"Surprise." A familiar voice called and Kadesha looked up.
"Y-you?!"
Skye giggled while Amelia shrugged.
"It was mostly Choco. She really has connections." Skye said with a huge grin and Amelia rolled her eyes.
"I knew the judge. I just had to gather evidence. I talked to Vic and got your mum's number and then she gave all the evidence to Skye. I submitted it and—"
Kadesha swallowed her friends in a hug making Amelia stop mid explanation.
"You— Thank you. Thank you." Kadesha sobbed, unable to say any other thing than those words.
They saved her hero.
Her dad.
She didn't even know how to put her gratitude to words.
"Oh come on. Don't be dramatic. I'm an activist. I couldn't watch a family man in jail." Skye said casually, patting Kadesha's back.
"And I finally talked to that judge about something impactful like my parents wanted. So it's a win-win." Amelia shrugged, rubbing Kadesha's back. Kadesha laughed with teary eyes.
Morons.
They had no idea what they did for her.
★
The Kitchen
Kadesha and her father were sitting inside the run down restaurant with a full steaming untouched bowl of noodles. The restaurant was outside the school.
Other customers looked at the two with raised eyebrows, wondering if the man was a pedophile taking advantage of the young girl's money. The two paid them no attention of course.
"Are you serious?" Kadesha laughed, twirling the noodles around her chopsticks for the umpteenth time.
"Yes. He was literally the size of a truck. I was so scared he might hurt me. The dude just wanted money. I was so terrified." Her father burst in laughter and Kadesha dropped her chopsticks, again, and burst in another laughing fit.
"So, he left later on?" Kadesha asked, wiping a tear off the rim of her eyes.
"Yeah. The cops warded him off and put me in a private cell." He answered, laughed subconciously as he remembered the event. Kadesha stared at her father with a smile.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Her voice was heavy with unshed tears. "I don't know what would have happened if—"
"Don't be pessimistic princess. I'm fine, and that's all that matters." Her father smiled at her and she smiled back.
"You have amazing friends Kadesha." He muttered, wiping a tear she didn't realise was rolling down her cheeks. "People who would risk burying evidences against me for someone they just met?"
"Burying evidences?" Kadesha's eyes narrowed.
"Just fake ones princess. Calm down." Her father chuckled and Kadesha relaxed. "But really, are you dating one of them?"
Kadesha scoffed
Date them?
The devil duo?
"Of course not dad. You know me better than that." She replied.
"Those kinds of people are rare princess. Keep them." Her father said, holding both her hands in his. She nodded. Their heads came to rest on each other. They stayed like that for a while before pulling back.
"I miss this. I miss you." Her father said with an emotional voice.
"Father-daughter weekend?" Kadesha suggested optimistically. Her father grinned.
"Oh yeah. Now eat, okay?" Kadesha nodded and the two started eating.
★
Flowering Fields
The field was an open space behind the males' hostel, a vast, wide and amazing landscape. It was littered with stone benches that were not too close to each other under make shift umbrella trees that opened with the push of a button. The field bred different flowers hence it's name.
The field was particularly quiet that evening. Only a few couples were watching the sunset; and the Kings and Queens dance rehearsal.
They had another event soon and were rehearsing in the field. Their DJ was playing a party mix for the group. The mix was basically a combination of all trending songs and dance challenges. They basically did individual dances and synced at the chorus or the dance challenge part.
"Yo yo yo yo." Kadesha bounced to where her teammates were dancing with a pack of energy drinks. "Your lifesaver is here. Also, we have algebra assignment." Everyone groaned.
"Of course we do." Victor scoffed, crossing him arms with a pout.
"Let's just finish rehearsals and leave please." Victoria said as she plucked one can from the pack of drinks and chugged it down in a go.
"Hey, it's Hugo." Lewis called excitedly, pointing to the distance where a man dressed in casuals was approaching the group. He was their manager.
"Evening gang." He greeted casually and everyone muttered their greetings back. "I see you're all giving it your all for this. Good news. I finally created an official social media account and it literally just hit a million followers in barely 48 hours."
"Wait, really?"
"No way?"
"That fast?"
"That's ace."
Everyone gasped happily, none of them really extremely surprised.
Almost every member of the group had over 500k followers so it wasn't surprising that they got verified. They were just surprised it was that fast.
"I bought our official bus too." Hugo grinned and snapped his fingers at Dean. "Daddy looked into the business and hired crew members for us."
Everyone cheered and grinned at Dean who was basking in the attention proudly.
Until Cody pulled his hood over his head and pushed him playfully.
"I can't wait till our break. A tour around the country and then after graduation, a freaking world tour." Wester grinned.
"I'm sure before that, you will get invited to perform outside the country." Hugo said enthusiastically and everyone nodded in agreement.
"It's late. I have to head back. I need to stream." Cody excused herself and left.
