Chapter 1
It all began the very first day i was signed up for Secondary school, that was the day my matured life was supposed to begin, i anticipated this day all my life and hoped all the way for the best on my first day of school.My name is Rita, i’m thirteen years old and am an African meaning am Black.
Waking up from my slumber and checking the time, i gasped as it was already passed my waking uptime. I wonder why mum didn’t wake me up from sleep but never the less I’ll still make it if i prepare early. funny enough i rushed to the bathroom and took my shower and brushed my teeth. Rushing out and shutting the door i gasped as the time seemed to be faster today. rushing towards my wardrobe and pulling it open with force i pushed and pulled through all the clothes i found there.
Thanking God i did my laundry the day before i quickly picked up a black flare skirt and a red blouse. putting them on and staring at my self in the mirror, Perfect, i sighed. picking up my bag and rushing down the stairs just as i realised i only had 40 minutes to reach the school. which means no breakfast for me today. As i got downstairs and greeted my mum who was busy doing the dishes, I wondered where dad had gone, just then i remembered that dad said he’ll be leaving for work early today. I sighed as i slumped on one of the dining table chairs trying to put on my black flats.
Suddenly i heard the sound of giggling. looking up i saw my mother laughing uncontrollably. i wondered why, then, it strucked me i ran back upstairs and stared at the oval mirror before me. no wonder she was laughing, i forgot to brush my hair and since i’m african my hair looked extremely terrifying. i laughed at myself and combed my hair styling it in a bun and running back downstairs. stealing a glance at the clock i realised only 20minutes was left. how am i going to fly my way down to school in such short timing. without further thinking i picked up my bag and dashed out through the door shouting “bye mum” as i left. i have to catch the bus before its too late. running as fast as my petite legs could carry me i reached the bus station right in time to take the bus. Then i dashed into the bus and took my seat.
its my first day at a white school meaning majority of the students at DE VOGUE High school would be white. the thing is i and my parents lived in Nigeria before things got better and we relocated here in Europe, Finland to be precise. before long, i’ve heard of the large amount of black racism here and i knew all that where lies, and i am here to prove it. the hault from the bus broke me from my thought as i realised that i was here. i was at school, i immediately paid off my fare and casually walked into the building. i didn’t want to look too jumpy and over excited. but something got me thinking “could it be true about the Racism here” immediately i shook off the thought because i didnt want to feel any negative energy.
As i walked through the hallway with my bag over my left shoulder it was as if time froze before me. the once happily chattering students seized their talking. everywhere became quiet.
whats wrong i wondered but i soon began to understand when i realised that all eyes where on me. to avoid anymore noticing from other students i immediately picked up my pace and got to my class, Grade 7 B, i counted 20 seats so i expected 20 other classmates. As i took my seat beside a blonde girl who kept staring at me like i was some kind of communicable disease. why is all this happening i thought when it dawned on me. I was in an all white school, how was i expecting to see someone like me over here immediately sadness and fear washed over my anticipation and excitement. Slowly i realized students began walking in. When i looked at each student as they walked in and how they kept pausing and opening their eyes in horror when they say me, i knew that this was it, there was no way i was going to fit it. i want to go home i thought as i blinked my eyes numerous times to withhold tears from dropping out of them. “hey” a feminine voice called out to me. finally i thought i was going to make my first friend immediately my face brightened up and i put on my warmest smile. You’re sitting on my seat scoot over now!! was the only thing the brunette said rudely and i immediately got up from her seat, i was trying to hold back the tears but i couldn’t just then i heard the whole class laughing, they were laughing at me, “this was the most embarrassing day of my life”
As I was about to pick up my bag the brunette kicked it, i watched as my bag rolled, “I saved up so hard to get that bag”... i thought,
who was i kidding they’ll never understand. i picked up my bag and was about to dash out into the nearest washroom i could find and cry out my soul when the teacher walked in. “well well well, what do we have here!!!” i heard the male teacher say. he wasn’t old probably in his mid thirties with his green eyes and black hair .... “Finally he was going to save me like every teacher saved its student from bullying back then in Africa” that was all i thought
“it was true afterall, Blacks did emit from apes” he said and immediately the whole class began laughing again.
“so it was true, it was freaking true all about the racism was true” i thought ......................
I couldn’t take it anymore, i dashed out of my classroom and entered the feminine washroom i found and entered one of the toilets and cried my soul out. I was surely going to stay here till the day is over no doubt about that.
As the closing bell rang i was the first student who ran out of school, i didn’t take the bus i just ran. until i got home opening the door with force and slamming it back hard behind me with force.
I ran up the stairs to my room and cried for the second time by tomorrow surely i’ll be 10 times more than popular i thought before entering the bathroom and shutting the door to take a shower.
