𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐬!!!!!!!!!

       𝐈'𝐦 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬.  𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦e🥺

        𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠; 𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬✨

      𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐈𝐆>>@1𝐬𝐭𝐁𝐮𝐤𝐤𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐨𝐟  vilalove09

𝐀𝐧𝐝  writermorola 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬.✨

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: Try me by Tems. It just wouldn't stop whirling in my mind.

    
       ————————☆°☆————————
       “It wasn't a perfect morning, I knew
       that. But was it wrong that I wanted
                        it  to be so badly?”
        ————————☆°☆————————

                  ~Shalom Ewi Wellington~
   
             
It was chilly.

The coldness of the mornings seemed to be attached to the stars and the moon blanketed by the sky. At least, that was what I loved to think. 

I stood on my limbs and stretched to my full height, cracking my numb body. A small yawn escaped me and I felt the tears pressing my eyes. Wrapping my hands around myself, I glided against the surface of my covered floor toward the grey mat positioned in the center of my room.

Settling down on the mat, I heaved a short sigh and crossed my legs. Once I was in my proper position, I shut my eyes closed and placed my palms to rest on my knees lightly. Taking in very deep breaths, I stilled for a moment before releasing them into the air.

I did that for only a few seconds before I lost myself in it and the rigidness of my shoulders went loose.

Often, I'd hear a lot of people talk about how rigid I am. I couldn't understand what they saw or what they meant but if they were aiming at how practical I loved to do my things, then maybe yes, I was rigid.

“Loosen up a little, will you?”

No.

“Oh come on, Ewi. It doesn't have to work like that.”

Yes, it does.

“Jeez, calm down girl. You are so rigid.” 

Thank you.

Those and many more comments were what I'd learned about myself from people. But did I care? 

Never.

There was only one person whose opinion counted in my life and that was none other than;

Mother.

I didn't care about anyone else.

Exhaling for the last time, I let my body relax thoroughly to play out the scenes in my head. A tiny voice inside of me was whispering, hinting at the time, telling me that I wasn't supposed to be on the yoga mat at this hour.

But of course, I ignored it.

An image of the clock came to my mind and very vividly was I able to read the numbers displayed on it, flashing in dotted red numbers.

04:12 AM

I peeled my eyes open and my eyes landed on the wall clock attached to my wall. It was exactly the time I had read in my mind and my lips couldn't help tugging up a little. Of course, I was right. I did this every day and I'd never missed it.

But it also meant that this wasn't the time for yoga. 

Mother wouldn't be happy if she walked in here and caught me doing Yoga at this hour. Already, she wasn't happy with my last session result which I came out with a 96% in the class, ranking the sixth best student in the entire set. 

“Shalom, I am not impressed. What went wrong with you? This is not going the way we want. You are supposed to be the best. Stop slacking and get me that award!” 

She had snapped after seeing my result that summer.

And so I gulped and promised Mother.

I was going to be the best whether or not anyone liked it. 

A nerve in my jaw ticked and I forced myself up from the mat, pulling at the band of my tube top. Maybe if my used-to-be best friend hadn't stolen my project idea for herself, I could have been the best.

But again, there was no could anywhere. I had no one to blame for my failure. I should have been prepared for anything, rigid or not. Her stealing my project idea is nothing but an excuse. And as the saying goes, if something is important enough to you, you will find a way. If not, you will make an excuse.

I was choosing to find a way.

With those thoughts, I strolled over to my reading table, pulled out the chair, and settled down on it. Without sparing a glance at the schedule Mother had prepared for me to see what I was supposed to be studying, I took out my Literature textbook and started to read.

Mother had aced all her papers with distinctions right from the beginning till the end. If she could do that, then I couldn't do less.

After all, Kelechi Wellington didn't have two heads.

Mother wasn't in the living room when I came down. 

It was such a rare sight because she was seldom late. Scratch that, mother never ran late. In all my seventeen years of life, I had never seen her do anything later than she was supposed to. So, it was a surprise walking into an empty large room covered in the Wellington family portraits.

I spared a glance at my wristwatch and noted that it was just five minutes before seven. Yet, mother wasn't available. Raising my head, my eyes clashed with the pair of gray eyes that belonged to the picture of the woman who bore me.

In the portrait, mother was donning a purple pantsuit with a matching kimono that fell down her thighs, almost reaching the Louboutins on her feet. Her face was covered in natural makeup and her lips were stretched in a dominant smile. 

