by Crimson Cole
Dr. Clair swats my hand and grimaces at my nervous picking of my nails. “Yes, usually they are. Don’t worry. Everything will be explained to you at your lunch meeting. For now, get settled into your dorm and read over this packet.” She thrusts a thick folder into my hands. “You’ll do fine, Lana, as long as you remember it is a privilege for you to be here, and we can revoke that right if your behavior reflects the need to do so.”
Her veiled threat does not go over my head, nor does the fact that she's making it abundantly clear that being accepted into Apple Valley isn’t my right, it’s an honor, and I better play by their rules.
“Yes Ma'am.” I follow her cue, and stand after she does.
“Remember, it's more important to try and bond with like-minded students already ingrained in the Academy’s ways, rather than cling to any former friends you may have from your hometown.”
So, my friends from home need to be my former friends and I should embrace the preps here… got it.
“Of course, Dr. Clair, I am committed to making the best of my scholarship, and thriving at AVA.”
“And making your sponsor proud,” she adds to my sentence, and I flinch
“Absolutely.”
I want to puke, right here on her floor, but plaster on a fake smile and give her a firm handshake, grateful to exit her office as quickly as possible.
“How’d it go?” Blue asks, anxious to get a heads up.
“Spectacular,” I fib, then offer earnestly. “Good luck. See you at the dorm later?” I retrieve my suitcase anxious to get some fresh air.
The secretary calls Blue’s name and she gives me a quick nod, before taking a deep breath and heading toward Dr. Clair’s office.
She stops short and tosses me a small bag. “If you can put this on the bed next to yours for me.”
I smile and nod in agreement. I’m sure her Converse won’t go over big, but I decide I like this girl and her spunk, grateful to have made a new friend, even if the powers that be at Apple Valley Academy won’t approve.
The harsh sunlight takes me off guard in comparison to the stodgy halls of the academy’s main building. Everything here is old and fossil-like. Even the young girls milling about seem too old for their years. Too careful. I want to stop and mess their hair up as I walk by. Instead, I divert my eyes and try not to scratch at my scalp from my own severe hairstyle.
Centuries old trees line the path to the dorm building and I stop a minute, taking in the beautiful sight. A wrought iron bench, nestled around the bend gives me the perfect excuse to sit and soak it all in. The scent of fresh cut grass wafts into my nostrils, calming my frazzled nerves. The perfectly manicured lawn is greener than I've ever seen before. I study the symmetrical designs of the bushes and shrubs wondering how much money they dump into the perfect façade each month. I could probably live on it for a year.
Random thoughts drift in and out of my mind as I gaze at the birds and squirrels milling about, but those harmless thoughts always come back to the asshole who sponsored my senior year at this daunting institution. Dr. Clair said he wouldn’t be here tomorrow at the Induction meeting, but one of his offspring might be and the thought nauseates me.
Bile rises in my throat as my stomach churns into a tight knot. I duck behind a tree and spill the contents of my gut, which to my relief is mostly liquid after last night’s antics with Jovan. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand then crouch down and rub it over the grass trying to remove the stench. Reluctantly, I glance upward, hopeful no one saw my embarrassing display of nerves, and thankfully, I’m alone. That is, until I turn around and see two girls over by my suitcase.
Great!
Hesitantly, I meander over to my belongings, and wince before I offer a small smile at the two girls staring holes through me. Before I can give an explanation or apology for my public upchucking, the redhead opens her big mouth.
“It’s really uncouth to practice bulimia in public,” she blurts out, a disgusted look on her scrunched-up face.
Excuse me bitch!
Her friend examines her long pink fingernails. “I don’t know how things are done where you are from, but around here, that’s what the restroom is for honey.” She pulls her attention off her perfectly groomed hands long enough to glare at me.
“Exactly,” Redhead says, and thumps my shoulder, raising her gaze, sweeping past my eyes, and studies my hair. “Purge in private, Bunny Girl.”
No she didn’t put her hands on me.
