Annie did not return to school immediately after making her decision.
For several days, she stayed indoors, trying to gather enough strength to face people again. The thought of stepping back into that environment made her uneasy. It was not just about the questions she might be asked, but the looks she knew she would receive. Even before anything happened, she had seen how people reacted to rumors. Now, she was certain there would be more than whispers.
Still, she could not remain hidden forever.
One morning, she woke up earlier than usual. She sat on the edge of her bed for a while, staring at the wall as if waiting for something to tell her it was time. When nothing came, she stood up, dressed slowly, and picked up her bag.
Before leaving, she paused at the door.
Her hand rested on the handle longer than necessary.
Then she stepped out.
The walk to school felt different.
Every familiar place along the road seemed slightly distant, as if she was seeing everything from outside herself. She kept her pace steady, avoiding unnecessary attention, but her mind remained alert to every passing face.
When she reached the school gate, she stopped briefly.
Students moved in and out as usual, conversations flowing easily between them. Laughter, complaints, casual greetings, everything she had once been part of now felt unfamiliar.
She inhaled quietly and walked in.
The moment she stepped into the compound, she felt it.
Eyes on her.
At first, it was subtle. A glance here, a pause in conversation there. Then it became clearer. A group of students standing near one of the buildings lowered their voices as she passed. Another pair looked directly at her before leaning closer to each other.
"She hasn't been around," one of them said, not quietly enough.
"I heard something happened," the other replied.
Annie kept walking. she heard every word but she was pas that stage of being affected
By the time she reached her department building, her chest felt tight, but her expression remained controlled. She adjusted her grip on her bag and headed straight for the administrative office.
Inside, the atmosphere was calmer. A few staff members were working behind desks, and the noise from outside felt distant.
One of the staff looked up as she entered.
"Yes?"
"I'd like to speak with the department head," Annie said.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but it's important."
The woman studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Wait here."
A few minutes later, Annie was called in.
The office was quiet, with shelves lined with files and books. The department head sat behind a desk, his glasses resting low on his nose as he looked up.
"You've been absent for quite some time," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"And you didn't inform the school."
"I'm sorry."
He leaned back slightly, studying her.
"What happened?"
Annie had already prepared her answer.
She had gone over it several times, making sure it sounded natural, believable, and complete.
"There was a family issue," she said. "It was sudden, and I had to leave immediately. I didn't have time to notify the school properly."
"What kind of issue?"
"My aunt was seriously ill," she replied without hesitation. "I was the only one available to take care of her."
The man watched her closely.
"And now?"
"She passed," Annie said quietly.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry for your loss," he said.
"Thank you, sir."
He nodded slowly.
"You understand that your absence has affected your academic record."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
"What do you intend to do now?"
Annie hesitated briefly before continuing.
"I would like to request a transfer."
That got his attention.
"A transfer?"
"Yes, sir. I believe it would be best for me to continue my studies in another institution."
"Why?"
Annie lowered her gaze slightly.
"There are… personal reasons," she said. "I think a change of environment would help me focus better on my studies."
The man did not respond immediately. He tapped his pen lightly against the desk, considering her request.
"You do realize that transfers are not granted easily."
"Yes, sir."
"And you'll need a valid reason beyond 'personal reasons.'"
Annie nodded.
"I understand."
She paused before adding, "I'm willing to provide any necessary documentation."
The room remained quiet for a few seconds.
Then he sighed.
"Submit a formal request," he said. "Attach your academic records and any supporting documents. I'll review it."
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me yet. There's no guarantee it will be approved."
"I understand."
Annie left the office with her expression still composed, but the tension in her chest remained.
As she walked back through the compound, the stares continued. Some were curious, some judgmental, and some simply intrusive.
She ignored all of them.
The process took time.
She submitted her request, followed up when necessary, and avoided unnecessary interactions with others. She attended only what she needed to and left as soon as she could.
Days turned into weeks.
Then, one afternoon, she received the confirmation.
Her transfer had been approved.
The new institution was in another city.
It was not too far, but it was far enough.
Far enough to start over.
>>>>>>>>>>>
When Annie arrived there, everything felt unfamiliar.
The environment was different, the people were different, and no one knew her.
That alone brought a small sense of relief.
She completed her registration, signed up for antenatal care at a nearby clinic, and secured a small apartment close to the school.
The apartment was modest, just enough for her needs. A small living space, a bedroom, and a kitchen. It was quiet, which was exactly what she wanted.
She kept to herself.
She attended classes, returned home, and avoided unnecessary conversations. It was easier that way.
No questions, No asssumptions. just her
For a while, it worked.
Until she met her.
It happened during one of her classes.
Annie had taken her usual seat at the back, hoping to go unnoticed, when someone dropped their bag beside her and sat down without asking.
"Hi," the girl said with a bright smile. "You're new, right?"
Annie glanced at her briefly.
"Yes."
"I knew it. I've never seen you before."
Annie nodded and looked forward again, hoping that would end the conversation.
It didn't.
"I'm Sarah," the girl continued. "What's your name?"
"…Annie."
"Nice to meet you, Annie."
Annie expected the conversation to end there.
It didn't.
Over the next few days, Sarah kept showing up.
She sat beside Annie during lectures, talked during breaks, and asked questions Annie did not feel like answering.
"You're very quiet," Sarah said one afternoon.
"I prefer it that way."
"That's fine, but you don't have to be quiet all the time."
Annie didn't respond.
Sarah leaned back slightly, studying her.
"You know, you don't have to push everyone away."
"I'm not pushing anyone away," Annie said.
"It kind of feels like you are."
Annie did not argue.
She simply stood up and left after the lecture ended.
But Sarah did not stop.
She continued talking to her, sometimes about random things, sometimes about school, and sometimes about nothing important at all.
At first, Annie found it tiring.
Then, slowly, she stopped resisting it.
One evening, Sarah showed up at her apartment uninvited.
"I figured you'd be here," she said, holding up a small bag of food. "You look like someone who forgets to eat."
Annie frowned slightly.
"You shouldn't just come to people's houses like this."
"And you shouldn't skip meals, but here we are."
Despite herself, Annie allowed her in.
That night, they ate together.
It was the first time in a long while that Annie did not feel completely alone.
Over time, Sarah became a constant presence.
She talked a lot, laughed easily, and refused to let Annie remain distant.
"You should smile more," she said one day.
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
Annie looked at her.
"You don't know me."
"I don't need to know everything to see that you're not okay."
Annie didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
As the months passed, Annie continued her studies while attending her antenatal appointments. Sarah often accompanied her, sometimes talking the entire way, sometimes simply sitting beside her.
"You're strong, you know," Sarah said once.
Annie shook her head.
"I'm just doing what I have to do."
"Exactly," Sarah replied. "Not everyone can do that."
Annie did not fully agree, but she did not argue.
For the first time in a long while, her life felt slightly less heavy.
Not easier.
Just… less empty.
And as the months went by, the day she had been avoiding slowly drew closer.
Her delivery date.