For new readers;Natalie joins Hamerton, a large school that has a lot of things going on, most of it being illegal and terrorizing. She is agonized by the news of her friend's tragic death and she has to face up with the Hamerton's bloody governance in order to secure the President's badge that has the power to decode a bomb that could cause a large massacre. she teams up with Trevor, the ex and most renowned president of Hamerton and Class D students against Nicky and her fellow evil seniors.

Where it ended last time; Trevor and Nicky confront each other. He blames her for siding with his brother to hurt him. Nicky claims that she did everything under pressure of Kenneth, Trevor's brother.

continue:

“Seriously?” Steve asked over the phone talking to Cheryl. “That is both a good and a bad thing. A good thing because Nicky is a threat to our plan and a bad thing because, they will have to keep each other company for the next 4 hrs.”

“Imagine that Natalie finds out.”

“She can’t. Seriously, she will burn with jealousy.”

“I won’t let her know.”

“Okay. Come back up here. There’s a little publication that you have to take care of.”

“Sure.”

Cheryl started leaving the lobby and joined Fred at the stair landing.

“Did that bitch jus-” he begun before she interrupted.

“Yeah and don’t tell anyone.” She replied.

He zipped his mouth with the tip of his fingers. “Shut.”

Nicky sat back in her corner. She probably realized that shouting at Trevor did not alter anything.

Trevor was silent. He digested her revelation in his mind.

“You’re not the best person either.” She said after a while. “Ingrid-”

“Nothing happened.” He cut her short. “Perhaps, we were like extra friends but, she was the only one around, the only one that I could talk to.” He paused. “It ended anyway.”

“Natalie? You were going to give up your card for her.”

“I love her.”

She was silent.

“You?”

“Me what?”

“Love?”

“It’s stupid.”

“I’m not marveled.”

“Surely.”

“But, I’ll ask you. Please, don’t harass the Class D members.”

“I can’t promise you that. I am terribly sorry.” She said behaving cynically.

“But why?”

“They keep getting on my way. I can’t let that happen.”

“What is it that you want to achieve?”

“You won’t know yet. Soon, perhaps.”

He was silent for a while. He could not imagine her plans but, he was slightly aware of what she was capable of.

He rose and strolled to the control pad. He checked it. “You make the air inside heavy.”

“I am suffocating.” She replied sarcastically.

He turned to her. “Do you have a watch?” he still needed her for some basic human needs.

“No… only an hour must have past.” She responded cooperatively.

He returned back to his position and she watched him. He begun sweating at his temples and he tried fanning himself with his hand. “Take off that jacket.” She suggested.

He glanced at her and silently started unbuttoning the jacket he had on. He shoved it aside remaining with a Grey t-shirt.

“So, you still workout?” she asked staring at his broad shoulders.

“What?” he asked rudely.

“Relax, it was just a question.”

“I don’t trust you. You’re Kenneth’ informant.”

“Not here I’m not. I just asked.”

“Okay. I jog and do press-ups. Happy?”

“Fair enough.”

He was silent.

“Well, if you do that, why are you still showing symptoms?”

“It’s no symptoms. I feel hot that’s all.”

“And you get all red?”

“No.”

“Check your palms.”

He did.

“Looks like somebody needs a doctor.” She said after noticing his face change into worry.

He sighed and kept silent.

“You don’t continue with your medication.” She reckoned.

“I don’t need to.” He said softly. He was even forgetting that she was an enemy.

“You were not supposed to stop until doctor Emman said so.”

“Irene, I haven’t been experiencing these until today.” He claimed.

“I guess it’s the heat then. What about the stuff that Kenneth got you into?”

“I haven’t used them for years now.”

“But, they are pretty hard stuff. I read about them somewhere.”

He did not say anything.

“Why does he hate you so much?”

“Kenneth?”

“And your dad.”

“I thought that he would tell you.”

“Kenneth?”

“Or my dad.”

She was speechless.

He rose and his shirt stuck to his back with sweat. He paced in the cube in front of her.

“Does she know?” she asked.

“Ingrid?” he replied with a question.

“Your latest project, Natalie.”

“Don’t say that. She’s not a project. I love her and, what I tell her is my business.”

“I’m only trying to help.”

“I’m surprised that you haven’t spread that to everybody.”

“It’s not convenient for me.”

He sat on another side, hoping that he could get better that way.

“What is?”

“My secret.”

“Let me guess… money?”

“Somewhat.”

“How much?”

“Millions.”

“What will you do with it?”

“Spend, I think.”

“All my brother’s allowances, I don’t see them making you up.” He said observing her simple attire. She wore a plain white vest and dark trousers. Her hair was straight, brushed back but dry.

“I don’t work for him anymore.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She did not reply.

“Don’t worry. I’ll sign a cheque for you after we’re out of here. It could be small.”

“Stop despising me.” She warned, frowning.

“Ooh I’m sorry. I thought, that’s all about you. Money.”

“Not from you.”

He stared at her lazily. He felt weaker every minute. He slithered down to the floor, lying on his back.

“Are you dying?” she asked carelessly.

“I don’t think so.” He mumbled.

“Sit up then.”

“Not so easy.” He struggled.

“Take off your shirt then, you need the air.” She said with concern.

He was silent.

She stretched herself from her position and knelt beside him. She shook his arm and he looked at her. She smiled, just a little. He was still up.

She clutched the hem of his shirt and took it off him. As she came close to his body, she paused. She stared at his abs. Six pack. She leaned close to him caressing him.

She drew his head close his face, desiring to bring back the love moments they shared some years back. She personally had not experience unpainful love for a while. She connected her lips with his as he had his eyes shut with exhaustion. She managed to steal a kiss from him before she felt a strong grip of her hand. She drew back biting her lip in the process.

“I don’t love you anymore… Irene.” He murmured and fainted.

what happened next? stay tuned to find out...

