The dining hall was almost as large as the auditorium and was swarming with students who were either walking to their seats with their food or going to get their food.

After getting their food from the seemingly never ending queue, Jazz sat with Kelechi and Ronke who asked her questions about her life in America. Jazz wasted no time in bragging about her large and expensively furnished room, designer and custom-made clothes, straight A record, thousands of followers on social media and in real life and her car which she got the previous year on her sixteenth birthday. Everyone on the table wowed, including the other students who were listening in.

"Do you really have a car?" Ronke asked and everyone started murmuring.

"You make it sound like it's a big deal," She said.

"Well, that's because in Nigeria you have to be at least eighteen before you're allowed to drive," Kelechi said.

"Though some people learn how to drive before that age, but just don't let the police catch you without a driver's license," Ronke joked.

"Whatever," Jazz said and took a bite of her sandwich.

After a while the bell rang and everyone scurried out of the dining hall so they won't be late for their classes. They went to the biology lab for their next class with Jazz answering most of the questions and showing off her knowledge. The teacher and her classmates were fascinated except for Ella who frowned the entire class.

They had a few more classes before the bell went for lunch break and the students were more than excited to leave the class.

The dining hall was more crowded than it was during breakfast and it was almost impossible to get your food without being pushed or stepped on.

"I wish I could help you get your food so you won't have to face all this but we're not allowed to collect food for more than one person," Kelechi said as Jazz just stood at the back folding her arms.

Mrs Kayode spotted Jazz at the back and was visibly upset. The queue started moving quickly as she barked orders at the kitchen staff. The girls were able to get their food and went to sit on the same table they sat in the morning.

"I can't eat this," Jazz said, gesturing to her food. They were being served boiled rice and stew with fried plantain and meat.

Kelechi shrugged. "We're only served jollof rice and chicken during the weekend so you just have to eat this. Besides, the food is not bad but if you don't want to eat it then you can go to the tuck shop to buy something to eat."

"I'm talking about the meat, I'm vegetarian," Jazz said.

Kelechi and Ronke exchanged glances for a while before breaking out into laughter.

"Are you serious, you don't eat meat?" Ronke asked surprisedly.

"That's new," Kelechi said.

Jazz was pissed. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," They chorused.

Jazz went ahead to give them her meat and continued eating. They agreed that Kelechi would have her chicken on Saturday and Ronke would have it on Sunday.

Jazz chuckled. "You two."

Ronke grinned. "Us two."

They ate and talked for a while before the bell rang and they had to go back to class. The classes continued until three o'clock when the bell went for closing and the students wasted no time in leaving the class for their various dorms to get ready for prep.

"Lazy children," The teacher commented as he left the class.

The girls went back to their room and changed into their regular clothes after taking their baths. Jazz put on a skimpy gray dress and cute black high-heeled sandals.

Ronke looked her over. "You know we're going to evening prep and not a party right."

"Whatever," Jazz said and continued brushing her hair.

"Mrs Williams is going to freak out if she sees you in this, please wear something else," Kelechi pleaded.

"Fine." Jazz reluctantly changed into a red gauzy blouse, a pair of black leather pants and high-heeled boots.

"Better," Kelechi commented.

"Let's go so we can eat something before prep starts," Ronke said and hurried them out of the room.

They decided to go to the tuck shop to buy some snacks cause they didn't want to eat the food that was served for dinner. The queue at the tuck shop was not even half of the queue in the dining hall and the girls bought what they wanted to buy within a few minutes.

While they made their way back to the dining hall to settle down and eat, Jazz bumped into Ella who was holding a bottle of chilled water.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Jazz yelled.

"I could say the same to you," Ella retorted.

"Jazz leave her alone please, let's go," Kelechi pleaded but Jazz shrugged her off.

"Here goes," Ronke said, shaking her head.

"I'm not going anywhere unless she apologizes to me," Jazz said.

"Then suit yourself." Ella tried to walk past Jazz but she pulled her back.

"And where do you think you're going? I ain't done with you," Jazz said.

"Let me go!" Ella struggled to lose free from Jazz's grip but she couldn't, so the two girls standing behind her intervened along with Kelechi and Ronke and they managed to set her free.