“First of all, I’m sick. I’m not bulimic, not that it’s your business.” I get close to Redhead and she backs away. “My name isn't Bunny, it’s Lana.” I thump her shoulder as I move past her to drive my point home. Don’t push me girl.
Dagger Nails rolls her eyes and sweeps her blonde hair behind her shoulders, then turns toward her friend. “This school really needs to stop with all the charity to the riff-raff.”
Anger bubbles inside me causing my hands to tremble slightly. I wrap my fingers around the handle of my suitcase, so tightly my hand feels numb.
“Or, maybe they need to curb the intake of snooty bitches.” I let my jab settle in their minds, and walk off before they can respond.
I wanted to punch her in the face, but can't risk getting thrown out of Apple Valley before the first day even starts. I’m not sure I’ve handled them right, and have a feeling these two are going to make my life hell.
Chapter Eight
After cleaning up in the dorm bathroom, I snatch a bed in a good spot far away from the door. I settle into my space and glance around the room. A small dresser gives me a few drawers to store all my stuff, and I quickly unpack. Those girls who gave me shit earlier have my thoughts racing and sitting still is impossible. I really don’t want problems with anyone here and vow to keep my mouth shut more than I run it.
Tall order.
I flop on the bottom bunk and access my surroundings. Six bunkbeds line the small room, two on the longer walls, and one each on the shorter walls. I tossed Blue’s bag on the bed next to mine, choosing beds on the corner walls, so we can at least see each other to talk at night and stuff. I spot a pushpin on the wall by the head of my bed, so I fish my mom’s photograph out of my purse and carefully stick it on the wall where I can easily see it when I go to sleep.
My mind wanders back to the snooty bitches. I’m sure those girls will give her a hard time too. I make a mental note to forewarn her to steer clear of them. Closing my eyes, I lie down for a few minutes trying to get comfortable on the hard mattress and slow my racing mind down enough to grasp how to deal with all of this.
A feeling of helplessness stirs in my belly, gnawing at me to run away from here. The fact that I don't even know the name of my so-called Benefactor, since he made my sponsorship anonymous, eats away at me. I bite at the skin on my cuticles incessantly. I’m sure keeping his name private on my papers is a way to control me still. I can’t remember his name, and it haunts me that he knows who I am.
It’s like I’m running blind throughout the world. I can bump into him anywhere and wouldn’t know it. Soon enough, the mystery will be solved when I meet my Shadow Sponsor. I’m not sure I'm ready to confront those dark corners of my past, but have no choice.
A cramp grips my stomach and I instinctively wrap my arms around my belly. Waves of nausea roil through me and my mouth waters. I jump off the bed and run to the bathroom, making it just in time to puke again. Resting my arms on the seat of the toilet, I want to give up, but the thought quickly leaves my mind as another round of nausea hits.
I want to purge this asshole and his scholarship from my system, but I accept I’m struck here for a year. The thought sickens me more, and I vomit until nothing else comes out, and only wracking dry heaves contract my belly.
“You alright, Lana?” a small voice asks, startling me.
I glance behind me and see Blue standing at the edge of the stall, with an expression of genuine concern on her face.
“Yeah, just drank a little too
much last night,” I admit, and sweep past her to rinse my mouth out.
“Oh, I see we are going to be great friends.”
A loud bell rings out startling me. I reluctantly turn to face her, and try and find the courage to face the rest of the day.
“Now what?” I ask, weary to leave the dorm.
Blue glances at her phone. “Didn’t Dr. Davis tell you the schedule? We’re going to have lunch with our Shadow Sponsors.
“I zoned out from a lot of her chatter,” I admit, and wait for her to pull the schedule up on her phone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll send it to you later. Time to go eat. I’m sure you’re thrilled,” she jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
Great! Time to face those bitches again, and worse yet, meet the person who may be related to the monster of my past.
