Chapter 7 - Bro

"Nice to finally meet me?" Edward echoed, his brows furrowed in confusion as he withdrew his hand. "I beg your pardon?"

"Oh—sorry," Edric said quickly, flashing a soft smile. "I meant you're kind of a hot topic in the hallways. Something about chaos in the cafeteria yesterday?"

Edward exhaled, shoulders relaxing a bit.

With all the freaky things happening lately, meeting someone who seemed to be looking forward to their encounter spooked him.

"Yeah, that happened," he admitted. "It's a long story. I just didn't think it'd still be floating around school. Especially with my name attached."

"Well," Edric said with a casual grin, "from what I've heard, what you did was slick—cool, even. Standing up to bullies like that? Fascinating stuff. Even for me."

Edward chuckled. "Don't believe everything you hear. A lot of it is probably false. And from what you just told me, I can already sense the exaggeration."

"Fair enough," Edric said, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "But according to everyone else, you're kind of... legendary."

They both laughed.

"So," Edward asked, "you're new?"

"Yeah."

"Where from? I mean, I can tell you're British from your accent, but where exactly?"

"Kensington," Edric replied casually. "It's in West London."

"Nice. Sounds pretty cool." Edward smiled, extending his hand again. "Welcome to Ngong High."

Edric took it and they shook on it.

"Hope you'll be able to survive here in Kenya, though," Edward teased.

Edric chuckled. "I'm Kenyan too, you know?"

"Ohhh. Well, welcome home then," Edward said, clearly surprised.

"Thanks. It's nice to be back, bro."

"It's okay if I call you that, right?" Edric added quickly.

Edward smirked. "Well, you sound more like you're informing me than asking."

Edric tensed. "Oh—I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay, bro," Edward laughed. "I'm just messing with you."

"You got me," Edric smiled, relaxing again. "I just didn't want to come off as too familiar. It's weird though. You feel... really familiar."

"Yeah… same," Edward agreed. "Weird, huh?"

Before Edric could respond, students suddenly began scrambling to their seats. The room hushed in a heartbeat.

The two boys turned their gaze to the door.

There stood a modestly dressed, bespectacled woman with a sharp gaze—Madam Beatrice. Her right arm cradled her teaching materials while her left rested sternly on her hip.

The class quickly settled.

With slow, graceful steps, she walked to the front, her stilettos clicking against the floor. Her cream, floral dress hugged her figure, and though she was in her late forties, her poise and beauty commanded the room. Her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face.

Upon reaching her desk, she dropped her books with a dramatic thud.

Students like Edward, who weren't sitting "morally," immediately straightened up.

Madam Beatrice spared one more glance at the class. She said nothing. Her body language was enough.

The lesson commenced.

---

Minutes later, as the lesson ended, Edward felt relieved. One down, a few more to go.

He stood, stretched to ease his stiff muscles, when a conversation behind him caught his ear. Two girls were giggling about Valentine's Day, whispering names of their dates.

Mid-stretch, Edward froze.

He had planned to ask Marissa out.

Ohh crap. How did he forget?

Wait. He shouldn't ask himself that. He knew why.

Snapping back into motion, he began packing his stuff while scanning the classroom. He noticed Marissa leaving. He zipped his bag, flipped it onto his back, and turned to Edric, who was now surrounded by classmates peppering him with questions.

"Hey, Edric," Edward called. "I'll catch you later—I gotta run."

Edric looked up, grinning. "Sure, bro."

As Edward exited, he thought, "Impressive. First day and he's already a celebrity. Guess I should've taken down those douchebags earlier.Maybe then... I'd have been famous too."

Then, the memory of Jasper and Frederick resurfaced.

He stopped in his tracks.

"Haven't seen them since the embarrassment," he said to himself, looking around the class for any sign of them. "They probably skipped class. Not like it was a big deal to them," he concluded.

Wait—why was I rushing again? he wondered, until the thought snapped back.

"Oh yeah."

He picked up his pace toward the door again.

Just before he exited, a book on Madam Beatrice's table caught his eye. A huge, black leather-bound tome with an archaic design and a strange—but oddly familiar—symbol.

The book reminded him of Anita's family grimoire.

But the thought was fleeting. It vanished just as soon as it came.

