NEW BEGINNINGS

Becca woke up due to the annoying ringing of her alarm clock. Normally she would hit snooze and sleep a little longer but she couldn't do that today.

Today was special! She was going to start attending her dream school, Hilton High so she had to get ready and be there early.

She couldn't afford to go late on her first day of school. That would give her a bad first impression and she didn't want that.

Hilton High was one of the best and prestigious schools in the country. Only children of the elites attended such schools.

Children from the middle or lower class could never attend Hilton High because of its high standards and entry fees.

Luckily scholarships exams were organised every year and five students who did excellently in the exams would be given a scholarship to attend the school till they graduate and fortunately she happened to be one of them.

She was so excited at the chance of attending her dream school that she didn't sleep much the night before.

She quickly had her bath, dressed up in her best clothes and hurried to the kitchen to make breakfast for her family.

Becca was the first child of her parents. She had two other siblings Alex and Ariel which were a twin boy and girl.

Her mum Bernice had died two years back due to breast cancer so she was left with her dad Andrew and siblings.

Life was not easy for them as their dad struggled daily just to out food on the table and provide some other basic things for them.

They didn't have much but they had each other and they were content with the little they did.

She hummed one of her favorite tunes as she made a simple meal of pancakes and syrup. She loved cooking and baking and usually did so at the slightest opportunity.

She was working part time at a local bakery and restaurant where she was learning how to prepare new dishes and pastries. She loved her job as it enabled her to make good use of her talent and passion.

After making sure Alex and Ariel were set for school and were waiting for the school bus, she quickly packed the necessary documents she would use in her registeration like her passport, ID, scholarship result etc and left the house in a cab for Hilton High.

Her dad would have accompanied her but sadly he had to go to work so she had to go to the huge and amazing school alone.

She could feel her heart beating as she approached the school

gate and alighted from the cab.

The school looked magnificent and breathtaking even from the outside.

She started feeling nervous all of a sudden. “Becca calm down”. She told herself. “There's nothing to be scared of. They're people just like you. Just go in like you're one of them”.

She encouraged herself and walked in through the gate.

She was stopped by the security at the gate who thought she might be a begger or a thief due to the fact that she didn't look like she belonged there but after showing him her scholarship pass he quickly apologised and let her in.

The school was huge and she knew she would definitely get lost if care was not taken.

A lot of students were staring at her as she walked passed but she pretended not to notice and walked confidently to the Vice Chancellor's office.

Thankfully Frank the security guard had directed her to his office so she didn't loose her way.

Some other students were also there for registration so she had to wait for her turn.

On getting to the office she was wowed by the amazing interior design. The office was spacious and comfortable with an air of elegance.

The chairs and table and the chandelier on the ceiling were definitely imported as they spoke of class. Everything fascinated her that her eyes couldn't help roaming around the room.

A portrait of a lady was displayed on a wall and Becca wondered who she was. Maybe his wife or someone else but the lady in question was beautiful and classy that Becca couldn't help but stare.

“Miss Jacob”. The VC Mr Smith said breaking her from her thoughts.

“I see you're part of the scholarship program. You scored 92 out of a hundred in the exams, that's very impressive.

Here's the map of the school, the school handbook which has all the rules and all you need to know about the school, it also has your class timetable and schedule and the key to your locker.

You're locker has been fully stacked with books and you'll find two pairs of uniforms which would be your size.

You have to get changed into the uniform before going to class as putting on casual wears are against our rules.

I'll send someone later to give you a tour of the school. Try to mind your business and not get into anybody's way.

Good luck, you're going to need lots of it”. He said and dismissed her.

She wondered what he meant by needing lots of luck. After all it's just an ordinary school, it's not like it's a prison or anything.

Locating her locker with the map took like forever but she was finally glad when she did so. After getting dressed in the white shirt, blue pleated skirt and styling her curly brown hair into a bun she looked amazing.

The uniform was comfortable and just her size. She was earlier scared that it would be too short or big but it was just right and brought out her lovely shape. She came out of the bathroom feeling like a million dollars.

She found herself walking through the empty hallways trying to locate her class. Classes were in session and everywhere was quiet except for the faint voices of the teachers which could be heard.

All of a sudden she bumped into someone as she had been so engrossed in the map trying to locate her class.

“I'm.. sorry”. She stammered.

The person looked obviously angry and ready to start a fight but

later smiled as she recognized her.

“Becca! Wow what are you doing here?”. Stephanie asked delighted.

Stephanie was Becca's childhood friend. Becca's dad once worked as a gardener in her house and that was how they became good friends.

Even though Becca was from a poor family, Steph never used it against her or treated her as inferior and that was why their friendship blossomed.

They were so close to the extent that Becca would sometimes spend the night and weekends at Steph's house and they would study, watch movies, play different games and other fun things untill they were tired.

Unfortunately Stephanie's dad moved to another state due to the nature of his work and that was how they lost contact with each other for so many years until they bumped into each other.

“Stephanie wow it's so good to see you after so many years! I just can't believe it. I've missed you so much.

Actually I'm actually here on scholarship....”. Becca started excitedly but was cut short by Steph.

“Wow that's amazing. I've also missed you.

It's great that you're here on scholarship but please don't say that out loud it's for your best interest". Stephanie advised Becca

“Why there's nothing bad in saying that, it's the truth”.

“Just trust me okay.... If anyone asks your my distant cousin who moved here.”.

“But why should I lie? It's not like I'm ashamed of my family or something”. Becca shrugged obviously displeased with lieing.

“I can't explain now, but I will later don't worry. Just trust me on this.”

“Okay. Well actually I was trying to locate my class but I think I'm lost”. Becca told her

“Ohh you're the new student I was meant to show around it's lucky we met. Let me see that”.

Steph said asking for her class schedule and she smiled on seeing it.

“It seems we have identical class schedules.That's great! We're going to have lots of fun together and do a lot of catching up”. She said excitedly

She held Becca's hand and they walked together to their classroom. On arrival the class was quiet as the teacher was teaching Geometry.

On getting to the door the students suddenly stopped paying attention to the teacher but turned to stare at her as if was an alien or something of interest.

Becca felt uncomfortable with the way they were staring at her but

luckily Stephanie was by her side.

The teacher also stopped teaching and turned to look at what everyone was staring at and smiled on seeing Becca.

“Oh it seems we have a new student in our class. Can you please introduce yourself”. She asked politely.

“I'm Rebecca Jacobs I'm here on sch...”

“Silly Becca. Actually her dad is a rich business man who just relocated to this country so she's attending our school”. Steph interrupted.

“Ok miss, look for a sit please so we can continue our lecture”.

She looked around and only one sit was available at the back.

“It seems I'll just have to sit there”. Becca said and turned to go to the back.

“No don't worry. You! Move!” she told the girl sitting beside her

seat and she hurriedly vacated the seat.

But she was sitting there wasn't she?”. Becca protested.

She doesn't mind. Do you?". Steph asked the girl

No..no I don't". She stammered

That's weird" Becca thought but she later sat down there since the girl had no problem with it.