Kelechi and Ronke quickly got up from their beds as they stared at Amarachi in shock. They had just gotten back from their outing. Could it be that Mrs Williams wasn't happy about it? They hoped that it was not what they thought it was. If what they were thinking was right, then they were in some serious trouble. Jazz looked unfazed and just lay on her bed, propping her head with her hands.

"What? Now?" Kelechi asked.

"Yes, and she did not look happy," Fatima replied.

"I told you I had a feeling that Mrs Williams won't be happy with us leaving school but no one listened to me. Did we even have to go out to celebrate my birthday? It's not as if it was that important. It was not. This outing is not even going to be worth the punishment we are going to be given. I have never gotten into trouble ever since I've been in this school, I wonder how I will face her now," Kelechi said and buried her head in her palms.

"Keep quiet and stop being paranoid. We don't even know the reason why she sent for us," Ronke said.

"Kelechi is right, Mrs Williams is not happy because you guys went out," Amarachi said.

"How did you know?" Ronke asked.

"I was in matron's office because she wanted me to buy something for her. That was when Jazz's dad called and wanted to speak with her but matron told him she went out with some of her mates. He got upset and asked matron why Jazz would be allowed to go on an outing just like that when he had sent her to a boarding school. Matron tried to apologize but he just hung up on her." Jazz facepalmed and Amarachi continued, "The phone was not on speaker but I managed to make out what he was saying as I have sharp ears. I guess he called Mrs Williams and complained to her because few minutes later, she sent for matron. I lurked around Mrs Williams' office so that I could see and hear what was going on but I couldn't hear anything since the door was closed. Few minutes later, matron left the principal's office frowning which is scary because she rarely frowns. I don't know what they talked about but I guess Mrs Williams must have scolded matron or even queried her for what she did. After a while, Mrs Williams sent for me and asked me to tell you guys that she wanted to see you in her office immediately you got back."

Fatima shook her head. "You like talking. Did you really have to narrate every single detail?"

"Of course, they need to know exactly how it happened," Amarachi replied.

"Oh no, what have we done?" Kelechi started to pace about the room. "I can't get suspended, what will I tell my uncle Mark? What will I tell my parents when I get to heaven if I eventually get expelled and die of a heart attack?"

"Shut up Kel, nobody is dying here okay!" Ronke said.

"I'm sorry, I'm just overreacting for no reason. You know I'm not very good at dealing with anxiety. I'm so scared right now."

"Chill, this is not such a big deal. We'll just go to the principal's office and explain to her that we only went on a harmless outing, no one was robbed or kidnapped or killed," Jazz said, casually.

"Easy for you to say because you don't have a spotless reputation to uphold. I have never been suspended or expelled my entire life."

"Calms girl, let's just go and see Mrs Williams, it's not like we have an option," Ronke told her.

"Okay," Kelechi said and they left the room.

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By the time Jazz, Kelechi and Ronke got to the office, the others were already there. They all exchanged questioning looks, hoping that at least one of them knew the reason why they were there. Mrs Williams just went on reading a book as if she didn't know they were there.

"Are you complete?" She asked without looking up.

"Yes ma," Mitchel replied.

"All ten of you?" She asked again.

"Yes ma."

"Good," She said and looked up at them. She looked at each of them before saying, "I know Mrs Kayode gave you permission to leave school so I won't punish you for that. You decided to go through your matron because you knew I wouldn't let you, is that right. I should punish you for this, but I will let it slide just this once. Henceforth, you are not allowed to leave the school premises for any reason unless given permission from me or Mr Nwosu. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes ma," They chorused, except Jazz.

"Speaking of Mr Nwosu, Ella, why did you leave school when you are under punishment? Or did you perhaps assign a clone to do it for you while you were gone? Just because Mr Nwosu doesn't live within school and isn't around to monitor you doesn't mean you can just skip your punishment and get away with it."

"Um, I- I didn't, I mean, I- I forgot, I-" Ella stuttered, making Jazz laugh silently.

"Save it! You will explain yourself to him on Monday," Mrs Williams said and Ella squeaked.

"We're very sorry ma, we shouldn't have done this," Mitchel apologized.

"I'm not angry at you, at least not anymore. I expected some level of discipline and responsibility from my head boy and head girl. And I hope that now, you have known to do the right thing next time."

"Yes ma," Mitchel and Zainab chorused.

"Kelechi and Samuel, both of you are class reps and you, Kelechi, are even one of the most responsible students in this school so I expected that you would at least stop them from going out but instead, you joined them. Anyway, I want to believe that this is the last time this is going to happen."

"Yes ma, it won't happen again," Mitchel said.

"Alright, you can all leave."

"Thank you ma," They chorused and turned to leave.

"Jazz, stay," Mrs Williams ordered.

"What is it now?" Jazz groaned.

"How has your stay at our school been?" Mrs Williams asked.

"Horrible," Jazz replied dryly.

"What exactly made it horrible, did any student or teacher offend you?"

"Everything about this school offends me," Jazz deadpanned.

"It's just in your head dear, you developed a hatred for this school before you got here so you're finding it difficult to like anything about it. If you can just change your perception about this school, I'm sure you'll love it and will have a good time. Why don't you give it a try?"

Jazz scoffed. "As if."

"Being friends with Kelechi is a very good start to your stay here because she is a good girl and I am sure some of that would rub off on you gradually." Mrs Williams smiled.

Jazz scoffed louder this time. "Not gonna happen."

"I know you don't see it now, but you will someday. Jazz, you're an intelligent and smart young lady and you have a very bright future. You don't only need good grades but you also need good character to be successful. No one wants to work with an arrogant and rude person. I hope you get what I'm saying?"

