BEVERLY HIGH; And The Secrets That Lies Within

Chapter one

It was early in the morning and still dark when Quan woke up to someone shaking him roughly. He thought he was still dreaming but then with loud voice which was familiar to Quan woke him up. It was his brother, Mateo.

'Teo!' Quan said in surprise
'Teo, it's me', and his brother smiled in a way that showed his perfectly good white teeth.

'Man! What...? Quan began. They looked at each other, delighted.
'No greetings, lil boy? Teo smiled.

'Sorry, does anyone knows you're
here? Does dad...? Quan did not complete his sentence, instead he hurriedly hugged his big brother who went missing for the past seven months tightly. 'I've missed you!'. Mateo was so thin as a drum stick. Quan could feel it.

'Mum knows I'm here,' Mateo said. He didn't mention their father. Just then, the alarm clock sounded.

'Go on, get ready for school,' Teo said, stretching on the bed. 'At least you seem happy to see me.' He then looked around at the carelessly flung shirts, jeans, Snickers over the chair, to the poster of NBA youngboy on the wall above Quan's bed. A typical boy's room.

'I didn't remove it, Everything's just as you left it.' Quan said.

Mateo picked up something from the bedside table. 'Man this is some watch you got there lil bro. Must have cost a mountain or sum. You always get the nice things, why....?

'Mateo, don't touch my watch'.

'What's yo problem dawg? Can't I look at a watch?'

'I'm sorry bro,' Quan muttered. 'I'm glad to see you back... really, but, you know...'

'Don't worry bout old man. Better get ready for school you don't want to be late. Uhm... I took some cash from your drawer, hope you don't mind.'

    Sighing, Quan headed to the bathroom. Trust his brother to always collect things, but he was happy he was back. It was a new day and the beginning of his final year at school. Like his brother, he was as tall and long limbed as an athlete, though, unlike his brother, he had dimples when he smiled. He was seventeen years old and he was already sprouting a beard. He flexed his right arm noting that he had developed muscles.
    He whistled as he took his shower, refusing to think about the morning surprise. The reason why was a long story; too long to think about on a brand new day.

As Quan ate his breakfast of toasted bread with scrambled eggs and bacon, Mateo sat on the sofa watching TV. Their mother was in the kitchen.
   It was like any other morning- peaceful, almost as if Mateo had never left. Then Mr Hills came out of his bedroom, yawning. He was a tall and well built man with a head shaved bald.
  'Jocelyn....' he began and then stopped short and rubbed his eyes, and rubbed them again just to make sure.
   'Good morning, Dad', Mateo said and, as an afterthought, prostrated himself. He sounded as if he was enjoying himself.
  'What are you doing here?' his father said in a strangled voice.
   Just  then Mrs hills came running out of the kitchen. 'Good morning, dear. Just relax I can explain....'

'What is this good for nothing boy doing in my house?' Mr Hills roared. 'Didn't I tell you never never to step your fucking foot in my house again? Now get the fuck out or I'ma call the police !'

   'Andrew!' Mrs Hills shouted... If her high, thin voice could be called a shout. 'its too early in the morning for this. And he is your son for crying out loud!. You cannot treat him like this! You must not go on like this!' She knelt down.

  'It's you!' Mr Hills turned on her. 'You spoiled the boy! He has brought Shame and disgrace on this family and you still beg for him. All you children are bad!' He said.
Quan jumped down from the dining table and knelt down too, beside his mother and brother. 'Dad please forgive him.'
    Mr Hills stood still, his chest heaving, and very quietly he said 'You are not welcome here,' and turned back to his room. Mrs Hills collapsed onto a chair, but when Mateo stood up he was grinning widely.

    'You can laugh,' his mother said. 'It's not funny. You saw how he reacted. We shall have to see your uncle Kazeem and maybe uncle Shane. They will talk to him.'
'He's not a serious man,' Mateo said, grinning.

Shut up Mateo!' his mother protested. 'He's your father!'

Quan picked up his school bag and slung it over his shoulder. 'You' ve not finished eating,' his mother said anxiously.
'I'm not hungry. Bro stay cool'. He was annoyed as he turned for the door, but he didn't know why.
    Standing Outside, he stood for a moment and listened to the distant sounds of the buses on the main road. Someone called his name. it was his next door neighbor, friend and school mate Justin Norman running towards him. A short, thin boy who hardly reached Quan's shoulders.
    'Heard you arrived back from your trip yesterday,' Justin said, slightly out of breath. 'Dad waiting for you.'
    'Hey Justin! Sorry. My mind was somewhere else.' Quan filmed delighted and threw Justin a friendly punch but to Justin it was like a heavyweight boxer had just punched him but he didn't say a word.
  Justin then snorted noisily. 'Well, it's nice to have you back.'