Jensen found me waiting for him in the parking lot, his brows furrowed as he glanced around.
"I wonder why the driver isn't here yet," he said, sounding a bit impatient.
"Maybe he's stuck in traffic," I offered, trying to ease the tension, though my own nerves were on edge.
"Maybe," Jensen replied, his eyes still scanning the area.
"Jensen, who's leading in the polls between your dad and Isla Walker?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Dad leads Isla by a small margin," he replied.
"I know it's bad timing, but if he gets re-elected, could you come to the party?" Jensen asked hesitantly.
"I'm not sure yet," I answered honestly.
"I understand. The party is on Saturday," Jensen said, his voice cautious but hopeful. "I hope Soren will be better by then."
I hope so too, I thought, though I wasn't sure I could even think that far ahead. "Yeah," I muttered, not knowing what else to say. The idea of going to a party while Soren was still in the hospital seemed surreal, but I didn't want to dampen Jensen's optimism.
Just then, Jensen's girlfriend approached us in the parking lot.
"Hey, Jensen, can I talk to you?" she said shyly.
I gave them space to talk. I overheard her asking, "Can my friends come to the party? They'd like to meet your dad."
"Sure, they can come," Jensen said with a smile.
She kissed him on the cheek and left. Jensen's smile widened. "I like her, Addie. She's kind and fun."
"I'm glad you're happy," I said.
Our breakup had led each of us to new friendships. Jensen was now close with King, Brielle, and their friends. Mae was with Grayson and his circle. Andrew hung out with Liz, Raven, and Kemi. I spent time with Tendai, Eloise, and their friends.
"How did you meet her?" I asked, curious.
"I bumped into her at the country club during the Easter holidays," Jensen explained. "She was there with friends for the first time."
"I'd seen her at school, but we'd never spoken before," he continued. "We hit it off right away."
"I'm happy for you, Jensen," I said, genuinely smiling.
"You know, Kemi said Brielle looks a lot like you—and it's true," Jensen noted with a grin. "I'm into dark-skinned girls. That's my type."
I'd initially agreed with Kemi, but now I understood his preference more clearly. It's not just about looks, I thought, there's something deeper there.
"You really put Kemi in her place," I said, changing the subject. "She doesn't bully anyone anymore."
"Yeah, I'm glad students can be themselves now," Jensen said, happily. "I stood up to her because of you and Brielle. Brielle told me how Kemi, Liz, and Raven used to call her names because of her skin color."
"Thank you for that. You really wiped the smile off her face," I said, smiling, thankful for what he had done.
We both laughed heartily, the tension between us easing. The driver finally arrived, pulling up with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry I'm late—traffic was awful," his driver said.
"It's okay," we replied.
Jensen checked his phone for updates, his face growing more serious. "Dad's win isn't guaranteed this time because he's splitting the minority vote with Isla Walker. That's the challenge."
"I believe Mayor Roman will win. People like him," I said, trying to offer some reassurance.
"But Isla has powerful supporters—like Regererai Dube," Jensen pointed out. "That's why she's so close to beating Dad."
"Regererai mentioned studying with your dad at university," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, Dad said Ray was a show-off and even hit on my mom back then," Jensen disclosed, his voice tinged with amusement.
"So, Ray could have been your dad!" I joked.
"Don't joke about that—I love my dad," Jensen said, his tone suddenly serious.
It's good he feels that way, I thought, though a pang of discomfort hit me. If only he knew how Ray had treated Tendai...
The traffic was heavy, and it took us an hour to reach the hospital. Mom was sitting in Soren's room, watching over him as he slept peacefully.
"Mom, is Soren still okay?" I asked, my heart racing a bit as I stepped into the room.
"Yes, he's just fallen asleep," she replied, her face softening as she looked at him.
"Jensen has come to see Soren," I added, as we entered.
Mom noticed Jensen immediately. I could feel the subtle tension—she disapproved of him because of his dad's ties to Freemasonry.
