Chelsea's POV

The music surrounds me after I leave the calm of the room and stride to the stairs which I see is now occupied with teenagers sitting on the steps with some hanging on the rails.

"Sorry," I say as I sidestep them, bumping into a few, and causing groans to leave their lips, mostly as I make the mistake of matching someone with my heeled feet. "I'm so sorry."

The brown-haired dude snarls in response and I hurry up, finally attaining the down floor which is more packed with people than it was when Uche and I got here.

It's clear the party is in full swing, sadly I won't be here to enjoy it. The music is thumping louder, the lights changing and shifting faster as I scan around a few heads in the hopes of spotting Uche.

I shuffle in between grinding bodies and moving legs. Realizing it's better I locate the bar thus I might strike a stroke of luck and Rose will still be there.

My feet take direction to where I recall it to be. Thankfully my prayers are answered as I see her laughing about something with Elvis who is dressed in black jeans and a blue vest.

Stopping in front of the table, she notices me immediately, her conversation with Elvis halting and her expression changing to one of concern. She instantly drops her red cup, catches hold of my wrist, and pulls me to the almost empty kitchen.

"What's wrong? And why are you crying?" She interrogates once we are enveloped in a semblance of silence.

I touch my cheeks, surprised to see them damp. "Terry is an asshole."

"Everyone knows that." She facepalms, her hair falling forward at the gesture. "What did he do?"

"It's hard to say," I blurt, my voice cracking as I blink. "I just need to find Uche and get out of here.

"I understand," she sighs, flicking a teardrop from my cheek as she continues. "I saw her last hanging at one of the left windows close to the exit door."

"Is she drunk?" I query in defeat because if she is I wonder how I'll be able to get home.

"She looked fine to me," she states. "But are you sure you are okay?"

"Yeah, I am," I sniff, sure my face is ruined with streaks of mascara. "I'll go find her. See you around."

"Wait, did you think I'll let you go alone in this state?" She implores, hooking her elbow with mine. "We are finding her together."

"Thanks." I beam in gratitude and she simply squeezes my arm as we stroll hand in hand back to the bustle of the typical high school party. She leads the way, pushing a few people till we reach the location she predicted my bestfriend to be.

"Uche!" I call loudly once in hearing range. I don't ponder on why she's conversing with Victor who's clad in a football t-shirt with a number 9 above ripper jeans and simply murmur "can we go home?"

"Sure, dear." She hands her cup to a stunned Victor and comes to me, offering Rose a perplexed gaze. "You don't look alright."

I don't say anything and she gets the memo. "The key is with you right?" I nod in answer. "Okay let's go then."

"Can I come with you two?" Rose inquires and I bestow Uche a questioning glimpse.

"Certainly," she smiles. "We are having a sleepover at my place anyway, you can stay back if you want."

"I will love to," Rose responds amidst the loudness of the music and Uche beams, crossing our faces and heading towards the large open doors. We follow suit and silently leave the house, sighting a topless girl swimming in the water fountain, drunk ass males and females around her, cheering her on.

This brings a small smile to my lips and we all exchange funny expressions. Steering to the opened gates, we trek some blocks to the place Uche's car is parked.

I fish out the key from my purse and hand it to her. She unlocks the vehicle and I wander to the passenger side, Rose getting into the back seat as Uche sits behind the wheel.

She starts the ignition, reverses and we are on the freeway once again. "I marvel at why you didn't tell me what Terry did to you in there so I could sock him in the jaw."

"Yeah even though he's my cousin if I find out he hurt you I'll kill him," Rose chips in from behind and I move my head from left to right, feeling loved at their concern.

"I'll let you both in on it once we get to Uche's place," I voice.

"Well, it's a good thing we are at my street then." She swerves to wink and I concentrate outside my window to see she's telling the truth. Bestowing her a doubtful glance she continues. "I went a bit over the speed limit."

"I'm thankful we didn't crash," Rose muses as Uche parks in the driveway of her apartment building. "I haven't been to this part of town before."

"This is where middle-class folks like me live," Uche shrugs nonchalantly as we get off the car and I stare at the 10floored apartment building. Its walls are made of reflective glass. It's a beauty to behold if I must say. "Come on."

We accompany her, Rose staring around as we get into the lobby. The floor is made with white tiles, and red couches scattered around for visitors and people who are waiting for others. Uche and I wave at the red-haired receptionist who waves in return as she appears on the phone with someone.

Getting into the empty elevator, Uche presses the number 6, and the doors shut, taking us up.

"Welcome, to my abode," she announces once we step foot into the living room. The flooring with the same white tiles as that of the lobby. Three black leather couches are set close to each other to make a U around a glass table that stands atop a blue carpet.

A 32inch flat screened TV is positioned on the right wall from the door. Flower pots containing hibiscus flowers are positioned on the four corners of the room.

The dining table is to the left of the door, comprising of a carved wooden table and four wooden chairs. A door straight ahead leads to the kitchen and the one at the left behind the dining room takes you to the hallway with four rooms, two on each side.

"I'm craving oha soup," I mutter as she locks the door after Rose. "Also why is the house quiet? Or are they asleep?"

"Nah, they all went to Grandma's," she asserts. Sorry I didn't let you guys in on the fact that Uche's mom is a black American, so her parents live here. She went to Nigeria on business, fell in love, and married a Nigerian man from the Igbo tribe. "Also you are in luck, Mom prepared the soup this morning."

"Yes!" I squeal same time Rose murmurs "what soup?"

"It's a soup made with oha leaf, cocoyam, palm oil, fresh peppers, stockfish, and beef. Don't ask for the English name of the leaf, I haven't bothered to find out," Uche explains to her and gestures to the seats. "Get settled, I'll bring you a plate, cans of soda, and peanuts. Sorry, we don't have popcorn."

"Thanks," I smile and motion Rose who stands awkwardly to a seat as I stride to turn on the Tv. "Feel comfortable Rose."

At her nod, I drop my bag on the plush leather and focus my attention on starting the device. It comes on and I set it to Netflix. "Which movie?"

"Can we watch Through My Window?" She suggests and I grin, hence I've been meaning to watch that movie since it got released some weeks ago.

"Through My Window it is," I approve and set it to play just as Uche walks in, her hand carrying a tray which she places on the table.

"So food is here, the movie is set, now spill," Uche orders as I go to sit on the couch opposite her and to Rose's right. "What did Terry do to make my girl cry?"

"It's not about what he did but what I stupidly let him do," I grit, gripping the stainless spoon tightly in anger. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"Slow down, we aren't following," Rose speaks taking up a can of Soda and gesturing to Uche. "Can you pause that movie please?"

"Sure," Uche does just that. "Go on."

"I let him kiss me," I confess. "And we went on a full-blown making-out session."

"What?" Uche screeches while Rose's eyes go wide.

"Then he said some harsh things afterward," I explain. "I also slapped him."

"Okay good job girl," Rose gives me a thumbs up. "But can you explain things a bit slower this time?"

I inhale a deep breath and recount my experience for the evening to them.

Freshy❤️