Dan scoffed, rolling his eyes. He knows Dylan is about to use Layla’s feelings for him as an advantage again. Son-of-a-bitch.
“Truth” Layla said, nervous. If there was anything she learnt in the last truth or dare, it’s to always choose ‘truth’ because it seems safer.
“A guy you like most in this circle?” Dylan asked grinning, he relaxed his back on the chair, looking well assured, he knows she’s going to mention his name, he’s only waiting for her to say it. He almost laughed, thinking of how disappointed Dan would look.

“Daniel” Layla said, without hesitating and she looked like she meant her answer.
Dylan’s smile froze and he involuntarily sat up.
Most people weren’t surprised, knowing how close Dan and Layla is.

“No . . no” Dylan said and everyone turned to him.
“I’m not talking about . . just like, I meant feelings?” Dylan smiled, having comforted himself with the fact that Layla had thought he had asked about just normal like but even had that, she had chosen Dan!
Well . . perhaps she loves him and likes Dan.

Everyone waited for Layla’s answer in the tensed silence and just when she was about to talk.

“The teachers are done with their meeting and Mrs Moore is headed to our class now” A student announced and the game was over, everyone quickly walked to their seats.

Dylan felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to see Dan who winked at him before laughing.
He has never felt more infuriated and it took every ounce of power in him not to hit Dan.

“Using Layla’s feelings for you as an advantage is not going to get you anywhere, it’s only going to make you a petty asshole. I expected better honestly but it’s fine, kids will always behave like kids” Dan smiled and patted Dylan on the shoulder before walking away.
Dylan’s teeth clattered in anger. Dan has won yet again!

“I’m the most beautiful girl in Ocean High!!!!!!” Chloe suddenly screamed and everyone blatantly ignored her.

HER LAST WISH Episode 24 by Azeemah Salami

“Happy Birthday Layla!” Those were the first words that greeted Layla as she opened the car door.
She stood stunned and amazed as she stared at Dan and Anne who were grinning at her, they even looked more excited that she did on her birthday.
Yeah, today was her birthday but why is she stunned to have been wished?
Perhaps it was because they were the first people to wish her. Phil had dropped her allowance on the table before she got to the living room and she knew Phil was avoiding to wish her, like she has always done, though a few times, she had wished her grudgingly.

Aria, Aunty Esther and her son had been the only people who makes her happy on her birthdays since the death of her family.
She knows she would have gotten a call from Aunt Esther if Phil hadn’t been in possession of the phone.

And yeah, here she is..her friends wishing her.
She hadn’t even expected it because she thought Dan would have forgotten.
She remember telling him a few weeks ago but she never thought he would put it to mind.

“Thank you” She finally said, smiling as she got into the car.
“Happy Birthday Layla” Paul said.
“Thanks Paul” She smiled, adjusting on her seat.
Paul started driving . . .

“I expected you to look more happy on your birthday” Anne said.
“I am, honestly i am .. I’m just still quite stunned” Layla said.
“First time getting birthday wishes from friends?” Dan asked and Layla nodded,tears rushing to her eyes.
“C’mon” Dan said, pulling her close. She rested her head in the crook of his neck while he patted her hair gently.
Anne looked like she would start crying too but Dan warned her with his eyes not to.
He was still trying to comfort Layla . .

“I’m fine now” Layla sniffed, smiling as she wiped her tears.
“Are you sure?” Dan asked.
“Yeah i am, damn i feel so good now” She laughed.

“Yunno last year, if i had been told i would receive birthday wishes from anyone else aside my African Aunt, my nephew and Aria this year, i would have staked every penny to disagree, but here are you guys .. the best birthday gifts i’ve ever received ” Layla smiled, pulling Dan into a hug and then Anne.
“I’m feeling so important right now” Dan said raising his head high and fanning himself with his hand.
They laughed.

“Happy Birthday once again Layla” Anne smiled.
“Thank you” Layla smiled.
“Yeah! You’re now looking as happy as you should” Anne winked and Layla chuckled.
“I’m not going to call you by your name today, you’ll go by the name ‘birthday girl’ ” Dan said.
“Isn’t that ridiculous?” Layla laughed.
“It’s not, it’s your birthday, you just clocked a new age and you should be reminded every second of the day that today is not just any other day” Dan said, bringing out his phone.

