“Around back.” She leads the way, following the sidewalk that goes around the building. I look down at the neatly manicured grass, then up at the large trees.
“This place looks more like a college than a high school,” I say.
“I think that was the intention. They want their students to treat this like a second home. You’ll soon find out that going here is your life. You won’t have much time for anything else.”
“I don’t want school to be my life.”
“That’s not really a choice at Twisted Pine.”
What is she trying to tell me? That my life will be hell going here? Does she mean because of the classes or the people? How does she know this? Is it like Jackson said, and the whole town knows about Twisted Pine?
I’m starting to get nervous. The building itself is intimidating, but now I’m worried about what’s inside it. The students. The classes. The teachers. What if I hate it here? What if I don’t fit in? I’ve never had a problem fitting in before, but just walking around this place, I feel like I shouldn’t be here.
“Welcome,” I hear someone say. I look up and see a man in a suit walking toward us.
Maria smiles at him. “Principal Edwards.”
He stops, his head cocked, brows drawn together. “Do I know you?”
She laughs. “No, but I’ve seen you around when I’ve come here to drop off things for the boys. Trystan and Braden?”
He nods. “The Halliway boys. Two of my favorite students.”
“This is Rumor,” she says, putting her arm around me. “She’ll be starting here next Tuesday.”
“Yes, I’ve heard about you.” He smiles and shakes my hand. “Welcome.”
“What have you heard?” I ask with concern.
“Nothing to be worried about,” he says with a laugh. “Brock came in last week and enrolled you. We spoke just briefly.” He frowns. “I’m sorry about your loss.”
I nod and look down at the perfectly trimmed grass.
“We were just heading to the bookstore,” Maria says. “We’ll let you get back to your work.”
“Have you decided what activities you’ll be participating in?” the principal asks.
Looking up, I see him staring at me with his dark eyes. His hair is dark too but streaked with light gray. I’m guessing he’s in his thirties, which seems young for a principal. He’s wearing a suit but looks like he’s in good shape. His face reminds me of Brock with that sharp jawline and those bright white teeth.
“I’m not really into activities,” I say. “I was thinking of getting a job.”
“A job?” he says with a smile, like he thinks I’m joking.
“Just part-time. Maybe at a restaurant or a grocery store.”
“Miss Halliway,” he says in a condescending tone, “we don’t allow our students to work. Attending Twisted Pine is a full-time job. In addition to your classes and homework, we expect you to support the school by attending sporting events and fundraisers and participating in activities that give you the social interaction necessary for success here.”
“I don’t need activities to make friends,” I say in a curt tone, annoyed the guy doesn’t even know my last name. “And I don’t believe a social life should be required for success.”
I’m really getting angry. School hasn’t even started, and he’s already telling me what to do. Expecting me to spend all my time here. Acting like my only friends can be people who go here. He’s making this place sound like some kind of cult.
“May I have a word with her alone, please?” the principal says to Maria.
“Of course,” she says, hurrying off toward a circular garden with a fountain in the middle and benches around it.
When she’s far enough away, Principal Edwards folds his arms over his chest and looks down at me. “You should know that your acceptance here was made possible only because of your uncle. We normally wouldn’t accept a student raised in the public school system and we definitely wouldn’t take a child whose father has spent the majority of his life in rehabilitation facilities.”
“Are you kidding me?” I scoff. “I bet half the kids here have had at least one parent go to rehab.”
