HOW MANY NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES WILL DO THIS?

Rihanna Plays Bridesmaid in Hawaii for Her Assistant

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Rihanna, some bridesmaids, and a blunt (Instagram)

It takes a very good friend for Rihanna to sacrifice 4/20, the very highest of holy days for our IDGAF Queen. So it's good for Jennifer Rosales that Rihanna is not just her boss, but her BFF. Rihanna threw on a lilac Badgley Mischka gown and played bridesmaid for her assistant Jennifer Rosales's April 20 wedding in Hawaii.

But don't think for a second that means she wasn't celebrating the holiday as well.

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Married... With Style (Instagram)

Rih posted several snaps from the wedding festivities, including a couple shots of herself and Melissa Forde, who is also on Rihanna's team, in pink bridesmaids' robes with Rosales in her own special white, bridal one. The musician has a blunt clenched between her lips, purple sunglasses, a bucket hat, and the general aura of someone having a damn good time.

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Rihanna (AKM-GSI)

After the ceremony, Rihannashared a photo of the new Mr. and Mrs., calling the event, "Perfection."

Rosales has been working with the singer since Good Girl Gone Bad, which is basically the album that splits B.C. Rihanna from A.D. Rihanna.

Rosales — as well as Forde — travels everywhere with Rihanna; the two frequently pop up in pictures on Rihanna's Instagram. This trip to Hawaii, however, was all about Rosales, who was marrying her fiancé, Aaron Davis.

Earlier in the day, Rihanna shared a video tribute to Rosales and Davis. "I can't believe this day is finally upon us!!!!!" she wrote in the caption. "I'm so happy and so proud to see my big sis [Rosales] and my big bro [Davis] become one today!!! A wedding is a celebration of a marriage!!! That's what we gon do!!! Celebrate the marriage that we've been lucky enough to witness grow and evolve for all these years!!!! #420 will never be the same again!!! God bless you both!!!"

10 Steps To Ending A Toxic Relationship

They aren’t pretty. Fortunately, there’s a way out.(Photo: Getty Images)

Toxic people are like vampires. They drain your energy and joy. When you’re with them, you feel stressed. And when you leave them, you’re exhausted.

Take it from me: Toxic relationships are not worth it, whether they are romantic, professional, or involve family or friends. But it can be really really hard to end them if you don’t know how. After all, we fall into habits in our relationships. People become part of our comfort zone.

But do you want to be more committed to your comfort zone? Or do you want to be more committed to joy, happiness, and freedom?

Transformation coach Chris Lee has a series of steps you can take to cut these toxic relationships out of your life, that will empower you and make you feel free. 

The 10 Steps:

Step 1: Identify if you’re in a toxic relationship.

Step 2: Keep a record of the ways the other person has let you down or pulled you away from your vision.

Step 3: Identify the rewards of being in this toxic relationship.

Step 4: Give up the excuses. 

Step 5: Get clear on your vision for your relationship. (Fill in the blank: My vision for my relationship with _____________ is…)

Step 6: Have a conversation: Be firm and clear that the relationship is over.

Step 7: Grieve and mourn the loss of the relationship.

Step 8: Fill the emptiness with positive people and activities.

Step 9: Write down the lessons learned.

Step 10: Practice self-love.

We all deserve to have the happiest and fullest life possible. If someone is standing in the way of that, if someone is holding you back, then you have to remove him or her from your life. Replace this person with someone or something that lifts you up and makes you feel great.

5 Types Of Friends You Need To Ditch

Jealous, negative, and stressful relationships beware.

Now’s a good time to spring clean your life. You might be looking forward to re-organizing your closet, opening up your windows to let in some fresh air, and re-committing to those New Year’s resolutions. But have you given any thought to making over your social circle?

While research shows that our friendships are super important for our health and well-being, not all relationships are created equal. “Negative friendships can cause stress, frustration, and even put you in harm’s way if their behavior puts you in situations that could jeopardize you and your loved ones,” says sociologist and friendship coach Jan Yager, PhD, author of When Friendship Hurts

Investing time and energy into people who don’t pay it back—or who only have toxic contributions to offer—can have a negative effect on both your physical and mental health. In fact, a recent University of College London study found that close relationships that cause stress or worrying may even contribute to faster cognitive decline as you age

On that note, here are five types of friends you may want to sweep out of your life.

