~°BROOKLYN°~

Jennifer has been with Tris a lot lately. It's gotten me worried. Why is he so close to her? What does she have that I don't?

Well, a famous name and lots of money. I guess I answered my own question already. Maybe it's just me being jealous but her perfume is a killer. Ever since she walked into the class on Noah and Tris fighting, I kinda got addicted to that scent. Strong, yet floral and relaxing. And you could smell it feet away.

Trust me, everyone's been trying to wear her perfume but theirs don't last even thirty minutes. It's ridiculous I tried it too.

"Excuse me," a guy says in the doorway. He's muscular, tall and his hair is laid in a mop of curls. I mentally wreck his clothes off his body to adore his masculine features.

"I'm Shawnel Clyde. A transfer student from Brianna - "

His voice is deep and he has this accent. I admire his light grip on the black bag hung slightly on his left shoulder and his hoodie is something worth a second glance. He curls his lip when he doesn't receive a response and only then do I notice the pink bottom lip and dimples. I smile.

"Oh, take a seat. The principal informed me about you already," Mr. Nicholas says as if snapping out of something.  "But you're a science student, so go to the chemistry lab," he continues and the guy leaves the class after mouthing a 'thanks', but not before scanning the entire class for someone.

"All these girls that are drooling for that guy in this class... We know he's fine but abeg don't rape him with your eyes," Mr. Nicholas says and everyone bursts out laughing.

"God dey create sha," I hear Neto say and Mr. Nicholas playfully gives her a light slap on the cheek.

Jenny walks in. Everyone turns to her. She looks tired as she slumps on her seat and everyone stares like she's got something on her. Seems she cares the least.

"Wait!"

I turn back to see Noah who stands up and walks to her. "You're late for class. The principal ordered detention for boarding students who come late," he continues and the class is immediately taken with endless murmurs.

He holds the detention card up to her but she stares straight at him, not saying anything. All of a sudden, she grabs her bag and runs out of the class, leaving everyone stunned.

He returns the card to his pocket and shakes his head before returning to his seat. I sigh, waiting for what Mr. Nicholas would say next. He always has something to say next.

"I know it's the rules, but was it really necessary?" he asks and Noah looks up immediately.

"Yes," he replies firmly and no one says anything anymore. Mr. Nicholas leaves the class when his period ends, without a single joke cracked. Now I know how deep this shit hit.

Thing is... Why is Noah acting this way?

•••

I head down the stairs after hours of English class because apparently, he took two extra periods. My legs are wobbly and trying their possible best to not let my entire body on the floor. It's time for lunch but I head to the hostel first.

I dump my bag on the floor as I walk in and stare around. Jennifer isn't in the hostel. It's just I and two other girls.

"Hey!" they greet and I nod in response, getting my school uniform off. I change to the day wear and head downstairs for lunch. Starving is an understatement for how I feel.

Fortunately, the food is already being shared but the shocker is, I see Noah at the entrance of the ref. First, he isn't supposed to be here. Second, who the heck is he here for? Jennifer? This drama should be good.

"Sorry," I say as my elbow hits his. He doesn't reply and I walk to my seat with shuffling feet. Jennifer isn't in the ref either. Isn't she supposed to be having detention? Why is he here?

"Today was long and annoying," one of the guys on my table says as he gulps down the fruit juice he brought along. "I can't be having three periods of something I don't even want to speak. Who English epp?" he asks and earns chuckles from the rest.

"Speaking of, who knows who the new guy is? That Shawnel dude. He's hot," a girl speaks and speaking of the devil, he appears. "Oh em gee! Is that Shawnel? Is Shawnel a freaking boarder? Somebody kill me right now. He should effing sit on our table!" she squeals excitedly, clapping both hands together and standing up immediately. I could swear her smile cracked her jaws.

Thing is, Shawnel is not alone. He walks in with Jennifer, holding hands and laughing. Noah moves from their way and Jennifer trips on the stairs leading to the senior section. Shawnel grabs her hand and Noah grabs her waist. It all happens so fast and everyone stares in full concentration of the Holly being acted right in Crimson.

Noah gets his hand off right away and Shawnel helps her up. She smiles. "Thanks, Shawn!" she says but I can only watch her mouth, given the distance. Noah looks away like nothing happened and she turns back at him.

"That was harassment, Senior Noah!" she says and everyone murmurs "Ouch!" Or "Ouuu..." Noah is obviously vexed as they glare at each other.

"I was just trying to - "

"I never asked for your help, Senior Noah. I mean, you might punish me for being late for food, even if I can't eat beans," she shoots at him, putting an emphasized mockery on the last word and contorting her face in disgust. It earns her more cheers from the crowd.

"You're supposed to be in detention," he speaks, both hands in his pocket as he has his full attention on her face.

"Maybe my forfeit is to tour Shawn around. Anything bad about it?" she asks, her eyes not leaving his. She smirks, biting her lips a little which I think is really having an effect on Noah.

"No," he replies after a cough. "Not at all," he continues with a nod. But he doesn't look at her this time. He's got his eyes on Shawnel. Or as she calls him, "Shawn".

"I thought as much, Senior Noah!" she chuckles and turns to Shawn who has a smile on his face.

"Lest I forget, Shawn, meet Noah. Your " senior prefect," she says in sarcasm. "Noah, this is Shawnel Clyde. I would say my boyfriend, but you might report me to school authority, so he's just a friend," she says and I can see Noah burn up as he stares at Shawnel.

"When did you guys - "

"Shh... You're the prefect, not my guardian counsellor. If you'd excuse us, we have some gossiping to do. About you!" she says and chuckles, sliding her palm into Shawnel's and they walk away. Noah leaves immediately.

"Damn!" the girl from earlier starts.

"Natalie, give up. Jennifer Nnaji has anything and everything she wants. Right from the most expensive perfume to the hottest guy in school," a guy says and the rest agree.

She doesn't sit at our table. She leaves through the exit door with Shawnel, to God knows where. I see Tristan walk in and he ransacks the entire ref with his eyes before bursting out again.

Nobody is stupid enough to not know it's Jennifer he's after. What has this girl got that every single guy is crazy about?

7 pm

"Hey, sister!"

I jerk, turning back to see Tyler. My stupid brother again.

"What?" I ask in a groan, trying to keep track of the fifth bead of the rosary as we move about the large field in circles. It's prayer time and everyone is in the field.

"I just wanted to say hi to a sis, and tell you I told you so! I mean, take a look at them!" he tells and we both look back at Jennifer and Shawn. She's had this bubbly attitude ever since the ref. She's acting worse than a five-year-old, to be honest.

"And him," Ty adds, referring to Tris who can't stop staring at the both of them.

"Shut up, Tyler. It's none of our business," I say angrily, running my hands to the seventh bead because I missed them.

"It's none of mine. It's all yours," he says mockingly and I sigh. "But hey, I'm here whenever you need me," he adds, sort of sentimental and I contort my face in disgust.

"Dork!" I say and he chuckles before continuing in the boys' line. I turn back at them again and they aren't even praying anymore. Are they... Measuring heights... God, those two are weird.

And Tristan... Can't he see she's clearly not interested? I mean, if only he'd let me, I'd give him all the loving. Why does love have to be this complicated?

I shrug it off and face my front once more, trying to get them off my mind.

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