SWEET SPOT

Hot Sauce 15

Nyla

I stood there, frozen, as Ezekiel stepped closer. My heart was still racing from the shock of seeing him again so soon. I had just run after him like a fool, and now he was standing right in front of me, breathing a little fast like he had run back too.

“What is going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you here?”

He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he reached into his pocket and brought out a small, delicate necklace. The chain caught the afternoon light, sparkling softly. He moved closer, gently lifting it toward my neck.

I stood completely still, too stunned to move, as he fastened the clasp behind my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin for a brief second, sending a shiver down my spine. When he stepped back, I looked down at the necklace resting against my collarbone. It was beautiful — simple, elegant, with a small pendant that caught the light perfectly.

“This one looks more beautiful,” he said softly, his eyes on me.

I swallowed hard and touched the necklace with trembling fingers. It felt cool against my skin. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. My mind was spinning.

“What is the meaning of this?” I finally asked, my voice shaky.

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little nervous. “Remember when I told you I would get you a necklace? I decided to get you this one. Sorry, I couldn’t find that same necklace that you said you wanted. I looked for it, but I couldn’t find it. It’s my fault for being careless with the first one.”

I scoffed softly, the sound low and bitter. Did he actually think I was a fool? He had lied about losing the necklace. He had given it to Aida. And now he was standing here acting like none of that had happened. What a joke.

He continued, his voice gentle. “And so, when I was actually going home, I saw this one and decided to stop the taxi and get it. You had to see how fast I was running down here hoping you hadn’t gone. And I’m glad you didn’t go.”

I sighed softly, my fingers still touching the pendant. It really was pretty. But I couldn’t accept it. Not like this.

I reached behind my neck and unclasped the necklace, holding it out to him. “I think that I won’t take this from you. I don’t want it.”

His face fell. The disappointment was clear in his eyes. “Why not?”

I shook my head. “Because I don’t want it. I know that you want to gift me, but I don’t want it. I’m really sorry.”

He looked at me for a long moment, his expression hurt. “You are not telling me… did I do anything wrong?”

Before I could answer, the bus came around the corner. I was saved by the bell.

“Let’s talk later,” I said quickly, turning away from him.

I stepped onto the bus without looking back. I hoped and prayed that he wouldn’t follow me inside. I wasn’t ready to talk to him. I wasn’t ready for any of this.

Thankfully, he stayed outside. I could feel his eyes on me through the window as I found a seat. People started boarding, the driver closed the doors, and the bus began to move.

I let out a soft sigh and looked straight ahead, trying to ignore the ache in my chest and the weight of the unanswered questions between us.

This was all too much.

I finally got home, the weight of the day pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. I slipped through the front door quietly, hoping to avoid questions, but Mom was in the living room folding clothes.

“So how was your school day?” she asked, looking up with a warm smile.

I forced a small smile. “Fine.”

She studied me for a second, her eyes narrowing slightly. She knew me too well. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, already heading toward my bedroom. “I’m just tired.”

I closed the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. The room felt too quiet, too empty. I pulled out my phone and saw several missed calls from Susie. I didn’t have the energy to call her back right away.

Later that night, my phone rang. It was Susie.

I answered with a tired sigh. “Hey.”

“Girl, the rehearsal was actually fun,” she said, her voice bright. “But why did you leave like that? Aida looked so confused when you just walked out.”

I took a deep breath and told her everything. The necklace on Aida’s neck. How I had thrown it away in anger. How Ezekiel had told me he lost it when it wasn’t true. How I had pushed him away because I thought he was with Aida.

Susie was silent for a moment. “Wait… the necklace on Aida’s neck today?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

“Oh my goodness,” she breathed. “Everyone was actually saying how beautiful it was. And when they asked her how she got it, she said it was her boyfriend who gave it to her.”

My heart broke all over again. The words hit me like a punch to the chest. I felt tears sting my eyes.

“I was actually thinking that both of them must be dating,” Susie continued softly. “Now it makes sense why you left like that.”

I was shaking. “I’m really thankful that I didn’t even collect that other necklace from him today.”

“You know what,” I said, my voice thick with emotion, “I think I want to end the call now. I want to go to bed.”

“Okay then,” Susie replied gently. “Don’t think too much of it, okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Goodnight.”

I kept my phone aside and curled up under the covers, trying hard not to think about it. But the image of that necklace on Aida’s neck kept flashing in my mind. I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come.

Just then, my phone beeped.

I opened it with a sigh. It was a message from Ezekiel.

Ezekiel: I am outside your house right now. Please let’s talk.

I gnashed my teeth and replied quickly.

Nyla: What do you want to talk about?

Ezekiel: It’s not something to be spoken on the phone, please. I am restless and I want to talk to you badly.

I sighed softly.

Nyla: I don’t want to talk to you. Go home, Ezekiel.

There was no response. I thought maybe he had given up. I kept my phone aside and covered myself up, ready to sleep.

After some minutes, I heard a knock on my window.

I sat up, startled. Did I even hear right? I quickly stood up and looked at the window.

Ezekiel was there — standing on a ladder, his face pressed close to the glass.

He had brought a ladder?!

I was so shocked that I stumbled back, nearly falling to the ground. My heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my ears.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my voice shaking.

He knocked again, his eyes pleading. “Let me in, please.”

I stood there, frozen, staring at him through the glass. What the heck was happening? How had things gotten to this point?