"You are here, " April says immediately after she gets into the room.

"I resumed before you all." Nancy jokes.

"Happy new year!" April smiles.

"Same, how was your holiday? I missed you!" Nancy says while she side hugs April who had a small smile on her face.

"I missed you more! It was annoying, all thanks to harmattan, it's that bad." April says while she turns to her dusty locker.

"This harmattan season is hard. Like, look what my soft lips have turned into!" Nancy complains.

"Nancy, don't drop anything there, it will get stained!" April says referring to the locker.

"Like, what are we paying for, we just got back from holidays, do they expect us to start with a clean-up? The whole dorm should have been cleaned up." Nancy complains.

"I think it was, if it wasn't, we would have met something worse than this!" April responds, obviously her eyes surveying the environment.

"I guess so!"

"Do you think, Science will come in today?" April asks with an inquisitive look on her face.

"Obviously, she never misses the first day of school resumption!" Nancy responds.

               ____________________________🖊
  

"Aurora, place that over there!" Wendy says directing her younger sister, who does as told.

"Is it okay?" Aurora asks.

"Wendy!" Darlintina calls out while she walks into the dorm dragging her box behind her.

"Hey!" Wendy smiles.

"You need to see the guy I met during the holidays!" Darlintina blabbers while she drops her traveling box on the bed. "Aurora!" She calls out quite surprised because she hadn't noticed her when she walked in.

"Good Afternoon!" Aurora greets politely. Meanwhile, Darlintina nods with a smile.

"Aurora put on the white gown," Wendy says.

"How did your dad manage to secure an admission for her, it's the second term and she is also in WAEC class," Darlintina asks.

"I just had to talk to uncle. It wasn't a big deal. I just hope she can cope, she is gradually turning into a loner, " Wendy says while she picks up her textbook.

"You should try to bring her out of that shell she is gradually getting into, getting back from school just to stay alone in that big house, could be so lonely," Darlintina says while she starts emptying her bags.

"I know," Wendy says, her eyes almost popping out when she makes eye contact with the person standing at the doorway.

"Room eight right?" Clara asks staring at Wendy.

"Yes!" Wendy responds, meanwhile Clara who seemed to have been called by someone, leaves her box close to the doorway and walks away.

"Another cousin!" Darlintina says now folding her clothes.

"I never knew, they were planning on her schooling her!" Wendy says with a puzzled look.

"What do you expect? She just got into Nigeria, her uncle has one of the biggest schools in the state. You don't expect her to attend just any school, " Darlintina says.

"Are you guys on good terms, because I sensed some hostility," Darlintina asks.

"We aren't enemies, but as you know, Two captains can't be in one ship, not to talk about three!" Wendy says obviously referring to herself, Ibinabor and Clara.
       

       ____________________________🖊

"Don't even dare!" Jordan jokes while he picks up his phone from the bed.

"The guy was wasted. What did you add to the drink?" Wealth asks Goriola who had a small smile playing on his lips.

They were currently discussing what went down during the new year's eve party.

"Something must always kill a man, " Goriola responds.

"You are joking, guy I almost killed someone's daughter!" Jordan says with a straight face.

"Killed?" Wealth laughs  "That bitch enjoyed every damn thing, she was screaming all through, " Wealth laughs.

"Someone, Wealth took rounds with, " Goriola says while he ransacked the wardrobe. Immediately he gets his hands on something he turns to Wealth with a raised eyebrow.
"Mind where you keep your properties!" Goriola says throwing the pack of condoms on Wealth who had a mischievous smile on his face.

"Be serious." Wealth jokes.

    ____________________________🖊

   Immediately they walked into the cafeteria, April headed to their regular spot with Nancy, while Science went to secure dinner.

In less than twenty minutes, they were done with whatever arrangement they were making and already seated on their regular chairs.
   
"Darky Barbie!" April smiles, there was only one person who addressed her by that name. Turning back, her mouth nearly dropped. The light was on a new look, he looked breathtaking.

"You weren't joking about weaving your hair," April says with a smile, while she removes her book from his seat. Her eyes met with the slim talk girl who was also with him, wondering who she was, she recognized her but wondered where she knew her from.

"That's no way to tell a guy, he looks handsome!" Light says. Meanwhile, Nancy scoffs.

"Just say it, it won't kill you." Light says obviously referring to Nancy.

"Light, you look damn handsome, I love your new look," Science says and laughs.

"I will take that as a compliment, even though you were just mocking me." Light smiles.

"Honestly, I love your new look," Science says sounding more serious.

"It suits you!" April smiles.

