PRESTIGE ACADEMY

Chapter Two: The Call

Liyana’s POV

I sat stiffly at the back of the classroom, trying to stay as invisible as possible. The teacher a tall, well dressed woman with sharp glasses and a sharper voice was going over the syllabus, but my mind couldn’t focus. Everything about this school felt like a test I hadn’t studied for.

The desks were spotless, the students quiet but clearly confident, their pens gliding across crisp notebooks like they’d been born with them. Meanwhile, I clutched the same ballpoint pen I’d used since last year and kept my eyes glued to the pages of my secondhand textbook.

And then, it happened.

A sudden crackle came through the intercom, followed by a calm, composed voice:

"Liyana Mthembu, please report to the principal’s office."

My heart stopped. Heads turned. I could feel their eyes land on me, curious, some even smug.

What did I do?

Was this some kind of mistake? Had they realized they’d given the scholarship to the wrong girl?

The teacher gave me a polite nod. “You may go, Liyana.”

I stood slowly, the legs of my chair scraping against the floor like a scream. Grabbing my bag, I tried to walk confidently to the door, but my knees were jelly and my palms were sweating.

The hallway felt quieter than before. My shoes echoed as I followed the signs toward the administrative wing, past elegant portraits and trophy cases full of polished silver and gold. I paused outside the principal’s office, took a deep breath, and knocked.

“Come in,” a voice called from inside.

I stepped in cautiously. The office was spacious but warm bookshelves lined with leather bound volumes, an award winning view of the campus gardens, and a large desk behind which sat a woman with kind eyes and a no nonsense expression.

“Miss Mthembu,” she said, standing to greet me. “Welcome again to Prestige Academy. I’m Principal Daniels.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I replied quietly.

She gestured for me to sit. “I called you here for something simple your uniform.”

I blinked. “My... uniform?”

Principal Daniels nodded. “Yes. It’s part of the scholarship package. I know your arrival was short notice, and we didn’t want to overwhelm you with logistics on your first morning. But you’ll find the standard Prestige uniform tailored to your size, along with the school blazer, tie, and your student ID.”

She turned and picked up a sleek black Prestige Academy bag that had been resting on a chair nearby and placed it on the desk in front of me.

I stared at it. The gold embroidered school crest gleamed on the blazer inside an emblem of status, history, and excellence. I felt my throat tighten.

“This uniform represents more than a dress code, Liyana,” she said, her tone gentle but firm. “It represents belonging. You’ve earned your place here. Wear it with pride.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Principal Daniels.”

“You’re welcome. You can change into it after classes today, or tomorrow morning if you prefer.”

As I stood to leave, she smiled warmly. “And Liyana?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You don’t have to try so hard to blend in. You’re here because you already stood out.”

Back in the hallway, I clutched the bag against my chest like a lifeline. For the first time all morning, a flicker of something stirred in my chest maybe I did belong here. Even if it didn’t feel like it yet.

As I returned to class, I couldn’t help but think:

This wasn’t just a new school.

It was the beginning of a new life.