The negative Nancy
Moods—both good and bad ones—are contagious: Research has shown this to be true in both real life and online social networks. And while there’s nothing wrong with venting to coworkers or crying to your BFF when you’re feeling low, it’s still important to balance those lows by sharing happy experiences, too.

“When you talk on the phone with your friend, exchange e-mails or text messages, or get together in person, do you feel positive and optimistic—or does a particular friend make you feel bad about yourself, agitated, or even physically ill?” asks Yager. If that friend is going through an especially trying time, it’s normal to feel pulled into the drama. But ask yourself, she says: “Is this an occasional thing, or a chronic pattern that’s making it too difficult for you to handle your emotions or your own life?”

Too Many Dietary Supplements May Increase Cancer Risk

A large-scale study has shown that over-supplementation could be very bad for our health.

Could it be possible that too many vitamins and minerals can bring about various forms of cancer? Yes, according to a large-scale study delivered during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015.

The research presented at this conference dates back 20 years, when scientists discovered that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables was shown to keep cancer at bay. Then study experts shifted their focus to over-the-counter supplements, assuming that consuming extra vitamins and minerals would also produce anti-cancer benefits.

First came the testing on animals and the results were encouraging. Scientists then studied thousands of patients—over 300,000—who were given either dietary supplements or a placebo over a 10-year period. 

And their findings were alarming.

“We show that not only is supplementing your diet with vitamins that are found in a healthy diet unlikely to decrease your risk of developing cancer, but in some cases, taking more than the recommended daily allowance of these supplements can increase cancer risk,” lead investigator Tim Byers, MD, MPH from the University of Colorado Cancer Center tells Yahoo Health.  “More specifically, taking more than the recommended daily allowance of folic acid, Vitamin E and beta-carotene were all shown to increase cancer risk.”

Young Woman Dies After DNP Diet Pills Bought Online ‘Burned Her From Within’ 

One trial showed that taking more than the required amounts of beta-carotene— which is known for its ability to improve immunity and enhance vision — in supplement form increased the risk for developing both lung cancer and heart disease by 20 percent. Men who took an excess of vitamin E were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. And while folic acid — a B vitamin— was considered a possible remedy for reducing the number of polyps in the colon, it increased the number in another trial.

Bobby Brown's Lawyer Clarifies His Comments About Bobbi Kristina: 'The Quality of Her Life Will Not Be Known for Years To Come'

After Bobby Brown told concertgoers in Dallas Saturday night that his daughter, Bobbi Kristina, "is awake," Brown's lawyer Christopher Brown is scaling back the singer's exuberant claim that Bobbi "is watching me."

"Bobbi Kristina’s condition has changed since moving from Emory University Hospital and there has been improvement," Brown said in a statement to The Insider With Yahoo. "Doctors have indicated that she will have a long life. However, Bobbi Kristina is presently embarking on a rehabilitation process and the quality of her life will not be known for years to come."

Bobbi Kristina, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's only child, has been hospitalized since January, when she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in an incident eerily similar to the one which caused her mother's death. In February, she was placed in a medically induced coma in order to treat brain swelling.

She was initially hospitalized at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, though she was released last month and moved to an undisclosed rehab facility.

Bobby's wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown also issued a statement to clarify her husband's remarks, which many interpreted to mean that Bobbi Kristina had made a full recovery, saying Bobby was in "an emotional state."

"My husband made an attempt to correct the negative comments he must endure on a daily basis from both family and the public regarding his daughter’s medical condition," Etheredge-Brown said. "He is encouraged by the steps that Bobbi Kristina has made since her hospitalization on January 31, 2015. She has made it out of ICU, opened her eyes, and started a rehabilitation that will be long and hard."

If Bobbi Kristina has opened her eyes, it does not mean she's out of the woods. Though she's no longer in a coma, a family source told CNN that she doesn't respond to familiar voices and her eyes do not follow a person around a room. She still relies on a tracheostomy to breathe.