"Thanks for coming, Jensen," Mom said, offering him a polite hug. "You stopped coming over. How have you been?"
"I've been fine. A lot has been happening in my life—which is why I've been out of touch," Jensen responded, his voice steady but carrying a hint of something unsaid.
Mom asked, "Isn't the Mayoral election on Friday?"
"No, it's tomorrow," Jensen corrected.
"I've been so distracted by everything lately that I forgot the date," Mom admitted. "I've been keeping up with the election and hope your dad wins."
I was surprised by her change of heart, remembering she had once said she couldn't support a "devil worshiper."
"Thanks, Mrs. K," Jensen said. "Once things settle down, I'll come visit."
Jensen stayed with us until Soren woke up. "Get well soon, bro," he said with a grin. "Who else will disturb Addie like you do?"
He left around 7 p.m. His visit showed the strength of our friendship. Jensen was like family to me, and his absence had been deeply felt.
"Mom, why are you supporting Roman Bekele again? You said you would never vote for him because he's a Satanist."
"Addie, recent events have made me realize there are worse people in the world. I believe he might eventually see the light—especially with you talking to him about his path," Mom said.
"Jensen is a true friend," I added, feeling grateful for his support.
Just then, Dad entered the room, having come to swap places with Mom. I hugged him tightly. "How was school?" he asked.
"School was fine... Jensen came to see Soren," I replied, my heart still heavy.
Suddenly, Uncle Mofe's voice boomed from outside the room. "I'm going to teach him a lesson!"
The three of us hurried out to see what was happening.
"Uncle Mofe, why are you shouting?" Dad asked, concern etched on his face.
Uncle Mofe was fuming, an intensity I had never witnessed before. He lunged at Dad and began hitting him.
"It's because of your philandering that my grandson was poisoned! My niece suffered an acid attack because of you! Now you want to kill her children too!" Uncle Mofe screamed, fury radiating from him.
"Uncle Mofe, please leave him!" Mom cried.
"Leave Dad alone!" I shouted, desperation creeping into my voice.
Uncle Mofe ignored our pleas and continued to hit Dad, who remained still, refusing to defend himself. Finally, hospital security rushed in, lifting Uncle Mofe off Dad, trying to restore order.
"Desmond, it's your fault that your son almost died," Uncle Mofe said harshly. "If you love them, set them free."
Mom helped Dad up, her hands shaking slightly. "Uncle, you don't want to understand," she said, tears streaming down her face. "I told you during the family meeting on Saturday about the witchdoctor in Sierra Leone who bewitched him. This isn't the right place to discuss our family issues."
"Afua, stop defending this man! No one bewitched him. What happened in Sierra Leone has nothing to do with what he did," Uncle Mofe claimed, his voice rising. "It's just an excuse for you to forgive him."
"Sir, can you please leave?" the hospital security asked, trying to escort him out.
"Stop! I'll leave on my own," Uncle Mofe said, his voice trembling with anger. "Afua, leave this man before you or any of your kids lose your life."
With that, he stormed out, just as he had promised.
Mom wiped the tears from her eyes as the doctor examined Dad for any injuries. Thankfully, Uncle Mofe hadn't hurt him badly—just some minor scrapes.
"I hurt my family with my actions," Dad cried, his voice filled with regret. "Uncle Mofe is right."
"You were bewitched," Mom said gently, trying to comfort him.
I left them to talk and sat with Soren until Mom came to tell me it was time to leave.
"Goodnight, Dad," I said, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Goodnight, Ade," he replied softly.
As we drove away, I turned to Mom. "I doubt Uncle Mofe will ever forgive Dad," I said, the weight of the situation settling heavily between us.
"Addie, you know that he's the one who paid my school fees and tuition. He loves me like a daughter. He doesn't hate your dad—he's just disappointed in him," she explained.
"Has Officer Zahara given you and Dad any updates about the case?" I asked, hoping for some good news.
