the beginning
She stood on the stage, a soft circular spotlight glowing on her, making her light green dress shimmer in front of the crowd. Voices buzzed and murmurs spread across the audience, but she didn’t let it shake her.
She began, “Hello everyone, I hope you're all okay. Today I want to share something with you…”
A voice interrupted her sharply from the crowd. “Don’t waste our time!”
But she didn’t flinch. She took a deep breath and continued, “Today, I want to tell you my story. My real life story.”
The room fell quiet.
“My name is Gloryne. I was born in the year 2000. I grew up in a village with my father and mother. Life was simple and happy... until I turned six. That’s when everything changed. My father passed away. It was so painful... and from that day, our lives began to fall apart.”
It was a Tuesday morning when the headmaster made an announcement that shook me.
“All students who haven’t paid their school fees will not be allowed to attend classes.”
My heart dropped. I was among them.
Later that day, I gathered my courage and walked to the headmaster’s office. I knocked gently.
“Come in,” he said.
“Good morning, sir,” I greeted, my voice trembling a little. “I’m really sorry to bother you, but… about the announcement