Chapter 1: Back to school

We were on Monday, September 7 back to school day. Yvy had hardly closed her eyes all night thinking about her new life in her new school. She was so happy that day had arrived that she set her phone’s alarm clock for 4 a.m. 

But throughout the night, she woke up from time to time to watch the alarm for fear that it would go off while she is sound asleep and might miss it.

At 3:50 a.m., she could not stay in the bed any longer. Waiting for 4 a.m. to arrive was like waiting forever. She got up, quickly tidied her small room and went to take her bath. Her school bag was already packed and her class uniform, a blue pleated skirt and a white short sleeve shirt combine with a small back tie, had been ironed the day before. 

After her bath, she put on her uniform and a white pair of socks, then her most beautiful pair of shoes, a high-sole shoe, and candy pink in color with little sequins around it.

 When she finished, it was just 5:15 a.m. and she couldn’t believe it was still dark outside. 

“Wow, I still have enough time.” She said, starting to prepare breakfast for her and her mother. On the menu there were fried eggs, milk and bread. She set the table, then went to wake up her mother in her room. 

Yvy found her mother in a deep sleep and sat up on the bed, beginning to shake her shoulder forcefully while calling her. She finally managed to wake her up. ”Mom, Mon, get up, breakfast is already ready.” Her mother woke, drowsing while taking her phone under the pillow to watch the time. “Are you serious? It’s barely half past 5. I’m too tired sweetie.” She drawled.

 Indeed, Eva, Yvy’s mother worked as a nurse in a local hospital and she often came home late at night. “It doesn’t matter if you came home late. And I also heard you come in at night. It was not so late.”

“If only you knew how busy my day was, you would leave me continue to sleep quietly.”

 “I won’t let you miss my departure for my first day of class in my new school. You know how much I always dreamed of joining it.”

Eva tried to flatter Yvy so that she gave up. “Please my ba-“

“No please,” Yvy cut her off sternly. “I want your presence to bring me luck and anyway if you last too much, water will get cold.” She argued as she stood up to leave the room. 

“Okay, you won. Let me brush my teeth and I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Shouted Eva while pulling off the blanket over her. She joined Yvy a few minutes later at the kitchen and found her pouring water into the cups of milk. they sat and both started taking the breakfast. They both lived in a small two-bedroom apartment. 

Yvy was used to take her time when she ate but then, she was eating so quickly to the point of almost chocking, softening the pieces of bread by dipping then in milk before squirting them in her mouth. under the bewildered eyes of her mother.“Slow down sweetie, you’ll bite your tongue.” said Eva who had seldom seen Yvy so enthusiastic about something.

“Mon, I don’t think I am going to finish, I might be late.” She groaned, looking at her plate of eggs, thinking about not finish it.

“Why honey? You still have time and in addition, you must gather strength for the day. The morning meal is very important, believe me.”

“Yes, but I haven’t visited the school yet. I will never have enough time if I hang around here anymore.” replied Yvy before sipping her cup while avoiding soiling her uniform.

“But you and your dad went to your school last week for your registration. How can you tell me you haven’t visited it?”

“Mom, don’t act like you don’t know him. He did everything so that I wouldn’t give up on him. I only had time to see my class before we left, especially since he was in a hurry.”

“At least try to finish your dish. You will have the whole year to visit every nook and cranny of your school.”

“I can’t take it anymore, I’m full. I guess I’m going to leave.”Yvy said, standing up and carrying her backpack. Her mother also stood up, pulled her towards her by holding her hand before hugging her. “Sweetie, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Have a nice day.”

She loosened her hugging, then gave Yvy a kiss on the forehead. “Good luck my sweetie and don’t wait me tonight. I’ll be on call. I hope you took your keys.” “Good bye Mom. Yes I took.” Yvi replied, rushing to the door of the living room.

The school was not very far from where she lived so after a few minutes of walking, she arrived.  From the outside, the school looked huge and imposing, and one could read above the gate of the entrance: “FASTIDUAL SCHOOL”. It consisted of several buildings, each containing a number of halls and classrooms, plus an administration building. Once inside, she walked straight to her class, the Italian upper sixth. In her classroom, she just found few students and sat on the second bench in the fourth row who was empty. 

As the class filled up, it got noisy between the reunions of some and others who discovered each other, trying to make new friends. Students sat two per bench. Then, she saw a girl approaching seeing she is alone on her bench. “Hello, please is this seat occupied? “ She asked to Yvy. “Not at all. You can seat if you want”. Yvy shifted to the right, allowing her to sit down and she introduced herself. “My name is Lea soko” said the girl. “Mine is Yvy”. They started chatting and getting to know each other.

Moments later, the siren rang and a teacher came in. “Hello, I’m Mrs. Ebeng, your Italian teacher.”  Then, the teacher started the first lesson. Each time she asked a question, Yvy raised her finger and answered. Her classmates were very impressed. Yvy really knew Italian. 

Two hours later it was the first break. Lea offered to Yvy to show her around the school as she told her she was new. Yvy accepted. As they walked out of their classroom, Yvy was still so amazed to have integrated that school that she unintentionally bumped into someone, stepping on her shoe. “Aye! Can’t you see where you’re stepping? Look how you soiled my beautiful white shoe.” She said with a contemptuous look while one of the girls accompanying her immediately bent down to clean her shoe. 

“Oops! Really sorry.” Answered Yvy stepping away and surprised by this excessive reaction. “Is that all you can think of, Bend over and clean my shoe before I get mad.” She resumed, visibly angry. Yvy was about to obey, but Lea nudged her inconspicuously as if to tell her not to do that, and she understood. “I think I said I was sorry and that is more than enough.”Replied Yvy firmly. “I guess you’re new to this school and you don’t know me at all. Anyway you’ll hear from me very soon.” She said displaying an impish and somewhat devilish smile, and then walked away with her three stooges, everyone stepping aside to let her pass.