A friend to remember

26: Bellrich Elite.

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They turned to their back to find Colton looking down at them, his mouth set in a thin line. His eyes narrowed.

"What did you say?" He asked calmly. Tito and Tope tensed, they didn't know that he was behind them, they were just gossiping. Maybe what they said wasn't okay but they knew the consequences of him hearing it.

"Co... Colton..." Tito stood up and wiped her sweaty hands away, she was nervous. She didn't know what he would do but she knew she was in huge trouble.

"I asked what you said?" He repeated. By now, the entire upper area of the cafeteria had quietened, everyone was looking at Colton and the gossips he was confronting. Denise glanced at Cynthia, who looked like she was going to pass out.

"We... We were just talking..." Tope stuttered. "Talking? I want you to repeat what you just said," Colton said icily.

"No... No... Please, we weren't..."

"You were talking about me and my sister, and you don't dare to say it to my face?" Colton's eyes narrowed.

"Look, Colton, we were just joking... We didn't mean any harm we are very sorry."

He smiled, his eyes were cold and feral, and he looked like he could murder them. Tito and Tope felt like the ground should open and swallow them. Their hearts raced and they shook in fear of what Colton would do to them.

"I am in a good mood today, you know, I am also hungry. I do not want to waste time on you, so I will say this not repeat it. I do not want to ever see you in this school again, if I catch wind of you, I will make sure you regret ever stepping into this school, are we clear?"

"Ye... Yes," they stuttered. Denise glanced at Cynthia who didn't say anything. Her eyes were permanently glued to the floor and she looked like she was near tears.

Colton stalked off toward the direction of the elite side of the cafeteria. Denise swallowed as she watched them turn back to her and start packing their food flask.

"What just happened?" She looked at all of their tensed faces. Cynthia pulled her away, "We need to go now!" She snapped and Denise allowed her to pull away from the crowd that was now dispersing. Cynthia left Tito and Tope there, they looked like they were near tears and Denise wanted to stop Cynthia from walking away.

"What are you doing? Why are you leaving them? They looked like they were going to cry?" Denise glanced at them as they descended the stairs.

"That doesn't matter! We have to get as far away from them as possible!" Cynthia snapped quietly. Denise furrowed her brows. What the hell was happening? It was her first day of school and she didn't think this would be her experience. "Why would you say that? They are your friends!"

"Tito and Tope knew the consequences of talking shit about an elite! They know that it cannot only ruin their chances of graduating but also ever getting into Bellrich University." Cynthia informed. She didn't stop walking. Denise wanted to ask more but Cynthia came to a halt.

"What we talked about is real Denise, Elites are royalties in this school and the other students bow to their whims, they are at the top of the food chain and we are the button and cannot do anything about it," Cynthia said bitterly.

"That sick." Denise snapped. "Well that's the rule and I cannot change it no matter how much I want to."

They started climbing a flight of stairs, "do you know your locker number?"

"Oh, it's on my ID card." She turned in her ID and showed Cynthia. Cynthia looked at the number jealously. She might be on scholarship like her but she was still an Arabowale, someone who was born lucky. Her parents had all the money in the world and she? Her parents were lucky to provide three square meals for her and her siblings.