LISA

The new girl

The first days of term were always the worst. Lisa was back to studying Literature, Physics, Chemistry, and everyone was talking in the latest slang about what they'd been up to and what new music was out. Lisa had nothing to say.

She saw some students wearing their ties in odd knots and had chains on their trousers, showing off watches and shoes. Some also carried the latest iPhone even though students weren't allowed to use phones. Lisa felt out of place and like she didn't belong.

Despite this, Lisa was an excellent student who had won prizes and accolades for the school in science and other competitions. She was a Sanitary prefect and school physics lab caretaker. All the boys thought she was pretty, but Lisa was more concerned about being accepted for who she was, rather than just her appearance.

As she walked down the hallway, she spotted Sophia, a slender girl with a gentle face, who had lived on the same street as Lisa and Matilda for years. Sophia had the sweetest smile, and her light, pretty voice always made Lisa feel better.

"Hi, Matilda!" Sophia exclaimed as she approached. "Glad to see you. Look at Lisa, when did she get back?"

"I came back yesterday," Lisa replied quietly.

"I could hear your voice from a distance, rowdy and full of fun, as usual," said Sophia, laughing. "By the way, do you remember anyone called Lily? She's a relative of mine."

Matilda wrinkled his forehead. "No, I don't. Oh! Okay. I think she had to leave her former school, at least that's what her aunt told my mum. Her aunt asked us to help her settle down and get used to things."

Lisa listened intently, wondering if she could help Lily feel more comfortable at their school. She knew how hard it could be to feel like an outsider, and she didn't want anyone else to feel like that.

As the day went on, Lisa found herself feeling more at ease. She loved learning and was excited to be back in class. She also enjoyed catching up with her friends and hearing about their holidays.

Later that day, Lisa was walking down the hallway when she spotted Lily. She was a new student, and Lisa could tell that she was feeling nervous and out of place. Without hesitation, Lisa walked over and introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Lisa. I heard that you're new here. Do you need any help finding your way around?"

Lily walked off, and Lisa decided she didn't like her at all. She thought she was snooty and wondered who she thought she was. Lisa still had that dazed expression on her face. At that moment, the bell rang.

After classes at the end of the day, Lily walked slowly to the principal's office. It had not been a pleasant day.

"Miss Lily, do you know why you're here?" the principal began.

"Yes, because my mother gave this school an endowment," she said to herself.

"It was difficult for us to accept you and register you for this final year, but we considered some factors. You're a straight-A student. I find it difficult to believe an intelligent young girl like you could..."

Lily knew where this conversation was going and decided to take drastic action.

The principal stared at Lily. There was something that was not quite right about her, but she couldn't decide what it was.

"You're under probation for this term. We will be watching your marks closely to know if you can cope, and you're to meet the counselor once a week. Good luck, Lily."

"Thank you," Lily said and went out.

She was outside. She found a shady spot beneath a mango tree and leaned against the rough bark. Suddenly, she couldn't stop thinking of her former school, Queens Convent, a girls boarding school. She had got what she wanted, hadn't she? She was away from her stepfather, and all of them.

A tear trickled down her face, and suddenly overcome by regret, she burst into tears.

The next day in class, the teacher Master Sheldon came in and stopped short at the sight of her.

She stood up and introduced herself in her best lady-like manner, the way girls at her former school were taught to speak.

"What are you doing here?"

"What.... excuse me, sir, I don't understand."

"Are you supposed to be in this class?"

"Yes."

Each teacher kept saying the same thing: they thought she might lower their results. They must have thought she was a bird-brain who managed to buy her way in. The students giggled and nudged each other.