Chapter 4 Hope at the door

MG, Melvin, and Kelvin crept into the principal's office, their footsteps silent on the plush carpet.

They began rummaging through her lockers, their movements swift and stealthy.

"How many minutes before she returns?" Kelvin whispered, his eyes darting toward the door.

MG shrugged. "I don't know. Just keep searching."

Melvin's gaze swept the room, his eyes squinting as he checked the corners. Suddenly, he froze.

"Oh my God!" he whispered urgently.

MG and Kelvin spun toward him, their faces tense. "What is it?" they chimed in unison.

Melvin's voice barely audible, "There's a CCTV."

MG's expression turned grim. "I shut it down already. We have less than 20 minutes. If we get caught, our long holiday will be spent at home."

Kelvin's eyes widened. "Let's move!"

" Hell no!!" Kelvin exclaimed, shaking his head as he approached the principal's table. His gaze fell upon a stack of papers, and his curiosity got the better of him. He scanned the top sheet, his eyes widening at the photo of a girl.

"Why is she so ugly?" Kelvin muttered to himself, chuckling at the girl's name, "Abasi-what?" He shuddered. "Her face and name scare me."

Melvin's voice snapped him back to reality. "Kel! That's not what you're here for!"

Kelvin rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

He crouched down, opening the locker under the table. A triumphant grin spread across his face as he retrieved MG's credit card.

"Found it!" Kelvin announced, holding up the card.

MG and Melvin rushed to his side, relief etched on their faces.

"Yes!" MG exclaimed, snatching the debit card from Kelvin.

He planted a kiss on it, relief washing over his face. "Let's go decide on where we're going for the holiday!" MG suggested, already heading for the door.

"Yessss!" Mel and Kel chimed in unison, their excitement palpable.

As they turned to leave, Kelvin's gaze drifted back to the papers on the principal's table. His eyes landed on the girl's photo, and he shook his head, chuckling. He pulled another paper from underneath and playfully swapped it with the girl's, grinning mischievously.

Just then, the sound of a car driving into the school compound sent them into a panic.

"Run! She's hereee!" MG warned, already sprinting toward their secret passage.

The trio dashed out of the office, their laughter and footsteps echoing through the corridors as they vanished into their hidden route.

>>>>

It was hard to believe that MG, Melvin, and Kelvin - - were the most sought-after guys at Royal High School (RHS), the city's most prestigious institution. As a hub for the children of multimillionaires, influential figures, and high-society elites, RHS boasted impressive credentials. The school's sprawling campus was dotted with majestic buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and expertly trained teachers. Academics were just the beginning; RHS was renowned for its vibrant extracurricular scene, offering a wide range of sports, clubs, and cultural activities. The school's emphasis on holistic development ensured that its students excelled in every aspect. Despite their privileged upbringing, MG, Melvin, and Kelvin had forged a reputation as the school's most charming and adventurous trio, always pushing boundaries and testing limits.

Milton Greg, affectionately known as MG, was the son of billionaire parents who owned Royal High School, one of their many lucrative ventures. Despite his family's immense wealth, MG's demeanor was far from arrogant. Unlike the typical "hottest dude" archetype, MG defied expectations with his laid-back, sanguine nature.

His nonchalance was refreshing, and his British accent - cultivated from spending his early years in London (0-5) and influenced by his London-born father and Nigerian mother - added to his unique charm. Physically, MG embodied perfection: tall, dark-skinned, and slim, with a chiseled model-like physique. His long hair, often styled in a ponytail, framed his striking features. MG's priorities were simple: maintaining his impeccable looks and excelling academically. His fashion sense was unparalleled, and his grades consistently impressed. What few knew was that MG's family ties extended beyond his parents' ownership of the school. The principal, Mrs. Ireti Daniels, was his aunt - his mother's elder sister. This familial connection didn't guarantee MG special treatment, but it did provide an interesting dynamic.

Melvin and Kelvin Williams, MG's inseparable best friends, were identical twins who had shared a lifelong bond since kindergarten. As they prepared to embark on their final year of high school, their distinct personalities shone brighter than ever. Physically, the twins were stunning: tall, light-skinned, and handsome. However, their characters couldn't be more divergent.

Kelvin, the rugged twin, was carefree and nonchalant, often bordering on mean and rude. His fearless attitude served him well as the top basketball player in school, earning him the team leader spot.

Melvin, on the other hand, embodied calmness, sweetness, and supportiveness. His passion for hip-hop dancing had taken him to over ten countries, garnering an impressive eight gold and two silver medals. The trio's friendship was built on unwritten rules, forging an unbreakable bond.

MG possessed the unique ability to distinguish between the twins, a feat even their parents couldn't achieve. Mr. and Mrs. Williams' demanding schedules had long accustomed the twins to independence. Their nanny, a constant presence in their lives, had become a surrogate mother figure, providing love and stability.

