TWO: BRIDGEFORD HIGH

James' rickety old car struggled on the road, making a crunching sound as it climbed the stones and granite, we were almost there.

I raised my phone, sticking it outside the window as the afternoon sun hit my caramel skin and took a selfie. I pulled my phone back inside and zoomed in on the picture. “Fantastic” I murmured, the angle, the sunkissed effect, it was perfect.

I quickly updated my status, uploding the photo and my eyes flashed on my best friend's status, I didn't click it to view but I could see what it was. A picture of her and my ex, one where she kissed his cheek. I subconciously clenched my phone tighter and glared at the two people that betrayed me.

“We're almost there” James announced cutting off my train of thoughts and I looked up, noticing the tall iron gates ahead.

As James' car noisily ran through the road. We came in front of the gate and a pale looking  man blocked us with his hands raised up, dressed in some kind of uniform.

James stopped the car and the man made his was over to us, as he neared, I noticed how oddly pale his kin looked and his uniform had the school logo, he must be some kind of security.

“Good evening folks” he greeted as he slouched his body to look inside the car.

“New student?” He asked James before he turned to look at me, For some reason he felt very creepy.

“Yes,” James replied.

“Alright I'll need an ID or acceptance letter” the man said and James pulled back and started searching for the letter in his glove compartment which was filled with random papers. All the while, the guard kept staring at me, yup he was definitely creepy.

“Here” James handed him the squeezed letter, the guard pinched it to collect it from James and that's when I noticed his long nails.

I watched the man skeptically, he held the paper in a foreign way as he began to unravel it, his eyes scanned through the sheet before he turned to look at me.

“Miss Avery Martins?” He asked and I eyed him warily. “Yeah” I replied and he nodded before handing James the paper.

“Welcome to Bridgeford” he smiled, a disturbing one before walking back to open the gate and letting us in.

“Is it just me or that guy was creepy?” I asked

“Tell me about it” James replied before shaking his head as he drove ahead.

I looked back as the gates were closing, we had come a long way. The school was situated so deep in the forest that I first doubted we were going the right way.

“Oh my days” James exclaimed in awe and I rushed to look outside the window, tall buildings in orange and black stood high. The place had a vibe around it and the buildings didn't exactly look 21st century.

“How old is this place?" I asked as James parked his car. The buildings looked ancient and the windows so intricately designed.

“Alright, get down” James said and I mimicked him from behind his seat before coming down from the car. I looked at the building once again before pulling my things out of the trunk, once I was done James closed it.

"Alright, this is where I say goodbye” James scratched his head.

“There's no one around,” I observed.

“Well it's already evening ,maybe they're meant to be indoors or something” he remarked but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

James turned me to bring my attention to him.

“Be a good girl, stay safe, and call me if you need anything okay?” He said and I stared at him for a few seconds, was it James that was talking to me?

“See you in summer Avery” he said with a small smile and ruffled my hair. With that he entered his car and began to drive. I waved at the car watching for a few seconds as he left before lifting my luggage in one hand and dragging my trolley on the surprisingly smooth ground.

I stared at the building once more, this was a brand new start, I didn't want to engage anyone, just quietly make it though senior year and I'm done.

I made my way towards the entrance, there was a set of stairs ahead and I began climbing, and climbing and... what in the mediaeval ages was this! Had this school not heard of an elevator?

I finally made it up the stairs, into what looked like a hall and found it buzzing with students, I guess they didn't come outside.

I took in a deep breath and began walking, trying to be quiet, but that was impossible as my trolley rolled on the floor, it began to draw the attention of people and soon the hall fell silent.

What the…

I swallowed hard and kept walking, ignoring my trolley which was the only sound that could be heard, so much for being quiet, I had everyone watching me…

As I kept rolling my trolley I bumped into something or someone nearly falling.

“Ouch” I kissed my teeth as I raised a palm to my forehead, rubbing it hard before looking forward.

A tall guy stands with his back towards me and he is talking with someone. “Excuse me” I reached my hand to tap him and he flinched immediately.

“What?” I asked confused and he turned and glared at me.

“What are you?” He asked and I stared at him in genuine confusion.

“You were standing in the way I needed you to excuse” I defended myself.

“Yeah, I'm sure” he replied and his eyes fell to my hands before meeting my eyes, with a glare.

I noticed his eyes were gray, resembling that of a storm. “Next time watch where you're going” he hisses before walking off.

Some people stare at me weirdly, I had drawn even more attention to myself. As I kept walking I realised I had no idea where I was going.

“Excuse me” I stopped a girl with blonde hair and she turned to me with a creepy smile.

“Where's the headmistress’ office?” She watched me then noticed my bag.

“New student?” She gasped and looked back at me.

“Keep going straight down then turn left it's the only door there” she directed and I nodded.

“Thank you” I said, forcing a small smile.

“You shouldn't be doing that” she said and I stared at her confused but she just walked away.

Following her directions I arrived at a brown door, I knocked on it, once then twice.

“Come in” a sharp voice called from inside.

I opened the door and walked it, a stern faced woman was sitting at the desk and she observed me

“New student?” She asked.

“Yes ma'am” I replied. “Your name”

“Avery Martins” I answered, while she typed away on her computer.

“Okay, Avery Martins” she repeated my name and walked over to the printing machine and I couldn't help but observe her suit, it was so outdated.

“Here” she handed me three papers.

“Those are your class schedules, your room details and your student details, come in for your ID before the end of the week,” she said, speaking a little fast.

“Noted, thank you” I replied, trying to be polite.

“Go in, the headmistress is inside” she pointed at the door behind her and I nodded and walked over to it, I knocked before entering.

Another lady stood, this one stood at the window staring outside.

“It took you over five minutes to reach my office” she gave me a tight smile that made me uncomfortable.

“I…I was trying to find my way” I explained.

“I'm sure” she said sarcastically and I just stared confused.

“I'm sure my secretary has given you the details?” She asked.

“Yes ma'am”

“Good, go settle in, and don't be late for assembly tomorrow” she waved off and I only nodded before leaving the room and closed the door quietly.

I was about to pass the secretary when I heard her call me. "Miss Avery?"

I turned back still maintaining my smile. "You're going to have to submit your cellphone" She said with a straight face.

"My phone?" I asked confused.

"Yes, we do not allow the use of cellphones on the premises, you'll get it back at the end of the semester" She replied.

"What if I need to call my Dad?"

"Silly girl, you can always do that through a letter, that of course would be read by the headmistress" The secretary said.

I reluctantly pulled my phone from my back pocket and handed it over to her.

“Come in for your uniforms tomorrow” she said tuning back to her computer and I nodded before leaving her room as well.