Chapter 5

I picked up my iPad and began to scroll through it—going through my courses, notes, and outlines—trying so hard to ignore the figure that had just walked in, who somehow seemed to consume the entire space.

Without even understanding what I was seeing on the screen, I dropped the iPad and picked up the handout I had been given at the principal’s office.

I skimmed through it, and everything I saw only added to my frustration.

You must adhere to all laid-down rules.

You must respect other students and always remember you are barely privileged to be here.

All notes, assignments, assessments, and projects must be done, submitted, graded, and given to the counselor assigned to you for review.

Constant slips in your grades will cost you your scholarship.

Every semester, you must achieve an aggregate of at least 90 percent. Anything less will put you on probation.

You must not be involved in any social media scandal.

My irritation was rising. I was tempted to shred the leaflet or better still, throw it straight at that stupid, mean boy’s face.

Somehow, Dina failed to read the room and decided now was the best time to approach Julian to…..

Chat?

Flirt?

Talk?

Or maybe she's just stupid.

“Hey, Julie, here…” she said, handing him a book. “I paid someone to do the science assignment for you.” there was a proud smile on her face.

He was scrolling through his phone, barely glancing up at her.

“Thanks. It’s Julian,” he murmured, not even bothering to collect the book.

She hopped onto his table, crossing her long legs and dropping the book onto her lap, clearly not ready to back off.

“Okay, Julian. So I’m hosting this party at my place this evening. I wanted to invite you specially. There’ll be booze, and of course, girls,” she said, bending and leaning closer to him so they are at eye level.

“Fuck off” he spat and walked away arrogantly.

I fought the laughter that held me. First day in school is not the best day to make an enemy out of the meanest girl.

Unfortunately, I locked eyes with Belle, we exchanged a look and we both burst out  laughing.

I couldn't help it. I tried.

Thankfully, most students were busy with their own conversations—some had their headphones in, others simply didn’t care—so only a few of us witnessed Dina’s embarrassment.

She shot me a look, up and down, before getting off Julian’s table, scoffing, and walking back to her seat.

Belle, who had been seated at the front, packed her stuff and moved to the seat on my right. “I think I’ll move to the back already. I’m tired of the front seat. Good thing nobody stays here. Do you mind?”

So now, Julian was on my left—and Belle was on my right.

“Well, actually youre—”

“Whether you mind or not sounds like a ‘You problem’ Puppy, I'm here to entertain you. Trust me Julian is not very nice to speak with. You should be glad” she rolled her eyes.

I laughed hard. That was typical Belle.

“Well, I am glad and grateful. I was going to say that moving to that seat makes you one seat away from your enemy and mind you that is Josh's seat”

“Who the fuck is Josh? Well, he can go screw himself. And as for Julian, he should screw himself as well. I don’t give a fuck.”

I've never encountered someone as dramatic as Belle.

Just then, Josh walked in.

“Hi, Belle, didn't know I'll be seeing you around so quick” his eyes glittered and I could tell he was in the mood to tease Belle.

“Get out of my face,” Belle snapped, irritation obvious in her voice.

“I sure don’t enjoy being in your face, but the thing is, I have nowhere else to go,” he replied, sarcasm laced in his voice.

“Then you can go back to wherever the fuck you transferred from. The countryside? The village square? Your previous school? I don’t care,” she said dismissively, turning her attention away from him.

“For someone who called me illiterate, that’s ironic,” he shot back. “I got a scholarship to be admitted here. I was not transferred. I am a scholarship student—not a transfer student. You should know the difference.” he smirked.

“Go fuck yourself.”

“I’d rather do that on my assigned seat.”

“Well, it’s mine now. Go get yourself another one.”

At this point, I had to step in. This clearly wasn’t ending anytime soon.

“Uhm… maybe we could move Belle’s old seat to the back, if you don’t want to sit at the front?”

“Maybe Belle can move her own seat to the back if she so cherishes it—and leave my seat for me!” that smirk, still on his face.

Belle was enjoying every second of this banter and so was Josh.

I quickly scanned the class and realized most students were now watching us. I hope they don't mistake this for a quarrel, I doubt both parties will consider it a quarrel.

Belle scoffed, picked up her phone, plugged in her earpods, and began swaying slightly like she was listening to music, mouthing lyrics under her breath.

I had a feeling it was all for show.

She probably wasn’t listening to anything.

I sighed and stepped closer to Josh.

“Maybe you really should consider moving her seat to the back”

“It's not like I have a choice. Sitting beside her can't be that bad right?” the smirk was back on his face...not like it left before.

And with that, he headed forward to move the seat himself.

I followed him, helping with his bag and other things. I completely forgot that all eyes were still on us, until someone made a snide comment.

“Broke ass kids who are barely privileged to learn in a prestigious high school like ours, develops audacity to challenge a fully certified student, who pays school fees and most probably the expensive wood used to make that chair”

Laughter erupted across the room.

I looked up and saw the girl recording us with her phone. Panic hit me instantly.

I've been the center of attention enough for the day, I definitely do not need a video of me circulating in the whole school on my first day.

I glanced at Josh. He looked calmer, more composed but I could tell he was tense. He knew how to hide it better than I did.

Acting unaffected, he continued moving the seat.

Following his lead, I kept helping.

But whoever made that comment clearly wasn’t satisfied.

She walked over to us, raised her phone, bringing it uncomfortably close to our faces.

“Oh? The scholarship students have nothing to say? A few seconds ago, they had a lot to say to Belle.”

“Now that's enough Nelly, shut the fuck up and stay out of my business” Belle snapped.

“Ain’t nothing your business here, girl. She’s talking to the scholarship students,” Dina chimed in.

“Well, guess what, Dina? They’re my friends. And what did I say about messing with my friends?”

Dina stared at her, short of words.

“Well… I thought so too. So you’re going to tell your minion to delete that video and get the fuck out of my face. In fact—fuck you.”

She turned to Nelly. “Stop recording and delete the clip. Now.”

There was so much authority in her voice that for a second, I believed no one would challenge her.

Guess I was wrong, because Dina did.

“Well, she’s not deleting shit. Who the fuck do you think you are to order her like that?”

“I am Belle Russo. And trust me darling, you do not want to know how far I’ll go to make sure that video is deleted. So Nelly, delete it yourself, before I do it for you.”

“Well, she’s my friend. If I can’t mess with yours, you shouldn’t mess with mine. She’s not deleting the video and that’s final. Do your worst.”

“My worst yeah? Okay.”

Belle stepped forward once, twice, until she was face-to-face with Dina.

Without hesitation, she shoved Dina aside, snatched the phone from Nelly, and smashed it on the floor.

Gasps filled the room.

Before Nelly could reach for the phone, she picked it up and smashed it again.

And again.

Still not satisfied, she brought down the heel of her shoe and crushed it completely. This was the latest Samsung fold that was yet to be released to the public. Belle didn't care. She kept going until it was beyond repair.

I glanced at Dina.

Shock.

Pure shock.

She hadn’t expected that.

“Well, there you have it, my absolute worst,” Belle said, snapping her out of it.

Turning to Nelly she said with sarcarsm “Go tell Daddy to get you another one. Or better still, charge Dina. She made you lose your phone.”

Nonchalantly, she walked back to her seat, picked up her phone and plugged in her earpods.

I felt a swell of pride rise in my chest.

Belle is crazy, but I can’t help but love her.

I glanced at Josh and caught him staring at her, trying so hard to hide his smile.

Yeah… he felt it too.

I just hope this doesn’t get her into trouble.

Alright then students…to the Math Lab”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

Mr. Gregory.

How long has he been standing there?