Chapter Nine
Six other girls spill into the dorm chattering excitedly as if this really is a good place, but from everything I’ve seen so far, outside of Jovan and Blue, this school is going to be the bane of my existence. As I grab my toothbrush and rush to brush the remnants of last night out of my mouth, I convince myself it’s the hangover talking, and it won’t be so bad.
When I finish, Blue’s sitting on her bed bouncing slightly. “Good choice. Thanks for holding it for me. Now let’s go.” She grabs her small backpack, but leaves a few things on the bed to mark her territory, and throws her hoodie on my bed. “I don’t want those wenches to get any ideas and try and snag our beds.”
Blue’s the perfect mixture of tough-hood girl and considerate human being.
“I’m happy we met. I could really use your back-up with these two witches I ran into earlier.”
“I got you girl. No worries.” Blue flexes her muscles and we both laugh.
We rush out the door and head toward the cafeteria. A few students are still trying to find their way and look lost. Like the Pied Piper, Blue tells them to follow her as she has scoped the location out earlier, so the stragglers join up with us. As we head into the lunchroom, Redhead Bitch is waiting by the door, and her friend joins her.
“That’s them,” I whisper to Blue.
She smirks, “Figures.”
As we pass the girls, I remain silent, ignoring their scowls and eye rolling. Blue seems to grow as she puffs her chest out and stomps past them.
“Be sure to keep your lunch down, Bunny,” Redhead says as I pass by.
I whirl around to face her, ready to lay into her snooty ass, when her friend pipes up, “Jasmine, where's your manners.” She waits a few beats, “You could at least point her to the restroom.”
Oh, hell no you didn’t!
Both girls stifle a laugh. Jasmine taps her foot on the floor. Tap, tap, tap. Each tap pounds in my head and I want to break her leg.
I move inches from her friend’s face, “We can meet up in the bathroom and settle this once and for all.
Blue steps back and corners Jasmine by the doorframe, “Or we can settle it right now.” She throws her arms downward, pops her shoulders and head forward, “I got nothin’ to lose, Rich Girl.”
I tug Blue back, silently cheering her intimidation tactics, and nudge her through the door into the lunchroom.
“That’s right,” Jasmine says. “Move along, if you know what’s good for you. Come on, April, we’d better get some food before Bunny’s dyke girlfriend eats it all.”
Luckily, Blue is a few paces ahead of me and doesn’t hear Jasmine’s hateful words… but I do, and I’m not going to let it fly.
I step to the side and let the girls catch up to me when a sharp pain stings my wrist as April digs her nails deeper in my arm.
“You better learn your place,” Jasmine hisses.
“Let go of me, Bitch.” I grab April’s wrist and twist, yanking away from her. I want to punch her in the face, but hold my resolve.
“Dr. Claire,” Jasmine whispers to April, looking worried.
“So, as we were saying, welcome to Apple Valley Academy. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call on me or Jasmine to help you,” April says, plastering on a fake grin. The Guidance Counselor walks by and smiles.
“Hi, Dr. Claire,” both girls chime in unison.
Phony bitches.
“I see you’ve taken my advice and have sought out some of our finest students,” Dr. Claire says, and bobs her head in approval.
“Yes, Ma'am. I’ve learned so much from them already,” I say sarcastically.
“Oh, our pleasure. We can’t wait to finish our conversation later,” Jasmine says, and glares at me when Dr. Claire turns her head.
“It’s a date then. For. Sure.” I say, driving home my point that this isn’t over. I’m done taking shit from rich assholes.
I grab my nametag off the table set up for the Honorees, and check the roster for the table with my assigned seat, before heading over to sit down. Blue is two tables away and nods at me. I smile wide at her and she blows me a kiss. Jasmine and April watch me like two hawks, waiting to swoop in and kill their prey. I’m so thankful neither one of those vile creatures will be my sponsor as I watch two timid girls sit at their table. Perfectly pliable girls that I’m sure will have a life of hell under those two.
A short bubbly girl thrusts her hand in my face, “Lana Green?”
I pop up from my seat and wipe my sweaty palm on my dress. “Yes,” I say and shake her hand.
