Ellen was throwing rubbish into the bin outside on the veranda upstairs when she saw there was a commotion downstairs. She stood by the rails to watch and saw that a certain senior had just twisted her foot on her way to supper. People had crowded over her as she was crying.
The form threes were on their way for supper when they heard a scream. Ellen was about to go downstairs when she saw Henry rushing to the scene. She halted and stood by to watch the move he made. "Everyone, get back! She needs fresh air." He instructed and took out a white handkerchief from his pocket. "You might want to bite on this, because what I'm going to do will hurt. I need you to close your eyes and take your mind off your foot, okay." He said, and the girl did as instructed. She screamed as Henry relocated her dislocated ankle. He hugged her for some time before carrying her in his arms when she calmed down. Everyone cheered for him as he made his way to the dining hall with the girl in his arms. Ellen was awestruck by the fact that he just took care of his ex-girlfriend like a doctor. Henry's father was a renowned doctor, and he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps; that's why he was always strict when it came to school and being the best at it. It turns out the girl who was hurt was Lilian, and Henry took care of her in a way that made Ellen believe he really was kindhearted, despite being a playboy. She felt sorry her friends couldn't see what she saw in him and had to stop being friends with him. It was Friday night, and as usual, Ellen prepped in the dining hall with her friends on Fridays. They were on their way to the hall when Ellen heard her name. She didn't have to turn to know who was calling, as she recognized that voice even in the dark. She apologized and signaled her friends to give her five minutes. They agreed, but reminded her she had chosen by taking the lead. Ellen turned to find Henry right behind her. "Hey, what's up? It seems you've been avoiding me, again. Is this about your friends and what they said?" "Henry, I'm sorry, but I don't want any trouble. Besides, I'm just a freshman. Why just me? It seems I'm the only freshman you vibe with, and that's questionable." "Oh, I see. So, you think I'm using you, or better yet, I'm playing you. The fact that you're the only freshman I vibe with doesn't mean I have bad intentions, Eleanora. At least you should know the majority of the girls here want me, and I can take a pick. I'm just being friends with you because my best friend admires you. I love whatever she loves and hate whatever she hates, and vice versa. Fuck, I even gave my word not to touch you, and I'm keeping that. If I were to make a pass at you, I'd do it the right way, Ellen, because you are special. Then I guess Clara is using you, too." Henry said with pain evident in his voice and eyes. Ellen was almost in tears and was about to speak when, "Excuse me." Henry used her favorite phrase on her and left. Ellen made her way to the assembly hall after cleaning her face. One look at her and they knew she just did something she regretted…A month passed, and HELLEN (Henry and Ellen) had not spoken to each other. They went on with their individual lives, and Ellen was more occupied with studies as she had been added to the NSMQ group. It was a group of three boys and three girls, but Ellen had yet to meet the third guy, her partner. Clara and Eric were among the squad, but she was surprised Henry wasn't. Ellen didn't know Eric that much, except that he was the boys' prefect. Everyone in the team had a partner except her. Mr. Fitz assured her the third guy would come soon, as he preferred not to join them unless they had a quiz coming up.
Ellen walked through the rows of bookshelves in the library searching for a biology book for her assignment. She didn't realize she was absent-minded until the books in her hand dropped after colliding with someone. They both went down for the books when their hands touched. ELECTRIC! They needed no one to tell them it was each other. Henry was the first to withdraw his hand and speak, "For crying out loud, we need to stop bumping into each other like this. It's as if we do this on purpose, and I hate clumsy girls." He said in pure anger and was about to leave when, "|'m sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you, but I'm glad I did. How are you? You've been avoiding me?" Ellen said in an audacious manner. "What the fuck? I'm sorry, miss, do we know each other? You are probably confusing me with someone else." Henry replied nonchalantly. "What? Are you serious? I know we haven't seen or spoken to each other for a while now, but are you going to pretend you don't know me?" she asked with pain in her eyes. "Nope, I am not pretending. I really don't know you, and stranger danger, so I have to go. I've got important things to do; time is money. Excuse me," he said and left with Ellen inhaling air to study her breath. She couldn't believe Henry would treat her this way as she sat at a corner table. She was still thinking about Henry's attitude when Clara joined her at the table. "Hey girl. Is something wrong? You seem to have teary eyes." Clara asked with concern. "Um, it's nothing, don't worry about it. I just miss my mom." She lied. "Aw, don't worry, you'll see her soon, alright. Work hard and make her prouder, okay. Did you get the book for the assignment? I'm so proud of you, Ellen. You are the only freshman to make it to the team without taking the exam first, while the others are. I hope your friends make it as well. I was told Kelly comes third, then Abigail comes second after you. That's really great, just like Henry, me, then Eric." Clara consoled and praised. They did the assignment and went to the assembly hall, as it was announced that everyone should come there for an extracurricular activity selection. Clara was already the editor-in-chief for the editorial board team, so Ellen had to decide which one to join. She chose the editorial board and went to sign up as they were already meeting. "Okay, so, welcome all of you, especially the freshmen." Clara began, as she was glad Ellen was joining her club. "This year, we are going to share the various club reports among everyone for the school's magazine. Since this is your first time joining us, I'm giving a simple assignment to you, Ellen. You are to write a report on the sports club, and its president is on his way here for the meeting. I've called the various club presidents to join us today so they will know whom they will be working with for the report interview (knock, knock). Okay, I think they are here, so give them a round of applause as they enter." Clara announced, and Ellen had a weird feeling about her assignment. She felt goose bumps when Henry entered and was introduced as the sports club president. "You are the sports club president?" She asked in shock. "Of course I am, dummy. I'm the sports prefect, forgotten?" he answered rudely, and everyone laughed, except Clara who gave him dagger eyes and he made two fingers as a sign of peace. Realization dawned on Ellen as she was to interview Henry for her report. "Oh God, please help me." She prayed silently.