“Fel and Rylan wants to wish you” He said, dialling Fel’s number.
“Oh” Layla grinned.
“They asked me to put you on the phone when we are together” Dan said. “Oh .. she picked already”

“Birthday Girl!!” Felia’s excited voice pierced the car.
Layla giggled.
“Happy Birthday Layla” Fel said.
“Thanks Fel” Layla said, grinning.
“Rylan on the phone” Rylan announced goofily.
“I’m not done talking to her!” They heard Fel yell in the background and they laughed.
“Hi Ry” Layla smiled.
“Happy Birthday Sweet Layla” Rylan said.
“Thanks Rylan” Layla grinned.
“Give me back my phone!” Fel yelled and they heard rustling noise before Fel’s voice came on again.

“Layla, how are you? I hope you’re bubbling with excitement” Fel said.
“Oh Yes, I am. All thanks to you all” Layla smiled.
“Dan, you should have just called my own phone!” Rylan shouted before they heard a loud thud.
“What’s that?” Dan asked.
“It’s nothing, I just pushed him a little and he collapsed over a couple of desks like he’s gat no single weight” Fel said, hissing.
“Fel!” Dan scolded.
“What?! He was disturbing the call” Fel snarled.
“Whatever, just go check if he’s fine” Dan said.
“Well he is, he’s staggering towards me now” Fel said, they heard Rylan groan.
“Oh my God, i think i should run for my life now. Bye, see you later Layla” Fel said, the call disconnecting.

Dan sigh and shook his head.

‘See you later?’ Layla thought and shrugged it off immediately, Fel might have said that unaware especially in that condition that she is.. she laughed.

“I enjoy Fel and Ry’s dramas a lot” Anne chuckled.
“Same here” Layla said.
“Rylan was so gentle but Fel turned him to that, she’s a dozen bag of trouble” Dan said, groaning.
Anne and Layla laughed.

“Oh, we’re in school” Anne announced.

~

“I’m going to pay for it”
“You shouldn’t worry, i will”
“I will”
“Dan, don’t bother, i will”

Dan and Layla argued at the counter, they just got their lunch and Dan is insisting on paying for Layla’s meal.

“It’s your birthday, birthday girl, you should accept my kind gestures without any complaint, you deserve it” Dan said.
“Dan . .”
“Just for today” He winked, paying for their meals.
“Thank you” She sigh.

They walked to an empty table and sat, placing their trays gently on the table.

“Birthday girl, here you go!” Anne appeared with a smile, dropping a chilled pack of pineapple juice on their table with a cup.
Layla had loved the taste of the juice the last time she took it but it’s more expensive than others,so she doesn’t get to buy it as often as she’d like and now..Anne is offering her a pack!
A chilled pack!
Damn! It would totally be a great combination with the veggie pasta she’ll be having for lunch.
Her mouth salivated as she exchanged glances between the juice and the hot veggie pasta.

“Don’t even think of refusing it” Anne deadpanned.
‘never’ Layla thought.
“Thanks Anne, I love this juice a lot”
“Yeah, i know” Anne smiled.
“And yeah… Sarah and Kate are here to wish you” Anne said and that was when Layla noticed the pair.
Her eyes and mind had been on the juice . . Haha.

“Happy Birthday Layla” Kate and Sarah said in unison, smiling.
“Thanks so much girls” Layla smiled.
Dan wondered where their last friend was.

“So, enjoy your lunch” Anne said, pulling her friends away to their table.

“I’m feeling so so good right now” Layla smiled. and it was all written in her eyes.
“I’m glad” Dan smiled.

She uncapped the juice and poured some for herself, smiling and savouring the taste as she gulped it.
Dan watched her and had to blink away when he felt something deep in his stomach.

***

“Bye” Layla waved at Dan and Anne after alighting in front of her house.
“Bye Birthday girl” They waved back and she smiled, watching as the car drove off.
She bounced to the gate, feeling so happy. She had felt so down this morning after realizing Phil left her allowance on the table to avoid wishing her but her friends had lifted her spirits . . so high.
She hasn’t felt this special on her birthday in ages, Aria, Aunty Esther and David do make her feel special on her birthdays but this is different .. she feels more special . . so close to how she feels on her birthdays when her parents and brother was alive.

