LOVE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

LOVE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM CHAPTER ONE WHERE IT ALL BEGAN My name is Mirabel Augustine. I am 18 years old, and I live with both my parents and my younger sister in Abuja. I am in Grade 12, and my parents decided to change my school after we moved into a new environment. My younger sister, Annabel, attends another boarding school, so she only comes home once in a while during mid-term breaks. My father is the CEO of M&A Limited, while my mother is a surgeon. My parents love my younger sister and me so much, and our family was a happy one. Because of my new school, I was feeling seriously nervous today. This was my first day at my new school, and I couldn't sleep all night. I just kept staring at my school uniform, which was neatly ironed and placed on the right-hand side of my wardrobe. Different thoughts ran through my mind. What if they don't like me? What if they hate me? Morning came anyway. I put on my school uniform, and when I looked in the mirror-wow! I looked so cute! I packed my long, curly hair into a ponytail. Mind you, I have long, curly hair, fair skin, a naturally curvy figure, and a tiny waist. I mean, I look like a model! Hahahaha. I'm so grateful for the way God made me. As I was buckling my shoes, I heard our maid, Mama Rose-who was now more like a family member-calling from downstairs. Mama Rose: Breakfast is ready! As quickly as possible, I ran downstairs. As I got to the dining table, a delicious aroma hit my nostrils, and my stomach grumbled. I held my stomach and laughed. Well, I don't joke with my stomach, and I don't know why I haven't gained weight because I eat a lot of food. I think eating is one of my favorite hobbies. I saw my parents settling into their seats. Me: Good morning, fam! My mum was the first to respond. Mrs. Augustine: Good morning, baby. Mr. Augustine: Morning, dear. I pulled out a chair and sat beside my mother. Mrs. Augustine: Hope you slept well, baby? She faced me and looked at me. I looked down while nervously playing with my fingers. Mrs. Augustine: I guess you didn't. Me: Yes, Mum. Mrs. Augustine: Why? I turned to my dad. Me: Dad, I'm afraid and nervous. What if they don't like me? Mr. Augustine: Then give them time and space. Don't force yourself to be where you are not wanted. Me: Alright, Daddy. Mama Rose came out of the kitchen with some side dishes on a tray. Me: Good morning, Mama Rose. Mama Rose: Good morning, baby. She looked at me carefully and noticed that I looked stressed. Mama Rose: What is it, my child? Mrs. Augustine: She's nervous. Mama Rose: Ohh, is that why you look so stressed? I looked down. Mama Rose: Ohh, baby. She dished some food onto a plate and placed it in front of me. Mama Rose: Even if you are anxious, your stomach shouldn't be empty. I laughed. Me: Mama Rose, you know I don't play with my stomach. Food is my number one priority. Everyone at the table laughed. Mr. Augustine: That's my girl. Mrs. Augustine: Don't forget to be a good girl and make Mum and Dad proud. Me: Alright, Mum. I promise. I held out my pinky, and she hooked hers with mine. After a few minutes, Dad looked at his watch. Dad: You should start getting ready. The driver will be here soon. Me: But I'm not yet done eating! I took another large spoonful of oats. My mum looked at me and shook her head. Mum: You will never change. I ignored her and continued eating. After five minutes, we were done eating breakfast. I picked up the dishes and took them to the sink. Then I quickly grabbed my school bag and took one last look at everyone inside the house. Me: Goodbye, fam! They all replied as I made my way outside the house. Today is the beginning of something new. I just didn't know how much my life was about to change. My driver dropped me off at the front gate of my school. I took a deep breath in and out before entering. As I entered, everyone's attention was suddenly diverted toward me. I heard whispers. "Is she new here?" "I think she is." "She's cute!" And so many other murmurs. I ignored them all. I couldn't take it. I just wanted to avoid people seeing how nervous I was. Now, I was stuck. I didn't know my class, so I just kept walking around because this school was huge. After some minutes, I finally mustered the courage to ask someone. I saw a girl standing at the corner of a building with some books held close to her chest. I approached her and tapped her shoulder. She was so shocked that all her books fell to the floor. Girl: What do you want from me?! Me: I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Girl: Sorry, my foot! We both bent down at the same time to pick up her books, but our foreheads bumped into each other. Girl: What the hell?! Me: I'm so sorry! I rubbed my forehead as she did the same. She bent down, picked up her books, and looked me up and down before walking away. I watched her leave. Me: Argh! She is so rude. Is that how they do things here? Ohh, gosh. My first bad experience in this school. As I kept walking, I saw a junior student. She was in Grade 10, and thankfully, she directed me to my class. I was so grateful. I got to my class and settled down on an empty seat. I noticed that there weren't many students inside because the rest of them were still outside. I pulled my book out of my bag and started going through my textbook. Suddenly, they all rushed into the classroom, screaming and giggling. My eyes darted toward the door. And then I saw him. He was light-skinned, tall, and had pink lips. I mean, he was exactly my type. He was so cute. Walking beside him were two other guys. One was dark-skinned, while the other was light-skinned. They were cute too, but not more than the first guy. I guessed they were friends. I noticed that the girls in the class were practically drooling over him. Well, I didn't blame them because he was so handsome. I quickly looked back at my book, pretending to be distracted. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching me. I looked up and was met by a pair of hazel eyes. My heart beat so fast that it almost stopped working. He was now standing right in front of me, with his two friends behind him. Friends or brothers? I don't know. He placed one hand on my desk. Everyone's attention was now on us, and I could hear whispers around the classroom. "Is she in trouble?" "She's cute." "She's gone." But my mind was focused on the creature standing in front of me. I was completely lost in his eyes. Then he spoke. Him: That's my seat. His voice. OMG. I was so lost in his voice that I didn't respond. He suddenly banged his hand on the desk, making me flinch. Him: That's my seat. How dare you sit there? Me: Sorry! One of the guys stepped forward. Guy: You heard him. Me: But I got here first. How is it your seat? I heard people murmuring around me. "Won't she stand up?" "She's biting more than she can chew." "She doesn't know what she has put herself into." He turned to one of his friends. Him: Who is she? Guy: She's a newbie. He looked back at me. Him: Get the hell out of here, girl! Me: Excuse me? I stood up from my seat. As I was about to say something, a hand grabbed me while another hand picked up my bag. Unknown: She is so sorry. She doesn't know who you are, and she's new here. I apologize on her behalf. Before I could even process what was happening, I was dragged away. She didn't even give me a chance to breathe as she pulled me outside the classroom. What had I gotten myself into?