Chapter 5: First day at school

The car finally arrives at the school. Nora and Lily got down and the driver found a place to park. Nora walked into the receiving area. They went through the necessary process and Nora was glad she came with Lily. Finally, it was time for Nora to leave and Lily to be sent to her new class.

Lily felt very sad looking at Nora leave but she didn't cry. The teacher held her little hands and walked her to her class. She tried to cheer Lily up by asking a few questions, but Lily was either quiet or would open and close her mouth like a goldfish.

The teacher finally arrived at Lily's classroom and she handed her over to the class teacher. Lily was sent inside. She saw a lot of other children. They were all staring at her as she stood in front of the class.

"Lily, this is your new class. They are all your new friends," said the teacher smiling.

Lily had no expression on her face as she stared blankly at them. The teacher led her to sit with the other children.

"I am Kate," said a little girl once Lily was sitting down comfortably.

"I am Lily," replied Lily.

"Can I be your friend?" asked Kate.

Lily looked at her for a while and replied, "Okay."

"Would you yell at me?" Lily asked.

Kate replied, "No, I won't yell at you," and Lily smiled at her. 

Like that the day went by and Lily was delighted to meet people of her age. She started loving the place and was getting excited. They played songs, painted and did lots of fun things. Lily made some more friends as Kate introduced her to her friends. Lyla, Agnes and Nina.

Towards the end of the day, another child was brought in. A seven-year-old boy, very handsome with curled black hair. He had blue eyes but a cold expression on his face. Lily couldn't help but stare at the boy.

Kate said, "He is back, he will run away again before anyone knows it,"

Lily turned to look at Kate, "Why?"

"I don't know. I think he doesn't like school," replied Kate.

Lily turned and continued staring at the boy. The boy finally sat down behind the round table next to Lily.

Lily smiled at him and asked, "You don't like it here?"

The boy turned and looked at Lily furrowing his brow and said nothing. He turned and decided to look straight at nothing. Lily was not bothered by the boys' unresponsive behaviour because she is used to that sort of response from her Aunty Abigail.

"I am Lily, I will stop bothering you now," Lily introduced with a smile.

The boy did not even look at her this time. Lily put her forefinger to her chin, tilted her head slightly and as if a light bulb lighted in her head she asked.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

The boy was stupefied by Lily's question. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again without saying anything.

Lily continued talking, "Here, have some chocolate it will make you feel better and you won't have nightmares again,"

The boy's mouth dropped open, looking at Lily and the chocolate in her hand. Kate was about to tell Lily to stop when the boy spoke.

"Who told you chocolate stops nightmare?"

Kate and the other children were surprised. They have never heard him speak. Kate asked in broken sentences,

"You, you...can... can talk?" the boy shot Kate a look and went back to a silent mood.

Lily, not sure what was happening, replied to the boy's question.

"My Aunty, Aunty Nora. My Aunty Abigail often angrily yells at me because she had a nightmare. Aunty Nora told me I should give her space and chocolate and she would be fine. Well, Aunty Nora only told me to give her space. I thought of adding chocolate," she said feeling very proud of her idea.

The boy couldn't help smiling at how naive she was. He wanted to tell her chocolate doesn't stop nightmares but decided to let her dream on for a while. He looked at Lily who smiled at him. Her smiles made him smile too. He didn't know why he smiled back at her but he felt good inside. Kate looked at him like she had seen a ghost and looked at Lily but said nothing.

Soon the school session was over. Before the boy could leave, Lily grabbed his hand and asked, "What is your name?"

The boy stared at Lily's face for a while. Lily smiled. He was forced to smile again.

"Why am I smiling," he thought.

He wanted to get out of the place quickly as he was beginning to feel awkward standing in front of a girl who made him do things he wouldn't do. He turned and was about to leave when he heard Lily's broken voice like she was about to cry.

"You won't tell me your name?" Lily asked sounding sad with a pouted lips.

He didn't know why but her sad broken voice made him sad, he turned and looked at her. Looking at the sadness on her face he realizes he preferred her smiles and would want to see her smile.

"Derrick, Derrick Mingles," he replied with an expressionless face.

Lily smiled and said, "Can I be your friend?"

"Yes, you can. I have to go now," said Derrick.

Lily said bye to him and he left. She quickly returned to Kate and her friends. They all walked to the waiting area and waited for their parents to come for them.

"Is your mummy coming for you?" asked Kate.

"No, my mum is in heaven," replied Lily.

"Oh! So, who is coming to pick you up?" asked Kate.

Before Lily could reply, the driver called out to her, "Lily it is time to go home. Say bye to your friends."

"Bye Kate, Lyla, Nina, Agnes, I will see you all tomorrow," said Lily and she ran to the driver who opened the front seat door for her. 

"Her dad is very nice," Kate said to Nina as they both watched the car drive out of the school compound.

Kate's parents arrived soon after and took her away. Lyla and Nina left together with Nina's parents. Agnes was picked up later by her cousin. 

Lily got home at 6 pm. Nora quickly bathed her and took her to the dining area to eat.