Chapter 2.
Welcoming the town’s atmosphere aura of brightness as the light flickered through it. Reaching the surface of the earth, making it a bit scorching. The sun finding its way from the horizon to the summit of the sky pierced its lucid sunlight to the people we passed back making their faces plastered with an eerie glow and squinting eyes.
The birds are soaring high with so much zeal and zest that could bring courage to search for betterment in one’s life. The sound of Joshua’s and I's laughter abrupt loudly, all the while afrobeat music playing in the background.
Arriving at a large white stone-made school sign written in blue italics “Columbia Heights,” next to it is a monument statue of a black wolf muzzle raised high as if it’s howling.
Entering the school’s premises, our jaws dropped open. Columbia Height is massive. The premises is surrounded by many ornamental plants, the academic buildings had vertical green walls and roofs. It looks more like a college campus than a high school to be honest.
“Daaammmnnn” both synchronize our evident astonishment.
“Naw, this can’t be it. Can it?” I asked Joshua my jaw dropped.
“Damn this is way better than our old school in Chicago, Az.”
He is right my old school was big and bougie. City kids whose parents are either extremely successful in life, own companies, have diplomatic and or are ambassadors from some country. I wasn’t expecting to see a high school like this in such a town.
“This is no ordinary town, Josh.”
“Shit the fuck not. There’s a Pagani Huayra parked!”Joshua couldn’t even focus on driving without stopping and observing the cars that are parked.
Opening the car door, “ I’ll message you before my last period class starts.”
“Hey, Az!” Joshua got out of the door and gave me his bear hug.
Waving goodbye, I climbed up the grand stairs and entered the building.
Upon entering the school hallways, looking above I observe the metal structure of a modern glass roof. The hallways include a modern interior with wooden 3D panels. Cleverly crafted, organized and clean. I entered in the admission office.
“Hello, may I speak to Mrs. Adams?”
“May I respectfully ask, who is asking?”
The receptionist asked her kindly eyes focused on her laptop monitor screen while typing.
“My official name is Azah Safa Ānanda”
Pulling up a file, she got up and smile extending her arms out for a handshake, she spoke,“ You can call me Mrs. Stone. Come with me she should be in her office.”
Mrs. Stone knocks on the door once, hearing
“Come In”
She opens the door and walked in first and I follow her lead. The office was more spacious than an average principal office.The first thing I see when walking inside are, three long dark walnut wall shelves that are filled with books and Mrs. Adams achievement awards. A leather couch near the wall window, showing the view of the school front campus. Her walnut desk is in the centre of the room, along with two high-back leather armchairs facing the front desk.
I stood near the door as I waited for the man and Mrs. Adams to finish their conversation. In my peripheral vision, I notice the man staring at me, feeling uncomfortable and shifting my stance noticing his eyes still on me. There’s something about his aura that feels overwhelming powerful and suffocating all at the same time.
“Mr. Al--um Mr.Heights” I assumed he must be someone of high importance just by the way Mrs.Adams said his name nervously.
His deep voice spoke authoritatively “I’ll hold a conference on this matter, I suggest you talk to Zion.”
“Yes, of course, Sir.” A sense of relief releases as she relaxes her shoulders a bit.
Finishing he began to walk towards our direction where Mrs. Stone and I stood waiting.
“Mrs. Stone”
“Mr.Al-- I mean Mr. Heights” Mrs. Stone greeted with a deep bow.
Promptly confirming my reasonable suspicion of his influential status. I wasn’t going to bow to him if that’s what they do here. He then took a step towards me and said earnestly “Azah Safa Ānanda-Moon.”