Chapter 2 A New life

I've been in RavensOak Academy for two year and to me, it was amazing , beautiful I didn't feel home sick at all I only missed my mum from time to time. Here , no one knew me and I could hide from the guilt eating my up back at home .

I also loved my roommate, they were the best. Especially Nina.

Benita was condescending, so protective of her properties and addicted to make ups but she wasn't too mean around us.

This new life of mine was a bit hectic, being surrounded by people who grew up in big towns, have never been to a farm or didn't know every corner of the town because it was insanely big, was overwhelming.

"Duxies, Duxie hold on" Benita came running after me I guess there was a new guy in school or something . She loved to talk about boys, makeups and what people lacked

"Wait for me Benita" Nina yelled behind Benita, they were just so funny, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What's going on ?". I said in between my laughter when they got to me.

"Duxie you won't believe it" Benita said putting her hands on my shoulder for support while trying to catch her breath .

"Believe what Nita ? " I asked not really interested in what ever she was going to say.

"there's a new hot guy in school. He is not only hot but very rich" she said

"So what am I supposed to do" I asked still not interested.

I knew she was going to talk about new boys or hot boys

"Duxie, this girl is crazy don't pay attention to her" Nina said standing up right. "The guy already has a girlfriend but he is really hot".

Just then Mark showed up "what's up girls" he cut into the conversation.

"Hey mark". I said with a faint smile.

"Are you guys busy?" he said excited, we all just looked at each other. "I'll like to take you guys out for dinner with my Parents "

"really?" Benita said

" I'm not going " Nina glared at Mark .for some unknown reason these two never got along at all .

"I wasn't talking to you" Mark glared back at her

"Whatever" Nina rolled her eyes " let's go Duxie " she held my hand.

"Wait" he blocked us, "Are you coming Duxie, please, don't say no" he pleaded.

"of course I'll come and I'll make sure Nina does too" I smiled at him.

We were all really good friends afterall, a simple dinner with his parents won't hurt anyone.

" Urghhhh , Okay "

"Tomorrow by 9pm" he continued .Benita's mood changed at that very moment.

"Tomorrow?" she frowned "I don't think I will make it cause I have a date with my boyfriend, so you're left with Nina and Duxie " .

"that's bad, I would have loved you to come" he said pouting like a 5 year old

"Don't worry Mark, I'll make it up to you" Benita promised.

" I'm going back to the Hostel " Nina walked away

"Bye Mark" Benita ran after her. That means I had to go too

I arrived at the room pretty late because I took a long stroll round the school , again . Walking gave me a semblance of peace

"Hey guys" I dropped my bag on Nina's bed, "what took you so long" Benita said in annoyance.

"someone sent you a gift" Nina said handing me a black bag

"From who?" I asked surprised, who would send me a gift . Deep down , I wished it was James

" I don't know" Nina walked away.

"Okay" I looked inside the bag I found a very expensive looking white silk dress

"wow it's very pretty" Benita seized the gown from my hands.

"If you like it you can have it" I said already knowing who it came from.

"okay, I'm keeping the gown" Benita said. I just rolled my eyes and jumped into bed.

"can't you change into your pyjamas first?" Nina asked

"I'm really tired girls" I said slowly drifting to the dream world

"Hey wake up you might get late for class again" Nina shook me roughly

I got up quickly and ran into the bathroom. I took a quick shower and got dressed in a blue jeans, my favorite black sweater and a pair of sandals.

We got to class a little late, that was a close one . While in Maths class someone walked in and had a conversation with the Lecturer and left.

"Hey" Nina tapped me, "don't you smell something fishy ? "

"Nina, later, I don't want to stay back and serve punishment like the last time" I whispered.

" But Mr. Fredrick won't catch us if you are not loud enough" she whispered.

"What's with all the whispering class?" Mr. Fredrick asked annoyed

Apparently we were not the only ones whispering but he managed to sight just me

" You " he pointed at me , " come to the front seat " He said

The class was quite interesting so it was easy for me to pull through all by myself.

Classes were over. Nina and I went straight to our room. Classes were fun except for the English class, the woman was just so rude to me, picking on me throughout the class.

"Duxie, what do you think about the upcoming school's dance" Nina said with a huge smile.

"I think we should be worried cause we have no partner or boyfriends" I said.

"Oh no Duxie" she frowned "I have a good boyfriend"

"okay, if you say so" I said changing my clothes before going to my bed

"I'm out" Nina said.

"where to" I asked

"To get a dress from my favorite designers , my mum. I'm not about to show up to a school dance looking anything lower than perfect" she said walking out.

I brought out a Novel from Nina's bag, the book looked interesting, I opened the book and looked through the first two pages, wow! It was really interesting. I continued reading the book and got lost in it.

"Hey, I'm talking to you" Nina snatched the book from my hand "you're so lost"

"have you seen Benita in the kitchen? " I asked

"whatever, mummy sent a dress for you" she removed a pretty white Dress

"Wow it's beautiful" I took the Dress and admired it.

"yeah it's for tonight" she said with a smile

"oh thank you Nina, I totally forgot about tonight" I hugged her

" I love you. where's your dress ?"

"Here it is" she handed a cute pink dress

I took the dress and admired it in silent awe. It was so beautiful

"Don't underestimate my mum's skills " she said with pride and we both laughed.

