CHAPTER 22: HER PROTECTOR
“Aren’t you gonna go back to the dorm?” Bella asked as they sat outside in the school yard starring at the moon light.
“I don’t feel like it” she replied.
“But it’s gonna curfew time soon, you can’t possibly stay here because your ex showed up” Bella said
“I know I can’t but am thinking that you can let me spend the night at your place” Ariana said.
“I would really love that but as you know the two other girls I share the dorm with are too picky and …..”
“I understand ” Ariana said cutting her off Abruptly.
“You aren’t angry right?” Bella asked.
“Am not, I truly understand you and thanks for coming out here to cheer me up” Ariana said.
“Anything for you my dearest” Bella said putting an arm around her neck as they both stood up.
“But from what you’ve told me, I don’t think Darren is at fault. He was only helping his cousin win back your heart” Bella said.
“Help my foot!” Ariana said obviously still angry by his participation in all of it.
“You know have known Darren for a long time and the only time have seen another side of him is whenever you are around him” Bella said which got Ariana starring at her.
“When I went to ask him for help,he was all worried and he left what he was doing to come rescue you herself” Bella said.
“And?”
“And don’t you think that means some thing” Bella asked.
“It only means that a friend came to help and nothing else ” Ariana said only to receive a slap on the arm from Bella.
“Dummy! It means that Darren likes you” Bella said.
“Darren doesn’t likes me ” Ariana countered.
“But I feel that he does and…..”
“Am not gonna listen to your crazy words again, go to your dorm, good night” Ariana said waving her off before running off to the boys dorm while Bella went to the girls dorm.
She was almost at her dorm when she heard some noise coming from inside.
“What’s going on?” She muttered as she open the door only to see some strange faces, all partying and having fun.
Ariana stood shock at the door way but on seeing Donald , Derek and Darren partying along with them, she couldn’t say a thing.
Her gaze went to Donald who was busy having fun with Belinda, who kept kissing him and there was Derek also doing his thing with Sandra and the most shocking one of all is Darren who was busy chatting with Felicity.
Feeling angry, she dashed off to her room and closed the door.
How could he be at ease with the girl who had cause her harm just that morning? She thought as she lay on her bed, hitting it angrily.
Because she had her face buried on her bed she didn’t notice someone coming into her room until she felt a touch on her leg.
Sitting up in fright, she saw a drunk looking guy starring at her with a dirty grin on his face.
“How did you get in here?” Ariana asked as she sat up.
“I couldn’t help but to notice the sign you gave me when coming in here” He said.
“What sign? I never gave you a sign” Ariana said sitting up and moving away from him.
“You did! You did with your seductive body” he said taking hold of her leg and pulling her towards him.
“Let go of me!” She said pushing him off but he caught hold of her and push her back on the bed.
“You tease me with your body and I will get to have it before I leave this place” he said trying to kiss her but Ariana scream and resistance didn’t let him succeed with the kiss.
“Stay still you bitch!” He said slapping her face, another slap on the same day, she thought.
And just when she thought all hope was lost, the door burst open and Darren came into the room punching the scumbag off her.
On seeing the state Ariana was in, Darren lost his cool and began to punch him until Donald and Derek came to pull him away.
“Get that piece of thrash out of here before I kill him” Darren said to them both and they help the man out of his room.
“Are you okay?” Darren asked and she nodded only to shake her head as tears poured from her eyes.
Instinctively Darren went to hug her, pulling her into his warm embrace while she weep her heart out.
She fell asleep in his arms and Darren layed her on the bed to sleep putting the covers over her.
He was about getting up when she took hold of his hand.
“Don’t go, please” she muttered obviously still asleep.
“I won’t go” he muttered in return pushing a strand of hair off her face.
~ THE NEXT DAY ~
Ariana stirred only to see to touch something soft and hairy.
Opening her eyes she saw her hand on Darren head and immediately she move her hand away from him.
Starring at his sleeping face, she found it to be attractive and sleeping back on the bed, she began to stare at Darren face which look so beautiful and perfect .
Slowly her hand drifted to his cheek, caressing it softly.
A sudden urge to do something crazy stirred within her and though she tried her best to curb it, she couldn’t help it.
Moving towards him, she bent wanting to kiss him but at that moment the door open revealing Kelvin.
His entrance woke Darren up too and they both stared at Kelvin who was watching them both.
“What’s going on here?” He asked…….
CHAPTER 23: AM HER BOYFRIEND
“What’s going on here?” Kelvin asked starring at the both of them while waiting for an explanation.
“It’s not what you think,Ariana was in a bit of a problem and I….”
“You could have called me Darren, there is no need of you staying with her when am around now ” Kelvin reprimanded Darren.
“Now hold on a sec, it’s time you stop with this craziness. Have had enough of you and your nonsense. We have nothing going on, you and I broke it off so why do you keep bothering me?” Ariana asked as she stood in front of Darren.
“I know you are still angry but let us have a talk when Darren leave and …..”
