PRICELESS EXCHANGE

QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL

Everyone hurried down from the bus as soon as it came to a halt. I struggled with my luggage as I walked down the bus. Everywhere looks so strange to me as I walked down the bus. There were lots of flashy cars driving along the road, with a lot of magnificent buildings all around, the roads were well paved and everywhere looks so neat. Everyone around were walking so fast to and fro, I almost bumped into a man

watch it lad!! he yelled and walked away

I'm sorry... I said trying to hold my luggage which almost slipped from my hands. Where should I go from Here? I asked myself. I approached a cab man who sat on his cab listening to music

good morning sir... I greeted waving my hands for him to see me

what's a cow girl doing in town? he remarked sarcastically with a smirk on his face. I frowned at his words

I'm... I'm...

going to Queens high school? he asked cutting me short. I looked at him in surprise

come on Blondie, get into the cab let me take you, he said smiling. fifty bucks.. he added with a grin on his face exposing his brown teeth

I acquiesced immediately and he dropped my luggage at the booth before I got in

The drive was short and I felt cheated by this disgusting cab man, well I needed to act like a city girl so no need for a bargain I thought.

He stopped in front of a gigantic building which looked more like a castle. My eyes caught the billboard at the entrance of the building with the inscription " WELCOME TO QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL, A PLACE WHERE YOUR JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS". I held myself in awe as I read the inscription on the billboard. Finally I'm here!!! I giggled excitedly

you a newbie? the cab man asked

I nodded and dashed out of the cab. He helped me with my luggage and said

have a nice day at Queens Blondie...

I smiled as I watched him drove out. I stood in front of the giant gates watching a lot of students walk in to and fro. A lot of flashy cars could be seen driving in and out of the school. I stood transfixed as I saw another billboard with the picture of a girl dressed in royalty. She was looking so beautiful and I imagined myself being royalty too. I read the inscription on the board and it says: THE RETURN OF PRINCESS TANYA TO QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL. I wondered what it meant as I walked past the gate admiring the students who were busily walking to and fro. They all looked classy and well polished. I noticed a lot of handsome guys as I walked by,

wow! I exclaimed as soon as I got into the premises. I thought I was dreaming as I saw magnificent buildings I've never seen before. Some looked archy which some looked modern. The floors of the premises were well paved and neat, there were so many trees surrounding the buildings. There was a field at one side of the premises, and I saw a lot of students in groups chatting and laughing. Flashy cars of different sorts were parked at a garage, There were so many sculptures surrounding the premises too, I saw a particular sculpture of a lady playing the violin, I could tell she really looked familiar but there was no way I could have known the sculptured lady who was looking so ancient. I wadded the thought off and proceeded into the building before me. It was the most magnificent amongst the others. I soon saw a lot of people staring at me while some were giggling and laughing. I had no idea what they were laughing at. I waved at them and their laughter increased.

whoops! I smirked and I walked into the building

wow!!! I exclaimed again as I climbed down the three stair cases of the building. I stood in awe as I saw different musical instruments engraved on the walls of the building which was painted pink. There were also some artworks on the wall which portrayed remarkable people i guessed. The floors were made of marbles, i saw a lot of students walking to and fro some putting on headphones while some where busy with their phones. I've always longed for a smartphone but knowing my parents couldn't afford one, made my longings fade away.

The building holds a twin staircase and different lobbies leading to different offices and classes. . I need to be at the principal's office right away but I was confused as to which way to go. I stood in the middle of the hall contemplating when my eyes caught an artwork on the wall, this one was specially designed. I walked towards it and saw the artwork of the princess I saw earlier at the billboard. She must be special, I thought, As I turned to walk away, I bumped into a guy who was converging my direction.

