This story is about a young girl, Tolu, who made some bad decisions and has to face the consequences. She tries to run away from her problems by moving to a new school and starting over. Along the line, she falls in love with a guy at her new school. Will Tolu summon up courage and tell him about her past, Or will the consequences of her actions catch up to her? Stay tuned!
Chapter 1 New dawn
The shrill voice of her mother shattered the delicate veil of sleep wrapped around Tolu. She groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow, willing the morning away. But her mother had no patience for her daughter's reluctance.
"Tolu, wake up! Do you want to be late on your first day?" The irritation in her mother's voice was unmistakable, and Tolu knew better than to test her mood so early in the morning.
With a resigned sigh, she pushed herself up, the remnants of her dream slipping away like sand between her fingers. Today was the beginning of a new chapter-SS1 at a new school. Her stomach tightened at the thought. The ghosts of her past lingered at the edge of her mind, whispering reminders of why she had to leave her old school in the first place. A bitter taste coated her tongue as she recalled the shame, the betrayal, the way familiar faces had turned cold overnight.
"Are you still lying down? Tolu!" her mother's voice snapped her back to the present.
"I'm up, I'm up!" she called, swinging her legs over the bed. Her feet met the cold tiles, sending a shiver up her spine. She moved mechanically-brushing her teeth, showering, dressing in the stiff new uniform that felt foreign on her skin. The mirror reflected a girl with deep brown eyes clouded with unease, her neatly plaited hair barely disguising the storm of emotions within.
By the time she trudged into the sitting room, her mother was already by the door, arms folded, eyes narrowed. Tolu knew what was coming-a speech. Her mother never missed an opportunity for one.
"Tolu," she started, her voice softer now. "This is a new beginning for you. You have to be smart. Focus on your studies, choose your friends wisely, and-" her mother's gaze hardened-"no distractions. I don't want a repeat of what happened before."
Tolu clenched her fingers around the straps of her backpack, nodding even though her mother's words stung. The past would never let her go, would it?
"Yes, ma."
Her mother studied her for a moment before sighing. "Good. Let's go."
The drive to school was a quiet one, Tolu staring out the window, watching the city come alive with the morning rush. The knot in her stomach tightened as they pulled into the grand gates of Royal Crest Academy. Unlike her former school, which had been plain and rigid, this one was breathtaking. Tall trees lined the walkways, flowers bloomed in manicured gardens, and the main building stood like a palace-cream-colored walls gleaming under the morning sun. Students in neat uniforms walked in small clusters, laughing and chatting animatedly.
Tolu inhaled sharply. This was her new world.
She barely had time to take in more before her mother pulled the car to a stop. "Go on," she said, nodding toward the entrance. "And remember what I said."
Tolu forced a smile, murmured a goodbye, and stepped out. As she moved towards the gates, the whispers of the past tried to cling to her, but she shook them off. Whatever lay ahead, she had to face it head-on.
And then, as she took her first step into Royal Crest Academy, she felt it-the heavy weight of something unseen, something waiting.
Tolu just didn't know what it was yet.