Page 7 of Unbidden

She shakes her head but answers me. “In through the front door, then the second door on the right. Come find me at lunch. Mom made sure they paired us so you didn’t have to sit alone.”

I bite back another sarcastic response. Alice has been nice so far, and she doesn’t deserve my wicked tongue.

Yet.

They always show their true colors eventually.

“Sure. See you then.” I turn and leave without waiting for her response.

There are groups of people standing around as I make my way up the stairs to the front door. Even the building screams money. Brighton Academy is an older brick building with tall intricately decorated pillars. Walking through the front door, I expect to find a hallway filled with lockers, but instead it’s a long corridor of brick walls littered with doors on each side.

More students mill about inside, but I avoid their stares. Instead, I make my way to the door Victoria indicated was the office. It’s more like what I’m used to: walls with pictures of former students, a large reception desk, two doors, and a waiting area. I make my way to the empty reception desk as I look around. A book sits on the front of the desk asking for visitors to sign in. Flyers are littered around advertising school events.

As I continue my examination, an older lady comes out of the back office. She pauses when she notices me standing at the desk.

“How can I help you?” Her friendly appearance is nothing more than a facade. Her voice is emotionless.

“I’m here to pick up my schedule. Sage Miller.”

“Of course. Mrs. Davenport told us to expect you today.” She shuffles through some folders before pulling out three papers. “Here is your class schedule. We tried to place you in similar studies to what you were taking at your previous school.” She hands me the first paper before shuffling the second one in front of me. “This is your locker assignment and combination. We weren’t able to put you in the senior hall, as all those lockers are accounted for, so we placed you in the junior hall. This is a map of the school. If you go to the library, they can sort out your text books for you.” After she hands me the last paper, she turns back to her folder.

I stand there looking at my schedule. Advanced placement history, English, chemistry, drama, algebra, leadership, and finishing class.

I snort at the electives.Who are these people?

“You’re dismissed, Ms. Miller.”

I glance up to find the old hag sneering at me.

“Of course I am,” I mutter as I turn to leave.

Once I exit, I find the hallway has filled up. There are twice as many students, which disorients me for a moment. I catch their whispers, but I ignore them. Glancing down at my map, I turn right and make my way to the library to get my books. Only getting lost once, I make it there right before the first bell rings.

“How can I help you, dear?” I look up at the kind voice to find another older lady standing at the door. Unlike the bitch in the main office, this one gives me a friendly smile.

“I was told to come here to get my textbooks.”

“Of course. I just need your schedule to make sure I have everything. Come in.” She ushers me inside as I hand her my schedule.

Once at the desk, she turns and grabs a stack of books. “I was expecting you, Ms. Miller. Here are all of your books. They can be a bit heavy, so if you need to leave some here and come back later, I can hold on to them for you.”

Her genuine personality makes me smile. She reminds me of my mom, kind and caring, even to a stranger.

I pull my backpack off my shoulder and start loading the books inside, only keeping my first three classes out.

“I think I got it. My backpack can hold most of them. You can call me Sage, by the way.”

“I can see that. Can’t remember the last time someone carried a backpack within these halls.” She reaches out to touch my hand. “If you need anything at all, come find me. I can help with quite a bit.”

Her eyes hold a tinge of worry within them, but I brush it off. I’m sure I’m imagining it.

“I will. Thank you, um….” I trail off, realizing she never told me her name.

The smile is back in full force. “Mrs. Lincoln, but the kids usually call me Patty. I hope to see you again soon.”

Looking around the spacious library for the first time, I tell her, “With all of these books, I’m sure you’ll see me sooner than you think.”

She smiles. “Have a good first day, Sage.”

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