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In tenth grade, I spent more time goofing around and getting into fights than I did studying. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the work; I just preferred not to. Penny was always yanking my chain about my study habits. I doubted a school like this would appreciate a kid like me bringing down their reputation.
Penny.
A whole month away from her, and she still consumed my thoughts.
“Hello, can I help you?” An older lady with silver hair and thick-rimmed glasses smiled up at me from her desk behind the counter.
“I’m the new kid. Blake Weston.”
She glanced me up and down, and her smile grew wider. “We’re pleased to have you, Blake. Welcome to Wellington. I’m Mrs. Fredson, but you can call me Dorothy.”
My lips drew into a tight line, curling up at one side. She seemed genuine, but I hardly looked the part. My polo shirt was already creased, and I’d opted not to wear the shoes Miranda had left out for me.
I preferred my worn-in Chucks.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you down to Mr. Spellman’s office. He’s expecting you.”
We walked in silence down a long hallway before she stopped outside a door. There were two seats to the left, and I smiled inwardly. At Lancaster High, I was well acquainted with the principal’s office.
Dorothy knocked, waited a couple of seconds, and then opened the door.
“Good luck,” she whispered before ushering me inside.
The door clicked shut behind me, and I took in the room. It was light and airy, with a huge glass window overlooking a playing field.
It looked like the football team was running drills.
“Welcome to Wellington, Mr. Weston. Please, have a seat,” the man seated behind a huge desk positioned in front of the window said. “I’m Dr. Spellman.”
“Doctor?” The word just tumbled out, and I silently cursed.
Taking a seat opposite him, I dropped my bag and sat rigidly.
A slight smile broke over his face causing his eyes to wrinkle around the corners. “Doctor of Education.”
I tipped my chin and waited. Spellman leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table and clasped his hands while he regarded me.
“I’m good friends with your uncle. I feel confident your time here at Wellington will be smooth and enriching. I have taken a quick look at your files from Lancaster, and I think you have a lot of potential, son. We just need to…” His lips curved into a slight smile. “Focus your energies.”
“I just want to graduate high school… sir.”
“Of course, Blake. I understand this must be a difficult transition for you, so how about we give it some time? Let you settle and find your feet here at Wellington.”
“Okay.”
What else was there to say?
It wasn’t as if I had much choice in the matter.
Until I turned eighteen, my life belonged to Anthony and Miranda. He had made that perfectly clear.
“I’ve arranged for a student to help you settle. Brittany.”
I turned around, following Spellman’s line of sight. A girl in a Wellington uniform sat in the corner of the room. She smiled at me, and I gave her a slight nod. I didn’t need—or want—a babysitter.
Especially, not Miss Queen Bee over there.
“Hi, I’m Brittany Arnold.” She gave me a small wave. “Our families are good friends.”
