Scars from the past

e had carefully arranged. The walls of the office were adorned with awards, certificates, and photographs of

aperwork. His expression was unreadable as he scanned each page. Tolu held her breath, trying to

at her. His voice was deep, but not unkind. "You're

feel relieved or even more tense. She for

ed, though the words fe

her a student handbook and a timetable. "You'll need these. Y

or you. It wasn't so much the words that unsettled her, but the meaning be

rincipal's assistant, a girl with wide eyes and a friendly smile. The assistant led her

known for its academics. You'll love it here! A

the polished floors, and the students who all seemed so at home here. She co

r a split second, heart pounding in her ears, before stepping inside. The murmurs and whispers qui

"Everyone, this is Tolu. She's just transferred here, and we're so

sh over her. Some students smiled, their faces polite but distant. Others didn't bother to hid

as he gestured to an empty seat near the front. "I

she sat down, she kept her gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact with the rest of the clas

hand. She couldn't help but notice the subtle tension in the air. There was something about th

Hi, I'm Nneka. Don't worry, you'll get used to it her

but something in Nneka's voice made her wonder

ng that something was off about this school. It was too perfect. The pristine halls, the carefully

But there was only the faintest breeze stirring the trees outside. The weight of the pa

s she felt the eyes of her classmates on her, some lingering longer than oth

ion that filled the room. As she stood, she caught a glimpse of Nneka talking to a group of girls

as beginning to wonder if this new school would offer the escape