Page 49 of Two’s Better

Ofure’s message said she was on the bus home, so I quickly put on some proper outside clothes and left my room. I glanced into the sitting room before heading out, but neither Prince nor Dayo were there, even though I knew they were home. Probably in their rooms, then.

I quickly made my way down to Wok and Go, then the corner shop, and hurried to the bus stop to wait when I was done.

I got there just in time. Ofure’s bus arrived just a few moments after I’d rested my butt against the uncomfortable ass bench. I straightened, the goods I’d purchased clutched in a plastic bag in my left hand.

Ofure didn’t notice me at first, and my heart lurched at the expression on her face. She looked miserable, eyes shadowed, lips slightly downturned in the corners.

She only saw me when she stepped off the bus, and, despite her obvious upset, immediately brightened. My heart gave another lurch. Behind her came Fiona and Bernice, with the latter’s arm thrown around the former’s shoulders.

“Hey ladies,” I said with a playful grin. “Just here to take this particular lady off your hands.” I motioned at Ofure.

Bernice groaned out what sounded like a “hello”, but I couldn’t be sure. Fiona rolled her eyes, though it seemed directed more at the woman in her arms than at me.

“See you later, then,” she said with a little wave, then she and Bernice walked off.

I reached out with my right hand, and Ofure easily tangled our fingers. She followed the pace I set, which was a little slower than Fiona’s and Bernice’s so we could have some privacy. We didn’t speak, though, simply basking in the silence. And even though we didn’t speak, I could tell just this short, slow walk was already making my best friend feel better.

“How’re the guys faring? I think Bernice might’ve drank a little too much at Felicia’s last night,” Ofure said when we were inside my room, her lips curved with an amusement that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I’m guessing they’re fine,” I replied, mirroring her slight smile. “I heard them come in, but I’d still been asleep. Haven’t seen them all day. They’re in, though, probably sequestered in their rooms.”

“Ah.”

“Here.” I handed her the bag of goodies.

She opened it. Inside was her favourite meal from Wok and Go: beef fried rice—large, extra spicy; her favourite mango pop drink; and a pack of Eclair caramel chocolates.

She stared down at the goods for a moment, her lower lip wobbling. Then she whispered, “I love you,” and began to tear up.

“Aw. Fure, baby. Come here,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “I love you, too.”

She hugged me tight, chest hitching. I held her for as long as she seemed to need it, giving her time to compose herself.

“Come on,” I whispered when she seemed more in control, tugging her gently toward my bed.

I made her sit on the inner part of the bed against the walls, her legs stretched out in front of her, then I grabbed my laptop and joined her.

“You didn’t order anything for yourself,” she said with a pout, glancing around my room like another takeaway bag would appear from thin air.

God, she was so fucking cute, even when she was upset. “I’m good, I promise.”

“We can share if you want. I don’t mind.”

“I really am good, Ofure. I mean it.”

“At least have some Eclairs.”

I hesitated. “Fine. I will have some Eclairs.”

She beamed, reaching for the bag of sweets. I’d gotten her a pack with fifty pieces of the caramel, chocolate-stuffed candies, and she proceeded to hand me a fistful after she’d ripped the bag open. I took them from her with a fond smile, dropped them in my lap, then unwrapped one and popped it into my mouth.

“Happy?”

“Immensely.” She brought out the rectangular paper packaging holding her rice, then fished out the chopsticks.

I put on an episode of one of our favourite cartoons. She ate, I licked my sweets, and we laughed occasionally at the characters’ shenanigans happening on the screen. She was done eating when the episode ended, and had popped open her mango soda.

She looked at me, her eyes so full of love it made me want to kiss her. I was allowed to kiss her, but for some reason, I hesitated, my heart pounding oddly. Every other kiss we’d shared had been under the guise of our “pact”. I’d come to a realisation when I’d asked her to extend said pact last night, but only fully accepted it to myself just now.