Stealing Promises
Page 13
Dallas followed her to the end of the hall passing by large wooden doors on either side.
“These are your classrooms,” Mila said gesturing to the doors with her hands. “You're a junior right?”
“Yeah, I had just started my junior year before I got the letter.”
“Did your parents do the jumping up-and-down thing when you got the letter, too?”
When Dallas didn't answer right away Milo followed up with, “All the scholarships kids live in the same rooms. It's supposed to be so we don't feel like we’re missing out when all the rich kids go do stuff. I think it's segregation, but whatever –, so what did your parents think?”
Dallas thought Mila was genuinely interested in Dallas’s life but it was difficult for her to disclose anything personal. “I mean it's just me and my mom, and her boyfriend Mike.” She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she said his name. “I kind of think they were glad to be rid of me to be honest,” she said no louder than a whisper.
Mila looked up at her and Dallas noticed her extremely dark brown eyes, “I'm sure that's not true,” she said quietly.
After a moment she continued on the tour and they walked through the last door at the end of the hallway. It had a big sign that said Admissions on the front, “We'll go in here and get your key and then I'll show you to our room. You’re probably hungry right? Dinner’s in like forty-five minutes, you can sit with me and my friends.”
She was so kind it made Dallas’s chest hurt, no one was like this back home.
“Sure, that sounds great.”
Dallas walked through the large wooden door to find a portly woman sitting on a desk labeled secretary. She introduced herself as Dallas Tanner and the woman quickly got together her file.
“Oh that's right you’re our new transfer! Yes here, all of your files were sent over today from your old school. Got quite a recommendation from one of your teachers, they commented on your excellent grades. I hope you don't find the curriculum here too difficult to keep up with.” She smiled brightly and Dallas saw the rosiness in her cheeks which made her relax a little. This woman looked like a female Santa Claus, there was no way not to smile when you were around her.
“Your room assignment is here dear,” she passed Dallas a key. “Mila Kretchneycov is your new roommate. Very sweet girl, I'm sure you'll have no problems getting along with her.” She smiled at the small girl standing near the door.
Dallas took a moment holding the key in her hands; she never considered how amazing it would feel to have a place of her own.
“Now I see you are a part of our scholarship program, so that means all of your meals are included. As are all your textbooks and anything you should need for school, just make me a list of everything and we’ll have it provided for you.”
“Thank you,” Dallas said. She couldn’t believe she wouldn't have to worry about feeding herself or getting school supplies. “Do you know where I can do a little clothes shopping?”
The woman nodded, “The students are allowed off campus every weekend on Saturdays. Mila can show you around town, today's Thursday so that shouldn't be too much of a wait, right?”
“That's perfect,” Dallas stood to leave, “thank you very much.”
“Of course dear, oh and welcome to Allenwood!”
Dallas smiled and for the first time in years felt truly at home.
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