NERDS UNEXPECTED AFFECTION

CHAPTER 2

“It is!” Isabel said, her voice tight. There was no mistaking that car.

* In The Car*

Bianca and Geraldine were laughing.

“She really deserve that and even more for competing with me,” Bianca said, not taking her eyes off the road.

Geraldine nodded. “After winning that money, she still walks on the streets. She could have board a cab or something!”

Annabel shifted in the back seat. “You guys are soo cruel!”

Bianca glanced at her in the mirror. “And where is this coming from?”

Annabel didn’t back down. “Bianca! What you made the driver did to Isabel is really unfair.”

“I don’t care!” Bianca snapped. “No one compete with me!”

Geraldine turned to Annabel. “Ann! Who’s side are you on? Us or Isabel?”

“I’m just saying what I think is right!” Annabel said.

Bianca rolled her eyes. “Ann! Please don’t spoil our mood.”

*Back on the Street*

Nadia stared after the car, still fuming. “And why will Bianca do that?”

Isabel wrung out the edge of her dress, but it was useless. The mud had already set.

“You—” Nadia started, then stopped. “Let’s go to Chantel’s house. She lives down here"

“Okay!” Isabel said, grateful to get off the street.

* At Chantel’s House*

Isabel and Nadia sat on Chantel’s bed, the room cool and quiet compared to the hot street outside. Chantel disappeared into her closet and came back with a dress draped over her arm.

“Here you go,” Chantel said, handing it to Isabel.

“Thanks, Chantel!” Isabel took it, relief in her voice.

“Go to the bathroom and change!” Chantel pointed down the hall.

“Thanks again,” Isabel said, and hurried out.

Once the bathroom door clicked shut, Chantel turned to Nadia. “So Bianca really did that?”

“Yeah! That car is Bianca’s!” Nadia said, still angry.

Chantel shook her head. “I’m sure Bianca is angry because Isabel was in brackets with her.”

“Well!” Nadia crossed her arms. “They were both first. If she does not want to be in line with Isabel, she should have gone beyond first.”

Chantel blinked. “Don’t be silly! What do you mean by ‘beyond first’?”

Both of them burst out laughing.

A few minutes later,

Chantel and Nadia were still giggling when Isabel walked back in. She smoothed down the borrowed dress, smiling a little shyly.

“What has gotten into you two?” Isabel asked.

“Nothing!” Chantel and Nadia said at the same time, which only made them laugh harder.

“Well,” Isabel said, glancing at the window, “Chantel, we have to go.”

“Yeah!” Nadia agreed.

Chantel stood up. “Where to?”

“Home,” Isabel said. “My mom must be worried!”

“Okay! Let me escort you outside,” Chantel said.

* At Isabel’s House*

Isabel pushed the door open and stepped inside. The familiar smell of the boutique and home mixed together.

Cynthia looked up from where she was folding fabric. “Ah! What happened? Why have you changed your dress?”

“Mud was splashed on my dress, and Chantel gave me her dress!” Isabel explained.

Cynthia’s eyes narrowed for a second, but then she nodded. “Okay! Take this money and buy corn dough and cassava dough from Miss Vivian’s shop for me.”

“Okay!” Isabel took the money and left again, the borrowed dress swishing around her ankles.

* At Miss Vivian’s Shop*

The shop was small and busy, smelling like flour and yeast.

“I’m buying corn and cassava dough,” Isabel told Miss Vivian.

“Here you go,” Miss Vivian said, handing over two wrapped parcels.

“Thanks,” Isabel said, giving her the money and taking the dough.

Isabel walked home with the parcels of dough balanced in her arms, the evening air starting to cool. A guy in a black hoodie came up fast behind her and banged into her shoulder, hard, without even turning to look.

“Ouch! Hey!!” Isabel yelped. She hurried after him and tapped his shoulder. “Are you okay? Don’t you know that you’ve hit me? Instead of saying sorry, you’re walking away!”

