Sara's pov:
As l entered all eyes welcomed me and l began to feel a little bit uneasy as all eyes were on me. I was introduced to everyone in the tutor group as they all welcome me nicely. There was a girl among them who volunteered to take me to my classes as we were in the same year. The bell rang signifying first period.
What's your name again, the girl asked me when we walked to our class.
Sara, l replied.
You have a really nice name, my name is Angelica. She smiled introducing herself.
You have a nice name too. I said trying to sound British.
My voice felt strange in my own ears, like l was borrowing someone else's words. Angelica's smile widened and for a moment, l felt a bit less nervous.
"Where are you from, Sara.?" she asked, her eyes curious but kind.
I hesitated, "Nigeria. " l replied, my voice softer. " Wow that's far! It must be different over there." she said leading me to my seat.
I nodded, thinking of the heat and noise of Lagos compared to this quiet chilly room.
As l took my seat, l felt a bit of the tension lift from my shoulders. Maybe this new school wouldn't be so bad as l had thought.
The lesson had just began and l found myself lost almost immediately. The teacher's accent was thick, and the words seemed to blur together like a fast flowing river.
I glanced around, hoping to catch some one else's reaction but everyone seemed unfazed. Clearly, l was the only one struggling.
Angelica slid into the seat beside me, flashing a kind smile.
"Don't worry, the first day is always the hardest." She whispered.
I nodded grateful for her attempt to comfort me. Maybe making friends here wouldn't seem impossible as l had thought.
As the teacher handed out papers, l couldn't help but notice how casually the students spoke to her. Back in Nigeria, we wouldn't dare address a teacher so informally. Here, it seemed like everyone was more relaxed, more at ease . It felt strange, almost wrong to me.
In the middle of the class, Angelica got a letter to report to the student reception immediately. She left flashing a smile at me.
The bell rang echoing the massive corridors. I stood there clutching my timetable, unsure of which direction to head.
Students rushed past me, l saw unfamiliar faces and voices. I felt like a tiny boat adrift in a stormy ocean.
As I walked down the hallways, l tried to look for people to ask for directions but as I approached some people, they kept ignoring me. Some also pretended they didn't hear me.
I saw a boy walking alone and I approached him.
" Could you please take me to room 11 in the science department?" I said.
" I can't hear you, can you repeat what you just said?" he said while scanning my face.
I repeated myself again loud and clear. I knew he heard me this time when he said; I'm also on my way to the science department but in a different room.
You seem new to me, are you a transfer student? He asked.
Before I could reply, l heard a voice shout my name from behind.
Angelica's pov:
In the middle of geography class, l got a note to report to the student reception immediately. I guessed it was my mum who dropped my science notebook l forgot at home earlier in the morning. And l had science next, so I had to get the book.
I got to the student reception and l met a line of students who were also waiting to get attended to.
WTF! I muttered under my breath. Why did they have to send for me immediately when there were lines of students unattended to.
After 5 minutes of waiting, a teacher approached me asking me to show a new student around the school who would be joining us the next day.
By the time I was back to the student reception, there were no more students there.
"Hello, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked.
I slid my hand into my pocket as l gave her the note l received.
"Your mum dropped your book", she said while giving me the book.
Thank you, l said after receiving my book.
As l left the place, l heard the bell ring . I turned back to head to the next lesson which is Science.
I almost reached my class when l remembered Sara who l promised to take to her classes. I turned back to check the corridors but i couldn't find her.
I almost gave up when l saw her with a boy.
"What is she doing with Mark?, l asked myself.
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Guys, who do you think Mark is?