Dedicated to

thereal_bharrie

  
      April could not contain her amusement as she looked around the principal's office.
   The principal's office was the most exquisite workspace she had ever seen. What exactly was she supposed to expect? It was not like the public or private schools she had attended. The office is painted in a deep brown. The desk is neatly arranged. She also notices a shelf full of books that she had never seen before.

A refrigerator, she was certain would be well-stocked. The type of air she was breathing made her wonder if she was still in Nigeria or if she was on another planet entirely; ever since she stepped into the school, she felt like she was not really in Nigeria. Everywhere was calm and cool.

      The elderly man across the table observes her intently before drawing her attention.

"Miss Kuti," the principal says.

"Good day, sir," April replies, trying not to panic. Looking at the principal, he appeared to be a professor who had spent all of his time in books.

"I hope you are comfortable?" He asks, trying to properly adjust his glasses.

"Yes, sir," April replies, trying to catch her breath. Meanwhile, the principal, who appears to have noticed her anxiety, smiles.

"Sit down!" He orders April, who panics briefly before sitting.

"Thank you, sir," April replies.

"Hope the school meets your expectations?" He asks, staring at her as if she were a hidden secret that he wanted to reveal.

"Yes, sir," April responds, not feeling her voice.

"I understand you are nervous; relax. I do not bite," he adds with a smile.

"Yes, sir," April replies, trying to catch his breath.

"Do you know who I am?" He asks with a small smile.

"Yes, Sir. You are the principal of this wonderful college, " April responds for the first time, relaxed.

"You are correct; my name is Professor Donald Nsirim." He lets out.

"I am very pleased to meet you, sir," April says, fiddling with her hands.

"The pleasure is mine; I mean you broke the record of this great college," Professor Donald says. Meanwhile, let out a small smile, recalling that everyone had been referring to her as the record breaker since she arrived. She was aware that she had won a scholarship unrelated to the school, but she had no idea what record they were referring to.

"Thank you, Sir." She responds.

"You know, no one in our school has scored as high as you have. You did exceptionally well in the scholarship exams and broke the school record in the entrance exam you were administering, which is customary here." Professor Nsirim claims that to help April remember, she took another exam after receiving the scholarship. She was told that even if she did not perform well, she would still be admitted because she had won the scholarship. This was a protocol at Hallel College.

She could recall four people who had won the scholarship with her out of the large number of people who took the exams and were asked to select one of the best private schools in Rivers State. She gladly chose Hallel College because of the distance and what she had heard about the institution.

She remembered that one of the candidates she had befriended there had chosen Princess International College Omagwa. She recalled speaking with the girl when they met in the market one day. She was told that the girl was not required to take any other exams. She silently hoped and prayed that the internal examination would not rule her out. Even though she was confident in herself.

"Most students cheat their way through exams. Even if you did not achieve a high score. You would have been accepted. Because the organization provided you with a scholarship. "Not us," Professor Nsirim states.

"I did not cheat my way in, sir." April could not help but speak.

"And you proved it; you took the entrance exam required of all students seeking admission to college and scored 99.7. You have really proven your worth," Professor Nsirim says with a genuine smile.

"Thank you, Sir." April appreciates.

"You are welcome. I want you to keep breaking records, dear. You have just been admitted, and I hope you will set and break records. I see you as someone who is destined for greatness. "That is, if you do not lose focus." Professor Nsirim says.

"I will do my best, sir. I will not let you down, April assures.

"You know, this great college always awards a scholarship to our top student after graduation. He or she can attend any university of their choosing. If you want this opportunity, here's where you start." Professor Nsirim says.

"I will do my best, sir," April replies.

Take your studies seriously. If you have any problems, please report them to those above you; my office is always open."Prof Donald says with a serious expression.

"I will, sir. Thank you very much. I promise not to disappoint you." April assures Prof Donald Nsirim, who simply nods his head.

"You will be given your uniform before the end of the day. "You can leave," Prof Nsirim says to April, who happily rises from her chair, feeling fulfilled.

                             ____________________ 🖊️

  While walking into the cafeteria. April tenses up, unable to stand the obvious stares directed at her. She tries to hide behind Science, who is saying things she clearly is not listening to. She could see some boys on their way. Still praying for the ground to open and swallow her. Science fully captures her attention by tapping her.

"Before we head over to sit, let us go grab some food," Science suggests meanwhile April nods her head like an Agama lizard.

She gives a meek smile and opens her eyes to the cafeteria's beauty. Six chairs could fit around each table. Additionally, the tables were quite roomy. Most people were already preoccupied with their food.

"April, what are you going to eat?"Science asks, cutting through April's thoughts.

"Um, what did you say?"April, who did not understand what Science said, inquired.

"What were you thinking about?" "I asked what you were going to eat," Science says with a questioning expression.

"Oh," April says with a slight smile. The food on display was so tempting, with various dishes that appeared to be rich, she could not remember the last time she ate chicken. It was thrilling to realize that they were serving themselves. Given the number of students she saw, the dishes could not be finished.

"I will go with fried rice and chicken," Science says as she begins to serve.

April watches her silently, stunned by the amount of food the girl consumed. It was very small, with two large laps of chicken. April is hesitant for a while.

"Will you not take something?" Science, who was surprised to see her staring, inquired.

"Uhm, yes," April says as she dishes spaghetti onto her plate. She prepares to add rice but wonders what anyone, particularly Science, will think; they may perceive her as a glutton. She hesitates for a while before serving a lap of chicken.

"Will it be enough?" Science is surprised at the small amount of food she consumed.

"Yes, I do not each much," April responds, attempting to fake a smile.

"Okay, let us go." Science urges.

"Yes," April says as they walk to a table, trying to adjust to the stares she was getting. She walks with her head down. She had no idea when she bumped into someone or something. Still in shock, she raises her face to see an angry face staring back at her. She tries to apologize but is cut off before she can say anything.

"Pay attention, bitch. "Do you sleep while walking?" The dark girl scowled.

"I am so...,"

"You are so lucky you did not spill anything on me; I would have dealt with you." The dark girl speaks without giving her an opportunity to respond. Almost everyone in the cafeteria was staring at them, which embarrassed her.

April confronts Science, who looks at her apologetically. She quickly turns to the dark girl, who is already walking away. With the stares she was receiving, she wanted to disappear.

Pointing to an empty table, Science says, "Let us sit over there." Without saying anything, April just sits.

"You might end up vanishing with the way they look here. No offense," April says.

Science scoffs, stuffing a spoonful of rice into her mouth and saying, "None taken."

April grumbles openly, "Like I feel uncomfortable."

April gives Science a strange look as she says, "They want to know who the beautiful girl is."

"Really?" April jokes.

Science says sloppily, "You know your face is new her and you are not putting on the Sunday wear."

"I thought as much," April says.

"You are not eating?" Science who noticed April hadn't touched her food asks with a concerned look.

"I lost my appetite, " April responds.

" Hey! Is it because of that bitch Wendy? Do not let her get to you; she is not worth it, " Science said, referring to the girl April ran into.

"She was rude to me; it was a mistake, and I felt bad," April says.

"I understand that is how she is; just avoid Wendy and her cliques." The worst individuals you should never encounter are mobilized by them." Science says gaining Aprils attention.

"Oh, I thought...,"

"Science, you are having dinner without me," a voice interrupts April, immediately capturing their attention.

1609 words🌹

What do you think of Science?,

Also, the girl who bumped into April is Wendy, Geraldine's Mum. Don't you think the drama just began?😂😂😂