Last days at Edwardian High School

Chapter 1

He walked gracefully but with caution as his eyes roamed around the hallway. Everyone can tell he’s new. He hugged the books to his chest, as he tried to adjust his backpack with his right hand. His name was Babatunde Soaga, he was a Nigerian.

“Yo, bro. You seem new. Are you new?” A student in a white shirt, a blue plaid trouser, a blue plaid tie, and a white sneakers, “Ah, that’s a dumb question. You’re obviously new. You’re the only black student here, not like we’re kinda racist or something. We just don’t have ‘em unlike Blosom-ark.” He said the Blossom-ark silently as if He was scared of being lynched by the people in the hallway.

“So, don’t mind the stares - the glances,” he continued, “and oh, by the way, my name is Noah - Noah Kim” He extended his right palm for a shake. “Let me help you with that.” He extended his hands to collect the books Babatunde hugged against his broad chest.

They walked in silence for a while, towards Principal Victoria Taylor’s office.

“Aren’t you gonna ask my name?” Babatunde asked hoarsely.

“Nah. In this school, you’d learn never to ask if you were not told. That doesn’t apply to academics, obviously.” Noah grinned and moved his lips to the right with the smile still on his face. “Okay, we’re here. This is as far as I can go.” He returned the book and retreated his steps. “We’ll talk later, yeah?”

Babatunde nodded, knocked, and he stepped into the principal Victoria Taylor’s office immediately he heard the consent to enter.

‘Good Morning, Babatunde Soaga. Did I pronounce that well?” She asked as she tilted her eyes down a little bit and smiled.

Babtunde shook his head, smiled which revealed his dimples, and he answered, “Not quite but it’ll do.”

“Oh, we’ll work on that. Take a seat.” Principal Taylor said, still smiling, and tilted back her glasses to the normal position which made Babatunde wonder why tilted up and down if she needed to tilted them down to see people or what is the point of wearing them at all? Back at home, only the visually impaired wear them and that includes old people. This lady before him is not blind nor old, she must be in her late thirties.

“I can’t help but be immense - I’m immensely impressed by your grades and results.” Principal Taylor began, snapping him from his thoughts.

“Thank you.” he smiled, revealing the dimples again.

“As you know, we don’t take new students into senior year class - last year of high school but-” She stopped and continued, giving him no chance to talk and he took the hint, “your father was a good friend of mine back in the days, our high school days. We almost ended up dating but your father is too modest. He couldn’t date his best friend’s ex.” She stopped, stared at him, “I hope I’m telling you too much.”

He shook his head and grinned.

“Okay, you’re all set. I don’t think I need to tell you to be on good behaviour because your father was, so I suppose you take that after him? Plus, it’s said that Nigerians are good people, well-mannered, well-cultured. Am I right?” She asked and reclined on her chair.

“Well, most of us are. I mean it all boils down that to the parents.” he answered, still grinning.

“Yes, you’re right,” She said with a little laugh, “there's an orientation on Friday for new students, trust me, you don’t want to miss it.”

He nodded.

“Well, I guess that’s it. Have a fruitful day, a fruitful stay here in school, and-” She paused, “you’re just as good-looking as your father.”

Okay, that is irrelevant, he said in his head.

“Thank you, Principal Taylor.” He appreciated, smiled, and stood to leave.

He walked back into the burrowing and questioning eyes of the students. He has always been unsure of a lot of things but not his confidence. It never fails him.

*********************************************************

Meanwhile, Liam Chen, the school’s male golden boy and a billion dollars heir company was going to skip school that morning and Joseph, his favourite butler, was going to cover for him until Alexander Brown, his shy friend came to him.

“I heard more scholarship students have enrolled.” Alexander said with a smirk.

“Nah, bro. I’m not that kinda person no more.” Liam replied as Joseph, his butler tried knotting his blue tie for him.

“For real?” Alexander asked with a widened eyes, “I thought you was joking when you said that last three weeks. Good for you, but the problem is, how you gon’ convince over seven thousand students that you was changed?”

“Bro, what's up with the style? Choice of words, you watch a lot of movies during the holidays?”

“Ah, that’s the new Alex, man. You better get used to it. I bet those chicks gon’ like it.” Alexander said, licked his lips,and rubbed his beardless jaw.

“Bro, you can’t even look at those girls’ eyes, not to mention talking to ‘em.”

“What! I’m grown now, man.”

“I owe you 5k if you talk to Cynthia today, yeah?”

“5 bags?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re on, man.”

