Chapter song:
Stargazing by Myles Smith.
••☆••
The taxi stopped at the supermarket, and Darnel and Babi came out .
Darnel put the hood back on his head , walking hand in hand, entering inside the supermarket.
" Why here?" Darnel asked
"Our home doesn't have spplies ,and i know you don't have socks on yet your feet get too cold," Babi said as they walked through the aile Darnel holding the shopping basket.
Darnel widely smiled.
" Our home," He repeated, widely smiling .
" What?" Babi asked
" Nothing , just loved the sound of it ...our home," Darnel repeated, smiling widely.
" You even still remember my cold feet i told you when we were like 13. Of course i live with you in our home, " Darnel smiled.
" You would have to marry me first , " Babi chuckled.
"Of course, i would marry you now, yesterday, tomorrow, and in the next ten years," Darnel smiled .
Babi laughed, picking two pairs of socks and putting them in the basket .
" I am serious," Darnel said.
" we know almost everything about each other , i will really marry you," Darnel added.
"When " Babi smiled, walking to the drinks aile.
" Umm....." Darnel thoughtfully said as they picked different food stuffs.
" i will marry you seven years from now," Darnel smiled .
" Huh...." Babi laughed .
" You are going to wait 7 years to marry me . " Babi laughed.
" Why ....what will you be waiting for in the meantime?" Babi asked unbelievably.
" Listen," Darnel said, chuckling.
" Seven years from now , i will 25 you 24. I will marry you , and we shall maybe two children. A boy and a girl. " Darnel smiled.
Babi laughed, pulling her hand away from him .
"Not this fella waiting me out for seven years before he marries me." Babi chuckled, still in disbelief and offended.
Darnel laughed hurriedly following her .
" i will be more mature and get things in order . You still have dreams to chase . " Darnel laughed .
" i decline the offer , i will find another more serious guy to marry me." Babi laughed .
" Are you seriously going to give our two kids , home, and plans to another guy. Instead of waiting for me, " Darnel complained, sounding offended.
Babi laughed, shaking her head, agreeing.
They placed their items that counter being worked on.
" Why are you not angry with how everything has gone tonight?" Darnel asked as they moved out of the supermarket.
" If you're not angry ,then at least sad or scared," He added ..
Babi turned, looking at him.
" I am ,very scared, sad, but I know it's nothing to what you might be feeling," Babi softly said .
She moved closer to him . Putting her hands into the hoodie pockets, standing close to him .
" I promised you not to quiver or run, and besides today, let me be the one to cheer you on tonight," she softly said .
Darnel smiled, he bent down, kissing her gently on the forehead.
She moved her one hand, passing it under the hoodie till up in his chest .
" I know you're holding back your emotions but them out . Let me heal that pain, free your heart, " she softly said.
Darnel breathed out in relief, shaking his head, agreeing .
She then held his hand, continuing their way.
Upon reaching their home truck in the old car yard, Darnel pulled the truck door open, and they both entered , then closed it again.
Babi stood pulling the chain, which opened the truck top part to the side . Giving them a view of that stary sky.
Babi handled Darnel a pair of stocks and then laid down on her back, staring at the sky .
Darnel lay next to her, looking up after on the stocks .
" What's your dream?" Darnel asked
" I don't know," Babi replied.
" Years ago, you wouldn't figure out , till now," Darnel softly said.
Babi sighed with a smile.
" we all can't dream , " Babi said.
" You and Neacky, you mean," Darnel asked .
" Yes," she honestly said .
Darnel turned to his side , his head being supported by his hand looking at her sadly.
" Then please dream , at least for me," Darnel asked painfully .
" Make plans for the future, dream career, family, you don't have to follow the legacy bullshit " he pleaded.
Babi shifted her sad eyes onto him.
" career, family, future," she breathed out in pain .
She turned her eyes to the sky.
" Sky, y....."
" I like it here," she breathed out, with tears in her eyes .
Darnel confused scrutinised her face.
" I honestly like it here. There's no need to rush the future. there's no need to dream about my future career or own family cause..." she voice broke, trying to suppress in the pain .
" Is it Morgan, Neacky, and the rest of your family holding you back ? You don't have to always be selfless , Sky be selfish, put yourself first," Darnel said , somehow angered.
" Look, Sky , you love...."
" You," she interrupted, saying
" What?" Darnel was more confused
" I like it here cause of you," she breathed out, and a tear dropped from her eye.