"I also have to get going. My parents are going to freak out if I come back late. Bye everyone." Dean made a peace sign before leaving.
"In that case, we have come to the end of rehearsals. Have a lovely night. Don't blow a fuse trying to solve your assignment." Victoria joked as she and Victor left. Everyone started leaving in groups after them, heading in different directions.
Kadesha spotted Amelia and walked over to where she sat on the bench. Her head was bent while her arms rested on her laps.
"Everything okay Choco?" Kadesha slowly parted her hair from her face.
"Yeah. Just tired." Amelia answered with a tired smile.
Kadesha didn't buy it, but she wouldn't push it.
Kadesha took a seat beside her. "Hungry?"
"No, not really."
"You don't want to head back yet?"
"Not quite."
"So we just sitting?"
"If you want to copy me, then yes."
Kadesha leaned back against the bench. Silence stretched between the two girls. Nothing awkward or uncomfortable. They just didn't speak to each other. The sun had already disappeared beneath the earth and the evening was fresh. The air was refreshing, drying the sweat against Kadesha's tired body. She took a deep breath and looked at Amelia.
Her side profile was gorgeous. Her braids were packed in a low ponytail which allowed for a better view. Her eyes were this deep shade of brown with sparks that occasionally lit up when she was annoying one of her friends or dissing either Davis or Cody. Her lashes were long and curled perfectly. Her nose was small and cute and her lips were double shaded.
"Stop staring." She suddenly muttered, snapping Kadesha out of her trance.
"Hey, I never got a chance to study your face well." Kadesha said with a smile. Amelia's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Perv." She muttered inaudibly.
"What did you call me?"
"Oh nothing."
Kadesha's eyes narrowed suspiciously. She caught the way the sparks in her eyes lit up.
Yeah, definitely something mischievous.
But she was too tired to pester her.
"Whatever. What's got you so broody?" Kadesha asked. Amelia dusted an ant crawling up her arm before responding.
"My little sister is coming here."
"So?"
"So my parents have a direct very frustrating and annoying bug on my back. Half about as annoying as this stupid flying ant." Amelia clapped her hands in the air, finally squishing the flying ant that had been flying in circles around her head. Kadesha laughed.
"We are seniors Choco. We would barely have her time." Kadesha pointed out.
"You don't know that little witch. She will find a way."
"Let her. I'm actually in the mood for slapping young brats." Kadesha scoffed.
She hated bratty teenagers more than anything.
Ugh!
"Uh-huh. I give you permission anyways." The two girls laughed.
"There's that smile. Don't loose it again. Now, let's go." Kadesha got up and pulled Amelia up. They started leaving the field.
★
Block 28 room 16
The only people in the room were Kadesha, Amelia, Mavis and Grace. Kadesha was scrolling through social media while the rest where in Amelia's side, practicing a new amapiano dance challenge they just formed before recording it.
"Okay, now, let's record." Mavis grabbed Amelia's tripod and set the phone. She hit the timer. It counted down before it started recording.
Kadesha looked up from her phone and watched as the three girls did the challenge flawlessly. She watched them till they finished dancing and the recording ended.
"Darn. The video was faster than the audio." Mavis groaned as she checked the video. The girls groaned and Kadesha couldn't help a small smile.
"I know it's Kadesha's dream to see me fail." Grace sobbed.
"Excuse me? What do I have to do with this?" Kadesha asked calmly with a smile.
"Everything." Grace pointed an accusing finger at her. "Help us record."
"Please." The three girls pleaded.
"Sacrifice two spoons of custard each." Kadesha offered with a evil grin.
"Whatever. Thief." Mavis muttered just as Kadesha stood up and walked over to the tripod. She stood behind it and set it well.
"Three, two, one, go!"
The girls started dancing. Kadesha zoomed in and out on their dance, tilting the phone in accordance with their dance to make it more eye catching. When the girls stopped dancing, she tapped the button and the recording stopped.
"Lemme see." Mavis skipped over and checked the video. She smirked and gave Kadesha a high five. "Mad phone handling. Girls, come see." She walked to the girls and showed them the video.
"Nice. So you actually have sense." Amelia jabbed her playfully.
That little...
"You're in trouble." Kadesha pointed an accusing finger at her before lying back on her bed.
"Uploaded. Now, we have to go to our room. Queen gets really mad when we skip cleaning. Bye Mie-Mie." Mavis kissed Amelia's cheek while Grace pulled her hair and the two left the room.
"Animal!" Amelia called after Grace as the door slammed shut.
Amelia walked back to her bed, back turned, and started picking up the items scattered on her bed.
Then, boom!
A towel was wrapped around her neck with a tight grip, but she could breathe.
"So I'm senseless?" Kadesha whispered in her ear.
"Yes, very." Amelia answered with a fake meek voice even while she pulled at the towel.