Beside her, my father, Goodluck Wellington stood in a very corporate black suit and shoes that shone even in the fineness of the picture. Dad's expression was calm and serene, a light smile grazing his lips.

My gaze darted away from his to Noel who was standing beside him, almost in front of him, tall as ever, even taller than Dad was. Then, there was Charles and Steven before it finally came to me. 

Just me standing there donning the same thing as Mother yet looking very miserable in it. I remember having a stomach upset that day before the picture was taken.

I glanced away at the sounds of feet slapping against hard surfaces. Pulling the strap of my black school bag, I stared down at my flats for only a second before I whirled around to the approaching footsteps.

For a second after I saw who it was, my mouth fell open and I almost couldn't shut it back. I blinked a few times but it was like the more I stared, the more I found it very hard to believe that Mother was the one standing in front of me, a glass of half-filled wine in her hands while the light pink robe she had on draped down her frame.

Even with her hair in a hair bonnet and her face bare of makeup, she still looked very good.

“Mother,” I rushed toward her as fast as my legs could carry me, eyes widened in displeasure as I studied her carefully. She couldn't be sick, could she?

“I'm okay, Shalom.” She dismissed my concern with a wave of her hands, her voice having a lightness that wasn't usually there in it. Her expression was calm, very calm. Maybe too calm for her personality.

“Is everything alright? Are you okay, ma'am?” I couldn't help asking.

“Yes.” She nodded, curtly and I swallowed.

“I wouldn't be able to take you to school today. I spoke to Steven already and he is in the car waiting for you.” She took a sip of her wine while I stood there, staring at her, lost for words for what to do.

Mother didn't drink on Monday mornings.

“Stop staring and go to school. I already asked Arike to pack you your breakfast. You are going to be late and we don't want that, do we?” she tilted her head to the side carefully, her eyes gently accessing me. After a few seconds, she stopped as her eyes met mine in confirmation that I looked okay.

“No,” I said, finally finding my voice. I felt like a deer in headlights, rooted to the spot. I fiddled with a stray strand of hair that had escaped from the low bun I'd pulled my hair into, and scowled. I had put so much effort into looking good this morning, and this whole situation was not going to ruin it.

“Please, go along now,” she said, shooing me away with a dismissive hand gesture.

I blinked. I was about to turn around when it hit me, and I stopped. Turning back to her, I asked, “Where is Dad?"

“He left Lagos this morning.” She raised her glass to her lips to take a sip and I didn't know why but my gaze flickered to the skin of her wrist. The sight of the brown plaster peeking out from the long sleeves of her robe had me gulping.

Was she hurt?

Was Mother hurt? 

“Shalom, school, now!” She snapped, losing what little patience she had with me and I turned around quickly. 

Something was very off. 

Father would never leave the state without seeing me first. 

Something was wrong.

Still, I pushed whatever questions I had in my head to the pit of my stomach as I started my walk to the door. But then I stopped again, aware of Mother's burning gaze boring holes into the skin of my back.

“Goodbye, Mother.”

With those last words, I was on my way into the car where Steven and my breakfast were waiting for me. I got into the black Audi, mumbled a word of greeting to my impatient brother, and then, reached for my breakfast packed in a small bag.

Steven didn't reply to my greeting but instead derived pleasure in muttering incorrigibles I wasn't bothered about under his breath. He backed out of the driveway speedily and drove out of the house at a speed I was sure Mother would kill him for.

Not me though, I was already late and I didn't mind the extra speed. I yanked down the zipper of the bag and carefully took out the plates where my sandwiches were as well as the flask that contained my coffee. 

Not even Gladys, our newest maid would make the mistake of making me tea. My body repulsed it deeply.

I started to eat slowly.

“I won't be dropping you off at school,” 

I stopped chewing my sandwich to glance at my hot-headed brother. The side of his face was turned to me and from the soft morning light filtering through the window, a gentle light glow was cast against his golden almond skin.

“What did you say?” I blinked twice, willing my ears to unhear whatever rubbish he was about to sputter.

“I won't be dropping you off at school, Ewi.” He repeated, barely sparing me a glance as he maneuvered the car down the smooth path.

This time, I didn't mind putting my sandwich away totally and wiping my hands clean. What was it with this morning that was defying all odds of normalcy?

“May I know why?” I asked in a low voice, careful to avoid pissing him off since he looked like someone pissed in his meals.

“I'm running late and I have a presentation this morning.” He hissed through his bare teeth.

I frowned. 