"Not yet," she replied.
"Mom, I hope they find him so he rots in jail," I said, my frustration spilling over.
"Even the one who attacked you on Friday night," Mom added, a fierce protectiveness in her tone.
Mom stopped by the supermarket to pick up some food and essentials. She also bought some Chinese takeout from the Yi Dim Sum. We ate supper together once we got home before retiring.
"Goodnight," Mom said, yawning as she headed to her bedroom.
"Goodnight," I replied, making my way to my own room. I took a bath that refreshed me and changed into my nighties. Just as I was closing my windows, a number I didn't have saved on my phone called me.
Is it one of Soren's friends? I wondered, picking up the call.
"Hello Addie, this is Elaine," she said, surprising me. "Tendai told me about what happened to you on Friday and that your brother is in the hospital because he was poisoned. I wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened to you and your brother."
"Ray and I want to offer you our support. He has connections in Scotland Yard who he's spoken with to handle your case," Elaine continued, her voice steady but warm.
"Thank you, Elaine; please tell Ray that I'm grateful," I said, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
"I will. Our lawyers and police connections will ensure that justice is served," she assured me, and I could sense the sincerity in her words.
Tendai was right—his mom really cared about me a lot. It made me feel less alone in this overwhelming situation.
A familiar smell wafted through to my bedroom in the morning on Thursday. It was plantain and tripe, stirring up memories of happier times. It had been so long since I last ate it; after Kemi opened my container in class and made the whole room smell, I hadn't felt like touching it again. But today, something shifted within me.
"Mom, I've missed this!" I exclaimed, a genuine smile breaking through the heaviness in my heart.
"I know; it's been a while," she acknowledged, her eyes reflecting the same bittersweet nostalgia."
To think this food had set off a rollercoaster of events in my life—it felt surreal.
"It smells bad but tastes so good," I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
"I have some good news. Your father called me an hour ago to tell me that Soren is now breathing on his own."
I dropped my fork. "Mom, are you serious?" I gasped.
"Yes, Soren is no longer on any breathing machine."
Joy surged through me, and I hugged her tightly, my heart racing with joy. "I need to go see him," I said, feeling an overwhelming urge to be by his side.
"You'll see him after class," she reassured me.
Mom decided to drop me off at school today, buoyed by the good news. As she drove, she turned on the radio. On every station, people were being encouraged to vote in the Mayoral elections which were today. I felt a pang of guilt gnawing at me—Jensen had been there for me, showing such care for my family, yet here I was, unable to support him. I couldn't skip class to be with him; with everything going on in my life, it felt impossible to balance my worries for Soren with my desire to be with Jensen.
"I hope Jensen understands that I can't go out to vote today," Mom said, a hint of concern in her voice.
"He'll understand, Mom," I said, trying to reassure her.
When we arrived, Soren's classmates and friends gathered around me, their worried faces mirroring my own fears.
"Hey, we want to go see Soren," they said. "Will the doctors allow us to visit him?"
"Yes, he is allowed to have visitors," I confirmed.
"How was he poisoned?" one of them asked, their eyes wide with shock.
"Someone blew Ricin on him at the park on Saturday," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Has the person been arrested?" another asked, and I could feel the weight of their hope pressing down on me.
"Not yet; the police are still investigating," I said, my heart sinking.
Just then, the secretary announced over the speakers that we should take some time to pray for Soren Kamara, who was recovering from being poisoned.
At this point, the whole school knew about the attack. Mr. Ngonzi must have informed the administration and teachers about what happened to Soren.
I wanted to thank Tendai for the help his parents were offering for my case and Soren's. As break time approached, I turned to Eloise. "I need to talk to Tendai."
"Okay," she said. As soon as break time arrived, she walked out of class without me.
I approached Tendai, my heart racing. "Tendai, can we talk?"