She closed the door behind her after walking into the living room.
She hadn’t seen what was on the table at first and when she did, she had to walk closer, peering.

It was a birthday card, a medium sized box of pizza, a little wrapped box and an envelope . . so swollen that one would know there’s definitely something in there.
Layla sigh .. this is definitely not for her.
Philia has never given her a gift or .. could Aria have sent this to the house.

She picked the card and read the content.

~ Happy birthday Foodie, enjoy your pizza, everything on the table is yours. And you can come to the shop any time you feel like. *Winks*

Philia.

Layla dropped on the couch, stunned for the second time in a day, the card still in her hand.
After reading it over and over again, it finally registered in her brain.
It’s from Philia .. Philia got her gifts .. for the first time.

She dropped the card back on the table, her hands trembling slightly.
She dropped her bag beside her and pull her shoes and socks.
Holding back tears, she hugged her legs to her chest.

Isn’t it a normal thing for an Aunt to get her niece birthday gifts? And then the niece should get all excited and all but with Phil everything seem different.
Very different .

But then, she’s so grateful Phil made an effort this time.
She knew the reason behind it but she wouldn’t allow that dim her birthday mood.
She wouldn’t allow anything kill her euphoria.

Any thought that would smear her birth day should not be welcomed and will not be.
She should worry herself less, at least for today.

She placed her foot back on the floor with a sigh.
‘Okay, let’s see what you got from Phil’ She said to herself, opening the box of pizza first.
“Uhm..” She salivated at the sight.
She opened her backpack and pulled out the pack of juice Anne had gotten for her, she got full after drinking half of it at the cafeteria and now here’s the remaining half.
‘Not a bad combination with pizza i guess’ She thought, grinning wolfishly to herself.

“Oh my .. ” She grimaced, taking a bite from a slice of pizza..
“How come this is tasting more delicious than the ones I’ve always eaten” She wondered, taking more hungry bites.
She uncapped the juice and lifted it to her mouth.

God . .

This is heavenly.
+
Layla burped loudly after having enough slices of pizza to her fill.
There’s still few left and she covered it for later.
She smiled happily, looking well satisfied.
“Best birthday ever” She giggled to herself.

She picked the little squared wrapped box and started unwrapping it.
The box was so little that it could pass for a ring’s but Layla still couldn’t find the reason Philia would give her a ring.
She almost laughed at the thought.

On opening the box, her eyes met with the most gorgeous hairpin she has ever seen, so small, simple yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Little pink diamond stones were piled round the edges and in the center lay an artificial silver butterfly.
“Wow” Layla blinked.

She stared at it for a while, enthralled.
She cherish beautiful ornaments so much, and she had gotten so much of it from her parents while she was still little.
It’s been so long she got one and seeing this beautiful piece stare back at her enthralled her.

“Thanks Phil” She smiled, picking it up and examining it closely.
She finally dropped it back in it’s little space after gazing at it long enough.
She closed it and examined the box also, and then she could tell the hairpin would be quite expensive. It came in a very classy and expensive looking box.

“Oh, there’s a note ..” She said, noticing a sticky note at the bottom on the box.

~ This will help keep your hair in place and i wish it would keep your mouth in place too.

Philia.

Layla laughed loudly.
She enjoys this part of Phil so much.

She was still laughing when she picked the envelope and tore it open.
Her mouth was left hanging as she stared at the content.

Dollar notes.

Dollar notes . . so much of it that she couldn’t even count it in a glance, not even in a long stare.
“OMG” She exclaimed.
Did Phil said, everything on the table is mine? .. she picked up the card again and went through it.
Yeah!
That’s exactly what’s on the card.
How could Phil gift her so much money . . She dropped the envelope,still not convinced it was hers until she saw the inscription on the back.

~Happy Birthday Niece.

You deserve much more than this. Accept this token.

Philia.

And this time, Layla burst into tears.

