Ten years old — that was the age I transferred to a new school. I remember everything. My siblings and I were enrolled here because we moved to a different area, and my old school was too far.
So here I am again… heading to my class.
Elementary school — Class 3A.
Kevin watched everything unfold exactly the same way it had in the dream. Sonia went to Class 6A. Emmanuel to Nursery Class 2A. And once again, he was left to find his own class.
He stood still at the entrance, staring around the school compound one more time. From the tiled staircases to the walls decorated with educational messages, even the tiny smudges left by children felt unreal.
He was an adult trapped in a child's body.
"Heh."
He chuckled softly and adjusted his bow tie.
"I can't believe I'm doing this again. Well… first impressions matter, and right now, I've gotta stick to the script."
He walked in — movements confident, elegant. A calm aura trailed behind him, catching every eye in the room.
The teacher stood before the board — textbook in one hand, long cane in the other. Kevin raised his finger politely.
"Good morning, Teacher."
Heads shifted instantly toward him.
"Yes? Good morning. How may I help you?" her voice flowed with refined elegance, fitting her mid-thirties, well-put-together appearance.
"Please ma, I'm looking for Primary 3," Kevin replied, face innocent — though beneath it hid a cunning adult. He knew exactly where he was… but he had to play the part.
"Oh! So you're the new pupil. We've been expecting you." She smiled warmly.
"You're quite tall, so… you can take the empty seat in the back."
"Okay ma, thank you," he said, taking his seat.
But the moment he sat down, a slightly dark-skinned girl glared at him — a glare so sharp it felt like a direct challenge.
A grin formed on Kevin's lips.
(Ah, of course. How could I forget? It's her — my future bestie.)
She immediately turned away, but throughout the lesson she kept stealing glances at the strange new boy sitting in the back.
────────
Back in Ibadan, during break period at Julie's elementary school…
A young girl sat by the window with her head resting on her desk — fast asleep. Her long braids flowed over her fair skin and angelic face, moving slightly with each calm breath.
"JULIE!!"
A loud feminine voice yanked her from slumber.
"Huh?!" Julie jerked up, as if her name had dragged her out from another world.
"You're finally awake, huh?"
A twelve-year-old girl stood beside her, neat uniform, short braids — sarcasm written in her raised eyebrow.
"Better Academy's Sleeping Beauty."
"I told you not to tease her. She does a lot of chores at home," a chubby but extremely cute nine-year-old interrupted, ponytail swinging behind her unique grey hair.
"Of course she does. When she has an evil witch for a mom."
"MIRACLE!!" Julie roared — voice full of fury. "Don't call my mom a witch!"
Miracle blinked, confused by the sudden intensity from her usually quiet friend.
"…Yeah, yeah — look, I'm sorry, okay?" She glanced at Julie. "I just don't get why someone's mom would treat their daughter like that. I mean, is she even her real mo—"
"Hey!" the grey-haired cutie stepped in again. "Good girls shouldn't say bad things like that." Her big eyes shimmered — she was simply adorable.
"It's okay, Gift… Let's not talk about my family for now," Julie said, finally calming.
( I lost myself there… This exact scenario — it happened the same way in the dream. Even with an adult mind now, I reacted just like before. )
She sighed inside.
( So some events can't be changed… even when you know about them. )
"Julie… are you okay?" Gift asked gently.
"Oh, I'm fine," Julie replied with a small smile.
( My two childhood friends… Miracle — the bold, feisty one. And Gift — the little angel with the unique hair. I can't believe I get to see them again. )
Miracle was the more mature one — already developing physically even at twelve, always dressing like a rich kid, and already had a boyfriend.
"Abeg make we go buy something for canteen chop," Miracle said, slang smooth and confident.
"…So you can meet Junior, abi?" Julie teased with a knowing smirk.
Miracle's face turned bright pink.
"Who is Junior?" Gift asked innocently.
"Wetin concern you? You wan hear senior gist abi?" Miracle fired back.
"Abeg stop jor, don't bully her. Let's just go," Julie said quickly, stepping between them.
The trio headed to the canteen. But behind Julie's smile, a storm brewed.
( I'll start small from here… and change the events. I won't make the same mistakes this time. )
────────
In Anambra State — Class 3A — break period.
Kevin sat with a pencil and paper, classmates circling around him.
"Omo this boy can draw oo," one of them said in awe.
Art had always been Kevin's talent — in both reality and the dream world it was perfected. With his height and intelligence added, it became one of the many things that made him stand out… and he knew it.
But now there was a problem.
He was too good.
His hand moved automatically — years of adult experience guiding every line. But he couldn't afford to look too perfect. It would draw suspicion. Kids weren't supposed to render lifelike shadows or precise anatomy.
So he slowed his strokes.
Purposely held back.
Forced a few mistakes.
And even while limiting himself… the drawing still looked incredible.
"I really like boys who know how to draw," one of the girls said.
A cunning smile crept up Kevin's face.
The plan was working.
(Exactly as I remember. I've got their attention. Now I can—)
A death glare sliced through him.
The same girl from earlier was staring again — fiercely, challengingly.
Kevin inhaled, stood up, and walked toward her desk — sketch in hand.
(I know she becomes my best friend in the future… but this time, I can't wait for fate. I need to speed things up.)
"Hey, Nazy," he greeted with a gentle smile.
He was determined — resolved.
He wasn't going to waste a single second of this second chance.
— To be continued