WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 44: Making New Friends

Chapter 44: Making New Friends

Rhea was not the only one surprised. Every one of her classmates was. They are beginning to wonder if there were more to the students showing up every time. They weren’t supposed to have new students in their class until next term.

Rhea and Maia were already surprising to them and now, three new students?

Most of the students began to murmur. They need an explanation for what is going on.

Mr. Martins did not stop them from murmuring this time. He waited until they were quiet.

"I can assure you that there won’t be any new students this term," he said but the students weren’t convinced.

They should at least know the reason they were admitted.

They all knew the reason behind Rhea and Maia’s sudden appearance; their parents were transferred, and there wasn’t anyone they could stay with until the term was over.

Could that be the reason for the three new students too? Some of them wondered.

Some of the students began to mumble.

"Do you have questions?" Mr. Martins asked and they kept shut. "If there is none," he said. "Then we continue. The three of you should go ahead and introduce yourselves." He pointed at the only boy among them. "You can start."

"My name is Kristen Stewart," he said. "I am a transfer student from Blackwood Academy. I hope to get along with everyone."

"My name is April Smith. I am also a transfer student from Blackwood Academy," one of the girls said.

"And I am Poppy Daniel. I transferred from Willow High School. It’s nice to meet you all," the last girl introduced.

It was time to allocate them seats. "There is a space beside Maia. One of you should sit with her," Mr. Martins said.

April raised her hand. "I will."

Mr. Martins nodded and April found her way to her new seat. She was happy she got to sit with her best friend.

They exchanged quick greetings among themselves.

Mr. Martins pointed at Will’s seat. "Poppy, you go and sit there. When Will resumes tomorrow, he will be your seatmate."

"What about Darian?" Someone asked.

"He is no longer coming to our school. His dad got a transfer."

The students were surprised. None of them had noticed that Darian had not been in school for a couple of weeks.

Maybe they enjoyed the new peace of mind they have that they forgot about their bully, Darian. Or maybe it was because Will had turned a new leaf and they believed that was the reason Darian was quiet too.

Rhea felt a bit sad for Darian, though; she understands what it feels like when the parents get transferred, and you have to move not just to a new community but also to a new school, leaving behind those they knew and starting up afresh.

Mr. Martins pointed at Kristen. "We have to get you a sit. Where should I fix you?"

Sasha pushed Dahlia out of her seat. "He can sit with me," she answered.

Rhea turned. What happens to Dahlia?

"That is Dahlia’s seat," Mr. Martins answered.

Dahlia shook her head. "Not anymore." She picked up her bag. "I will sit over there."

She went to sit behind Maia and April.

"Do you think she likes Kristen too?" Louie asked.

Rhea nodded. "It’s obvious she does. If she can’t get Alan, she can as well look for another."

Louie chuckled. "Do you think Kristen will like her?"

"Maybe if she is not a bully."

Louie sighed. But she is one.

Maia and April were staring at them too. Maia was getting furious already.

Is Sasha trying to steal her boyfriend?

"Do you think she is after your boyfriend?" April asked in a whisper.

"She won’t dare," Maia answered.

"Do you want to sit with her?" Mr. Martins asked.

He knows Sasha is a bully and would be better off sitting with her best friend.

"I do not want to. I will sit over there," Kristen pointed at the seat Dahlia was seated on.

He wants to sit close to his girlfriend. She was the reason he got transferred.

"Dahlia," Mr. Martins called. "Head back to your seat."

Dahlia stood up groaning. She picked her bag up.

"I can as well sit with..."

"Dahlia?!"

Dahlia sighed. She can tell that it is impossible to make their homeroom teacher change his mind.

"Fine," she mumbled and headed back to her seat.

Sasha was furious. She felt humiliated; a lot of the students were laughing already.

Mr. Martins gave them some advice for the day. And after that, attendance was marked for the day.

"That would be all. You can all head to your various classes."

