My High School Life

Chapter Two

Jumoke

Minutes later, we arrived at Crystal High School. The parking lot was filled with cars. Eventually, Dad found an empty spot.

"We are here." He announced, turning off the ignition and taking off his seat belt.

It was my second time seeing this school and it was as though I was seeing it for the first time.

Tunde got out of the car and grabbed his bag pack. "Hey, sis! Do you want to sleep there? Get down!"

"Come on, Jummy, get going. Have a nice first day at school." Dad said.

I got down from the car and stared at the building in awe. It was painted navy blue with the name of the school boldly written in white. Students were going in hurriedly. Where were they rushing to? I checked my wristwatch, it was just 7:16 am.

I turned back and waved at my dad. "Bye, daddy."

"Bye baby. Tunde, take care of your sister. Ma lo gba ballu, sh'oti gbo?"

"Yes, Dad." Tunde replied.

Dad started the car and drove out of the parking lot.

"Oya, let's go, should I hold your hand?" Tunde teased as usual.

"No, I can walk myself. Am I a baby?" I rolled my eyes.

The nerves were kicking in faster than I expected. I would considered myself a bold and outspoken on some days. I guess that side of me decide to take the day off. Together we walked into the school. The morning assembly was to start at 7:45 am, so the students were still in their classes.

"Where's your class?" Tunde asked.

"Ss1 A, science department."

"Alright. It's over there." He pointed to the third class on the ground floor in Block 1.
"My class is upstairs..." he continued, pointing at the first class in Block 2. "If you need anything, just come up. When it's break time, come and collect your money, okay?"

"Okay. Bye." I said as he walked to his block. A part of me wanted him to walk me to my class but the Tunde that I know will decline before I could complete the sentence.

I strolled to my class and stood in front, biting my nails, a habit I did when I was nervous. Summoning all courage, I walked into the class. Immediately, all eyes were on me. In that moment, I wished the ground could just open up and engulf me.

"She's new." I heard a voice.

"Wow, the uniform fits her o." I heard another.

I didn't know where to sit, so I plopped down on the first empty seat my eyes caught. Just then, a girl walked up to me with the meanest look. "Hey! Get up! This is my seat, why will just come and seat here without asking? Abeg, stand up."

I stood up without apologizing. I didn't see reasons to, I can play the game too.

"Hey, there's an empty seat beside me, come and sit down." A girl waved at me with an angelic smile.
I went to the seat and dropped my bag on the table. "Thank you," I said with a smile.

"You're welcome, dear. Good morning, I'm Chioma, and you?" She offered her hand.

I took it, my smile growing wider. "Jumoke, but you can call me Jummy."

"Nice to meet you, Jummy," She smiled again.

What a sweetheart! Safe to say I had already made a friend.

"The bell will soon be rung for assembly. In the meantime, put your bag in the locker and padlock it, there is a small padlock in here". She opened the locker and brought out a small padlock.

"Thank you."

"So, which school were you attending before?" Chioma asked.

"Royalty secondary school." I replied, "What about you?"

"I started here, from JSS1. All most everybody here did tho. But don't worry, I have a feeling you'll blend in pretty quickly."

We chatted for a while until the bell went off for the morning assembly. The students rushed out of their classes.

Why were they all running like Usain Bolt?