Fiyinfoluwa Sunny barely slept the night before her first day at Crescent Heights College.
Her mind kept replaying everything that could possibly go wrong—being late, forgetting her name, tripping in front of everyone. Her clothes folded on a chair in her room, untouched. The school had told her she would only receive her official uniform after resumption, and that alone made her anxiety worse.
She adjusted her glasses for the fifth time that morning, taking a deep breath. By the time she arrived at the school, her heart was racing.
The compound was quiet in a way that made her stomach twist. Morning assembly was already over. First period had started.
"Oh no…" she whispered, lowering her head as students in neat uniforms passed by. Some stared openly, others whispered. She pulled her bag straps tighter and walked faster.
Inside the principal's office, she stood nervously, clasping her hands together.
"You must be the new student," the principal said kindly.
"Yes ma," Fiyin replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
She was shown into an empty room to change. The uniform felt stiff and unfamiliar. When she reached for the tie, she paused.
She tried tying it once. Then twice. It came out wrong every time.
She sighed softly, blinking behind her glasses, wishing her mother were there to help.
The principal soon returned and gestured for her to follow. The hallway felt longer than it actually was. Voices echoed from classrooms, making her heartbeat faster.
They stopped in front of one class.
"This is your new class," the principal said, opening the door.
The moment Fiyinfoluwa stepped inside, the noise faded. Every eye turned toward her.
Her palms became sweaty. *May God help me,* she prayed silently.
The teacher paused the lesson.
"Class, we have a new student. Please introduce yourself."
Fiyinfoluwa stepped forward slowly.
"My name is Fiyinfoluwa Sunny," she began, her voice barely audible. She introduced herself—where she transferred from, a little about her family, her favorite subjects. By the time she was done, her chest felt tight.
From the middle row, two boys exchanged glances.
"Wait," one of them said. "Isn't she the girl from the entrance examination?"
The other nodded. "Yes! She sat close to us."
A few students murmured quietly.
Fiyinfoluwa's face warmed with embarrassment.
"Yes… that's me," she said softly.
The teacher nodded and pointed to an empty seat.
"Go and settle down."
As she walked to the desk, she carefully took out her glasses from her bag and put them on, adjusting them properly. The lenses felt like a small shield between her and the world, giving her courage to face the room.
Just then, a girl beside her leaned closer.
"Your tie," the girl whispered gently. "It's not done well."
Before Fiyinfoluwa could respond, the girl fixed it neatly with practiced hands.
"There," she said with a warm smile. "Perfect."
"Thank you," Fiyinfoluwa replied, relief flooding her voice.
She didn't know it yet, but that simple act of kindness would grow into a friendship she would come to depend on.
The lesson resumed. Fiyinfoluwa opened her notebook, her hands still slightly shaky. As she settled in, one of the boys from earlier whispered, "Hey, Fiyin, sit here!"
*Fiyin?* she thought. Her full name was long, but they had shortened it already. Somehow, it felt… easier, warmer, and slightly less intimidating.
Her first day wasn't perfect. But she had survived it.
And that was enough—for now.