+

Layla sat on her dressing chair, applying lip gloss.
She was dressed in a white knee-length dress, it was her mum’s and it suited her body perfectly like it was designed specially for her.
It’s one of the many dresses she has never worn.
This would be the first time she’ll be putting on this lovely piece and she loved how it looked on her.

She had freshened up after crying and then selected the dress, she was never the one who specially dresses up on her birthdays but today . . Is different.
She was feeling so happy and decided it won’t be so bad dressing up today for a change and moreover this birthday had been her first one with friends, wearing a beautiful dress to celebrate it won’t be so bad.

She dropped her lip gloss.. yeah,she was done dressing up.

No!

Her hairpin.

She opened the box and picked it up.
Facing the mirror, she clipped the hairpin on one part of her well combed hair and damn .. her hair has never looked this happy.
It was smiling brightly and giving her thumbs up.

She chuckled to herself as she rose to her feet.
She doesn’t normally check out herself in the mirror after getting dressed but she did now and she admired how she looked.
‘Simply elegant’ She winked at her reflection in the mirror.

She glanced at the wall clock and knew she wouldn’t dare get to shop this time on a normal day but Philia had said to take her time and that’s exactly what she’s doing, knowing she won’t get this offer anytime soon again.
She posed in front of the mirror and for once, she badly wished she own a phone.

“Happy Birthday Layla” Aria kissed her cheeks happily.
“And .. you’re looking so beautiful, damn!” Aria smiled, greatly admiring Layla’s look.
‘Well..perfect look for the surprise waiting for her’ Aria thought.

“Thanks Aria” Layla smiled shyly.
“Your hairpin . . . Wow” Aria said, gaping admiringly at it.
Layla smiled. “Phil got it for me”
“Are you serious?” Aria’s eyes widened.
Layla nodded.
“You mean, she wished you ..?” Aria asked.
“Well…yeah, not verbally though, through a birthday card and she even got a box of pizza and an envelope filled with dollar notes for me”
“OMG!” Aria exclaimed in surprise.

“Layla” They both heard Phil called and they turned to her direction, Aria still reeling with surprise.

“Happy Birthday” Phil said to her with a straight face.
“Thanks Phil and the gifts, i love them” Layla smiled.
“Obviously” Phil nodded, glancing at the hairpin on Layla’s hair, she almost smiled but she held it back, maintaining a straight face.
“And i must say you look so beautiful” Phil complimented and Layla was a bit surprised to hear that coming from Philia. Wow.
“Thanks Phil” She said.
“Come with me to my office, your Black Aunt and son has been disturbing me over the phone” Phil rolled her eyes, walking away.

Layla grinned, hurrying after her.
+
Layla returned to the counter, all smiles, so happy to hear from Aunt Esther and David.
Aunt Esther had prayed for her for minutes like she always do on her birthdays and it had been nice to hear David’s happy voice.

“Here. Happy Birthday once again” Aria said, stretching a wrapped present to Layla.
“Thanks Aria” Layla smiled, hugging her.

“And you should quickly go take the orders of the customers sitting at the corner table, they’ve arrived long ago” Aria said.
“Oh really” Layla said, dropping the present in her tote bag, she made to pick up an apron but Aria stopped her.
“No, wearing an apron is going to take time. Go quickly, you’ll wear your apron after taking their orders” Aria said.
“Oh okay” Layla said, hurrying to the table at the corner of the shop, it was a reserved area with a beautiful window view.
Customers who sit there pay more.

Layla approached the table and stopped at the sight in front of her. Her heart racing.

She had expected to see customers, not … Dan , Fel , Rylan and Anne smiling at her, and the table was only supposed to contain a menu not the beautiful birthday cake, lit with candles waiting to be blown.
“Happy Birthday Layla!!!!” They shouted in unison, getting on their feet.

Was this what Fel meant by ‘see you later’
Layla still stood rooted to the spot even after everything registered in her brain.
She thought the birthday wishes had ended in school, she didn’t know there was more.

Much More.

They started singing a Birthday song to her and staring at them unblinking . . memories replayed in her mind, this is just exactly how her parents and brother celebrated her past birthdays.
Her legs felt wobbly as the memories got clearer and bolder in her mind. She was seeing her parents and her brother now and not Dan and co.

“Mu..m” She whispered before crashing to the floor.

#OpraDre

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