Ella poured the chilled water on Jazz's shoes and everyone gasped, holding their breaths and awaiting Jazz's reaction.

Jazz was surprisingly calm but suddenly turned to Kelechi and took a bottle of fanta from her which she emptied on Ella. Ella just screamed and stomped away with her friends.

"You shouldn't have done that," Kelechi said.

"What do you mean? Ella totally deserved it, she poured water on Jazz first," Ronke responded.

"But that doesn't mean you should retaliate, afterall she only poured it on your shoe."

"Oh shut up Kel, this is why people take advantage of you. Do you even know how much her shoe costs that made her angry?" Ronke snapped.

Jazz was about to say something when Amarachi approached them. "Senior Jazz, the principal wants to see you in her office now," She announced.

"Ugh, not again." Jazz groaned and went to the principal's office.

"I hope she isn't in any big trouble," Kelechi said as she and Ronke went to the dining hall.

* * *

"Come in," Mrs Williams called when Jazz knocked.

Jazz stopped in her tracks when she saw Ella sitting in a chair.

"What is it this time?" She asked.

"Have a seat," Mrs Williams offered and Jazz sat down, sneering at Ella.

"I hope you haven't called me here to waste my time?" Jazz asked.

"Did you pour fanta on Ella?" Mrs Williams asked.

"Yes, but only because she poured water on my expensive designer shoes."

Mrs Williams turned to Ella surprisingly. "You poured water on her?"

"Yes, but only because she hit me."

"I did not, but I sure wish I did."

"That's enough ladies, both of you are in the wrong and Ella, you came to report to me when you are also at fault. I will forgive you two this time but make sure this nonsense does not repeat itself again you hear me."

"Yes ma," Ella replied.

"Jazz?"

"Yeah sure," Jazz replied dryly.

"You may leave now," Mrs Williams said and they stood up to leave. She noticed Jazz's outfit and stopped her but Ella stopped at the door.

"What are you wearing Jazz?" She asked.

"Clothes," Jazz deadpanned.

"Don't you have any flat shoes or sandals you can wear like your mates do?"

"I'm sorry but I don't have any flat shoes or sandals," Jazz replied and turned to leave.

"Thank you ma," Ella said as they left.

"You just got lucky," Ella said when they had left the office.

Jazz mimicked her, "You just got lucky."

"Go to your class now!" Mrs Williams bellowed from her office and Jazz left for evening prep while Ella went to the hostel to change her clothes.

* * *

"Did she really report you to the principal? But you both were involved in what happened, that sneaky little--" Ronke fumed when Jazz filled them in.

"I'm just happy you didn't get into any kind of trouble," Kelechi interrupted her.

"Whatever," Jazz said indifferently.

Ella then walked into the class with fresh clothes and two girls tagged behind her. She smirked at Jazz as she walked past her to the back of the class and the two girls did same.

"Who're they, and why do they follow her around like they don't have a purpose?" Jazz asked.

Kelechi and Ronke couldn't stop laughing.

"Ella, Titilayo and Grace, the three bitches of this class and of the entire school. I've already told you what their hobbies are," Ronke said and sneered.

"They seem pretty close," Jazz pointed out.

"Yeah right. Everyone knows that though they consider Ella their friend, she doesn't see them as friends but as followers," Kelechi said.

"By the way, who's going to supervise us during prep today?" Ronke asked.

Kelechi shrugged. "I don't know, I haven't seen the timetable for this week yet. But I hope it's not Miss Chinaza."

Just then, Miss Chinaza barged into the classroom and they all stood up.

"Good evening ma," They greeted.

"Good evening. You may have your seats," She responded and they sat down.

"Oh no," Abu said and Princess laughed.

"Now if you know what is good for you, you better use this time to do my assignment to avoid excuses in the future. You know I don't listen to excuses," Miss Chinaza said as she settled on the teacher's desk in front of the class and busied herself with her phone.

"This is going to be a long evening," Abu whispered as he brought out a textbook from his locker.

"No kidding." Princess sighed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter.

With love as always,
Kemas ❤