GLASS HEART AND STREET LIES

The Girl in Sandals The morning sun hit the compound like it had something to prove. Students flooded the school yard in groups—laughing, shouting, adjusting new uniforms like it was a fashion show. It was the first day of SHS 1, and everyone was trying too hard to belong. Then she arrived. A black car rolled slowly to a stop at the school gate. Heads turned immediately. “Ei… who be that?” one girl whispered. “Some big man pikin, I swear,” another replied. The door opened. Sakina stepped out—calm, slow, like she owned the air around her. Her uniform sat perfectly on her slim frame. Her skin—light, smooth, almost glowing under the sun. Her short afro framed her face like it was designed just for her. And her sandals? Simple… but expensive. Not the kind you buy at the roadside. The kind people notice. She didn’t look at anyone. Didn’t smile. Didn’t greet. She just walked. Two girls standing nearby instinctively moved aside. “Ah ah, she no go even mind us?” one muttered. Sakina paused slightly, then turned her head just enough to speak—her voice calm but sharp. “Mind you? Do I know you?” The girls froze. “Hmm… see attitude oo,” the other girl hissed quietly. Sakina continued walking like nothing happened. --- Inside the classroom, the noise was louder. “Charlie, this place go hard oo!” “I heard the seniors are wicked—” “Make we sit somewhere safe before trouble start.” Sakina stepped in. Silence didn’t fall completely—but it reduced. Eyes followed her. She scanned the room once… then chose a seat by the window. Alone. A girl approached her, smiling nervously. “Hi… please, can I sit here?” Sakina didn’t even look at her. “I like space.” The girl blinked. “Oh… okay.” She slowly walked away, embarrassed. From the back, a boy chuckled. “First day sef, queen behavior already.” Sakina finally spoke, still looking out the window. “If it bothers you, you can stop looking.” The class went “ooooh.” The boy raised his hands. “Relax, I was just saying.” “Then say it quietly,” she replied, unfazed. --- Break time. The compound was alive again. Groups had already started forming—new friendships, loud laughter, shared snacks. But Sakina? She sat alone under a tree, scrolling through her phone. A girl sat beside her cautiously. “You’re Sakina, right?” No response. “I heard your dad is very rich.” Still nothing. The girl forced a laugh. “Must be nice.” Sakina finally turned, her eyes calm but distant. “Is that why you came to sit here?” The girl swallowed. “No, I just wanted to—” “Then don’t.” Silence. The girl stood up awkwardly. “You’re not even nice.” Sakina looked away again. “I didn’t say I was.” --- From a distance, a group of boys watched. “See that girl… she too proud,” one said. “Those are the ones I like,” another smirked. “But she no be your type oo, she go disgrace you.” A third boy leaned against the wall, quiet, observing. His eyes didn’t leave Sakina. Not because she was smiling. Not because she was friendly. But because she wasn’t. Different. Untouchable. Interesting. He smirked slightly. “Girls like that…” he muttered under his breath, “They fall the hardest.” --- Back under the tree, Sakina stared at her phone—but her screen had gone dark. For a moment… just a moment… Her expression changed. The arrogance faded. Her eyes softened. Lonely. Then just as quickly—it was gone. Her face hardened again. Untouchable. --- 🔥 End of Chapter One ---