Boarding School

Hilda

I was in the car staring out the window and wondering how I got myself into this and how they had managed to get me here without my consent. I remembered trying to fight for my freedom and refusing to get along with their plan. But my parents knew exactly how to force my hand. And so, that's how I ended up in the car, on my way from the airport to Burford High in England.

People always thought of me as a spoiled brat, and I was fully aware of that but it was never my fault to begin with. I had always been a tough kid and instead of teaching me discipline, my parents spoiled me rotten with money and luxurious stuff in order to get me out of their hair. I was raised to always get what I want, no matter the price, no matter the consequences. At first, when I was younger, it wasn't an issue. There was nothing a loaded check with several zeros couldn't solve. But as I got older, my problems grew with me and became much bigger and harder to solve. And that's when all hell broke loose and how I got sent to England for a whole year in a boarding school.

-We've arrived Miss Morgan.

The driver announced as he pulled in the driveway of the boarding school before he turned to my side and opened the door for me.

-Thank you

I replied as I stepped out of the vehicle. I looked around and saw the huge building surrounded by a wide garden with green grass and colorful flowers. It was pathetic. It was nice and calm, suitable for my grandparents maybe.

I sighed and let my shoulders slump. There was nothing I wanted more than to climb back into the car and go straight from where I've come.

The driver pulled my luggage out of the trunk then carried them into the building. He looked smug, like he has been waiting for this moment his whole life. He was probably happy that he has finally got rid of me. I glared at him as I kept my hands pinned to my sides so I wouldn't punch that smugness off his face.

Once he came back, he climbed back into the car and drove away as fast as he could.

I sighed for the tenth time today, something I already feel like I am going to get used to doing a lot this year, then walked into the building. When I reached the reception, I didn't find anyone. I cleared my throat and a head suddenly popped out of nowhere.

-Oh, hi. I blurted out.

-Can I help you?

A middle-aged woman offered looking at me from behind the small glasses barely holding on the bridge of her nose.

-I'm the new student here, from the U. S. I enrolled a few weeks ago.

-Oh yeah, I've heard about your last-minute enrollment. She said eyeing me up and down. Welcome to Burford High, would you give me your name please?

She asked with that polite British tone of hers even though her judging eyes made me feel anything but welcome. I already know that I am not going to get along with this woman.

-Hilda Morgan.

She typed on her computer then opened the little window and handed me a map and some keys.

-These are the keys to your dorm room, your gym locker, and to your study locker. And this is a little map to guide you around the school if you ever got lost.

She said with a little snicker that she tried to muffle with a genuine smile. I huffed grabbing the keys and the map without even thanking her as I stormed away.

If everybody is like that woman, I am doomed for a whole year.

Freya

I opened the window feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. We're in the middle of September, but yet the weather is still nice. I looked out to the people in the street, cycling, jogging and some gardening. They have moved on with their lives like nothing has happened while I was still stuck in reverse, reliving that night over and over again.

A few months ago, I took the decision of my life and enrolled in a boarding school in England. That was my own way of moving on. I felt like I was suffocating in this house and I had to leave in order to breathe again. After my parents' death, I was stuck living with my brother Joshua and his wife Jennifer because I am a minor. But I can't live in this house anymore for so many reasons, and Jennifer's attitude is one of them. I wasn't going to make him choose between us so I decided to just leave.

-We should probably start loading your stuff in the trunk. Joshua said walking into my room.

I closed the window and tried my best fake smile that I've learned how to master over the years. But Joshua wasn't buying it. He knew me all too well to know my mind and my heart. He knew that I was sad here, that's why he never asked me to stay.

-I know that it wasn't easy for you to be in this house. But I am happy that you have decided to finally live your life again.

-I can never thank you enough for your support. You've been my anchor, my rock, and without you, I wouldn't have made it until now. But you don't have to worry about me anymore Josh. You can live your happy ever after with Jennifer. He held his arms open for me and I let him hug me.

-You deserve to be happy too, sis. He said tightening his embrace.

-This will be start of a new chapter, for the both of us. But we'll always be in each other's life. It's not like this is goodbye forever.

-It better not be, or I'll hunt you down.

He laughed even though we knew he would really do that. He has always been protective of me, even more than my father was.

-I love you. I said with a sad sigh.

-I love you more. He said squeezing me for the last time before letting go.

He took my luggage and I followed him downstairs where I found Jennifer waiting for us by the door. I kissed her goodbye and I swear I could hear her content sigh like she couldn't believe I was finally out of her hair. But I couldn't blame her because I felt just the same.

Once we made it to the airport, I hugged my brother one last time then walked into the gate, ready to face my destiny. I took a cab to school and was breathtaking by the scenery. The sight was welcoming and beautiful, the sky was blue and the trees were huge. There were orange leaves covering the green grass and everything was so colorful I made a mental note to draw it some day in the near future. They said London was always cloudy and rainy, but I was happy that it wasn't the case on my arrival day. I made the necessary arrangements with the lady behind the desk before she handed me my keys and my map and then I handed her my application for the job in the cafeteria during spare hours.

