"Alright that's enough!" Toby whistles capturing my attention. "You hoodlums can converse on your own time. Let's go over the Do and Donts shall we?" he smirks.
Toby was tough but shrewd in his stern low tolerance approach. I didn't blame him for not wanting to deal with us. In fact, I was surprised Toby was able to stay even-tempered when it was so obvious Darcy and them wanted to be in charge.
"I think we're having fun right now." Darcy says which in turn makes both Josh and Kira laugh right out loud.
Toby narrows his eyes at Darcy. "Sit your but in a chair now before you fall and crack your skull open." Head raised high Toby walks in front of Darcy remaining calm for the moment. "To get blood on the marble flooring would be a terrible inconvenience because then I would have to clean up your mess." His illustrating comment was unusually bizarre.
They stare at each other without saying a word.
Finally Darcy moves from the table. "All right, man. Chill out." He reluctantly sits on a chair and smiles at Toby. "There, happy?"
Toby rolls his eyes and walks around the table. "Here. Go make yourself useful and pass these over." I hear Toby mutter to Josh.
With a stack of papers in his possession Josh leisurely goes around the room to hand out slips for everyone to sign.
"Please take one." Josh tells Kira who then sticks her tongue at him.
Josh chuckles at Kira revealing a silver clasp on his tongue. Longer then necessary Josh gives each person a slip.
Darcy groans. "Seriously?! Homework on the first day." Darcy puts his fine Timberland's on the table and leans back in the chair.
"Technically none of you have been finalized just yet." Toby says uncaring to beat around the bush.
Toby's voice remained painfully monotone as he spoke. I caught him checking the time every so often. With the flick of a wrist his attention remained constant never sidetracking from the outlined topic points.
"Remember, this agreement can be severed any time. It is your responsibility to sign these forms that state you understand the rules of our academic system. Only then will you attend classes." Toby further explains.
Josh steps in front of me and moves his curls to the side. Considering it was the first time I could actually see his forehead I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. It was my idea that he would look so much better with a decent hair cut.
Josh smiles up at me. "Here you go. Take one at your risk." His voice turns low at the end.
I chuckle at his mock expression. "Thanks." I take the last sheet and look it over.
Josh bows with one hand in the air and the other behind him. "Don't you know I'm here to please? Let me know how I could be of more help" He walks away.
I watch Josh cross the room and go back to his spot where he sat down on the floor next to Rachel.
While avoiding eye contact with any person who might have looked his way, Josh vigorously pulls open a zipper to retrieve a ballpoint pen from his backpack.
I was a helpless idiot once I realized everyone but me was taking out their writing utensils in the sort of lead and ink. Close mouthed I squash any bitterness I had left before I could laugh at the irony of my newest predicament. Of course all supplies were in the suitcase that was currently out of my grasp for the time being. Ahead of me I noticed Rachel was already done filling out the necessary paperwork. I didn't want to bother her but what choice did I have.
Even though I might regret it later on I walk over to Rachel and tap lightly on her shoulder. "Can I borrow your pencil for a sec?" I smile.
I didn't know much abut Rachel only because she was so quiet. "Go for it." She mumbles handing me a number two pencil that had bite marks on it.
Pencil in hand I made sure to grab it near the end keeping away from all tiny indents marked along the bottom part of it.
With my knee as support I position the folder to create a sufficient make shift desk so that I could read the contents laid out in paper form. There was nothing fishy that stood out in my eyes. It had all the basics that applied to any other school I've been apart of and stated as requirement how many credits were needed in order to graduate, what time campus grounds were closed, and which activities were accessible per school year. In essence, I took accountability of all that was expected of me by putting my signature down as needed.
In my usual indecipherable sloppy cursive I sign my name giving Rachel her pencil back with the eraser pointing towards me. "Thanks." I say. "For letting me borrow it."
Rachel snatches the pencil from my hand."Yeah. Whatever." Bending over she rounds her back to me and puts the pencil away from sight into her shoulder bag.
I recognized her kind immediately. The anti-social misfit who sat in the back and yet never truly belonged no matter what she did to become invisible. Those bracelets weren't on her wrist for decoration. At that point I wasn't sure what to do. I thought perhaps she'd like to talk or something but it soon became obvious that she was more interested in chewing her nails than have an innocent conversation.
Instead of standing awkwardly next to her like some obnoxious stupid person I walk back to my spot where I was before and eagerly wait for orientation to finish.
"The bell rings at eight o'clock sharp." Toby went on to explain.
Bored, I glance to my left intent on figuring out just what dance number Kira was doing. It was a complicated one filled with toe stands and several pirouettes.
Looking around I was not surprised to find that, just like me, each of them were zoned out. It reminded me of a communal gathering in which I chose not to participate, made up of stoned artistic minds creating a fresh new beat: naturally Darcy was banging on the table while Josh played air guitar with his turquoise pick necklace.
I didn't have to look at Rachel to know she was fussing with her bracelets yet again; as for the twins, well, they were standing by the door hand ready to pull it open the moment Toby released us.
If I wasn't curious before, more than ever I wanted to know what happened. They were extraordinarily quiet never once initiating contact apart from themselves. Whatever their names were, I had a gut feeling they wanted to be left alone. Who knows, maybe later I could find a reason to bring my guard down and converse with one twin by myself.
I couldn't help but smile.
Just thinking about it was a good start. Dr. Cambridge would be proud of me for even contemplating at small talk.
I did my best to pay attention as Toby spoke but it was like critical pieces of information went missing and I was left trying to construct what little bits I caught on.
"Off campus visits on weekends only." Toby strongly emphasizes.
A girl I didn't know asks Toby a question.