For new readers;Natalie joins Hamerton, a large school that has a lot of things going on, most of it being illegal and terrorizing. She is agonized by the news of her friend's tragic death and she has to face up with the Hamerton's bloody governance in order to secure the President's badge that has the power to decode a bomb that could cause a large massacre. she teams up with Trevor, the ex and most renowned president of Hamerton and Class D students against Nicky and her fellow evil seniors.

where it ended last time:

Class D plans to retain Trevor in the elevator to keep him from finding out that his cousin is missing. Trevor falls in the trap and he's stuck in the elevator but, he's not alone. He's with Nicky.

Continue;

Vuuuu uum.

The elevator vibrated around Nicky and stopped. The only lights that illuminated the cubicle went out. If it was not for the glowing silver walls the lift would have been darker and making the occupants more nervous.

“Aargh.” Nicky growled banging the control pad. “What’s up with this thing?”

“If you don’t bang it so hard, it might just work.” Trevor replied crossing his hands above his stomach.

She turned to him, fuming with anger. “What do you know about elevators?”

“I study electricity and pressure.” He replied comfortably.

She frowned. “And, you’re crossing your arms and not doing anything?”

He made a few steps to the control pad. Luckily, the elevator was roomy enough. With a single glance at the control pad, he turned to her. “The school’s power is out most likely. It should be back… hopefully.”

“Hopefully? Is that all you can tell me? You’re the godamn President of this school!”

“Yes but, not a fortune teller.”

“Aargh.” She growled. Banging her back on the elevator. She slithered down to the floor.

“I don’t want to be stuck in this place with you either.” He confessed, sitting at the opposite side of the room. “You’re breathing evil.”

She was silent.

“How can you spread to the school mass that I’m gay? You know I’m not. If I stop being President, what will you achieve? You can’t be President. We’re finishing school and we’ll leave.” He said indignantly.

She kept silence.

He sighed. “I hate you.”

“We have mutual feelings.” She replied.

He shook his head and added. “It’s fine but, don’t take it out on class D just because I’m on their side.”

“Are you referring to Ingrid? Or Natalie?”

“I refer to all the class D members.”

She smirked. “You’re really something.”

“What?”

“Does my opinion matter?”

“That’s right. It doesn’t anymore.” He replied and turned away, glazing at the walls.

“You’re not too righteous either. After what you did to me.”

He turned to her. “You cheated on me, with my brother! You knew just how much he hated and despised me. You knew how he wanted to torture me. You knew it and yet you did it.”

She was silent.

“Money.” He went on knowing that she was listening. “That’s all you care about. That’s all it has been about anyway. When you were bribed just a little you gave up yourself to Kenneth and told him where I was keeping my mother.”

She sighed and he saw tears close to a fall from the corner of her eyes. But, she could never soften. He was sure of that. She was out of love, she never had love.

“So, he sponsors your education, right? To monitor my every move? To make my life miserable?” he kept on.

“I’m on another mission here.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. This concerned him. What mission? “To investigate the Hamertons? They are good people. I’m sure.”

“Not all of them.” She said shaking her head.

“I, I don’t understand.”

She drew her hand close to her face and rubbed it. Trevor was estranged, was she… crying?

“Irene. When did you become so evil? You were on the good side, with me. You were supposed to protect my mom. You were working for the good of the country.”

“There are, there are people who have more powers more than your dad, your mom, more than anybody. They take your most precious thing and they have you do the worst.” She replied with her eyes reddening from the pain she felt inside.

“You have the choice to-”

“I had no choice!” she cried, rising. “He had my brother’s head on the plate. He tortured me. He destroyed my womanhood, he broke whatever I held dear.”

Trevor was muted. He never knew Kenneth his brother did such a thing to his first love, Nicky.

Once, Nicky or Irene Stewart and her family were close to the Tommys. Nicky and Trevor shared secrets and he knew that her parents were in the secret service.

One day, her parents were involved in a plane crush that took their lives. Trevor’s dad adopted her. Trevor himself was her greatest support and they became lovers. She told him that, she inherited her parents’ job and, she was serving her country.

Trevor shared with her on the whereabouts of the former Prime Minister who was long presumed to be dead. He hoped that she could help keep her safe from his evil dad and brother. She in turn sided with his brother and helped him allocate their mother. That hurt Trevor so much but, regardless of how much he wanted to, he could not stay far from his family or Nicky. His life was hideous because of all of them.

what happened next? stay tuned to find out... 

For new readers;Natalie joins Hamerton, a large school that has a lot of things going on, most of it being illegal and terrorizing. She is agonized by the news of her friend's tragic death and she has to face up with the Hamerton's bloody governance in order to secure the President's badge that has the power to decode a bomb that could cause a large massacre. she teams up with Trevor, the ex and most renowned president of Hamerton and Class D students against Nicky and her fellow evil seniors.

Where it ended last time...
Ingrid gives up her green card to Mr. Gram in order to keep Trevor from resigning and she leaves Hamerton. Class D join hands to find her.

continue..

Some boys watched Trevor from behind an oak as he shook hands with the visitors. Trevor was saying goodbye to his guests before they boarded their coach. The boys observed him with a pair of binoculars while they communicated with other class D members with a cell phone. One of them, Rickson, lifted his receiver and informed, “They are leaving. He’s shortly going back inside. Now’s your chance.”

“Thank you Ricky.” Steve sounded in the speaker.

Across the lane Trevor walked up the stairs quickly. He wanted to catch up with Ingrid because he had a feeling that Robert and Steve were keeping something from him. Probably Ingrid did not take well her demotion. He had to comfort her.

He entered the hallway. And, as usual aimed for the elevator. As he walked across the building lobby, he remembered Steve who once said, ‘exercise is good for your health.’ So, suddenly and not unto the expectations of more other spies in the lobby, he changed his direction to the staircase.

