chapter six

Jimi and Daniel got to school just before assembly was due to start. Jimi left to join the other prefects. morning assembly took place in the large hall that stood in the centre of the school and students lined up according to their grades. the school band, looking smart as always, had positioned itself in one corner and was already beating drums softly in practice.

A few teachers were waiting outside the hall, ready to punish latecomers by asking them to kneel down.

At eight o'clock, Darwin classic,the head boy, stood up on the stage . he was fat and smooth cheeked from the holidays and, With his hand on his chest,he smiled with faint smugness . he loved his job.

Attention everybody!' he called out . the national anthem.'

The school band struck up the tune, drums beating, and the students raggedly joined in. the Juniors were eager and enthusiastic, the seniors uninterested.

All the students of forcados high school were exicted to be back after the long, long summer holidays. the school held an unofficial pride among all other schools in the area. it had the largest football field and the best layout. bright purple and orange bougainvillea had been carefully planted along the fences . The school building were arranged in small one and two storey blocks,with rows of hibiscus plants forming small hedge between each class . others often said that forcados students are artificial." but the school took pride in The fact that it always defeated other schools in regional quizzes and sports.

After the national anthem and assembly prayers, Mr Charles, the principal, gave a brief talk welcoming everyone. he was small,wiry man with a British accent.

it's a pleasure to have you all back .it is very important, however, that we face up to the responsibilities of this new term particularly our final year students who will be writing their exams .this is an important watershed.....

when assembly was over,the students, boys in white shirts, black ties and black trousers, and girls in black pinafores over white shirt crowded into the hallways and corridors of the school, chatting.some people greeted Daniel,but many more crowded around Jimi.

' Jimi, where have you been?.

' missed you!'

' coachie,s annoyed!'

' party tonight....'

Jimi was soon lost in laughter and chatter.forgotten , Daniel looked around glumly.the first days of term were always the worst. back to further maths and physics, and Everyone talking in the latest slang about what they'd been up to and what new song was out, while he had nothing to say.

He saw that some students wore their ties in odd knots and has chains on their trousers, showing off watches and shoes. some carried the latest iPhone or Apple cell phones even though students weren't allowed to use phones .

there were same old people: the bully; teacher bade ,whom students called cane" was always waiting for the next hapless kids who would fall into his traps; the rythmers , a group of five boys who composed hip hop lyrics after school, hoping to become the next American sensation; Michael the bright spark who was in an unspoken contest with Jimi over their chemistry results; and finally the gum chewing Shasta ( Jimi's Caro, or the other way around), the queen bee with her perpetually disdainful expression. Daniel could never understand what his friend saw in her.

Jimi was the best students in chemistry and a whiz kid in other subjects. he gad won prizes and laurels for the school in science and debate competitions. he was also the health prefect , the athletic club captain and the best footballer. what's more, all the girls thought he was good looking, if there was anyone who could be described as an a rounder, it was Jimi Williams.

some people have all the luck, thought Daniel ,but Jimi was such a friendly, likeable person that people were hardly envious of him. it had always been like that.for instance, madam shasha ,who is chief in the school would always praise Jimi .

Jimi had been Daniels hero since kindergarten school because he was good at so many things, while the only thing Daniel knew how to do was paint .there had never been two friends who were more different.

A plump girl with short plaits framing her round, gentle face came over.it was Becky Smith .she lived on the same street as Jimi and Daniel and she was their oldest friends . Daniel was genuinely glad to see her .she had the sweetest smile.

Hi Daniel! she said in her light, pretty voice, glad to see you " look at Jimi's when did he get back ?.

he came back yesterday

I could hear his voice from a distance, rowdy and full of fun as usual,' said Becky laughing. by the way, do you remember anyone called Michelle? she's a relative of Mrs Nancy who lives on Armstrong street,not too far from us.'

Daniel wrinkled his forehead. no I don't'

' Neither do I not very well.she was at our kindergarten school for a while and she's coming here to join us.'

' in the finals?

' I think she had to leave her former school at least that's what her aunt told my mother. her aunt asked me us or rather help her settled down and get used to things .how were your holidays.

oh boring, but I did get the opportunity to go to an art workshop for one week.'

sounds fun .' she turned towards Jimi. "Jimi's" hello!'

After school,Jimi walked behind a block of classroom. it was empty there and closest to the back wall of the school.

several huge casuarina trees loomed there and expect for the occasional rustling of a lizard against leaves or the soft cooing of a laughing dove,all was quiet.jimi put on his earphones and turned on his iPod until loud hip hop music filled his ears. they hadn't done much schoolwork today: he and the other prefects had to mobilise the students, mostly Juniors, to work and other chores , he now wanted to be alone. it was rare for Jimi to be or want to be alone, but he had a lot of things on his mind.