Despite their parents' absence, Melvin and Kelvin thrived, thanks to their strong bond and MG's companionship.

Breathless, the trio stumbled onto the basketball court, collapsing onto the benches to catch their breath.

"Don't you think she'd be furious if she finds out you took the card?" Melvin asked, concern etched on his face.

MG shrugged, admiring his reflection in his mirror. "Who cares? I'll just feign ignorance, and it's on her."

He grinned, satisfied with his sweat-dampened but still flawless complexion. "Despite the sweat, I still look good."

Kelvin rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Priorities, MG."

Melvin intervened, "Seriously, can we plan our trip now?"

"Definitely!" MG and Kelvin chimed in unison, their excitement palpable.

They began discussing their holiday plans, the tension from their earlier escapade dissipated, replaced by anticipation for their upcoming adventure.

>>>

Mrs. Daniels entered her office, accompanied by her personal assistant, Ms. Jane. As she settled into her chair, Ms. Jane promptly offered her a glass of water.

"Thank you so much," Mrs. Daniels said, gulping down the refreshing liquid. "I really needed that." Turning her attention to the task at hand, Mrs. Daniels continued, "We'll be awarding the scholarship to someone else. I think she had around seventy percent."

Ms. Jane's eyebrows arched in surprise. "But, ma'am, the scholarship has always required a minimum of ninety percent."

Mrs. Daniels sighed, her expression thoughtful. "The girl who actually qualified – with an impressive ninety-eight percent – has a troubling record. She's involved in fights and quarrels, and her background...well, it's not exactly conducive to a healthy environment for our students."

Ms. Jane's curiosity was piqued. "You're concerned about her influence on the other students, ma'am?"

Mrs. Daniels nodded. "Exactly. Most of our students come from affluent families. We can't risk introducing...unsettling elements."

Ms. Jane's expression turned contemplative, sensing the complexity of the decision. Oh, perfect!"

Mrs. Daniels exclaimed, handing Jane the paper on top. "Here's the information about the scholarship recipient, along with the necessary documents for next session."

"Okay, ma'am," Jane replied, collecting the paper. "Ensure this reaches her by Saturday at the latest," Mrs. Daniels instructed.

"She won't be able to decline this offer." As Jane turned to leave, Mrs. Daniels added, "And if you see my nephew around, remind him about our family dinner tonight. He mustn't miss it. He's been ignoring my calls."

Jane nodded. "Will do, ma'am." With a crisp nod, Jane exited the office, leaving Mrs. Daniels to her thoughts.

*****

Hannah walked through the door at exactly 8:30 pm, finding Hazel busy counting her earnings.

"My rich sister!" Hannah teased, raising an eyebrow at the stack of cash.

Hazel chuckled. "I made a total of five thousand naira today. After paying off Mr. Ahmad for the vegetables I owed him, I'm left with two thousand seven hundred."

Hannah's eyes widened."Wow, you had a great sales day!"

Hazel grinned mischievously. "As a sharp girl, I know how to work it. Those market women were gossiping among themselves, but I played the emotional card, and they couldn't resist buying from me." Hannah laughed.

"You're a genius, Haz!" Hannah burst into laughter. "This girl! You need to save that money"

"I'm craving good food," Hazel said, her eyes sparkling.

Hannah teased, "See this woman o, you want to spend all your earnings."

Hazel pleaded, "Please, let's buy spaghetti, please!"

Hannah relented, "Okay, whatever. Let's go before it gets too late and those boys take over the streets."

Hazel shot her a mock-threatening glance. "Then they should be ready to fight me."

As they prepared to head out, Hannah's expression turned playful-accusatory.

"Try convincing me with that attitude of yours that you didn't provoke Beatrice."

"I'm done convincing anybody, and that's on period," Hazel declared, smiling.

"I know you didn't do anything," Hannah said, reassuring her with a warm smile. "But, you do have a mischievous streak." grinned, standing up.

"Guess who I learned from?" Hazel chuckled, raising her hands in mock defense.

"Can't be me!" Hannah quickly said

Hazel teased, "Oh, guilty conscience!" as they walked out together.

Just then, Hannah spotted Big Tee entering Mama Nkechi's room.

"Isn't that Big Tee?" she whispered to Hazel.

Hazel's eyes sparkled with gossip.

"I forgot to tell you... I overheard Iya Bisi today saying Mama Nkechi is pregnant with Tee's child."

Hannah's eyes widened, intrigue etched on her face. "Ah! Tell me more."

Hazel leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Iya Bisi said Nkechi has been hiding it, but her belly is starting to show. And get this – Tee's supposedly been making secret visits to Nkechi's room."

Hannah's curiosity was piqued. "This is juicy! Do you think it's true?"