When friends become foes

"I warned you didn't I?, I told you to keep your eyes open if you were going to have what is mine. I see you took my words lightly and that is a very very big mistake you did there". Kate reminded daringly while hovering the room and settling on the bed as Jane slept, with a rictus grin on both cheeks, Kate stroke Jane's hair and for a while she lightly massaged her scalp to gently call Jane to reality.

As Jane slightly open her eyes wondering who it could be at that hour she shrieked at the sight of Kate. "Oh my God, kate what the fuck are you doing here?" Jane asked. " ssshhhhhhhhh" kate hushed Jane, placing her index finger vertically on Jane's lips.

" you wouldn't want your neighbors running in here wondering what the ruckus is, would you?".

"I asked what you're doing on my bed this late at night" Jenny asked now feeling her fears of Kate creeping in on her, with her eyes mist up with emotion. "Oh Jenny, your stare and questions just makes me feel like am the bad guy. You started this little battle Jenny, and as you know, you may start little battles but I wage wars" Kate said, bringing the muzzle of the gun she carried with her to her nose as she sniffed the acrid smell of metal.

"What?" Jenny asked shocked and vulnerable to the reality of her friend actually being psychotic at that moment. " you know how much I love metals right? Guess what else smells and tastes like metal?" Kate asked Jenny.

"Blood?" Jenny said questioningly also taken aback. " oh my God yes, you know me so well and distinguishably smart, no wonder James choose you." Kate said giving out a hollow laughter.

Jenny suddenly coming to her senses, "hold up Kate, are you putting on this show over James?" Kate just stared at her without saying anything. However, it was too obvious what all the show was about.

Jenny and Kate weren't exactly your typical kind of best friends or friends to say, more like once acquainted and to an extent. Their meeting was one of the beneficiary kind, short term roommates in college. Kate and Jenny's paths crossed twice, first briefly at a JAMB preparatory academy, exchanging only pleasantries before going their separate ways. Fate brought them together again in college, where they found themselves freshers in search of accommodation. Deciding to share a room outside campus, they split the costs and began their journey together. Initially, their cohabitation was harmonious. Jenny, the free-spirited adventurer, and Kate, the reserved conservative, seemed like an unlikely duo, but they made it work. However, their differences soon became apparent. Jenny's promiscuous nature and constant quest for excitement clashed with Kate's introverted personality and preference for solitude. As time passed, Kate grew increasingly uncomfortable with Jenny's lifestyle, feeling it wasn't aligned with her values. The tension simmered until Kate finally decided to leave, seeking a more conducive environment within the school's vicinity. Kate's new abode exceeded her expectations; a cozy, self-contained room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a chance encounter with her dream guy. He embodied everything she had ever desired: tall, handsome, fair-skinned, and captivating dreamy eyes. Though seemingly out of her league, Kate couldn't help but fantasize about the day he would notice her. As she settled into her new life, Kate found herself lost in thoughts of her ideal man, unaware of the twists and turns fate had in store for her. Little did she know, her decision to leave Jenny would set off a chain of events that would challenge her perceptions, test her resolve, and lead her down a path of self-discovery and unexpected romance.

Kate's pov:

I wanted to keep to myself but seeing James, I realized that I have to do more to attract even his gaze to me. Him being so handsome didn't help my course, so many girls were ready to die for him, yes, those dreamy eye had me gulping down saliva each freakin day I see him. At some point it seemed he made eye contact for three seconds and then let out that sexy smile that I just want to absorb myself in, on purpose.

One day I stepped downstairs to go get something to eat and I met him half way down the road coming towards me from the opposite direction, he was wearing a grey tracksuit trousers that accentuated his Curvaceously chiseled rear end, and body fit shirt that highlighted his broad and muscular chest. I felt hot within just drowning myself in his features, such that I would for. I guess I stared too hard and long for him to have noticed, I've been told that my stares poke holes into one's soul, I may have poked his; you ask how?

In his grey tracksuit, his shaft wavered under my consistent gaze on it. It was obvious he wasn't wearing any boxers, because of the way it swayed with each step he took, he smiled. For all the times that we have crossed parts with each other, we never exchanged words. However, our eyes communicated, what our attitude and lips couldn't give off, our eyes transcended.

One faithful and calm evening, as I trudged downstairs for the landlord's meeting, I spotted James sitting across from me, his piercing gaze making my skin prickle. I felt exposed in my worn denim shorts and faded singlet, like I was on display in a shop window. The air was thick with tension, and I fidgeted with my hands, avoiding eye contact, It was a staring contest and James had won.

