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Amber straightened her tie one last time then stepped back from her mirror for a final inspection. She frowned; there was no way to make the uniform look good. Otherwise she was ready for her first day at Clifton Academy. The summer had been more than she could ever imagine. She gazed into the mirror and a smile came to her face.
“I wonder if Grandma can see me?” she whispered. Her eyes widened as another thought came to her head.
“I wonder if Bissau can see me?” Her smile grew wider despite the touch of melancholy in her heart. She would see him again, but he would probably be a married man. They were different people living in different worlds. She wished she could control her heart as much as she could read others. Then she wouldn’t waste her time crushing on men and boys she had no chance of dating.
“Are we ready?”
Mama burst into the room, her face glowing.
“Ooh, my girl looks marvelous!”
Amber frowned. “You can’t look marvelous in a school uniform, mama. You look acceptable. That’s what school uniforms are for.”
“I’m not trying to hear your brooding today,” Mama replied. “My baby looks good in that uniform. You’re working it like a runway model. Clifton Academy better watch out!”
Amber grinned despite herself.
“Let me see!”
Daddy entered her room dressed for work.
“That uniform looks like a gown on you,” he said.
“Y’all need to stop,” Amber laughed. “Isn’t it time to go?”
Mama looked at her watch. “Yes it is! Come on Robinson family!”
Amber grabbed her backpack then followed Mama and Daddy out of the room.
“Oh, wait a minute!”
She trotted back to her desk, grabbing her amber necklace. It clashed with her uniform but that didn’t matter.
Daddy and Mama kissed before Daddy climbed into his Audi sedan then drove off to work. It was a first day for him as well, the first day as vice president of Sankofa Communications. Amber climbed in the Honda with Mama then fastened her seatbelt.
“Can we drive by the bus stop?” she asked.
Mama gave her a sympathetic smile. “Yes, we can.”
Mama took the brief detour that passed the bus stop. Jasmine was there, dressed impeccably for her first day of public high school. Amber rolled down the window.
“Hey queen!” she shouted.
“Hey queen!” Jasmine shouted back. A few other friends shouted as well. A pang hit Amber as she rolled up her window.
Mama patted her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, baby. You’ll see your old friends on the weekend and you’ll make new friends at Clifton. If it’s one thing Robinsons are good at is making friends. Besides, this is an outstanding opportunity for you.”
“I know mama,” Amber replied. It all made sense but it didn’t change how she felt. No matter how great Clifton Academy turned out to be, high school would be ten times better with her old friends at Julian High.
Amber stared out the window the entire ride to Clifton Academy. Mama turned onto the magnolia tree lined brick paved entrance leading to the school. A parade of luxury cars moved through the roundabout, Mama’s Honda standing out among them. She didn’t like that at all.
“I can’t wait till I get my Lexus!”
Amber grinned then patted mama on the shoulder. “It will be okay, baby.”
Mama laughed. “Get out my car!”
They kissed; Amber grabbed her backpack then entered her new world.
She followed the crowd through the archway and into the main building. She’d visited the school for orientation so she knew her way around. Homeroom was down the main hallway past the freshman lockers to the left, three doors down on the right. She entered the class room of Elizabeth Perry, her homeroom teacher. The middle-aged woman reminded Amber of Grandma, which was comforting. A cute salt and pepper afro crowned her head, her face graced with a pair of small round glasses. She wore a dress that was definitely Afrocentric but not from Senegal. Miss Perry greeted everyone with an inviting smile. Her eyes lingered on Amber and she found herself scrutinizing the teacher with her skills. She was a good person, but there was something inside. Amber would let her keep her secret.
“Welcome to Clifton Academy!” Miss Perry announced. “I’m Elizabeth Perry, your guide for your inaugural year at our outstanding institution. I’m sure you’re all aware of our illustrious history, so I won’t bore you with the details.”
Amber laughed with her classmates as she scanned their faces. If she was at Julian she would recognize most of them. Here, she was a stranger among friends.
Miss Perry continued her speech. “At Clifton you’ll be challenged to the limit of your abilities. Your curiosity will be sparked and your intelligence tested. If you make it to your senior year you will be the best person you could possibly be. This is not a promise. It is a guarantee.”
The classroom door opened, interrupting Miss Perry’s speech.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
Amber looked with the rest of the class then caught her breath. Standing at the door looking awkward in his school uniform was Bissau. The smile that came to her face was as joyful as she felt.
“I am sorry to disturb you,” he said in heavily accented English. “The principal told me report to this room.”
“Please, come in,” Miss Perry said. Bissau sauntered in, glancing at Amber as he made his way to the homeroom teacher. He handed her his information.
“Bissau Keita,” she said aloud. “You’re Bambara?”
“Soninke,” he replied. “I’m from Ma...Senegal.”
“Welcome to my class, Bissau. Please take a seat.”
Bissau took an empty seat near the rear of the class. The remainder of Miss Perry’s speech was garbled talk to Amber. She kept peeking back at Bissau and smiling. The bell for first period didn’t sound fast enough.
“What are you doing here?” she said as she hurried to his desk. She hugged him before he could answer.
“I’ve been sent to teach you,” he answered.
Amber pulled away. “Teach me? What?”
Bissau nodded. “You have shown that your abilities are far beyond that of a Seer. Jele Jakada has instructed me to help you develop them.”
“How are you going to teach me?” she asked. “You’re just an acolyte...I mean, you’re still learning, too.”
“That’s true, but I have more training than you. I will show you what I know. The rest of your training will have to take place in Marai.”
“So, I’ll have to go back,” Amber said.
“Yes,” Bissau answered.
“What about Bagule?” Amber asked.
Bissau’s eyes narrowed. “Bagule is gone but there may be others. You must be ready.”
Amber’s stomach tightened. She remembered how Bagule tried to hurt her and how she responded. This was her responsibility, but she still doubted her ability to do what was asked of her. It seemed that life wasn’t supposed to be simple for her.
“What’s your first class?” she asked, eager to change the subject.
“Algebra,” he replied.
“Good! Mine, too. Let’s walk together.”
Amber locked her arm with his and they left the room.
“I’m glad you’re here Bissau,” she said.
“I’m glad I’m here too, Amber.”
They shared a smile then walked arm in arm through the halls of Clifton Academy. Amber stole another glance at Bissau. Private school might not be so bad after all.