-Well, welcome to Burford High Miss Richardson. She said at last.

I thanked her then followed the map to the fifth floor where my new room is supposed to be.

When I found it, I unlocked the door then rushed to get inside to hide behind it before I would meet any of the students. Since my parents' death, I haven't been socializing much and being in a place where I literally didn't know anyone brought anxiety to my chest. I leaned against the door and closed my eyes trying to find a steady breathing rhythm.

-Um, hello? Someone said making me yelp.

-Hi! I replied clutching at my chest, my heart beating so fast it felt like it wanted to escape my ribcage.

-I didn't mean to scare you. I just didn't know I was going to have to share a room. The girl said looking bummed as she let herself fall on a bed that she chose to be hers.

-It's fine. I said now that I have caught my breath.

-Bummer, right? Or more like bugger, as they say here. She said mocking the British accent.

-It's fine. I said again, something I've been saying too much lately -I don't mind.

-Whatever. She said not taking her eyes off her phone as she started to type fiercely.

I carried my bags toward the spare bed and shrugged off my coat. It was middle September but as expected, the minute I stepped out of the airport I was hit by the chilly air of London making me miss Australia's warmth.

-I'm wrecked. I muttered to myself as I lied on my bed and covered my eyes with my arm.

-We have a meeting with Mr. Brown in an hour downstairs.

The girl sounded like a Yankee, so it didn't take a genius to figure out where she was from. She just didn't look like she fits in a boarding school like this, judging from her clothes and attitude.

I stood up and walked to the closet to unpack.

-I already took the top three drawers. You can have the others. My new roommate said with her nose still buried in her cell phone and I wondered if she had any idea of the rules in this school. The closet was small but enough to fit the few things I've brought with me. I glanced at the top three drawers and noticed the clothes she has brought as I laughed.

-I believe you need new clothes because I don't think you're going to wear any of those here.

-Watch me. She replied unfazed and I wondered again if she knew about the uniform policy.

-Seriously, you'll get kicked out. I said turning around to face her.

-That's the plan. She responded with a wink as she walked out of the room.

I sighed and followed her even though deep inside I knew that I shouldn't.

-I'm Hilda by the way. She said jumping down two stairs on a row.

Hilda

We took seats in the classroom as other students emerged in. And once we were all seated, the staff walked in with the headmaster and stood in line behind him.

-Welcome to Burford High everyone. I am Mr. Brown and as every year, I am here to welcome you and wish you a year full of success and knowledge. The teachers will assist you in anything you need as well as my son Micah, who is in charge of showing the new students around and introduce them to several activities that they might be interested in. There are competitions for the brightest of students in every activity they choose to be part of. We provide tutoring sessions for those in need and we organize educational trips twice a year for those who don't go home during the holidays. Now you'll be given your school uniforms along with your schedules and the school policy. I hope you'll follow the rules as instructed and you are on your best behavior.

-Where are we? In kinder garden? I muttered under my breath and earned a chuckle from someone next to me.

-If anyone has a question, please come forward.

When no one raised their hands, I did.

-I do. I felt all eyes on me including Mr. Brown’s.

-Yes Miss Morgan?

I was taken aback when he referred to me by my name and wondered what he knew else about me. I almost decided to drop it when I felt the chuckle of the same person sitting beside me muttering.

-Chicken. I cocked my head to the side to glare at them but decided against it as I said out loud.

-Do we have to wear the uniforms? I mean, I feel more confident in the clothes I own.

Almost everyone laughed including Mr. Brown, which surprised me because I was expected to be scolded and with a little bit of luck, even punished.

-I'm sure you are Miss Morgan. But school uniforms are an obligation and I expect you to respect that.

Even though he was smiling, I could hear the warning in his tone and the glare he was sending my way. Without giving me more chance to object, he turned around and left the room.

After we were provided with the uniforms and the schedules, it was time for lunch. I followed the flow and stood in line waiting for my turn.

-You made such an impression earlier. How long is it since you came here? Two hours maybe? And yet you've managed to get everybody's attention.

I raised my eyes to meet a tall blond guy with curly hair and broad shoulders standing next to me.

-What can I say? I love being the center of attention. I replied with a lazy shrug. He laughed and said:

-I figured that much. I'm Daniel. He offered me his hand and I shook it as I replied:

-Hilda.

-American huh? He asked with raised eyebrows.

-And proud. I answered with a mocking smile.

-Do you want to sit with us?

-Depends on who's us.

-My friends are sitting at that table. He said mentioning with his finger toward a table where three other people were already sitting.

-Okay.

My turn came and I made my best not to cringe at everything served because I was starving and I had to eat. Food is something I value and take seriously and judging by the choices I was given right then; I knew I wouldn't survive for long in that place.