It was very unlikely that Steven had a presentation at his school that morning. Yeah, I knew how demanding and challenging attending Swan's university was but Steven couldn't be having a presentation for class. Mother would have never asked him to drop me off at school if she already knew that he had a presentation.

And since she had all our timetables and schedules, there was no way in hell that she could miss that.

“If Mother knew that then why did she ask you to drop me off?” I asked, my brows drawing close in confusion.

“I don't care, Ewi. All I know is that I don't have the time to drive you to school before turning around to head back to my school.” He finally turned to glance at me and I caught the urgency in his eyes.

Maybe he was telling the truth then.

“Okay,” I nodded. “What are we going to do then?” I folded my hands against my chest and angled my body toward him.

“I already put a call to Davina. She is waiting for me—” he stopped to point with a light smile at the junction we were approaching. “—There,” he finished and I followed the direction of his pointed finger which led me to see through the windows to the black sports car waiting at the junction.

I recognized the car instantly.

Steven drove for a few seconds more while I packed up the bag. When he pressed stop on the gas, I opened the door and stepped down without looking at him. I wasn't too happy with the way my morning was going.

“Hey,” he called just before I could shut the door. I stopped and finally met his gaze, scowling at him. Emitting a short breathy laugh that did nothing to appease me, he opened his mouth to speak again. “I love you, Ewi.” He winked.

My wall of stoicness broke and a small smile crawled up my lips. However before I could open my mouth and say jack, Steven already pressed on the gas, and within the twinkling of an eye, all I saw were smokes of his departure.

I shook my head with a hiss before turning to go meet my best friend.

                            ★★★★

“Ewi!”

Davina practically hooted the moment I got into the car, a pearl of laughter bursting through her lips and bouncing off the walls of her car. My frown deepened as I settled down on the soft cushion, drawing my black backpack to my thighs.

“Ewi,” she laughed, her brown skin glowing. For a second while I stared at her, all I saw were pearly white teeth blinding my sight. 

“Can you drive?” I snapped, pointing at the steering wheel. I still hated the way my morning was going. Having Davina James, the social prefect of EHS drive me to school on the second week of the school year wasn't in my plan.

Davina could be crazy, we all knew that. She was a very loud, lousy, and nonchalant teenager who didn't care about what anyone had to say about her. She was so loud and daring that she once made a teacher cry. But she wasn't mean. She was more of a jolly person with a tinge of rebellion.

“Ewi, come on. You can't be mad at me. Shey you are whining me ni?” she laughed again, pulling at the collars of her white shirt which by the way was covered in eyes-blinding necklaces that she wouldn't have dared to put on the previous year.

But she could do that now. It was our senior year and we could do practically anything that we wanted granted that it was within reason.

“I'm not mad,” I debunked her accusations easily as she started the car, her hands on the steering wheel. There was an array of knuckle rings occupying every of her fingers too and she didn't even make any effort to hide either of them.

“Of course, you aren't.” She sneered at me. “Babe, look, you are free to be mad. Just don't let it be at me unless it would be WAR!” She screamed the last part and I shook my head at her.

“I'm not mad. It wasn't like I was expecting you to refuse Steven's offer. My brother has you wrapped around his fingers like a leech.” I grimaced.

And she grinned.

“It's not easy to have a fine best friend with a hot brother,” she sent me a wink. 

I ignored her and started to look out of the window while she drove past house after house and shops and places on the island. It was not yet eight in the morning. Almost every shop and business center we drove past was already open.

Swan Island.

As the sun rose over the horizon, the island glowed in a golden light. The buildings sparkled in the morning light essentially blinding the tall comfort buildings and stores. The Island even after thirty years of existence was a place of luxury for luxurious people. It was clear as day that the place wasn't for the less privileged.

 The streets were immaculate, not a leaf out of place. It was a place of wealth and elegance, yet there was a sense of calm that filled the air. A feeling of serenity and contentment that touched every corner of the island. It was that feeling that drove my parents to settle down here when they got married.

It was such a lovely place to live when things weren't happening.

Davina reached for the stereo and within a few seconds, Ice Spice featuring Cardi B's song, Princess Diana started to play in the car. I knew the song by heart because it was one of the songs I loved to listen to when Mother wasn't within walking distance of my room. And of course, having a best friend like Davina exposed me to a lot of songs like this.

“Where's your blazer?” I asked, noticing that both her blazer and necktie weren't in the place where they were supposed to be.