As he walked to it, he saw a boy running. He paused at the landing and started dancing awkwardly while grinning at Trevor.

Trevor broke into a laughter approaching him. “You should try out for Hamerton’s Got Talent.”

Before the boy replied, Cheryl appeared from almost nowhere and gripped his hands. “Trevor.”

“Cheryl?”

She led him away from the landing. “I missed you.”

“Aaw thank you. Have you been with Ingrid?” he asked

“Yeah. She’s upstairs. Take the elevator.” She said after bringing him to the elevator door. It opened.

“Well, I was going for the exercise before your Fred, distracted me.”

“He can be silly at times. Take the lift, you’ll reach quicker that-”

“Out of ma way-”

The couple paused for a moment. Nicky just hit them apart rudely and entered the elevator.

“You should at least be more polite.” Trevor called to her.

Cheryl was silent. She knew then that Trevor would never take that elevator. Not with Nicky, Irene Stewart or whatever she called herself. But, instead, he dusted himself and walked into the metal box.

It closed in front of Cheryl and she hurriedly took out her phone from her pocket. Every second that passed was precious. She had to hurry. Now!

The cellphone rang for a few seconds and Steve received it. “Thank you Cheryl he’s inside, I know.”

“Wait!” she snapped. “Don’t do anything.”

There was a short pause. “No? Why? I don’t even have the calculator. It’s with Robert and he must have already placed the button.”

“Shit.” She cursed.

“Isn’t he inside?”

“He is. With someone else.”

“Who?”

“Nicky.”

Damn…

what happened next? stay tuned to find out.

Trevor rose early the next morning, The House Of Representatives of other schools were leaving and as the President of Hamerton he had to be around to bid them away. When he arrived at the school campus, he found the cleaning activities going on as usual. He thanked Natalie in his heart for the ‘tidy up’ campaign.

The foreigners had gathered just outside the chief building balcony. Trevor met with Julien Pierre the Head boy of St. Ann Marie.

“Sorry, we got stuck here with our luggage. The hallway is all wet and soapy.” Julien explained their situation with French difficulty.

“Forgive me. Has your coach arrived to take you to Heathrow?” Trevor said.

Julien checked his watch. “It should be here any time now.”

“Okay. Let me check how things are going inside and I will be back with you shortly.”

“Oui.” Julien agreed.

Trevor smiled and walked into the building. Another reason that got him up early that Saturday was to see Ingrid. After leaving Mr. Gram’s office, he was caught in another business that kept him from meeting Ingrid again.

He took an elevator to level 18 where class D was. And strolled across the corridor to the threshold of the class. He hardly caught a glimpse inside before Robert met him and held his hands, engaging him out. “Hey… Trevor. What are you doing here?” Robert asked strangely.

“Amh. I’m here to see Ingrid can’t I come-”

“Ha ha… Ingrid. Ingrid is very okay.” He said maneuvering Trevor back to the corridor.

Trevor frowned. “Is everything okay? Can you call her for me? I also got her something.”

Steve came out of the class behind them. Just like Robert, he was holding fake smiles. “Trevor.”

“Please release me Robert.” Trevor murmured to him who was still holding him and turned to Steve. “Steve. How are you feeling? Please fetch Ingrid for me.”

“Ingrid, she went to the bathroom.”

Trevor glanced at Robert and back at Steve. “Sure? I’ll just wait for her then.”

“No, no. Trevor, she might take long. She went with other girls. You know, girls…” Steve lied.

Trevor sighed. “Okay. I’ll just get back to the visitors.”

“Sure.” Robert agreed for all. When Trevor left, he returned to the classroom with Steven. Most of its members were gathered and Natalie seemed to head the meeting holding her phone anxiously.

“Is he gone?” she asked immediately after the boys came back.

“For now.” Steve replied. “Were you able to reach her? Erin?”

“Yes.” Natalie replied with a smile and hope on her face. “But, Ingrid can’t come yet. Erin’s on her way alone. We have to go ahead with the plan on our own.” she paused.

“We got a glass and some CCTV tapes but, we have to return them soon before the security guards find out.” Cheryl, a member of the class said leaning on a table at one end of the room.

“Is Mr. Gram in today?” Steve asked.

“He was but, he left too early.” A boy replied from another corner in the class.

“Someone has to distract security.” Steve said.

“Until Monday? Steve that could be difficult.” Another boy contributed.

“There will be no way of keeping it from Trevor that his cousin is gone.” Cheryl said.

Steve was silent, thinking.

“We have to prevent that from happening. He could leave. He could confront Nicky and we could loose.” Robert said.

“If we all play along, he will not be able to learn anything.” Steve said standing firm in his decision that Trevor must not know.

“Wait!” Robert snapped. “I know a way to keep Trevor and even the security distracted.”

“What?” They asked altogether turning to him.

“But, I’m not sure if it’s still working. Steve, everybody? Do you remember the calculator?”

“The one that we used to control power to support a strike?” a boy asked.

“Did we control power in our first strike?” Cheryl asked.

“No, the other. Last year.” Robert explained.

“Was it even a strike? We were sneaking out to The Forest for fun.” A girl reminded.

“What are you all talking about?” Natalie asked, confused.

“You had not reported here yet Natalie.” Robert replied. “I remember now, but, it led to a strike Felicity.” He said to the other girl and turned to Natalie. “School was boring and, we didn’t want to follow normal procedures to go camping. So, we stole something from the Mother CPU in level 16 and inserted it in a calculator. We used it to control power and caused fluctuations that kept the school occupied for a while and forget about our whereabouts every night. It led to a strike when the fluctuations brought water problems.” He turned to the class again. “So, who remained with the calculator?”

“Erin.” Steve replied and turned to Natalie. “Please call her and give me to talk to her.”

“Okay.” Natalie replied and drew to a corner.