"You insolent child! How old are you again? Fifteen?" Kadesha tightened the grip.
"Killer! Someone help!" Amelia choked, mostly on laughter than the lack of air. "And I'm sixteen you old woman." Kadesha knocked her head. "Ouch." She rubbed the spot and blew raspberries at Kadesha.
"Sixteen indeed." Kadesha scoffed with a smile.
"Anyways, how's your dad?" Amelia removed the towel and threw it on Kadesha's retreating form.
"He's well." Kadesha replied, pulling the towel from her back. "We plan to spend time together through our this weekend. I already collected a hostel pass."
"Awwn. Gosh I'm jealous." Amelia pouted.
"Too bad." Kadesha grinned. Then they both started laughing.
"I want your dad to try out my new chocolate bar recipe." Kadesha gasped as if she was fatally wounded by Amelia's words.
"My dad?! What happened to me?!"
"You will smile and worship anything that has chocolate." Amelia explained with a knowing smirk.
"That's not— Okay, maybe partly true." Kadesha laughed.
"Just give him when you go out for your outing tomorrow." Kadesha nodded as she plopped back on her bed and the two got back to their businesses.
★
Cafeteria
The school cafeteria was wide, tall and spacious. Their food tasted like something straight from a restaurant. Their chairs were leather furnishings and they had back rests. Each table had napkins, spoon, fork and knife with a vase and a small dish (for the uncivilised people who picked veggies out of their food) to collect bones or chewed gum.
Victoria was leaning against Kadesha lazily while they both ate. Victor arrived soon after with his own tray of food.
"Why are you leaning against this poor babe?" Victor swatted his sister away. Victoria scoffed and muttered "vibe killer" under her breath.
"Did you guys hear? Founder's day is a week away." Victor gushed.
"Eat Victor. Who cares?" Kadesha rolled her eyes and both twins looked at her like she just ordered that someone ate food out of the toilet.
"Who CARES?! Anyone who knows how fun founder's day is. It's followed by a memorial ceremony for late Mr. Kingston too. And you said who cares?!" Victor pointed his fork at Kadesha like he would actually throw it at her.
"Jeez. Just voicing out."
"Cut your tongue." Victoria shoved an apple in her mouth.
The nerve of her
Kadesha pulled out the apple and shot her a glare. "Well, at least something fun is happening."
"Do you have a date babe?" Victor held Kadesha's eyes, looking at her with puppy eyes as she asked.
"N-no?"
"Excellent. You remember Denise? She asked me to confirm." Victor clapped excitedly.
"Absolutely not. She is way to clingy." Kadesha shook her head.
"We'll crash the party together sweetheart." Victoria smirked and the two clinked their spoon together.
"Ugh. Now you can't. Come on, don't be like my looser sister."
"Hey!" Victoria threw a pea at him.
"I don't want to. I just want to go there, eat, drink and dance. That's all." Kadesha took a sip of her drink before adding. "Oh, and tentatively avoid any scandals."
"Very important." Victoria nodded in agreement.
"Come on. What if a hot Italian guy kidnapped me to Germany and made me marry him? Then what would you do?" Victor asked both girls.
"Firstly, if anyone would be kidnapping, it'd probably be the other way around." Kadesha said pointedly.
"And second, we have each other." Victoria said and Kadesha nodded. Victor scoffed.
"You guys are the worst." He huffed and started eating.
†
The trio were just leaving the cafeteria when they met with Hugo who's smile was as wide as Barney's. He flashed his phone in their faces.
"Guess which dance group just got booked to perform for Jason Lander. Us baby." He said triumphantly.
"Cancel." Victoria said with a cold voice before walking away. Hugo looked at her retreating form with confusion before looking at Kadesha and Victor.
"Was it something I said?" Hugo asked.
"Just cancel it. Sorry Hugo." Victor shrugged and left too.
Kadesha's confusion mirrored Hugo's. She patted his shoulders assuredly and went after the twins. Hugo itched his head in confusion.
"Cancel?"
★
Glowing pond
The pond didn't exactly glow since it was the afternoon but the lights still sparkled under the water. Kadesha watched as Victoria waded her arms in the water over and over again.
"What's on your mind Vic?" Kadesha asked softly. Victoria ruffled her hair in frustration.
"Gah! Jordan!" She spat the name out like she ate lemons. "Him! I know what he's trying to do. He's just so..." She trailed off and groaned.
"Seriously?" Kadesha frowned. "If you cancel, you're proving him right that you are still THAT Victoria. You're badass now Vic. You earn six figures, model for like six big companies, fashion influencer and a freaking dancer. Flaunt it in his face."
"It's not that simple 'kay?"
"It could literally not be any simpler."
"What if he says something that turns to a huge scandal?"