She turned her eyes to meet his. Darnel wasn't expecting that.
He was speechless and didn't even know what to say exactly.
" This is me being selfish, not selfless . For a while now, I decided to follow my desires ,what I feel before anything. What I feel and love is to be here cause you're here too, " Babi said with her shaky voice .
" My dream was to be an editor, which takes me to New York J . You're not in New York," she painfully added.
" Sky," he called, his voice held in his throat. He kept on being mesmerised by her.
" I don't care if I have to be a head maiden in your family when you're married to Marieh, " Babi exhaled sadly .
" I will be next to you, I will hold your hand ,I will still embrace you when the curtains fall , we will read together, talk and laugh.....I will have like this " she said, holding her breath not to cry.
Tears flooded into Darnel's eyes , maintaining his eyes on her , not knowing what exactly to say or react .
It was both beautifully touching and painful to him .
" So , please," Babi painfully pleaded.
" Don't ask me to dream, to plan a future when you aren't going to be part of it. Please ask me to be selfish and not get tired of being selfish. " She breathed out tears rolling down heavily .
Darnel gently placed his head on her shoulder, breaking in tears .
" I know how it feels not to have you in my life and now that I am here with you," Babi said , her voice shaking .
" I am sorry, but I don't have the courage to walk out of your life , so please, J, please allow me to stay , cling onto me." she broke down in tears painfully.
Darnel sniffled, heavily and breathlessly cried out .
"I am sorry, i.....," Darnel cried painfully. He failed to say , just crying out heavily.
Babi rolled over slightly and passed her fingers through his hair, comforting him in between her tears .
" Can i really be that selfish with you?" Darnel quietly sobbed .
" Can i ...is it really okay?" He raised his head , staring at her, asking in between tears.
Babi cried heavily , shaking her head, agreeing, assuring him it was okay .
" Nothing scares me than i not being next to you , you having a future that i am not part of. " Darnel painfully said.
" So Skylar, i need you," He exhaled, tears running in down his cheeks.
"I really need you to stay , to be selfish with me, and please don't slip out of my hands. " Darnel sobbed pleading, sniffing.
"I am sorry that i am asking you to sacrifice your dreams," Darnel added painfully.
Some of the pain being resalesed was for the time when she ghosted him. He was so hurt, and that fear still engraved into his heart .
" Don't disappear, don't lose yourself from me , don't let go of my hand no matter what ," he cried.
" I am not letting you go," she sobbed.
" it's a promise," she cried.
Darnel reached for her face, wiping her tears, but more just flowed , and he went ahead, wiping them.
Darnel eyes moved down to her lips, his hand slid down to her neck, and slowly, he extended slower.
Babi deeply inhaled, gently closing her eyes. Darnel extended further closer and laid a soft kiss on her forehead.
Babi deeply exhaled , catching her breath. She wrapped her hands around his neck, embracing him.
These two wouldn't be any different. They both were good at hiding their pain , for Darnel with jokes and acting indifferently numb.
Yet Babi acted emotionless, cold , tough, and so gaurded on top of that , giving off a nonchalant attitude.
And together, they both had a safe, spacious ground to let each other in and be so vulnerable.
Till there were no more tears to cry, they remined in each others embraced down on the floor.
" fuck it " Darnel said after clearing his voice rolling himself from her embrace, staring up the sky again.
" you even get me crying, Sky how much power do you have over me " He added making Babi smile.
" is that a question or a confirmation " she asked ..
" curiosity," he smiled .
They both looked at each other smiling .
" are you okay " Darnel softly asked .
" hmmm...." she smiled .
" how are you " she added.
" never better " he smiled widely .
Babi stood up reaching for the things they had just bought.
She packet of snacks throwing them at him and got herself a snack as well .
Darnel to the television turning it on .
" I get to decide the movie " Babi smiled.
" look ,you made me like movies and I have been watching a few during our break " Darnel said .
" trust me on this " Darnel added
Babi laughed munching on the snacks .
" fine , you decide " she rolled her eyes.
" yes , trust me " Darnel smiled.
On the bed they laid ,to watch his choosen movie as they ate on the snacks.
Other than books ,Babi loved movies, a habit and hobby Darnel picked and she picked loving music from him , since he obviously liked books like she did.
Darnel claimed that through music you communicate what the tongue has failed to say and she said through movies you learn different lessons, understand diverse understanding of things and people, you get to see the world from your seat and most importantly she like liked the endless running and creative minds of the script writers.
