One month post- operation care, Dad and everyone are adjusting to the changes in our lifes. Ben and I are preparing for school. After my Dad's operation a lot has happened. Theo was promoted, Vina is now a full-time staff and Dad is going for his rehabilitation programs, while mom was assisting him, and planning for a new business to start, and Ben and I was admitted to a new school.
Xverna, hurry you will be late for school.
Coming. I replied grabbing my backpack.
Take your lunch box.
Thanks mom, bye.
Bye, take care.
I will.
Phew.... What a rush. The bus is too early. Anyway, since today is my first day at school, I've to make a good impression. I'm going to make good grades and if I have to, maybe some friends. If only I could stop my nervousness from rising.
The school bus shuddered to a halt, it's pneumatic door hissing open like a weary beast exhaling. I stepped into the cracked asphalt, a nervous flutter, I could feel my heart pounding.
New school, new friends and new start, I mumbled under my breath, clutching my backpack straps. The buildings loomed over me, a sprawling faded brick structure that seemed to absorb the morning sunlight.
A throng of students, a kaleidoscope of uniform and backpacks surged towards the entrance. I followed, a lone fish swimming against the current. The hallway was a cacophony of voices and the rhythmic slam of locker doors. I navigated through the crowd, my eyes darting around, trying to absorb everything at once.
Peeking into classrooms, I noticed the mismatched furniture. Some rooms boasted row of sleek, modern desks, while others were filled with worn out wooden ones, scarred with years of student graffiti. The whiteboards, some pristine, others smudged with faded markers, hinting at the old lessons. I saw students grouped around tables, some laughing, some intensely focused on their work, a mix of nervous energy and practiced routine.
Finally, I found my classroom. The door creaked open, revealing rows of desk facing a whiteboard. I took a seat at the middle of the class, trying to blend in. The room slowly filled with students, a mix of curious glances, and indifferent shrugs.
The first few classes were a blur. I tried to focus on the teacher, a gentle woman with a soft, melodious voice, scribbled equations on the board, the maker squeaking like a frantic mouse. The history teacher, a jovial man with a booming laugh, recounted tales of ancient times, his voice filled the room.
Finally, the bell rang, a shrill, piercing sound that signaled the end of the morning lessons. Recess! The hallway transformed into a swirling mass of students, all rushing towards the cafeteria or the outdoor courtyard. I followed the flow, my stomach rumbling in anticipation of lunch.
I found a relatively quiet corner of the courtyard, a patch of shade beneath a large oak tree. I sat on a weathered bench, pulling out my lunchbox. The air was filled with sounds of laughter and the thud of basketball. As I ate I watched the other students, trying to decipher the unspoken rules of this new social landscape.
Suddenly a girl walked up to me, she had bright, inquisitive eyes and a neatly tied Afro, caramel with rosy cheeks and dimples. She wore a neatly ironed pleated skirt,a cardigan over a short sleeve shirt with a tie, black socks and white sneakers. She looks like a bunny, I thought. She stood before me, a slight hesitation in her posture.
Hi, she said, her voice soft but clear. You are new right? But I didn't reply, watching her closely. Trying to understand why she's talking to me.
Oh, where are my manners? I'm Maisie Ayomide. We are in the same class, your sit is two rows before mine. You were so focused in class today, that I just wanted to talk to you. Can we be friends? I'm sorry if I'm talking too much.
Why is she talking so much? I thought. No, it's okay. I'm Xverna Black. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
Are you just going to stand there? Won't you sit?
Oh yes, thanks. Umm, do you have any friends here?
No, I'm new here actually.
Really? That makes the two of us.
Why did you choose this school?
What kind of an interrogation is this? I never chose it. I just had to attend it.
Okay. How do you like the school so far?
I don't. We just resumed and it's the first day of school, I will have to give it more time to decide if I like it or not.
You're right about that. Then let's make this school work for both of us and become the best together.
Let's do that. On that day Maisie and I promised to work hard together and graduate with good results. After recess we had three more lessons and school ended.
Xverna! Maisie called out walking towards my seat. Let's walk to the school gate together.
Okay, I'm coming, let me arrange my things.
Okay.
Maisie and I walked towards the gate laughing to the history teacher display earlier.
See you tomorrow, Maisie.
See you too, Xverna.
I entered the school bus, while Maisie was driven away in a black 2019 Lexus Rx 350.
I'm home. Good afternoon mom.
Good afternoon, how was school today?
It was alright.
Anything you don't like about it?
No, it's fine.
Where you able to make new friends?
