PRICELESS EXCHANGE

THE WILD CATS

wow, it's one hell of a school..I remarked as we both got home. We slumped on the sofa at the same time and we laughed at once

I'm so tried right now I need to cool off.. Tonia said tiredly

where's Andrew I didn't see him after school I asked

oh.. guess he's helping those bullies work on their projects she replied

what? Andrew is being bullied too? I asked in surprise

yeah.. He's the most brilliant in his class and a lot of the rich dull kids force him to do their works for him Tonia said

this has to stop it ain't right! I said angrily

hey, he's fine, you think of getting those crazy girls off your necks first.. Tonia said as she stood up

I'm not afraid of them, just don't wanna get into trouble with rich kids and this is my first time here I shouldn't go against the school rules.. I said

really? so you're a kick ass? Tonia asked while laughing

not really but I know exactly how to take them down I said smiling

hmm you better stay off their paths she said

hey.. who's Jeff? I asked as I recalled the guy I sat with back at school

oh.. He's a superstar here at Queens. A lot of girls are dying to have him gosh he sings so well, Tonia remarked

really? I asked with wide eager eyes. But why does Molly always refer to him as her boyfriend?

they once dated when we were juniors but not anymore, he's her ex but rumor has it that she's trying to get him back

hmm.. she should stop referring to him as her boyfriend then, but he looks calm and he's always alone

sometimes he's like that when he is working on something but trust me he's a freak, one of the hottest dudes in school you need to hear him sing! Tonia exaggerated

I stopped in awe watching her. If he sings and I sing too, then he's my type and I really like him even from the first day I met him

would he be coming to music classes today? I asked

hey.. you have a thing for him now? Tonia asked looking at me

no.. um.. not really

Sophie!! she screamed. You have a thing for Jeff!

no, I don't I argued

Hey what's going on here, Andrew asked walking in with his schoolbag hung on his shoulders. He looked tired and rough as he walked in

I'm glad you're here, Sophie is beginning to like Jeff! Tonia exclaimed and I placed my palm over her mouth at once while she struggled to speak

oh.. OK.. Andrew said uninterestedly and walked to his room

what's wrong with him is he OK? Tonia asked looking at me

He's your brother you should know better, I said as i walked out leaving Tonia.

We ate lunch together in our rooms after doing our assignments. I haven't seen Andrew ever since he went into his room. Tonia and I relaxed for a while before we started dressing up to attend music classes

hey you're wearing that again? Tonia asked looking at the Black jean in my hand which I wore earlier to classes

yeah... I replied looking at her surprised

oh come on you're gonna get yourself in soup when those crazy students finds out you're wearing same dress again she said while wrapping her hairs

oops.. I don't have much to wear so I've already numbered my clothes for the week, I said

really? Tonia asked turning to look at me with surprise written all over her

you number your clothes? she asked and I nodded in shame

hmm.. why don't you try a few skirts I bought few days back I haven't wore them since then, she said smiling

really? I asked excitedly and she nodded happily. We walked to her wardrobe and she gave me a short skimpy red skirt and a white off shouldered top to match

wow.. looks so nice on you.. she remarked

thanks Tonny you're the best.. I giggled turning around excitedly in my new outfits. She gave me a black laced sandals to wear too and I was more than overjoyed. We quickly dressed up and walked out of the room. We saw Andrew sitting at the dinning writing a few notes. There was a sad look on his face and I could tell something was wrong

hey bro.. we're going out for music classes Tonia said and he nodded without a reply

hey.. see you later.. I said and he raised up his face to look at me. Our eyes met but he didn't turn away this time. He kept on staring at me

be safe, he uttered and continued his work

thanks.. I said inaudibly

As we walked into the school premises, I noticed all the students around were all dressed So sexy and hot. I felt so happy that Tonia made me fit in. I walked stylishly and a few guys stared as I walked by. We got to a class filled with a lot of students who were chanting and making noises. I searched for the three bullies but they weren't there. I guess they aren't here yet.. I whispered to Tonia

