"Bye, you two." Aunt Pia sticks her head out the window as we stand in the school parking lot. "I'll see you both after school." Her voice is a hint playful as she sends us a smile. It's one of her attempts I have come to realize in trying to make us comfortable with her. It would be a lie to say that I was. And that's why I don't smile back. Neither does my brother. We just nod simultaneously. Both knowing how hard she is trying to overcome the awkwardness that still overcomes our relationship.
She looks behind us to the buildings that make up our school before sliding them back to us. She has her hands on the wheel but makes no effort to reach for the gear shift.
"Don't worry," I say. "We'll be fine."
"You sure?" Her eyebrows are scrunched in concern.
"Yes."
Mom had already taught us to be independent from a young age. "Just in case I'm not always around," she used to say. Now that I look back, maybe she already knew what was coming. It was a talent of hers to know things before other people did.
"Okay." She finally reaches for the gearshift and changes it to drive. Giving one last wave, she follows the other cars out and onto the road before disappearing to work. It had only been three months since they had arrived in Metford, New South Wales.
Gripping my bag strap for a little courage, I locked eyes with Noah. Emerald eyes mirror mine and we share a cheeky grin between us. The only other person that shared our eyes was our mother, Anastasia Bridon. And even though she wasn't with us anymore, we carried something of hers for a lifetime.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
I offered my hand out to him, and he slips his in mine. I squeeze it slightly. As if to say: everything will be alright. Walking side by side, we take our first steps into a new school, a new life, and a new beginning.
######
A lady with glasses, a high ponytail, and a blank face sits at the waiting desk. All her attention is on the computer as she abuses the keyboard. I move closer to Noah before whispering in his ear. "Don't you feel sorry for that keyboard?"
It only takes him a second to notice what I am referring to. "Poor keyboard."
"Right?" I emphasize. A girl seated to our right who wore a bored expression suddenly grins as we pass. "Verona and Noah Bridon?" The lady asks when we reach the desk, eyes still connected to her screen.
"Yes," I reply.
"I'm Sandra." Reaching for the two folders beside her, she extends them to us. We both take one and open it up. "These are your time tables and a map to the school if you can't find your way around. Welcome to Skye-West."
Her explanation over, she pressed a button on the staff phone. Ring. Ring. A deep male voice picked up. "Yes, Sandra?"
"Two students starting today are here to see you." Unlike when talking to us, her voice took on a sweetness that only he emitted from her. "A Noah and Verona Bridon."
It was clear she was hormonal towards him. Noah seemed to think so to; his lip sealed tight to avoid grinning unintentionally.
Pause. "Ahh... Yes! Send them through."
"As you say, sir." The lady hangs up, finally looking up from the computer. "Mr Evan's office is the last one on the right," she points to a hallway. There are five doors- two on each side-but I could see Mr Evans from here.
#######
"So this is your stop here Miss Verona."
I peaked through the glass and recognized the girl from this morning. She chewed on her pencil out of boredom as she leant back against her chair. Platinum blonde hair framed her face in a bob while she stared off into space- her mind somewhere else entirely. Someone I'd see myself getting along with. Mr Evans begins speaking again, drawing my attention away from the window.
"Noah's medicine is with the office. I've instructed that at anytime you or him can come to the office to receive it if something happens. Noah is in building A, and it is out of bounds for seniors except lunch."
"Thank you, Mr Evans," I told him gratefully.
"No problem at all." He waved it off. "Just remember what we talked about?"
"Don't get involved with Striker, right?"
"Exactly!" He clamped his hands together, blowing out a breath in relief. "If you do that, there won't be any problems."
"Okay."
There was this nervous energy that came from Mr Evans in relation to Striker. It had my spidery senses tingling, but I couldn't put a name to it. If interacting with this person came from the principle's mouth himself; then he must really be bad news. Which meant, I should stay clear of him at all costs if it meant it protected Noah.
"Mr Francis is expecting you. He's already informed the class of your arrival so you'll be directed straight to your seat immediately."
I nodded. Opening the door for me, I went in slowly. Mr Francis sends me a smile before saying, "Your seat is next to Fera in the back." So that's her name. Taking small steps, I adjusted the strap on my bag when I feel some of their eyes on me. One girl especially. Twirling a piece of her ash brown hair between her fingertips; she assesses me with narrowed eyes.
I grabbed the chair and pulled it out before taking a seat. My head turned to where Fera was sitting beside me. Fera was still lost in space and hadn't noticed me yet. Giving her little table a kick, she jolted in her seat. Shifting her head in my direction ready to say something, her eyes widened in surprise when she realized it was me.
'Hi,' I mouthed, giving her a small wave. She blinked a few times in an attempt to process what was happening. Then she grinned. I unzipped my bag and took out my English textbook laying it on the desk. "Finally!" she leaned in and whispered. "Someone interesting has come along."
Her Topaz eyes practically sparkle in awe. "Fera Cornelia," she says. "And your name?"
"Verona Bridon," I offer, shaking her hand in the process.
"Verona Bridon," she repeats, getting a feel for it on her tongue. "I like it!"
"Fera has a nice ring to it as well."
"Doesn't it?" She exclaims loudly. Mr Francis gives her a glare from the front of the classroom at the disturbance. She shrinks in her chair and gives him a sheepish smile. When the coast is clear again, Fera shifts towards me in her chair and continues.
"See though..." she says, "what did I tell you?" Folding her toned arms behind her head, she finishes with, "Interesting."