Yes, I did. Her name is Maisie, she's beautiful, like a bunny and talks a lot.
Mom chuckles. What? But was she nice?
Yeah, I think so.
That's what matters, I'm glad you met someone nice.
Is Ben not back from school yet?
He is. He is sleeping.
How about Dad?
With Ben sleeping too.
Both of them?
Yes. Why don't you change, then eat and rest before your assignments.
Okay, Mom.
Later, around 6 pm, at the dining table.
Xverna, how was school ? Did you have fun? Dad asked.
It was good.
I'm glad you liked it.
How about you dad? How was your day?
Hmm, fine. Going to the hospital this weekend.
Okay.
Mom, is Ben still sleeping?
Yes, he woke up while you were sleeping, but I told him not to disturb you.
Thank you mom. I stood up to clear my plate.
Are you done with your food? Dad asked.
Yes.
You didn't even eat that much.
I ate when I got back from school earlier.
You have to eat to grow well.
But I ate and I'm full.
Okay, Fine.
Thank you. Good night, mom, good night, Dad.
Good night, love.
Sleep tight.
The next morning at the school courtyard, I saw Maisie.
Hey Maisie, how was your night?
Good morning Xverna. It was fine and yours.
Mine was perfect.
Were you able to finish your assignments?
Yes, I did. You?
Same, she said, smiling.
Why are you smiling like that?
I was wondering if you could accompany me to the study club.
There's a study club?
Yes! She said her voice filled with excitement.
I didn't know.
So, will you go with me? She asked slightly holding my arm.
Don't I have to be a member to attend?
If you come with me, you can join.
I see, okay. Let's go.
Really? Thanks.
There's no need to thank me, I said as we walked into the classroom.
See you later.
Hmm.
Ding-dong the recess bell rang.
'Xverna, it's time'.
We made our way to classroom number 30, which has a brown, coffee-coloured door, seated were very serious looking students from various classes. The club is divided into four sections, one side for junior high one and two, another for junior high three only, I guess it's for them to concentrate on studying more effectively because of their promotional exams. Then the other two sections, one for senior high one and two and the last for senior high three only. The shelves are filled with different books ranging from science to art, and the room is meticulously neat.
Hello, are you both here to join our club? A beautiful senior student from junior high three, her face was like a goddess, light brown skin, pointed nose, long lashes, full heart shaped lips, a blue- brown kind of eyes with slim body, greeted us.
Yes, Maisie replied.
That's great, please write your names here.
Okay, I said.
As you may know, your results will determine if you can become a full member of the club, you need a total of 85-100% as an average in your exams this term. And most importantly, you should never go over to the senior section of the club, I mean the senior high. Since you are in junior class, whatever problem you have, you should come to me or the other seniors here in our section.
Why can't we go over there? I asked. Obviously trying to know why there's sure a rule.
You can only go there, when you get to the senior class. That's the rules, we don't share the same syllabus. So there's nothing you should be doing over there.
The rules are getting too much. what's this, a prison? Yes senior, I said rolling my eyes.
My name's Zoe. And also, please don't make any noise when you are here. We attend or participate in competition sometimes, if your results are great you could be called to represent our school.
Wow, that's great. Thank you, senior Zoe, Maisie said, her eyes wide with genuine enthusiasm.
That wouldn't be too hard for me, I thought.
You are welcome. I will give you guys a tour of the club.
Okay. Maisie said, while I just gave a curt nod.
Zoe lead us through the club. The research area was filled with tomes and flickering computer screens attached to the printing room. Then she pointed at a small glass encased display, this is our little museum of ancient history theories, she said, her voice filled with pride. And over here, she gestured at a wall covered in plaques, are the awards we've won.
A museum? Not bad, but when would this everlasting tour end,I thought yawning.
Maisie, on the other hand was asking a flurry of questions, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to my indifference. This is amazing! She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. Who would have known the club would be this good.
Hmm.
All we have to do is make sure our grades are great.
That wouldn't be a problem, Maisie, I said in a flat tone. Let's go. Recess is about to end.
Yeah, Maisie said, finally tearing her gaze away from the awards.
Mom!!!
Xverna, calm down. Why are you in such a hurry?
Guess what happened today at school?
You had full marks.
No! I joined a study club today, it was amazing. The seniors there are beautiful, Mai took me there.
Who is Mai?
Maisie? The girl l told you about yesterday.
Hmm, an endearment already? Mom burst out laughing.
Why are you laughing?
You keep seeing beautiful people in your school.
Mom stop, I said shyly.
I guess Mai loves her books?
I think so..
Then the both of you are meant to be friends.