Only God knew how relieved I was when I finally got back to the hostel for siesta.
I could finally rest my brain.
I really, really needed it.
My mind kept going back to my encounter with the school counsellor that afternoon. For some reason, it was the one thing bothering me.
The counsellor had come into our class to call the new students for counselling. I had been busy writing my full name on practically every book I'd been given when I heard my name.
“Miss Adejare, please report to the counselling office.”
She said it quickly and walked out before I could even stand.
Great.
I looked around the classroom.
Then I turned to the person sitting beside me.
“Michael?”
He looked up.
“Yeah?”
“Do you know where the counselling office is?”
He smiled.
“Sure. Come on.”
The next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of the big-eyed counsellor, trying to figure out how I was supposed to answer her questions.
“So, you came from a Baptist school, right?”
“Yes.”
I was already getting tired of saying that word.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Why did everybody need to know?
“So,” she continued, “what's your area of interest?”
She stared directly into my eyes.
I shifted uncomfortably.
Her eyes were huge.
Like, really huge.
“Well...” I cleared my throat. “I've always wanted to be a doctor.”
She nodded.
“I decided when I was in primary school that I wanted to be the person who could save someone's breath, not the person standing there helpless because they don't know what to do.”
I paused.
Somehow, I'd suddenly started sounding like a motivational speaker.
The counsellor stared at me.
Blankly.
Then she tilted her head.
“I meant your department of interest.”
A bomb exploded in my head.
What?
“Oh.”
I blinked.
“I'm sorry, Ma. I thought you meant—”
She laughed softly.
“Don't worry. Your speech was actually quite touching. I like your passion.”
I breathed out in relief.
“Oh. Thank you, Ma.”
“So, you'd like to be in the Science department?”
“Yes, Ma.”
She opened a large hardcover book and picked up a pen.
“Alright. You'll have to write a placement test covering the relevant science subjects. That will help us determine whether you're ready for the class.”
YOU ARE READING
Rats, Roses And Paper Bones
General FictionDoyin is used to being silent. After a false accusation forced her to leave her old school in shame, she arrives at Longford high ready to disappear. No one knows what she's running from, and she intends to keep it that way. Between low self worth b...
