Chapter One #2
She excuses herself, dropping a piece of paper with my new mobile number on it on my desk as she goes, gushing that Monty will be finishing work and she plans to surprise him. I also notice that it’s ten minutes until the dining hall starts serving food and I have not eaten since my flight.
I quickly change into a fresh pair of leggings and my brother’s favourite 76ers hoodie, along with my All Stars.
I look like a mess and I’m sure I will have jet lag at some point.
I take my tablet and find the maps, typing in the dining hall.
The lady’s voice giving directions sounds so sophisticated.
I name her Susan and follow her directive.
Students glare at me as I pass them. Maybe it’s because I’m the new girl and they don’t know why I’m here, or it could be the fact that I am talking to the device in my hand. I don’t care either way.
It takes me fifteen minutes to find my way, even with directions, because I think we took a wrong turn somewhere in the east wing. I’m positive Susan didn’t like my attitude and re-routed me the long way back.
I spot Elsie waving me over when I enter. The dining hall looks equally as old as the rest of the school. God I hope the food isn’t as bad as the crumbling surroundings. It costs a fortune to send delinquent kids here, so why the hell is the place such a dive?
A hush falls over the room as I weave my way through tables to get to Elsie.
She is sitting by herself. I wonder if she has other friends or if she is a loner.
I plop down in front of her. Chatter returns to the room but I still feel eyes on me.
When I glance up, a boy with mousy looking blonde-brown hair is staring at me from under his long unruly fringe.
He smirks when he notices me looking back.
“I have some dinner for you. I picked it up because if you are late you miss the good stuff. I hope you like Pizza. I made an assumption, I used to have an Australian pen pal; she was always eating pizza.”
“Thanks, I love pizza.” I look over and notice she is eating a salad. “Not a pizza fan?”
“I’m a vegetarian. I have made a complaint that they didn’t have an option for me.”
We make small talk whilst I pick the green shit off the slice of pizza. Every now and again I look up and the same boy is staring at me intently. His table is full. Mostly guys, but a few girls have planted themselves in the laps of some of them.
“So spill the T, what do I need to know about this place?” She looks up from her salad and blinks at me.
“I’m sorry? Why would I spill tea?” Elsie looks confused.
“No, T, like gossip.” She blinks at me again, blankly.
“Okay. Right, so... it is pretty much like other universities, except we start our last year here instead of high school. It’s more like a bridging year and we have a lot of international students. It’s a way of making sure everyone is on the same level.” I nod as she talks.
“Hold up, I had almost finished my final year of High School in Australia, so why am I a second year and not a first year here? I mean, I didn’t sit my exams yet.”
“I do not know. You would need to ask the headmaster about that. But it means you have three years here, instead of the standard four.”
“Do people not join late?”
“Never.” She stares pointedly at me. “Hence the attention you are getting.”
“Huh.” Now that I look around the room, I realise that she’s right. The room may no longer be silent, but there’s a lot of whispering and glances being thrown my way.
“We don’t really have cliqués here, you will find each group has a good mix of students.
Some are more popular than others, each here for their own reasons.
Never ask anyone why they are here. I’m sure you were told it isn’t something we discuss.
It is the number one rule. Our slates are wiped clean as soon as we step through the gates. ”
Sounds fair enough. Again I look up and floppy hair is still staring, so I wink at him. His smile is contagious, causing me to smile back. The poor girl in his lap slips when he stands abruptly, heading in my direction. The rest of his table looks our way.
Our eyes are locked, neither one breaking contact. Not until he sits beside Elsie and her back straightens at his presence. Hmm, interesting. Why does he make her uncomfortable?
“Hey Vagitarian...new girl.” Ugh. He had to go and ruin it by opening his mouth. He turns to look at me again.
“Is there something you wanted?” I ask with a bored tone.
“I wanted to tell you that I felt a little off today, but then you walked in and you definitely turned me on.” A disbelieving laugh slips from my lips; he cannot be serious right now.
“Do lines like that ever work for you?” He reaches across the table but I pull my arm back to avoid contact.
“Touch my arm before I go, so I can tell the lads I was touched by an angel.” I shake my head; this guy thinks he’s so good. He throws his head back and laughs. Getting up, he winks at me this time and runs back to his table.
“Have fun with that,” Elsie says. “You’re the shiny new toy and Kalen loves new toys.
Give him a few weeks and the novelty will wear off, especially if he doesn’t get his own way.
” Normally I would think someone saying that was just bitter and jealous, but she doesn’t sound that way.
She’s more matter of fact, no-nonsense. I feel like I should heed her warning. I like her.
We finish our food and Elsie walks me back to my dorm, she complains that she is in the shit rooms because she has to share with a girl who likes to eat a lot of garlic. I haven’t told her that my almost-stepfather is the principal. I don’t want anyone to think I have special treatment.