Chapter 1 A New School

Everything that happened to Shania in this life was a bunch of mistakes.

It was irredeemable, unforgettable too.

Even regretting felt useless when something had broken to that extent.

The only thing she could do was to let it go. But, would it be easy?

She stood staring blankly after her mom dropped her off at the new school.

"You can show your true colors in not less than a week. If you get expelled again... it'll be the end of the road for you,"her mom taunted.

Shania slouched. She felt sweat break out on her forehead.

She couldn't help it as she let out a rapid but shallow breath.

She would meet the principal as her mom had requested.

The thought of it alone made her body become impossibly still as she recoiled in self embrace.

Shania stood outside for a long time before knocking on the door boldly written 'PRINCIPAL' on it.

"Good morning ma,"she greeted, closing the door behind her.

Principal Peters smiled.

"Shania Jimmy?"

Shania acknowledged.

"You're welcome."

"Please, have a seat,"she hinted.

Shania sat on the couch adjacent to the door.

"We've been expecting you since two weeks,"principal Peters began.

She opened a file.

Shania's breath hitched.

She bit her lower lip and swallowed saliva constantly.

"You came highly recommended by your former principal and that's the reason your admission into Elite Academy was put in consideration."

Principal Peters gazed at her, constantly raising her thin brows.

"Aside the fact that you were expelled from your former school, she still says you're an excellent, highly exceptional student."

Principal Peters coughed to regain composure.

Shania turned her gaze away.

"Why were you expelled?"

Shania stiffened.

She had long been expecting this question but now it came as a shock.

A momentary look of discomfort crossed her face.

She gave a soft, close-tipped smile suggesting principal Peters was humouring a conversation she didn't wish to have.

She knew she had come highly recommended by her former principal, Mrs Williams - kindhearted, loving woman.

Principal Williams didn't want to expel her.

She had asked her what the problem was. She had asked her why she had written the letter to the new female counselor.

Principal Williams had said the letter was outrageous and unimaginable as Shania revealed that nothing had transpired between the counselor and herself.

It was some misplaced attraction and admiration.

Shania had liked this new counselor because she spoke softly and genuinely cared about the students, especially her.

It wasn't an atrocity to like someone, was it?

Shania put it in her diary; the things she wanted, the love she yearned for, her bizarre imagination of the new counselor shower love on her.

Then one day, the diary was stolen and part of it was published and distributed all over the school.

This was the worst humiliation Shania had ever faced.

Principal Williams stared at her weakly.

She could pardon her, she had said.

But Shania had proved stubborn.

"You can go ahead and expel me,"she had said, to infuriate principal Williams.

She was done for.

Principal Williams went ahead to expel her.

And here she was... wallowing in self pity... refusing to forgive herself.

She bit her lips while suppressing the urge to cry.

She sobbed softly.

"Please ma, I need this last and only chance. I promise to improve my grades and give you no reasons to kick me out of the school or doubt my sincerity."

Principal Peters stared at her incredulously... bemused with squinty eyes.

Shania looked like someone who was not capable of doing any wrong.

There was something uncertain about Shania that gave principal Peters so much thought.

She remained silent for a moment.

"DHP."

Jane gurged the last candy in her pocket and trudged towards the desk principal Peters rested upon.

"She's a new student. Please show her around. Make sure she adapts well. She'll be joining the final science senior class,"she pointed out.

Jane smiled.

She led Shania out of the office.

Jane's voice became wistful in its bliss.

She rubbed her hands together and grinned.

"My name is Jane. I'm the deputy head perfect."

Shania smiled at Jane's aura. It depicted so much confidence.

"I'm Shania."

Jane grinned again.

"I heard you transferred. Why?"

Shania remained silent. She couldn't answer immediately. Not because she didn't know what to answer, but simply because she didn't have a sane one at least.

Her eyes slowly lost its light.

"Do you want some?"

Jane held out some candy to her.

Shania blinked back tears.

"No. Thank you."

Lines of stress formed on her forehead.

"Welcome to Elite Academy."Jane interrupted her thoughts.

Shania bowed her head.

"What was your former school like?"

"Boys and girls? Just girls?"

Shania smiled wearily.

"Just girls."

Drops of tears trickled on her cheeks as thoughts flooded in.

It seemed to bring back old memories.