“Thank you for bringing back the idea Robert.” Steve thanked.

“Let’s just hope that it works.” Robert replied.

…………………………………………………………………….

did it? stay tuned to find out..

He ran with her away from the school campus. Across a lane that Natalie had not been to before. They climbed down a small hill drifting further away from the lights.

“It’s darker down here.” Natalie said before beholding a tall wired fence that stretched almost endlessly around the school premises. Beyond the fence rose tall evergreen trees. The wind swayed their branches and they were too strong Natalie felt that he could be taken away by them. “Trevor?”

He paused but, still had her hand in his. “Peaceful isn’t it?”

“Cold best describes it.”

“It’s not always this way. The forest is right there.” He pointed beyond the fence. “Behold, The Fence.”

Natalie gave a warm smile. A strong wind hit against her and she lost balance. She let out a shriek before he caught her. She had her eyes closed in fear of the impact. She opened them when a more gentle wind, showered the hair close to her nose. She realized that it was his own breathing. But, what was important at the moment was his eyes.

They looked at each other without speaking for a few seconds while he held her tight at zero distance. He felt something and probably she did too. He wanted to hold on to her forever, probably she was the missing piece in his broken life. Before he realized it, he bent his head, connecting his lips with hers. She gave up her mouth, allowing his tongue to enter and rub against her own. Flashing sensations run through her body. She vibrated.

His heartbeat run fast and she was driving it. He did not want to let her ago, he wanted to have her forever. He was falling in love with Natalie.

The kiss lasted long enough and he drew back probably to confirm that he was not doing anything wrong to her. “I’m… I’m sorry.” He said releasing her.

She giggled and replied, “That was so sweet.”

“I think I’m falling in love with you Natalie.”

“Me too.”

He grinned with joy. Her feelings were very important to him. He put his hand around her again. “Shall we do it again?”

“I don’t see anything holding us back.”

……………………………………………………………………………..

Natalie returned to the dormitory late more than other students did. Tonight, she broke the curfew and she was ready to face the consequences. After throbbing kisses with Trevor, they sat on the hill and chatted about their lives. He told her about his own and, she was very sorry. The strong, wise and responsible person that she saw in him was build up by a bunch of life experiences. She understood his connection with Ingrid and why she was too important to him. Ingrid was the only person that he could communicate with and because they were cousins, she just had to be his friend. But, now that he had Natalie, something new was created in his life. Something that he most certainly could not explain. Something that Natalie wanted to be.

As she walked through the corridor to her room, Natalie noticed that many room lights were off. The girls were tired from all the dancing and after jamming the washrooms, they buried their heads under their pillows to rest.

After arriving her bedroom, Natalie took off her shoes and padded to her bed. The opposite beds belonging to Sarah and Susanne were empty. Natalie knew that Sarah could be with the St. Ann Marie boy and Susanne had lots of other places to rest. What stroke her was Ingrid’s bed that was empty and well made.

She sat on it. It was her first stop and she felt tired to climb up to her own.

Where could she be? Natalie wondered.

She tried to imagine all the possible places and after deciding on one she rose from the bed and rounded it. She thought of fetching her cellphone from the mini closet but when she opened the closet, she was puzzled.

All of Ingrid’s clothes were gone. Only the mobile phone was there, lying at the dark corner of the closet. Natalie took it quickly and switched it on. She tried Ingrid’s line but, it was not reachable. She relied on her first thought and as the phone rang, she thought that she was exaggerating. Ingrid could not be there with him. With all her dresses? No, Ingrid might be in the building somewhere. But, why switch off her phone?

“Hallow?” Steve sounded weakly over the phone after it was received.

“Hallo Steve. Sorry for disturbing-”

“Oh. Natalie thank you. Please tell Ingrid sorry for me. I was going to show up but, I got sick.”

“What?” Natalie asked carelessly.

“What why? Didn’t she ask you to call me?”

“Ingrid is not with me. I’m not even sure where she is and I was somehow hoping that you would know.”

There was a slight audible disturbance over the phone and Steve came again. “Are you sure that she’s not with some other girlfriends? Did you check with Erin?”

“Oh.” She was not talking to Erin.

“Do that Natalie and tell me if you find out anything.”

“The thing is, even her closet is empty.”

There was a short silence. Probably he digested the news.

“What about Trevor?” she asked.

“What about Trevor?” he repeated.

“I don’t know.”

“Listen, Natalie. You can’t let him know that Ingrid is missing. Not yet. First, go check with Erin and, if she doesn’t give you a positive answer, we’ll sleep over it and we’ll see if she shows up tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Natalie agreed.

“Calm down. Okay? She’s fine I’m sure. I’ll try her line.”

“It’s not reachable.”

“Really? Out of battery perhaps?”

“I’m not sure.”

He sighed. “Okay, check with Erin. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Okay.” She hang up and walked out of the room.

She rushed across the corridor to the stairs and climbed down to a single floor below the one she was in. Erin’s room was the first one on her right and luckily it was still lit. The girls were up, talking from their beds. Erin did not participate in the conversations, she was perusing her magazine with her usual hard look on her face.

She walked in and gave general ‘hi’.

“Hi.” They chorused.

“Hello Natalie.” Erin called.

Natalie walked straight to her bed and crouched to reach close to Erin’s head. “Have you seen Ingrid?” she first asked.

“Only this morning, yes.”

Natalie sighed. “Didn’t you catch her anywhere this evening?”

“Most girls went to the party. Probably she did too. How can you miss her? You sleep in the same cube.”

“I just arrived at the cube and she was gone. She even took her clothes from her closet.”

Erin closed her magazine and sat up. “She never mentioned to me that she would be leaving, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Did you read today’s paper?”

“No. Why?”

“Coz Trevor was in some kind of trouble.”

“Oh. But, he mentioned that Ingrid gave up her yellow card to save him.”

