I was always excited for the new year.
Mainly because it meant I was moving to a new class— which meant I was closer to being done with high school.
This was my last year and I was more stressed than excited because of the national examinations at the end of the year.
The exams were a big deal because literally everyone said it determined one's future.
I was more determined than ever to make good use of my time. If I studied like never before and maybe things would finally turn out better.
" Simon, you look uneasy,"
Jack, my best friend and desk-mate, nudged me with his elbow, a concerned look on his face.
" Don't put so much pressure on yourself, the year has just begun,"
He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as he took the study plan I had prepared during the holidays and put it inside his graffitied desk before going on to encourage me that I would be okay— and he would make sure of that.
I let out a quiet laugh and appreciated Jack's presence. I truly believed that he would always be there for me.
My eyes then landed on Kyle, who was sitting two seats in front of me.
His head was bent over a book while he rubbed the back of his neck with the fingers of his right arm.
He was a quiet guy who liked to keep to himself except when he was with his best friend, Gael- but the way he carried himself with calm and composure drew me in.
My lips curved upwards in a smile as I watched the back of Kyle's head noticing how his black hair reached to his neck.
" What are you staring at?" Jack asked me, passing me my textbook.
"Nothing," I answered, my face heating up as I reluctantly peeled my eyes away from Kyle and took out my pens from my desk.
The bell rang and after a while, the homeroom teacher walked in. Madam Leah, that was her name.
She was a cheerful woman who interacted with the students freely making her the easiest person to talk to. She was one of the few teachers who seemed to care.
Her chubby build used to make it almost impossible for her to walk without having to stop to catch a breath. It was ironic, considering she was filling in for Mr David, our Physical Exercise teacher, who was fired after he was caught grooming one of the junior students in the school.
This was very scandalous because Creek High was a strict Christian all-boys school. Homosexuality was frowned upon so much that it could lead to violence.
I remember when Mr David's letters from the student,Stoy, were found—the headmaster didn't hesitate to fire Mr David and report him to the authorities.
However, what Stoy went through was way worse. He may have not gone to jail but I remember as soon as word got out, he was beaten to a pulp by the senior students.
It was as if he had personally offended them when he got involved with Mr David even though he was the one who was exploited.
His parents were more disappointed in the fact that he was homosexual that they overlooked what he went through in the hands of his fellow students.
Last thing I heard about him was that he ran away from home. He just vanished from the face of the earth.
His parents were devasted and they looked for him but I don't know if they ever really found him.
" Welcome to a brand-new academic year. I know it seems that the journey may be difficult right now but just know that you are more than those exams so don't let them define you," She said, my classmates clapping and nodding in agreement.
These few words gave me hope—they were a comfort to my troubled mind.
She placed the books she was carrying on the teacher's desk at the front of the class, still going on about the national exams. Then walked down the aisle between the wooden desks that were arranged in neat rows asking various students how they plan to study.
After she was done, she went back to the front of the class to begin the Chemistry lesson bumping into a desk on the way.
The day ended just like normal school days and as I was walking with Jack to the dorm, my mind couldn't stop racing.
I thought about Kyle and the way his eyes became cute little crescents when he laughed as he chatted with Gael.
I knew that falling for him was dangerous and when people found out it would be disastrous but my heart wouldn't listen.
Despite the things I had witnessed in this school, I stupidly hoped that my story would be different.