BEVERLY HIGH; And The Secrets That Lies Within

Chapter Three

The girl sat quietly in the rickety, jerky taxi.

'Ugh'! her mother said irritably to the driver.

'This car is so slow and dirty as well.' She turned to her daughter

'Asia, sit straight, and cheer up.'

Asia ignored her mother, knowing it will irritate her the more.

'Well, I trust we've found a place where you will find it difficult to get into trouble,' her mother said, eyes glittering.

The car stopped in front of a white building. A small round woman wearing a blonde wig and a light red lipstick was standing in front of the house.

'Caris!, Asia!' the woman shrieked.

Her mother smiled.

'Martha, this is Asia.' Asia's aunt embraced her. Asia stood stiffly, and embarrassed at her aunt's warmth. She smelt of a queer but not unpleasant mixture of strong perfume.

'Such a long time. You do remember me right? Her aunt asked.

'All right,' her mother interrupted. 'I'll be off.'
'So soon? You ain't staying? I just prepared dinner and....'

'Gotta a plane to catch. I'ma write you a cheque. Good bye Asia and be a good girl. Don't give aunt Martha any trouble.'

The taxi sped off and Asia helped her aunt to carry her bags inside. Her aunt kept chatting in a high pitched voice.

'Bervely High Is a nice school. They always have excellent and well behaved students. Such a pity you where exp... Clears her throat, er, had to leave your former school. I told a few people you were coming.'

'Remember Channel Waters? From your kindergarten days? She asked

'No... not really? Asia said.

                            ***
Later that day, as Asia was in her room unpacking, she heard her aunt calling shrilly, 'Asia, come out and meet someone!'

Oh shit! Asia said. She took took a deap breath and went out.

Channel and her mother dropped by.

'Channel, this is my niece Asia woods,' aunt Martha said.

'Asia, this is Mrs Waters and her daughter, Channel Waters.'

Channel stared at Asia. She'd had a hazy memory of her and she had been expecting...well, she wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but certainly not the girl standing in front of her.

'Good afternoon,' Asia greeted them, curtseying a little. She had a surprisingly deep voice.

'Come here, you beautiful child,' Mrs Waters sang out. 'I hear you will be going to the same same school as my daughter.'

'Hello,' Nene said, feeling awkward. 'I don't think you'll remember me; I'm afraid I don't much remember you.'

'Why don't you both step outside and talk?' her aunt suggested.

The girls stepped out to the balcony.

'I'm a commercial student,' Channel began. 'What class do you attend?'

'Science.' Asia said.

'Oh, your the brainy one. Well, I suppose it doesn't matter whether we're in different classes.

'So tell me about your former school. It was a boarding school wasn't it?

'Well no it's not. Asia said.

'Oh, ok.... Well do you still remember two boys called Quan and Justin?

Asia smiled. 'I think I do. Very troublesome boys

'Only one of them was.'

They laughed.

'I hope you'll like it here.' Channel said.

                             ***
The next day, the two girls clung to each other as the walked into the school hall. Asia felt queasy, the object of curious attention.

Quan moved over to Justin. 'Aye who's that girl, the one with Channel?'

'Uhm that must be the new girl she was telling me about yesterday,' Justin said.

'A new girl?'

'Strange isn't it? Channel said she was once with us by then in kindergarten so she might recognize us. I think her name is A.. something, oh yes, Asia.'

Quan had never heard of her, but she looked rather nice, not bright, though.

'Come on,' he said, half dragging Justin. 'Let Channel introduce us'. Justin sighed; he knew Quan very well.

'Yo Channel,' said Quan.

'Asia, these are the boys I was telling u about. Quan and Justin,' Channel said. 'Boys, this is Asia'.

Justin murmured awkwardly; he always felt shy around girls. Quan just stared, his mouth open a little, until Channel prodded him.

'Quan!'

'Oh, I'm sorry,' he said. He stretched to his full height, flashed his brightest Mr Cool smile and extended his hand. 'I'm Quan Hills. Nice to meet you, although we're supposed to have met before.'

Asia stared at him, not taking his hand. 'I remember you,' she said frostily. 'You once put a dead lizard on my table.'

'Oh, uhm, sorry about that i.. guess. But I don't recall.......

'Yes, but you were just kids,' said Asia. She turned to Channel. 'Can you show me round a bit?'

They both walked off, and Justin decided he didn't like her at all. Snooty! Just who the f*ck did she think she was? Quan still had that dazed expression on his face. At that moment, the bell rang.