CHAPTER TWO

Carolyn’s POV

Tina and I walked toward the administrative block, both of us relieved to have found a friend on our first day at Covent High School.

She had just told me that she hadn’t received her school ID either. Like me, she was on a scholarship, but unlike mine, hers wasn’t a full ride. Her family had to pay for half of the tuition, which they could afford because they were middle class.

That put her above me on the social ladder but far below the ultra-rich kids at this school.

I wasn’t just from a less privileged background. I was poor.

As we entered the administrative office, I noticed a woman sitting behind the reception desk. She looked to be in her early forties, her short, cornrows hair neatly styled. She was typing something on her computer, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The moment she saw us, her frown deepened.

Tina and I exchanged a nervous glance.

“Good morning, ma,” we greeted in unison.

The woman said nothing.

The awkward silence was deafening, making me shift uncomfortably. What was her problem?

Finally, Tina spoke up. “We’re new students, ma. We were told to come here for our school ID cards.”

The woman slowly lifted her gaze, her expression cold and unimpressed.

“Oh, you two are this year’s charity case.”

My stomach twisted.

Charity case?

What was wrong with the people in this school? Why was everyone so horrible?

“Have a seat,” she said, motioning to the chairs in front of her desk before disappearing into what I assumed was the principal’s office.

Tina leaned in close. “What is her problem?” she whispered.

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t even know how we offended her.”

Tina scowled. “How did she even know about us? She called us charity cases just because we’re on scholarship.”

I sighed. “It means we were the only two students whose school IDs weren’t sent home. They probably separated us from the others just because we didn’t pay full tuition.”

“This is insane,” Tina muttered, crossing her arms. “I still paid half the tuition. It’s not like I’m here for free!”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “Well you’re still better off than me. I’m on scholarship. Maybe she has a problem with me and not you.”

At that moment, the woman returned, tossing our ID cards onto the desk like they were pieces of trash.

“Here,” she said flatly. “Your class number and block are written on them. Now leave.”

Tina and I quickly grabbed our IDs and walked out.

The moment we were outside, Tina groaned. “That woman is just bad energy.”

I sighed. “I’m just glad we got our IDs.”

But as I looked down at mine, my relief turned to frustration.

Unlike my cousins’ IDs, mine had the word "Scholarship" printed in bold red letters at the bottom.

Was that really necessary?

They just had to make sure everyone knew we weren’t like the others.

“Oh, I’m in SS1-D, Social Sciences block,” Tina said, reading her information.

I checked my own. My eyes widened. “I’m in the same class!”

Tina beamed. “Yesss! I already have a friend on my first day!”

I couldn’t help but smile. “It seems like it.”

Truthfully, I had been mentally preparing to be alone in this school. But now? Maybe God had other plans.

Tina grabbed my arm. “Let’s go! I think our block is two buildings down.”

As we walked, we suddenly heard the faint sound of crying.

I stopped. “Did you hear that?”

Tina hesitated. “Yeah, but… let’s just go to class.”

I frowned. “It sounds like someone’s getting beaten up. And since everyone’s supposed to be in class, that’s not normal.”

Tina grabbed my wrist. “Carolyn, don’t get involved. These rich kids? They handle things their own way. Let’s mind our business.”

But the cries grew louder.

I clenched my fists. “I have to see what’s going on.”

“Carolyn, don’t!” Tina hissed, but I was already moving.

Reluctantly, she followed behind me.

As we turned a corner, we stumbled upon a horrifying scene.

J.J. and Julius stood there, watching as three boys mercilessly beat up another student.

The victim was on the ground, his face bloody and swollen.

J.J. smirked. “Did you really think I’d forget what you did at my parents’ party last week?”

The injured boy gasped for breath. “I—I’m sorry… please, forgive me…”

Julius sneered. “Now you want to apologize? You embarrassed J.J. in front of his parents.”

J.J. took a step forward. “You had the nerve to win the math competition after I told everyone to let me win.”

The boy coughed, struggling to speak. “I—I didn’t get the message…”

I felt sick.

They were beating him up over a math competition?

J.J. scoffed. “Well, you still need to be taught a lesson.” He gestured to his friends. “Continue.”

The moment they stepped forward, I rushed in, standing between them and the boy.

“That’s enough,” I said, my voice steady. “He’s bleeding. Let him go.”

Tina groaned behind me. “Carolyn, please, let’s go!”

Julius turned red with anger. “What are you doing here? Leave. Now.”

J.J. tilted his head, studying me. “Who are you?”

“She’s my cousin,” Julius snapped. “From the slums. She got in on a scholarship.”

J.J.’s gaze darkened. “A scholarship girl?”

He stepped closer to me, his eyes locking onto mine.

My heart pounded so hard I thought it might explode.

“I saw you earlier,” he said slowly. “Your eyes are hard to forget.”

His voice was smooth, almost amused.

I forced myself to stay firm. “Please let him go. He’s had enough.”

J.J. smirked. “I’ll let him go… if you give me a kiss.”

Before I could react, he grabbed my chin and pressed his lips against mine.

I froze.

Then, fury exploded inside me. My fury was not just based off the fact that he kissed me without my consent but based on the mere fact that I liked it, it confirmed to me that although I only met this horrible human being for thstoreroomme today, I already liked him and it made me very angry at myself. Why would I like someone who is bullying an helpless person for a silly reason.

I shoved him away and slapped him.

The moment my palm met his cheek, the world went silent.

Julius gasped in horror. “Carolyn, do you even know who you just offended?!”

My cousin looked more scared than angry, what was he afraid of? Was he afraid of what J.J might do to me?

Tina dropped to her knees. “I’m so sorry! Please forgive her!”

J.J. didn’t say anything at first.

He touched his cheek, then let out a low, dangerous laugh.

“No one has ever laid a hand on me before,” he said, his tone disturbingly calm.

He looked past me at the boy on the ground. “You’re off the hook.”

Then, his gaze snapped back to me.

“Congratulations. You’ve just taken his place.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Julius panicked. “J.J., she didn’t know—”

J.J. cut him off. “If you defend her, I’ll tell my father to stop doing business with yours.”

Julius immediately backed down. “No, please. I—I’m sorry.”

J.J. smirked at me. “Good luck, Scholarship Girl.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his entourage following behind.

I rushed to the injured student. “Are you okay?”

He winced. “You should have stayed out of it.”

Tina sighed. “I told her to stay out of it.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Femi.”

I forced a smile. “Well, Femi, it’s too late now to say that, don’t you think?”

His expression darkened. “You don’t understand. J.J. is going to come at you with everything he’s got.”

My stomach dropped.

“You just made yourself the enemy of the whole school.”