STOP OBSESSING OVER HIM

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The past few days have been the worst ones of my life, considering the fact this whole semester was a mess already. And I thought everything was getting better slowly, that hope had just been yanked away like a rag beneath my feet and somehow the mall story had spread around school and there were rumors going around that our family was bankrupt and were living in the desert now, and I’d be leaving school after the semester ends. Most people couldn’t wait.

Too bad because once my parents got back and realized what Kieran did, it would be jail for him. He was the only one not coming back to school. There were also rumors that I was just leeching off Kieran because we were family friends. I had a good idea of who was fueling all those rumors.

Who other than the devil himself, Kieran?

What was worse was that I couldn’t do anything, since he was still holding Kirk as a willing captive. I didn’t want to provoke him in a way that could cause him to hurt Kirk.

He might act nice to him and spoil him, but I know Kieran’s psychotic side. You never know when the sick and crazy in him will pop out.

Two days ago, I’d gotten the confidence out of nowhere and tried to kidnap Kirk at night since he would be asleep. Kirk would understand and forgive me later. I was protecting him from that demon.

I’d overheard Kieran at school saying he’d be going to the ‘Ring’ that night. I’d only gotten the opportunity to find out that piece of information because he was bossing me around and making me do his dirty little chores at school. He had me getting him his lunch, and carrying his books, and making me even take notes for him.

He’d make me take his car to the front and drive him back home, but the first few days I did, he cussed me out and just ordered me to sit in the passenger seat murmuring about how I was crazy and going to kill us. This became our routine since he’d refused me money for gas and I couldn’t go anywhere without him. The extent to which he had me on a leash was degrading, but not once did I talk back. I’m sure he could see all my hate and detest for him shining in my eyes though. His evil smirk every time confirmed it. He had Kirk. I was basically powerless against him.

Well, that was until I was getting him his lunch that particular afternoon like the delivery girl he’d made me and over-heard him.

On that fateful night, I’d waited for Kieran to leave the house and even waited for an extra twenty minutes before I’d dashed out and climbed up his wall. I got into the kitchen from the window only to be grabbed by the throat as Kieran nearly choked the living shit out of me -- Yep, psychotic-- and Kirk, who was sitting at the table with a glass of milk, started crying because I was scaring him. Apparently, he thought I was a burglar and called Kieran. He probably heard all my grunts and huffs from struggling up the wall and thought I was some bad guy.

I tried to tell him Kieran was the bad guy and I was there to save him but I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t siding with me and tried to take him by force again. Yeah stupid decision. I keep projecting myself as the crazy scary villain in front of him whilst Kieran spoilt him. Of course he’d call me the crazy one. He was looking at me like he loved me, but I needed help. Like I was a crazy sibling trying to abduct him and it hurt more.

I got kicked out and to punish me, Kieran took Kirk with him to wherever he was going. Probably his drug dealing Ring. I was tossed out the gate in scratched and torn leggings and hoodie, with leaves in my hair and a tear stained face.

The worst part was I was totally helpless. Contacting all the adults was proving futile and Kieran was easily monitoring my every move somehow. Every attempt I’d made in the past to reach them was punished by drawing Kirk further away from me.

I sighed as I opened my window to see a group of workers going into Kieran’s house. He was hosting a party tonight.

“Stop obsessing over him.” Chloe said from my bed and I groaned in response, yanking the curtains closed.

“I’m not. It’s more like planning to strangle him.” I said, flopping beside her.

I couldn’t tell Chloe about everything that was going on because I was scared Kieran would somehow use it against me. He might go after her or he might try to pull her away from me. I couldn’t risk it. Right now, she was the only one I had.

“You’re so worked up over him girl.” Chloe gave me a side eye trying to pry.

“I’m not!” Ugh too defensive

“Jeez okay chill…So… what are we wearing for the party?” Chloe asks instead, probably trying to change the conversation.

“Don’t even think about it. No cheer leaders are going there. We have practice in the morning. We should be worried about the noise that might disturb our sleep instead of going to Kieran’s loud and stupid party.”

“I have a feeling it has something to do with Kieran and not about practise. His parties are not even stupid. I love you Liya, but that’s such a lie.” Chloe accused.

“He could invite the other dumpster bum girls. No one on the team is going, else they’re off the team.” I finalised.

Why did she always have to be right?

“Just say you don’t want to go because of Kieran and you’re looking for a valid reason not to grace the party with the Queen of Royal Crest Academy’s presence.”

“Fine, I don’t want to go. What about it ?” I rolled over and buried my face in the pillows.

“Now that you’ve admitted it's personal, I’m dragging you to the party.”

“You’re absolutely not, Chloe Laurent.” I sat up in protest.

And that’s how I ended up at Kieran’s party. Loud music bounces off the walls as voices scream lyrics and sweaty bodies grind against each other in skimpy clothes.

It reminded me of the last time I was at Andrew’s party. I didn’t want to think about that event. It was unlikely that Andrew would be at this party. Their rivalry was even more scary.

There was so much tension if they were in the same room. When we had classes that the three of us were in, it was like a red mafia wedding. Anything could happen. Even the teachers sensed it.

I was currently dressed in short jeans and a graphic t-shirt and sneakers with my hair in a ponytail whilst Chloe had on a thigh slit midi dress with heels and a full face of make-up.

She threatened to drag me out in my pjs if I didn’t get ready and when she’d actually started acting on it, I grabbed the nearest items and threw them on. Luckily, it was something i could pull off. I already had some make-up on my face from earlier because the whole team had stopped by for their new cheer uniforms earlier with Chloe. And there was no way I was letting any of them see my face with no make-up.

I’d covered up the acne that I was breaking out from, because of the stress Kieran was putting me through and the fact that my skin was used to weekly beauty facial treatments that I could no longer attend because of a certain individual we both know.

Anyway, I was only here to make sure Chloe was not getting too drunk and doing stuff she’d regret and maybe just maybe I could see Kirk or get the opportunity to search for him and convince him of the truth, so he comfortably came with me or knew the threat Kieran actually was.

And since Kieran is likely to be busy, this was the perfect and only opportunity. Maybe I shouldn’t even have been against coming so much in the beginning. I looked around for Kieran as Chloe dragged me into the room and we sat with the other cheer leaders who saved a spot for us on the sofa.

I’ve still not spotted Kieran but he should be somewhere around considering the fact he hosted the party. He had to be around and Kirk must be upstairs somewhere sleeping. I just had to know of Kieran’s whereabouts for sure and I could set my plans in motion.

I heard giggles and gasps behind me and turned to look at Glenda and Tiffany but their attention was on someone else.