Erin narrowed her eyes. “Yellow or green card?”

“There’s a green card?”

Erin got her feet on the floor and Natalie stretched herself to sat on the bed close to her.

“If, it’s as you say, that Ingrid gave up her card to save Trevor then…”

“What?” Natalie asked slightly panicking.

Ingrid rose first. “When did you find out that she was gone?”

“Just now. Erin, what is it that you’re not telling me?”

“Probably there’s still time to change things.” Erin replied pacing to a bag on one corner of the room. “How did Trevor get into trouble?” she asked getting dressed.

“He was helping me. Nicky made it looked that I sneaked out last night and accused me at Mr. Gram’s office.”

“Did she have witnesses?”

“Yes. The St. Ann Marie girl. But, I didn’t sneak out, I went down to the kitchen for a glass of water. I was feeling thirsty.”

“And didn’t you have witnesses?”

“No.”

“Why? Why didn’t you find anyone?” she asked standing in front of the mirror and brushing her hair straight.

“What are you doing?” Natalie asked carelessly.

Erin turned to her. “What you told me… making my own choices.”

“Okay. What will you do?”

“Save our friend.”

how? stay tuned to find out...

Trevor leaned on the balcony of their dormitory building. Few weeks past, he decided to live there other than the leaders’ quarters. Now, he reviewed the day while gazing at the school campus beyond. He thought about Natalie and what he was about to do for her. He thought about Ingrid. She just lost her job…

He sighed. He wished that there was something that he could do to save both of them, his cousin, the only person he knew that understood him among his family and…Natalie.

His thoughts paused at Natalie. Truly, she was a different girl. Did he admire her for her intelligence and capabilities or, did he like her?

Natalie. Beautiful, intelligent, initiative, innovative and kindhearted. She had all that Trevor must have sought in a woman. Moreover, they had grown to be good friends.

He drew back from the balcony and rubbed his face.

He felt a hand on top of his shoulder and turned around.

“Hey man?” Steven greeted.

“I’m sorry for Ingrid.” Trevor replied.

“Me too.”

“But, you guys shouldn’t have come there. I could have taken care of everything.”

“We can’t afford to loose you. I feel sorry that I couldn’t do anything myself.”

Trevor looked down and Steve pat his shoulder again. “Hey, Trevor. We need you. Besides, Jacob has been looking for you to open the discotheque.”

“I almost forgot. Sure, lets go right?”

“No, you go ahead. I have a running stomach that could embarrass me out there.”

“Ha ha ha. Talking to a babe?”

“No. You haven’t met my girlfriend? She’s in this school. I’m seriously sick Trevor.”

“I’m sorry then.”

“Thank you.” Steven replied smiling.

Trevor walked out and left Steven on his own.

The block 5 cafeteria now transformed into a dance hall. The students jammed the hall in various home clothes. Most girls, especially those belonging to Hamerton wore mini-skirts and tight tops which also left a large part of their bodies open. When Trevor walked in the hall he was dazzled like more other boys were. He realized that most of his own friends who were dating in school had no dance partners. The ladies of Hamerton betrayed their boys for the visitors.

“Trevor!”

He heard a call and turned around. Robert approached him holding a martini glass.

“They give away those here?” Trevor asked immediately after glancing at Robert’s glass.

“There’s everything man. I can’t wait to see the look on Mr. Gram’s face when he finds out.”

“How can he? But, seriously, Jacob and I did not organize to have liquor in the school disco.”

“Don’t mind. Where have you been? I thought that you were opening the disco?”

“I can see that they didn’t need me. There are only girls here…Why?”

Another boy, yellow hair with a short fringe joined them.

“Jacob. Did you allow liquor to be served in this disco?” Trevor asked first.

Jacob stretched his palms in the air. “No. Trevor, things are getting out of hands.”

“Sure, everybody’s drunk.” Trevor explained.

“No. Where are all the boys? The girls are too many but, you can’t even get a dance partner.” Jacob said

“I came with Sarah, she left me for a St. Ann Marie boy.” Robert added.

“Steven is sick.” Trevor said.

“But, many seniors are here.” Robert added looking around the throng of colorful dancers.

“Oh. There’s a game today. That must have been the Hamerton boys hide out.” Another boy joined them and informed. He wore a black T-shirt like Trevor and grey trousers. Trevor had the t-shirt and blue GUCCI™ jeans trousers.

“Who’s playing Brendan?” Trevor asked.

“I think Man U and Chelsea.” He replied.

Robert left quietly.

Trevor, Brendan and Jacob were all seniors. They remained alone.

“So, we heard that you were about to resign.” Brendan said.

“From?” Trevor asked.

“It’s in all the papers; Hamerton Friday, Hamerton weekly, H This Morning and HTV.” Jacob replied.

“Nothing escapes the press.” Brendan added. “But, if it was all happening in Mr. Gram’s office, how then could the info leak?”

“It’s over anyway. I had to save a friend.”

“Yeah. Class D, again.” Jacob said. “I’m sure that she had no problem. Nicky and her friends are not the best company. They have always been targeting to spoil your image.”

“Like, they tell everyone that you’re gay.” Brendan said.

Trevor furrowed his eyebrows. He felt like a bag of sand had been dropped on top of his head. What?

“I laughed when I heard that. I mean, Trevor, I know you.” Brendan added.

“If those rumors reach Mr. Gram’s office, you will be done for. That’s the aim of Nicky, Irene Stewart or whatever she calls herself.” Jacob said.

“I don’t believe it.” Was all that Trevor could say, shaking his head with disappointment.

“Take it easy man.” Brendan coaxed. “I hate this damn office. I can’t wait for August to finish my term.” He added more to himself than to his friends and walked away.

“Just be careful Trevor.” Jacob bid and left too.

Trevor paused where he was standing for a while. As if what he had been through in the whole day was not enough, he had to face that also?

