The Power of Destiny

Chapter Five

  “... the wish I wish tonight.” – Diana Kaarina

It was a big, stimulating, serene, conducive, and beautiful learning environment. It had a four-storey building containing more than eleven classes, a cafeteria, a student’s chapel, the boarding area, multi-purpose courts for sports and games, and storey buildings which contained functional libraries, a well equipped Chemistry laboratory, Biology, Physics and Science laboratories, technology workshops, well equipped ICT rooms and a large hospital which was managed by qualified nurses including doctors on call. Ollie’s first class was one of the classes at the bottom floor. She had been registered into the school and it was her first week.
The class was filled with chatting friends and new faces. They were all happy to see themselves again.
“It’s good to see my friends again,” Tawny Payne, one of the girls said. She was amongst her friends who were all gathered in a little group in a small corner of the class. A small group of boys were also gathered in another corner of the class. One of the boys, Albert Nott, who was a nuisance well known in Tawny’s streets, walked up to her.
“It’s good to see my little friend again,” Albert said and smiled wickedly.
“I never said I was your friend, or moreover, your little friend,” Tawny snapped. “And for Pete’s sake, this is a new year; can’t you ever change your character?”
“And you have to learn that now,” Tania Streep, her best friend chipped in.
“You never told me you were going to attend this school,” Albert said, ignoring Tania.
“You’ve really got some nerves,” Tawny said, irritated.
“Hey, let’s not begin with some sort of arguments. At least, we’re all still friends,” Sidney Arnold, one of the boys said.
“Friends!” Tawny said with a tinge of sarcasm.
Just then Ollie entered the classroom and all eyes turned to face her. Some eyes were filled with anger from the previous argument, some with acknowledgement, and others just in a wild gaze.
Kayla Wright, one of the girls beckoned to her and she reluctantly went. They gave each other their names and some of them were friendly to her. The anger from the previous argument died down and everyone was in a happy mood. Everyone started chatting away happily but Ollie seemed different. She kept quiet most of the time and only wore a smile.
Then a teacher entered the class and everyone found their seats. They all settled down and then after the introductions, the lessons began. Ollie sat with Kayla Wright but wasn’t really on talking terms with her. She still couldn’t get over the absence of Lorna. It seemed to her that she has never seen any person who had understood her as Lorna. Kayla tried talking with her but she hardly talked. She only nodded or shook her head and if asked what the matter was, she always shook her head. When the teacher was almost through with her teaching, Kayla decided to try again.
“Hey, you’re pretty quiet, anything the matter?”
She shook her head and continued writing.
“Maybe, I could be of help,” Kayla said. When she didn’t receive any reply from Ollie, she felt rather discouraged. “Well, I guess I’m distracting you. I’m sorry,” she said politely.
Ollie wanted to say something but her mouth couldn’t just open up. But what would she say?
“Oh, sorry, you aren’t distracting me. I was just… never mind. Sorry for ignoring you,” Ollie said, a bit confused.
“Were you thinking about something? I could help,” she offered.
“What if we talk during the school recess?”
“That’s okay.” They continued with their lessons and Ollie was a bit anxious about the recess talk. 

ONE FATEFUL AFTERNOON, about two months after Ollie was registered into the school, she was in the cafeteria when Kayla found her. She has been looking for her during the recess period. Ollie was eating when Kayla brought her food and settled beside Ollie who has started communicating a little.
“Here you are, hope you’re enjoying your food,” Kayla said as she sat down opposite Ollie and put her food on the table.
“Yeah,” Ollie replied and continued with the food.
“You started eating and didn’t even bother to call me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said and they continued eating. Sidney Arnold, a classmate came over with his tray. He and Kayla were also best friends.
“Hi guys, can I join you?” he asked and flashed a smile.
“Of course, you can,” Kayla said and created space for him to sit.
“I hope I’m welcomed?” he asked Ollie.
“Oh, sure,” Ollie replied.
“Don’t mind her, she’s the quiet type,” Kayla said, teasing her.
“Oh, are you Olivia?”
“Yeah, I am,” Ollie answered.
“You’re really quiet, any problem?”
“You don’t need to ask her that because she won’t give you any reply,” Kayla cut in. “I’ve asked her that a million times, but yet no reply. Anyway, let’s eat.”
They ate in silence after that and when they were through, the three of them walked round the school.