CONFLICTED

Chapter 1| Newbie

Chapter 1: Newbie

We arrived at the school gate and I checked the time on my wrist watch.

"7:46. Just in time."

I was driven down here in my father's SUV by his personal chauffeur, Tobi.

My father was simply outraged that I slept in this morning but he was too engrossed in his office paperwork to find a suitable punishment for me. He had ended up with most of his dad’s hospital shares and got a seat on the board right after grandpa passed away at sixty-four from lung cancer.

Following his internship at his late father’s hospital and his wife's passing, he chose to enlist in the military as the next step towards earning his medical license.

And now that he's out of the military since my mom's death, he was back at the hospital.

"I won't be driving you into the school premises as I need to take your father to the hospital in time. You messed up our schedule anyway so the fault is yours." Tobi said while eying me in the overhead mirror.

I nodded and alighted the car, baring my new ID card to the security men before stepping into the school premises and making my way to the admin block.

On getting to the administrative building, I was directed to the receptionist who looked me over a couple of times with wary eyes behind her small eyeglasses <because of my skin color, I presume> before she handed me the school map and my locker number only after a few questioning. I briskly made my exit and finally proceeded into the school.

Looking around, I dwelled on the view once more of this vast land with magnificent structures as I passed by other students. I walked down a footpath for an agonizing stretch of time until it occurred to me that I might have lost my way. Taking a quick glance at the map again, I realized I really couldn't figure out where my class block was.

Chrisland high was a huge institution in every sense, with the junior school segregated from the senior block and the auditorium. There were two separate hostels, each for the males and females, a tennis court, football field, marathon field and other recreational spots. There was the gym, library, laboratories, art studio, farm, and sundries. I know right? My father sure picked out the best school for me to attend. And one with my name written all over it.

"8:15. Damnit!"

I gave up on the map and looked up just in time to find a guy my age walking past me.

"Um, hey. Do you care to point out where the senior block's at?"

The boy stopped and turned to me with the warmest smile. "Sure. That's where I'm also headed."

No shit. I had totally gone off course.

"Oh thanks. I would've lost my way if it wasn't for you. But if the school is this way, where...?" I faltered with a skeptical look towards the path he'd come.

"Oh, no I'm coming from my dorm. I'm a boarder."

"You are?"

"Yeah. I slept in so I missed the shuttle. An extra doze comes at price." he smiled and I nodded hesitantly.

"Makes two of us."

We headed on to our supposed building and I cleared my throat before speaking again.

"I'm guessing you're a senior?"

Taking my sweet time, I let my eyes do the wandering on my company. Good-looking?: check. Tall?: check. Got style?: check. Might I go on? I was quite certain plenty of girls were swooning over him.