page17 (1/2)

He pulled to a stop, waiting for a red light to change “Let’s wait to talk about the rest e’re with the others”

Mr Blackbourne and I remained quiet for the rest of the drive to Ashley Waters

It was difficult to put out ofaboutthe saet what she wanted I think that botheredthe possibility of who my mother really was

That Marie wouldn’t coured it out That she went to Nathan, not me Maybe it was all Danielle Maybe it was a trick That’s what hadhow they couldinfor anything else about what the Academy could really do

Ashley Waters High School’s drab brown brick building hadn’t changedone side appeared deadin with the brickwork

Mr Blackbourne parked where the student lot and the teacher lot rass-covered divide one could easily drive over Students were already arriving, parking in pri the after-school rush

When he parked, he rushed around, opening my door for me before I had to chance to even release the seatbelt I appreciated the nicety, so used to as part of the culture in the South

“Should we be concerned aboutwhat people think?” I asked “Iwith you?”

“Not today,” he said simply “When alk in, stay by my side You’re officially one of us now”

One of them

I sed and s sure everything was neat Nerves electrified inside one a week since winter break ended and school started again Unfortunately, I wasn’t invisible any ht ask questions

And everyone would notice the uniforirl was another

And I’d be the only one

I trusted this was part of a plan of so they did that wasn’t part of a plan I had a feeling this wasn’t for students, though Our focus was Mr Hendricks This was meant as some sort of intimidation Some sort of shake up

I didn’t carry a book bag, but Mr Blackbourne collected afrom the trunk of the car Once he had it strapped to his shoulder, he and I walked toward the entrance of Ashley Waters High School

The closer we got, the more I felt the need to walk behind Mr Blackbourne, to appear more like a student

When I tried to slon, he slowed as well He kept his head high, focused on the doors “Chin up, Miss Sorenson,” he said with a little more power behind his tone “By my side”

I matched his pace and kepton anything very long I wanted to appear confident, but I felt like an outsider returning where I wasn’t wanted Maybe it was the jitteriness I was feeling froar rush, but I was more nervous than I realized I would be

Mr Blackbourne chose an entryway that cut through the very center of the hallhere students often collected before school I didn’t look at most of them but sensed eyes on us as Mr Blackbourne turned toward the main offices

My eyes blurred a bit as weas I could Mr Blackbourne opened the door to the office for me, and I went in

Mr Blackbourne approached the front desk, pausing there for the woh I didn’t know her name

She nodded once to Mr Blackbourne, acknowledging him “I left a packet for you on your desk in your office,” she said She handed him a clipboard she had ready beside her “And I also need your autograph”

He took it up, signed and gave it back to her There was a pause for just a split ht side hallway

I followed I sensed the wo me with her eyes

I was definitely being noticed When he paused, I considered he was possibly waiting for others in the office to notice as well As I’d thought, this wasn’t really for other students This was to shake up staff

The hallas narrow, but ere soon at the door of the office Mr Blackbourne and Dr Green shared

Mr Blackbourne opened the door for me Once I was in, he closed it He remained near the door, his back to it He slipped his hands into his pockets and waited

I waited with hi ould leave in a minute