Bobbi Kristina's grandmother, Cissy Houston, corroborated the report while speaking with TMZ. "Meeting with the doctors and understanding that she can live in this condition for a lifetime truly saddens me," she said. "I have just returned from visiting my granddaughter Bobbi Kristina in the hospital and while she is no longer in a medically induced coma she has a tracheotomy and according to the doctors she has global and irreversible brain damage and remains unresponsive. We can only trust in God for a miracle at this time. Keep us in your prayers."

Though the full circumstances surrounding Bobbi Kristina's near death have not been uncovered, police are treating the case as a criminal investigation.

Jonathan sacks IG of Police, Suleiman Abba; appoints replacement

President Goodluck Jonathan  has fired Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba.

The sack was announced by the president’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a statement on Tuesday.

No reason was given for the sack.

A Deputy Inspector General of police, Solomon Arase, was appointed to act in his stead.

Mr. Abba’s removal and the assumption of office of his replacement is with immediate effect.

Mr. Abati’s statement read in full, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has relieved the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba of his appointment and duties with immediate effect.

“President Jonathan has also appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase as Acting Inspector-General of Police, also with immediate effect.

“Until his appointment as Mr. Abba’s replacement, Mr. Arase was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“Mr. Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as  Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.

“He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.”

Mr. Abba, 56, became acting Inspector General on August 1, 2014 following the retirement of his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar after 35 years of public service.

He was confirmed substantive IGP on November 4, 2014.

Mr. Abba, was until that appointment an Assistant Inspector General, AIG, in charge of Zone 7 command, a position he occupied since May 25, 2012. He was also a former Aide-De-Camp, ADC, to the wife of a former military Head of State, Maryam Abacha.

With his removal, Mr. Abba will proceed of forced retirement four years before he attains retirement age.

He enlisted in the Nigerian police as cadet inspector on December 31, 1984 and is actually due for retirement on March 22, 2019.