"Sure," he replied. I sat next to him, waiting for the classroom to empty. I noticed Grayson lingering—he was the last to leave. He shot me a look filled with jealousy before walking out, leaving me feeling even more conflicted. What was he thinking? One moment, he acted like I was invisible; the next, he seemed upset that I was talking to my ex.
"I'm really thankful for what your parents are doing for my family," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"It's okay, Addie; it's the least I could do," he said, his sincerity shining through. "I'll always be there for you whenever you need me.
"Can I hug you?" he asked hesitantly, his eyes searching mine.
Part of me craved his touch—his warmth would bring comfort in this chaotic moment—but another part was still wounded. The latter won.
"No, we're broken up!" I said firmly, even though the words felt heavy on my tongue.
"Even friends hug," he replied softly. "Come here."
Against my better judgment, I let him pull me into an embrace. It felt so familiar—so right. I wrapped my arms around him, allowing the comfort of his presence to wash over me.
Just then, someone coughed nearby, interrupting our moment. We pulled apart, and I turned to see HM Smythe standing there, a mixture of concern and authority in his eyes.
"Kamara and Moyo Dube," he began, his voice cold and unforgiving, "detention for both of you—today and tomorrow. Report to my office after classes. I don't want to catch you displaying such affection again."
"Sir, Addie's brother is in the hospital, as you're aware, and she's upset," Tendai interjected swiftly, his voice firm. "I was comforting her."
"I know that," he said, his frustration palpable. "Addie, I am leaving you with a warning. Moyo Dube, you will serve the detention." HM Smythe turned on his heel and walked out of the class, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
"Tendai, I'm sorry for getting you in trouble," I said, my voice laced with guilt.
"Don't be," he replied softly, his eyes meeting mine with a sincerity that warmed my heart. "I would do it all over again."
"Let's go to the cafeteria before he returns," I said, glancing nervously at the door.
As we walked out, I couldn't help but voice the hurt I felt. "What impresses me is that when I got beaten up in class by Kemi and Raven, he was nowhere to be seen."
Tendai paused, his expression shifting to one of anger. "Yeah, HM Smythe never shows up when you actually need him."
We picked breakfast once we got to the cafeteria. I sat with Eloise while Tendai continued on to sit with Fajir and their other friends.
"HM Smythe caught us hugging in class," I began, trying to keep my tone light. "He gave us both detention, but Tendai told him he was hugging me because of what I was going through, so now he has to be in detention alone."
Eloise raised her eyebrows. "I am really sorry," Eloise said, her eyes full of sympathy. "HM Smythe chose not to sympathize with you, even though he knows what you're going through. He only relented because Tendai put him on the spot."
I nodded, feeling a warm flutter of gratitude for Tendai.
"I know Tendai mightn't believe me when it comes to what his friend did to me, but I know he loves you, Addie. Don't worry about me," she added, her voice sincere but tinged with sadness.
I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that talking to Tendai was hurting Eloise. I glanced over at his table—he was deep in conversation with his friends but kept stealing glances at me. HM Smythe had given him detention because of me, and yet, he wasn't mad about it.
"You keep looking at his table, Addie," Eloise observed gently.
"Yeah, I just… I feel bad for Tendai. He didn't deserve that," I said with pain in my voice.
Eloise nodded, her eyes softening. "He loves you so much. He will do anything for you," she said, her voice full of sincerity.
Her words stirred something within me—guilt mixed with longing. I hadn't told Eloise about the breakup with Tendai, nor had I mentioned that I hooked up with Grayson. Part of me wanted to share everything, to unload the burden I carried, but the fear of judgment held me back. How could I explain the conflicting feelings swirling in my heart? I was torn between the loyalty I felt for Tendai and the unexpected connection I'd formed with Grayson. I felt like I was standing on a precipice, teetering between two worlds, neither of which felt entirely safe.
"Are you okay, Addie?" Eloise asked, sensing my turmoil.
"Yeah, I just… I'm still processing everything," I admitted, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
I scanned the cafeteria for Grayson but couldn't see him. "I wonder where he is—"
"Addie, I need to give you your things; I carried them from home," Eloise suddenly remembered. "They're in class."