" Haha....." To the movie they laughed.
" See. You like it. My taste has improved " Darnel proudly said.
" you tried " Babi vagely said.
" Tried...your here smitten " Darnel angrily shouted , very offended.
Babi laughed even harder . Darnel laughed staring at her.
Outside the truck was Mr Wood , he bore a wide smile hearing their loud laughters from inside.
Whether he had been there for while or had just come , only he knew .
He sighed in relief, quietly he turned taking his leave letting them be.
*
Royal Academy.
Neacky sat down joining those the round table in the school cafeteria.
They hadn't completely shaken off the scare from last night's dinner.
" i failed to sleep , " Vanessa sighed .
" i spent the night thinking and pitying Darnel , William and Marieh. Imagine living like that everyday " Matt said.
"I keep on wondering if we are being watched even now. " Celine said.
" i talked to mom about it. She said we will talk to lady Scarlet not to have us stalked." Marieh said.
" according to how Darnel went off last night , the mother would be crazy if she is still stalking us " Nathan said.
" Darnel terrified me even more " Kim sighed.
They all deeply exhaled worriedly.
" do you think they are okay. Will they come to school " Neacky asked.
" i don't know " Matt exhaled
" Marieh, are you really engaged to Darnel. That has been ringing in my head " Kalvin asked.
Marieh heavily exhaled,
" yes . " She replied.
" Fuck..." they all sighed , absorbing in the shock.
" its complicated, i don't want to get into it " Marieh added.
" this is fucked up " Vanessa said.
" Darnel and William haven't showed up . Babi is also no where to be seen " Celine sighed.
" she is still not picking up " Nathan said worriedly putting his phone on the table .
" i don't get it, did she leave in the morning or at night " Kim asked
" i don't know. And she is not picking her phone. " Neacky worriedly said.
" that's so unlike her " Marieh said in concern.
They all raised their eyes staring at Amir who was approaching the table . Marieh extended a side to give space to sit .
Amir instead sat next Neacky making all of them shocked. Marieh painfully inhaled , she knew what this was about .
" good morning " he greeted them calmly and ravingly.
" Good morning " they replied.
" what's with the cold atmosphere " Amir asked , staring at everyone except Marieh.
" Babi has disappeared, she won't answer the phone as well " Marieh worriedly said.
Amir turned staring at Neacky.
" I forgot to tell you, she went at Mr Wood's late in the night " Amir said.
" whatt" Neacky asked in disbelief.
" she can't went without informing me " Neacky said
" well she asked me to inform you but I forgot , just went to my apartment , iam sorry " Amir added, so certainly and dire.
" Amir , be motherfuckin serious right now " Neacky said ,her tone mixed with anger and worry .
" I am being serious, I am sorry I didn't tell you " Amir sounding even more serious .
" William!!!!!" Kim happily called.
William had just passed the cafeteria turned , he entered , marching towards them while texting on phone .
" we are more than happy to see you today " Kalvin said happily .
" for real" Amir smiled.
" thank you," William smiled.
" Neacky what's wrong " William noticed , she was in thiughts with a frown on her face .
" It's Babi , she disappeared without a word. She is also not answering her phone," Neacky said .
" am sure she is okay don't worry " William said so certainly.
" yes am sure too, besides she slept at Wood's " Amir said looking at William.
William was shocked by Amir's statement yet went along.
"Amir says she is fine ,so worry less " William added.
" what's that " Marieh asked pointing towards William.
They all looked at the black gift bag he was carrying.
" ahhh, nothing " William said.
" what do you mean nothing , it's definitely something " Nathan said.
William smiled but not spilling.
" did Darnel come too " Nathan asked .
Before he replied, his phone began ringing.
" catch you later " William said hurrying away after looking at the screen of the phone .
" see you in class too " Amir said rushing away as well .
William entered the swimmers locker, Darnel was in seated on the bench with a towel wrapped around his waist drying his hair with a towel.
" thanks man " Darnel smiled , William placing the gift bag next to him.
William leaned on the wall watching him.
" Sky " William asked.
" what's wrong with her " Darnel asked pulling out a uniform and under garments from the bag.
" Neacky is worried she didn't sleep home, and not answering her phone " William said .
" she is totally fine , I think she might be in class but am the one with her phone that's why she ain'tanswering the calls" Darnel said, very unbotheredly changing puting on his uniform.
