Norrell stretched lazily on the hostel mattress, blinking at the faint sunlight filtering through the half-drawn curtains. The muffled chaos of the boys’ hostel was in full swing—showers running, voices yelling, and someone playing a terrible rendition of a hit song on their Bluetooth speaker.
“Norrell, you’re going to miss breakfast. Again.” Jayden’s voice broke through the haze of sleep as his friend leaned against the doorframe, already dressed in the neatly ironed uniform of Crystal Gem Academy.
“I’m coming,” Norrell mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
“You said that ten minutes ago,” Jayden shot back. “But go ahead, lie there until Nenoma declares herself head of the school, and we’re all doomed.”
Jolaade poked his head in, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Leave him alone, Jayden. Maybe he’s dreaming of how to outshine the queen bees today. Or figuring out how to beat me in chess, which we both know will never happen.”
Norrell sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. “You both talk too much.”
Jayden laughed, tossing Norrell’s tie at him. “Get moving, Mr. Cool. We’re not waiting for you.”
---
By the time Norrell joined Jayden and Jolaade in the hostel dining hall, the room was buzzing with energy. Students in crisp white shirts and navy-blue trousers shuffled between tables, balancing trays of toast, eggs, and watery tea.
Jayden leaned back in his chair, tapping his fork against the edge of his plate. “You know what’s funny? The queen bees. Always so polished, yet no one in their circle dares not to touch hostel food.”
Jolaade smirked, chewing thoughtfully. “That’s because they’re too busy scheming about their next victim.”
“Speaking of victims,” Jayden said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “did you see how they swarmed Kaylila yesterday? They’re definitely up to something.”
Norrell frowned slightly, remembering the poised new girl. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, you saw them,” Jayden said. “Nenoma, Nadia, and Tolani acting like they wanted to be her best friends? That wasn’t genuine. It was a setup.”
Jolaade nodded. “They’ve done it before. Pull someone into their circle, then tear them down just for fun. Classic queen bee behavior.”
“And Kaylila?” Norrell asked.
“She seemed… polite,” Jayden replied. “A little wary, though. Smart girl.”
---
As the trio walked across the school courtyard toward their first class, the morning sun cast long shadows on the paved pathway. Students bustled around them, some still groggy, others animatedly chatting about the day ahead.
“I don’t like them going near her,” Jayden muttered, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
“Relax,” Jolaade said with a shrug. “Kaylila doesn’t seem like the type to fall for their act.”
Norrell tilted his head, considering Jayden’s unease. “Did they say anything to her?”
“Not much. It was all smiles and compliments—pretending they wanted to ‘help her settle in.’ You know how they are. They always start sweet before showing their claws.” Jayden shook his head, frustration evident. “You should talk to her, Norrell. Warn her.”
Jolaade raised an eyebrow. “Why him? Are you suddenly too shy to talk to a girl?”
Jayden rolled his eyes. “It’s not about me. Norrell has this… calm thing going on. People listen to him.”
YOU ARE READING
MY DAYS AT CRYSTAL GEM ACADEMY
Teen Fiction"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...
