The long-awaited day had finally arrived for Hadizah. Monday dawned, and she and her mother were ready by 6:30 a.m. This time, her mother had her own brand new car, a Mercedes, and they drove it to school. The school seemed busier and more crowded than ever. Students were arriving in luxurious cars, some with bodyguards. The boys' uniforms were elevated, with wine checkered trousers and elegant black shirts, paired with tasteful blazers. The girls wore knee-length wine checkered skirts, paired with black blouses, oversized blazers, and stylish berets. Some adorned themselves with accessories, showcasing their wealth.
Hadizah and her mother headed to the bursar's office after visiting the principal's office for the second time. The bursar, a woman, greeted them. "You must be the new student," she said. "Yes," Hadizah answered, filling out the necessary forms. The bursar then called someone on the phone.
"Could you please come to my office?" she requested.
After a few minutes, a young woman in her late twenties, Miss Melissa, arrived. "Miss Melissa, please take her to her class. She's the new student," the bursar instructed.
"Follow me," Miss Melissa said, leading Hadizah to her class.
"I'm Miss Melissa, your new class teacher. And your name?" she asked.
"My name is Hadizah Damilare," Hadizah replied confidently.
"Such a nice name, even though it sounds unusual. I don't know the meaning of your name. Your class is this way," Miss Melissa said, guiding her.
Entering the classroom, Hadizah noticed around 30 chairs, each with a laptop and headphones. The students were not organized.
"Class, settle down," Miss Melissa announced.
They all settled down.
"This is your new classmate. Introduce yourself, please," Miss Melissa gestured to Hadizah.
"My name is Hadizah Damilare," she said confidently.
"Now class, I would like all of you to give her a warm welcome and show her that she is one of us," Miss Melissa said.
"Yes, ma'am," the students chorused.
"You can pick a seat over there," Miss Melissa directed Hadizah.
She chose a table beside a classmate who seemed disinterested until she noticed Hadizah.
"You're the girl I met at the mall the other day, right? Hadizah?" the girl, Ava, said.
"Yes, and you're Ava," Hadizah confirmed.
"Yes, I am. So glad to see you," Ava said.
"Same here, Ava," Hadizah replied.
"Who would have thought you would be coming to my school?" Ava remarked.
"You know you can't cheat destiny," Hadizah quipped.
"In fact, it's also my first day here," Ava revealed.
"Maybe we were just destined to go to the same school. You are weird, you know that, right?" Ava teased.
"Why would you say that?" Hadizah asked.
"Because you've been smoothing your headscarf since you sat beside me," Ava observed.
"Just because I'm nervous around new people, but I'm an optimist," Hadizah chuckled.
"Okay, fine. So let me be your first new friend. Friends?" Ava offered.
"Friends," Hadizah agreed, shaking Ava's hand.
It was the first period of the day, and they were having math. A very handsome teacher entered the class with a briefcase.
YOU ARE READING
FLAMES
SpiritualIn the halls of The Almighty School in London, picture a diverse group. There's a Muslim girl, recently arrived and clueless, alongside, an atheist guy navigating life, another guy that is expected to be perfect . Add a tomboy, a no-nonsense girl, a...
