chapter one

'MIA!!! You're going to be late for school, so hurry up. says mum.

Our math teacher, Mr. Cullen, doesn't even care if we complete his work, but my mother is always strict when it comes to homework. She says that a well-educated woman is capable of doing anything, so I guess that includes math as well. I quickly put on my last pair of shoes and tried to pack up the homework we were given yesterday.

"you know at your age back in my days of high school, we never had a lot of buses, I had to walk at least two hours simply to acquire an education," Since your generation has access to cellphones and other conveniences, she said, we should be appreciative, take advantage of them, and educate ourselves. I made an effort to move quickly as I packed the rest of my books, along with my lunchbox and water bottle.

She was getting ready for work as well, an early riser like myself, but without the compulsive late-night binge reading on Watt pad and online novels that someone needed to stop. "Okay, i am leaving now, see you later," i said as I entered her bedroom.

I reminded her that we were having our PTA meeting in a week and that Mrs. Funga wanted to individually speak with all the parents whose children were taking the grade 12 examinations.

She chuckled, "Yeah whatever, I know she just wants to talk about money and how we should be more involved in our kids' lives."

She has been working since I was a baby, and although she was in my life, she never had time to spend with me. Aside from the fact that she was exhausted every day when she arrived home from work at pm in the evening, I eventually became accustomed to it.

"Okay, love you," i responded as I headed out the door to catch a bus at the station directly across from our front gate.

By the time I left the house at 6:30 a.m., everyone in our street was already awake and heading to do their daily activities, mostly consisted of work, fathers and mothers were off to work, while kids were being dropped off for school.

I decided to text Amy, Anita, and Rachael in our what's app group as I waited for my bus.

ME: "Good morning, hope everyone is doing well today."

RACHAEL: "Hello beeches had a great night at Joe's party, still disappointed you guys missed it".

AMY: "Ray you are constantly out at some arbitrary party; didn't you learn from what happened last time".

Rachael was almost kidnapped last Friday at Roxanne's party. Roxanne is one of the popular girls at our school, and since her father is a well-known lawyer with a New York office, he is essentially never at home, allowing her to throw the biggest parties in our community. Just saying from my basic perspective and the pictures I saw on Instagram, because I wasn't there, my mum says am not allowed to party until I am eighteen, so more binge reading for me, just kidding it sucks. Last Friday she had a party that was theme based; people had to dress up as westerner cowboys and girls; she even booked a rodeo that was literally placed at her backyard.

RACHAEL: "Guys, calm down. I was OK. Joe stayed with me the entire night. He was so kind, he even offered me his jumper because it was so chilly".

ANITA "Hi girls, Rachael you know you're going to freeze your butt off one of these days".

RACHAEL: "Hey Nita, chill out you know I only do it to catch his attention, that's why I wear less clothes so that he can act all prince charming and cute".

"Didn't you two not meet like three days? How did you move so quickly", I responded.

RACHAEL: "Well, he's just so appealing and we click."

ANITA: "Sure Ray", she responded sarcastically

"Okay folks, see you in 20 minutes, love you," I answered and switched off my data.

I waited for the school bus to pick me up along with the other students who attended the same school, after five minutes the bus arrived. As I boarded the bus, I said hello to Mr. Jerry our bus driver. I then found a seat and put on my headphones to listen to Melanie Martinez as the bus drove to school.

Cavendish Academy was one of those private schools that loved to lecture about how important it was for us to be well-groomed to be able to fend for ourselves in society, so fundamental knowledge of IT technology, political science, and business communication was a must learn at the academy. After nearly ten minutes, we arrived at the destination. Many of the students had already arrived, some being dropped off by their parents while others used the school bus. I headed to my locker to pack my books and put my bag because I had almost 25 minutes before my first class. As I entered the school building, I noticed miss Angela standing just a few feet from my locker which was close to the faculty room, looking as though she was waiting for me.

"Good morning, Miss Angela. I hope everything is fine. I've seen you lingering round. Do you need help?" I inquired.

"Good morning, Mia, oh no I'm OK, just waiting for Mr. Funga," she responded. "He phoned me yesterday, saying he had something important he wanted to share with the pupils at assembly after lunch."

I retorted, "Oh, I wonder what he wants to say".

"Okay, let's not keep you waiting, I don't believe it's that horrible, now run along for class" she said.

"Yeah, best get going before Mrs. Daniels gives me detention" I replied.

i decided to wait for my friends Since our lockers are in the same row as one another, it was simple for us to see one another before classes started, after I left Miss Angela.

After texting the group to let them know I had arrived at school, I unlocked my phone, plugged in my headsets, and waited for them against a wall next to my locker.

I watched as a few different students hurried to get to their classes while listening to the neighborhood; some of them waved to me as they passed by, and I returned the gesture. I drowsily checked the time to see if I still had any free time, and as I looked up that's when I saw him walk through the front entrance of the school.

Nigel Parker is the most reserved and coolest person at Cavendish Academy, at least from my perspective. He is also the greatest student there, consistently obtaining distinctions in his classes and participating in basketball and soccer. He and Christopher have been friends since the eighth grade, most of the girls admire him rather than the top elite boys at the academy.

