As I stepped into the assembly ground, the early morning sun cast a warm glow on the sea of students. The principal's voice boomed, "Good day, distinguished students of Laurel High!" The response was a chorus of "Good morning, sir!"
I scanned the crowd, feeling a bit disoriented. It was already resumption day. I had arrived late, and the assembly was already halfway through. I spotted a line of students and joined the end, hoping I was in the right place.
The principal's words faded into the background as I took in my surroundings. I wanted to ask if this was an SS2 line but the students around me seemed engrossed in their own worlds, oblivious to the new girl in their midst. Typical rich kids, I thought. They'd rather die of curiosity than approach You first.
As the assembly dispersed, we marched towards our classrooms. I followed the line, still unsure if I was heading to the right class. We entered a building, and the students began to settle into their seats. I hesitated, feeling lost.
"Hey, newbie, aren't you going to find somewhere to sit?" a girl with black shades called out from the back.
"I actually don't know if am in the right class" I replied, trying to sound confident.
Another girl raised an eyebrow. "Do they still admit students in SS3?"
I face-palmed myself in my mind. Of course, I wasn't in SS3!
I spotted Leila, her eyes fixed on her phone, but I could sense her awareness of my presence.
"Then this isn't my class," I said, turning to leave.
"SS2, abi?" the first girl asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Yes," I replied
"Of course, it won't pass SS2 students that will mumu themselves like this," she said, smirking.
"What ?" I said, feeling a surge of anger.
"Look at this newbie ooo, she wants to fight me"
A hand suddenly pulled me out of the class.
I looked up and saw a dark girl on uniform.
Why did she pull me out of the class?
"I know you must be wondering why I pulled you out that class " she said as we continued walking.
"Of course, I am"
"That girl you saw just now is someone you need to avoid like a plague. It would have surely not ended in your favour if you had fought with her"
"She was the one obviously looking for trouble"
"That's the way she is and besides there is this kind of feud between SS3 and SS2 students, and you are new and basically the only SS2 student standing there. You see she has the upper hand" she explained
"Well, thank you" I replied
"By the way, am keila and am in SS2 Ruby"
"Am Iris and we happen to be in the same class" I replied
"Thats great" she said cheerfully. I think I like her already.
We continued chatting till we got to SS2 block. All classes were on separate blocks. I also found out that she actually went to see her cousin that was why she was in SS3 block.
"Guys, meet iris, our new classmate" keila introduced me as we got to our class
All eyes on me
"Hey Iris, am jacob" a boy from the back waved at me and responded with a smile as I followed Keila to her seat.
" I would have really loved to be your seat mate but I already have one" keila said apologetically
"Iris, if you don't have a sit you can come sit with me" Jacob said smiling and keila threw him a glare
"No matter what you do, don't fall for Jacob charms. He's a player" Keila said sternly and I nodded.
"Then where should I sit" I asked keila.
"You can sit with Jamal? He doesn't have a seat mate"
"Who's Jamal ?" I asked confused
"He's the boy with about ear pod stuck in his ear, by the window at the back" she answered.
I turned and saw a brown skinned handsome boy with a lazy look on his face. He had his head thrown backwards.
As I approached Jamal, he didn't even glance at me, his earpods still stuck in his ears. I sat beside him and took in his features.
He actually looked more handsome from a closer range. He even had an ear piercing.
"Hello! Hey! Can you hear me?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation, like I was disturbing him.
I felt a bit embarassed but replied, "Oh, I'm sorry."
He looked at me, his gaze piercing, but his expression unreadable. "Well, you can't seat here. I don't want a seatmate."
His blunt words stung, but I refused to let him intimidate me. "I know you're not deaf," he added, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I scoffed, feeling a spark of defiance. "I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving."
Jamal raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his face, but his expression quickly turned cold again. "Suit yourself, newbie. But don't say I didn't warn you."
He turned away, his earpods still blasting music, effectively dismissing me. I felt a pang of frustration but decided to ignore him, focusing on my own thoughts instead.A teacher soon walked into the class.
He ignored me for the rest of the period. And for the rest of the day too. As the final bell rang, he left without saying a word.
I was left wondering if I had made a mistake sitting next to him.
Both I and keila exchanged contacts before she went home.
As i waited for my driver to come pick me up, my mind darted to all what have happened today. What a first day, I guess.
As I waited for my driver, Bayo and Kelsin approached me. Bayo asked about my day, but Kelsin didn't even acknowledge my presence, his eyes fixed on some point beyond me.
"Hi, Senior Kelsin," I said, trying to sound friendly.
He barely nodded, his response a mere whisper: "Hey."
I felt like I was invisible, a mere ghost to him. Bayo chatted with me, but Kelsin stood silent, his expression unreadable. When Bayo said something to him, he grunted a brief response, his tone dismissive.
As they left, Bayo said, "See you around," but Kelsin didn't even glance my way, his indifference piercing. It was like I didn't exist in his world.
Bayo and I bade each other good bye and promised to talk at home.