" Amir has surprised me though " William said still thinking about it.
" He has told all of them she slept at Wood's " William added.
" Amir " Darnel seamed shocked too.
" maybe it's what she told him " Darnel said. Not thinking much of it .
" okay, be careful though " William said .
" I am trying my level best " Darnel smiled.
" how was it " Darnel asked
" what exactly " William asked.
" i saw you leave with Vanessa " Darnel smiled.
" you couldn't get your off her the whole time , do you like her " Darnel asked
William scoffed then laughed pushing his har backwards.
" we got all steamy and shit but didn't get intimate " William said .
Darnel laughed in disbelief.
" she is baddie with a soft innocent heart. I couldn't " William said.
" when did you start being considerate about hearts " Darnel laughed in disbelief.
" I don't know ..." William laughed.
" but i still got laid " William added.
" Who , " Darnel laughed.
" Wet , she came to the suit angry about how you dinched her . " William smiled.
Darnel laughed closing his locker , not bothered or surprised.
" she keeps asking for a threesome with you and i " Darnel said .
" Fuck no...." William said with s disgusted face both marching out of the locker room.
"Don't tell me you have ever considered it " William asked clenching his face .
" Hell no...i love you but i can't fuck with you " Darnel said both bursting into laughter as the walked down the hallway.
"Didn't Gilbert throw a fit about hanging out with these guys?" Darnel asked
"He isn't yet back in Zephyr. I was shocked that mom didn't discuss it with him " William said.
William sighed , he and Darnel diverted.
William entering his class and Darnel continued down the hallway.
" did you change seats?" William asked on reaching where Neacky was seated.
" Vanessa asked me too" Neacky smiled.
" i am curious, what did you do to her to not want to seat next to you " Neacky asked , taking a sit next to Neacky.
" first of all , i didn't know Vanessa was supposed to sit next to me. " William said.
" her and Celine had gone for a trip . They returned the day we went clubbing " Neacky said.
" still doesn't amswer my question. What did you do to her " Neacky asked.
William sighed heavily.
" Babi ? " William asked.
" Haven't seen her ,though Nathan texted me that she is in class," Neacky said .
" I am going to kill her," Neacky added in anger .
" I bet," William smirked.
" You think I can't?" Neacky asked.
" Not Babi , you love her so much," William said .
Neacky sighed heavily already agreeing to what William just said .
" I do . She is my twin , I am just mad that she can't let me fight with her inner battles like she does with mine," Neacky sadly said.
" Since you can't kill her , you can get revenge " William suggested .
" How." Neacky asked.
" By giving her the taste of her own medicine," Neacky said immediately, not letting William say what was on his mind.
" Brilliant," William smiled.
" Then whom will I share with my inner demons?" she asked herself ,both reminding me of quiet thinking through it .
" Kalvin or Kim " William suggested.
" hmm.." Neacky thoughtfully said.
William quietly looked at her with a smile.
" how about I volunteer," William calmly asked with a soft smile.
Neacky glared at him not sure if that was a good idea.
" Share whatever it is with me when it's so damn hard," William softly said.
" Don't you have a lot to carry?" Neacky asked.
" I do . " William sighed.
" will you share yours with me . Only then it will be fair " Neacky asked.
" Alright, I will share mine with you too," William said.
"Your smooth with your words and that cute and inciting smile . Why don't you use that with Vanessa " Neacky asked.
" hold up . You think my smile is cute and inciting " William widely smiled.
Neacky rolled her eyes.
" I am not what she needs , I can't be that selfish," William sighed.
Neacky and William turned staring at each other when Vanessa and Kim entered the classroom.
Neacky turned staring at William. He looked at Vanessa with lots of admiration.
Neacky smiled, leaning back .
" On top of venting to each other , i will you with Vanessa, your highness," Neacky said.
" Your Highness," William chuckled .
" alright , my lady " William smiled.
" i like that ....my lady," Neacky smiled, both chuckling.
*
Darnel , Matt and Kalvin looked at each. The tension and awkwardness from Amir was making them all intense and uncomfortable.
Amir had gone ahead to switch seats with Darnel. Amir sat next to Babi and Darnel next to Marieh.
Nathan and Babi deeply exhaled staring at each other . They wanted to say something but weren't sure how it will received by angry Amir.
" what happened with your phone Babi ?" Marieh broke the silence.
