CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: ME OR HIM? (2)
"Sit down, and let's settle this once and for all!" my brother commanded, fixing me with a sharp look.
"Don't give me that look when you know I haven't done anything to you!" I snapped, resisting the urge to sit.
"Fine, continue standing while we talk," he replied, entirely unbothered by my defiance.
"So now, I'm at fault?" I asked, exasperation creeping into my voice at his audacious behaviour.
"You're a girl; you should at least remain calm and not be rash," he said, attempting some sort of advice.
Advice? Insult? I wasn't quite sure which it was—but I wasn't impressed either way.
I turned my glare to the idiot sitting beside him—the one responsible for all of this.
"Sit down!" he commanded the moment our eyes met.
"My brother told me to sit, so I shall answer him. Now you expect an answer from me? You must be joking!" I retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Flora, don't embarrass yourself; just do what's necessary," my brother interjected.
"Right now, what's necessary is for me to leave you two to your nonsense," I muttered, attempting to make my exit.
"Mom left us M&M's. Sit down, and I'll give you your pack. If you don't, I'll take it to my hostel and eat them," he said, his voice teasing.
My weakness. Of all the chocolates in the world, M&M's remained my absolute favourite—my top foreign snack.
"Where did you get that? From my sack? Did you go through my things?" I asked, incredulous.
"Enough questions. Mom must have mistakenly left the two packs in my sack," Francis replied, feigning innocence.
"Alright, alright, you've got me. I'll sit," I conceded, dropping my sack to the floor and perching on the chair. "So… what now?" I asked, glancing at both of them.
"Why are you still annoyed? I thought you two settled it on Monday," my brother began, eyebrows raised.
Just thinking about Monday made my irritation bubble anew.
"We did settle it!" I replied firmly, nodding in agreement yet feeling the sting of that day.
"Then… why did you snub him today and look annoyed that he was here?" my brother pressed, eyes curious.
"Goodness," I muttered, looking away. "Why start with me and not him?"
"It started with you today," he answered evenly.
"Oh, gosh!" I groaned, rolling my eyes. "I reacted because I'm annoyed."
"Annoyed?" Francis echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"If someone intentionally abandons you, can you just forget it?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration.
"Abandon? Is that really the word you're going to use to explain this?" Francis asked incredulously.
"Yes," I affirmed, nodding firmly.
"How many times do I have to tell you it wasn't intentional but a mistake?" Daniel interjected calmly.
"Ha! Mistakenly? Talking as if I'm a fool," I snapped, glaring at him. "You were chatting with my brother, yet didn't ask for my number or even about me—mistakenly? Do you think I'm some sort of moron?" I demanded, gesturing at Francis. "Even you, brother, you're at fault too!"
"If it's about not telling you I was chatting with him, then yes. There was a reason," Francis explained, trying to look innocent.
"Reason? Between the two of you?" I asked incredulously, gesturing at both of them. "Yet you call it a mistake?" I turned my glare back on Daniel.
"Fine, you can say I'm at fault," Daniel replied, conceding, though begrudgingly.
"You know what? I don't even care if you forgot or didn't forget. None of that matters to me because I've long forgotten about you since Monday—until today, when I met you again," I said sincerely.
Honestly, in the past week, he hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Do you know what that means?" I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips as I locked eyes with him. "It means I only remember and care for those who genuinely care about me," I explained, standing as if to signal the conversation was over.
"So, you're saying you don't want to be friends with him anymore?" Francis asked, puzzled.
"Francis, please, I beg you—don't make me angry at you!" I warned, expression unyielding.
"I thought maybe you'd reconsider and befriend him," my brother admitted cautiously.
"As I said earlier, I only befriend those who care about me, and I invest my love in them," I replied firmly, without hesitation. "I hope I don't see you around, Daniel," I said, glaring at him as I snatched the M&M's from Francis.
"Buh…bye!" I called as I walked briskly away, determined to prevent Francis from intercepting me.
Why would he even attempt to stop me? I had done exactly what he wanted.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Daniel staring after me. Urgh…
I practically ran to my hostel, refusing to think about him. He was nothing but trouble.
Upon arrival, Victoria was still sleeping, and Morayo remained engrossed in her notes.
I stowed my chocolates carefully in my locker and hid my money in a secure spot. I had heard enough stories of unsatisfied girls sneaking things to satisfy themselves—no way was I taking that risk.