She & Her

CHAPTER 4: ETERNITIES

                                                                  •J O V A N N A

Whether you believe it or not they're two real, human teenagers that love the idea of school and think it wasn't created as a cruel joke to produce robots the system can control. Okay, Kia thinks that. Sequoia has always cherished any opportunity she got to break away from home. She has consistently found solace in various forms of escape, be it through music or books—both fiction and non-fiction, for her, it doesn't get any better than that.

Being the person that I am, once I noticed Kia delved into academics more and more and became exceptional, I followed right behind, very hot in her tracks. It evolved into a friendly competition between us. She pursued the arts, while I delved into science. Although our subjects differed, we both aimed to excel and assert our dominance in our respective fields.

Today, marked our first day at yet another school, and it was not like any other. Right from the school gates, you could sense the weight of expectations, and I'm ready to confess that, for the first time, I didn't feel the usual excitement about going to school. With every mindless step my feet took towards this new institution, every fiber of my being told me to turn back and run away to the safety of my father's arms. Of course, I excused this uneasy feeling as the "first-day jitters,"  what else could it be?

This new school was an entirely different environment to what Kia and I were used to, this was a rich man's school. Although we were not from a poor background, we knew if we weren't on scholarship our father would barely be able to afford here on his own. That means it's kinda our duty to show him our gratitude with good results. Good results equal good gifts, you feel me?

Being here made me feel like a baby all over again, wailing as I escaped the comfort of my mother's womb having zero clue of my purpose here, wondering how I got here and if I could go back, wondering if I would even survive in this new place and trying or rather, being forced to adjust to the frigid condition of my new home.

Trust me when I say that leaving the school where I had forged my strongest connections was never my plan, nor was it my intention to do so suddenly, without any prior warning. It came as a surprise to me as it did them. Before our mother died, she decided that the school we were in just wasn't making the cut academically as it was spiritually, so we needed to go.

"Hey!" I exclaim and give Kia the dirtiest side eye as she decided to shove my shoulder for no reason, meanie. 

"Are you even listening to a word I'm saying right now?" My sister whisper-shouts in order not to draw attention. "Tolani, lokan ara re o!" Tolani, mind yourself o!  She cautions me and when she switches to our mother tongue, I understand the significance; it's a cue to listen attentively. "This is a different world we're in now," she adds, her tone serious. "Take time to watch, to learn, before making any moves. Mistakes here can't be undone easily." She advised, looking me dead in the eyes. 

So, I take her shoulders in my hands, 'cause why so tense? "I understand Ki, we're going to be fine," I respond reassuringly, and with that, we step into the receptionist's office.

This reception felt oddly familiar, resembling those of our past schools. However, there was a touch of sophistication, perhaps expected given the hefty tuition. As my sister delved into inquiries for us both, I seized the opportunity to absorb the atmosphere. My gaze then shifted to the wall, adorned with picture frames showcasing Bible verses, this subtle detail painted a picture of the institution's values. While the surroundings had upgraded, the essence remained constant: the eagerness to explore, learn, and grow, just as we had before.