I absent-mindedly put on the buttons of my uniform. My heartbeat was racing. I glanced at the clock hung rather awkwardly on the wall behind me. My mum was never handy with a hammer and nails. I sighed as I realised the time was ten minutes to one in the afternoon.
I was late for school, again! I didn't know how this could be happening almost every other day. I awoke from my mental rant when I heard a knock on the door. "Navina, what are you doing in there? It's almost one!" my mum called out. "Just a minute, Ma!" I bellowed. I didn't like to keep people waiting but I hated it when they rush me. Yes, I know it's my fault in the first place but I just couldn't stand doing things in a hurry.
I found the green skirt that went with my uniform and quickly slid it on my rather slim waist. I tucked in my uniform and zipped up my skirt at the back. "Shute!" I cried. I left my tie in my school bag. I didn't have time for this. I groaned as I saw my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a complete mess. I frantically searched for a comb and did my hair. I used a short white ribbon to tie it up in a ponytail.
I was a prefect at school and I needed to look neat. The teachers say that we need to set a good example for the other students but I didn't really care about that. I just wanted to maintain a good image, for myself. Well, technically, I was doing that...sort of. I checked the clock again and to my horror, it was one! School was about to begin in 5 minutes! I raced toward the drawers and quickly took out a pair of clean socks and put them on right away.
My mum was already waiting in the car with her engine going. So much for saving the Earth. Pfft. Anyway, I slid on the white marbled floor and came to a halt. I took my bag and slinged it on my shoulder before grabbing my school shoes in one hand and the keys in the other. I locked the house quickly and practically ran towards the car. "Late, yet again. You really need to get your timing right, Navina! You can't expect me to keep waiting for you," she advised. I just nodded my head in agreement as the car slowly moved forward.
I put my shoes on silently and kept my head down the entire journey. It was only a five minute drive to school so I didn't have to keep my disappointed face for long. The car came to an abrupt stop (mum was still getting used to driving) in front of my school and I kissed her goodbye. "Study well, Navina! And stay away from strangers," mum advised. I mumbled something to myself and she took that as a yes. I adjusted the straps on my bag and glanced at my watch. Although I missed the prefects' meeting, I made it just in time for the afternoon assembly.
I rushed to the prefects' room and kept my bag on the floor. I turned around to go and carry out my duties but I accidentally walked into Shine! "Ouchh!" I groaned, although it didn't really hurt. She chuckled at me and apologised. I knew it wasn't her fault but I just let it go. She greeted me with a bear hug and a little dance. She was my best friend after all so she didn't mind being crazy around me. "Shine, I'm really sorry but I gotta go do my duty now. I'll catch up with you in class okay?" I said, hoping to get a good response from her. She just stared at me in return.
Shine was just a tad taller than me. She was an athlete so she was super skinny and had black, curly, shoulder length hair. Her eyes were a dark shade of brown and she had the weirdest of grins. Not weird as in awkward but weird as in "unique". Her smile was always genuine and that was one of the things I adored about her. "Navina? There's something different about you, though I can't quite put my finger on it," she said, finally breaking the silence. I did a little turn and then stopped when I saw the smirk on her face.
"What is it?" I asked, absolutely puzzled. "Your tie...it's missing," she replied calmly. I looked down and realised that she was right, my uniform looked incomplete without it.
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Author's note :
Well, that's all for this chapter. I have a lot more coming and I really hope this story turns out to be my best. I'll keep writing as often as possible so I hope you will forgive me for keeping you guys waiting.
Cheers,
Thivaa. :)