“I’m Meribelle Carson. It’s nice to meet you.” She shakes my hand and lets out a deep breath. “Sit, sit. I know all of this can be overwhelming.
Her reassuring tone has me hopeful that things aren't as dismal as I expect. Meribelle’s conservatively dressed in a simple pair of black slacks and a long-sleeved red blouse. There’s nothing flashy about her. She’s make-up free with her light brown hair swept back in a loose ponytail, and wearing only a simple watch and pearl earrings.
She studies me for a minute. “You look exhausted, so I'll try to keep all of this short.” She darts her gaze upward to meet mine.
“Thank you. It’s fine though, take all the time you want,” I say, anxious to learn more about her.
“So, there will be some exciting things happening over the next few weeks.” Her eyes sparkle with anticipation at my response.
“I’m eager to hear, please tell me,” I say, responding how she expects me to.
“Well tomorrow we have our morning ceremonies. The boys receive their sponsorships first, followed by the girls.”
“Sounds exciting.” I feign enthusiasm watching Jasmine and April hammer the poor girls at their table with a million questions.
“Nothing to be nervous over. They call each Honoree on stage with their prospective Shadows, to present each of you with your formal invitation to Apple Valley Academy.”
Meribelle catches me frowning and some of the sparkle dissipates from her eyes. “Don’t worry.” She pats my hand. “Some of the girls go out of their way to embarrass or humiliate their Honoree in small ways,” she says, glancing at April. “I won't do that to you,” she vows.
A desperate sigh pours out of me. “Can you tell me about my sponsor? Are you related or a fill-in for the family?” I ask, even though the anticipation of hearing anything about him makes my hands shake. I clasp them firmly together and shove them under the lip of the table.
“Well, I know your sponsorship is private, so your benefactor doesn’t want all the hoopla that some of them want.” She glances at Jasmine and April again. “All I can say, Lana, is that my family isn’t flashy, and we don’t need all the public accolades.” She winks at me, confident her obvious hint hits home.
“Your father?” The words barely vibrate my vocal cords, and come out so quietly, she cranes her neck toward me to hear.
“My uncle,” she corrects me. “I hope that helps ease your mind.”
I force my lips to raise upward painting a vibrant smile on my face and nod my head stunned that I’m sitting with a family member of the man who molested me.
�
��Come on, let’s get some food. You must be starving,” she offers.
All the food choices are the best-quality lean meats and gourmet cheeses all lined up in pretty rows. Greens and every vegetable imaginable—things I can never afford to eat at home—are here as if it’s natural to eat so well. Tropical fruits threaten to spill out of several baskets on the countertop and rows of organic juices and fancy water catch my attention. I’m so dehydrated from partying last night and vomiting so much, that I chug a pomegranate juice right where I stand at the buffet station.
“I’m sorry, was I not supposed to do that?” I ask, suddenly aware that the rules are very different here than in my old school.
“No worries,” Meribelle says, but adds, “Just be mindful,” for good measure.
We make a few salads, and I heap on the sunflower seeds, cranberries, and croutons. Meribelle smiles and gives a slight nod of approval, as if she’s well aware that this is all new to me, and doesn’t fault me for trying to get as much as I can.
As we head back to the table, Jasmine mocks me by pretending to stick her index finger down her throat as if she's forcing herself to vomit. April puffs her cheeks out like she’s a ravenous animal eating then points at Blue devouring a sandwich.
Meribelle is oblivious to all of this as they make sure to only make messed up gestures when they are out of her view. I wonder why they don’t want Meribelle to see. I’m not sure if Meribelle has some sort of juice here—some sort of unspoken power—or they just want to keep torturing me under wraps for their reputation.
“So, what are the other things?” I ask Meribelle.
Inside, I’m so torn as to how to manage my relationship with her. I don’t want to get too close, but I’m drawn to her easy nature, and if circumstances were different, I'd definitely have Meribelle on my list of people I’d like to hang out with at AVA.