"Which brings me to my next point. For those of you who think it's funny to backlog our mailbox this year the rules have changed. Nothing from the outside can be shipped to this address. Ladies and Gentlemen a word to the wise, don't get suckered by your veteran peers into doing something stupid that will only get you into trouble. Make good choices. When you get hungry the cafeteria is fully stocked with a choice of possible healthy snack alternatives. And don't give me any of that 'I'm allergic crap'. These days everything is filed online. We know everything about you. Welcome to the twenty first century, people." He adds in finale. "Oh, and it goes without saying but I will anyway because there are some moronic enough to try it. There will be no booze, drugs, or sexual conduct allowed." That completed his all-encompassing list of to do's.
Kira snorts. "Ugh. Suck the fun right out of boarding school why don't you. What a snooze." Thanks to Kira's sarcastic comment people snicker and verbally agree with her.
"This place is a last resort." Toby brings attention to each candidate by giving a consistent unwavering even field of vision.
Toby was brutally honest and didn't spare one word to sugar coat as to how serious it was that we put in the effort. "Don't screw it up."
Being in that category propelled me to a determined state of mind. I had to do everything by the book or risk disciplinary action.
"Loosen up. You'll adapt." I heard a light yet raspy voice say to me.
I turn around to see who snuck up on me. "I'm sorry?" I ask mr. average not clear as to why he opened his mouth in the first place.
He stands next to me keeping a few paces away never once breaking my bubble. "Not what you thought, is it?"
Internally I felt thankful he was perceptive enough to remain distant. Not one person besides my grandmother understood my need to be left alone much less a stranger. I contemplate what to say until the right word came to mind.
Finally, I shake my head. "No." I tell him truthfully since there was no reason to lie about it.
I watch him scan the room. It was subtle but I could tell by the rigid stance and meticulous concentration that he was sizing everyone up. I didn't peg him to be the divulging type so I didn't ask.
He switches vigilance to the right. "You seem surprised." he goes on.
There was something about his mannerism that bothered me. His attitude remained composed as if he was unfazed by secluded off-the-map places comprised of mostly second offense juvenile delinquents. Call me curious but I wanted to know why.
I look at him briefly. "And you're not. How come?" Normally I wouldn't care but it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass over.
Unravelled by my question he shrugs. "I'm a drifter. It's what I do." He grins walking away before I could ask his name.
Annoyed that I didn't know what to call him by I supposed a proper introduction would have to wait for our next encounter. Once he was gone I shamelessly realized only a few people were still in the room cutting it loose ever since Toby's speech died out. Casually one by one they pass by Toby and use the same door as the professor.
Toby whistles gaining our undivided attention. "I need your papers today, people! Then we can all go our separate ways!"
Kira approaches me suspiciously. "Hey." That glint in her eye was anything but friendly.
With rigid posture Kira points ahead. "What's that about?" She asks.
"Huh?" I say.
From the corner of my eye I skeptically watch as mr. average effectively blends in with the dispersing crowd. "What? Him?" I ask Kira who nods.
I didn't know what Kira's deal was, but I had to admit he was clever when it came to getting lost.
Within a blink of an eye I lost track of him. I could see the back of his coat and then nothing.
I shrug my shoulders. "Nothing. We were just talking."
Kira looks my way. "Okay. Whatever." She mumbles letting it go.
Linking her free arm with mine she waves a beige stripe blue card in the air. It had my name on it written in gold.
Grinning, Kira gives it to me. "In case your wondering, yes, I stole your schedule from Mr. Crabby Pants. We have the same first period, by the way. Speaking of class, we should go. The professor talks fast and writes small on purpose. If we're lucky we just might find two available seats in the first row."
It all made sense. Her comfortable demeanor around Toby. The ease in which she glided her way from small groups of people getting to know each other.
Overcome with doubt I stop walking and look at Kira dumbfounded. "Wait! You've been here before?" She had me fooled.
I wasn't sure how to mend things between us. It was a conversation that I couldn't just pretend never happened. Confused at being lied to I was under the false impression that she was a newbie. Still, we barely met.
Once it became apparent that I would no longer follow her lead Kira sighs.
Coming to a standstill Kira rolls her eyes. "Oh please. Don't look so surprised. It happens." She pulls on my elbow impatiently.
Knowing it was rude to pry I look at my feet. "I'm sorry." I begin to apologize. Oh god! I was a hypocrite. Kira had every right to keep a secret.
She locks her arm with mine. "Don't be. I'm not." Kira says.
By the grin on her face I knew she forgave me.
I stop walking once I remembered something absolutely critical. "I need to hand in my signed form.
Wait for me?" I tell her. It was the only way that I could be admitted.
Kira nods laughing. "Make it quick!" She yells after me.
Folder on hip I cross the floor where Toby stands over preoccupied with leafing through a stack of legal documents to notice me.
I clear my throat so as to not startle him further. "Here you go." I give Toby my form never once looking in his eyes just in case he might yell at me too.
Toby grabs the slip from my hand and places it in the correct spot with the others.
I gasp in shock when he takes it from me. Maybe it was from a rush of adrenaline but I felt grateful to not receive a paper cut.
I narrow my eyes at his retrieving form. "Wait! What about my suitcase?"
I run after Toby fast as I could when he didn't bother to recoil with a snide comment.
With nowhere else to look I stare at his back. "I'll need my supplies if I'm going to class." I let him know.
Toby momentarily stops in the middle of his stride halfway to the door. "You can go through your stuff but make it quick." He leaves before I could put together a response.
I look down and sigh. I would give the professor my folder when I saw her next. Until then I had no option but to carry it with me.
With the folder neatly covering one side of my hip bone I walk back over to a patiently waiting Kira. She was by the door as promised.
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