Chapter 3: The new girl
869 Words
Entering the school, Sofia noticed that although classes had already started, a considerable number of students were still loitering around the hallways. Some chatted with their friends, while others hurried from one class to another.
Clutching the straps of her backpack, Sofia looked around until her eyes landed on a door with "Receptionist's Office" plastered on it.
"Breathe in..." she muttered softly, taking a deep breath.
"And breathe out."
She slowly exhaled, feeling the breathing exercise calm her racing nerves, even if it was only a little.
"You'll be fine, Sofia," she silently encouraged herself before gently pushing the door open and stepping inside.
A woman sat behind the desk, sorting through a pile of files. She looked to be in her mid-to-late thirties. The faint wrinkles around her eyes hinted at her age, yet they couldn't hide the beauty she still possessed. She must have been stunning in her younger days. However, the permanent grumpy expression on her face seemed to overshadow it.
"Good morning, ma'am," Sofia greeted politely, offering the woman a small smile.
The woman raised her head and looked at the girl standing before her.
"How may I help you?" she asked, briefly scanning Sofia from head to toe.
"I'm the new student, Sofia Gonzalez," Sofia replied with a sheepish smile as she handed over her admission letter.
"Ah, I see... Miss Gonzalez." The woman glanced through the letter before searching through a drawer for a file.
"First day of school, and you're already this late."
Although there was a faint hint of mockery in her smile, Sofia knew she deserved the comment.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am," she apologized sincerely. "I didn't mean to be late. I... encountered a little trouble on my way here."
The bullying incident flashed through her mind, causing her smile to fade for a brief second.
The receptionist nodded without asking any further questions.
"Very well."
She pulled out a file before handing Sofia a few documents.
"These are the courses you'll be taking this session. You'll also need this campus map. It should help you familiarize yourself with the school."
Sofia accepted everything with both hands.
"Thank you so much, ma'am."
"You're welcome."
The receptionist handed her a few more important documents before adding,
"And I'm sure you can find your classroom by yourself. I don't suppose you expect me to call a student to show you around."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You're not a little kid anymore, are you?"
Sofia gave an awkward laugh.
"Erm... no, ma'am."
"Good."
The woman gave a small nod.
"Then we're done here."
Without another word, she returned to the mountain of files on her desk, replacing the polite smile she'd worn moments ago with her usual grumpy expression.
Sofia blinked before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Well... looks like I'm on my own."
Giving the woman one last polite smile, she quietly left the office and gently closed the door behind her.
Unfolding the campus map, Sofia studied it carefully.
"Let's see..."
According to the map, her locker was located around the senior quarters.
Following the directions, she eventually found it without much trouble.
Using the key the receptionist had given her, Sofia unlocked the locker and neatly placed the unnecessary items from her bag inside.
After closing it, she checked her timetable once more.
"Arithmetic..."
That was the class she was supposed to be attending.
Using the map as her guide, she quickly located the classroom.
Standing outside the door, she could hear the teacher's voice echoing from inside as he explained the lesson.
Sofia took a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing."
She knocked lightly before slowly opening the door.
Immediately, the teacher stopped talking.
Every student's eyes turned toward her.
For a split second, Sofia wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
She wasn't used to having so many people stare at her.
Swallowing her nervousness, she stepped inside.
"Sir... I'm the new student," she said softly, walking over to hand him the documents the receptionist had given her.
The teacher glanced through them before smiling warmly.
"Ah, Miss Gonzalez. Nice to meet you."
He looked up at the class.
"Would you please come to the front and introduce yourself?"
Sofia nodded and stood beside him.
Her palms felt slightly sweaty, but she forced herself to smile.
"Hi, everyone." She gave a small wave.
"My name is Sofia, and I hope we can all get along very well."
The class remained quiet for a moment before the teacher gestured toward the empty seats.
"You may take a seat."
Most of the seats at the back were already occupied—not that Sofia had any intention of sitting there.
Her eyes wandered around the classroom until they landed on an empty seat beside another girl.
Relieved, she quickly walked over.
Placing her books and stationery on the desk, she turned to the girl with a warm smile.
"Hi," Sofia greeted, giving a small wave.
The girl smiled back just as brightly.
"Hi."
Seeing the friendly response instantly eased the tension in Sofia's chest.
"Finally..."
She quietly let out the breath she had been holding.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Her first day of school wouldn't be so bad after all.
- Writer
