The break was over and Irene had to go back to school. Kevin had gone back to wherever he came from before she went back. That day, she came back and and Ann was back already. She knew she really missed her but she couldn't admit it, same with Ann. Ann came back earlier so she had arranged everywhere, swept it and cooked. She lay on her bed and watched Irene arrange her things. When their eyes met mistakenly, Ann shifted her gaze to another place. Irene just sighed and continued with what she was doing. After a while, Ann sat up and sighed.
"I'm bored. Can I have your novel?" Irene looked at her and replied
"Sure" She brought it out and gave it Ann.
"How was your break?" Irene asked.
"Me? I guess it was fine"
"Yeah" There was a bit of silence before Ann finally burst out
"I really missed you"
"Me too" Irene replied quickly. They stood up and hugged each other. Not long after that, Mitchelle came back and was surprised to see them talking again. She just smiled and left them. They both laid down on Irene's bed facing the ceiling as they talked.
"Well my boss is really cute" Ann commented as they talked.
"Seriously you have a crush on your boss?"
"Not like a crush but yeah I just like him"
"How old is he?"
"Oh you think he's old? No he's just twenty five"
"Twenty five! " Irene and Mitchelle chorused in surprise.
"Yeah twenty five. Shocking right?"
"How come?" Mitchelle asked.
"Well It's his company so he's the boss. He has like fashion designers that make the clothes and we model them. I actually thinks he likes me."
"Wow what a work relationship " Irene commented sarcastically.
"And he....." Ann wanted to continue but Irene was already disgusted. She didn't really fancy anything related to love. She referred to it as love crap. she didn't believe in love at all.
"Pls can we change this topic?" Mitchelle chuckled a bit and they both looked at her.
"What?" Irene asked
"Nothing just continue"
"Um okay, what do u want to talk about?" Ann asked
"Anything except this "
"That's why I chuckled. Anyways there's this new game online that's trending. Literally everyone is playing it right now." Mitchelle added
"Now this is my kinda topic.What's it about?" Irene asked because she was interested in games.
"It's like an interactive game with plenty games in one. You as a gamer can talk to your partner from wherever you are and choose a particular game from the list of games in the game that suits what you both like then you play together. You can be more than two playing it "
"What's the name?" Irene asked eagerly and brought out her phone to download it.
"City Games"
"Okay"
"What do you see in these games anyway" Ann asked.
"Do you know how fashion is your to die for?"
"Yeah "
"Good, that's how games are for me but try it. You're gonna like it."
"I'll try it only when you decide to try fashion"
"That'll be never then" Irene said and downloaded the game.
"Mitchelle you're online right?"
"Yeah"
"Do you wanna play?"
"Sure, at least it'll be the first thing we're doing together" They began playing and continued for a long time while Ann made herself busy with her online things.
As time passed, Irene noticed that she had begun to develop weird feelings for ann. It wasn't intentional. It just began with her feeling awkward or unrest whenever Ann wasn't around. She thought of her more often than before and she suddenly felt too down whenever Ann was angry with her. She also noticed that whenever she stayed with her and admired her beauty she would feel like kissing her. It was a problem because whatever she was feeling was against her reput and against school rules. The private university had a rule against lesbianism and it warranted an expulsion no matter what. The worst part was that Ann wasn't making it easy for her to hide or fight it cause she usually dressed up naked in the room after taking her shower. Once she did, all Irene could do was to look away. At a time, it began to feel like they were slowly drawing apart. Irene was trying everything possible to avoid falling into the temptation so she went as far as avoiding Ann and not talking to her as much as she was. Ann started feeling bad. She thought that she had done something wrong but that wasn't case at all. She noticed that Irene was really avoiding her. When she could no more bear It, she broke down and cried one particular day even though she wasn't an emotional type.
She was just alone in the room and felt very lonely. Irene was not around to spend time with her as usual and then she remembered all that Irene had been doing. She felt very frustrated and didn't know when she broke down down and began to cry. Irene walked in immediately and saw her crying. She was really hurt to see that. She quickly rushed her.
"Ann what's wrong?"
"You're wrong Irene. Why have you been avoiding me?"
"I've not been....." Ann didn't let her finish.
"Don't even try to lie. Did I do anything wrong to you?"
"No"
"So you're just doing it because you enjoy the way it's hurting me"
"No not at all"
" Then why Irene? You know I hate it. You know I love getting your attention. Why are you treating me like this."
"Ann you won't understand"
"Then make me understand. Please, I'm begging. I can't take it anymore."
"I don't know how to tell you. Infact, I don't want to tell you."
" Fine, if you don't want to then get ready to end this friendship" Irene was shocked. Had it really gotten to that extent? She didn't want to tell Ann why she was avoiding her and she also didn't want to stop being friends with her. Ann was damn serious with what she said so Irene had no other option but to let the cat out of the bag.
"Fine I'll tell you" Irene finally agreed. She explained everything to Ann although it was hard for her. The response she was expecting wasn't what she got.
"You should have told me instead of hiding it in. That doesn't solve the problem It only increases It."
"So what are you saying? We become lesbians?"
" well not really, that's not what I'm saying."
"Then what exactly are you saying"
"You can still express your feelings but not to that extent" There was silence for a while before she continued.
"Irene, ever since we became good friends I've really liked you. The way you walked, the way you talked, you're always there to save me whenever I'm in trouble, you've always cared about my well-being more than anyone else. I have no reason not to love you" Irene smiled.
"Come on, I have an idea" Ann said as she stood up and pulled Irene up.
"Hold me" Ann placed Irene's hands around her waist and Irene rested her jaw on Ann's shoulder from her back. Sh cuddled her tightly and before she knew it, she pecked Ann on the neck on the cheek. Then she whispered into Ann's ear.
"Thank you"