I adored our school uniform. I loved the wine of the blazers and the grey of the box pleated skirts for females while tailored trousers for males which we wear on Mondays with our white button-down shirts for females and white dress shirts for males.

On Tuesdays, it was the black flay skirts or trousers, white short-sleeved shirts, and the school's official white socks that we had over it and the golden gray colored crest.

Our uniforms were that simple but when out together especially with the emblem embroidered in our blazers or Crest, we formed a royal ensemble that was more than the word sophistication.

Davina's lips widened in that peculiar grin of hers that screamed mischievous. Without thinking twice about it, my best friend released her hands from the steering wheel and turned over to the back seat to grab the wine blazer seated on the seats.

She threw it at me and I caught it with ease, holding it up to see what she was so excited about. I wasn't surprised to see that I was holding an alternate blazer in my hands being that my best friend had shortened the length of the blazer into a cropped one. 

“It wasn't this way last week,” I mused, shaking my head.

“I know. The style is for the second week.” She grinned.

Without saying anything about the blazer, I threw it to the back of the seat and clapped my hands. She laughed, turning to the corner that led to our school. And because we were so close to the school now, I sat up and released a small sigh.

Elite High School.

Nestled amidst lush greenery, EHS stood tall in her glamor as a symbol of prestige and excellence, easily ranking as one of the best schools in Nigeria. If not the best. Following the recent academic years, EHS was published yearly in the Academic Year Book Of Honors, ranking up as the best of the best.

As the name implies, EHS was a school for the elite. The best of the best. The one percent of the one percent. It wasn't just a school communalized by solid grounds and architectural buildings, it had a right to stand tall in her pride and had been standing for more than 30 years in Swan Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

As Davina drove closer to the school gate, I sat up even more to eye the array of cars going in on one side and another set at the other end. I couldn't help the grin on my face as I turned toward Davina, staring excitedly at the intricate flowers adorning the welcome area.

Davina was about to drive into the school when, out of nowhere, a red sports car carrying a bunch of obnoxious, very stupid students barreled us out of the way and drove in first. The loud noises and squeals they emitted at their unfortunate win and the very loud music playing from their car at full volume made my lips turn downward in a scowl.

“Dumbasses!” Davina hissed, her eyes flashing as she turned up the stereo to drown out their horrid music. I sat back, my temples throbbing as we finally drove into the school. 

My eyes were drawn to the red sports car that had cut us off earlier, as we pulled into the school parking lot. The same music was still blaring from the car's speakers, and a group of girls wearing skirts that barely covered their thighs was dancing around it. Their tiny waists swayed in time to the beat of the song.

Seyi Johnson, our school's resident playboy, stepped out of his car, his arms raised in the air as his equally boisterous friends cheered him on. The idiot nodded, winked, and yelled out greetings to his group of friends, who were just as crazy as he was.

On a Monday morning.

At that point, I was already convinced that my day was going to be ruined. What were the odds that I had run into someone like Seyi Johnson on a blissful Monday?

“That guy doesn't have sense,”  Davina lamented as she started to untie the black durag wrapped around her head.

“I'm surprised that you're just discovering.” I rolled my eyes as I started to gather my things. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed one of the security men trying to talk to Seyi to tone things down with the music because apparently, some parents who had driven their children to school were complaining.

I couldn't hear their conversation because they were a bit far away but what I did see was that Seyi shoved his hand into his pocket, took out a wad of cash, and handed it to the security man.

The man stood, dumbfounded for a few seconds but that didn't have the desired effect I wanted it to because he was quick to shove the money into his pocket and he moved on like nothing had happened.

The same way the school authorities moved on when issues like that were tabled to them. 

Every student in this school was important but of course, particular ones could bend the rules of the school however they liked when it was convenient for them. The invisible rule of the movers and shakers of EHS.

The invisible rule of Swan Island.

I looked away and unlocked the car to step down. Davina had already taken off her durag to reveal a mass of gold-colored hair in a low haircut. She took out her lip gloss and dabbed her lips with it before slamming the door to lock it. 

“How do I look?” She asked after wearing her cropped blazer to do a slow twirl for me. 

I gave a quick once over, admiring the black Nike shoes she had on and knee-length black socks. Her uniform was in place except the blazer which I still thought looked very pretty on her. 

“Spectacular,” I winked.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” She squealed, acting like a child. We set out to walk to the academic block at the far end of the school. It would take us nothing less than twenty-five minutes to reach the academic blocks if we were fast walkers.

