Six years ago
The school building came into sight and I ran even faster. My unfit limps burnt with every step I took and my tongue was hung out like a dog in summer. I gasped for air and pushed myself to the limit. It probably didn't matter if I was late to school on that day. Firstly because it was my second day at the new school and secondly because I was, well I was a new student and I still had a million excuses not to get in trouble.
'I'm new and I got lost', my number one excuse could work like a charm. After a week I could use, 'My parents delayed me because they got lost driving me to school.' After the first week I'd feign illness and so forth... However I didn't want to exhaust my excuse lost so soon. Only a fool brings out big guns on the first battle encounter.
I flew through the gate as the last of students were disappearing through the corridors to start their first lessons of the day.
I'm so lucky today. I thought to myself as I hurried to get to class 012W. I was the last in the now empty hallways and it's a blessing because I can move fast and more freely. I just managed to barely put one foot inside the classroom before the teacher was hot on my heels.
"Settle down" he announced right behind me. It was Mr Gatuye Mabara the mathematics teacher. I hated mathematics to the core and I distasted panctual teachers even more. What is wrong with being a minute late and let the latecomers get a chance to wipe away their sweat? I sat down at my seat which is at the second to last row to the far back with a thud. I took a couple heavy breaths getting my most needed breather before facing Mr Gatuye again with distaste. He also happened to be our homeroom teacher and my shoulders sagged further with the weight of the misfortune that has befallen me. Romour had it that he never missed a class since he became a teacher and I whined as a drop of sweat dropped on my desk forming a splash.
"Did you just run all the way" Tale whispered beside me in shock. All the evidence that she had never ran a day in her life lay in her slightly chubby cheeks. She only arrived early to school to avoid running or rushing.
"It was not by choice" I wheezed a breath like a fish on land.
"That is so un..."
"Roll call time, roll call time! Class president hand me the roll call." Mr Gatuye's cut us off and our eyes snap to the front. The class president nodded vigorously. He also happened to be the top student in our class. I had arrived just the day before but my deskmate Tale Mindatu of sauka tribe had already filled me with all the gossip. She was lazy in schoolwork but hardworking in gossip and she had slightly lifted my misfortune. Together we were going to be failures and partners in laziness and our love had blossomed like a flower in just a day.
Kayu Asari, the class president was the top student in grade 012 and he topped across all three classes. He was upright as a board and strict to the bone. What a misfortune. I wished I was in 012Y. Their class president was not a top student but good at sports.
"Lua sagita...!" My name was called a second time and I gasp and mummered a 'present sir!'
"Tale Mindatu!" My deskmates name was called marking the end of the roll call. My name was last but Mr Gatuye might have called me before Tale by accident. We are about to start the day's gossip when the teacher announces something that has our ears burning.
"We have another new student today, he is young Mister Sagiri."
The whole class was suddenly curious. Usually a new student was introduced in front of the class but this time things are different. Everyone followed the teachers eyes and his eyes fell on me. I panicked for a second at the unwanted attention and squirmed uncomfortably in my sit. I had already endured that burning curiosity the previous day and having to endure it again was quite a misfortune.
I was about to protest and say I had already introduced myself the previous day when there is a sudden movement behind me. I then realize the object of interest lays right behind me. I turn around almost too quickly and get a whiplash as my eyes befell the newcomer behind me. There is no greater joy for a newcomer than seeing another new comer. It helped get the attention away.
I hadn't noticed a new figure behind me probably because I wasn't familiar with everyone yet, but once I turned around I knew I had indeed not seen him in class the day before. He was quite a sight to behold.
An involuntary gasp left my mouth when our eyes connect. Probably, because his desk was right behind mine and his towering figure was sitted slightly stopping forward,our faces ended up just inches apart. The newcomer was nothing short of mysterious. He is clad in a black jacket besides the fact that our school blazers were required to be navy blue. His hands are clad in black gloves and they are rested firmly, one on top of a book on his desk like it's some office desk and his left hand is rested comfortably below his chin.
His face was covered in a black mask covering his mouth and nose and his jacked hoody was covering his head leaving only a slit of his face where a pair of amber orbs were burning into mine. A moment passed between us and it's like I was trapped in his ambers with a hint of mechanical perfection. I had never seen such a beautiful pair of eyes. He didn't blink or move back either and I gave in first before turning back faster than lightening.
"He is Sagiri, make sure to make him feel welcomed class." I was too stunned by what had just happened and I didn't even question his lack of a second name. What was his clan's mame? Everyone had three names the birth name, the clan name (the father's name) and the tribes name. Did Mr Gatuye forget to include his clans name or tribes name. That was impossible.
My tribe had seventeen clans and the state of Tagayia had had just over two hundred tribes. It was a pride for one to include their tribes name or at least their subtribes name in their official names to show pride. I came from the slightly smaller clans and even I was proud to belong. Why didn't this boy have a tribes name?
The class immediately erupted into gossip as his presence suddenly filled the class like a charm making the girls steal glances and hide away before getting caught.They didn't care for his lack of tribal name or his lack of pride.
I can't say I didn't want to look at him again. I wanted to steal another glance but him sitting right behind me denied me the pleasure and made it impossible. I didn't want to get lost in those ambers again. Why was he covered like a night worrior anyway?
"Today we are going to learn about vectors" Mr Gatuye introduced loudly to bring the class to order but I was lost in my thoughts and I could understand vectors anyway so I chose to create false scenarios in my head.