The sound of the slap still lingered in the air when a deeper voice sliced through the silence:
> "Luna, what the hell is wrong with you?!"
Everyone turned.
Jimmy.
He stood at the foot of the stairs, one hand on the railing, the other clenched in a fist. His expression? Pure anger.
> "You slapped her? For what?"
Luna raised her chin. "She disrespected me."
> "By defending herself?" Jimmy snapped, walking closer. "Or by breathing in the same house as you?"
Bella folded her arms and smirked. "Hmm… sounds like someone's catching feelings."
> "Shut up, Bella," Jimmy said sharply. "This isn't about that."
> "Oh, really?" Bella stepped forward. "Because ever since that girl came here, you've been different. You don't shout at the maids anymore. You stay home more. Now you're suddenly her knight in shining armor?"
Jimmy ignored her and looked at Nelly, who still stood frozen, her hand on her cheek. Her eyes were glossy, but she hadn't shed a tear.
> "Are you okay?" Jimmy asked quietly.
Nelly didn't reply. She just nodded once.
> "Don't ask her that," Luna spat. "You're embarrassing yourself, Jimmy."
Julie stepped in, voice shaking. "She didn't do anything wrong. You girls came in and provoked her."
Clara scoffed. "Wow, the maid and the bush girl… best friends forever."
> "Say that again," Jimmy said dangerously, his eyes narrowing at Clara.
Bella rolled her eyes. "You can defend her all you want, Jimmy. But just remember — when Dad finds out you're fighting your own sisters over a charity case, let's see how long she stays here."
Jimmy's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Dad can hear for all I care. Maybe he needs to open his eyes too."
Luna stormed forward. "What is wrong with you lately? What hold does this girl have over you?!"
> "None," Jimmy replied coldly. "But unlike you, I still know the difference between kindness and cruelty."
That shut them up.
Just for a second.
Then Luna hissed, "You'll regret taking her side."
She stormed off, Bella and Clara trailing behind like angry shadows.
Julie rushed to Nelly and held her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
Nelly finally spoke, her voice trembling:
> "Why did he defend me? Why would he risk that?"
Jimmy paused at the door before leaving, his voice lower now:
> "Because someone needed to."
And then he was gone.
Nelly sitting on her bed that night, touching her swollen cheek… still confused, but for the first time, not completely alone.
Let's paint this chapter with all of that: Mr. Benson's coldness, Nelly's humiliation, the daughters' new school-level cruelty, and Jimmy watching it all unfold.
******
Mr. Benson sat in the living room, reading the business section of the paper when Julie gently knocked and asked if she could speak to him.
> "Sir… there's something I think you should know. Your daughters, they—"
He cut her off with a hand.
> "I've already heard. Luna told me everything."
Julie blinked. "But… sir, they were the ones who—"
> "Enough." His voice dropped, firm and cold. "This girl — Nelly — she's here because I allowed it. Out of mercy. Not because she belongs."
Just then, Nelly walked in, her eyes still red from crying. Mr. Benson looked up and waved Julie away. She hesitated, but obeyed.
> "Come here, Nelly," he said.
She moved closer, her arms folded over her chest.
> "You will respect my daughters. And my sons. Do you understand?"
Nelly nodded quietly.
> "Speak up."
> "Yes, sir."
> "You are not their equal. You are a guest here — a charity case. You eat what we give, go where we send you, and speak only when spoken to. I don't want to hear any more complaints from my children. Is that clear?"
Her voice cracked. "Yes, sir."
> "Good. Now, get ready. You'll be starting school on Monday."
She looked up, shocked. "School?"
> "Yes. I registered you today. You'll be starting JSS1."
Her heart dropped. Junior Secondary School 1. At nineteen.
Mr. Benson didn't look up from his newspaper.
> "You're lucky I'm even bothering. Some of your mates already have children."
---
Monday was already fast approaching
Nelly was so lost in her own thought she was hoping she will have the guts soon to ask Mr Benson if he had already sent the five million naira he promised to her parents She was curious it was already getting obvious that she came here just to be treated badly. But there was still some hope although she's been admitted to the best school in lagos that doesn't answer her questions.
MONDAY CAME FINALLY
.....
The school was huge. Uniforms were ironed sharp. Shoes clean. Hair sleek.
Nelly's skirt was slightly too big. Her shoes — Julie had polished them, but the soles were worn. Still, she walked with her head high.
JSS1.
She entered the classroom. Whispers followed.
> "Is that the new girl?" "She looks older than the teacher!" "Is she here to teach or learn?"
C'mon fool how do you expect her to teach us but it's so sad she had to start from jss1 instead of SSS 1. Another girl said .
She sat quietly at the back, ignoring the snickers.
At break time, someone kicked her chair from behind.
It was Bella.
> "Didn't expect to see us here too?" Bella said sweetly, but her smile was venom.
Bella what are you doing here? Are we in the same class.? Nelly smiled faintly
> "You thought home was hard?" Bella added. "School is our kingdom."
> "And you," Luna said, appearing from nowhere, "are going to suffer in silence."
Suddenly, Jimmy walked by with his friends. He saw the scene, paused, but said nothing.
Not yet.
---
Back at home
That night, Nelly sat on her bed, hugging her knees. Julie came in and quietly closed the door.
> "How was school?" she asked.
Nelly didn't answer.
> "They won't stop. Not unless something changes."
> "What can change, Julie?" Nelly whispered. "I'm a stranger here. Even in a classroom."
Julie sat beside her, brushing her hand through Nelly's hair.
> "You're not a stranger. You're just early in the story.
What do you mean by that ? She asked confused .haven't I be treated bad enough already what story is that again !! She added.
Julie sighed
Dear, it's high time you stand up for your self , stop being so quiet and easy to bully already . She scoffed
I don't want to I just hope everyone will stop all this shit ! She cried
"Be playing " I also think it's high time I stop advising you cause all fell on deaf ears . Julie stood up and left the scene just before nelly could uter a word.
Does that mean everyone has given up on me ? She asked no one
Not even my dad or mom is willinging to call or check up on me ?
And....Maria too
She cried and slept off ..