EPISODE 4

+++LOVE & HATE+++https://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings?trk=prof-edit-edit-public_profile
I don’t want to do it.
Parting my lips from his
are probably the one of
the hardest thing I have
come across in a while.
But I have to part my
lips from his, even if it’s
only for a fraction of a
second. I need to
breathe, don’t I? But his
lips are on mine, and we
are kissing so furiously,
it seems impossible to
do it. I’m scared that if
I remove my lips from
his, the magic that has
evolved between us,
this weird connection,
would break. But alas, I
do what I must—I part
my lips from his and
gasp for air as I stare
into his sparkling blue-
green eyes. They look
better in the morning
light, so much better
than in the dark.
The flavor of his tongue
is making me crazy. My
head is spinning. All this
seems so unreal. But it
is true after all. I am
kissing Dylan Kennedy,
commonly known as Mr.
Player. I know I
shouldn’t, but I am. And
I know I shouldn’t be
enjoying it, but I still
am. Again, the painful
parting comes. I feel his
slightly warm breath on
my skin. It sends
tingles down my spine.
Damn, he’s too good at
this—this art of kissing.
I don’t blame all the
girls for kissing him if
this is how he makes
them feel every time
their lips touch his. If
kissing was a business,
he’d be a billionaire.
His hand slowly travels
down my back and
stops on my hips. He
squeezes me closer to
him. God, I’ve never
been this close to any
guy. Till last night, I
hadn’t been kissed, and
now—now things are
so different. I’m openly
making out with a guy I
barely know up against
a tree.
Wait a second…What
the hell am I doing?!
I push Dylan away from
me and stare at him
with a horrified
expression on my face.
He just smirks
knowingly, like he
knows how the kiss we
just had affected me.
“What the hell?!” I curse
angrily and turn away
to walk towards my
car. I suddenly feel his
hands around my arm
and a strong pull. Then I
crash straight into his
rock-hard abs. “What
the hell do you think
you’re doing!?” I hiss
angrily.
“Enjoying myself?” He
says smirking. He
starts leaning towards
me again, his eyes
never leave mine, and
for a second I actually
feel hypnotized by
them. My body goes
rigid and stops
functioning and all I can
do is helplessly stand
there and let him do
what I want.
But that only lasts for a
second or two. Before
he can close the gap
between us even
further, I shrug off his
hands. “Let me go you
dumb-ass!” I say and
push him off again, but
in vain, he is just too
strong.
“That’s hard. I mean I
just can’t let you go…”
he brushes his lips
softly against mine,
causing shivers to run
down my body, tickling
me everywhere. Damn!
This is so not good. I
don’t mean his lips
brushing on mine thing.
(That feels beyond
awesome) No, the bad
thing is, the way I’m
feeling when he’s doing
this.. Or the way it feels
whenever he touches
me, whenever we’re
close. The way it feels
to never want to let go.
I turn my face away
from him, as one last
try for him to stop. His
lips are not on mine
anymore. Instead, they
are just a little above
my neckline. He places a
soft kiss there too.
Oh god, somebody
make him stop!
“Stop it or I’m going to
kick you so hard that
you won’t be able to
walk for a week” I
speak up, finally being
able to catch my breath.
My voice comes out a
little shaky and
strained, but I say
what I want to clearly. I
don’t want him doing
this. I’m not like those
girls he’s used to, the
one who let him do
whatever he wants—
no, I’m not like that and
I’ll never be.
“I don’t understand…”
he mumbles to himself.
I don’t bother asking
him what he doesn’t
understand. I just want
to make the most of
this moment by rushing
off to my ford fiesta
instead of going into his
black sports car; too
bad though, I don’t
succeed. He is blocking
my path.
“Look, I’m sorry. It’s
just that it gets a little
hard to control myself
when I’m around you.
Ever since that kiss you
gave me last night, I
can’t help but want
more.” He says. My
mouth drops open in
shock. What did he just
say?! I take in a huge
amount of air and shut
my mouth again. I can’t
help but stare at him in
shock.
“Look, I’m serious
okay? You’re a really
good kisser. I won’t
mind kissing you again,
you’re too good! Almost
as good as me.” he
starts smirking again as
he says this. Oh how I
want to remove that
sexy smirk off his
gorgeous face! I decide
to keep a good (safe)
distance from him and
head towards his car. I
mean what choice do I
have. He won’t stop
bothering me until I do
as he says. I sit on the
passenger seat of his
car. He starts the
engine and we leave for
school. We don’t talk
much during the
journey. He silently
drives while I stare out
of the window. The
trees pass by in a blur,
he is driving really fast.
“Alex?” he prompts
suddenly. It startles
me. I hadn’t thought
