BEYOND MY CLASS

The first thing Amara Daniels noticed about Crownbridge University was the gate. It was so huge: two tall black gates stood open, with security guards watching everyone who came in. Behind them was a long road lined with flowers, trees, and beautiful buildings that looked more like mansions than classrooms. ** Amara sat quietly in the back of an old taxi and looked out the window. Her hand was wrapped tightly around the strap of her backpack, she had dreamed about this day for months. She had filled forms, attended interviews, submitted documents, and waited for what felt like forever to hear one sentence: Congratulations, you’ve been offered admission. And now she’s finally here, CROWNBRIDGE UNIVERSITY. One of the best universities in the country, a school where the children of rich businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and powerful families came to study. And somehow, Amara had gotten in, not because her family had money, not because she knew anyone important, but she got in because she earned a scholarship. The taxi driver looked at her through the mirror, “First day?” Amara smiled. “Yes, sir.” “You'll be fine,” he said. “You'll get used to the environment.” “I hope so,” Amara replied. Not long later, the taxi stopped at the school security gate. “Student ID and admission papers,” the security guard said. Amara quickly brought them out. The guard checked everything before handing them back. “Welcome to Crownbridge.” “Thank you,” Amara replied. She stepped out of the taxi, and the driver brought down her suitcase. Amara paid him, adjusted her backpack, and watched the taxi drive away. Then she turned around. And suddenly, she felt very small, students were everywhere. Some were chatting with each other. Others were taking pictures. Another student had three huge suitcases, Amara looked down at hers, just one suitcase, one backpack, and that was all she had. She took a deep breath. “You’re here to study,” she whispered. Then she pulled her suitcase behind her and walked through the gate. ** Registration took almost the whole morning. There were forms to fill, signatures to collect, photocopies to make, and questions to answer. By the time Amara finished, her feet hurt. The woman at the registration desk looked through her papers. “Scholarship student?” “Yes, ma.” The woman typed something on her computer. “Your school fees are covered. Your accommodation is also covered.” Amara smiled. “Thank you.” “Food and personal expenses are not covered.” “I understand.” The woman handed her a paper. “Your hostel is on the last page.” Amara opened to the last page. Female scholarship hostel. Block B. Room 214. Amara was happy; at least now she knew where she was going. She picked up her suitcase and left. Outside, the campus was still busy. Cars moved around. Amara kept looking around. She had never been surrounded by so much, so many expensive cars, so many beautiful clothes, so many people who may have seemed to have everything, but she wasn’t jealous. She simply knew she was different. Back home, her family knew how to make a little money last. They knew how to reuse things. How to keep going when things are hard. Amara had learned those things too. She pulled her suitcase along the road, and the wheels made a loud sound against the pavement. She didn’t even care. She came to graduate and that was all that mattered. ** She was crossing the main road when the sound of a car engine made everyone turn. A black SUV slowly drove toward them, it was so clean and shiny that the Sun light bounced off it. Students began whispering. “That's Chi.” “Chi okafor?” “Yes.” Amara barely listened. The SUV passed close to her. Then, for a moment, the window came down, and a young man sat inside, he had dark skin, neat hair, and a calm face. He wore a simple cream shirt and looked completely relaxed, even though everyone around him was staring. Amara looked at him for half a second, and their eyes met, then she looked away. Amara had no idea who he was and she didn't even. Care. She continued walking. Inside the SUV, the young man looked through the window. “Who was that?” The driver looked confused. “Who?” “The girl with the suitcase.” The driver looked back, but Amara was already gone. Chi looking for another second. Then he leaned back in his seat. “Never mind.” The car drove away. ** Amara finally got to her hostel. She looked up at the building, it wasn't fancy, but it was clean and comfortable, and she liked it. She walked inside and showed the woman at the desk her room number. “Room 214. Second floor.” “Thank you.” Amara carried her suitcase upstairs. By the time she reached the second floor, she was already tired. “Who built this place?” she whispered. Finally, she found room 214. She held the door handle, and suddenly she became nervous. What if her roommate was rude? What if they didn't get along? She took a deep breath and opened the door. A girl was sitting on one of the beds, surrounded by clothes and books, the girl looked up. “You're Amara?” Amara nodded. “Yes.” The girl jumped up with a huge smile. I’m Grace.” Amara smiled back. “Hi.” “I've been waiting for you!” “Really?” “Yes! they told me I was getting a roommate, but they wouldn't tell me when you’d arrive.” Grace looked at Amara’s suitcase. Then she looked at Amara, then back at the suitcase. “Is that all you brought?” Amara nodded. “Pretty much.” Grace looked at her for a second, then she laughed. “Okay. I like you already.” Amara laughed, “why?” “I don't know, you just came here with one suitcase like the main character in a movie.” Amara shook her head. “I didn't have much to bring.” Grace waved at her hand. “Forget that. Come inside.” Amara pulled her suitcase into the room. Grace pointed around. “That's your bed. That's your wardrobe. That's your table. And please don't touch my side of the table.” Amara looked at Grace’s side. Books, clothes, snacks, and paper were everywhere. She raised an eyebrow. “You have a system?” Grace looked at the mess. “Of course.” Amara smiled “What system?” Grace thought for a second. “Don't worry about it.” Amara burst out laughing. For the first time that day, she felt completely relaxed. She sat on her bed and looked around the room. It wasn't a mansion, it wasn't fancy but it was hers. Immediately she opened her backpack, she found a small folded piece of paper her mum gave her. Grace noticed. “What's that?” “My mother wrote it for me.” Grace smiled. “Can I see?” Amara shook her head gently. “It's private.” Grace laughed. “Okay, okay.” Amara opened the note, and only one sentence was written inside. Don't forget why you started. Amara stared at the words, her eyes became warm, she taught about her mother. Her father's picture hanging in their house. The sacrifice her mother had made, the scholarship letter that had changed everything. She folded the note carefully and placed it in her drawer. Grace watched her. “You really came here with a plan didn't you?” Amara smiled. “I did.” “What plan?” “Graduate.” Grace laughed. “That's it?” “That's it.” “I have a feeling you're going to be one of those serious students.” “Maybe.” “I knew it.” They both Laughed. Amara walked to the window, from there she could see almost all the whole courtyard. Students were still walking around, Crownbridge was full of life. Amara placed her hand against the glass. She thought about everything her mother had done to get her here. Then she smiled. “I'll make you proud,” she whispered.