Liam smiled and turned to Joseph, “prepare the Pagani, please.”

“No, I brought my car.” Alexander said sheepishly, “I just got my driver’s license, so - I mean it’s not a pagani so-”

“Man, that’s great!” Liam exclaimed and looped his right hand over Alex’s shoulders, he was at least 5 centimetres taller, “you’re free today, Joseph. I’m gonna ride in Alex’s car and see how terrible his driving is.”

Few minutes later, they were already in Alex’s car.

“Brooooo, Lamborghini Hurucan ain’t bad. Why were you making it sound like it was a BMW?” Liam snorted and beat the seat repeatedly.

“Yeah? You think Cynthia would like it?” Alex asked, a little nervous.

“Screw her if she doesn’t. You’re going to find a better, nice girl than Cynthia.” Liam assured.

“I don’t know, man. I kinda want Cynthia.” Alex said.

“Chick doesn’t even know you exist.” Liam said.

“That’s what I’m planning on doing today. Just don’t forget your bet,” Alex said, as he tried to ignite, his white hand trying to find the keyhole, “wait, where was I gon’ sit if you was takin’ the pagani?”

“Do I look like I care?” Liam answered with a laugh, “come on, put on some Eminem.”

In a few moments, both of them started murmuring to Godzilla on their way to school.

******************************************************

The hallways have gotten more crowded. She walked with her nose in the air, her backpack dangling behind her, her red hair in ponytails,and her face expressionless.

She walked between the students’ questioning gazes and whispers.

Yeah, that’s right. The boss b***h is back,she thought.

Her name is Charlotte Davis, another heiress to a billion dollars company. She was accused of the expulsion of Alison Hampton, Cece Hastings, Daniel Jobs and Alison Hampton’s suicide in the previous year. After thorough investigation by the police with cooperation from the school’s administration, Charlotte Davis was found not guilty of the charges, at least not physically involved except for the hurtful words she said to them.

Principal Victoria Taylor only allowed her back because she was one of their brightest students and the kind of endorsement the school got from her father, Mr. Davis is worth reconsidering.

It’s a new year, a senior year, and she knew she had to see the principal for moral talks and behaviour. Her next stop was the guidance counsellor’s office, she hated that woman.

Meanwhile, the whispers in the hallway have turned into exciting giggles and squeals.

Liam Chen is in the building.

“OMG, he looks hotter than last year.”

“Oh my goodness, I think I’m wet.”

“I think he’s gotten taller.”

“I’d kill for that smile to be shone at me.”

“Yo, man. What’s up?” Ethan Thompson, a friend of Liam, extended his arm for a handshake, a handshake that was followed by a bear hug, “what’s up, shy little man?” He said to Alexander Brown and gave a short laugh.

Alex cussed silently and looked away to search for Cynthia.

“My man!” Another friend came along and repeated the same greeting style with Ethan.

“How y’all doing?” Liam said and laughed.

“We good and bubblin’. No hard thing.” A third friend said, smiled, revealing his gold grills teeth.

“Yeah, man hot. Man flex. Man got 99 problems but a b***h ain’t part of ‘em.” Ethan chipped in.

Liam turned to Alexander, “I guess you were not the only one.”

“I told ya. That’s how we gon’ be talkin’ now. Them hot chicks gon’ like it.” Alexander replied, looking up to Liam.

“See? The little man knows how it’s goin’. How them tins should be said.” Ethan said.

“Hey yo, I heard a lotta welfies got in this year.” The second friend said, “wanna go mark our territory? Show ‘em who’s boss?”

“Nah, I’mma pass on this one. I gotta that white chick with glasses around her sexy eyes that sits behind the big desk that covers her big bunda.” Liam tried imitating his friends, describing the principal.

“You sure?” Ethan asked, “I don’t know the principal is a priority now.”

“Nah, I’m just not feeling it. I mean we’ve got the whole year, we gon’ do whatever we wanna do to them people, yeah?” liam imitating them again.

“Hey yo! That’s how them tins are done. Nice one. We’ll catch you later, yeah?” Ethan said, offering a dap.

“Of course, man.” Liam said.

“When are you going to tell them?” Alexander inquired as soon as Ethan and friends were out of sight.

“Soon. Very soon.” Liam said, staring into the space.

About 15 minutes later, the classes for the day started.

Babatunde Soaga, Charlotte Davis, Liam Chen, Ethan Thompson, Noah Kim, and Alexander Brown in the same English class, unaware of each other’s existence.