watch it! he yelled and walked away. His cologne filled my nostrils at once. Gosh he was handsome I said watching him as he walked away. He was dressed in a black hood and a pair of jean trousers. He had headphones on and he seems busy with his phone. I smiled sheepishly as I saw him walk away. I kind of have a thing for handsome hot dudes like him, but none had ever approached me, not that i don't get approached, but the guys at the county ain't as handsome as the guys here at Queens

well now I'm here, I hope I get approached soon by a handsome hot dude like this one, I said to myself and giggled

hey cow girl.. thinking about my boyfriend? I heard a familiar voice say behind me. I turned and flinched as I saw the three bullies at the Duke's party all staring at me with disgust. They were all dressed so hot in mini skirts and crop tops with black boots. They wore heavy make ups on their faces and I wished to be like them

cow girl? I asked with the words now resounding in my ears

They all laughed. Oh you don't know you're looking just like one huh? the girl at the middle asked she was the same girl I competed with at the Duke's party last time. I could sense she was their leader cause she was the most beautiful with the shape of a model, tall and fair in complexion with blonde straight hairs

we've been waiting for you to come and now you're here, the third one said looking at me menacingly

if I were you I wouldn't have choose Queens, look around girl, there is no way you're gonna fit in here, this isn't Mariossa, this isn't your small dirty county. This is a school for the rich and the intellectuals, so if you know what is good for you, just go back home.. the middle girl said walking towards me. I began to fidget in front of them, maybe they were right, why did I even agree to school here at Queens, the students around here are so mean and I can't Even fit in their world, I thought. Just then, we heard a sound from the entrance of the building, I turned and saw a boy in black suits running towards our direction with a dog chasing him from behind, the other girls ran away from me and I was about to do same when he bumped into me and we both fell on the floor with my body underneath him. I couldn't believe what just happened. The shouts and laughter I heard around jolted me out of revelry. I raised my head and saw him on top on me, our eyes met and he got up at once

I'm... I'm... sorry.. he said looking for his glasses on the floor, I could sense that he was poor sighted. People continued to laugh as I got up,my luggage was scattered on the floor with potatoes and carrots rolling out from my bag. I became ashamed at once

the cow girl has potatoes, I heard someone say from the crowd and everyone laughed again. I dusted my jumpsuits and tried to pick my luggage from the floor when I noticed that he was still having a hard time finding his glasses. I saw the glasses close to my bag and handed it over to him. He took it and after wearing it, he looked at me anxiously.

I'm...I'm.. sorry he muttered again and helped me pack my luggage from the floor. I was so angry right now but I held myself from pouring out my anger on him. Gosh! how on earth would a guy be afraid of a dog, I thought as I packed my luggage.

The nerd and the cow girl, I heard someone scream and everyone laughed again. I couldn't say a word, after packing my stuffs, I stood up and saw him still standing beside me, I could tell he was scared and also ashamed to walk alone. He looks quite handsome but one could actually tell he's a nerd, and I don't even want anything to do with a nerd I said to myself and turned to walk away as soon as the crowds were dispersed. I noticed him trailing behind me. I turned and he stopped. I continued walking again and I noticed him trailing again. I turned and he stopped again

what the hell is wrong with you! I yelled. ain't you tired of embarrassing me! I barked. He kept silent with his face down in shame. I felt bad at once knowing I must have hurt him. Then I thought about the principal's office, I could use him to get there, I said to myself and walked towards him

hey I'm a newbie can you please take me to see the principal? I asked

Principal Romira? he asked excitedly and I sighed in frustration.

I don't know her name just take me there, I said and he nodded,.Our eyes met and he turned away at once and smiled sheepishly. I sighed heavily wondering what could be the reason he was smiling so sheepishly.

We walked through the lobby to the principal's office. He tried to engage me in a conversation but I ignored him and he kept silent. We got to an office with the inscription " PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE", he nodded and urged me to go in. I kept my luggage at the lobby and walked into the office.

I saw a woman in her early Sixties dressed in a black suit sitting on a chair. Her hair was grey and her corrugated face showed how aged she was. She looked at me and smiled.

Come in, she ushered excitedly

I smiled and took the seat facing her.

Are you here for admission? she asked

um.. yeah.. I replied and she smiled excitedly

where are your parents then? she asked

um.. actually I have a letter for you, I said bringing out a letter from my jumpsuits pocket and handed it over to her. She frowned and looked at me

scholarship... she muttered disgustingly and opened the letter. The girl From Mariossa? she asked looking at me with disgust. I nodded at once.

She sighed in frustration and took a stamp which she used in stamping the letter.

take this letter to Mrs Ramirez, she will complete the rest part of your admission, she said with lack of interest.

I took the letter from her and walked out only to find the nerd still standing beside my luggage.

how did it go? he asked smiling

I need to meet Mrs Ramirez, I said

the admission mistress, come on, her office isn't far away, he urged and I nodded while he took the lead