Mr. Howell looked at her again. "Did you not read the school's info?" He asked, noticing the confused look on the girl's face. Of course she did! It was what kept her all night. "And you didn't realize that you have to live in school, did you?" "Sire...I...I." She was at loss for words.
Mr. Howell heaved a sigh. "Take these papers. You can attend today's classes as this is Friday, but you're expected to return tomorrow, with your belongings." He noted. She meekly took the papers from him and gave a nod. "Show her her class, Keith. You can now leave." He said, sounding slightly impatient. Keith who'd been sitting stood to his feet and motioned Arlene. She took a bow and walked out, Keith following after sharing some secret conversations with Mr. Howell, a smirk on his face. He shut the door behind him and increased his pace to meet Arlene.
"Thanks. For helping." Arlene greeted. That was the least she could do. Keith smiled. "Sure. So I guess you'll be returning tomorrow, then. I'll be expecting you." Не said, his hands in his pocket while walking her to her class.
Arlene was quiet. She was pondering on the news she'd received. How could she live in school? Not like there was anyone or anything she'd be missing, except Delaney of course, but she just didn't know what to tell her step mom.
The first college admission Arlene had gotten was taken by her step sister; scratch that, snatched by her step mom and given to her step sister and she was afraid of what the woman would do this time. She'd even given one of Arlene's admission letters to one of her friends. As if making matters worse, she didn't tell her step mom when she took the exams for this college. It was a smart move at first, but the current situation altered a lot. She was hoping she would attend college without her step mom's knowledge. She heaved a long sigh. Things really knew how to get messier.
"Hey." Keith flicked her forehead. She snapped out of her thoughts immediately and looked at Keith. "Didn't know you went somewhere without telling me." He teased. "Here's your class. If you need anything you can come call me. Class 4B. See you during lunch." He said and walked out.
Her gaze met the door in front of her. 'Lessons are ongoing already, how great', she muttered with an eye roll. Drawing in a deep breath, her grip on the door knob, she pushed the door open and walked in slowly, her gaze fixed to the floor. "If you don't look up, you might as well walk right into Mr. Bal." A voice mocked, earning chucklings from various angles in the class. Her fist tightened, 'stay cool, Arl.' She coaxed herself. Slowly lifting her gaze to meet the class's, she gave a tight smile and turned to face the supposed Mr. Bal who'd paused his lessons. "And you are?" He asked, giving her a thorough gaze as if measuring her intelligence with it.
"Arlene Harris. I'm new here." "Go find a seat. Welcome." Her eyes roamed round the class, avoiding gazes till she found two empty seats. She quickly walked to it and sat on one. There were sudden murmurs and when Mr. Bal who'd gone back to his lessons turned around, he chuckled slightly.