The electric bell’s shrill ring reverberated through the corridors of Crystal Gem Academy.Students shuffled back to their classrooms, some still laughing and chatting, while others rushed to avoid the teacher’s reprimand.
Kaylila adjusted her blazer, feeling the sharp gazes of her peers. Their curiosity was palpable, a mix of interest and scrutiny. Being the new girl in school wasn’t easy, especially not in a place like Crystal Gem, where social hierarchies seemed almost carved in stone.
“Kaylila!”
The voice was loud, honeyed, and commanding. She turned to see three girls walking toward her with the kind of synchronized confidence that could silence a room.
Nenoma led the trio, her braids perfectly styled, swaying with every calculated step. Nadia, on her left, had an air of precision, her sharp eyes scanning the hallway like a predator sizing up its prey. Tolani brought up the rear, her sleek ponytail and disarming smile completing the trio’s perfectly intimidating aura.
Kaylila stood frozen as the girls stopped in front of her.
“New girl,” Nenoma said, her tone syrupy sweet but laced with an edge. “We’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
“Hi,” Kaylila replied, her voice cautious.
Nenoma smiled, but her eyes didn’t match. “Don’t look so nervous. We’re not as scary as we look.”
Tolani chuckled, her gaze lingering on Kaylila’s uniform. “We noticed you earlier. You’ve got potential, Kaylila. The kind that could take you far in this school.”
“Potential?” Kaylila asked, unsure whether to feel flattered or insulted.
Nadia stepped closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “Crystal Gem is a jungle, darling. Stick with the right crowd, and you’ll survive. Stick with us, and you’ll thrive.”
Before Kaylila could respond, a familiar voice broke through the tension.
“There you are, Kaylila!”
She turned to see Jayden approaching, his hands in his pockets and an easy smile on his face. His gaze flicked briefly over the trio before settling on her. “Mr. Adeyemi asked for you in the lab. Something about your admission papers.”
“My papers?” Kaylila frowned.
“Yeah, better hurry,” Jayden said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
Nenoma’s smile faltered, her gaze narrowing slightly. “We’ll catch up later, Kaylila,” she said smoothly.
As the trio walked away, their heels clicking against the polished floor, Jayden sighed. “Making friends already?”
“Who are they?” Kaylila asked, still watching their retreating figures.
“The Queen Bees,” Jayden said with a smirk. “Nenoma, Nadia, and Tolani. They think they own this place. Trust me, it’s better to steer clear of them.”
“Why?” Kaylila asked.
Jayden glanced at her, his expression serious. “They’re not as nice as they pretend to be. Just… be careful.”
---
The rest of the day unfolded in fits and starts, a mix of introductions, teacher expectations, and an assembly in the grand auditorium.
The principal, a stern woman with an imposing presence, stood at the podium. Her voice carried effortlessly across the room. “Welcome to a new term at Crystal Gem Academy. Here, we believe in excellence, discipline, and mutual respect.”
Kaylila sat near the middle, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she listened. Around her, students whispered and passed notes, their chatter barely subdued under the principal’s gaze.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying,” the principal continued, her tone sharp. “Our rules are non-negotiable, and those who break them will face the consequences.”
Kaylila glanced at the queen bees, who sat near the front. Nenoma appeared bored, inspecting her nails, while Nadia and Tolani exchanged amused glances.
The principal went on, outlining the school’s values and expectations. As Kaylila tried to take it all in, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this school operated on more than just official rules.
By lunch, Kaylila found herself standing awkwardly in the cafeteria, her tray balanced in her hands. The room was a hive of activity, with students clustered in their respective groups.
In one corner, the queen bees held court, their laughter ringing out as if they owned the room. Nearby, Norrell’s group sat in a more relaxed circle, their conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter.
“Kaylila!”
She turned to see Tolani waving her over, her smile wide and inviting. “We saved you a seat!”
Kaylila hesitated, her gaze darting between the queen bees and Norrell’s table. The choice felt heavier than it should have, each option carrying its own implications.
“Kaylila!” Skye’s voice rang out from Norrell’s table, her cheerful wave cutting through the tension.
The cafeteria fell silent for a moment as everyone watched her. Kaylila’s cheeks flushed, and she forced a smile. “Thanks, but I think I’ll sit over there,” she said, gesturing toward Skye.
Tolani’s smile froze, and Nenoma’s eyes narrowed. “Suit yourself,” Nenoma said, her tone icy.
Kaylila hurried toward Norrell’s table, her heart pounding. As she sat down, Skye grinned at her. “Good choice.”
---
The final bell rang, and students poured out of their classrooms. Kaylila made her way to the front of the school, where her driver waited.
As she approached the sleek black car, Jayden appeared at her side.
“Hey,” he said.
Kaylila turned, surprised. “Hi.”
Jayden glanced around before leaning in slightly. “Just a heads-up—Nenoma and her crew don’t take rejection lightly. Be ready for them to come back around.”
Kaylila frowned. “Why do they care so much?”
Jayden shrugged. “Power. Control. They like to keep everyone in their place.”
Kaylila hesitated, then nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
As she stepped into the car, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her second day was only the beginning of something much bigger
Back at home, Kaylila sat on her bed, replaying the day’s events. The queen bees, Norrell’s group, Jayden’s warning—it all swirled in her mind.
She reached for her journal, jotting down her thoughts. Stay cautious. Be observant. Trust no one too quickly.
The sound of her phone buzzing broke her concentration. A message from an unknown number lit up her screen:
“Welcome to Crystal Gem. Watch your back.”
Kaylila’s breath caught as she stared at the words. The queen bees’ perfectly curated smiles flashed in her mind.
Her story at Crystal Gem was only beginning.
***
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MY DAYS AT CRYSTAL GEM ACADEMY
Dla nastolatków"My days in Crystal Gem Academy were an experience that was worth it. Olafemi Arasimisoluwa Kaylila is an only child who has always been loved and supported by her family. An A student with no pressure at home, Kaylila seems to have it all figured o...
