Knock knock knock.

"Come in," Mrs Kayode called and Jazz came into the office. She requested to call her parents and Mrs Kayode nodded, dialing her father's number and giving the phone to her.

"Hello?"

"Dad."

"Jazz!" Michael let out a sigh. "How are you honey?"

"I'm okay."

"Is everything alright? Your mother and I have been calling you but-"

"I know, I was mad at you guys."

"Don't worry hun, you will come to know the reason for our sending you there. Just let us know if you need anything or if you need more money and we'll send it to you right away."

"The only thing I need is to leave this school."

"You're not leaving anytime soon because you have to complete the session so be patient. And one more thing, stay out of trouble Jazz. Your principal told me about your suspension and frankly, I'm not surprised but I need you to not associate with people who could put you in trouble and be a good girl for daddy okay."

"Okay," Jazz replied dryly.

"Now speak to your mother, she's been dying to hear your voice."

"Jazz my baby," Darlene said softly.

"Hey mom."

"How are you doing over there and how are you adjusting to your new school and dorm life? Hope you're not finding it difficult and have made some friends?"

"Oh you know me, being very adaptable and making tons of new friends in minutes," Jazz replied sarcastically.

"That's great honey. I miss you so much, we miss you so much. Just be safe for mommy okay."

"Yes mom, I'll make sure to cover myself with bubble wrap so I don't get a paper cut."

Darlene chuckled. "We love you Jazz."

"I love you too. Bye," Jazz replied softly and hung up. "Can I call someone else?" She asked.

"I'm afraid not, you're only allowed to call or receive calls from your parents during the week. You can call whoever you want during the weekend," Mrs Kayode said and took her phone from Jazz who left the office pouting.

"Hey Jazz," Mitchel called but she ignored him as she hurried down the crowded hall. "Jazz?" He called again, going after her.

She stopped abruptly, almost making him bump into her. "Hi," She replied rudely.

"How are you? I heard what happened between you and Ella, hope you're okay?" Mitchel asked.

"I'm okay." Jazz chuckled dryly. "If she had tried to hurt me in any way, I'd run her over with a Mack truck."

Mitchel stared at her for a while before speaking. "Okay... Would you like to study with me during free period tomorrow? I formed a study group for me and a few of my friends, you should join us."

Jazz hissed, "I would love to join you guys but, actually I wouldn't so... see ya later Michael."

"It's Mitchel and come on, it'll be fun. There'll be quizzes, games and spelling bees," He mentioned. Jazz noticed the badge on his chest. She then recognized him as the boy who stood alongside a girl on the podium during assembly. He was the head boy. Such a nerd.

"Thanks head boy, but I'd rather spend my free period staring at myself in the mirror than study with a bunch of nerds."

"We are not nerds, we just like to utilize our leisure by studying ahead, learning AI, completing assignments, enhancing our spelling skills and developing our vocabulary."

"And you say you're not nerds?" Jazz chuckled.

"We can be fun and cool when we have to be."

"Whatever."

Just as they left the school building, they were met by Ella and her crew. Ella glared at Jazz but her glare softened when she saw Mitchel and Jazz rolled her eyes.

"Mitchel," Ella called ever so softly.

"Ella," He called back.

"Uh how're you?"

"I've never been better."

"I know," Ella replied sweetly and smiled.

Jazz gagged. "I'm outta here," She said as she pushed her way past the girls and Mitchel went after her.

"Mitchel why are you following her?" Ella asked, her voice laced with jealousy and anger.

"That's none of your business," Mitchel replied.

"I know, but why her?" Ella whined.

Jazz turned around. "Don't you have a school to clean up? You don't have much time now, it'll be time for prep soon and you know what happens when you're late to prep," She said and winked at Ella then walked away with Mitchel walking beside her.

"So... Tomorrow?" Mitchel asked when they had gotten away from Ella.

"I'm pretty sure I made it clear I don't wanna join your study group," Jazz replied.

"No problem. I'll see you later then," He said and waved at her before jogging to the football field to meet a group of boys who seemed to be waiting for him.

"Did you call them?" Kelechi asked as Jazz walked into the room.

"Yes."

"What about your bestie?"

"Apparently, we're only allowed to call our parents on weekdays so I wasn't able to call her."

"I'm just glad that you called your parents, I can only imagine how happy they were to know you're doing okay."

"They were very happy," Jazz said. "I'm not mad at them anymore, I think they've suffered enough."

"Good, you've forgiven them. See, that's the right thing to do," Kelechi said and went back to what she was doing.

"Hey," Jazz called and Kelechi turned to her. "I'm sorry about your parents."

"It's okay, I've gotten over it a long time ago, I guess."

"Now that the emotional drama is over, I have some good news," Ronke said from the door, startling them.

"Ronke you scared us," Kelechi said, holding her chest.

"I know. Now guess the good news." Ronke grinned.

"I'm finally leaving this school?!" Jazz attempted.

"No, how is that good news for us?"

"It's good news for me."

"Try again."

"We're going shopping?!"

"No."

"We're going to get pizza?!"

"No."

"We're going to get--"

"We're not going to get anything, Jazz. It's Kel's birthday on Thursday!" Ronke chirped and hugged Kelechi.

"Cool," Jazz said.

"Oh my god, so that's the good news?" Kelechi asked.

"Yes!! And I'm going to make sure we turn this entire school upside down for you girl."

"Please don't do anything of the sort." Kelechi buried her head in her palms.

"I'm not asking for your permission. I'll try to convince Mrs K. to let us go out on Saturday so we can celebrate, maybe get a small cake to stuff our mouths with and some harmless red wine."

"What about some other type of wine?" Jazz asked sheepishly and Kelechi frowned at her. "No, no alcohol," She said.

"Pff duh," Jazz said and looked away.

"And besides, I'm not going anywhere. I'll just stay here and do what I love doing most."

"Being boring?" Jazz asked.

"No, reading. I borrowed a new novel from the library and I would love to start it as soon as I can."

"What is wrong with you? Why would you want to spend your birthday reading instead of having fun with your girls?" Jazz stared at Kelechi as if she was from another planet.

"I just don't see the point, I mean, we came to school to learn and not to go out and celebrate birthdays."

"Shut up, if you don't want to come then suit yourself, we'll just go without you and have fun on your behalf," Ronke said.

"Fine, I'll come but we have to make it simple and quick okay," Kelechi agreed.

"I knew you'd come to your senses." Ronke hugged her tight.

"Where are you going to get the money for our outing?"

"I'll take care of that, anything to get me outta here and actually have some fun," Jazz replied.

Ronke smirked at Kelechi. "I told you having a rich roommate has its perks."

Amarachi and Fatima then walked into the room. "Hey guys, Kel's birthday is on Thursday," Ronke said to them.

"Really," They said. "That's nice."

"Yeah and we may be going out on Saturday to celebrate. Don't worry, we'll try to bring something for you guys."

"Would you guys like to come?" Kelechi asked and Ronke glared at her.

"We'd love to come but we'll be very busy this weekend, we have a lot of things to do," Amarachi answered.

"Okay then."

The girls talked about the birthday celebrations, what they were going to wear and how they were going to convince the matron to let them leave school on Saturday. They hoped she would give them permission, otherwise they would have to stay in school and read books with Kelechi.

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