In Mr. Gram’s office, even heterosexual relationships were not welcomed, if a leader, like Trevor Tommy would be found engaging in homosexual relationships, he would not only be demoted but, expelled.

Trevor sighed and walked to a counter a few meters from where he was standing. The counter was lonely except for Leo who stood behind it drying the short martini glasses.

“Give me a shot.” Trevor ordered.

“Are you sure?” Leo asked.

“Yeah.” He replied shortly.

Leo served him a glass and Trevor held it for a while without sipping from it. I miss my mom.

From the opposite entrance a familiar figure appeared. Trevor narrowed his eyes.

She first paused looking around probably for her date or, for her fellow girlfriends since the hall flooded with women. Then, she glanced at him and his gaze met hers.

She smiled and Trevor smiled back. She waved but, Trevor motioned to her to follow him.

As Natalie drew close, Trevor beheld her beauty. The feminine side of her. She was averagely tall. Probably inches below Ingrid. Her body was slim with gentle curves but, with a bigger booty than boobs. Her thighs were flawless as much as her arms and the exposed part of her chest.

The makeup that she wore, dark eye brows, long eyelashes and dark lipstick matched the blouse and the high heels shoes that she had on.

Trevor glanced at his glass before Natalie halted in front of him. He wanted to make sure that it was not the drink that drove him crazy. He never even sipped it.

“Hi.” Natalie greeted.

Trevor replaced his glass on the counter and faced her. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” she replied occupying a seat facing him. She swerved her head around and his eyes traveled along her long and beautiful neck. Damn…

She turned to him. “This place is live.”

“I agree.”

“But, there are a few boys.”

He nodded.

“So, why are you alone? There are so many dolls out here. Trevor Tommy can’t tell me that he couldn’t get a dance partner.”

“Trust me, I got a lot of things.”

“Something’s wrong am I right?”

He nodded and rose. “But, I’m sure that it can be fixed.”

“If, you’re gonna put your job in the line again, I’m not supporting you.”

He shrugged. He was not sure of the worse that could meet him. “Can I have a dance with you Natalie?”

She rose too.

The speakers switched to slow songs.

“Hero?” she asked. “I wasn’t informed that it would be a ball dance.”

He took her hand, slightly vigorously like she was wasting time.

He drew her to the dance floor were most couples were already wet with sweat. He put his arm around her waist and with the other, held her hand. She in turn placed her palm over his shoulder.

He was close to him again, she felt the heat of his body and, the perfume that she admired so much, showered her with love.

“Thank you for what you did earlier today.” She said after short steps, turns and swirls.

“I care for you.” he replied.

She smiled. Cute. He thought. “Ingrid told me that you’re fine.”

“She gave up her card for me. I’m truly grateful.” He paused. “Where is she? Is she coming to this disco?”

Natalie shook her head. “She doesn’t want to but, she urged me to come.”

Trevor looked away once and gazed back at her. “Tell me about yourself.”

She chuckled. “Well, I’m Natalie… I love a few things and, just simple. Like that.”

He laughed. “Okay. What is it that you love?”

“I love my family. Anyway, it’s only mom dad and me. They are all that I have. I also love my friends. I love my studies-”

“And God?” he interrupted.

“Okay. I love God first then, everything else.”

He chuckled.

“I’m funny ain’t I?”

“Just a little.”

“What about you? What do you love?”

“Like you, I love God first. And I’m sure that I love my family.”

“How many are you in your family.”

“Dad, my mom. Randolph, the little one. I have a big brother.”

“I thought that you are the only kid.”

“Nah. Trevor’s the second boy.”

“Ingrid?”

“She’s my cousin. My dad’s sister’s daughter. My parents don’t know that we go to the same school. They hate us together.”

“Why?”

“We used to go out.”

Natalie was silent.

“But, it was nothing… we were both lonely. Some years back. Now, we’re just pretty good friends with the extra blood tie.”

“I knew Ingrid before coming to Hamerton-”

“Brimstone? She told me.”

“Did she also mention Caitlin?”

“Caitlin Brooks? I knew Caitlin Brooks before she came to study in Hamerton. She was my friend. Her father and my dad were business partners. That’s how we met.”

“She died.” Natalie reckoned.

“Sadly, yes. This school is awful. We’ve lost many students tragically here.”

Natalie sighed.

The speakers played another song, a fast one. Trevor released her. “Do you know that I can do break dancing?”

She was blushing. 

“Okay, chill.” He begun swaggering to the middle of the dance floor, making professional choreographic moves.

The arena cleared for him and a few boys that joined him. They all wore black t-shirts but, different pants.

Natalie cheered with more other girls around her. She loved the display that the boys made.

When the music subsided, the hall broke into cheers and claps. Trevor returned to Natalie sweating. She was giving her large smile but, before she could say anything he grabbed her hand “Let’s go. I want to show you something.” He said and maneuvered her out of the hall.

where did he take her? stay tuned to find out...

“Ingrid?” Natalie called hurrying down the bunk bed. She heard Ingrid’s voice inside her bedroom and Natalie was anxious to hear what happened at Mr. Gram’s office after she left.

“Trevor’s gonna be fine.” Ingrid replied casually. She loosened the school tie that was around her shirt collar. There were some other girls in the room talking in a corner.

Natalie smiled broadly. “I’m glad.”

Ingrid smiled too but, there was a bit of sadness on her face. “You? Ain’t you going to the disco of the House of Representatives?”

“There’s a disco?” one of the girls at the corner called.

Ingrid glanced at her. “Sure Sarah. You should go out there.”

Natalie rolled her eyes, she felt something different with Ingrid. Like, something was not right. “Why are you excluding yourself?” she asked.

“I feel tired.” Ingrid lied. She had to pack. She was leaving. She walked to a bed below Natalie’s and sat at its edge. “Did you wash up? I want to apply your make up.” She said looking at Natalie.