yeah they're always late.. she whispered back. We both walked to a seat and sat down quietly. I noticed a lot unfamiliar faces at the classroom they're all here for music, I said to myself

where is your seatmate? she doesn't attend music classes too? I asked

she does but she doesn't need me, she have her own crew when it comes to music Tonia replied

oh OK, I wish you would always sit beside me, I said and she smiled

I can't find Jeff, I said looking around

hey.. be careful how you call his name, he's every girl's crush and they'll just snap your neck if they find out you're crushing on him especially Molly Tonia said and I nodded. Not long, I saw him walked in with some other male students, they were all dressed so flashy and cool. hi Jeff, hi Jeff, I heard girls call on his name as he walked with his friends to their seat. He ignored them and walked away. I couldn't stop staring in adulation at his sexy blue eyes and his muscular stature. He turned to my direction and our eyes met, oops! I exclaimed silently and turned away at once with my heart skipping fast

what is it? Tonia asked trying to look at Jeff's direction

don't look! I yelled at her silently but she turned and I guess he saw her looking at him

hey.. He's looking at us.. Tonia said laughing

Tonia you're such a jerk I told you not to look now he'll know we were talking about him, I said feigning anger

I never knew he was staring, you just made me fooled myself.. she snapped and hit me on the elbow

Tonia! I yelled and hit her back

The music teacher walked in after sometime. She is a lady in her mid thirties. She was dressed in a black short gown that reaches down to her knees. She looks pretty too like miss Lora

she's pretty I said to Tonia

she's miss Lora's twin sister, her name is Gina Tonia said

wow, hope she's a good teacher like her twin, I said smiling

yes she's the best! Tonia exclaimed

hey you.. we heard her say. My heart sunk as I saw her pointing at me. What's with these teachers always pointing at me! I said to myself

stand up.. she said looking at me. I stood up at once as everyone stared at me from behind

come out.. she ordered and my heart skipped at once. I walked out immediately

You are new here, she said with an expressionless look on her face

yes.. I replied

What's your name? she asked

I'm Sophia, I replied hoping she won't ask further questions

Sophia why are you here? tell us why you chose to be here at the music class she ordered

Gosh, this is worse than I thought, I didn't expect that and I don't know where to start.

we're waiting Sophie.. she said. I looked at everyone who was staring at me and I saw eager eyes waiting for me to speak. I looked at Tonia and she gave me a reassuring smile

Um.. I'm here because I love music, I said at once

what is music? she countered and I frozed. Wait.. all my life I've never thought about that question, what is music? I asked myself. I love music no doubt but what really is it? I asked myself again.

This might not be your usual definition of music I began, but music is a force that drives through my emotions, it's a way of expressing how I feel inside of me, it's something that lights up my feelings and gives me peace of mind. Music takes me to my own world and I'm proud to say that I'm addicted to music.. I ended and looked at miss Gina. Everyone stared at me and then the claps came

you swept me off my feet Sophie.. miss Gina remarked with a smile on her face

thank......s.. before I could finish, A baseball hit me through the window and everyone laughed. I held my head in pain and looked through the window only to see Molly and her friends sneering at me. They ran away after seeing miss Gina turning towards them.

ouch it hurts.. I said in pains

I'm sorry dear, I'll look for the person behind this menace she said to me and I walked back to my seat with different eyes staring at me

sorry, Tonia said looking at me and I nodded.

Music is a flow and a force that drives through emotions, miss Gina continued, like I'll always say, if you don't feel that flow, then you ain't doing music.. that flow must be found inside of you and everyone who listens to your song, let's take a look at princess Tanya's performance at the Queens party the other time..

At the mention of Queen Tanya, I jolted out of my revelry trying to recall where I've seen or heard about her. I recalled the girl on the billboard at the school gate. Who is this princess? I asked myself

You could see the flow in her music, how she carried the crowd along, sweeping everyone off their feet... miss Gina continued

who's princess Tanya? I whispered to Tonia

she's the Queen's granddaughter, Tonia whispered back

who's the Queen? I asked

She's our Queen mother her name is Mrs Serena she is the founder of Queens

is she a Queen? I asked

yeah.. she is a former Queen of.....

