MY DAYS AT CRYSTAL GEM ACADEMY

"Stepping Into Crystal Gem: A New Beginning"

Kaylila’s Perspective

"My days in Crystal Gem Academy were an experience that was worth it—though not in the way I’d imagined. This wasn’t just a new school; it felt like the first step into a whole new world."

Standing in front of my dressing room mirror, I adjusted my blue jeans and cream-colored crop top, trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in my stomach. Today wasn’t just about school shopping or picking out new notebooks—it was the day I would leave everything familiar behind. I was about to transfer to one of the best schools in Abuja. Crystal Gem Academy. The name itself sounded like a promise: excellence, achievement, prestige.

I had heard all the stories. It was a school that pushed students to their limits, a place where the competition was fierce and every student was a shining star. Teachers who were more like mentors, strict rules that promised success, and an atmosphere so intense that only the best survived. Everyone seemed to agree—it was the school of a lifetime.

But as I took one last look at myself, adjusting my hair and smoothing out any wrinkles in my top, something inside me tightened. Was I ready for this?

"Kaylila! Kaylila!" My mum’s voice called from downstairs.

"Yes, Mum, I’ll be down in a second!" I called back, taking one last look at my reflection. Today was the first day of everything new.

I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder and made my way downstairs. The smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted me before I saw my dad sitting at the dining table, his usual calm smile on his face.

"Ekaro, sir!" I greeted him with a deep bow. "Olafemi, princess. Morning. How was your night?" he replied, his voice warm but always with a touch of formality.

"It was great, Dad." I smiled, straightening up and sitting down at the table. "Morning, Mum."

Aunt Ope walked in, carrying a plate of eggs and toast. I reached for a slice of toast, barely tasting it. My mind kept drifting back to the school ahead of me, wondering if I could live up to the high expectations, wondering if I was enough.

I had always been the perfect daughter, the perfect student—an A student with no pressure from home. It was a quiet kind of perfection that I’d grown up with, no big demands, just the constant need to do well. But now, in this new chapter, I felt like I was on the edge of something bigger. I could feel the weight of the new school year pressing down on me. The world outside my bubble of comfort was waiting, and I had no idea what it would bring.

"You’ll do great," Mum said, breaking my train of thought. She smiled, reaching for my hand across the table. "I know you’re ready."

But was I?

---

Norrell’s Perspective

The school gates closed behind us with a soft clang, and I could feel the weight of the new chapter pressing in. Crystal Gem Academy. Familiar, yet different now. Today was the day we weren’t just students—we were boarders.

I glanced sideways at Norrelle. As always, she looked calm, collected—completely unbothered by what was coming. Her calmness made me wonder if she was more prepared for this than I was. I guess it was just part of being the more composed twin.

We walked together as our guide led us down the familiar path, but I could feel that everything was shifting. For years, we'd been attending this school, going to classes, passing each other in the halls. But now, everything has changed. Our parents were no longer around to check in on us after school, to make sure we were eating well or to hear about our day. We were on our own now.