As night fell, the tension in the house remained thick. Alchemy found sleep impossible, so she stepped outside past midnight for some air.
To her surprise, Kwame was already there. She walked toward him, a faint smile on her face.
"I suppose you're having trouble sleeping too," Alchemy said softly.
Kwame glanced at her briefly, his expression indifferent, before looking away.
Breaking the silence, she said, "Marvel asked me to be his girlfriend."
"Alright," Kwame replied curtly, turning to leave.
"Is that all?" Alchemy asked, stopping him. "Aren't you going to try and change my mind?"
Kwame paused and faced her, his voice rising. "What do you expect me to do? Fight for you? Tell me what you want me to say, Alchemy."
"I hate you," he continued bitterly. "I regret ever meeting you."
"Wow!" Alchemy shot back. "Did you ever love me at all, why are you giving up on us easily?"
"You cheated on me with my brother," Kwame said coldly. "You told me yourself that you love him."
"But I love you more," Alchemy whispered.
Kwame stared at her, disgust flashing in his eyes. He stepped closer and took her hands.
"Then choose me," he said quietly. "Stay away from Marvel. Be with me."
"I can't," Alchemy replied, pulling her hands away.
He tried to kiss her, but she stepped back. "I can't," she repeated firmly.
"Are you going to date him?" Kwame asked, his voice barely steady.
"Maybe," Alchemy said. "He's very determined."
"I hope he treats you better than I did," Kwame said, his eyes glistening. Then he turned and walked away.
The next morning at breakfast, Alchemy rose from her seat and said she had an announcement. "Kwame and I have decided to go back to being just friends," she announced. "We realized we're better off that way."
Kwame took a slow sip of water, stood up, and replied, "We broke up because Alchemy cheated on me with Marvel." He then sat back down.
Alchemy reached for Marvel's hand. "I'm in love with Marvel," she said. "We're together now."
"Are you alright with this?" Aunt Kathy asked, turning to Kwame.
"I'm fine, Mom," he said quietly before leaving the table.
"Couldn't you have waited until after breakfast?" Gisela muttered, following Kwame out.
"Congratulations, son," Uncle Mike said to Marvel with a nod.
"Really?" Tansy asked sharply and walked away without another word.
After breakfast, Alchemy noticed Gisela leave the room and took the chance to speak with Kwame. She found him sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Before you say anything, please listen," she began. "I'm leaving next weekend when school reopens. I'd like for us to remain peaceful until then. I also hope you won't mind if Marvel and I show affection while you're around."
"You're invisible to me, Alchemy," Kwame said coldly as he opened the door behind her. "Do whatever you want. Now leave."
"I'm truly sorry, Kwame. I didn't.. "
"Get out!" he interrupted, his voice sharp.
The following day, Kwame and Gisela sat together in the living room watching a show when Marvel and Alchemy joined them.
Noticing how downcast Kwame appeared, Gisela asked if he would accompany her to the supermarket.
"Thank you," Kwame said quietly as they headed out.
"She'll be leaving soon," Gisela replied. "You'll have plenty of time to move on."
For the rest of the week, Kwame ate alone and avoided joining the family for meals.
By the weekend, Alchemy was preparing to leave. Everyone gathered downstairs to say goodbye, everyone except Kwame and Gisela.
Chapter 13 GOODBYES
"Are you certain you don't want to say goodbye?" Gisela asked Kwame, who was absorbed in a video game.
"Yes, I'm sure," he replied without looking up. "But you should go."
"If you' say so," Gisela said softly, and left.
"Where's Kwame?" Uncle Mike asked when he noticed his absence.
"He won't come," Gisela answered, drawing everyone's attention.
Alchemy immediately set her belongings down and hurried to Kwame's room. He was still playing when she entered.
The moment he saw her, he dropped the controller and stood up. Without a word, Alchemy ran to him and embraced him tightly.
Kwame tried to return the hug but couldn't, tears streamed down his face.
"I'm so sorry, Kwame," Alchemy whispered, crying.
After a moment, Kwame gently pulled away. "Goodbye," he said quietly, and turned back to his game.
"Did you really need to go see him?" Marvel asked as they drove to the airport.
"Is that jealousy I detect?" Alchemy teased with a grin.
"You wish," Marvel replied, laughing.
"If another guy approaches you, what will you say?" Marvel asked.
"I have a boyfriend," Alchemy answered, still laughing.
"Wrong," Marvel corrected. "You have a husband, not a boyfriend."
"Alright, fine," Alchemy said with a smile.
"We'll talk every day," Marvel promised.
"And keep each other updated," Alchemy added.
"I love you so much," Marvel said quietly.
"I love you more, Marvel," Alchemy replied.
"I want to kiss you," Marvel said suddenly.
"You can, after you drop me off at the airport," Alchemy replied, and they both burst into laughter.