Jazz didn't respond.

"You can go now, we will talk again some other time."

"Whatever," Jazz muttered and left.

"Wow Michael, this is a handful you've got here," Mrs Williams said and went back to reading her book.

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"I'm so glad Mrs Williams didn't decide to punish us, I don't want my uncle to think I'm becoming a bad girl," Kelechi said to Ronke who was trying out the shoes Jazz had given her earlier that day.

"Yeah me too," She replied, trying to walk in the heels.

"I wonder why she didn't punish us," Kelechi said.

"Are you happy or sad that she didn't?" Ronke asked her.

"Don't mind her," Amarachi joked.

"You would not even be concerned if she had punished us," Kelechi said to Ronke.

"Why should I be when I have this fine pair of heels to flaunt?" Ronke said and struck a pose.

"I see you like it a lot," Jazz commented as she entered the room.

"I do, thanks a lot," Ronke chirped and took off the shoes, hugging them before putting them away.

"Forget about the heels. What did Mrs William say to you?" Kelechi asked.

"Nothing serious, just some boring shit about loving school and stuff," Jazz said and went to her bed full of shopping bags.

"Are you sure it's nothing serious?" Kelechi asked and Jazz raised a brow at her. "You know, because you don't really take serious things seriously."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jazz asked, getting offended.

"I mean, you know, you don't like anything school-related so you don't take it seriously. I didn't mean it generally, but it could be..."

"Show us what you bought Jazz!" Ronke said, interrupting her. "You seem to be surrounded by an army of shopping bags!"

Jazz calmed down as she started to empty the contents of the shopping bags on her bed, showing them off to Ronke, Amarachi and Fatima because they cared to watch. Kelechi just watched with disinterest from her bed.

Jazz continued displaying the clothes, shoes and accessories she had bought until her phone rang, disrupting her little show. When she saw the caller ID she hurried to pick the call, nearly dropping her phone in the process.

"Aimee!!" She called out excitedly.

"Jazz!! I'm so glad you picked my call. Do you know how long I've been calling you for! Why have you not been picking my calls? Is it because of the argument?" Aimee asked all at once.

"Calm down girl." Jazz laughed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day, I was pretty upset. I was gonna call you but I guess I forgot, I'm sorry for that too."

"I'm just glad you're over it, I was scared that you wouldn't wanna talk to me again. So tell me, what's happening?"

"I went shopping today!"

"You did? Really? They let you?" Aimee asked incredulously.

"Yeah, why do you sound so surprised?" Jazz asked back.

"Well I thought you were at a boarding school," Aimee replied.

"I am, but turns out they let students leave the school on Saturdays, kinda," Jazz said.

"I hope you didn't sneak out to go shopping Jazz."

"Of course not. I'll send you videos of me on the bus and at the shopping mall, oh, and of the goodies I bought."

"You already packed so many clothes just to go to a boarding school and you're still shopping for more?"

"The more the classier," Jazz said and shrugged. "Enough of that, now tell me what's been happening over there."

"Oh, nothing much has happened since you left, everything is still quite the way you left it. Just that now, Mr Black has a new girlfriend he calls Shady, I'm pretty sure her name is Shayla, but he prefers calling her that. He won't stop talking about her in class and at the slightest chance he gets. It's just so annoying," Aimee said amidst laughs and Jazz soon joined in.

"He finally got a girlfriend? Good for him, he's been single for eight years! Well it's good news for him and bad news for her." Jazz laughed, making her roommates stare at her.

"Don't be mean Jazz, I'm actually happy for him. He finally found true love."

"Whatever, it's not like that's gonna last."

"I miss you Jazz! I miss having my crazy best friend around!" Aimee cried. "The parties are not the same anymore, they're all lame without you. I miss getting tipsy and crazy with you, not having you here is really boring."

"I miss you too Aimee! I miss binge netflix-ing, binge shopping and binge partying with you," Jazz replied with an equally sad tone.

"I really miss sitting beside you in history class and giggling at Miss Knight's oversized belly button. Now that you're gone, wheezy Lizzy is my new seat partner, you can imagine how awful that must be! I miss you so much!"

"Oh no, not her, she's the worst!"

"I know!!"

"So... What about Jackson?" Jazz suddenly asked.

"He's dating Lia now." Aimee hesitated before answering.

Jazz remained silent.

Jackson was her ex whom she had been dating for almost a year until he claimed that he was fed up with her irritable behaviour so they decided to call it quits. Before their break up she had suspected he was eyeing Lia because she had caught them staring and grinning at each other but when she confronted him he would say they were friends and were just greeting each other. And now they were dating!

I shouldn't have trusted Lia's fake innocent face, she thought.

"Jazz? You still there?" Aimee called.

"Yeah," Jazz responded.

"I know it must be diffi-"

"No it's not, in fact, I'm happy for them. They should go ahead and have an everlasting relationship for all I care because Lia is not irritable," Jazz spat.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone better than Jackson. He's a jerk."

"I wouldn't be thinking of dating anyone for a year now that I'm stuck in this godamn school."

"So you're saying there are no cute boys there?"

Jazz hesitated before saying, "There are... but I don't wanna get involved with anyone here."

"Whatever you say girl. But if you fancy any one of them and a romance buds, don't you dare keep it from me."

"Don't you worry, I'll keep you updated." Jazz smiled.

"Okay, I gotta go now. Don't get too crazy okay, they can't handle it," Aimee said.

Jazz chuckled. "I'll try."

Aimee joined in the laughter. "Bye, love you."

"Love you more," Jazz said before hanging up.

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Thanks a bunch for reading and voting!!

Muah!!😚

Much love from me to you ❤