“Yeah…I showered before a short nap.”

“Do you have a dress?”

“I, I think so. I have something for a disco.” She dashed to the bed. “I really think that I want to be there.” She reached for a bag that was on her bed. “I have a lot going on in my mind right now.” She pulled the bag to the lower bed and bent to open it. “This has a few pretty stuff.”

She took out of it a dark flaring blouse which also had glowing embroidery. She stretched in front of her chest looking at Ingrid who stared back at her. “Is it nice?” she asked when Ingrid remained silent.

“Suits the occasion. It should be comfortable on you.”

Natalie relinquished it on the bed. “Do you have pants that could go with it?”

“Yeah. I think so. I have a pair of denim pants that could go match with that blouse but, they are very short.”

“Mmh. Seriously? How short?”

Ingrid rose and rounded to the other side of the bed where there was a mini closet. She shuffled some folded dresses and returned to Natalie with a pair of jeans shorts. “Try ‘em on and see.”

Natalie scanned the shorts quickly and took them. “You’re taller than me. They shouldn’t be too short.”

The pants covered only a quarter part of her white thighs. They were tight but, not too tight. Natalie shoved off an oversized t-shirt that she had on and picked a pink bra from her bag to cover her small breasts. She wore it and the blouse that she took from the bag.

“Nice.” A girl came into the room and said.

“Thank you, Monica.” Natalie replied.

“Wait and see after I’m done with her make up.” Ingrid added.

Sarah, a brunette, walked from the corner to a full-length mirror at the end of the room and looked at herself. “You’ll do that to me as well Ingrid. I want to rock that party with one St. Ann Marie boy.”

The girls broke into a laughter.

stay tuned...

Natalie ran to the girl’s bathroom to sob there. It was wrong for her to believe that Trevor could handle everything with Mr. Gram and without having to sacrifice himself. But, why? Why were his fellow seniors so cruel?

As she cried in front of the sink mirror the bathroom door opened and Erin walked in. She halted at the door staring at Natalie with amazement.

Natalie saw Erin’s reflection on the mirror and frowned. She turned around. “What happened to Caitlin?” she asked, tears flowing from her eyes.

“What are you talking about?” Erin replied with a question.

“Don’t try to hide it. What happened to Caitlin?” she rasped.

Erin swallowed. “She died in a bomb blast.”

“That’s not the truth!” Natalie shouted.

Erin begun panting, she could not take the confrontation. She tumbled backwards and paused with her back against the door. “Did you follow up the school report? How can you accuse me? If, if what you were told is not the truth then how am I supposed to know? She died, it’s… it’s not my fault-”

“You murdered her!” Natalie shouted. Her eyes were red and glaring at Erin.

Erin was speechless, terrified.

“I overheard your conversation last night. You; Nicky and Paulina the St. Ann Marie girl. Nicky warned you not to say anything so that, what happened to Caitlin may not happen to you. You’re planning something that will destroy thousands of lives.”

Erin was mute. Her eyes enlarged with every truth that Natalie said.

“Deny that!” Natalie dared. “Am I wrong to say that you are a terrorist and that you murdered my friend? Would I be wrong to say that you are a traitor and-”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Erin cried. “It was not my fault.”

“I am going to tell on you!” Natalie shouted.

“You have no evidence! People will say that you are crazy and you will be killed.”

“How could you plot such a thing? Caitlin was your friend too, you said so yourself.”

Erin moved from the door to a sink inside the bathroom and opened the water tap. She allowed the water to flow continuously making the sanitary room noisier.

“If I had evidence, I would have done something myself. A long time ago.” She said and looked at Natalie. “They had my family… I had no choice.”

Natalie squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. She even imagined the possibility that her friend was still alive. “Did she die?” she dared to ask, wishing that the answer would be a positive one.

“Yes.” In this case, the positive meant negative.

“How?” Natalie added. For some reason, she believed that no bomb killed her girlfriend.

“I did it.”

“Her brother?”

“Him as well.”

Natalie reopened her eyes. “Why?” she asked feeling the agony rise to the brim of her neck.

“I had no choice.”

“So, more people shall die and you still can’t save them?” Natalie cried reproachfully.

Erin was silent.

“Are you that cruel? Why didn’t you kill yourself than take the life of an innocent boy like Caitlin’s brother?”

“I regret not doing that.” Erin confessed.

Natalie turned around, imagining the pain that Ralph must have gone through before he was killed. She turned to Erin again. “When do you plan the attack? You have no choice now than to tell me everything.”

“Then you’ll be a part of us.”

“Never! I can never be a part of your evil schemes.”

“You shall not live to tell the truth if you know everything.”

“What? Are you going to kill me?”

Erin nodded.

Natalie gulped. “But why?”

“Because I have no choice.”

“But, you are an individual, a student, you came to school alone and you cannot… it’s not must for you to be a part in this.” Natalie said trying to convince Erin to stand up for herself and against Nicky and her people.

“I don’t have my life anymore by being part of this organization.”

“You do. Please? Tell me everything and don’t hide anything.”

“You shall die.” Erin insisted.

“You’re not a bad a person.”

“I don’t want to kill you.” Erin concluded and walked out.

what happened next? stay tuned to find out...

After Trevor spoke, the whole room broke into an involuntary silence. Mr. Gram was thinking, Natalie like the others, she was still confused. She roughly got the Yellow card picture but, she knew that none of her friends were supposed to give up their positions for her.

She drew closer to Mr. Gram’s desk begging. “Sir. I’m sorry. Please punish me. Trevor has nothing to do with anything.”

“Miss Bradley, I assume that you don’t get the rules of the governance. You’re cleared as of now because Trevor has given up his mandate card for you.”

“What?” she exclaimed.

Mr. Gram waved his hand. “Leave.”