The guy barely glanced at her. “Well! If you’re hurt, take this and go to the hospital. I don’t have time.” He shoved some money into her palm and left before she could react.

Isabel stared at the crumpled notes in her hand, stunned. “You’re crazy! How can I go to the hospital just because someone hit my shoulder!! Or is he drunk?” she muttered to herself. She shook her head, tucked the money away, and kept walking. “Let me just go home, it’s late.”

*THE NEXT DAY*

_At school_

The morning was busy. Students were coming through the gates in twos and threes, chatting with friends, adjusting their bags. Then a black car pulled into the school compound.

It rolled to a stop near the entrance. The driver’s door opened, and a guy stepped out.

He was wearing the school’s uniform, but it was different on him. An expensive wrist watch glinted on his wrist, and dark sunglasses covered his eyes. He pulled the sunglasses off slowly.

That’s when the screaming started.

“Desmond! You’re back!” Students swarmed toward him from all directions.

Desmond grinned, the kind of grin that made people lean in closer. “Yeah! So how are my people doing?”

“Fine!!” the crowd shouted back, laughing.

Desmond looked around the compound, unimpressed. “Guys, I’m back but here seems to be boring! Why don’t we have some fun?”

“Yeh!!!” they roared.

Desmond turned to the car and spoke to his driver. “Give us some music.”

Bass thumped through the speakers before the driver even fully opened the door. In seconds, the school entrance turned into a party. Students danced, phones came out, everyone was moving.

Then a voice cut through the music like a knife. “What’s this nonsense?!!”

Everyone froze. The principal stood at the top of the steps, his face thunderous.

“Desmond!! In my office now!” he barked, then spun on his heel and left.

The music died. Desmond just shrugged, still smiling. “Well guys, party is over. I have a date with Mr. Principal.” He picked up his bag and walked toward the office, head high, like he’d been invited to tea.

On his way, a first-year called out, “What’s up, Desmond?”

“Cool!” Desmond answered without breaking stride.

Another student waved as he passed. “Hey, Desmond!”

Desmond winked. “Hey, beautiful.”

He didn’t slow down. He reached the principal’s office and pushed the door open without knocking.

*AT THE Hallway*

Isabel hurried through the school gate, late. While heading to her class , she spotted Bianca also coming to school, taking her time like she owned the place.

Isabel’s jaw tightened. She changed direction. “Bianca!”

Bianca turned, one eyebrow already raised. “Yes”

“Why did you do that?” Isabel asked, stopping right in front of her.

Bianca tilted her head. “Did what?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Don’t pretend! Why did you splash mud on me yesterday?”

Bianca’s eyes widened in fake surprise. “Oh! So it was you? I didn’t know!” She gave a thin smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But what can I say? That’s what happens to people who prefer walking over boarding a vehicle.”

Isabel felt her cheeks go hot. “What’s your problem with me"

Bianca’s fake smile dropped. Her voice went cold.

“Am glad you asked,then let me tell you. I dislike you. I hate seeing your face every day in school!”

Isabel blinked, thrown. “What? But why?”

“Isabel!” Bianca snapped her name like an insult. “If you don’t know, I hate people who compete with me. And you’re one of them.”

Before Isabel could answer, Bianca spun on her heel and left, her words hanging in the air.

* In The Principal’s Office.

The principal’s office door slammed open. Desmond strolled in without a greeting, flopped into the chair, and threw his legs up onto the principal’s desk.

“Well, I am here!” he announced.

The principal looked up from his paperwork, already exhausted. “I can’t believe you’re still like this after going to a boarding school abroad .”

Desmond smirked. “Well! What did you expect, huh? I guess it’s time you call my damn father.”

“Desmond, you better behave. You are risking your father’s reputation.”

Desmond let out a harsh laugh. “Damn reputation. I don’t f*****g care about some stupid reputation.”

“Use decent language, Mr. Adjei!” the principal barked.

“You’re spoiling my day, Mr. Principal.” Desmond grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out without looking back.

The principal just shook his head in disappointment as the door clicked shut.