Tonia could not finish when Miss Gina said,

Tonia, you're interrupting my class..

sorry ma'am.. Tonia said at once and kept mute

So like I was saying, Princess Tanya is returning to Queens and she is coming in her royal gift. A competition will take place when she comes, other schools will be coming for the competition too so I want you all as my students to prepare for her return, she will be the one to lead classes when she comes. You will all perform before her and then she will chose among the bests who will perform with her during the competitions

yesssssss!!!!! cheeers!!!!!!! everyone exclaimed in excitement. I can't wait to practice under princess Tanya, a girl said from behind

wow, I guess she is really special.. I said to Tonia

yes.. she's the best! Tonia exclaimed

When are we expecting her return? Jeff asked

oh Jeff, well we all know how censorious she can be but the Queen have hinted me on her return, and She'll be returning in less than a month miss Gina replied and everyone cheered again

Come on guys this is all we have today, as from tomorrow, we'll begin preparations for her return and I need the best out of the best! she said

yes miss Gina!!! everyone exclaimed in unison and as she left, they all rushed out of the class excitedly

can't believe this was all we had for music today, I said strolling out of the classroom with Tonia

You heard her right, we want to prepare awaiting princess Tanya's arrival

wait.. you guys want to prepare? we heard someone asked and we turned and saw molly and her friends staring at us

oh come on cowgirl this is not mariossa, this is Queens high school, and you wanna know more about princess Tanya, she doesn't roll with dirty girls from dirty backgrounds.. Lucy remarked and they all laughed

you should leave the preparations to us girls, you should be thinking about how to be a spectator OK? don't even think about trying to prepare for any competition not to talk of joining the competition OK? Cassy added

well, she thinks she's good at music how about us competing in front of the whole class tomorrow? Molly asked

come on Sophie let's go.. Tonia said to me and we both walked out

I'm tired of taking their insults I think it's high time I put them where they belong, I said angrily as we walked into the house

hey don't mind anything they say and don't think about competing with them, it's only gonna make things worse, Tonia said as she sat on the sofa

hey girls.. welcome back, Andrew said walking in with a book in his hand

hi, I greeted and walked to sit close to Tonia

what's up? everything OK? he asked

princess Tanya is coming to Queens Tonia said

so I heard, it's a good thing but I don't like that girl Andrew remarked and we both turned to look at him

what? she's a braggart and she's too full of herself.. he added

really? I asked looking at Tonia

yeah.. she rolls with only the big girls and boys at school. The last time she came was three years ago where she performed at her grandmother's party. She was really full of herself but what do you expect from a beautiful rich and talented princess, Tonia said

wow, Molly and her friends were right after all, she isn't going to chose us for the competition then, I said

there is going to be a competition? Andrew asked

yeah, when she returns.. I replied

hmm, well we'll just have to do our best and leave the rest Tonia said tiredly

I'll like to meet her and be friends with her, I said excitedly

only in your wildest dreams Andrew remarked and we all laughed

so tell me how was your day at school? he asked looking at me

very poor,.I was bullied and smashed with potatoes and a baseball on my head I said and we all laughed.

Gosh I'm sorry.. Andrew smiled rubbing his hand against my forehead. Does it hurt here? he asked

get out.. I said jokingly pushing his hands away and we all laughed

you're just trying to mock me, I said

no.. I'm sorry I wish I could fight for you tomorrow he said and Tonia turned to look at him

hey.. you haven't finished your own fights.. she said

you're fighting? I asked looking at Andrew and he turned away.

