Dave and Daniel woke up early, their excitement evident in their sparkling eyes. The thrill of attending a new school, with fresh bags and neatly ironed clothes, filled the morning air. Although their official school uniforms hadn't arrived yet, they didn't mind—they were ready for a new adventure.
Roger, still a bit groggy from the previous night, freshened up quickly and drove the two boys to their new school.
Saint Academy stood proudly before them—a two-story building painted a serene blue, with an L-shaped layout. At the entrance stood a small goddess temple, its marble statue gleaming softly in the morning light. Behind the school, a basketball court buzzed with activity as students prepared for the day. The overall atmosphere was inviting, almost cozy, yet held an air of quiet discipline.
As they arrived, a smiling teacher approached them, greeting Roger warmly. "Good morning, sir. Are these the new students you mentioned?"
"Yes," Roger replied, gesturing toward the boys. "The older one is Dave, and the little one is Daniel. I'm dropping them off today. The management mentioned the bus service will be available from tomorrow, correct?"
The teacher nodded respectfully. "Yes, sir. We've confirmed the location, and it's on our route. They'll be picked up as scheduled."
"Thank you for the assistance," Roger said with a slight smile. Turning to his sons, he patted their heads lightly. "Take care, boys. Be good and listen to your teachers." With that, he waved goodbye and left the premises.
The teacher crouched slightly, meeting the boys at eye level. "Alright, kids, the assembly starts in ten minutes. Head to the playground at the back—there will be someone to help you find your places. Don't worry; you'll be just fine." Her encouraging tone helped ease their nerves a bit.
The boys nodded timidly and shuffled toward the playground. Seniors, tasked with organizing the younger students, greeted them kindly and asked for their grade levels. They were then directed to their respective lines—Daniel to the 1st grade and Dave to the 4th.
Dave stood in his line, his shyness keeping him still and silent as the other students chatted around him. He fiddled with the straps of his bag, nervously glancing around until a tall, friendly man in his thirties stepped onto the stage at the front of the assembly.
The man's youthful energy caught everyone's attention. "Hello, kids!" he said, waving with a wide grin.
Dave's eyes widened. This was the principal? He had expected an old, stern figure like the one at his previous school. But this man seemed nothing like that.
"As you all know, I'm your principal," he said, his playful tone drawing light chuckles from the crowd. "Now, don't let this young face fool you!" He chuckled, adding, "Yes, I know I'm not the old, bald, scary principal you were probably expecting."
The students giggled softly, and the man gave a mock sigh. "Tough crowd. Fine, let's get serious then." His tone shifted slightly as he continued, "Welcome to Saint Academy. My name is Philip Peterson. I, along with a few of my friends, built this school with dedication and a lot of heart. Our goal is to give you the best education and experience possible. In return, all I ask is that you try your best and work hard."
He paused for effect, scanning the young faces. "Got it?" he asked, his lips curving into a smile.
"Yes, sir!" the students chorused.
"Good. Now, don't forget to have fun while learning, alright? If you ever need anything, my door is always open. That's enough from me. Let's get this day started!"
The students applauded as he stepped down, and teachers began guiding them to their classrooms.
Dave's First Class
Dave followed his new classmates into the 4th-grade classroom, his heart thumping nervously. The class teacher, a kind-looking woman in her late twenties, greeted him warmly and guided him to his seat—a desk in the middle of the room. He noticed a girl sitting beside him, chatting animatedly with another girl seated just behind them.
Too shy to even glance in their direction, Dave kept his head down, gripping his pencil tightly as though it was his lifeline.
The teacher clapped her hands gently, signaling the class to settle down. She stood at the front, her warm smile putting the students at ease. "Good morning, everyone," she began. "My name is Sophia Sanders, and I'll be your class teacher. We're going to spend a lot of time together, so I hope you'll all be on your best behavior and support each other."
"Yes, ma'am," the class responded in unison.
Dave finally mustered the courage to look up. Miss Sanders had a radiant smile and a calming presence. She had a darker skin tone, jet-black hair tied into a low ponytail, and was petite, standing about 5'3". Her voice was gentle yet firm—a perfect balance that commanded respect.
She continued, "Let's start by introducing ourselves, shall we? Tell us your name and something you like to do. I'll start: My name is Sophia Sanders, and I love reading and playing badminton. Alright, who's next?"