At 8:30pm Mark came to our room, Nina was already dressed so she kept Mark company while I got dressed.

"Wow, you look very pretty Duxie". Nina said as she saw me stepping out of the room but Mark didn't seem too pleased. I knew it was about the dress he sent me yesterday but I'm not about to entertain his little feelings for me in anyway.

We had quite a fun ride, talking and laughing about so many things except school work. we got to the restaurant at 9:50 . it was a very beautiful French restaurant on the Outskirts of town. These Elites . In my town , dates or meetings were at small Cafes or Local stalls and that was more exciting

"Welcome sir" a man dressed fancy said "this way please" He took us through the double huge door and into a big Hall . It screamed wealth and Beauty. My eyes lit up immediately, taking time to take in the place while we walked to our table

"Good evening mum" Mark said to a very young looking lady with a kiss on her cheek . She looked like she was in her early thirties with milk white skin and rich long black hair.

"Oh Mark" she melted at his smile.

"Mark, how are you doing my boy" A handsome blonde man said rubbing Mark's hand.

"Dad" Mark said as he hugged his Father .

His Parents looked very young , they didn't have a single spot on their skin or wrinkle on their faces . Maybe it's the money? Or they're both as young as they look.

"I missed you my boy how are you doing? are you getting good treatment?".

Mark frowned at his dad, he looked at me and I looked back at him with questioning eyes. Treatment for what exactly

"I'm fine dad"

"Dad these are my friends Nina and Duxie. The ones I've been telling you about" His eyes lit up as he introduced us

" Nina , Duxie , These are my Parents , Mr Thompson and Mrs Anita Thompson "

Mrs Anita gave us a Hug and Mr Thompson just gave a nod of approval

"Have a sit" Mr Thompson said taking his seat.

"How are you lovely girls doing " Mrs Anita said with a smile on her face

"what would you girls like? make an order" Mr Thompson picked up the menu

We had a quiet dinner and with Mark's help I was able to overcome my anxiety

After dinner we had a long chat over a bottle of fruit wine.

"I haven't heard you say a word since your arrival here, How are you doing? "Mrs Anita asked Nina

" I'm fine" she replied.

"Wow, nice voice and you're really beautiful" she commented

"your parents?" His father asked.

It seemed like she did not want to talk about them cause she choked instantly

"Nina are you okay ?" Mark said patting her back

"My Parents are fine . My mum is a Fashion Designer and my Dad is an Architect " she said .

" Hmmm , interesting " Mr Thompson said nodding his head

" They live here ? " Mrs Anita asked

" No , they live in Atlanta "

"Oh. She just looks so beautiful" Mrs Anita said to Mr Thompson

"What about you Duxie, who are your Parents? , What do they do ?

" Mrs. Laura Morgan and Mr Richard Samuel. My Mum is a housewife" I took a sip of wine

" and my Dad is a well known Business Man "

" Oh my ! " She gasped

" Baby , Laura and I went to the same High school and University " she said to her husband

" She's still with your Dad , Alex Morgan ? "

"Yes , Richard " I corrected

"they separated before but they're back together now" I said with a smile.

" Oh " she said

"But I thought Richard had only two daughters, Pamela and Andrea . I've met them before at a masquerade ball three years ago" Mr Thompson said

" I just got to know about him two years ago " I said with an awkward smile

" Is your mum still into Politics ? " Mrs Anita asked

" My mum was never into Politics. Maybe you've mistook my mum for someone else? " I shifted uncomfortably in my chair

"Mum, Dad, I think, it's getting late, we should take our leave now" now Mark cut into the conversation. I guess he figured I was becoming uncomfortable

"Do well to take your medication on time, don't work too hard okay ?"Mr Thompson said hugging him

"you guys should have a good rest" Mrs Anita pecked us on the cheek before letting us go

After a silent journey back to our Hostel , Mark escorted us to the living room.

"See you tomorrow Nina, Duxie" mark said with a cool smile, Nina just smiled back.

"Did you know of Mark having any medical problem?" I asked Nina

"Duxie let just pass it, okay?" I'm really tired she complained

"Don't say anything Nina" Mark said

"Answer me Nina" I said feeling angry.

"He has Coronary artery disease"

"Who the fuck told you to speak" Mark yelled at Nina as he saw tears in my eyes. " It's not that serious Duxie , I'm fine "

"Don't let Benita know about Mark's problem" Nina said a little scared.

I was so disappointed that after all these years with them, they didn't consider me trustworthy enough to talk about such a serious issue.

"It not like that I didn't want you to get worried".

" Okay I understand, it late so let's get some sleep" I walked inside the room and Nina followed me.

She held my hands then looked at Benita who was soundly asleep "Please don't let anyone knowing about this" she pleaded.

"Okay" I smiled at her "I'm tired now, I'll go get changed and go to bed".

"Okay" she said and left the room.

I went to bed but couldn't sleep till it was 2am in the morning. My mind kept conjuring the worst scenarios, Mark was like family to me and the thought of losing him gnawed at my heart. I didn't want my life to take another spiraling turn like it did after losing James. Yes, I didn't love Mark the way he loved me but I loved him so much as a friend.