Mrs. Blackwell took me to the school to handle my enrollment. Lily led the way, pointing out various buildings and sharing little facts, clearly at
home and proud of her school.
I followed behind, hands in my pockets, casually taking it all in. I was matching the sights to the descriptions old Principal Albright had given me. It
was my first time here, but in his relentless campaign to recruit me, he had praised the school from top to bottom so many times I even knew
what the most popular dish in the cafeteria was
The vice–principal received us personally, apologizing that Principal Albright was away on business but assuring us that everything had been taken
care of as per his instructions. He then handed me my student ID.
Mrs. Blackwell was surprised, almost flattered. While the Blackwells were the richest family in the state, a man of Principal Albright’s standing could have easily refused them without consequence. Yet here was the vice–principal himself, and from the sounds of it, the principal would have
met them personally if he hadn’t been out of town.
Mrs. Blackwell beamed at Lily, attributing some of the credit to her. It had to be Lily’s excellence, combined with the Blackwells‘ wealth, that earn-
ed them such special treatment.
The paperwork was finished quickly. In the middle of it, the vice–principal stepped out to take a call. He returned to say that Principal Albright was
on his way back and, if they weren’t in a hurry, they could wait. The principal wanted to meet them personally.
Mrs. Blackwell was even more astonished. She eagerly agreed, taking Lily’s hand with a radiant smile. “You’ve all taken such wonderful care of our
Lily. As parents, we feel so at ease entrusting her education to your school.”
The vice–principal returned the compliment. “Lily is a bright and generous student, always at the top of her class. You’re very fortunate, Mrs. Blac-
kwell.”
Hearing her child praised, Mrs. Blackwell was overjoyed.
They were deep in conversation, completely forgetting about me, the actual subject of the visit. Seeing that the formalities were done, I took
student ID and walked out of the office.
My phone buzzed. A new message.
Old Man Al: [I’m half an hour out! Wait for me!]
M: [Gone.]
Old Man Al: [NO0000!]
could almost picture the frantic old man tearing his hair out. I shook my head. What was so great about meeting an old man, anyway?
The thought of my impending, miserable life as a student was already ruining my appetite.