“The one who has to leave this place is you cause Darren has a right to be here” Ariana said while both guys stared at her wondering what she meant.
“What do you mean?” Kelvin asked his gaze moving to Darren then back to Ariana.
“You ask what was going on when you walk in right? Try to guess” she said.
“You know I always hate guessing, just spill it out” Kelvin said.
“I won’t be spilling it out but instead I will show you” Ariana said and turning towards Darren, she stood on tip toe and curving one arm around his neck, she used the other to pull his head towards her and closing her eyes, she let their lips meet.
At first Darren was surprise by her action but then he found his lips opening up to her sweet one and slowly he kissed her back.
Ariana lips move in his and she wouldn’t deny that he’s a great kisser but she shouldn’t be doing this with him, she did this to make a point to Kelvin but his lips felt so perfect on hers and……
“What the hell are you two doing?” Kelvin voice broke them apart and curving her arms around Darren waist, she turned to him praying within that Darren will act along.
“Am dating Darren, so what ever thing your thinking should end now cause I only have eyes for him” she said the last part starring at Darren who was also starring at her.
“Are you both messing with me right now?” Kelvin asked.
“Why would we do that, this is the actual truth Kelvin. I once loved you but I don’t and Darren here is the one my heart belongs to, so it’s best you do us both a favour and leave cause we were in the middle of some thing before you barge in here” Ariana said starring at him coldly.
Sending a angry glare their way, Kelvin left the room and immediately Darren pulled away from her.
“Why did you do that?” He asked.
“Why do you think I did it?” She asked in return.
“Look I know you hate Kelvin but that doesn’t mean you have the right to use me In getting rid of him” Darren said.
“Don’t take it that way Darren, I was only trying to get him out of the way and…..”
“Your method is a terrible one cause you got me involved ” Darren said cutting into her explanation.
“If you didn’t want to be involve in the first place then you shouldn’t have agreed to help him” She said feeling angry that he chose to help Kelvin and not her.
“Your right. I shouldn’t have gotten myself involve in your affairs” he said looking a bit aloof and distant.
“You won’t have to worry about that again, Ariana. I will mind my business from now on” he said leaving her room.
“I hope you do! You jerk!” She yelled after him feeling angry by Kelvin persistence on getting her back and feeling more angry on Darren who chose to turn his back on her just when she needs him.
“I saw your cousin this morning and I was like, ‘what’s up kelvin’ but he ignored me. Did some thing happen?” Derek asked Darren as they were the only one in the private lounge they use.
“What wouldn’t happen” Darren muttered hating the whole situation.
All of this began solely because he chose to help Kelvin, if he had just stick to his first intuition and had stayed away, things wouldn’t be this bad, he thought letting out a sigh.
“Is that sigh for Kelvin or for Ariana?” Derek asked him suddenly.
“None” Darren replied.
“Then is it for yourself?” Derek asked again and this time Darren turn to stare at him.
“There’s no need hiding it,I know how you feel about her” Derek said.
“What nonsense are you spewing now?” Darren asked.
“Your cousin ask for help in winning the heart of his girlfriend and in the process you ended up falling in love with this girlfriend of his” Derek said.
“What rubbish! Am not in love with Ariana” Darren denied hotly.
“Have seen the way you look at her Darren and to be sincere with you,Ever since her arrival, you’ve changed drastically ” Derek said which got him thinking if it is true.
“Just question your heart deeply and it will certainly give you the answer you wanna know ” Derek added while Darren thought about what Derek said.
Is he really in love with Ariana? He thought…….
Ariana was on her way to join Cassey and Susan at the cafeteria when she was suddenly pulled into the one of the lab.
“What the hell is wrong with you!” She said on seeing that it was Kelvin.
“You dare ask me that! After the crazy thing I saw you doing with Darren this morning” Kelvin said.
“Don’t you ever get tired of this?” Ariana asked getting fed up with every thing.
“Tell it’s not true? Tell me you have nothing going on with Darren?” Kelvin cajoled looking a sad.
” Darren is my boy friend now and…..”
“He’s not your boyfriend! I won’t accept that. I still love you Ariana and I know you feel the same way ” Kelvin said.
“You are wrong Kelvin,I don’t love you anymore. How can you expect me to still do when I caught you in bed with my best friend?” She asked.
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain that and…..”
“What’s there to explain. I trusted you both and when mom told me about our sudden move here, I disagreed and wanted to stay solely for you and when I went to your house to talk to you about it, I saw you f**king my best friend and from the look of things, you both have been doing that for long” She said.
“Ari,let me explain and….”
“Don’t touch me Kelvin,don’t!” Ariana said moving away from him but he took hold of her hand holding onto it.
“I didn’t want to do it but she kept coming. It’s partly your fault too because you didn’t want to have s*x with me and so I was lost for a while and did it with her. I came back to my senses when you left, I realized that I lost a treasure, my treasure. Am sorry” He said.
