Cai Rongyan takes her to the apartment designated to her by the big boss.
"Missy, this is where you're going to live while you're here," he says, opening the door. It had been decorated nicely. The furniture was made of good-quality wood, and there were plants around the apartment. It was a nice place.
"Thank you, Mister."
"My pleasure." He turns around and leaves.
"See you tomorrow." Cai Rongyan leaves.
Harriet walks into her new room and opens the door. A small smile creeps up as she looks at the room. It looked very nice. There was a bed with white sheets and a light blue blanket. A dresser next to the window had several drawers. Harriet looks out her window. Her new window gave her a view of the city. She could see the skyscrapers and the people walking down the streets.
All these things still overwhelm her, but the wizards have built a convenient society.
A knock on the door awakens her from her daydream. She runs to open it. Two bulky men are standing outside.
"Hello, young lady! I am Mr. Scott. This is my friend Mr. Fraser. We will be your 'family' for now. Come hug your dad!"
She slams the door shut. 'God, who are they?'
Mr. Scott knocks again.
"Missy, come let us in!"
Harriet doesn't respond. She's too busy thinking about the new environment and how weird everyone here is.
They pound on the door until, finally, she opens the door. They walk inside.
One thing that Harriet does notice about the people is that they seem to all have their hair slicked back. She can tell they haven't shaved in days by the stubble on their faces.
They sit on the sofa leisurely. Harriet sits across them.
She has the urge to ask something but decides against it. They're acting like they own the room makes her want to keep their confidence.
"We are your family now." Mr. Scott says.
Harriet stares blankly, confused at the statement.
"I am your father now!"
"Yes, daddy." Harriet nods obediently.
"And what shall we call you?"
"Harriet. That's my name, sir." She smiles shyly.
"Harriet," the man says, his voice filled with wonder. "Harriet, don't feel too nervous around us."
"Act naturally." the faux older brother Mr. Fraser says.
'These men are huge and scary.' she nods.
Another knock on the door is heard. "Oh, that must be your 'mom.'"
Mr. Scot opens the door, and a pretty woman walks through.
"Welcome home, honey!" he says, planting a big wet kiss on her cheeks.
She pushes him away. "Huh? Who said I'm your wife? I just took this job because-" her voice trails off as she spots Harriet sitting.
"-oh, hi honey." she smiles awkwardly.
Harriet stands up and awkwardly hugs the woman. "Hi, Mom."
Mr. Scott chuckles and walks over to them. "You two really do look so much alike; it's creepy. And your 'mother' is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen!"
Harriet pulls away to look at Mrs. Scott. "Really?"
"Yup! You two are practically identical!"
The woman slaps Mr. Scott. "Walk over there, please."
******
After the chaotic meeting near the living room, they are all in the dining area. Mr. Scott and Ms. Smith are cooking in the kitchen while Mr. Fraser sits by the dining table with Harriet.
The house is quiet except for a radio playing classical music softly. The silence reminds Harriet of her own home, which is somewhere... Harriet thinks back to her old house. She misses her mother dearly, but she'll never admit it.
The food smells wonderful. Harriet's mouth waters as she looks at the meal. She hasn't had homemade food since she moved here and is hungry. Mr. Scott comes over with plates full of food.
"Here you go!"
Ms. Smith sighs and sits down. "Now, now, dear. You know what he's like."
Mr. Scott sets another plate in front of Harriet, then hands her the spoon. "It's called 'dinner, mom.' Eat up!"
Harriet looks at him suspiciously but eats anyway.
"Good girl."
******
Later, after dinner, another knock is heard on the door, and Mr. Scott is visibly excited.
"That should be my daughter!" he opens the door, and it's as if a blur has whizzed past, latching onto Mr. Smith.
She hugs him tightly and cries. Then, as if remembering that she's a guest, she lets go and steps back.
"Sorry."
"No worries." Mr. Scott pats her head.
Harriet watches curiously.
The girl looks in her direction and waves to her. "Hi! I'm Nuying! I assume that you're my new sister!"
'What is actually happening right now?' She waves back awkwardly.
Mr. Scott clasps their hands together, giving them an encouraging smile. "Nuying will care of you and help you get... accustomed.!"
"Ah... yes." she replies.
"Well, you should probably get some sleep. Tomorrow's school starts soon."
******
'School starts tomorrow.' Those words echo at the back of her mind as she stares down the imposing building in front of her.
Her heart beats quickly and fast, and she swallows dryly, trying to calm herself down.
'Calm down.' she tells herself as she climbs the stairs.
She reaches the office of the principal, Ms. Lin.
"Hello."
Ms. Lin glances up, smiling warmly. "Hey, Harriet!"
She gestures at the empty seat beside her desk.
"Do take a seat, miss!"
Harriet walks over to the chair. The desk is covered with stacks of papers and files.
"All right, now that we're both seated…." Ms. Lin starts.
Ms. Lin checks her papers. "Your transfer papers have already been processed."
"Uhuh..." she says, a little confused. Though she doesn't know what's happening, she tries to go with the flow.
"So... I believe the paperwork is complete. I'll leave you to settle in."
Ms. Lin gives her a gentle pat on the shoulder.
******
The bell rings as she enters the classroom. She sits on her seat and tries to blend in with the surroundings.
'Blend in. blend in,' she thinks, sitting in her classroom corner.
She sees that all the students are wearing uniforms as well. The black blazers and white polo shirts are so clean and tidy. They even have buttons on the top. Harriet can feel her uniform being slightly too tight. She tugs at it experimentally, not realizing that other students are staring at her.
'Just try to relax and pretend you belong here!' she tells herself.
"Ok, class!" the teacher takes everyone's attention.
'Oh, I barely understand them.' she sighs.
After a few minutes of the teacher talking, she realizes the class is staring at her.
'Oh no, what did I do now?' she gulps.
"Um, hello," she whispers.
"Um, please come in front, Ms. Duncan." The teacher says.
She gets the translation book in her bag. She read through it last night, but...
'I'm good as illiterate.' sweat trickles down her forehead.
"I'm so sorry! I'm just so confused!" She flails her hand up like someone trying to do sign language while having an aneurysm.
The teacher looks at her curiously. "Is something wrong, Ms. Duncan?"
She laughs nervously. 'Yeah, totally. My brain has stopped working.'
"I don't understand…?" she slowly says.