Out in the buzzling hallway, Edward's eyes immediately caught Natasha and Sasha giggling together as they walked down the corridor.

He stared, hand gripping his bag strap, the memory of Natasha's ultimatum flashing back.

As if sensing his gaze, Natasha turned, spotted him, and instantly dropped her smile. Her face turned pale.

She hooked her arm with Sasha's and briskly walked off, leaving her friend confused.

Edward's gaze shifted.

There—up the hall.

Marissa.

But she wasn't alone.

No. Way.

It was Billy.

They were talking. Smiling. Flirting?

What if he's asking her to be his Valentine?

Edward's heart sank. His grip on the strap tightened. He bit his lower lip, glaring at Billy with a face full of thunder.

His eyes could've scared the devil back to hell.

Billy stood there, as cool as ever, talking to Marissa, completely unaware of the storm forming in Edward's head.

A pat on his back broke Edward's train of thought.

"Yo, that was dope, man. The way you stood up to Brandon yesterday? Legendary!" a boy said as he passed.

Edward forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah," he muttered in response.

As soon as the boy looked away, the smile dropped.

His eyes darted back to Marissa—just in time to see her and Billy wave goodbye and part ways.

Billy joined a group of guys, probably his crew, and walked off.

Marissa turned left up the hall.

She was heading to her locker.

Edward followed.

When he arrived, she was already there, sorting through her things.

He opened his locker absentmindedly, eyes still on her.

As if feeling the weight of his stare, Marissa turned and caught him off guard.

"Hi," Edward blurted with a sheepish grin.

"Hi," she replied, a smile tugging at her lips—but her eyes held suspicion.

She turned back to her locker. Edward stood frozen, fidgeting with his fingers. Contemplating.

Then, awkwardly, he spoke. "So, uh... you and Billy, huh? Didn't know you guys were tight."

His tone was off. He knew it. His brain wasn't working right.

Marissa slowly turned toward him, hand resting on her locker door. Her face was a mix of confusion, mild shock, and maybe even offense.

Edward panicked. "I mean—Billy's cool. Anyone would wanna be his friend. I just didn't know you were his. I mean; his friend. If I did, maybe... I'd have asked you to introduce me or—"

"Quit rambling," Marissa cut in, raising her hand to silence him. "Next time, if you want to know whether Billy asked me to be his Valentine's date, be direct. Don't beat around the bush."

She shut her locker with a metallic clack, adjusted her sling bag, and walked away.

When she was out of sight, Edward slammed his locker shut, hard.

"Screw you, Edward," he muttered under his breath. "You're such an idiot. An idiot," he groaned, raking a hand through his hair in frustration.

---

Edward stared out the window as the Uber cruised through the heart of the city.

Anita had begged him to stop in town first before heading to her place after school. She said there was something urgent she needed to pick up. Edward agreed. She called for an Uber—and off they went.

As they glided through the low-traffic streets, Edward found himself admiring the beauty of Nairobi. Tall, elegant buildings towered around them. The clean, vibrant streets were full of life, with pedestrians moving in every direction, each on their own mission.

The car was quiet—until Anita spoke.

"Hey... why are you so gloomy?" she asked, breaking the silence that had slowly smothered the air between them.

Then she snapped her fingers. "Wait—don't answer that. I almost forgot." She turned to him. "How have you been doing, though?"

She gently placed a comforting hand on Edward's shoulder, rubbing it softly.

Edward turned to her, a brittle smile stretched across his face. "Are you talking about Hallington?" he asked. Too many depressing things had happened that day; he wasn't sure which one she meant.

In fact, after that whole crash-and-burn moment with Marissa, he'd spent the rest of the day avoiding her like the plague. He hadn't had the courage to face her—or even talk to anyone. He just wanted to be invisible.

Anita raised a brow, clearly puzzled. Her posture leaned toward him, ready to listen. "What do you mean? You didn't even come to lunch today. I figured you just needed space to process everything. Or… did something else happen?"

She scooted a little closer.

"No. Nothing that matters," Edward murmured. "But about Hallington, I'm okay. Or at least… I will be."

He turned his gaze back to the window.