"Thanks for bringing them," I said, feeling grateful.
"You're welcome," she replied warmly. "I'll give them to you after break."
"Addie, why did you leave early on Sunday? I've been curious," Eloise asked, her gaze probing.
It was the question I had dreaded since leaving her home on Sunday morning.
"I wanted to be with my parents—what happened to me on Friday night frightened me," I said, not looking at her face.
"It's okay, Addie—what happened that night was traumatic. I told my parents about it. Dad flew back immediately—he was worried for me," Eloise revealed, her concern evident.
"I've been meaning to ask: did anything happen between you and Grayson on Saturday night?" she asked, curiosity lighting her eyes. "He was unusually joyful on Sunday morning when he woke up."
"Nadia and I wondered what had gotten into him!" she exclaimed.
She is onto me! The cats out of the bag.
"Did you guys fight that night?" Eloise pressed. "I know he likes to annoy you; it gives him satisfaction."
I felt relieved that she hadn't figured it out like I had thought. "We did fight—undercover.
"No, we didn't fight. I think he was just having a good day," I said, my voice steady even as my mind raced.
"He and Mae broke up. He won't tell me why," Eloise added. "They seemed happy together on Saturday when she visited."
A deep pang of guilt twisted in my stomach—thankfully, Eloise couldn't read my facial expressions like Mae could, or she would have seen the remorse etched all over my face.
"I didn't know that they had broken up," I pretended, my voice steady despite the churn of emotions inside me. I scanned the room, searching for Mae. There she was, seated with Janine and Ophelia, her presence almost magnetic.
When our eyes met, a flicker of anger ignited in her gaze. Without hesitation, she shot me the "fuck you" sign with her hand, her expression a mix of hurt and defiance. A rush of shame washed over me—I was responsible for her breakup with Grayson.
I turned away, heart racing, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down. This was my fault. The invisible thread connecting us felt taut and frayed, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was caught in a web of my own making.
The bell signaling the end of break rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. Eloise and I stood up to leave. We made our way toward the dish counter, passing by Kemi, Liz, and Raven, who were seated with Andrew.
As we walked past their table, I felt Kemi's eyes on me—her presence looming like a dark cloud. I could hear her whisper something to Liz, followed by a low laugh. Of course, she had something to say. She always did.
"Hey, Midnight," Kemi called out, her voice dripping with disdain. "Hope Cupcake's dad loses the election. Can't wait to see how smug you are when he's no longer important."
My steps faltered, and I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to snap back. Eloise shot me a warning glance, silently urging me to walk away—but Kemi knew how to press all the right buttons.
"If I were you, Kemi, I'd worry about your mom's sentence instead," I retorted, unable to hold back. "She's going to be gone for a long time."
Kemi's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculated stare. "How's your brother, Addie?" she asked, her voice now chillingly soft. "Ricin can really do a lot of damage, as you've seen."
That was it. My vision blurred with rage, and before I knew it, I lunged at her, fists flying.My fists were connecting with Kemi's body, my anger unleashing with each hit—years of bullying, cruelty, and resentment boiling over.
"Addie, stop!" Eloise's voice cut through the noise, but I was too far gone, fueled by the anger that had been festering for too long.
I heard Kemi's sharp intake of breath as she tried to shield herself, but part of me didn't care. All I could think about was Soren—about everything she and her friends had done. She deserves this—she deserves worse.
The cafeteria erupted into chaos. Students who had been leaving for class suddenly stopped in their tracks and rushed back, forming a tight circle around us. Their murmurs grew louder, buzzing like a swarm of bees.
"Get off her!" Liz's voice rang out, sharp and desperate. Raven lunged forward, trying to pull me off Kemi, but my anger gave me a strength I didn't know I had. I shoved Raven away without thinking, my entire body trembling with rage.
