Dara got off the plane and took a deep breath. The air here in America was different. Not better or worse, just different.
Everything around her was unfamiliar: the sound of people hurrying past, signs written in a language she knew but did not use on a daily basis.
She gripped the handle of her suitcase tightly and remembered why she had come all the way. East High University was one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
Being accepted was like a dream come true, but at the same time, she was anxious. While in Nigeria, she was an outstanding student, respected and admired by her classmates. Here she was just a new student trying to find her place.
Dara looked around the crowded airport. Her uncle had promised to pick her up. She looked around the crowd until she spotted a familiar face. Dara heard a man's voice. Dara's face lit up with relief. She hurried toward him, dragging her suitcase behind her.
Tobi hugged her warmly. Welcome to the United States," he said. How was your flight?"
"It was long," Dara admitted. "But we're here now."
"That's what matters. Let's get settled," he said, and led her to his car. As they drove through the city, Dara stared out the window at the tall buildings, the busy streets, and the people rushing by.
It was all different from what she was used to. When she arrived at the dormitory, Uncle Tobi carried her luggage.
The room was small but clean, with a single bed, desk, and closet. Dara put down her suitcase and looked around. This would be her home for the next few years.
"Are you nervous?" Uncle Tobi asked.
Dara nodded. "A little. Everything is new to me," Dara said.
"Don't worry. Remember why you are here. Work hard, stay focused, don't let anyone distract you."
She smiled. "I will."
After he left, Dara unpacked her things and arranged them neatly in her closet and on her desk. She framed a picture of her family and placed it on her nightstand. Seeing her family smile gave her strength.
She missed Tunde. Her boyfriend was supportive of her study abroad program, even though she had to live away from him.
The next day, Dara attended orientation.
The campus was huge, with modern buildings and green spaces. She followed a group of new students led by a guide.
Everyone seemed excited, chatting and making new friends. Dara felt a little out of place, but then reminded herself that she was not here to make friends. She was here to get an education and make her family proud.
During lunch, Dara sat alone under a tree, enjoying the peace and quiet. She opened her notebook and tried to jot down her thoughts about her first impressions of the college.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. "May I join you for a moment?" a girl holding a tray of food asked.
Dara looked up and smiled politely. "Of course."
She sat down and introduced herself. "I'm Chloe. You're new here, right?"
" Yes, I'm Dara. I just arrived yesterday."
"Welcome to East High! It can be a little overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it. Where are you from?"
"Nigeria," Dara answered.
"I've always wanted to visit Africa," Chloe said enthusiastically. "Let me know if you need any help. I'll be happy to show you around." Dara appreciated Chloe's friendliness. Even if she wasn't sure about opening up to someone she had just met.
Later that week, Dara noticed a group of students who seemed to attract attention wherever they went. They walked around campus with an air of confidence, laughing loudly and high-fiving each other. The students whispered and stared as they passed.
"Who are they?" Dara asked Chloe. Chloe glanced over and rolled her eyes.
They're the "bad kids" of East High. Christian, Jackson, and Kim. They think they're the kings of this school."
"Why is everyone paying so much attention to them?"
"They're rich, they're good-looking, and they're a pain in the ass," Chloe said." Chloe said, "Girls go crazy for them, but trust me, they're not worth it."
Dara nodded, uninterested in the threesome. There was no time for distractions. But the bad boys seemed to have caught her attention.
One afternoon, on her way to class, she found them staring at her. Christian, the leader of the group, smirked and whispered something to Jackson and Kim. They laughed, making Aisha self-conscious. She ignored them and kept walking, but she couldn't help but feel like they were watching her. Little did she know, she had become the center of their latest game.
The trio's reputation was well known on campus. They thrived on attention and were often adept at making bets that would embarrass others.
This time, the bet was about Dara. Was she as neat and virtuous as she appeared? The stakes were high, and each was determined to win.
Unaware of the scheme, Dara continued to concentrate on her studies. She spent hours in the library poring over textbooks and preparing for assignments.
Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Her professors admired her work ethic, and her classmates praised her intelligence. But the bad boys were not the type to give up easily.
They began looking for ways to cross paths with Dara in an attempt to seduce their way into her life.
Christian was the most persistent and took every opportunity to talk to her.
"Hey, Dara, right?" he said one day as they left the library.
She glanced at him warily. "Yes?"
"I'm Christian. I've seen you around. You're always studying. Impressive."
"Thank you," she said curtly, walking away.
Christian was not accustomed to being so easily dismissed. Most girls melted under his charm, but Dara's indifference intrigued him. He became even more determined.
As the weeks passed, Dara was unwittingly the object of a cruel game as she went through the trials and tribulations of being a new student. Her strength and values would soon be tested in ways she could never have imagined.