The promise
Lunch time in Westwood is always rowdy and chaotic. You have the bullies throwing food and mocking the school nerds, girls kissing their boyfriends while their food lays cold on the table, laughing and loud chattering, some students standing on the table and saying the most random unhumorous things. It was absolute Chaos and Nancy hated it.
Nancy had grabbed some food at the cafeteria and was walking gently to find a place seat when she heard her name from a familiar voice behind her. She turned her head and immediately saw Tara.
She was not hard to spot, her fancy yellow dress and curly blonde, made her stand out looking fancy to the students.
Nancy felt so relieved to see Tara.
After the party last night, she had dropped off Nancy and Jada at her Aunt house, it was all fun and laughter all through and it was one of Nancy's best night since she had gotten to North Carolina.
"Thank you for dropping us off yesterday", Nancy said as soon as she sat.
Tara laughed.
"Girl! That was nothing, you and Jada are so amazing and I am glad to have met you last night… look, don't look too much but you will see some girls two tables after us to the left, they are the snakes I told you about yesterday", Tara said trying to turn her head a bit to not get noticed by the girls.
Nancy did as she was told, she turned her head and took a quick glance enough to see them.
They were also staring at their table, and talking to themselves, obviously about Tara and her new friend.
"Bet they are saying stupid stuffs right now, can't believe I trust them enough to say stuffs about me, they know everything about me and yet did that to me…", Tara said as she sipped her juice off her chocolate milk from the food tray.
"But that is gone, how are you pretty girl? I was so drunk yesterday that I had slept off immediately I got home, I literally came to school super late today, my teacher had no choice though… I can be a sweetheart", Tara said.
They both chuckled out as they eat.
"I did not expect you to drive us home yesterday really! I was praying we would make it home alive and we did! I am impressed Tara! If I drink and drive, we would be somewhere in the woods inside a smashed car", Nancy said while laughing out loud with Tara.
Emma and Jasmine saw them, they turned to each other immediately.
"What! She actually has friends?", Jasmine whispered.
"And her friend is Tara Cole! The girl everyone want to be friends with!", Emma said in a jealous tone while vertical wrinkles appear between her eye brows.
"They are both so pretty, does that mean they would be the power besties n school? And all boys would have crush on them instead of us?", Jasmine worriedly asked Emma.
"No! No one can take the power besties from us… that is our thing, let's go", Emma had said as they walked away swaying their hips side to side.
After the lunch break, they all returned to the class and Tara had promised to take Nancy home again today and even though she had said no at first, Tara was not the one to change her mind.
The last school bell rung and everyone stood up to leave the class.
"Miss Brown", The teacher immediately called.
Nancy who was about to step out stopped and turned to the teacher before walking towards her.
"Hi Mrs Megan", she said, wondering why the lady had stopped her.
She leaned against her table, a lady in her late 20s, a cool and well reserved lady.
"It is few weeks to the school college fair, I am yet to ask for your preferred school… what school would you like to go for and have you informed the school principal about it", Mrs. Megan asked trying to keep her updated.
Nancy nodded yes, "I spoke to him about it and he knows I would be choosing New York university", she answered confidently.
The lady had heard Nancy had came from New York, she immediately knew the girl had her reason to want to return back, she gave Nancy a warm smile.
"Okay sweetheart, pleased to hear that… with your impressive performance in class you would be fine, apart from that you should have time to join a sports team, I noticed that you're not among any. Find one you're comfortable with and join them, it would be fun and apart from that it is one of the important thing NYU admission officers would want to see about you".
Nancy thought about her teacher's advice on her way out, Mrs. Megan was right. She needed a sports team or just being a volunteer in school to impress her dream university. Not to mention the extra credits would be good for her grades.
She had promised her dad to get into NYU, and even after his death and her moving away from her city, she still intended to keep her promise.
"Hey Nancy…".
The voice called out as soon as she stepped out of the school, she looked forward and saw Jackson walking away from his friends and approaching her.
Nancy sighed as she kept walking trying to avoid him.
"I want to talk to you…", he said and moved along with her trying to stop her from walking, after noticing she would not stop, he stood in front of her and put his hand in his pocket, he stared at her and let out a smirk.
"Can you please move, i am trying to go home, so move!", Nancy said in a commanding tone.
Jackson was way taller than she was, he looked down at her and laughed out.
"And what would you do about that Mrs grumpy", Jackson mockingly said, he turned his face and saw his friends also laughing.
Nolan had just gotten to his car with Stacy, they both leaned against the car while she touched his body and gave him a coy smile.
His eyes immediately saw Nancy standing in front of Jackson from a distance, his face changed as he noticed Jackson's weird smile and how uncomfortable Nancy was standing in front of him.
Nolan immediately took Stacy's hand off him, and took a step forward.
At that moment, he didn't seem to care what was happening or what they were talking about, he'd always known Jackson to be a bully and Nancy does not look like she was enjoying his presence.
All he wanted at that moment was to take her away from him and if that resulted in violence between himself and Jackson, so be it.
He walked towards them.