"Chantel! Hurry before you get late for school. The driver is waiting by the car," her mother shouted, waiting for Chantel to bring the rest of her things down.
"I'm coming, mother," Chantel replied, rushing down with her travelling bag in one hand, and her bag pack in another. She was dressed in a pink and white striped dress, reaching her knees.
She got closer to her mother, who hugged her tightly. "I am so proud of you, sweetheart. And I know your father is proud of you as well."
"Thank you mother. And I promise to always make you proud, no matter what," Chantel replied, happily.
"I know you will. You have never disappointed me, so I trust you. My dear, please, remember everything I have told you and be a good girl, like the way you always have been."
"I will, mother. I will never disappoint you ever. I promise you." She hugged her mother again, who hugged her back with tears in her eyes.
"Well, you have to go now, before you are late to your new school. I would not want your teachers to think that you are a late comer, it will create a bad first impression," her mother said and Chantel laughed.
"Yes, mother. That will be terrible, wouldn't it? Alright mother, I will be going now. But, why don't you come with me, mother? I want you to be there with me, when I go to this school. I really want you to be there, mother."
Chantel had a sad look on her face. She wanted her mother to be with her when she goes to the high school of her choice. She wanted that, with all her heart. Yet, she understood why her mother couldn't be with her.
"Chantel, my dear, you know why I can't go with you. I really wish I could come, but, I will be travelling in the next 3 hours, and that means I can't make this trip. But, I promise you, I will come and visit you as soon as I come back, alright?"
Chantel nodded and smiled, even though, she felt disappointed. She hugged her mother one last time and walked out, with her mother following right behind her. She put the last of her bag in the car trunk, and turned to her mother, who still had a smile on her face. She hugged her again, and went to sit inside the car. She took her head out the window, and waved her mother goodbye. Her mother waved her back till the car left the compound and was no longer in sight. Her mother then returned to the house, to prepare for her trip abroad.
Chantel was sitting behind the driver, with a dull look on her face. She was very excited about going to this school, yet she felt so nervous.
"Miss Chantel, are you okay? You look sad," the driver stared in the mirror, looking at Chantel's reflection.
"I am fine. It's just that, I feel nervous. I really like this school, that is why I chose it. But, this is the first time I am moving away from home, and I don't know how to feel about it, uncle Roger," she confessed.
"Listen, Miss. I know you and you are one of the brightest kids I know. Moving away from home can be very scary, I can tell you that. But, this is your dream. You have always wanted this and by God's grace, you have it. Just savor the moment and enjoy yourself. By the way, you will still come back and see your family during the holidays. So don't worry, okay?" Roger replied.
"But, what if the kids I meet there don't like me? What if I don't make any friends? You know how hard it is for me to make new friends. That is why I decided to make mother my best friend. She understands me. I just don't know what to do," she furrowed her brows.
"Miss, I am sure the kids won't be that bad. You will surely make friends there. Just believe in yourself," Roger encouraged her.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Roger. I feel better now. I will try to make new friends as you have said," Chantel said.
Chantel was happy with how far she had come. Back when she was in junior high school, her mates did not like her that much because she was very intelligent. She always hit the highest grades in her class, so, all her teachers loved her and most of them would compare her with other girls. This made her mates, jealous of her. Some of them started spreading rumors that Chantel was a witch, who had taken the intelligence of all the other students and added it to her own.
Because of these rumors, all her mates shunned her. This hurt her very much. Some of the students started bullying her and calling her names and it was beginning to affect her studies. Her teachers noticed this and told her parents, who tried to get her out of the school. At first, Chantel agreed to leave. But, she realised she would be making a terrible mistake if she did.
So, she stayed. After their final exams, she came out as the best student of her school and won a full scholarship to study in any senior high school of her choice. That's how she got admitted in The Queens senior high school. The school she had always dreamed about.
Even though Chantel had a bad experience in junior high school, she was determined to make a difference in this school. Roger was right. She is a bright student so she will definitely know how to handle herself.
After 4 hours of travelling, they were finally at the school compound. Today was the day all first year students were to report. Chantel knew she was late, so, she hurriedly got down from the car. She ran to the back, while Roger opened the trunk for her. She managed to take out her two big bags and a smaller one which contained her books and clothes.
They stood there, looking around when a girl approached them.
"Hello, are you new here?" the girl asked, turning to Chantel.
"Yes, sorry. I just arrived, and I don't know where to go. Can you help me?" she said, looking embarrassed.
"Sure. You are a first year student, right? Anyway, my name is Cynthia. I am a first year student too," the girl said and stretched out her hand.
"Chantel." Chantel took her hand and shook it.
" Well, Chantel. Please follow me, you are supposed to go that way. The administration is right ahead," Cynthia pointed to a building, in front of them.
Cynthia helped Chantel carry one of her bags, while Roger carried another, with Chantel carrying the small one. Cynthia led them to the administration block, where Chantel was able to register for her class. Cynthia waited till she was done, and ran up to her.
"I guess you are already done. So, which dormitory will you be in? Cynthia asked.
"It seems I got the Addy-wood dormitory."
"Really? That is where I am. Wait? Are you the other student, with whom I will be sharing a bed with?" Cynthia asked.
"What?"
"No, don't get me wrong. But, we were told a scholarship student from Accra will be sharing a bed with me. And I just wanted to know if you were the one," Cynthia explained, looking embarrassed.
"It's okay, Cynthia. Let me check, I might be the one. That is, if you are in room 4?"
"Yes, I am. Oh God. I am so excited to have finally met you. Come, let me take you there and introduce you to the rest of the girls." Cynthia said excitedly, while Chantel and Roger followed behind her.