Mr. Martins left the class and the students began to murmur. Most of them were talking about Sasha, although they did not dare to say it out loud.

The rest of the students who were not discussing were preparing to leave the class for their various classes.

"What class do we have?" Louie asked.

"Chemistry," Rhea answered, pointing to her timetable. "It’s a practical class."

Louie nodded. That is a good one.

"Hi, Rhea," someone greeted.

Rhea looked up to see Maia and the new student, April.

"Hi, Maia."

"Meet my best friend, April," Maia introduced.

"It’s nice to meet you, April. I am Rhea," Rhea said.

"It’s nice to meet you too," April answered.

Louie cleared his throat and Rhea smiled. She could tell Louie wanted her to introduce him, too.

"Meet my best friend too. His name is Louie."

"Hi, Louie," Maia and April greeted in uniform.

Louie stretched his hand for a shake. "It’s nice to meet you, Maia. Rhea said a lot about you."

"That is good to hear," Maia answered.

"And welcome to our school, April," Louie stretched his hand to April.

They shook hands, staring into each other eyes. Rhea stared at Maia who stared back at her. They seemed to have connected the dots on what was going on; they smiled.

Maia cleared her throat after a while; Louie and April released their hands from each other.

"So... Sorry," Louie mumbled.

This was the first time Rhea had seen Louie feel so shy in front of a girl.

Does Louie like her? She thought.

Louie wasn’t the only one who was shy; April was too, and that made Maia wonder if April liked him too.

She has to confirm that. She thought.

Dahlia noticed what had happened, too, and that made her furious. She has been trying her best to get Louie’s attention but she did not succeed.

How can the new student do that?

Sasha patted her. "Do not worry. We will put them in their place."

"We need to do that. But how?"

"I will think of a way," Sasha answered.

She needed to do that fast!

"Look," Dahlia pointed. "The other new girl is talking to Rhea too."

It was Poppy. Sasha frowned. Rhea is becoming the center of attention and she doesn’t like that.

"Don’t you think Rhea is getting too much of an attention? At first, it was Will, then Alan and Reece, then Maia,, and now the new students. Look even Kristen is talking to her."

Sasha scoffed. "It doesn’t matter who talks to her now. I will make sure they dislike her."

"I think we should head to class too," Dahlia said.

"I am not leaving," Sasha answered.

"Do you have a plan?"

Sasha smiled. "Of course I do."

She waited until Rhea, Louie, Maia, Kristen, and April had left the class before moving closer to Poppy.

"Do you need help," she asked Poppy who was about to leave the class too.

Poppy smiled. "No thanks. I already got one."

"Whenever you need help you can always come to me. Don’t go to her," Sasha whispered and that got Poppy confused.

Rhea had been of great help to her. Poppy thought. Why would Sasha say that?

Sasha, who seemed to have read her mind, answered, "She is not a good person."

Poppy was confused. Rhea is a good person. She had answered all her questions with patience.

"I think you are mistaken."

"My friend is not mistaken. You have to trust what she says. Rhea is not a good person."

Poppy stared at Sasha and then at Dahlia.

What are they trying to do? Sow discord between her and Rhea? Could they be jealous of her? She smiled. She won’t let them get through to her.

"Thank you for your advice, but I really need to go now."

Poppy left the class and Dahlia turned to face Sasha.

"Do you think she believes us?"

"She doesn’t have to. I will make her."

"Is this the plan you have?"

Sasha nodded. "Just a bit of it."

Dahlia sighed. Why does she feel like this is a bad idea?

"Tell Maya I want to see her during lunch break," Sasha said.

"I thought you did not want to have anything to do with her after the incident in the restroom?"

Sasha smiled. "It is time for her to redeem herself."

Dahlia sighed. "I will tell her that."

They left the class and headed to their History class. Sasha had one thought in mind.

Destroy the new friendships Rhea thinks she has developed.