"Like? How you used to use braces or spilled things everywhere? And if it does turn into a scandal, it will only blow up because I know you'll give a badass comeback. Why are you so scared?"
Victoria curled up into herself, whimpering like a wounded pup. Kadesha hugged her.
"He wants an embarrassment? I'll give him one." Victoria smirked and stood up.
"That's the spirit." Kadesha cheered. "So, we're not cancelling?"
"Cancelling? We will put on the best fucking show ever. Since he wants to watch us so bad, we will move our show's date up to when he wants us to perform. We will show him just how amazing we are." Victoria said, pacing confidently.
"Are we talking a full on choreo for each song?" Kadesha asked with a raised brow.
"I mean a completely show stealing freestyle, lip sync, karaoke, shout out. We are going to drive fans wild. To make sure numbers increases, we will post a teaser video that will be a mash up of our practices. We will make him swallow all his jabs."
Kadesha smirked. "Wild momma. I love it."
†
All the members were gathered at the pond a few minutes later. Victoria explained herself, clearly expressing her hate for Jason and how she genuinely wanted the group to expand massively.
"I hate Jason normally. I didn't even know why. Something about his stupid face and nose just pisses me off." Dean scoffed.
"I hate anyone who doesn't like my friends, and I'd definitely love to see the look on his face when we own the stage." Lewis said with folded arms.
"I just love the karaoke part." Amelia joked.
"I second that." Ava stated and everyone laughed.
"We're with you Vee." Cody patted her back. Victoria smiled.
"Thanks everyone. We have one week to put something spectacular together. Let's go royals." Victor said enthusiastically and everyone cheered in agreement.
As the group left, jumping on each other and throwing arms around each other's necks, Amelia pulled Kadesha back. She waited until everyone left and turned to Kadesha.
"Can I ask for a favour? Can you go out with me somewhere?"
Kadesha blinked repeatedly. "Like a date?"
Amelia burst out laughing. "Hell no. Shopping. I'll transfer the money to you and we will go together. If I transfer more than once, my card will be frozen." Amelia explained while batting her lashes cutely.
"Well, can't I just give you my card instead?" Kadesha suggested.
"I also hate going out alone. Please?"
"What if I say no?" Kadesha grinned.
"Dummy. Just say yes."
"Fine. I don't want you to be lonely."
Amelia rolled her eyes while Kadesha threw her arms around her neck while laughing as they left together.
★
Dee's Shopping complex
Kadesha followed Amelia around as she went about picking different items. They spoke occasionally about different topics and glared at each other every 5 minutes.
"What exactly are you shopping for?" Kadesha finally asked the question she has been itching to ask.
"The girls and I have a celebration. I'm handling it." Amelia explained as she compared two packs of chips. "Which brand is better? Munchers or Snax?" Amelia raised the two packs to Kadesha.
"Munchers."
"Alright." Amelia dropped five packs of the snacks into the already full trolley. "I'll go bring another trolley." Kadesha nodded as Amelia left.
She approached the row of trolleys near the entrance and dragged one out. A firm hand stopped it.
"Ammy."
That voice.
She turned and saw a guy starting down at her with a smile that had a hidden meaning.
"Cruger. You still shop here?" She asked with a smile.
"Of course. It reminds me of us." He reached for her hand.
"There is no 'us'." Amelia firmly removed her hand from his grip. He smiled and gripped her chin.
"There could have been. If you just give me a chance."
"Cruger, kindly remove your hand before I do it myself." Amelia said firmly. Cruger just simply held on tighter and tried to kiss her.
Amelia kneed his groin and landed a firm punch on his lips. He staggered back and crashed against a shelf of vases. Luckily, the shelf was bolted to the floor so no vase broke.
Amelia turned and was immediately faced with flashing lights from cameras. Her eyes grew wide and she tried to block her face.
"Mie-mie, who is he to you?"
"Are you a lesbian?"
"Are you this naturally violent?"
"We thought Crux was your friend. What happened?"
"Guys, Mie-Mie literally attacked Crux."
"Mie-Mie is a witch."
"You are just plain wicked."
"How could you?"
Kadesha immediately pulled her out and she ran into the car while Kadesha faced the crowd.
"Pull down your cameras or I'll do it for you."
Everyone lowered their phones with a grumble and started dispersing after what Kadesha said. She scoffed.
She hated paparazzi so much.
Especially from those aspiring "content creators."
She turned to the car and got in. The sight of Amelia choking with reddened eyes and tear streaked face made her horrified. She grabbed her trembling hands. Her fingers were so stiff.
A panic attack.
She recognised it immediately.
"Calm down. I'll drive to the local hospital." Kadesha explained as she ignited the engine and the car roster to life.
Amelia frantically hit her hand on the gear.
"No! No! Don't, don't go there." She gasped. Kadesha ignored her and drove there anyway.
Ain't no way she was letting her die in her car.