All I could see was Kemi's smug face, the face that had taunted me for so long, and now had the audacity to talk about Soren like that. How dare she?
"Addie, please!" Eloise's voice was frantic, trying to pull me back into reality, but it felt like I was miles away, drowning in my fury. I could hear the gasps and murmurs from the crowd, but none of it mattered. The years of pain, the bullying, the helplessness—they all seemed to channel through me at that moment.
Just as I raised my hand again, Tendai's arms wrapped around me from behind, lifting me off Kemi. "That's enough, Addie!" His voice was firm, but there was a softness in his tone—like he understood, but he couldn't let me keep going.
I kicked at the air, still in a blind rage, but Tendai held on tight
"I know it's you who ordered the attack!" I shouted, my voice shaking as the rage surged through me. My chest heaved, heart pounding. "Leave me and my family alone. I hope your mom gets life imprisonment for attempted murder!"
Kemi's face twisted with fury as she scrambled to her feet, clutching her side where I had hit her. "You think me and my family will allow you to do that to her?" she yelled, her voice venomous. "Mom got those burns when she was living in Somalia, when she was younger. Go and look for the real acid attacker and leave my mom alone."
"Addiei, calm down, okay. She's not worth your time," he said softly, hoping to deescalate the situation, but my anger still bubbled beneath the surface.
Kemi's sneer deepened. "That's rich coming from you, Tendai—the boy who dated two sisters."
The jab stung, even though I knew it was just Kemi trying to hurt him. Tendai's eyes flashed with anger, but his voice remained steady. "Kemi, don't pretend to care about her now. You knew she was your sister but still treated her like an enemy."
That made Kemi falter for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her voice dripping with malice. "Addie, did he tell you that he dated Reina Thingz and broke her heart?" Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "Her beautiful breakup songs? They're all about him."
Her words hung in the air, and I could hear the murmurs ripple through the crowd. Reina Thingz. I knew they dated but the crowd didn't know that, and Tendai's shocked expression betrayed his surprise that Kemi had revealed it so publicly.
Kemi smiled, thinking she'd exposed some grand secret. "I was a good girlfriend to you," she hissed, her voice sharp as knives, "but you hurt me just like you did Reina."
Tendai's eyes hardened, his voice cutting through the tension. "Comparing yourself to Reina is an insult to her. She and Addie are more woman than you will ever be."
The words were sharp and unrelenting, and I saw the flicker of hurt cross Kemi's face before she quickly masked it with rage. But why did that hurt so much?
Kemi's slap landed hard on Tendai's face, the sound echoing through the cafeteria. Without hesitation, she began clawing at him, her nails digging into his skin. Blood welled up under her vicious attacks, but Tendai didn't lift a hand to defend himself. He just stood there, enduring the pain.
Something inside me snapped.
I pushed Kemi away from Tendai with all my strength. She stumbled back, but the fury in her eyes only intensified. With a feral growl, she turned her rage toward me.
I braced myself, the air between us thick with tension, my heart pounding in my ears. If this is what it takes to protect him, I'll face her wrath.
Kemi's eyes burned with unfiltered hatred as she spat the words, "Addie, you will die before we complete our finals, I promise you that."
A cold chill swept through me, but I stood my ground, forcing the tremor in my voice to disappear. "I'm glad you've said that out loud in front of the school," I retorted, raising my voice for everyone to hear. "Now everyone knows you've threatened my life. When I die, the police will investigate you."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, students glancing at each other in shock. Kemi's expression faltered for a moment, realizing her words had hung heavy in the air, recorded in the minds of all those watching.
"What's happening here?" HM Smythe demanded, his voice booming. "Where's the Head Boy and Head Girl?" he asked.
They emerged from the crowd, their faces pale.
"Students have been fighting, and you did nothing," he said, his disappointment evident.
"Sir, Addie and Kemi have been a subject of news recently. We wanted to hear what they had to say," the Head Girl explained.