yeah he is being bullied but he is always silent about it! Tonia yelled

enough Tonia! he yelled and walked out

what's wrong with you both? I asked looking at Tonia who was looking moody now

Andrew doesn't stand up for what he wants.. he doesn't know how to be a man, he is afraid of everything.. she cried

hey if you're talking about bullies then you shouldn't forget I'm in same s**t too and I haven't done anything about mine I said

you don't understand Sophie.. you have a dream and you went for it, you took bold steps to come here but Andrew is afraid of even chasing after his dreams, he is afraid of virtually everything! she cried again

really? I asked in surprise. Now that's absurd I said to myself as Tonia walked out

That night, after dinner I went out to the open fields to calm my thoughts and think about the music I've been practicing in my head. Tonia was asleep already. I'm missing my parents and grandma, Even Barbara I thought as I walked out to the field. The atmosphere was cool, only a few stars were in the sky. A few lights were shining on the field to light it up. It feels like home, where I would always come out to the fields when it's dark to practice music.

I noticed someone sitting on a wooden chair close to an oak tree by the side of the house. I looked carefully and noticed it was Andrew. I haven't seen him all through the evening.

Hey.. I called walking towards him. He raised his head to look at me

Soph.. he called softly as he caught sight of me

still awake? I asked sitting beside him

no I'm sleeping he replied and we both laughed.

gosh I never knew you were this funny, I said

I'm not funny, just trying to be.. he said and I laughed again.

so why are you still up? I asked looking at him

um.. just.. I couldn't sleep.. he replied

oh really? thinking about someone? I asked smiling and he turned to look at me he smiled and looked away shyly

no, he replied still smiling

why are you shy? you're fond of this whenever we are talking I said

really? I never knew, he replied

so why can't you sleep? I asked

I was thinking about a few things, he replied

about what Tonia said earlier? I asked and he kept mute. He looked at me and turned away again, I guess he was good at avoiding gazes

no... maybe yes.. he acknowledged and I shifted closer to him. I understand, it's normal to be scared I'm scared too, I said and he looked at me again this time with a smile

I know you're scared of Molly and her friends he said

yeah.. I want to go home, I said

He looked at me again and the smile disappeared from his face. Why? he asked

I'm scared of everyone here.. I replied

including me? he asked and I gave him a slight punch on his elbow and he laughed

I can't be scared of you, you aren't mean, I said

how do you know that? he asked smiling

because you allowed me stay in your house, I replied and we both laughed again remembering how I had asked him same question the first time we met.

So, tell me what you are scared of, I said smiling at him

The big guys, he replied

only? I asked and he nodded

they make me do their assignments and their projects for them, even when I'm tired they'll still make me work for them. They make me take all the blames for their nuisances and I almost got expelled today for their actions he said

really? but you could report to the school authorities can't you? I asked

they'll make things worse, their parents are rich and they'll make sure I pay for it if I ever tell on them. Even the authorities are scared of them

who really are they? I asked

they're called the Wild cats of the school, they are a gang consisting of different students whose parents are rich and famous. They come together with a single aim which is to gain control over every student here at Queens Andrew said

wow.. they must be dangerous, I said

yeah but Tonia doesn't know of that, she thinks I'm only afraid of them she doesn't know who they are Andrew said

what does she mean when she talked about you being scared of chasing your dreams? I asked

there are no such things as dreams Sophie.. he said sadly

yes there are dreams Andrew, I said placing a palm on his cold arms. I noticed the vibration on his arms as I touched him. He turned to look at me and I saw the pain in his blue eyes sheathed beneath the glasses he wore. I took my hands off him at once and he turned away

I want to go to bed now, and I think you should do the same, he said

I want to practice a few song, I said

no I can't leave you here sometimes it can't be safe, he protested

but I ain't feeling sleepy yet.. I argued

Tomorrow is school remember? what classes would you be having first on your timetable tomorrow? he asked

um.. Art.. I said trying to remember

oh OK.. then you have to go to bed early so you won't be late he said

I shook my head and he stood up and stretched his hand for me to hold.

come on, he urged. I shook my head again and he grabbed my hand and dragged me inside

Andrew.. stop.. I don't wanna go to bed now.. I argued hitting him as he dragged me away

I don't want you to be late.. he said as he dragged me through the back door.