Start of something new

Gabrielle Park stood in the school corridor, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement in her stomach. The hallway buzzed with laughter and chatter, sounds that bounced off the high ceilings and narrow walls. It was a far cry from the small-town school she had come from, where the most remarkable thing was a well-worn publication board covered in crumpled brochures, old gum, and drawings from aspiring artists.

Her big brown eyes took in the crowd of neatly dressed students around her, wearing sharp maroon blazers with the school logo, knee-length skirts, and shiny shoes that sparkled under the gentle light. She felt out of place, like a lily among roses, standing out in a world filled with privilege and status. Even those not in uniforms wore clothes that highlighted how different they were from her. Her simple plaid dress and knitted cardigan, gifted by her grandmother, made her feel even more separate from the effortlessly stylish students who seemed to have everything handed to them without worry.

Checking the paper with her living arrangements, she saw "Room 73" listed and realized she was right outside it. After knocking on the door and receiving no response, she decided to open it.

As she stepped into the spacious dorm room, she took in her new surroundings: two beds, two closets, and two small desks with chairs placed on opposite sides of the room. One bed was already made up with a plain purple duvet and matching pillows. On top of it sat a large white teddy bear whose eyes seemed to watch Gabrielle curiously as she entered, probably wondering who the hell this lost soul was, lost she really was.

She had asking herself why she chose this school, quite honestly she had many more options to chose from, other good school near her home town. But Green Valley stood out, his father had attended this school and Gabrielle wanted to feel closer to him, to know the life of the man that meant the world to her.

As Gabrielle stepped further into the room, she set her suitcases down next to the other bed. With a sigh, she opened one of them to take out her sheets and covers. Her grandmother had really gone all out to make sure she had everything for her first year at this new boarding school.

She bought a lot of items, some of which were not necessary, but Gabrielle didn't want to turn anything down. She hoped it would help calm her nerves. While sorting through the brand new bedding, she chuckled when she realized they had forgotten the pillows, imagining how worried her grandma must be feeling right then.

Reaching into her bag for her phone, Gabrielle dialed her grandmother's number. After just a minute of ringing, she heard the warm and gentle sound of her grandma's voice.

"Hello dear, have you made it there yet?"

Gabrielle struggled to hold back tears as she heard her grandmother's voice again. At that moment, she truly felt how much she missed her Mimi. She found comfort knowing that everything would be alright, her new school experience and life in this city would turn out fine.

"Hi Mimi! I just got here, and the school is beautiful! I think I'm really going to like it here. They said the library is as big as a soccer field! Oh, I can't wait to check it out!"

Gabrielle shared all this with her Mimi to ease her worries, but it was also true; she genuinely looked forward to seeing the school's library.

Mrs. Johnson chuckled softly, finally feeling a bit more relaxed. Ever since she dropped off her only granddaughter at the train station, she had struggled to breathe. Waving goodbye as the train left for an uncertain destination made her feel even more anxious. Thoughts raced through her mind: Would Gabby be safe? Would she stay warm? Would she like the food at school? These worries consumed her.

"What are you up to now, Gabby? Please make sure all your things are packed and that nothing is lying around. That's how people lose their stuff," Mrs. Johnson scolded her granddaughter.

Gabrielle laughed, already missing her grandmother's overprotectiveness.

"I know, I know, Mimi! I just made my bed. Oh, and I think I forgot my pillows at home."

"What? How will you sleep, child? First thing tomorrow morning, I'm taking the first train to that awful place!" Mrs. Johnson's worry returned. How could she have forgotten the pillows? She had packed them separately because they wouldn't fit in her suitcase.

Seeing that her Mimi was starting to panic again, Gabrielle quickly reassured her. "Mimi, relax! Tomorrow is Sunday, and on weekends students can go out and buy anything they need. Plus, my sponsor already gave me a card for daily expenses."

Tomorrow, the first-year students will be allowed to go out with escorts who will help us explore the town. I plan to buy some pillows while I'm out.

Mrs. Johnson felt relieved when she heard this. "Gabby, please be careful out there. You haven't been outside Livinglake Farm, so you might not realize how harsh the world can be. We often see on TV how girls from small towns go to fancy places and end up in terrible situations. Oh dear, what will I say to my Sarah?" Mrs. Johnson's sad words echoed over the phone.

Gabrielle looked down at her feet and understood her grandmother's fears. Her poor mother had passed away at just twenty-seven years old. Both her parents had left her with her grandmother for a night out when Gabrielle was only three, so she hardly remembered them. When she turned ten, her grandmother told her that a drunk driver had crashed into their car, taking away her parents' lives.

For most of her life, Gabrielle was raised by her religious grandmother in the countryside. They led a simple but loving life until Gabrielle received a scholarship to a prestigious private school located just minutes away, leaving her elderly grandmother behind.

With a sigh, Gabrielle wiped away a stray tear.

"I understand, Mimi. I promise I'll always make sure not to wander around town alone. I will stay safe; you don't need to worry about me," she reassured her grandmother.

Mrs. Johnson smiled gently as she thought about her loving and beautiful granddaughter. She felt proud knowing she raised a responsible young woman who would be safe.

"Alright, sweetheart, get on with your packing. Gabrielle, remember to use those disinfectant wipes on all the surfaces because you never know who has touched them," Mrs. Johnson reminded her.

"I know, Mimi! I'll make sure everything is clean. Now you rest; I love you," Gabrielle replied with a smile.

"I love you too, dear. Have fun tomorrow and please make some friends!"

After ending the call, Gabrielle sighed as she looked around her room at the three suitcases overflowing with things that still needed unpacking. She stood up and opened the smallest suitcase filled with her cosmetics and hygiene items her grandmother had packed everything for her. Taking out the wipes, she began cleaning her desk, both inside and outside of her closet, and even the small compartments in her study desk.

While she was still unpacking her clothes, a girl and a guy entered the room, laughing loudly.

"What do we have here? Well, hello there, roomie!" greeted the cheerful girl.

Gabrielle stood up from where she had been kneeling on the floor and looked at the two people in front of her. They seemed like a group of rich kidsnothing unusual. The girl was tall with shoulder-length black hair and striking green eyes. Next to her was an even taller guy with a slender model-like build, he had chestnut hair and bright blue eyes.