Despite the fact that he is Christopher's best friend and not one of the academy's top elite boys, the majority of girls admire him, with the exception of Gideon, who is sort of the school's man whore and has slept with nearly every girl at our school, well, except for me and my buddies, he and Christopher are the most gorgeous boys at our school.

Since they met in the eighth grade, they have been virtually inseparable. Chris is, however, also a man whore, which is not surprising given that he is one of Gideon's close friends. Nigel prefers to keep to himself more than Chris, who is well-known to everyone.

He walked into the room looking fantastic and enigmatic as always. However, despite being friends, I have a crush on him and have never revealed it. I don't want to lose our friendship.

"What's up Mia, looking nice as always. "He walked over to me and said,

"Parker, you know how girls are, trying to look our best even if we wear, we same uniform everyday" I responded.

"See sarcasm, excellent one" he said.

" How lucky of me to have someone like you to annoy me so early in the morning" I teased.

" Please as if you don't always look forward to seeing my handsome face everyday" he teased back.

"Well not to keep you waiting hot stuff, see you at lunch" he winked as he walked away.

I smiled a little at him as he left because he always makes my heart skip a beat. I hope one day I will have the confidence to tell him how I really feel, feelings are so overrated.

"Mia Rachael remarked, "Hey, I've been trying to get your attention for about five minutes".

"Oh, my bad Ray, I didn't see you there", I said as I turned to face Ray.

"You were definitely giving Parker those dumb googly eyes, let the boy leave with some dignity, you were literally undressing him, in your filthy head" she giggled.

"Whatever, by the way, where are the others?" I asked.

"They will be running a little bit late, Anita had an accident before she left the house and had to run to the drugstore to get tampons, oh yeah, she is with Amy", Ray added.

"Bummer, what a way to start the day", I sighed and started walking towards my locker to grab my books.

I immediately retrieved my books from the locker and replied, "Well, I have literature, so I will see you later byeeeee."

When I got to my first session, I noticed that Mr. Terry, our literature instructor, was writing something on the board, which I assumed was the topic of discussion for the day.

" Good morning, sir, hope you had a fantastic weekend" I remarked.

"Ah Mia, I hope everything is okay if it isn't my favorite pupil", he smiled happily.

"I'm OK, thanks; I can't complain at all; I'm really looking forward to our lesson today as usual." I responded.

"Well then, let's settle in and get started, shall we?", he said.

After our brief conversation, I moved to the very back of the class because, although I like learning, I detested being in front since it made me feel as though everyone was staring at me.

I noticed that I occasionally fell asleep during the lesson because my mind kept wandering to Nigel. I imagined his genuine smile and his mesmerizingly beautiful eyes, which always made me want to lose myself in them.

" Mia what did Oliver Orwell mean to convey when he employed animals to narrate his novel," said Mr. Terry.

I hesitated a bit before responding "We- well, I suppose he wanted to teach in a more creative way, and by doing so he educated people on how be aware of how the world is governed by politicians and also their right to free expression".

"Interesting response, Mia. Okay, class, I believe we are through for the day. Remember to read at least one chapter daily; a pop quiz will be given soon".

I waved farewell to Mr. Terry as I packed my books, then I went to my locker to get a few more books before heading to my next class—mathematics, how I hate these subjects.

My grades in mathematics were literally over a credit, which is around 45 percent, and I needed to get at least a 70% on my exams to finish high school. As I struggled in class to grasp the equations, I thought whether I should ask my mother for a math tutor. To be honest, I failed at math.

"Well, that's it for today people, see you tomorrow and don't forget to complete at least one mathematical question every day."Mr Cullen concluded by saying.

Since it was the last class before lunch, those who finished quickly were allowed to do whatever they wanted as lunch approached, as long as we were quiet. As I packed my books and headed to recess, I wondered if I would see him again before lunch. I knew he had computer science, and it would be done in the next ten minutes, so I waited opposite the computer labs to see him leave for recess.

When the bell rang to indicate that it was time for lunch, the lab door opened, and I saw him diligently texting on his phone. He appeared to be having a serious conversation and I doubt he saw me from his angle he looked to distracted, so I opted to use the restroom before heading to the cafeteria. At least I saw him, which made my heart flutter.

As I was using the restroom, I recalled a conversation I had with Rachael about him. She had mentioned that Nigel might have a girlfriend who goes to a different school. Funny how he never brought it up, but it makes sense given that he is a very private person. The only thing we know about his is that he has an older sister who attended our school a year ago before she graduated.

I could ask him, but I know he won't say anything, his always diverting conversations, they only person who might even know what's happening in his life is Christopher.

" There you are we have been searching for you" Ray commented as she strolled into the restroom with the girls. Seems as though Anita was having it quite harsh, she looked like she was about to drop. "Better believe it, I needed to utilize the washroom prior to meeting you guys,

"wowsers Nita you have seen better days, why not to the sick bay for a bit a bet Mrs. Natasha wouldn't mind, she's always happy to have company around" I suggested.

she just nodded, it must have been that bad for her not to speak, so we decide to drop her off at the infirmary before going for lunch.