In an hour, after watching Andrew, Richard, and Emlyn argue about the scripts, coupled with the rowdiness of the hall, I got bored.
I swung my mood from glad to sad and inactively went to sit all by myself in a classroom.
Few students rambled the hallway and most of them were attending to their various clubs in preparation for an oncoming event—every club in the school was going to make a stage performance to an audience of students and parents.
I belonged to the book club, foreign language club and drama club. Arthur belonged to the mathletes club, robotics club, and video game club.
I grabbed my pencil sharpener and drawing instruments from my bagpack and started to scribble out Nigerian native wears in a tedious manner.
While Mrs Kayla was walking down the hallway, she spotted me and reversed to sit next to me.
"Hey sweetie. What are you drawing?" She grasped my notepad.
"It's called an Ankara and I'm drawing out my favorite styles."
"Oh. It's... Nice?" She said and we both chuckled because I was drawing nothing but a caricature.
"Hey are you okay? Why are you sitting here all by yourself?"
"Well you asked me not to stay in the abandoned teachers' lounge so..."
"You know what I mean," she rolled her eyes and I sighed. "Tell me, I'm here to assist. It's Nicole, I presume."
"Yes, yes, yes! She won't stop befuddling me! First of all, I've got an earnest confession to make." I said in a cheerless manner. "I was the one who got Christian injured. I was running and I accidentally bumped into him. Nicole looked like the culprit in the scene and so she was kinda framed. I just didn't know how to react... I wasn't thinking straight.
So I made up my mind to tell the truth as soon as Christian woke up but he made things worse by telling a different but plausible story. After then, I felt guilty about everything and went on to turn myself in once and for all but..." I paused as I read the flummoxed look on Mrs Kayla face. I told her all that j had heard from eavesdropping and how Nicole turned a new leaf the next second.
I found a way not to tell Mrs Kayla the real truth and she never cared to ask exactly why I was running. I didn't want to get Nicole exposed in any way and I also didn't want that to bring up a new drama for it was all in the past.
"Wow. I must say, I'm very surprised. But Nicole, change?" She gave a short laugh, "that's as bad as saying a pig promises to never get dirty. This is an old game of Nicole, she's just... It's easy for you to believe her because you don't really know her and you don't really know that this is not the first time her father has spoken to her in such manner and she claims to be a changed person afterwards.
Perhaps she'll eventually change but this is not that day.
The fact that she wants to be friends with you and she wants to prove to you that she's changed only proves to me that she wants something from you."
"Really?"
"Have you even seen her abominable posts on social media lately? I guess the reason why the principal refuses to take proper action against her is because of her father's status. Mr Martin has contributed so much to the growth of this school that if he leaves, we lose a lot. Yet he doesn't use that to an advantage, his daughter does.
It's evident that this school has multiple students because of Nicole and that is why we've got a high level of security and cumbersome exams for admission." She concluded and left me awe-inspired.
"Wow!"
"Just be careful. I'm glad the incident is settled and everyone is in good hands, including Christian. I have to go do some paperwork now, we'll talk later," she said and scampered away.
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In a short while, I heard the sound of foot steps approaching. When I took my eyes off my drawing, I saw Nicole. She was wearing a pink cargo pants, white sweat shirt, and white sneakers. Her straight, black hair was packed into a neat ponytail. She had costly bracelets and rings all around her hands and some of them contained real diamond. Her expensive clothes were fancy enough to toss one into a state of intimidation.
Although, she frequently wore outfits as simple as a top on a skirt but they always looked so costly and she never repeated the same clothes.
She stylishly walked up to me and sat on a table.
As soon as she sat, every student moving around halted to pay attention and gossip about our queer closeness, in knowledge of Nicole's strong despise for me.
"Nice drawing. You're so talented," she smiled and I falsely returned the smile, "thanks."
"So what goes on? You seem troubled. Arthur is presently looking for you"
"Oh... I'm not worried. I just got bored." I was getting really uncomfortable. 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙙.