Her former school was the best and would remain so. It was very orderly and was nothing like unorganized Elite Academy.

"I'm sure you're not used to boys and girls coexisting but you'll love it here in no time."

"Morning assembly starts by 7:30am." "Lateness to school and morning assembly is a punishable offence."

"A hairstyle is released every week for the girls for braiding."

"Any material worn asides the school uniform will be confiscated."

They walked through the hallway.

Jane hummed jovially.

She pointed towards a dark skinned, slim, average man.

"That's Mr Jack. He's our no nonsense science teacher."

She gurged another candy.

"He looks small, doesn't he?"

Shania didn't reply.

"Thinny man.. that's what the students call him. He has his own rules - you do not come in after him."

"You have to be in class before he comes in or remain outside if he enters before you."

"And here comes the couple."

Jane giggled.

"She's gum-chewing Mary, the emotionally empty one, Nicholas' girlfriend."

Shania's lips curled up in amusement.

"You must have known her for a long time to be able to describe her as that."

She snickered.

"High school love still exists?"

Jane's jaw dropped.

"Yes. Why won't it?"

"Gum-chewing Mary has been all over Nicholas since junior class. She's beautiful, that can't be denied. Intelligent too. Boys have always had eyes for her. The only problem lingering is that she's a bully, especially when she finds out that some other girl has eyes for Nicholas. She would never spare whoever it is that wants her Nicholas."

Shania exploded in an unexpected giddy laugh.

"That's Nicholas,"Jane pointed out.

"He's popularly called Nick. He's the smartest, cute, jovial boy in school. Who won't like him? He's the head perfect. He's athletic. He's muscular and all that... in one word, Nick's too much. Mary won't want anyone snatching him."

Shania chuckled.

"That's sheer obsession."

"If Mary is such a severe bully, why hasn't principal Peters done anything about it?"

Jane tilted her head.

"I don't know but I think principal Peters hasn't heard anything about it, at least not yet."

Shania winced.

Jane laughed.

"You're kidding, aren't you?"

Jane walked up to Mary.

She pulled Shania along.

"Hi Mary. Wow.. I love this necklace. These are beautiful."

Jane admired the beauty the jewel carved on her neck.

She fidgeted with the necklace.

"But, bear in mind, Mr Jack might confiscate it once he sees it. You know that the free week's over."

"We have a new student,"she pointed out.

Mary scoffed mockingly.

"I heard about it. I'm sure she got kicked out of her former school to be admitted into Elite Academy in the senior final class. I hope she's brilliant enough not to lower our grades if she had found her way here by giving the principal a huge sum of money."

The other girls cracked up.

Shania dripped with spite; blazing murderously at Mary and the other girls.

"Nick, she's Shania, the new girl,"Jane said.

Nick smiled.

"Welcome to Elite Academy."

He stretched his hand for a handshake.

"Nice courtesy,"Shania extolled.

"You'd surely rank number one in mannerism test."

Nick blushed and spoke softly.

"Thanks."

The bell rang shortly.

****

Miss Miriam walked into the classroom, clasping her hands behind her body.

She walked around firmly.

"Good morning, miss Miriam,"the entire science students chorused.

"The new girl? Stand, will you?"

Shania stood gaping as Miss Miriam gave an exasperated sigh. She twisted her mouth in fury.

"I do not know why you were considered but I'm sure you know the implications. For your sake, our grades are at stake. Do your best, will you?"

*****

Shania got home looking shot with puffy eyes and slumped shoulders. She had a hectic day for the first day in a new school.

"A new girl in final senior class?Does principal Peters know the implications?"the teachers screeched.

They were asking too many questions that she thought she would scream.

'What was it they had with her personal life?'

she thought. She closed her eyes to have some well earned rest.

"How do you like your new school?"her mom asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Shania rolled her eyes.

Silence lingered for a while.

Her mom stared as if awaiting an explanation. Of course, she was.

Veins in her neck stood out in livid ridges.

"I'm talking to you, young lady."

It struck Shania almost immediately.

She couldn't comprehend what she felt for her mother.

Besides it didn't matter if it was love or hatred.

She had found little joy in deliberately disobeying her mom.

All she wanted now was to smile while the look of disappointment crawled up in her mom's face.

Downtime's finally over, another argument began.