* * *

Later that night, Kate went to visit Jenny and probably sleep over at her place. "Am glad you decided to visit me today Kate, I thought living alone may have given us the long spoon" Jenny said sadly upon seeing Kate immediately she opened the door. " what long spoon Jenny? I was just a little busy, that's all.

I flopped onto Jenny's bed, surrounded by familiar posters and cozy blankets. She pounced on me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "A little busy? That's all?, anyways there's this latest couple in the house, you remember Jaden right?" Jenny asked. " yes I do, isn't he the one you had a crush on?"

" formerly kate, I had my fun with him while it lasted. I think he's dating some washed up hair stylist" Jenny said settling in on the bed. " at least you had the courage to express your feelings towards him, and mind you it is so unlike me." Kate said dropping her bad by the corner of the bed. " ka-a-te" Jenny called out to kate looking at her knowingly. " what are you hiding, I know you're hiding something! Spill the beans, who's the lucky guy?" She nudged me playfully, but I hesitated, my mind racing. "Jenny, there's no one," I insisted, trying to sound convincing. But she wasn't buying it. "Come on, Kate! I know you too well. You can't hide it from me." She grasped my hands, her grip warm and persuasive. Just tell me!" I sighed, my resolve weakening. "Okay, fine...but you have to promise not to make a big deal out of it." Jenny's face lit up, and she crossed her heart, "I promise, I promise!" I took a deep breath, my voice barely above a whisper. "There's this guy...but he's way out of my league." Jenny's eyes widened, and she squealed, "I knew it! Tell me more!" But Kate shook her head, her defenses kicking in.

" there's no gist Jenny, I just like him. We live in the same building. He is way above my league but he is just too handsome to not admire" Kate said sadly but dreamy.

" way above your league??? No my dear he is not, you're just making assumptions. Trust me when I say he's noticing how you notice him, only this kind of guys likes to play the long game" Jenny said. "The long game?" Kate asked, " yes baby, the long game. Listen you make it obvious that you like them and they purposely drag you long enough to make you want them, then when you slide into that trap, it takes only one gesture from them to get you all confused, leaving you wanting more of them" Jenny explained. " those are the kind of games that I am not ready for at all Jenny, I'd rather pretend he doesn't exist than get myself into something I can't handle" Kate concluded.

As Kate and Jenny strolled to Kate's apartment, they ran into James. "Hi," he greeted Jenny, exchanging pleasantries like old friends.

Kate looked stunned and shy, her eyes fixed on James' face. Jenny, on the other hand, beamed with her signature smile. "Oh heeeellloo!"

"Do you also live in this building? I've only noticed your friend here," James asked Jenny, nodding towards Kate.

"No, I don't, but I'm glad you noticed my friend." Jenny replied smoothly as she gave Kate an "I told you so" look.

James sneaked a peek at Kate, who was now red-cheeked and focused on the ground. "I have to say, she's hard not to notice."

"What does he mean? Did he notice me all this while? Is he talking to Jenny but indirectly referring to me? Oh my God, I'm so confused!!!" Kate's mind raced.

"I'm kate,......."James tried to talk to Kate, but she cut him off. "You know my name?" she asked, stunned.

"Who doesn't?" James replied. "I've heard quite a lot about you."

"Okay, you guys should just exchange phone numbers and get it over with." Jenny chimed in.

"No need, I have nothing to do with his number," kate quickly dismissed the idea and walked away, feeling ashamed of herself for stooping so low to a playboy. She knew better than to involve herself in an unrequited love, even when in middle school she had always been the one loving, the one always willing and ready to love without being loved in return.

After her last experience, she promised herself that she wouldn't do it again. What is really the problem?

Does she love the wrong people?, is love not meant for the likes of her ?

Over time, she came to a realization. No matter how hard she tried, she was always attracted to those beyond her standard, people who wouldn't want anything to do with her not know her existence.

Jenny apologized, "Well, that's Kate. She's one hard nut to crack, sorry."

"Your friend doesn't have to stop our fun, am I right?" James said giving Jenny a knowing look

Jenny knew it was inappropriate, but she rationalized it as helping a friend. After all, Kate and James weren't an item, and keeping up with a playboy like James would be challenging for Kate.

Later, in Kate's room, she immersed herself in a novel, trying to shake off the encounter with James. In a way she wished she hadn't left the way she did, Kate wondered if it made her look desperate angry. What if James sees her as some love sick chick, she made it this far with pretense. "Where's Jenny? Hope she isn't trying to set me up with him, am ashamed of myself as it is" Kate said boycotting the book in her hand. She knew Jenny and tried not to let her mind trick her, but what if, just what if she knew Jenny all wrong?