5 - Stop!!

Nicoles POV;

It's another day in Royal Prep, and the buzz of mine and Johan's performance yesterday hasn't cleared out of the air. I'm walking into the compound, and Johan runs over to me.

"Good morning, Nicole! "She greets with a smile revealing her perfect dentition.

"Good morning. "I reply, and she falls silent. I turn to her and find she's walking beside me, with a huge smile plastered on her face.

"You seem very happy today. "I note and she chuckles.

"We are the trending topic in school right now. "She says, as we walk to the school's snack corner.

"I can see that. "I reply as eyes follow us as we walk past.

"Please give me a bottle of Mirinda and a sausage roll. "I tell the lady sitting behind the little window in the wall, at the snack corner. She nods, and I place a two hundred naira note on the counter. She takes it and gives me my order, in a black Polly bag.

"Thank you. "I reply before shoving it into my bag. I'm pretty sure you're wondering why I chose to go to a snack corner first thing after getting to school, and not to class.

Well, with all the crap currently going on in my house right now, breakfast is a bit too much to ask.

Johan and I turn to head to our class, and all of a sudden, Five girls from junior school come running to us. I know they're from junior school, cause their uniforms say so.

"Good morning Nicole! "A cute girl says and I look at Johan before replying to her.

"Good morning Johan. "They greet Johan, and Johan replies them.

"We... We're wondering if you'd agree to teach us to be better dancers. " The girl says and I pull my head back a little in shock.

"Look, we've contributed enough money. We can pay you if you want. Just agree. Please. "

Another says, and they all say please together.

I laugh at the girls and turn to Johan.

"You want us to teach you how to dance? "I question, and they all nod.

I stare at Johan, and she gives me an expectant expression.

" Fine then. There's no need to pay us. Let's know when you're free, and we can work something out. "I reply, and the girls begin to squeal and jump about in excitement.

I smile at them and then walk past them, towards my class with Johan.

"You're building an empire. "Johan suddenly stares, and I stare at her with a creased forehead.

"I mean it. Before now, Mason used to be the school's best dancer. "She says, and I roll my eyes.

" One good performance doesn't place

us above mason. Besides, it was your routine, I just helped.

I'm in no competition with anyone, so please don't talk like this. "I beg, and she exhales dramatically.

"Calm down. All I'm saying is, people always used to run to Mason for dance lessons, but he always turned most of them down. Now people can come to you. "She replies and I shake my head as we draw nearer to our class.

"You make him sound like a bad person. "I reply.

"He's a bully. "She retorts, and I shake my head at her before entering class. I know Mason is quite rude, but I never thought of him to be a bully. Maybe I never paid attention.

The class goes on well, till it's break time. Johan and I move to the school's stadium and take seats close to the pitch. Other girls in our class suddenly begin to swarm around me like bees who've just spotted a flower.

They keep asking stupid questions like my surname, best color, opinion on our class and senior boys, and the list goes on. It's either they're trying to know more about me or get some personal info out of me. when they all leave,

"You've got to be careful. "Johan says, and I raise a brow at her.

" With? "I question.

" The girls. Many of them will act to be your friends, but trust me, there are winter witches in our class especially.

Destructive parasites. "She says, and I raise a brow at her. That was cold.

" Look, I know I sound mean, and may even come off as a shady person, but I'm serious. Those girls are the reason I only hang with you. I used to be friends with them, till they flushed my ego and reputation down the toilet.

pretty much used to be a loner till you came around. And I don't know what they're going to tell you about me. You just might find me to not be of your standard, soon enough. "She says, and my heart melts. So that's why she's been so hyper with me. I like her and I know she's nice. She doesn't have to worry about me running off, as long as she doesn't flash any red flags at me.

"Hey, I'm not dumb enough to judge people based on all I'm told. I've spent enough days with you to know you're a cool person.

I think we make a nice pair. Besides, I'm not in search of many friends. I know where that got me. "I reply, and she smiles. She makes to speak, but we both jump at the sound of someone's growl.

" Hey! "We turn to find Mason screaming at a junior who looks like he's about to pee his pants, near the middle of the field.

" Are you mad!? "Mason screams at the boy, and the boy just stands there with his head dropped. Trembling with fear.

Everyone in the stadium has stopped whatever they're doing, to watch, and Johan and I stand to our feet to get a better view.

"Do we look like your mates? "Mason screams at the boy.

What did the boy do to warrant such embarrassment?

"Did your mother not teach you manners!? How dare you just walk into the field and interrupt the game when your seniors are playing!? "He screams further, and my heart clenches. I hate it when people refer to parents in a bad way.

The boy's mother isn't here, and has no idea what he did, so why drag her into it?

" I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget. Move to the post! "Mason says and orders and the boy looks at Mason.

" Please, " I'm almost sure I hear the boy mutter, but mason drags his collar and pulls him to the goal post.

We watch Mason say something to the boy, and the boy just stands still as though awaiting the worst.

"Boys! Penalty time. I'd go first. " Mason says, and he walks over to the ball and places it a fair distance away from the post. I and other girls scream in fear when Mason kicks the ball with full force, and it goes straight to the boy's stomach.

The boy falls to the ground, and Mason signals his teams mates, and they all come around and take turns, kicking the ball at the boy mercilessly from all angles.

I look around the stadium and find none of the students are willing to move. The boy soon begins to cry, and my eyes begin to sting with rage.

I make to move toward the pitch, but Johan grabs my wrist. She shakes her head at me in fear, and I swallow. Someone has to stop this. They could kill this boy.

The next ball shot hits the boy's head, and he falls on the floor completely. Laying there weak and crying in pain. The people around begin to murmur. Some in fear, some in pity, and some in excitement.

I can't take this anymore. I pull my hand out of Johan's grip and scream the loudest I can.

"Stop! " With that, the whole stadium falls silent, and the boys stop firing. All that's is heard, are the weak boy's sobs.