COLOR ME

EPISODE FIVE

We left the class and headed to the cafeteria. I found the Food Prefect, Cassie, talking to my friends. She signaled for me to join her. Soren went to his friends.

"Adessa, I was telling your friends earlier that I'm sorry about yesterday," Cassie said. "Kemi threatened me that if I didn't do as she said, she would reveal my secret to everyone."

"What secret?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, but I won't disclose it. I'll end up being treated like an outcast," she said.

"So, like us, then," Jensen remarked.

Cassie didn't respond, but her expression said it all.

"I'm sorry to all of you," she said tearfully. "I've received my punishment. HM Smythe has stripped me of my position as Food Prefect for what I did. I'm sorry." Tears flowed down her cheeks as she left us.

"I wonder what her secret is?" Mae pondered aloud.

"I know her secret," Andrew spoke up. "Her mom is the school janitor."

"How did you find out?" Mae asked.

"I overheard them talking once, when they thought no one was around," Andrew explained.

"That's so sad. She's ashamed of her mother!" Mae exclaimed.

"Classic Kemi, bullying someone because of their parents," Jensen muttered.

"Guys, I'm afraid to eat in the cafeteria again after yesterday," Andrew confessed.

"I personally feel the same," I admitted quietly.

The Head Boy noticed us standing there and walked over.

"Go get some breakfast. I promise you there's no rat or anything else in it," he reassured us.

I believed him. I knew the Head Boy; he was a boy with integrity.

"Let's line up," Mae suggested, and we did.

As we passed Grayson's table, he was seated with Elijah and Noah. Grayson coughed and muttered, "Midnight," under his breath.

"Poly!" he sneered quietly.

When he saw the Head Boy looking at him, Grayson fell silent. Andrew looked ready to retaliate, but I stopped him.

"Andrew, let's not start a fight today. We'll just get into trouble," I cautioned.

Andrew shot Grayson a glare before we continued to the food line. I chose bread and scrambled eggs for breakfast. The four of us found a table opposite Tendai's. He was seated with Fajir and some boys from the soccer team.

Kemi came and stood by their table. "Leave," she ordered abruptly. All the boys, except for Tendai, picked up their breakfasts and moved to another table.

Kemi sat opposite Tendai. "Babe, I'm sorry about yesterday," she said with a tone that barely masked her insincerity. "Adessa and her friends pissed me off, which is why I acted the way I did." She wasn't truly apologetic; she was more upset about getting caught than about her actions.

"Kemi, please leave me alone. I meant what I said yesterday," Tendai replied firmly.

I watched as Tendai reached into his pocket and pulled out a beaded bracelet, holding it out to Kemi. Mae, Andrew, and Jensen were engrossed in a conversation about a party they'd heard of, one we clearly weren't invited to.

"Keep the gift, Tendai. It'll remind you of us," Kemi said with a forced smile.

"No, Kemi, I don't want it," Tendai insisted.

He placed the bracelet on the table and walked away. Kemi caught me watching her. She picked up the bracelet and left the cafeteria.

"Guys, you missed seeing Kemi get humiliated," I said happily.

They were engaged in the conversation about the party. They didn't hear me.

I excused myself to use the bathroom as we were heading back to class after break. After using the bathroom, I stepped out and saw Kemi and Raven waiting for me.

Kemi's expression was one of cold determination, while Raven loomed ominously beside her.I found Kemi and Raven were waiting for me.

"Adessa, I noticed you were eavesdropping on my conversation with Tendai," Kemi accused.

"I was seated right across from your table. Of course, I could hear what you were saying," I retorted.

She looked displeased. "Tell Mr. Ngonzi to switch you with Tendai for the Design and Technology class," Kemi ordered. "I won't let you be his partner."

"Look, Kemi, I already asked Mr. Ngonzi, but he refused. You could try talking to him yourself."

"Why are you so afraid for me to work with him? Are you worried this 'dark like midnight' girl will steal your boyfriend?" I challenged.

"HM Smythe's no-bullying and discrimination talk is making you confident," Kemi said coldly.

Before I could react, Kemi slapped me across the face. "You forget that he likes me; I am his favorite student," she added with a smirk.

Raven, towering beside her, asked, "Can I beat her too?"

Kemi's cruel nod was all Raven needed. Raven, a large girl who served as Kemi's enforcer, pinned me against the wall and punched me twice in the stomach, muffling my attempts to scream.

"Adessa, I can have any guy I want in this school. But for now, I love Tendai, so don't think HM will protect you from me," Kemi threatened coldly. "I don't know how you'll do it, but avoid Tendai at all costs. Let's go, Raven."

They left me alone in the restroom, huddled on the floor, tears streaming down my face.

Mae entered shortly after. "Addie, what happened? Why are you crying?" she asked, concerned.

I explained what Raven had done to me.

"I knew something was wrong when they didn't show up for class," Mae said angrily. "Let's report her, Addie. Enough is enough!"

"No, I don't want any more trouble," I replied weakly.

"Let's get you to the dispensary for a painkiller," Mae suggested, supporting me.

At the dispensary, I lied to the nurse, claiming stomach pain from doing too many sit-ups that morning.

"Sorry, don't overdo it if you're not used to it," the nurse advised, giving me a painkiller which I swallowed quickly.

"Mae, go back to class. Let Adessa rest until she feels better," the nurse instructed.

At lunchtime, the nurse made sure we received food since we couldn't go to the cafeteria.

Mae, Andrew, and Jensen visited me.

"What happened to you?" Jensen asked with concern.

"I have stomach pain," I replied quietly.

"Will you be okay?" Andrew inquired.

"It's nothing serious. I'll be fine by the end of the day," I assured them.

"Sorry, Addie," Andrew apologized.

I played games on my phone after my friends returned to class, passing the time until classes were over. I left the dispensary and went to my classroom to retrieve my bag. Tendai was there, listening to music on his phone. When he saw me, he smiled and removed his earbuds.

"Hi, Addie. Where have you been?" he asked. "I asked your friends about your whereabouts, but they wouldn't tell me."

"Leave me alone, Tendai. Come up with your own ideas and don't talk to me again," I snapped, putting my books back into my bag and leaving the classroom.

"He thinks he can just suddenly be my friend after not caring all this time?" I muttered to myself. There was no way Kemi was going to hurt me because of him. He was not worth my time.

Tendai had transferred to our school in 2021, at the start of our A-level term. Immediately, he and Kemi began dating, despite Kemi previously being with a boy named Rupert whom she dumped for Tendai. He had never acknowledged me. The sudden show in interest wasn't welcome.

Mom was waiting in the car in the parking lot.

"How was your day, sweetheart?" she asked.

"It was fine, Mom," I lied.

"How was your day?" I asked her.

"I went shopping for new curtains. I decided to take advantage of the discounts today," she replied.

Soren joined us, seeming cheerful as always. He acted as if nothing had happened, only mentioning along the way that the Spelling Bee was canceled. Mom was disappointed because Soren had been looking forward to it. Fortunately, HM hadn't called our parents to tell them about Soren slapping Kemi.

Dad wasn't around on Thursday morning. Mom was pleased to see that I was sticking to my "wake up early" policy. Breakfast was cereal today, so we finished on time. Tendai didn't attempt to call me again. I hoped he got the hint that I wanted nothing to do with him.

I still felt mostly emotional pain from the beating I had received, although the pain in my stomach had lessened.