he’d be interested in
conversing at all. In fact
I’d started thinking that
maybe he was
regretting his decision
of giving me a ride to
school.
“Yes?” I reply, glancing
at him from the corner
of me eyes. I don’t
know why but I’m
getting a weird feeling
in the pit of my
stomach.
“How do you do it? I
mean how are you able
to resist me? How can
you be so different
from the other girls?”
he says. He sounds
really exasperated. Like
this thing has been
bothering him for some
time now.
“Well, I never said I was
like all the girls. I’m
unique.” I reply back
smartly, hoping he’ll
drop the topic now and
get back to driving.
Alas, he does no such
thing.
“What I mean is, how
do you resist me? All
the girls I know are
crazy for me, except
you. You’re different.
You don’t like me at all.
Why?”
“One, you don’t know
me, so you cannot
count me as the ‘girls
you know’. You don’t
know anything about
me except my name.
Two, maybe me not
being all gaga for you
has something to do
with you messing
around with all these
girls and then dumping
them away, like used-
up tissue papers. You
seriously disgust me.
How can you do this? I
mean, don’t you feel
bad at all?!” I blurt out
angrily before I can stop
myself.
There, I’ve done it
again. I’ve opened my
big mouth and said
things I shouldn’t have.
What he does is none of
my business, so then
why am I going around,
telling him that what he
does is wrong? I’m so
impulsive, why don’t I
think before doing
something?
“Oh” is all he can
muster up to say. His
face stares ahead
blankly. I’m sure no girl
has ever talked to him
like this before. I sigh
and turn away and
continue to stare
outside. But soon the
silence in the car starts
to bother me. It starts
bothering em to the
point that I cannot take
it anymore.
“Look, I’m sorry. I know
it’s none of my
business what you do
with all those girls or
why you do it. As long
as I or someone I know
is not in the picture, it’s
none of my business.
Who am I to stop you?
We’re not even friends.
So go on. Go and mess
around with all the girls.
Kiss them, hold their
hands, and take them
on dates and then
break their hearts.
Heck! Go and have sex
with each one of them
and end up with HIV
AIDS. It’s none of my
business.” I say, still
not meeting his gaze.
We drop the subject
then.
“Your mom is nice. I like
her. I mean, she’s really
sweet. You both look so
much alike. I mean
you’ve got dark brown
locks just like her and
your face is so much
alike, but your eyes…
they’re not hazel.
They’re brown…like your
dad, I suppose?”
I bite my lip and nod.
Silently hoping he won’t
continue onto this topic
and keep talking about
my dad. I don’t ever
discuss my dad with
anyone—not mum, not
even Tia. It’s a taboo
topic for me, it makes
me really
uncomfortable.
“So, what’s his
profession? He left
pretty early I mean. If
he would have been
there, I would have
seen him eating
breakfast or something.
Is he out of town?”
Dylan asks casually.
I sit there silently for a
second or two, silently
contemplating how to
make him change the
subject of our
conversation. After a
lot of thinking, I decide
to tell him the truth.
Not the whole truth of
course, but tell him that
my dad doesn’t live
with us. “Oh, uh…umm…
dad doesn’t live with us.
My mom’s divorced.” I
say slowly. I feel my
insides twist and my
throat starts to clog.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He
replies, sounding slightly
take-aback. He clearly
feels uncomfortable
now too, like bringing up
the topic was a big
mistake.
“No, it’s okay.” I
mumble. I feel
something warm and
wet trickle down my
cheek. Shit, I’m crying.
How long has it been
since I’ve cried because
of my dad? A while,
yes. I silently curse
myself for losing it and
start crying right here in
front of this stranger.
Dylan glances at me at
the same time and on
seeing me crying, he
immediately stops the
car.
“Alex, are you okay?
Shit! You’re crying. What
happened?” he looks
so…concerned. Why is he
concerned? Who am I to
him but a stranger? And
isn’t he supposed to be
a jerk? After all he’s an
expert in trampling over
people’s feelings? So
why does he look so
concerned?
“Alex, talk to me. What
is wrong?” He slowly
tilts my chin upwards,
so that my gaze meets
his. I quickly look away
and wipe off my tears.
Damn! I’m so stupid. I
randomly started crying
in front of him! Geez,
how bad can I get? I
feel like vanishing off in
thin air right now. This
is so embarrassing. This
is the second time I’ve
started crying in front
of him.
“Is it because of your…
dad? I’m sorry. But I
seriously had no clue.
I’m—I’m really sorry.”
he says, looking really
uncomfortable. Clearly,
he’s not used to girls
crying. He doesn’t know
what to say or do,
that’s why he’s simply
sitting in front of me,
looking all awkward. I’m
sure he wants to bolt
right out of here.
