Unauthorised Affairs

~2~

The following day was a Friday, the last day her father would be considered principal. Nova decided to ditch all her classes for the day and head up to the rooftop.

Nova found solace on the secluded rooftop, a haven she had exclusive access to. The sun bathed the space in warm rays as she reclined against the edge, staring at the sky and trying to make sense of the abrupt changes in her life.

As the lunch bell rang, the door to the rooftop creaked open, and in stepped Brownie and Avi, the mischievous duo who had a knack for bending the rules. Nova turned to see her best friend and her twin brother, both wearing sly grins that hinted at their latest escapade.

"Hey, troublemakers," Nova greeted, managing a small smile.

Brownie winked. "Hey, Nova. We heard the queen got dethroned. Is this for real?"

Nova rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not in the mood for royal gossip. Dad's getting replaced as the principal."

Avi's eyes widened. "What? Seriously? That's messed up!"

Nova nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, it sucks. I don't know what's gonna happen next."

Brownie nudged Avi. "Don't worry, Nova. We're here for you. Always."

Leaning against the rooftop's edge, the trio delved into a conversation that meandered from serious concerns to lighter topics, capturing the essence of their rebellious camaraderie.

Avi, ever the jokester, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, maybe the new principal will be cooler. We could use some excitement around here."

Brownie chimed in, "Imagine if it's someone young, like, with tattoos and a skateboard. That'd be wild."

Nova chuckled, appreciating their attempt to inject humor. "Yeah, right. Because nothing says 'qualified principal' like a skateboard."

Their banter continued, seamlessly transitioning to more personal subjects. Brownie, with her infectious energy, brought up Avi's recent attempt at mastering a new skateboarding trick.

"So, Avi, spill the tea on the great skateboarding adventure. Did you finally conquer the legendary flip?"

Avi grinned, brushing off imaginary dust from his shoulder. "Almost, Nova. I swear, one of these days, I'll nail it."

Nova, enjoying the banter, leaned back and watched as her friends shared stories of their latest exploits. As the conversation flowed, they found comfort in the familiarity of each other's company, a sanctuary away from the chaos below.

Avi, ever the protective type,  especially with his closest friends, turned serious for a moment. "Nova, we've got your back, okay? No matter what happens with the school drama, we're in this together."

Brownie added with a mischievous glint in her eye, "And if the new principal turns out to be a total buzzkill, we'll find a way to make things interesting."

Nova couldn't help but smile at their unwavering support. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you both."

The trio spent the rest of the day on the rooftop, escaping the confines of the school's routine and reveling in the freedom of their friendship. In the face of uncertainty, their rebellious spirits and tight-knit bond proved to be the anchor that kept Nova grounded.

The day waned, and Nova reluctantly left the rooftop sanctuary, bidding her friends Brownie and Avi farewell. As she navigated the hallways toward her father's office, the announcement echoed through the megaphones, summoning her to an unexpected encounter.

Upon opening the door, Nova was met by a strikingly handsome man, his gaze meeting hers in a moment of intense eye contact that sent a curious shiver down her spine. The silence hung in the air until her father, Lyle, broke it, introducing the enigmatic stranger.

"Nova, meet Kai Adler. He'll be taking over as the new principal," Lyle announced with a hint of formality.

Kai extended his hand, his smile genuine. "Nice to meet you, Nova. Your father has told me a lot about you."

Nova, still processing the abrupt change, managed a polite nod, but said nothing.

Lyle, sensing the tension, attempted to diffuse it. "Kai comes highly recommended. I'm sure he'll bring positive changes to the school."

Kai, maintaining eye contact, added, "I've heard great things about your father's leadership. I hope to continue that legacy."

Nova couldn't help but wonder how this charismatic figure would reshape the familiar landscape she had known.

Lyle, gesturing towards the office, suggested, "We should discuss the transition and what it means for both of us."

As they entered the office, Nova exchanged a final glance with Brownie and Avi, who had been waiting nearby, concern etched on their faces. The door closed, leaving them on the outside, and Nova found herself at the precipice of a new chapter, uncertain of what lay ahead under the leadership of the intriguing Kai Adler.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all ❤️