Rejoice

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The morning sun peeked through the window blinds of the Salem Fashion Designing School dormitory, casting soft golden rays across the room where Rejoice and Sonia slept. A gentle breeze slipped through the open window, swaying the curtains as the sounds of chirping birds filled the air. But despite the beauty of the morning, Rejoice's heart pounded heavily in her chest.

She sat up on her bed, her fingers gripping the edge of her blanket as anxiety crept through her like a cold wind. Today was the day. The results of the entrance exam and interview would be posted. Today determined who would stay… and who would be sent home.

Sonia noticed the worry on her friend's face and stretched her arm across the space between their beds. "Hey," she whispered softly. "Don't let fear swallow you. Mrs. Happiness told me last night that we'd be okay."

Rejoice turned to her with wide eyes. "She said that?"

"Yes," Sonia nodded. "She said she was impressed with us during the interview. You, me, and even Elizabeth. She'll make sure we get in."

Rejoice let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Still, she couldn't help but feel nervous. "But what if things change? What if she can't help us?"

"Then we'll still be fine," Sonia said, smiling. "You're talented, Rejoice. You deserve this."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

Zion's voice came through from the hallway. "Ladies, you might want to come outside. They're putting up the results."

Rejoice's stomach flipped. She looked at Sonia, who nodded encouragingly.

Outside, a crowd had already gathered near the school noticeboard. Students whispered, some gasping, others bursting into tears or breaking into laughter. The board had been divided into two sections — 'Admitted' and 'To Be Returned'.

Sonia grabbed Rejoice's hand and pulled her closer. Zion joined them, his eyes darting through the names, searching.

"There!" he pointed. "Sonia Victor… Rejoice Christie… and—yeah, Elizabeth Williams too."

Rejoice blinked. Her name was there. Her heart leapt in her chest, and she turned to hug Sonia tightly.

"We did it!" Sonia cried out.

Rejoice smiled with relief, then scanned the rest of the list. Zion's name was also on it, along with the three friends they had met in the library — Daphne, Tilda, and Malik.

"Thank God," Zion said, patting Malik's back. "We're still here."

The celebration was bittersweet. Behind them, sobs echoed as several students stood frozen in front of the "To Be Returned" section. Some cried openly, while others stormed away in silence.

Among them was Queen, the arrogant girl who had arrived with Elizabeth and Crystal. Her face was pale with disbelief, and her lips trembled as she stared at the list again, hoping it would change.

Crystal, standing a few steps behind her, wore a smug look as she whispered to Grace, "Serves her right. Always bragging."

Rejoice noticed the tension and turned away. But she couldn't help the sting of pity she felt for Queen. Despite her bad attitude, being sent home was a harsh blow.

Elizabeth stood still, staring at her name with wide eyes. Her expression was unreadable, a mix of shock and relief. Grace ran to her, squealing.

"We made it! Elizabeth, we made it!"

Crystal joined them with a grin. "Of course we did. We're too stylish to fail."

Faith, the newest girl they had bonded with yesterday, clapped her hands and added, "Now we need to figure out how to slay this school."

Elizabeth barely heard them. Her eyes, for some reason, kept drifting toward Zion. She had noticed his quiet confidence, his respectful manner, and the way he stood protectively near Rejoice.

He wasn't like the showy boys who had once followed her around. There was something different about him — something real.

"I think I like him," Elizabeth whispered to Grace when Zion turned away to congratulate Malik and the others.

Grace grinned. "Then you better act fast before your stepsister seals the deal."

"Don't worry," Faith said. "With us on your side, Rejoice won't stand a chance."

Crystal leaned closer. "Let's get him to start noticing you — today."

Elizabeth smirked, suddenly determined. "Let's do it."

Meanwhile, in the staff room, Mrs. Happiness Scott stood beside the principal, watching the chaos unfold through the glass windows. She held a clipboard and her usual warm smile.

"Looks like your favorites made it," the principal teased.

Mrs. Happiness chuckled. "They earned it. Especially Rejoice and Sonia. Their portfolios were raw but promising. I saw potential."

The principal raised a brow. "Even Elizabeth? You mentioned she came in with troublemakers."

"She did," Mrs. Happiness replied. "But sometimes people just need a second chance. I'll be watching her."

As the day wore on, the admitted students were led to a large assembly hall where they would receive orientation materials. Mrs. Happiness addressed the crowd, her voice firm yet gentle.

"Welcome to Salem Fashion Designing School," she said. "Out of the hundreds who applied, only sixty of you made it. You're here not by chance, but by merit and grace. What lies ahead is not easy — but it will be worth it."

Applause filled the room.

After orientation, the students dispersed. Rejoice found herself sitting with Sonia, Zion, Daphne, Tilda, and Malik under a tree in the school's garden. They talked about the test, the interview, and what came next.

"I thought I'd faint when that interviewer asked me to sketch on the spot," Tilda laughed.

"And when they asked me what inspires my style," Malik said, "I said my grandma's Ankara wrapper. They looked confused."

Everyone laughed.

"I think we're going to be a great team," Daphne said, smiling at Rejoice.

Across the garden, Elizabeth was pretending to read a fashion magazine while stealing glances at Zion. She had changed her hairstyle into something more "natural" and wore lighter makeup than usual. Crystal whispered to her, "He's watching you now."

"He's not," Elizabeth said quickly — though secretly, she hoped he was.

Rejoice noticed the little performance and tried not to feel annoyed. But a strange feeling bubbled in her stomach. Was Elizabeth… trying to flirt with Zion?

"Forget her," Sonia whispered. "Focus on your goals."

"I know," Rejoice muttered, turning her gaze elsewhere.

As the day closed, and the sun dipped behind the hills surrounding Salem, the school felt different. There was a buzz in the air — the energy of new beginnings. Students laughed, some still cried, and others walked hand-in-hand with friends they hadn't known days ago.

But not everyone was smiling.

Queen stood beside the school gates, a small suitcase in her hand. Her face was wet with tears, and a teacher was beside her, trying to comfort her. But Queen wasn't listening.

She turned to glance at the main building one last time.

"I'll be back," she whispered. "And when I return, no one will dare laugh at me again."

Inside the dorm, Rejoice stood by the window, watching her leave. A chill ran down her spine. Something told her that Queen's story wasn't over yet.

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