"Hmph, is Arthur your boyfriend?" She inquisitively asked and I answered, "nope. That'll be gross cause he's my best friend. Arthur, Emlyn, and Jasmine are the people I love hanging out with. Wanna know why? Because they are responsible, they are a good influence on me, they're humble, and are kind." I turned to face her, speaking in an oblique way of telling her what I would expect from a friend.
"Alright. Well I still think something bothers you."
"it's nothing Nicole"
"Fine."
We both became silent and she said again, "you know, I only get this way each time I think about my parents."
"Your parents?" I interrogatively asked.
"Yeah, parents. I grew up in a supes wealthy family—like filthy rich. My Mom is a fashion designer, one of the best in the city, but her divorce with my Dad has almost taken her out of the spotlight. My family is not only rich but talent flows in our blood."
I dropped my pencil to look at her, the conversation was starting to interest me.
"When I was much younger, I used to be a sad little girl with zero friends. Money isn't really the answer to everything cause if it were, I certainly would not have been bothered about my parents constant dispute or that they were too busy for me.
My Dad is the one who really petrifies me a lot... Like hell! He's a no-nonsense man and I guess he's that much of a disciplinarian because both his parents were soldiers."
She said, "he didn't want me to go to a private school, he says he wants me to learn to live like a normal kid. He detests it when I get any special attention and he's basically all about discipline and doing what's right. He says he won't allow fame make me forget where I came from—a family that's all about doing what is right irrespective of your status.
So I went to camp, I studied for good grades, I eat in a normal restaurant once in a while, I used to take the school bus and all. Though Mom thought he was being an extremist and he was being absurd. Mom likes it fancy and likes to be the center of attention.
They always had problem with determining my lifestyle because they both had absolute different opinions"
"I'm totally speechless."
"The few months I spent with my Mom, she allowed me do whatever I want to and truly act like a celebrity. She opposed public school, she allowed me date boys, she allowed me take closely nude pictures for my social media.
Later on, she stopped. She was fond of saying, 'Nicole, do whatever makes you happy' because she felt I was letting in too much sadness into my life at such tender age. She didn't want parental issues to be the reason why I get depressed and that's one of the reasons why she spoiled me like that.
On getting to the teenage stage, I just... Changed. I was no longer that sad or calm little girl. I used my fame, money, and importance to an advantage.
I found joy being on stage and having all the attention to myself, that attention I never really got from my parents.
I really wanted them together Stephanie. I wanted to be able to say a few things when my mates blabbed about having the best parents and saying it's of more worth than riches.
Nothing hurt me more than being part of a broken home."
After hearing her speak in animosity and petriment, I shortly became flummoxed and ice bound.
"For-for real?"
"Yes Stephanie. I screwed everything up," she said in a sad manner.
"You did screw everything up but I believe in change, it's not too late to fix things. This made me realize that we actually have things in common. My dream has always been to gain fame through the movie industry for a really great purpose. Also, I come from a broken home—just like you."
"Trust me, I know the sore it causes but you have to set a priority for yourself and you need to make your parents proud. Um, I'm certain that your Mom didn't mean it this way when she said you should do what makes you happy. Being good and responsible is the best way to live your young life. You don't have to please anybody or gain their approval, just do you. You don't have to use languages of hatred, acts of antagonism, and rub your fame and money on the less privileged."
"Tell me more," she said. I couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic but I resumed, "being nice and lovable and talented will fetch you fans and lovers from all corners and you'll gain real happiness. Um, also I'd love to introduce you to the One I tell all of my problems to and the One who solves all of my problems." I said with a beam on my face. It was as if Nicole had knowledge of my intentions to win her soul—she surprisingly flipped the topic aside.
"Who knew Nigerians could be this awesome?!" She jumped off the table to exhibit her delight, "Steph, you are gonna be besties with a superstar! But first…" she took out her phone and made few taps on the screen, tapped the last button, then she grinned.