HM Smythe looked at them, shaking his head in disbelief. "Addie, Kemi, and Tendai, follow me to my office."
"What's the matter?" HM Smythe asked, looking between us as we stood in his office.
"Sir, Kamara attacked me," Kemi said quickly, her voice dripping with false innocence.
"Sir, she provoked me. She threatened that I would die before the finals," I countered, my voice shaking with anger. "If anything happens to me, it'll be her doing."
"All lies, sir," Kemi interjected sharply, cutting me off.
HM Smythe sighed, clearly exasperated. "I understand that recent events have worsened your relationship in this school, but fighting is not tolerated here, as you're well aware." His eyes rested on me. "Kamara, you skipped detention only thirty minutes ago. Moyo Dube, I've already punished you once today. Two strikes in one day?"
"Sir, please forgive her. Kemi caused the fight," Tendai stepped in, his voice calm but firm, trying to shield me.
"She attacked me first! I was only defending myself," Kemi argued, her tone rising with fake indignation.
HM Smythe held up his hand, silencing the room. "Enough! This is not a court of law. You're both responsible. "Kamara, this is your last strike. I won't be lenient next time, even if your brother is still in the hospital," HM Smythe said firmly.
"Barre and Kamara, I want you to stay as far apart from each other as possible until your finals. I don't want to see you talking or fighting. If you do, you'll be expelled and miss your finals in July," he ordered.
"Moyo Dube, you already have detention. If you get entangled in any more fights or love triangles, I'll increase your detention," he warned. "Now get out of my office."
As I was leaving, I noticed HM Smythe had a campaign badge on his chest that read "Vote Isla Walker as Your Mayor." I knew he hated Roman Bekele because Bekele intimidated him. Smythe couldn't bully Jensen the way he wanted due to Jensen's father's influence.
Outside the office, Kemi joined her friends, who were waiting for her.
"I wonder how she found out about me and Quinn!" Tendai said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Was your relationship a secret?" I asked, a knot tightening in my stomach.
"Yes, it was. Rocky High doesn't allow relationships between students. If discovered, it's automatic expulsion," he explained, sighing heavily.
"That's harsh. Love should be celebrated— not criminalized," I said, feeling a mix of anger and sadness for him.
"Rocky High is very strict," he replied, his voice low.
"Was it only Grant, Roe, and Tyler who knew?" I asked, hoping for clarity.
"Yes. We used to hang out together after school, where we could be free," he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"It's no wonder people didn't know who Reina's songs were about," I remarked, thinking of the mystery behind her lyrics.
"Now they do," Tendai said bitterly. "I bet someone will share the gossip online. Even my dad's gossip site will run the story for the clicks."
"She must have figured it out at King's party. Reina mentioned her ex went to our school. A simple search would reveal Reina went to Rocky." Even though I hadn't been smart enough to figure this out that day.
"Are you mad at her?" I asked, searching his face for a reaction.
"No! I deserve it," he said, looking away. "I used to see her ridicule you when I dated her and—said nothing."
"Tendai," I said, my heart softening, "you need to let go of that guilt. It's in the past."
"Addie, you need to be careful with her. You heard her threats. Come home with me today. My mom can cast a protection spell for you."
I had forgotten Tendai practiced voodoo—he had mentioned it was a family tradition.
"I was able to overcome Kemi's charms because of it," he added, as if to reassure me.
"I'm protected by the power of Jesus Christ," I said firmly. "No matter what, I know God is on my side."
"You need to see Agnetha; Kemi scratched you hard," I insisted, eyeing the blood oozing from different parts of his face and hands where her nails had dug in deep.
"Oh yeah," he said, as if just remembering.
"See you in class," he added, trying to brush off the situation.
"I'm coming with you," I replied, my determination firm.
"No, they're just scratches. Agnetha will send you back to class," he insisted.
He was right—she wasn't going to let me stay. "Don't worry; I will be fine," he said, offering a half-hearted smile. I watched him go, anxiety swirling in my chest.