Chapter 109 - Chapter 18: Tides

Driving through Morston in the morning was a nightmare. It took me longer than I expected to arrive at the academy. I glanced at the watch, on my hand and smiled. The blush pink watch matched my blouse and the only way he would've known that was if he'd looked through my wardrobe. Mason the ever, oh so, stoic man was after all sentimental.
I snapped out of my daze and clambered out of the car. I had only ten minutes left until the interview with Aldo Friedrieksen. Head of the admissions department. I climbed up the steps to the main building, and barrelled through the front door, very much like a storm.
" Excuse me, Miss," A womanly voice called, making me wobble on my high heels, nearly topple over. I should've practised more walking in stilettos.
When I finally regained my composure, I turned around to see who had called me.
My eyes fell on a reception desk that I had just walked past without even noticing it.
" Yes," I cleared my throat and made my way to the desk with measured steps. Falling flat on my face, wasn't a good fit for my plans. Making a fool of myself wasn't scheduled for the day.
" Your name please?" The woman behind the desk asked with a tactful smile. Very polite, middle aged, soft spoken with the striking blue eyes.
" Lily Abernathy. I have a meeting with Mr. Aldo Friedrieksen. " I hurriedly replied, between breaths. Time was ticking and if I hung around much longer I would've been late.
" The head of admissions," I hastily added, smiling and blew a breath to steady my racing heart.
" I know who he is. You were heading for the stairs. His office is under," She added pointing at a double door adjacent to the stairs.
" Thank you," I smiled, relieved that I wouldn't have to wander around the entire wing looking for his office.
" Take a seat. He will be right with you," The receptionist added as I sat in the first chair, trying to get my bearings together. The day hadn't started most promisingly. At least this one thing, would go right. One could hope at least.
My dream to study at a prestigious academy was becoming reality. On the other hand, Mason and I were somewhere in limbo. I was somewhat appreciative of the experience we both shared. Perhaps, in a different time. In a different place.
The door opened and a girl walked out sniffling, wiping her tears with her sleeve. I followed her with my eyes until she'd walked out of the building. I spaced out for a brief moment, worried. What the hell did he do to her? Now, it was my turn to step through those doors. How long it would take for the flood gates to open? How cruel could a person be?
I glanced at the watch on my wrist. It was eight on the dot. I stood up and walked through the opened door and softly knocked to get the man's attention who looked at something on his desk, frowning.
Aldo raised his head and stood up " Miss Abernathy. " He waved me inside and I shut the door behind me " Please take a seat," He said as he walked around his desk and stopped in front of it, waiting for me to go to him. Aldo was intimidating, despite his smile there was something about him that sent shivers down my back.
" Good morning," I smiled and walked up to him with confident steps or at least, I hoped it seemed that way. Most certainly, I put in my best effort to appear as confident as possible.
" Pleasure to meet you Mr Friedrieksen, " I reached my hand for him to take, and smiled. I made sure it was not too wide and not too forced. I needed to make a good impression. My future was in his hands.
" The pleasure is all mine, Miss Abernathy," Aldo said as he let go of my hand and walked around his desk to sit down and waved me to take one as well, but he waited for me to sit first.
" I take great care in selecting each student that crosses those gates to come and study here, Miss Abernathy. I believe that you are a suitable candidate for our institution. I look for students that are nothing short of exceptional, to mould the future and the world." Aldo paused for a moment, watching me with a keen eye. I knew I didn't grimace or anything. I was on thorns, no doubt.
" I'm well aware that you have been homeschooled since the age of eight due to health reasons and later by a choice of your own." He knew more about me than most people. I didn't interrupt. It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
" Are there any other recent developments that the academy is not aware of that might affect your studies in, the long term?" Aldo asked, the man was as blank as a sheet of paper. He didn't frown or smile. Whatever smile he mustered to greet me had vanished without a trace.
" Not at this moment" I replied in a firm tone. There wasn't, the only variable was Mason but I knew he wouldn't impede my studies in any way.
" You currently reside in Morston, Northenhay Mansion with Mr Mason Kinnaird. Your legal guardian. Will that be your residence throughout your time at the academy?" Indeed the man was well-informed. No wonder it took them so long to get back to me. They left no stone unturned when they dug into my past.
" No, " I replied without adding anything more. If I were to succeed, I need to spend all my waking hours under a mountain of books.
" We do offer self-contained accommodation suitable for your daily needs. Where you can cater for yourself, at your own pace without the need to adjust to others' schedules. It has ample space for all your belongings. " Aldo's attention to detail when he spoke and the way he behaved, reminded me of Mason.
" Ample, sufficient," I replied in the same tone as his, stiff as a wooden plank.
" Very well, Miss Abernathy. All our students are to come and go as they please when classes are not in session. Inside and outside those gates you and every other student that attends this academy, are expected to behave appropriately, and decent. You are representing the institution and all that you do will reflect on the academy as a result of your actions. Any transgression will not be overlooked and will terminate your time with us." That is a bit harsh, I thought. Again Mason came to mind.
" I see that you have chosen a math division, but later you have changed it to a business degree. I believe that the science division would be more suited for your skills. Your exam results point that way. I would suggest reconsidering and putting all your talent into the science division. " I had an analytical brain, numbers were a natural skill but I needed to learn something that I wasn't already able to do and not comfortable with and that was business. Making connections with the right people was another big plus.
" I understand. My skills in the mathematical field are something that I've already mastered. I would like to learn something new. To challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone." I hadn't mastered anything, doing numbers was like speaking to me. It was a gift that I inherited from my parents.
" Very well, Miss Abernathy. You're currently volunteering at the soup kitchen in the quarter. Would you like to continue doing so and if so, how will you plan to manage your studies and your time at the soup kitchen?" Oh shoot, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I wanted to help but by the looks of it, I would have to bury my head in books and stay there. I could do that. I liked books.
" The academy and my time here is a priority. Ny only priority. The soup kitchen is something that is close to my heart and I will continue to help whenever I am able to do so." I replied as truthful as I could, hoping that it was the right answer. If Aldo was anything like Mason, lying wasn't an option.
" The how, Miss Abernathy?" Aldo emphasized the how and that was the first time his monotone had an inflexion in it.
" One day a week during term and" And none of your business during the holidays, I wanted to say " I will dedicate as much as I can during the holidays " I replied putting in some extreme effort not to smirk at the man. He was getting to me. He was thorough, but he was too much. I caught a glimpse with the corner of my eye the watch on the wall, it showed half past eight. I felt like I'd been in there for hours.