Nukunu College

By Z. D. Boxall

Who I am is not important, but the story which I am about to tell you is. It has drama, potential melodrama, a civil war, romance, comedy, reluctant heroes, and a tale of redemption. Come in if you want to experience an interesting tale delivered in a different way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jul 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543409413

Z. D. Boxall

Z. D. Boxall is a published author who enjoys writing about action, adventure and exploring the darker sides of life. Boxall believes that character is the most important part of the story and understands the importance that we, as readers, have when connecting to a character.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I’m glad that you’re here. I didn’t think anyone would come, but it is important to me that you are here. Just before we start, please leave all questions to the end. Who I am is not important, but the story which I am about to tell you is. It has drama, potential melodrama, a civil war, romance, comedy, reluctant heroes, and a tale of redemption, though you all know that because I’m sure you read the blurb before you came in. I will state that there is a lot missing from what I will show, but I have tried to pick the most important parts of the story that adequately show the events. This story took place only a couple of years ago at Nukunu College. You don’t need to know much about the school now. That will be explained when it is important, but I will introduce you to this woman, Alice Kaurna. She moved school for her twelfth year so that she could avoid high school drama and focus on her grades and future. It is a noble want, but unfortunately for her, it was an impossible want. Let’s begin with week 1, term 1.

WEEK 1

Term 1

Naturally curious, with the occasional and capable wit, would be a great way to describe Alice. Her thirst to know was only pushed further by what was withheld from her. Despite this, she was at least trying to stick to her goals of focusing on grades. I want to draw your attention to this first interaction between Alice and that beautiful girl there, Amy Arrow. This is an important moment because if those two had not met, the very events of the year would have changed. Amy almost appeared as though she was a romcom character whose purpose in life was to find love for others that was destined to end up on a reality love show. She was real though and most accurately described at this point, I believe, by Mr Hilton, who said, ‘She fell in love with the idea of falling in love.’ There was, however, a lovable charm to her naivety, one that was only seen once you got to know her. To draw your attention back to the interaction between Alice and Amy, this is the beginning of the story.

‘You’re new, aren’t you?’ Amy asked.

‘Yeah, my first day. I’m looking for my care group, but I can’t find it,’ Alice said.

‘Which one are you in?’

‘PHS.’

‘That’s not far from here. It is just to the left by the science labs.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I don’t want to seem intrusive, but are you single?’

‘Oh, uh, thanks but no.’

‘No, no, no, I’m the love guru. I can find you love if you want it.’

‘Oh! Look, I moved here so I could avoid as much drama as possible. I really want to focus on my grades so I can get into uni.’

‘Well, that is not good, because I think you will find it very hard to avoid drama.’

‘I know there is always drama, but I really need to avoid it. I get distracted too easily, and I want to get a good grade for uni.’

‘Look, this school is not like other schools, but I get that you want to avoid it, so I think I might be able to help you out. Meet me at the courts at recess.’

‘Thanks. Sorry, what was your name?’

‘I get so caught up in it all I forget the basics! I’m Amy.’

‘Alice.’

‘Well, Alice, remember, to the left and by the science labs.’

As you, and Alice, will discover, Nukunu College was not like any other school. It honestly should not have existed. Let’s continue at recess, by the courts.

‘Alice!’ Amy said. She gave Alice a hug.

‘Amy, do you hug everyone, or do you just like me?’ Alice asked.

‘I just like hugging people. I don’t get to do it that much. Anyway, we are going to go to that building over there.’

‘What is it?’

‘The design-and-tech workshop. It kind of acts like a political safe zone, if you can get in.’

‘Political safe zone?’

‘Yeah. Not many people even come this close to it. Let’s go in.’

‘How do I get in?’

‘Leave that to me. Just remember, whatever you do, don’t be scared.’

‘Sure.’ They walked to the workshop door.

‘Why is it so quiet here? I saw people running around everywhere else,’ Alice asked.

‘Well, that is because of Dukes,’ Amy replied.

‘Is that the teacher who runs the workshop?’

‘Student, actually. It will make sense once you see him.’

This is them walking into the workshop.

‘Dukes! Dukes!’ Amy called out.

‘There is no one in here,’ Alice said.

‘There is a reason for that,’ Dukes said.

Now, let’s pause here. Dukes was treated like a troll—not the Internet kind, but the human-eating kind. Apart from the fact that he looked like one, both in size and physique, he also possessed a very unique and terrifying natural face. He put fear into the hearts of those who didn’t really know him, as illustrated by Alice. It should also be said in case of future confusion that Dukes’s workshop was the whole design-and-tech building. The workshop referred to the area inside where all the tools and benches were. The classroom was the other area in Dukes’s workshop where the tables and benches were. With that in mind, let’s continue.

‘Dukes, how are you?’ Amy asked. She went for a hug.

‘No,’ Dukes responded.

‘Right. Sorry, I forgot you don’t like hugs.’

‘Is something wrong with her?’

‘That’s Alice, and no, nothing is wrong with her, right, Alice?’

‘Uh, yeah. Sorry. I’m Alice. It is nice to um … meet you,’ Alice said.

‘I’m Dukes. Why are you guys here?’

‘Well, Alice is new, so I thought to help her avoid all that is going on and she could help you out,’ Amy said.

‘I don’t need help.’

‘I know you don’t NEED help, but she will be good to have around.’

‘Why?’

‘She has no affiliations. All she will do is spend time here either doing her own work or helping you out if you want it.’

‘Fine. Listen, Alice, I like being alone. Don’t bring other people in here, and don’t touch any of the equipment without talking to me.’

‘Of course,’ Alice said.

‘You can come in whenever you want. Just sit at that desk. If people come in, they talk to you, and then you talk to me.’

‘So I’m your secretary?’

‘The name isn’t important. If you do that, you can stay in here.’

‘I can do that.’

‘Good. Call me if you need anything.’ Dukes left and went back into the workshop.

‘You cannot leave me alone with him,’ Alice said.

‘You’ll be fine. People who are scared of Dukes don’t know him,’ Amy said.

Now Alice settled in at Dukes’s workshop very quickly. We now go back to Dukes’s workshop at lunchtime. Alice was sitting at her desk, and Dukes was in the workshop. The boy Cam Faux entered. He was the drama king of Nukunu and known for his flamboyant