And we still had to drop our bags and come back to the auditorium. I could feel my legs aching already.

“Hey, you!” Davina was already thinking ahead though. She stood beside me and summoned the small tinyish boy who had just stepped down from his parent's car.

How come he was that short?

I was pretty much sure that when I was his age, I was taller than that.

“Me, ma?” he asked, looking around with a nervous smile.

“Yes, boy.”  Davina rolled her eyes while waiting patiently for him to walk up to us. I could bet anything that he was a new student. I wished his parents knew that they just walked him into a wild jungle where he could either get eaten up by the big ones or ensnared by the others.

The boy finally got to us and he stood a few inches away, cautious as ever. I flashed him a polite smile and Davina did the same.

“Good morning, what's your name?” she asked sweetly.

“Dave,” he was still looking around.

“Nice name, Dave. I'm Davina and I'm going to hand you my bag. You are to take this to SS 3 art A, okay?” she punched his shoulders playfully and the boy let out a goofy grin.

“Okay, senior.” He nodded before she handed him her stylish black bag. He wanted to leave but Davina asked him to wait and summoned another junior student to take my things. This one was a female and for some reason, she looked honored to help.

“If you arrive late to the auditorium, mention my name and you will be allowed in,” Davina told the kids before dismissing them with a wave of her hand.

Clapping her hands together like she was cleaning off dirt, she smiled and faced me. “Now, let's get to the hall.” 

We started our short walk of about ten minutes toward the auditorium where assemblies were held, passing by the majestic fountain that serves as a centerpiece, its cascading water adding a sense of tranquility to the atmosphere.

Students passed by us and I couldn't stop gawking a few times at the different hairstyles or hair colors or whatever back-to-school glow they had on that wasn't there last week. However, that rule only applied to the senior year students. As undisciplined as EHS students were, the juniors wouldn't dare to wear anything that wasn't the school's official wear.

They wouldn't last a minute if caught by a senior.

A few prefects were already standing in front of the auditorium when we arrived. Davina stopped to chat with Shamsi Eyitouyo and I sidestepped them to head into the auditorium.

The school's auditorium was a sight to behold. With black plush leather seatings, ornate chandeliers, and a stage set aside for performance. The wine-painted walls were adorned with inspiring artworks and motivational quotes. 

I eyed the junior students who found it hard to glue their butts to their chairs but still sat down nevertheless because they didn't want to be used as the next scapegoat. Walking down to the back of the auditorium, I took my seat quietly while waiting for Davina. 

Davina joined me the moment the school's auditorium doors were shut to prevent latecomers from coming in. And then, the assembly formally began in its blissful worship with the chapel prefect, Annette Macaulay taking the lead on the stage.

“That's just razz, guy!” 

A loud annoying echo of laughter had my head whisking to the back. My blood rushed at the sight of the skinny fair-skinned girl shining her teeth to no one in particular as she slapped the boy to her right on his shoulders.

Even after a few months, I still didn't like her.

Screw that, I hated her.

“Some people are just uncultured,” Davina let out an annoying hiss at the girl making unpleasant loud noises all in the name of laughing.

“And very immoral,” I rolled my eyes with a sneer before I peeled my eyes away from her back to Davina.

“Can you see what she's wearing? In her head now, she don fine die!” Davina was fuming and I could see it in how she turned her mouth upwards. I glanced back quickly to check what she was talking about.

There wasn't much to see except that for some stupid reason, Grace Mofe had altered her gray box pleated skirt to a pair of skimpy shorts.

All for what?

Boys?

“People be moving mad,” I sneered, looking away from her just as someone collapsed into the seat beside me, smiling brightly at us.

“Hi, girls!” She grinned, waving at us.

“Trea, love.” Davina leaned over me to smile at the dark-skinned girl, waving her fingers at her. I shook my head, a small smile sporting on my face.

“Wassup, Shalom!” She nudged me with the tip of my elbow and a small guffaw of laughter left my lips. Treasure was just so adorable.

“I'm good, I'm good.” I grinned, stealing glances at the Ss2 line where Erick Eyitouyo had positioned himself. Not a single noise could be heard from that corner and that was saying a lot because those junior students were rebels. They wanted to be the next big thing.

But having someone like Erick sit behind them was enough to put them on their best behavior without him having to utter a single word.

“Good morning,” a loud, authoritative voice said into the microphone and the sound reverberated off the walls of the room and had my head snapping back to the stage.

