Once a week we have an assembly, and I no longer feel shipwrecked, floating in the middle of this navy blue ocean, desperately fighting to survive.
After we sing the national anthem, I notice nobody is leaving, and there seems to be a different energy in the hall. Once everyone is sitting down again, and a hush falls over the hall, the curtains on the stage unpredictably open. I stretch my neck, and I see the equipment from a band of some sort arranged across the stage.
Shockingly, I hear a few boys whistle, and look across the aisle to see who could be so rowdy. Yes, here boys and girls are seated separately, boys to the left and girls to the right.
Four boys walk in onto the stage and everybody starts to clap excitedly. I berate myself for not listening and hearing the announcement because now I had no clue what is going on. I said earlier I do well academically because I pay attention, but I never mentioned when there is no need to concentrate, I drift off into my own little world. Recently this would include my fanciful imaginings; similar to tales in far away kingdoms with Johnathan being Prince Charming and me-I am obviously, the damsel in distress.
I look at Anne, sitting next to me, and I want to lean closer to her and ask her what is going on, but she is staring forward fixedly.
Three of the boys pick up the instruments neatly placed on the stage, while one boy slides in behind a set of drums. They start playing a song, a song I had never heard before, but it is very catchy and I cannot help liking it.
The lead singer is exceptionally attractive, even though I immediately notice his skin colour - black.
I notice Anne look at him in adoration and I wonder who he is. He is wearing a school uniform, so he is obviously a student here, but I have never seen him before. It could be one of those situations where something has been in front of your eyes all along, but you never notice or realize, until you come face to face with it.
I have never noticed the amount of black students in school, although I am sure there were not many. They kept to themselves and they were not in my group of friends.
When the four-member band finishes their song, the lead singer waits patiently until the whistles and clapping stops.
He smiles, and it lights up the room. I cannot help it when I feel the corners of my mouth lift as well.