She could not accept what had escaped the Discipline’s mouth. How can she leave? Trevor could loose his job!

“Natalie, you heard him.” Trevor insisted.

“But-” she persisted.

“Leave.” Ingrid called from the middle of the room.

“This is unfair.” She cried and ran out.

Ingrid walked to the teacher’s desk. She placed on top of it a card but, it was not yellow, it was green. “He has to remain President sir. The seniors, they have always oppressed us but, he’s different and, our hope.”

“Ingrid!” Trevor snapped.

Mr. Gram hesitated but, took it. He passed back the yellow card to Trevor and asked all of them out of his office.

He remained with Ingrid and said. “You’ve been holding my office for years. Why would you do this?”

“He’s my cousin. I would do anything for him.”

Mr. Gram sighed, an expression of sympathy that no one ever expected he would show. He picked up the green card from his desk. Unknown to many people, the discipline office was higher than all other offices in both the government and the whole of Hamerton. Life decisions were made there. So, even the Discipline Minister like, Ingrid got a green mandate card other than yellow. In fact, she was not chosen by the President but rather, Mr. Gram himself.

“You do understand that, because you held this office and, you’re withdrawing halfway, the rules bid that you can no longer be a student of Hamerton.”

She nodded. That was the hardest part of her decision, to leave Hamerton. 

Mr. Gram pulled a drawer under his desk and placed the card. He turned to Ingrid, “You are dismissed.”

Ingrid gave him his back leaving.

“Ooh, Ingrid?”

She halted at the door and faced him. “Sir?”

“Be discreet.”

“Of course sir.” She replied and walked out.

stay tuned... 

Natalie sat in her class uneasily. Though Trevor said that he would take care, she was still worried that Mr. Gram would not agree so easily. So, she stared keenly at the electric bell above the blackboard and when it rang, she packed her stuff quickly and left class. She wanted to arrive at the office quickly so that Mr. Gram would not charge her for being late but, as soon as she made a turn to the stair landing, a hand stopped her.

“Hey.” A familiar voice followed.

She turned around, Steve stood there with Robert. Robert had long blond hair and, he liked to tease her constantly. He was the one who had Natalie’s hand.

She smiled broadly. “Hi guys.”

“We were wondering if you could catch a snack with us. Heard that Steve? Catch a snack? Isn’t it the way Nat’s people talk?”

“Ha ha ha. Very funny Robert. But, seriously, thank you. I have to be at Mr. Gram’s office.” Natalie said.

“Mr. Gram?” Steve repeated with obvious shock in his voice. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. Anyway, it’s a long story.” She said trying to free her hand from Robert’s clutch.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Steve said. “If you didn’t do anything… why on earth are you going there? It’s the seniors right?”

“Sure, yeah… they oh, actually she tried to make me look bad but, Trevor’s… he’s taking care. I’ll be fine.”

At the ‘n’ Ingrid walked between them breaking the connection between Robert and Natalie. “Mr. Gram? Trevor’s taking care? What is going on here?”

Natalie sighed. “I was just saying to these boys that, there’s little trouble and that I have to be in Mr. Gram’s office but, they shouldn’t worry much because Trevor’s taking care.”

The boys looked at each other.

“Oh my God.” Ingrid whispered.

Natalie furrowed her eyebrows. “Guys?”

“Natalie, Trevor can’t take care of anything. If any leader is taken to the Discipline’s office, his or her punishment cannot been revoked.” Robert informed.

Natalie frowned. What?

“If Trevor’s helping you that means that he’s going to face everything in your place.” Ingrid added.

“I, I don’t want him to suffer my misfortune.” Natalie confessed. Her eyes begun tingling with tears.

“We have to save Trevor guys.” Steven spoke at last.

They hurriedly ran down the stairs from level 17 which they were to the ground floor, level one. They paused outside the Discipline’s secretary’s desk and Steven took charge to talk to the lady.

“Excuse me Mrs. Perks, can we see Mr. Gram?” he greeted.

 “What’s going on today? You people have been jamming my desk since morning.” She said picking up a receiver to notify her boss about the guests.

“Is Trevor inside?” Steve added.

“Yes.” She replied and talked to Mr. Gram. After a short conversation with him, she replaced the receiver and turned to them.

“And Nicky?” Natalie asked before Mrs. Perkins had the chance to say anything.

“No. She left with the St. Ann Marie student earlier today. Anyway, you can go in.”

Steve thanked for all and they walked past her desk to Mr. Gram’s door and opened it.

Mr. Gram sat behind his desk and Trevor stood some feet from it. Mr. Gram’s face was anxious while Trevor’s was troubled. However, hey both seemed startled when the four walked in.

“Yes?” Mr. Gram asked coldly.

“Sir. Please forgive Trevor.” Natalie spoke first. “He’s not at fault for anything.”

“Natalie?” Trevor snapped.

“Sir, I deliberately throw in my Yellow card.” Steven said taking out a card from his coat pocket.

Natalie was confused.

“Steven. Why are you doing this? I’m giving up my Yellow card for Natalie. Sir, I already gave you my Yellow card.” Trevor said panicking.

“Everybody. Hush.” Mr. Gram growled. “Steve, your card is no longer valid. You’re not an MP. Natalie replaced you.”

“That’s why I’m offering my own sir. Please, don’t listen to them.” Trevor pleaded.

Steve sighed deeply. He was agonized by the fact that he could not save the only person among the seniors that he believed in.

Because Natalie was an MP and she was guilty of a wrong, she had to face punishment and disposition. Her sentence could not be omitted but, if anyone wanted to redeem her, he or she had to be a leader and he or she had to give up his or her green card and serve the sentence for her. Being demoted was one part of the sentence, the next part of it was a mystery to all of them.

Ingrid, the discipline leader knew.

did Trevor loose his Presidency? what was the next part of the sentence? stay tuned to find out.