Mary Eze, otherwise known as Mimi stood on the podium, her hands on her waist and lips set in a grim line. She wasn't smiling or frowning but then I'd never seen Mary smile. Her eyes were a sea of boredom and audaciousness. She had this look on her face, one that said, dare me.

Even Grace who was laughing earlier had stopped laughing.

The teachers that were chatting too had stopped chatting.

The whole room was completely still.

Satisfied that she had commanded attention and received it, Mimi walked forward on the podium and stood in her usual pose, her eyes descending below.

She started to talk about school rules and regulations that of course had started today because school officially just began. Like most schools, EHS never took the first week seriously.

“You all know the rules, but for those who've forgotten, let me remind you," Mimi said, her gaze sweeping across the students gathered in the room. I noticed a few SS 2 students squirming, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Mimi always went hardest on the older students, but they had only themselves to blame for encouraging her ire. They were the most notorious when it came to rule-breaking. Always wanting to prove a point that wasn't necessary.

"I don't need to say this, but I will for the sake of the dimwits in the room," Mimi said, her eyes lingering on a group of SS 2 students. "The new school year has officially begun, so whatever nonsense you were up to last week is now over. From now on, the school dress code and hair length will be strictly enforced. This isn't up for negotiation, and any—"

"Excuse me!"

The loud, authoritative, accent-filled voice from nowhere had a lot of people craning their heads. All too soon, a familiar striking figure emerged from nowhere to the podium. Gasps rippled through the air and a few students shot to their feet.

Kambili planted a hand on her hip, a small smile grazing her face, enunciating her sharp jawline and high cheekbones. 

The rumors about her coming back to EHS were true. No wonder China had been perambulating around the school.

“No, way,” Davina whispered, pressing my wrist tightly in disbelief. 

“Yes, way.” Treasure replied in a bored tone, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

“I just want to announce that spots for cheerleading are open for those who want to—”

“—I. Was. Talking!” Mimi wasn't having it as she stepped back up after shutting her open mouth closed. She turned toward Kambili and even I could see the angry lines on her face.

Chills ran down my spine at the sight because hell, fumes could as well be sipping out of her head that moment.

Mimi was so scary.

Kambili barely glanced at her before she continued talking. “As I was saying, for those who are interested in cheerleading, tryouts are open on Friday at the field arena.”

At that point, I half expected Mimi to shove her off the podium because she was now pacing the length and breadth of the raised area, gritting her teeth. I sank back into my seat and swallowed.

“Jesus, what is she doing here?”

“The hell?”

“Shift, shift, let me see.”

“What the fuck?!”

Another commotion that wasn't related to what was going on at the podium had started building and it had gotten to Kambili that even she had stopped talking to see what was going on.

“Omó!” 

I heard Davina say right before her fingers dug into the skin of my wrist, pinching me. I let out a short hiss before turning around to see what had her so shaken. 

Treasure's gasp echoed through the hall as I gaped at the figure standing at the entrance of one of the doors. The door swung open widely, revealing Dara's tall silhouette, her dark braids pulled back into a tight ponytail, her expression inscrutable. 

I felt the temperature in the hall drop several degrees as her eyes found mine. Goosebumps broke out on my arms, and I struggled to contain the panic rising in my chest. 

I felt a chill run down my spine as she turned her eyes on us, her expression unreadable.

The teachers were quiet. 

The room's silence was deafening.

I couldn't breathe. 

Someone made a sound and my eyes snapped away from the girl to the podium. Mary Eze looked like she had seen a ghost, her fingers shaking with disbelief. She had dropped the mic.

Dara wasn't supposed to be here. Dara shouldn't be here. Dara was never supposed to come back to EHS. The last time I'd seen her was barely two years ago being humiliated and drenched in the scorns of our setmates. We didn't see her after that.

But now she is back.

Treasure was grinning widely and she kept glancing back. I knew without a doubt who she was looking at. When I turned back, my eyes clashed with a pair of dark eyes. He averted his gaze away from mine as quickly as we met.

He wasn't my business but I was worried for him.

Because the Dara I was looking at seemed to have brought with her the perfect recipe for disaster and chaos. 

I could only hope that I didn't drown in the mix. 

                                        A/N

*Slurps bitter lemon*

Omooooooooo

I honestly have no idea what to say. This chapter is packed, no doubt. So, all I'm going to ask are your thoughts.

Theories?

How do you like Shalom?

Tell me everything in the comment section. Thank you for reading. I will see you guys on the weekend.❤