The shrill voice piercing the morning air verified my thoughts; the morning wasn't going to be a pleasant one.

Without bothering to open my eyes, I already knew who was around and why the person determined to scream her head off.

Her yells, threats and profanities were justified alright, I was in her boy toy's bed after all, but that didn't mean I appreciated it. I already felt crappy enough as it was, I didn't need a raving banshee to add to the throbbing headache that was already killing my head.

I reluctantly opened my eyes, still feeling groggy and grumpy, the scene not far away from me was one for sore eyes.

"Is this how you plan on getting back at me ehn?! Akin we both know you're better than this. This is so fucking damn low! Even if you want to stoop to this level, Akin it shouldn't have been that bitch! Akin this is unheard of! Akin fucking say something. Akin!!!"

On the Wednesday morning, Principal Lawrence Elizabeth, in her pristine business suit was holding on to Mr. Akin Balogun, the physics teacher's shirt and accusing him of infidelity in the staff quarters.

Isn't that wonderful?

I didn't move an inch partly because I knew that aggression would immediately be transferred to me but mostly because I really wanted to see Badoo's reaction.

I waited and waited but Badoo didn't move. He just kept staring at the ranting woman and since his back was to me, I couldn't tell what his expression looked like.

When I got tired of waiting, I dragged myself up the bed and gave a lazy yawn and as expected, the hag shot forward to pounce on me, only to be stopped by Badoo just as she was about to tear me to pieces.

Her eyes went round when they fell on his rough hold on her as he yanked her away from my vicinity. I felt unlucky for not having a phone around to film the first-class drama.

"Don't create a scene here," Badoo whispered harshly, "nothing, in the manner of what you're insinuating happened between us. Now get out."

She seemed too shocked to move, I had begun to worry if she had come in contact with some form of electricity unbeknownst to us as was being electrified but in the end, she shot a glare my way and gave a nod so sharp that I heard the sound of it cutting through the tense ambience.

"Good luck proving that to the board. Have a nice day." With that, she whirled around and left through the open doorway.

It wasn't until then that I realised that she hadn't come alone, hot cop was with her and the look in his eyes when it locked with mine was why I'd been trying to steer clear of him from the onset.

I groaned loudly and face palmed myself. 

The day wasn't going to be a nice one. I was sure.

*

By lunch break, when I was finally summoned to the principal's office at lunch break, the entire school had caught wind of the 'illicit' affair between Badoo and I.

Needless to say, a lot of taunts and snide comments were hauled my way. Everyone who hadn't an excuse to openly abuse me previously now found one and they all couldn't be more happy. Students and teachers alike, none of them held back with the insults. 

It was sad that a little rumour like that could cause such an uproar, but what was even more sad was the fact that the people that were currently having the time of their life casting stones had a lot of dirty laundry in my cupboard, begging to be aired.

Although all the curses and hate didn't affect me one bit, like the continuous hum of a mosquito that'd repeatedly escaped death, it irritated me no end.

By the look of the weary man that was currently standing a few feet away, I could tell that he felt exactly the same way.

I couldn't help but remember the line he said the night before.

...I know a kindred heart when I see one...

Before I could process any further thoughts, the screech of Mrs. Lawrence, clearing her throat had snapped me out of it.

She sat behind her desk with the demeanor of the hag that she was and went on to read from a pre-written speech from a slim, blue file while I looked on in boredom.

"It has come to my knowledge that the both of you have been seeing each other behind close doors, an action that is clearly not in accordance to the code of conduct in this high esteemed institution.

And as no offense goes without punishment, I hereby suspend Miss Isabella Adeoti indefinitely. Your parents has been sent for and will be picking you up by the end of lectures today. I—"

"Bullcrap!" 

Even if I was as rude as fuck, I wouldn't dare interrupt the bitch whilst she was reading her rehearsed speech to the hearing of the entire school via her mic so it was safe to say that it wasn't me who had interrupted the great hag.

I whirled around to see who it was that had enough balls to not only barge in, but also curse in the divine presence of Principal Lawrence. Apart from me that is.

Hot cop stood by the door, trying to catch his breath.

"I don't mean to intrude in official matters but  Isabella can't leave now ma'am. There's an investigation going on."

For a reason I couldn't fathom, hot cop had found a need to jog over to make this announcement. I was perplexed.

Mrs. Lawrence made sure to press the mute button on her mic before yelling;

"Do I look like I give a damn about some fucked up investigation?! She broke the code of conduct and she has to leave or my institution's reputation will suffer."

I rolled my eyes.

Institution's reputation in-fucking-deed

"What do you think will happen if someone else turns up dead and we're not there in time to cover up? Isn't this 'reputation' of yours going to suffer more?" Hot cop picked the words right out of my mouth.

"Even if your want to dismiss a student for an 'alleged' crime Mrs. Lawrence, won't that student have to face the panel first? Why do I feel that you're trying to breach protocol?" Badoo, who had been silent all along, picked that moment as the right time to talk.

