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 gets the directions to Natalie's house from Ingrid and he realizes why Natalie was mad at him in the first place.
Continue;
Natalie sat on one of their
house living-room sofas. It already got dark and she had finished performing all
her home duties and her mom’s orders. She skipped lunch because of the late
breakfast that she had. Now, she resolved on what she would have for dinner. She
had no appetite for the stuff her mom left in the fridge and since she had only
five dollars, she thought best to order something that will be worth the pennilessness for the next few days.
She rose from the sofa with
her best but, most ridiculous option. She went upstairs to her bedroom, changed
into a Grey sleevless blouse with a plunging neckline. She wore that with a
knee-length jeans trousers. She combed her hair into a ponytail and picked a
black shoulderbag that also matched with a pair of flats that she had on her
feet.
She locked her bedroom after
confirming that she carried her allowance and run downstairs. She locked her
front door, stowed the keys in her bag and greeted the front yard of their
house. It was called and silent. Only the crickets and a sound of a woman
shouting at her son from a neighbor’s house, filled the atmosphere. Otherwise,
cars passed the streets at low speeds, nearing their destinations.
Natalie walked on a pavement
in front of their house to the short barred gate where she swung it open and
emerged on the street.
Caitlin’s former house was
just across the road. It was dark as it had been for the past full year. After the
Brooks left, no one was given to occupy it. It was like, the house waited for
the original occupants to come back to it again.
Natalie sighed and turned to
another direction. She checked her watch, the watch that she never returned to
Trevor. It was past six minutes since 8 ‘O’ Clock. She wanted to roam around the
streets for a while then grab supper and get home by 10pm.
Walking in the wind was quite
relaxing. As she went further from home, the city noise grew louder. She neared
more houses, stores and bars. Her destination was Miss Charity’s diner where she
used to have breakfast with Caitlin when they were kids. In those days, they
both went to the same school, Brimstone. Natalie was the intelligent one and
Caitlin was the rich kid’s daughter who did not know much.
Caitlin was very weak and
troubled because of her mother’s illness. Kids used to make fun of her at
school. All except Natalie who became her best friend. She dared Caitlin to
cross boundaries. They started talking about boys and Natalie made Caitlin
indulge in sugary foods. That was a whole new world to Caitlin who ever since
she was young, she was kept away from sweeteners. Because of Mavis’ Diabetes,
Caitlin and Ralph were raised in a sugar free home. It became their habit to
avoid sugar until Natalie stepped into their lives.
There was a time when Mr.
Brooks went to see Natalie’s mom to ask her to keep Natalie away from Caitlin. Though
she tried, Natalie and Caitlin were always together. In the end, both families
gave up. Then Mavis died, then Caitlin shifted and Natalie never saw her again.
Now, Natalie pushed the diner’s
door and walked in straight to the counter. She greeted the short fat lady behind
it, Miss Charity then of course, Mrs. Charity and requested for a slice of
pizza and soda.
“Coming right up dear. Help yourself
on one of those tables.” Mrs. Charity said after taking Natalie’s order.
“Thanks Mrs. Charity.” She replied
and turned to the tables behind her. If only Mrs. Charity was not too occupied,
she would give Natalie company. They had lots of catching up to do.
Natalie picked a table close to
the glass door entrance and sat. She joined her fingers together making a large
loop. She looked into the hole of the loop and accidentally saw a familiar
face.
She furrowed her eyebrows
just when the person stared back at her. He was sitting among other boys,
wearing black outfits.
Natalie gulped and lowered
her gaze but, from the corner of her eye she saw the guy leaving his table and
coming to her direction.
“Natalie?” he greeted pausing
in front of her table.
Natalie swallowed and raised
her head to face him. “Hi Simon?”
“When did you get back?”
“Just a week ago.”
He eased himself on a seat
across the table and Natalie murmured a curse. “You never texted or called me. I
left you a lot of miscalls and messages.” He complained.
“I’m sorry Simon. I was very
busy. That school is very hectic but, I missed you too.” She pardoned and faked
a smile.
“It doesn't even look like
you’re happy to see me.”
Natalie opened her mouth to
defend herself just before Mrs. Charity appeared with her order.
“Thank you.” Natalie said to
her.
“Welcome dear. How are you
Simon?”
“Fine Mrs. Charity.”
“Can I also get you anything?”
Mrs. Charity asked.
“Thank you but, I’m with the
boys back there.” He pointed at his former table and turned back to the lady. “We’re
sated, thank you.”
Mrs. Charity left and Natalie sipped her drink.
“So, how is your new school? Met
any friends?” Simon begun.
“Yeah. Many.”
“I’m sorry about Caitlin. Your
mom told me that she died.”
“Thank you. May her soul rest
in peace.”
“So, how long will you be at
home?”
“A few weeks. I have to
travel again.”
“To England?”
“No. Germany.”
“Why?”
“We have inter-schools competitions hosted there, in Berlin.”
“Your new school sounds
fantastic. Brimstone hardly takes us out of Brooklyn.”
“But, you have graduated. Which
college will you attend?”
“I don’t know. I’m doing
business first.”
“Tell me about it.” She said
taking a bite of her pizza.
“I sell used car parts.”
“Does it pay off?”
“Yeah, I only need some cash
to get something that will make my store grow.”
“Like, how much?”
“A thousand dollars.”
“That’s a lot. Where do you
expect to get that?”
“I’m working on something.” He
said while his gaze fell on her wrist. The small crystal diamonds glowed around
the clock face of her wrist watch. “Are those… pure diamonds?”
She gave up her pizza in one
hand and lowered the other with Trevor’s watch under the table. “No, no. Just
local embroidery.”
“Show it to me please.”
“Amh…” she said thinking of
something. She knew Simon’s history and she was not going to give up Trevor’s
watch. “I got this itching pimple in my thigh… iii itchy.” She made up, scratching
her pants.
He narrowed his eyes looking
straight into her own eyes. “Okay. So, why are you out here alone?”
“Amh… I just wanted some air
and to eat out.”
“Mom allowed you?”
She shrugged. “She doesn't know.”
Oddly, Simon rose. “I’ll see
you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
He left and Natalie sighed
with relief. She had to eat quickly and be on her way back home. Now, she had a
lot more reasons to.
what happened next? stay tuned to find out...
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