"Thank you!" Light says while he dramatically touches his chest. He hesitates obviously remembering he actually came with someone, he quickly turns in her direction.

"You guys should meet Clara, my friend. We actually attended the same high school abroad. She just moved back to Nigeria." Light introduces, meanwhile Clara lets out a small smile. Then it clicked, she was the girl with Nimi and Tari.

"Hi, I'm Clara Anete." Clara smiles at them.

"You are an Anete? Wow!" Science says nodding her head, it was obvious she wasn't comfortable, although she tried to mask it off with a smile. To her all "Anete's" or people related to them were trouble.

"You can join us." Light says.

  Clara moves a chair backward, before joining them, she had a calm smile on her face.

"Thank you." Clara smiles out. Meanwhile, someone roughly pulls out a chair, grabbing everyone's direction.

"I love your bracelet!" Clara says, suddenly getting April's attention.

April couldn't hide the shock on her face, seeing Dumlesi sitting in front of her. She didn't even care everyone was staring at her, including Clara who didn't know what was going on.

"The prodigal child always returns!" Nancy says staring directly at her food.

"Miss two goody shoes, I think you should mind your business because you might not see what's coming unto you." Dumlesi shocking April.

"Of course, I can see it coming!" Nancy faces Dumlesi. "Are you going to sneak some money into my bag pack, the same way you did to April, just to frame me, or maybe go around telling everyone you attended my burial? Because that's the only thing I think you can do, two-faced idiot." Nancy spat out.

This statement also came as a shock to April, it wasn't because Dumlesi didn't try to deny it, but the fact, she hadn't seen Nancy this angry ever before.

"Nancy!" Light calls out in a calm tone. "This is a new term. We should probably let bygone be bygone." Light says trying to calm the tense environment.

"Besides, I didn't come here for you. I came to talk with my friend Science. So chill." Dumlesi says obviously turning to Science who had a confused look on her face.

"Well. If she is here, then I'm out!" Nancy says getting up.

"Nancy, it hasn't gotten to that," April says seeing Nancy was really taking it to heart.

"No one is begging you weirdo, with how weak your heart is, I wonder how you still manage to harbor such hate toward me. If you continue this way, you might die sooner than expected." Dumlesi says with a straight face. "Well, it will be a miracle if you survived graduation," Dumlesi says obviously not losing eye contact with Nancy.

"That's heartless. Why will you say that to her?" April who couldn't control how hurt she felt faces Dumlesi, who didn't look bothered faced April with a wicked grin.

"Relating with the high class had made you forget the slums you come from! Well, I don't blame you, on a normal day, you won't have the guts to talk when I am talking. Pauper, Gold digger." Dumlesi says staring into April's eyes. Meanwhile, April blinks twice.

Shock

Extreme shock.

             ____________________________🖊

  April hastens up, immediately she noticed someone was following her, she had left the cafeteria alone two hours back, and she had left immediately Dumlesi pauper. It really hurt, but what could she do? Yes, she was a pauper, but definitely not a gold digger, she just wanted actual friends. She wasn't aiming at anyone's money or resources. She had been at the back of the cafeteria, ever since. She didn't even notice when the time ran by.

  Walking down the lonely road, she hugs herself. Most lights were on.

Still having the feeling someone was definitely following her, fear enveloped her. She quickly turns back only to see a figure, she could tell it was a boy, but she couldn't make out his face, due to the dim lights. Thinking if she should start running or not, her heartbeat increased.

  When she noticed the person had increased his pace, she attempts running but halted when she heard her name, she definitely recognized that voice.

She turns back, meanwhile, the person hasten up, and while he got closer, it clicked. That was Jordan's body spray, she was already used to it.

"Don't tell me you were about to run?" Jordan says, she couldn't really see his face but could tell he definitely had a smile on his face.

"If you didn't call me, I would have!" She smiles. "You scared the hell out of me," April responds still hugging herself. The harmattan weather wasn't helping matters.

"Take." Jordan hands her his hoodie.

"You don't have to bother, I mean.., "

"Seriously? You are shivering, " Jordan chuckles.

"Thank you." She says while she receives it. Jordan watches her put it on.

   She smiles at how big it was on her body, but his scent was all over it, no matter how cliche it sounds, she really felt good in it.

"You know, you shouldn't be out by this time, it's almost ten. If your matron gets you..., "

"Are you sure it's up to ten?" April cuts him off, obviously, panicking.

"Yes," Jordan says showing her the screen of his phone.

"Holy moses!" She runs off without uttering another word.

1767 WORDS🌹

THE BETRAYAL SER🌹ES