Anita gently rubbed his shoulder again. "You know you can tell me if something's wrong, right? I'm your friend, Edu. I'm here to listen—to help however I can."

Edward didn't want to burden her with his love life drama. Not now.

He looked back at her. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."

"Ahem… miss, we're here," the driver announced as he pulled up in front of Westgate Mall.

"Okay," Anita replied, turning back to Edward. "I'll be back in a few. It won't take long."

She hopped out and made her way inside.

Edward leaned back against the seat, eyes drifting across the street to a breathtaking structure—Diamond Stars Hotel. It stood tall and pristine, its mirrored glass gleaming in the sunlight.

The driver quietly scrolled through his phone.

A few minutes later, Anita returned with two shopping bags—one in each hand.

Edward watched her approach.

"Told you I wouldn't take long," she said with a cheeky grin as she got in and closed the door.

The driver restarted the car and they pulled back into traffic.

"Hmmm, you kinda stayed there for an eternity," Edward teased. Then he pointed. "What's in the bags?"

Anita held up the bag in her right hand. "This one is something I've been dying to get. A dress. New fashion—super cute."

She set it on the seat between them.

Then she lifted the second bag. "And this... is a little something to sweeten you up. Literally."

Edward's eyes lit up. "What is it?"

"A cake," she said with a smug smile. "Your favorite flavor."

Edward's mood brightened instantly. "Mmmm. Yummy." He reached for the bag.

Anita slapped his hand before he could grab it. "Not now, Edu. Wait till we get home."

He withdrew his hand and shook it dramatically like a little kid pretending to feel pain.

His face twisted into an exaggerated pout—the kind only a stubborn, sugar-loving child could pull off.

Anita laughed. "You are such a baby, Edu."

Edward made his face even more adorable.

She laughed harder, her ribs hurting.

After catching her breath, she asked, "So, Edward… what was it you wanted my mom to help you with again?"

Edward tensed slightly.

"I'll tell you later," he said. "It's about yesterday's discovery." He motioned with his eyes toward the driver, who remained silently focused on the road.

Anita followed his gaze, then nodded. "Oh. Got it."

The rest of the ride continued in peaceful silence—Anita scrolling through her phone, Edward lost in thought at the window, and the driver humming faintly as they headed back toward Ngong.

---

Back in Ngong — Diani Towers

Edric stepped out of the elevator onto the fifth floor, clearly exhausted.

Ever since that bold moment when he'd put the bullies in their place, he'd had classmates buzzing around him nonstop—some drawn to his accent, others to his fashion, and some just mesmerized by his mysterious coolness.

He'd expected retaliation from the bullies, maybe even with backup from their friends—especially Brandon, the so-called leader. But so far? Nothing.

"What cowards," he muttered to himself as he approached his apartment door.

He pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

Without a second thought, he walked over to the couch and flopped onto it, sighing deeply. "What a day."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, lazily checking the time before tossing it onto the coffee table.

"Just as expected, Dad," he said with disappointment. "You haven't called."

Almost immediately, the phone buzzed. Then rang.

Edric blinked, surprised. "Speak of the devil."

He answered.

"Hello, son," came a warm voice on the other end, a tinge of guilt woven into the tone. "Sorry I haven't called sooner. Got held up with work."

Edric rolled his eyes. Typical excuse.

"No worries, Dad," he replied, keeping his voice neutral.

"How's school?" his father asked.

"It was fantastic. I already like it here," Edric said truthfully.

"That's nice to hear," his dad sounded relieved. "I still wish you'd let your Aunt Mimi come with you, though. You wouldn't have been alone."

"I'm fine, Dad. But please hurry. Because... I found someone."

A pause.

"You... you found him?" his dad asked slowly, his voice suddenly tight with emotion.

"Yes." Edric sat up straight. "I found him. I found my brother."

There was silence on the line.

Then finally, "How is he?" the man asked, hesitantly.

"He's fine," Edric replied, his voice softer now. "He's cool. He's everything I imagined. The brother I always wanted."

A long breath came through the phone.

"I'll be home soon, son. Dad's coming. I promise."

The line went dead.

Edric placed the phone on the table. He leaned back, gazing out through the wide window ahead of him. His eyes were serious now—no longer the tired boy from earlier.

His expression was firm.