HAMERTON


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.

Previously on Hamerton;

A month back.

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 sleeveless 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 shoulder-bag 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 10 PM.

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, 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 text ed 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-school 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.

Present day:

After Kenneth’s call, Natalie was deeply disturbed.

Simon had taken the watch from her and from what she heard, he left town after his friend’s death.

How on earth will she reach him?

Maybe I should tell Trevor. Natalie wondered while standing in her room that Sunday. Yes. He’ll easily understand me.

She was afraid of Kenneth from Trevor’s history about him. She resolved that if she contacted Trevor, he would understand her situation and help her find his brother’s watch.

Deciding on that, she walked to a nightstand in the room where her phone was and picked it up, dialing Trevor’s number. It was not reachable. She attempted to leave a message but, she refrained, having second thoughts about telling him.

She left her phone there and walked to her wardrobe to pick a coat which she wore over a short and plain red dress that she had on. She left her room and came to the living room where her mom was.

“Mom?” she called to her who was lying on a long sofa, watching a TV- show.

Mrs. Bradley turned to her. “Yes dear?”

Natalie walked into the room and crouched beside the couch to talk to her. “I want to go out.”

“Where to honey?”

“Brimstone.”

Mom showed surprise. “You remembered your old school honey?”

“Not much but, there is a friend of mine who might still be living there, I want to go and see her.”

“Okay.” Mom agreed smiling. “Just be back before six honey.”

Natalie nodded and stayed silent, looking down.

“Anything wrong dear?” Mom asked.

Natalie glanced at her. “I think that, I’ll miss you when I’m gone. And the baby, I won’t see her when he’s born. Not me nor dad.”

“Well… you are pursuing your dreams. Yours, to study and Nathan, to maintain a happy family.”

“What’s the point of being a family if we’re not together.” Natalie murmured somberly.

Mom lowered her hand that was over her belly and held Natalie’s chin. “And we will be. I love you dear. I don’t want to be selfish. One day you will have your own life. Being the school President will improve your CV and enable you to have a good job.” Mom said.

If only she knew. Natalie thought and drew the hand, kissing it. “I love you mom.” She said and hugged her mom’s belly. “Nathanael…”

“Yeah. If it’s a boy.”

what happened next? coming to you shortly...

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