“No, it’s not your
mistake of course. It’s
just…nothing.” My voice
comes out as a
whisper.
Maybe it’s my tone of
voice that finally makes
him realize that I’m not
comfortable talking
about it. He finally drops
it. “Alright, I believe you.
I won’t bug you with
questions and all…
sorry.” I nod slightly and
he starts the car again.
After this he keeps
glancing at me from
time to time, probably
to make sure I’m not
crying. By the looks of
it, I know he’s
wondering why I
suddenly started crying
so much. Not that he’s
going to find out any
time soon.
****
“Stop the car. Stop it!
Stop it now!” I suddenly
exclaim, taking Dylan by
surprise. He looks really
startled.
“But why? School is like
three to four blocks
from here.” He says,
looking confused. Small
worry lines crease his
forehead.
I try to ignore how
adorable he looks while
he confused. “I
absolutely have no
problem with that. I can
walk to school from
here.”
“You don’t need to. I’m
dropping you off to
school, remember?”
“I don’t want you to!
Don’t you get that? I
already have a car! I
don’t even know why
I’m here in the first
place.” I say as clearly
as possible.
“But I want to give you
a lift to school!”
“You don’t have to do
anything, alright? I don’t
want you to driving me
to school and back. I
repeat I have a car. Why
would I want you to
drive me around? Please
stop the car.”
“No, I won’t” he replies
adamantly.
“Yes, you will.”
“No I will not”
“Yes you will or I will
jump off the car.” I say;
my expression serious
and my tone adamant.
“You would not!” he
exclaims, sounding
shocked.
“Oh really? Wanna give
it a try? Watch me!” I
threaten him. Of course
I will not jump. I’m not
that stupid. But I’m
seriously enjoying this,
his slightly frightened
expression. I open the
door of his speeding car
to make him think that
I’m really about to
jump.
“Hey, are you crazy?!
Shut the door!” he
shouts.
“Then stop the car.” I
reply back coolly.
“Fine!” he exclaims. He
has given up, I can see
it in his expressions,
and hear it in his voice.
He drives the car aside
and parks it under a
tree. He immediately
turns to look at me, his
eyes narrowing down
on me. “What the hell is
wrong with you?! Are
you insane?” he
exclaims, sounding
pissed.
I snort. “No, I’m not
insane. It’s just that I
have no interest for the
whole school to see me
with you, Mr. Player.” I
reply back honestly.
Dylan gives an
exasperated sigh. I
know I can be a pain in
the butt whenever I
want to, and I enjoy it
too. “Why? What’s
wrong with you?! You’re
getting to drive with
me! Dylan Kennedy! Girls
would kill to get a drive
in my car with me!”
I snort again. “Puh-leez!
I’d prefer walking a
hundred miles then
spending it with you in
your car.”
“What is your
problem?!” He sounds
so exasperated, and so
irritated. I don’t know
why but I’m enjoying
this thoroughly.
“You! Yes, you are my
problem. Ever since
yesterday, at the party,
you just won’t leave
me alone. Why can’t you
leave me the hell
alone!?” We glare at
each other continuously,
our eyes narrowed
down onto each other,
not leaving the others
for even a second, not
even blinking.
Dylan is the first one to
give-up. “Fine then, miss
stubborn. You are free
to go.” I happily get off
the car, smiling to
myself triumphantly.
“But not without me.”
He adds, and gets off
the car too. I turn
around to glare at him,
all the happiness leaving
my body immediately,
making it go cold.
“And what about your
car?” I say cocking my
eyebrows enquiringly.
My hands wrap
themselves around
each other below my
chest and I stand there
in front of him
demandingly.
“Who cares if someone
steals my baby? I mean
it’s a beautiful car.
Crooks would love to
have it. But I can’t leave
such a beautiful girl like
you alone on the
streets. Cities aren’t
safe, especially for a
hot chick like you” He
says sounding really
concerned and worried.
I narrow my eyes at
him. I know he is just
exaggerating about the
“cities aren’t safe” part.
But his car can get
stolen, that is true.
Besides, car or no car he
is coming, which is
definitely not
something I want.
I make a face at him
and then groan. “Why
can’t you just leave me
alone!?”
“Because, I’m
interested in you!” He
exclaims. My heart skips
a beat when he says
he’s interested in me.
It’s so surprising. No
one ever notices me—
ever. I’m plain, and
ordinary and boring
and…Me. No one ever
gives me a second look.
And now the school’s
hottest guy here is
standing in front of me
and is saying he’s
interested in me! This
seems so unbelievable.
Not that it changes
anything. Interested or
not, I don’t want to be
seen with him. I keep
thinking about how to
get rid of him and then
finally get the perfect
idea. “Okay, let’s go by
your car. But, I’ll drive!” I
chirp.
“No way!” he exclaims. I
giggle, my plan is
working. I know how
guys are totally
passionate about their