” Saying sorry now won’t repair a thing. Am happy now Kelvin and I am happy with Darren and so you….”
“No! Don’t tell me to do that. Don’t tell me to give up on you, I so much love you” he said pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly in his arms.
“Let go of me Kelvin,let go of me!” Ariana said.
“I can’t lose you, I just can’t lose you” kelvin said tightening his hold on her.
“Your hurting me, let me go Kelvin” Ariana said trying to pull away and at that particular moment the door open and Kelvin was pulled roughly away from her.
She looked up to see Darren by her side and the look he sent his cousin showed that he is very angry.
“Why are you butting into this again?” Kelvin asked glaring at Darren too.
“Didn’t she tell you that I have a right to butt into her affair, after all am her boy friend” He said which got Ariana looking his way.
CHAPTER 24: A NEW DORM
“Am her boyfriend” Darren said to Kelvin who was shock by the confession.
He hadn’t believe Ariana when she said it but hearing it from Darren got him feeling sober.
“You are joking right?” Kelvin asked.
“You and I both know that once I say some thing, I mean it” Darren said.
“You bastard!” Kelvin said moving towards Darren but Ariana stood in his path.
“Don’t you dare Kelvin! You’ve done enough for a day, just leave us alone. Come along…. Babe” Ariana added the last part intentionally and that brought Kelvin gaze on her but she ignored him pulling Darren out of the room.
It wasn’t until they got to the school garden that she let go of him after noticing that many eyes were on them.
“Am sorry, once again I used you just to get rid of him” Ariana said.
“I should be the one doing the apology. I didn’t know that the real reason for your break up was because he cheated and yet I kept asking you to get back with him, am sorry ” Darren said.
“Its okay, I should have told you about it but yet I made you believe his lies” Ariana said starring at the ground.
She felt his hand on her jaw and slowly he lifted it up so she would look at him.
“How do you feel now? Does it still hurt” Darren asked referring to Kelvin betrayal.
“It does, a little. After all they were both people that I trust and they betrayed me in the cruellest way ever” she said as tears slowly fell off her eyes.
Darren felt angry at seeing the tears on her face and wanting to soothe her, he pulled her into arms, giving her a soothing hug.
“I don’t know if this will make you feel better but I protect you against Kelvin, you can count on me” He said assuring her and also touching a spot in heart.
Darren got back to his room only to see Kelvin there.
“You traitor!” Kelvin said launching towards him and smashing his fist on Darren face.
Darren fell on the floor due to the impact as blood trickle down his lips.
‘”I trusted you and that was why I asked for your help but you had to stab me in the back by stealing my girlfriend!” Kelvin yelled at him.
“Trust? You never put your trust in me from the very beginning cause you kept lying” Darren said.
“So? If I had told you the truth would that have change a thing?”
“It would have! I would have chose not to get involved in your mess but it’s a good thing you told a lie, if you hadn’t I wouldn’t be dating her now” Darren said only to be pulled up by his shirt.
“Stay away from Ariana, she’s mine” Kelvin said.
“That’s past tense, you are her past and I am her present” Darren said as he pulled Kelvin hand off his clothe.
“Why are you doing this? You certainly don’t love her, you don’t do love Darren. You told me so” Kelvin said looking frustrated.
“Your right I don’t do love but when it comes to protection then I will definitely protect her from you” Darren said.
“Darren you don’t want me as your enemy” Kelvin threatened.
“I should be saying that to you, stay away from Ariana, I mean it” He said before going into the room leaving the angry Kelvin there.
“Pardon?”
“I said you can get ready to leave the boys dorm Ariana” Principal Fielding said.
“But the new female hostel isn’t completed” Ariana said.
“That’s true but recently a student left school due to her parents moving some where else and so due to Bella insistence, I manage to put you in her dorm. So you can leave the dorm tonight and start staying in your proper dorm”.
“Yes ma’am ” Ariana replied slowly.
“For some one who has always hated staying in the boys dorm,you don’t sound excited about leaving” Principal Fielding said and Ariana fixed a smile on her face.
“I do feel excited, excuse me” she said leaving the room.
All through the way back to the boys dorm, Ariana kept thinking about the boys.
Just when she is getting used to living with them, she has to leave.
How will she even tell them? She thought as she open the door only to see the three of them in front of her door.
“What are you guys doing?” She asked.
“Preparing this for you” Donald said as they move back for her to see the sign they did on her door.
★ ARIANA ROOM, KNOCK BEFORE COMING IN★
“We help you put this sign on the door so we can know when you want us around or not” Derek said.
“You just have to turn this around and we know that you want no disturbing” Darren added smiling at her.
Ariana felt touched by their gesture that tears threatened to pour from her eyes but instead of doing that, she held it back.
“Thanks for this, I mean it guys. Thanks a lot for being there for me when I need it but there is some thing you must know” she said her gaze focused on Darren alone.
“What is it?” Donald asked eagerly.
“Am told to leave the dorm ” she said softly.