Forever and Ever

FIRST DAY JITTERS

Being the new kid in school can be very awkward and unsettling. It is hard enough having to sit in a class full of strangers, having them criticise every move you make, every single thing you say. You are always the loner at lunches and you are termed as a loser until some person would take you under their wing with the name of friend and that is when you kind of feel like stuff is not that bad.

To say I was nervous would be the understatement of the year. I am a very socially awkward person, and the thought of being the new kid and scrutinised by everyone terrified me to the end of my wits. I begged my parents to let me stay in my previous school but they thought that Kenyatta Academy would be a better school for me. Well, who was I to argue with those who brought me up and knew better than me.

It gets easier if you have someone with you to get you through the struggles, but I was all alone. This was a journey I had to take all by myself whether I liked it or not. Little did I know that I was going to be starting the greatest journey of my life.

-------------------------------------------

I glanced at my reflection in the floor length mirror in my room. I looked okayish. Just had a striped grey and white shirt knotted at the waist and high waisted jeans. I made sure not to expose any skin. Just in case, I put on a black cardigan as well. I completed the look with ankle boots and I was done. Simple but classy for my first day. I grabbed my bag and went to the kitchen. My mom already had placed breakfast on the table.

I was not hungry at all, who would be? That is, if they were in my position. I nibbled on some toast and sipped some coffee as I waited for my father. Just a couple of minutes later he entered the kitchen. He ate his breakfast and before I knew it we were speeding on our way to school. As I looked out of the window, I tried to keep the nausea at bay. I really did not want to go through this.

Not long after we drove through the huge black gates and into the compound of Kenyatta Academy. There was a nursery, primary, high school and college included all in the same compound. Not only that but there was a place for volleyball to be played, a football field, a clinic and a couple of halls for functions to be held in.

We entered the primary section and headed straight to the secretaries office. After greetings were exchanged, my father filled a form confirming that I had officially started school and the secretary led me to the class I was joining.

On the way my palms got really sweaty and my heart was thundering in my chest. Everybody was in class already and learning since this was their second day of the new year in school and I had gone a little later than the normal school timings.

We climbed a set of stairs and there was the class in all its glory. Oh, who am I kidding? The secretary held my hand and led me inside. I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I badly wanted to run away. She introduced me to the teacher, Mr. Kyle. I turned my head towards the door and saw my father give me a final wave before leaving. The secretary left too leaving me standing in front of the class all by myself with the teacher.

"Alexa, would you like to introduce yourself to the class?"I looked at him hesitantly. "Don't worry, they are good students. They won't bite."

I turned to the class and to my surprise some of them were smiling warmly. This encouraged me and I said in a low tone," Hey, I'm Alexa."

"Hello Alexa," they muttered in unison. I must admit, I found that creepy.

"Is that the way you welcome a newcomer?" Mr. Kyle scolded them.

"Welcome Alexa, we hope you have a nice time," they said but in a louder tone.

I smiled nervously. The teacher led me to the second desk next to a girl. She moved to the side to make space for me.

"Hey Alexa, I'm Samantha, but everybody calls me Sam," she grinned cheekily at me as she held out her hand.

I shook her hand and smiled at her. "Nice to meet you Samantha."

"Sam," she corrected.

"Sam," I repeated nodding my head.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with me tagging behind Sam like a lost puppy. I met her friends, Maya, Yana, Shamala and Maria. They were great people all of them and I could not help but be grateful that my first day was going well. And that was all because of Samantha, or should I say, Sam.