Babi turned staring at Marieh. Darnel smiled touching his coat pocket where her phone was.
" I don't know where I dropped it last night ,am sure some fool might have picked it and hasn't returned it " Babi said glaring at Darnel.
" you should check on Neacky, she was so worried," Kalvin said.
Babi smiled slightly in agreement .
The professor entered the whole orderly turned to the front ,and the lesson began.
Very ones attention was at the professor but not Amir and Marieh . They were both distracted.
The night had been rough on Amir , he had discovered the girl he confessed his feelings to was engaged to Darnel, making matters worse she hid it from him.
Not to mention, the confusion he feels after witnessing Darnel and Babi's feet being cozy with other and there they were acting so distant.
Marieh worriedly nibbled her fingernails , her eyes on Amir . Nothing was hurting her like Amir giving her the silent treatment and distancing himself.
Darnel stretched his hand placing a stick note on Marieh's table before her.
Marieh lowered her gaze from Amir to the note .
' Should i talk to Amir about the engagement before you do. It might help soften the blow '
That's what the note read.
Marieh reached for her pen joting down on the note ,then sending back to Darnel.
' No thanks. I am the one supposed to clear the air. Something i should have done right from the start'
Darnel read Marieh's response. Darnel sighed, crumpling the note . His attention back to the professor.
Immediately the siren went , Darnel stood up immediately carrying his belongings .
" Are you on a rush?" Kalvin asked.
" Yes , i am super bored, so let me go get lost for a while," Darnel said .
" How did you manage in home school?" Nathan asked.
" Who said i managed?" Darnel smiled, making them chuckle .
" And where are you going to get lost from?" Matt asked .
" The library , in books," Babi replied just so soon after .
" Exactly," Darnel smiled hurriedly, marching out class.
" Amir," Marieh softly called as he stood up .
" Can we talk?" Marieh stood in Amir's way . He was ready to go out, ignoring her.
" Please," She pleaded, his eyes on her sad face.
" am listening " Amir coldly said.
Marieh exhaled, looking around . Very uncomfortable by other students presence.
" thats our cue " Matt said
Babi , Nathan , Kalvin and Matt carried their belongings rushing out of the class .
" Can we talk somewhere more private " Marieh softly asked.
The class still had some students , not the ideal place to talk either .
" i really don't have time for this Marieh " Amir coldly said.
" if you can't talk here then i can't help you " Amir added.
" and keep it short " Amir asserted.
Marieh painfully exhaled staring down tears in her eyes.
" i am sorry," she raised her teary eyes, staring at him .
Amir scoffed with a scowl on his face .
" Amir .." Marieh pleaded as Amir angrily walked away, not willing to listen.
Marieh remained distressed on the vague of crying .
Amir majestically walked to the school library, opening the door entering . He slowly walked down the library aisle scrutinising through the shelf spaces and the reading area.
Not able to see what he wanted, Amir climbed the stairs to the second floor of the library, still searching .
With very few people on the second floor , Amir was quick to notice Darnel at the extreme end of the second floor , picking a book off a shelf.
Amir exhaled , gently walking to where Darnel was .
Darnel, who was reading through the book, raised his gaze to the one standing in the aisle staring at him.
" You're not here to read , are you ," Darnel quietly said.
Amir didn't respond but walked closer to Darnel , picking a radom book from the shelf .
" If you are here regarding the engagement, Marieh prefers to talk to you about it and am respecting that." Darnel said .
" that's not my current priority " Amir sighed.
"Hm.." Darnel confused reacted.
The vicious and livid glare on Amir's face made Darnel a little bit nervous and petrified.
" are you going to just glare at me. Speak up " Darnel said .
" i am going to ask once , and God help you, better not deceive " Amir asked , very dire and angry.
Darnel stared at Amir , his one hand in the pocket not phased by Amir's threat .
" Is there something going on between you and my sister " Amir angrily asked.
" Who?" Darnel frowned, with a confused look on his face .
Amir scoffed angrily . He made a step closer to Darnel, on a vague of losing it even more .
" Don't act oblivious. You know who exactly I am talking about, " Amir warned.
" So i ask one more time . " he added.
" Is there anything going on between you and my sister?" Amir frowned.
Amir's whole aura was firely and scary.
Darnel swallowed hard in a predicament of what to say. A lot could go wrong based on his response. Either way, it's a double-edged sword.