Pieces of us

Chapter Six

It hadn't crossed my mind that I'd be attending the same school as Fairskinned-curly hair.

And it appears we might be in the same class. As the crowd thins out and we get closer to our classroom, I realise he's been walking side by side with someone who I hadn't noticed before. My heart races in excitement as she turns and reveals her side profile.

It's Nora.

Found her at last.

When I least expected.

I try to slow down my pace and not act so excited. I plan to eventually walk up to her and introduce myself. Act as calm and collected as I possibly can.

When I get into the classroom, the class teacher is already waiting, she beckons on me and I hurry to stand right next to her facing my new classmates as they all walk in and take their seats. I rub my sweaty hands on my skirt while trying to take deep breaths.

As soon as everyone's seated they all chorus a ‘good morning ma’.

Mrs Johnson smiles at them while responding to their greeting. I must say, she looks genuinely happy to be here. My former school teachers always looked like they'd rather be anywhere else.

Mrs Johnson then pulls me closer and introduces me to my classmates.

“Hi everyone,” my voice doesn't quite sound right, “My name is Dawn Akinwunmi.”

“Don? As in D-O-N? Short for Donatello? Donald? Madonna?” A boy asks.

“No, dummy,” Nicole immediately responds.

“Nicole,” Mrs Johnson gives her a warning look.

Nicole smiles sheepishly while mouthing ‘sorry’

“D-A-W-N. Dawn.” I tell the boy.

“Are your parents fans of Twilight?” A girl sitting next to Nora asks.

I let out a chuckle. “I doubt it.”

My eyes fall on Nora and she's also looking at me.

“Welcome to our class, I'm Kevin,” Fairskinned-curly hair says, he's smiling at me and I can't help but blink rapidly.

“I'm Eddie.” The first boy says to me.

“Yeah, you guys can continue with the introduction after the roll call.” Mrs Johnson cuts in. She gestures towards me to take a seat.

I find a seat next to the window.

Perfect.

There is another empty seat directly behind me. Kevin is sitting across the aisle, in the next row. He waves at me again with a smile as I settle down. I smile back at him. Someone seems friendly.

A few others are also taking glances at me. I turn to look at Nora sitting right in front of him and her eyes are fixed on Mrs Johnson.

Hours later, at the start of recess, I put my books together, deciding within me to walk up to Nora even if it's become increasingly obvious that she doesn't recognise me. She's leaning on her desk, her hands supporting her chin, while another girl who I've gotten to know as Patricia talks to her. Fewer people are in the class and a few others are stepping out most likely to have lunch.

“Hi, Nora” I tap her desk and smile at her as soon as she turns to me.

“Hi” she simply says, her brows furrow while her lips tilt up slightly. For a second I wonder maybe it would be better to leave her be if she doesn't remember me. But I'm here now. Introducing myself won't hurt, will it?

“We've met before..” I blurt out without thinking and immediately regret it. I could have worded that a lot better.

She adjusts in her seat and gives me her full attention. “Really? When? Where?” She sounds kind of laid back.

I'm completely aware of Patricia and Kevin paying attention to us.

“I fell at the basketball court outside of school a few weeks ago, and grazed my knee. You helped me with a band aid.” My racing heart gradually slows down.

“Oh that was you? I remember.”

“Thank you for that day. I couldn't find you there afterwards”

“Yeah. Because I don't go there often.”

“So you guys have met before?” Kevin cuts in, rising to his feet. I feel really short standing next to him.

“Yeah,” Nora looks at me with a somewhat mischievous look, I wonder what it's about “You've met her before too. Or I'd say she's seen you too. Right, Dawn?”

Kevin immediately turns to me, “You have?’

“Yes, I have seen you quite a few times. The basketball court's on the way to the library.”

“Interesting,” Kevin merely says while nodding his head. He turns to Eddie who's scribbling on his note book. “Let's go and have lunch,”

“I'm almost done. Just a minute.” Eddie answers without looking up from his notebook.

Now, I'm just standing here, not knowing what to do with myself.

“Aren't you going to the cafeteria?” Patricia asks me, she looks like she's sizing me up, making me feel uneasy.

“I am” I respond with a nod. I haven't had anything to eat all morning.

As soon as Eddie gets up to leave, Nora and Patricia also get up from their seats. Patricia immediately links her arm with Nora, while giving me a look that says stay away.

I take a step back immediately feeling super weird. Both girls step out without sparing me a second glance while the boys follow right behind.

“Care to join us?” Kevin offers,

“No, no. You guys go ahead. I'll go later.” I tell him. He nods and leaves the classroom.

Well. That went well.

I let out a sigh and slowly return to my seat.

So much for finally finding Nora.

*** *** ***

It's been three weeks since I started at my new school.

I guess I could say it's been okay.

There have been so many new things to learn. We're almost always working on screens here, and it's fascinating how good everyone is with computers. I've had to take a few bridge classes, and Nicole has been helping me keep up.

One thing I love about this school is that I don't have to spend hours copying notes. Most of our notes are sent through Google Classroom, which leaves more time for other things.

And Crestwood is full of other things.

I've never been so busy in my life.

There's always a class project, a presentation or some activity to prepare for. Thanks to that, I've gotten to know Nicole better, along with Yvonne and even Eddie.

Eddie is such a clown. He's best friends with Kevin, and between Eddie's carefree personality and Kevin's sense of humour, they're ridiculously entertaining to watch.

Patricia still gives me the stink eye.

And Nora...

She's cool, but we don't talk much.

And that's totally fine.

By the way, I joined the book club. I've even started hanging out with some of the seniors. Senior Kwame thinks I'd do great in the drama club because of how well I narrate books, and now he's trying to convince me to audition for a role in an upcoming school play.

I might actually try it.