cars. They don’t like it
when someone else
even touches them.
Then the idea of him
letting me drive it was
next to impossible. So
this means I’ll finally be
getting rid of him. Yay
for that!
“Yes way, or else…I’ll
walk; you bring your
car” I say, smirking.
Finally things are going
my way. Any minute
now, he’ll give up and
drive away and I can
happily walk to school
on my own.
“Damn!” he mutters. I
start crazy dancing
right there on the
street. He glares at me
as I do. I simply laugh in
return. I’ve finally
emerged victorious.
Now he has no choice at
all. He has to leave me
alone.
But alas, my happiness
is short-lived. “Okay,
you drive” he tosses
me the keys. “But with
care. I love my baby,
don’t let anything
happen to her, or I
swear I’ll kill you.”
My mouth drops open.
He’s okay with me
driving? Damn! I guess I
won’t be getting rid of
him anytime soon.
“Wow, at least you love
a car, if not a girl, Mr.
Casanova.” I say
snidely. I turn to look at
his car. It’s gorgeous,
no kidding at all. I guess
I’ll make the most of
this chance and just
drive this amazing car. I
get into the driver’s
seat as Dylan gets into
the passenger’s seat. I
start the engine, the
car roars to life and we
set off.
I wait for a second or
two for Dylan to fully
get out of his car, and
then toss him the car
keys, and then without
a single glance, I
hurriedly walk away. I
notice people staring
curiously at me from
afar. It’s not every day
that you see a girl arrive
in school in Mr. Player’s
car. Especially a girl like
me—plain, boring
looking, not belonging to
the popular crowd, an
invisible stranger. It’s
not that Dylan didn’t
bring girls to school, he
did. He brought tall, slim
girls with model-like
figures and long legs. He
usually pushed them
against his black sports
car and made-out with
them right there and
then in the parking lot,
in front of everyone.
This was nothing new,
a girl arriving with him.
What was new was a
girl like me being seen
with Dylan.
I hurriedly walk away,
trying to hide
somewhere from all the
judgmental eyes,
analyzing me, judging
me, like they know me.
They all are probably
thinking along the same
lines—that I’m an easy
‘catch’, another one of
Mr. Player’s plaything,
that I probably won’t
last more than 2-3
days. They can’t be
more wrong. I’m not
anyone to Dylan,
definitely not one of his
girls who fall to his feet
the first chance they
get. But they all
probably consider me a
slut anyway, for being
seen coming out of
Dylan. But what do they
know? They don’t
know I’d never been
kissed until last night.
But that’s how people
are, judging is human
nature. It’s in our
genes, our blood. We
assume things about
people without actually
knowing anything about
them. We think of
nasty things and
stereotype people, not
considering that these
same people might
have some goodness in
them too. And honestly,
I don’t blame them. I
myself have judged
uncountable number of
people—intentionally or
unintentionally, but I
have. It’ll be hypocritical
of me to lash out at
these people for doing
something I’ve done
myself many times.
I silently walk, not
paying attention to
anyone. Suddenly, a
hand clasps around
mine. My first instinct is
to yank off that hand
and punch whoever it is
doing this. That’s just
who I am, I don’t like
being touched
unnecessarily. But I
don’t do it, something
prevents me from doing
it, and boy am I glad I
didn’t do it! It’s Tia
who’d grabbed my
hand, not some lousy
stranger. Thank god I
didn’t do what I was
about to do. I don’t
think my best friend
would appreciate me
punching her.
“Thank god, I thought
you would never stop.”
she exclaims. “I’ve been
calling out your name
for the past minute,
didn’t you hear me?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. My mind
was too preoccupied. I
just didn’t want
everyone to stare at
me. You know how
much I hate it when
people stare at me.” I
mumble.
“Yeah, I know. So tell
me, how did it go? How
in the world did you let
Dylan give you a lift?”
She asks in her let’s-
gossip-about-someone
voice. She wants all the
juicy details, not that
there are any.
“Oh, it’s a long story.
Besides, I’m not talking
to you, so I don’t have
to tell you anything” I
reply back, suddenly
remembering I’m
supposed to be angry
at her for giving Dylan
my phone number and
address. I mean who
does that, giving their
best friend’s personal
details to a random
(hot) stranger?
“What? Why? What did I
do?” Tia asks, her voice
laced with worry.
I narrow my eyes at
her. “You know very
well what you did”
“Fine, so I gave him your
phone number, and
address, big deal!” she
exclaims, rolling her
eyes, like she can’t
believe how childish I’m
acting.
“Not to mention I have
to endure car rides with
him every day, because
of you, when I don’t
even need to. I have my
own car thank you very
much.”
+++TO BE CONTINUED+++