THE HIT SHOW [ONGOING]

ACT 2, SCENE 1: The Old Money Rich

Willow hadn't felt the burden of being a student, up until her timetable had arrived. 

She immediately rushed to Sylvie, checking to see if they had any of the classes together. She wrapped in joy when she had noticed that the two shared their Mathematics and History classes together. However, the first period read 'English', which they wouldn't be sharing.

The two parted ways as if they wouldn't be seeing each other for long. Dragging her weight, Willow combed the building, searching for the English room.

To her surprise and delight, she saw a familiar face standing by the door.

"Nahil!"

She waved her arm like a child that had spotted their teacher at the mall.

Nahil smiled and gave a timid wave, feeling his friend's confused glance. Nahil stood tall, despite his smaller stature. His friend was much taller than he was. His broad shoulders shaped a sense of protectiveness over Nahil.

"Good morning fellow thespian," Nahil joked sarcastically.

Willow cringed. "Is that what we are? Sounds like an infectious disease."

Nahil laughed, then stopped abruptly, feeling his friend's quizzical glance.

"My bad, this is my friend Asim."

Asim gave a nod toward Willow's direction. She gave him a slight smile. His eyes were darker than Nahil's, his skin richer, his stature lean and broad.

Upon their teacher's arrival, the group entered the classroom. They found the outskirts of the space and sat beside each other.

Willow lets out a deep sigh of frustration. "I suck at English."

Nahil smiled to himself remembering the other day she had called the two of them talentless.

"My English is better than my Math."

"Same," Asim piped in.

Willow smiles. "How about if you two help me with English and I help you with Math?"

Asim shruged and Nahil nodded. "Sure."

~~~

With four periods and a morning tea, lunch had arrived. It was lucky that Willow had a class with Syvlie previously, as she wouldn't have trouble looking around for her.

Luckily, Sylvie knew the ins and outs of this school. She led Willow to the cafeteria, or as Belle Cove called it, the 'Dining Hall'. Willow thought it was pathetic how Belle Cove had a way of making things sound posh.

Willow entered the large building with its high windows that burst open the way for an immense amount of light. Eight open windows were located on the far left of the building. This was where the students lined up to receive their warm meals.

"They're divided based on dietary needs."

It was almost as though Sylvie had read Willow's mind. This was one of the many reasons as to why Willow should stick around with Sylvie.

Willow thought it was absolutely insane that the school had 8 sections of dietary needs. She thought there were only two - meat and no meat.

Willow had gone with any option that Sylvie had. She wasn't picky with food. In fact, she could eat anything as long as it tasted good.

Later on, the two searched the hall, trying to find an empty table. Luckily, Willow had spotted Nahil from a distance. She walked over and greeted him.

"Mind if we join?"

Nahil nodded and Asim moved his seat to sit closer to him, as the two girls joined their table. Willow had mentioned the boys to Sylvie, but she still hadn't had her official meeting yet. 

"This is Sylvie." Without much explanation, Willow plopped down and began to eat her meal. 

Back home, Jarrah used to tease her for her table manners. The way she would chow down instantly like she had a pile of logs outside to chop down for winter. It was funny to Jarrah, but it was also true.

At that moment, Willow hadn't realised the way Sylvie had caught Nahil's glance. He was almost in awe at how the girl held herself. Willow was in awe at how a pile of veggies could taste this good!

"Did you guys hear about the fight in the car park?"

Willow dropped her fork and Nahil dropped his glances.

"Wha? They do there 'ere?" Willow grabbed a napkin and wiped her lips clean.

"Yeah! You gotta fight, then head on to the car park!" Asim gave an affirming nod.

Willow let out a laugh. "Really?"

"Yeah, it was between this guy in the tenth grade and a guy in eleventh. They were fighting about some girl or something. I have no idea."

Willow had found a crack in the system.

She knew that a school that was seemingly, undeniably perfect had many flaws. She was glad there was one and that was present in the car park. Fighting surely was a little more than discrete. Unknown to Mrs. Harrison, they weren't doing it with their eyes.

"We should go there sometime. We can watch them slap each other, since we have no other entertainment here."

"I'll definitely be there," Willow declared.

Asim took a bite from his fish and pointed out.

"You're new from what I heard. You gotta be careful with some people. They're all prissy but they've got money. Especially that Ivan." Asim nods his head towards the table that was larger than theirs. It was located a little to the front of the dining hall. It was as though an invisible spotlight landed directly on the lead actor, Ivan. Those around were just fans or his subjects, nothing more.

Willow was intrigued. He knew that such a 'perfect' golden boy was too good to be true.

"What about Ivan?"

Asim smirked, Nahil rolled his eyes. He was used to Asim's dramatic retelling of events. For a man of few words, he sometimes caught others off guard with his dramatics. Maybe, he should've joined theatre club...

"What about Ivan? The guy is loaded! We're talking old money here. You know, his family has been sponsoring this school for decades! He's basically treated like royalty. Treat him wrong and your-" Asim made a motion with his index finger, drawing an invisible line in front of his neck.

"-If you know what I mean."

Willow scoffed. She figured he would be one to buy out his desires. Willow didn't care what he did to her. She wasn't going to let him have his way.

The alarming chime of the bell interrupted Willow's thoughts.

"We've got theatre in the afternoon," Nahil reminded her.

Willow reminded herself to keep further away from Ivan.