Monday was finally here. The moment I heard someone scream, “George is around!” my body reacted before my mind could. I rushed out of the class, my heart racing.

And there he was in his regular clothes. He looked the same, but teachers quickly sent us back to our classes. How was I supposed to concentrate in class, when my mind was elsewhere?

The moment one of SS1 students rang the bell for break, my heart jumped for joy and not long after, George stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned to him.

“I won’t be in this class anymore,” he announced casually. “From tomorrow, I’ll be in SS3 and I’ll also be joining the extra lessons for WAEC.”

The words hit me instantly because it only meant that he and Simi will be in the same class all the time and even closer.

I forced a smile even though my heart sank. Later, when we finally had a moment alone, I stepped closer to him.

“I missed you,” I said softly.

He smiled and kissed me as usual but this time I was sad.

“I haven’t forgiven what you did at the party,” I whispered, my voice barely steady.

He nodded, like he already expected it.

“I’m sorry.”

He said that sorry word that I hated again. I swallowed my frustration because there was no point fighting when I could lose him forever. So instead, I made up my mind quietly that if he thought he could hurt me and walk away with just apologies, then he would pay for it. This time it would be N30,000.

When school closed, I stayed close to him, not letting him out of my sight because Simi resumed today too and she can’t take what belongs to me. As we walked, we ran into Simi. I knew she’d want to show herself.

She looked at us and laughed, it was a sharp, mocking laugh.

“If you like, die with him,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “I don’t need him again.”

Then she walked away. My hands clenched instantly. I wanted to run after her, to hit her, or make her feel even a fraction of what I was feeling but I didn’t because deep down, I knew the truth.

Simi wasn’t the problem. It was George and even though everyone kept insulting me, and it makes me depressed, I don’t know how to let him go.

Quick question:

When love starts hurting more than it heals, do you hold on tighter or finally let go?

Thank you for reading this chapter 📖