That evening, Ms. Orlah came home with more than just tired eyes. Her arms were full—bags of all shapes and colors dangling from her wrists. She dropped them on the table with a quiet smile, trying to hide how hard she had worked to make this day happen.
"Ixora," she called softly, "Come help me unpack. I got... some things."
Ixora blinked in surprise as she walked into the living room. Her eyes widened.
There it was—her favorite color backpack, in a beautiful shade of teal with gold detailing. Alongside it were sparkling hairpins, two crisp uniforms, new black shoes, socks, and a sleek smartphone still in its There was more. Books. A new water bottle. A set of journals with butterflies on the cover.
Ixora looked up at her mom, speechless.
"You said you liked this one, right?" Orlah asked, pointing to the backpack.
Ixora nodded slowly. "But... how?"
Orlah smiled, weary but proud. "Let's just say... I've been saving. This is your fresh start. I want you to walk in with your head high."
Ixora's throat tightened. She wanted to cry—but she didn't. Instead, she hugged her mom tight and whispered, "Thank you."
"Thank you," Orlah replied. "For still believing in me even when I've made a mess .That night, Orlah couldn't sleep. She stared at the ceiling, thinking.
She's been holding too much in. What if high school doesn't help? What if it makes everything worse?
Ixora is strong… but even strong girls break in silence.
Meanwhile, Ixora stood in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. Laurel Heights High was a school she'd heard so much about—bright students, amazing teachers, music rooms, an aquarium...
"I just want peace," she whispered. "Please let tomorrow be good."
The next morning, she dressed early. Uniform perfect. Bag packed. Hair neatly pinned. Her mom looked at her and smiled.
"You look... so beautiful, Like a dream I had .
They prayed, her mum seeking God's guidance and protection for her daughter,they hugged, and she stepped out into a bright, buzzing school.
Laurel Heights High was everything she imagined,modern, clean, loud, and alive. Lockers, posters, chatter.As she gracefully stepped into the school environ ,eyes turned when she walked in.
"Is she new?"
"She's fine-fine."
"She looks like a model."
Even teachers who saw her smiled and nodded at her confidence .
Boys giggled and some stole glances at her whilst she passed.
Hmmh.. finally I found my class she exclaimed.
She walked into her classroom scanning the entire room to find herself locking eyes with Jason,one handsome dude.
Tall. Calm. Confident. Their eyes met, and for a second, everything froze.
No distractions, Ixora, she told herself. No feelings.She quickly reminded herself her resolution last night.
It's study and nothing else.
With that she sat down and the teacher walked in almost immediately.
He instructed the students to introduce themselves.
Students introduced themselves:
"Hi, I'm Daniel.. I love robotics ,I hope I look forward to sharing the class with you all.
"I'm Kareem..I love to play games .
"I'm Maya...I love everything that sparkles cause I do.
"I'm Mira...the diva .
"I'm Ixora. I enjoy music, swimming… and aquariums."
Then Jason stood. "I'm Jason... I play the guitar ,I love sports and whoever spoke before me."
She blushed.
After the introduction,he asked for volunteers for the class president,Maya and Mira volunteered but the teacher turned them down .
He scanned through the class and appointed Jason and ixora the class president.
Jason's smile was calm, effortless—and when the teacher announced Jason and Ixora as class presidents, he leaned close and whispered:
"Looks like we're in this together."
Ixora's voice vanished. She could only nod.
She thought to herself,how can I be partners to someone I'm trying to avoid ,please lord don't let me go through this she prayed.
The fact that ixora got all the attention and the class president didn't sit right with Mira and Maya especially.
The room wasn't done watching. Four girls especially—Mira, Maya, Isabel, and Genevieve—were already whispering.
"She just got here and stole the spotlight."
"I give her a week," Mira smirked. "She won't keep it for long."
And just like that, Ixora's name was known.
But not everyone clapped when it echoed.
Some clapped only to plan how to take it away.....