Madam Lawrence started to grow pale.

I couldn't help my smirk.

"Fine! I'll set up a panel as soon as possible, but you have to leave the school's premises for the rest of today. I don't care where you go. Come back tomorrow when I will hopefully have the situation under control. Now get out." Her expression was guarded when she turned to addressed me. I simply nodded and walked out of the room with my head held out high.

Somehow, even without opening my lips, I had won the round.

It was something worth celebrating.

My smile vanished the moment I took a turn.

Of recent, there was only one person that could turn my good mood into a sour one within seconds.

Senior Dave.

As if in wait, he was there, leaning his back and a foot against the wall and tapping the other repeatedly on the floor in impatience. He rushed towards me the moment I fell into his line of sight.

"Hey," he started, "are you okay?" 

"I'm fine," I grumbled in reply and increased my pace but he would not just take a hint for once and let me be.

"I'm sorry about what happened. I know how hard it must be for you right now, I'm so sorry. You should lay low for the rest of today, I can skip classes to take you somewhere, anywhere you want to go. I'll —"

"Can you just shut the fuck up and stay the hell away from me?!" I all but yelled in frustration, almost feeling bad for his pained expression that was as a result of my actions. Almost.

"But I'm trying to help you her—"

"Who asked you?, take your help to those who need it. I don't." I barked in reply and turned around to leave but he gripped my hand and roughly pulled me to him.

"Don't you get it? I really want to help because I like you! I really really like you!"

It took a few seconds for it to actually register;

Dave liked me.

Dave really liked me. 

Shocked was an understatement for what I felt at that moment.

He grabbed on to my waist and painfully slammed me into a wall before whatever spell that held him captive wore thin and snapped.

He pulled away from me and looked on with mouth agape. I saw an emotion flicker in his eyes, but it was gone before I could decipher it.

Then suddenly, he couldn't get far enough from me. He dashed away like a racing horse.

I stared after him for a long time in bewilderment until a slight, deliberate cough snapped me out of the daze.

It was hot cop, again.

By the way he looked past me when he instructed me to go to my dorm to prepare an overnight bag and meet him by the school's gate and hurried away almost immediately, I could tell, without a doubt, that he'd seen what'd transpired between Dave and I.

I slowly made my way out of the building, with mixed emotions.

"Bitch…"

"Seriously, she makes me sick…"

"Someone like Badoo, ahn ahn na… that's low"

"First we thought it was mister Saheed, turns out we were wrong."

"Who told you, being the whore that she is, I'm sure she's done both of them,"

"And she'll be doing holy holy on her stupid blog…"

"I heard that when the principal caught them in the act, Badoo was balls deep in her…"

"Eissh, I can't even begin to imagine."

"And she has her eyes on Dave and that our new, fine teacher too..."

"Ehn?! She shouldn't not even go there... if her sister doesn't kill her for wanting to snatch her boo, me I will kill her if she as much as nears that fine uncle..."

"...yada...yada and fucking yada…"

This and more blessed my ears as I made the journey to get out of the building. Gossips, rumours and insults filled the air and judgemental eyes pricked my skin, in wait for a single mistake from my end that could be twisted into shame for my grievous sins.

What did they do when they saw me dazedly wave at Badoo in return for the small smile he threw my way?

They went wild. Like literally wild.

I sighed all the way down to my dorm, even the news had gotten there as well and the porters and cleaners and dorm mistresses were looking at me like I'd grown a second head that was full of crap.

I whistled by them in feigned oblivion.

The one thing that I couldn't get out of my head, all through the action of packing an overnight bag and making it back to the school's entrance without even bothering to change out of my school uniform, was what Dave had said to me.

I like you. I really like you.

I didn't know what to think.

I had know idea if I should be happy or sad, but I was sure of my fear. I had no idea what the killer wanted with me, but I wasn't sure that he would appreciate Dave's feeling towards me.

And Dave might be an annoying stalker and all but I wouldn't wish harm his way at any point. Especially when that harm would be coming from a sadistic psycho.

I hastened my pace, hugging the duffel bag closer to me and staring around in fear, hoping to all pure and holy that the killer hadn't seen shit go down between Dave and I.

Who-Hoo!🙌💃
It's an update💃💃

I'm extremely sorry for the looong silence😥. Life happened and I had to take a break💔

But I'm back now and I'm better and stronger😌💪💪

That's by the way though, who likes the fact that Dave has finally confessed his feelings apart from me?😏
Does that make him a suspect?, or do you also think he's in danger? Stay tuned to find out🌚

In case you  don't already know, I wrote up a prologue for this work and it leaves a very huge clue😮, please check it out and be kind to share your thoughts.

Lastly, this chapter his for adesewa_x. The naughty girl actually did a shout out and even hounded me to give an update😒 I hope you're happy now eh?🌚

Vote and comment and share with your friends if you like the sorry so far😌

Till we meet again,
✌illusionistic.