"I just took down all of my awful posts about you"
"For reals?" I said looking amused, but then muddled, "but why?"
"My bestie deserves a vainglorious treatment. P.S I'm a changed girl now," her face lit up in a beautiful smile.
I swiftly became speechless. What did she mean by us being besties?
"Also, you're officially a new member of the superstars Rock It All club, wait till I introduce you to all the members. Next, we've got an audition to talk about, all I need is to talk to my Dad about it. Things will be much easier considering how much of a fantastic actor you are."
"Oh my gosh! Seriously?"
I was totally thrown off balance by that statement; I wasn't only stumped but thrilled too! Nicole reached in and hug me and as soon as we hugged, Arthur passed by and froze on us for some seconds then walked away.
"Awkward," Nicole said in a high pitched voice. "I've gotta go now. Laters"
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I summoned the courage to approach Arthur as he stood by his locker. He looked so unapproachable.
"Hey"
"Like seriously Stephanie, you have gotta be kidding me," long faced, he said.
"Heyyy, you just said my full name," I frolicsomely said and touched his pointy nose.
"I'm serious. After all we talked about?"
"What exactly did we talk about?"
"Steph!"
"Now you listen to me. I'm sincerely downbeat about all of this. You and everyone else I talked to about this said I have to spot the change in her first and I already did. There's a lot you don't know about her. You all just keep judging her without truly knowing her story. Arthur, you should learn to give chances," I thoughtfully elaborated.
"Oh did she tell you the broken home balderdash?"
"Umm…"
"Why won't you just listen to me?"
"You're the one who isn't listening to me. You're just being so negative."
"And you are being too focused on the positive aspect of this alone—life is not a fairytale, you know. You're not even considering the fact that she might be using you. You're not considering any of the bad part…"
"And you aren't considering any of the good part! Just try to understand me. Being friends with her means I would no longer be oppressed, and also everyone else, things would be much better and I'd also have a huge chance at attaining my goals with such a superstar like Nicole by my side."
"With a superstar like Nicole by your side? Is that what all of this is about? Have you forgotten about God and also about your plans so soon? Little miss her royal highness decided to flip sides as soon as her Dad put her on probation, and not because she was touched by his words but because she knows someone has the key to unlocking her greatest nightmare. In a blink of an eye, she claims to be a changed person like change is that easy, all in a bid to get little miss sentimental on her side so that her secret is kept safe.
You should let her know that you won't expose what you saw her do and she doesn't need to fake anything to make you keep it a secret. Afterall, it doesn't concern you.
Just tell me what it is you want—her fame to rub off on you? Her cash? Her luxury? What is it Steph?..."
I furiously interrupted, "enough! I am sick of your gibberish words. It's high time you stopped caring so much, you're not my guardian. You're on your way to achieving your goals and you seem like you don't want me to achieve mine. You know, in Nigeria we refer to peeps like you as an enemy of progress."
"Do you even hear yourself? What has that got to do with this?... why even waste my time explaining things to you? You're just a naïve Nigerian pest!" Arthur sternly spoke and brushed his long hair to the back once more.
I grunted in exasperation and walked out on him as students curiously gazed.
All I kept thinking about was how wrong Arthur was. My head was clouded with discombulation
Nicole then introduced me to her club of high class. The members of the club were all astute and wealthy.
Nicole was allowed to head such club because she had given the principal enough reason to see that the club belonged to young entrepreneurs. The principal had demanded that she changed the name of the club to something more acceptable to the school's standards and she called it, "Entrepreneurship club."
A teacher was also involved in the club and taught the members to organize and operate business ventures once in a while.
Whenever I had a single scruple about Nicole's acts, she would pacify me with lots of gifts.
"Ain't she a babe?" Emlyn smiled as I walked past them.
"More like a babe in the woods," Arthur sneered.