Darkson High

Episode 4: Spices & Rivalries (Filler)

Author's message: Hey everyone! Here's a fun filler episode packed with flavor, spice, and a dash of chaos! Think of it as a little break from the usual drama—a chance to let our characters show off their cultural pride and, of course, some friendly competition! Hope you enjoy this delicious detour. Bon appétit!

**********************************************

The school cafeteria buzzed with a lively energy that morning. Long tables were lined up with colorful dishes from around the world, each one more enticing than the last.

Mrs. Allotey, the passionate history teacher behind Cultural Food Day, weaved between students and tables, her face glowing with pride at the turnout.

Nikky was in her element. Her table was a vibrant showcase of Jamaican cuisine, filled with a mouthwatering array of jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, rice and peas, fried plantains, and golden patties that her mom had stayed up late to prepare.

She stood behind her spread with a confident grin, like a warrior ready for battle. Her eyes darted around the room, scoping out the competition.

To Nikky, today was about one thing and one thing only—wiping out the so-called "competition."

She spotted Malik across the room and grinned, muttering to herself, "Ah, finally a worthy opponent."

Nearby, Ricky was doing much of the same. His table was loaded with Mexican dishes his parents had prepared with as much enthusiasm as his.

Tacos al pastor, tamales, enchiladas, and a giant bowl of guacamole with chips were carefully arranged, and Ricky stood beside it, wearing an apron that read "¡Viva México!" with a broad grin.

He caught Nikky's eye and raised an eyebrow. "You think you're ready for this, Nikky? Because I'm bringing the heat today."

Nikky snorted, hardly intimidated. "Boy, please. You think that's heat?" She fanned a piece of jerk chicken in his direction. "This right here? This is what separates the real from the fake."

Ricky laughed, shaking his head. "I'd say bring it on, but I don't think you're ready."

"Oh, I'm more than ready," Nikky shot back, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "And you better be ready for the critique, too. You know I don't hold back."

Jake, who was hanging out at the nearby table, couldn't help but chuckle. The tension from the party seemed to have eased between him and Nikky, who now seemed more focused on her self-imposed food competition than anything else.

His setup was much simpler—a modest spread of scones, shepherd's pie, and a few shortbread cookies. Despite the lack of fanfare, a steady stream of people seemed to be gravitating toward his table—mostly girls who cast curious glances at Jake, eager to chat and sample his "authentic" British treats. Naturally, he flashed them his signature smirk and leaned into the attention, flirting in his laid-back, mischievous way.

Nikky wandered over, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow at the growing crowd around Jake's table. "No one's coming to your table for the food, you know. It's just your face," she teased, shaking her head. "Guess it's true what they say—pretty packaging sells."

Jake chuckled, clearly unbothered. "Hey, don't hate me for my natural charm," he shot back, winking at a girl who giggled as she grabbed a scone. "And don't underestimate these scones; they're more than just a pretty face. Just like me."

Nikky rolled her eyes dramatically. "Pretty face, huh? Well, your scones are looking a little... sad," she said, leaning in to pretend-scrutinize his display. "Looks like they've had better days."