A New Beginning

"Bye, you two."

Aunt Pia stuck her head out the window while she talked to us. We stood beside her car in the school parking lot.

"I'll see you both after school."

She was being playful; a smile emerging on her face. It was to an attempt to gain a similar reaction from us, but would only be forcing it if we did. Our relationship with aunt was still submerged in the deep- end, leaving space for some awkwardness still.  It would be a while before we floated to to the top and stopped feeling fully uncomfortable with some of the interactions that took place.

Even so... Aunt Pia was doing her best to overcome that barrier, so instead we nodded simultaneously.

Hazel eyes, the color of honey, feel onto the brick buildings behind us before returning her attention back onto us. The key hovered against the ignition momentarily while she hesitated.

"Don't worry," I reassured her. "We'll be fine."

"You sure?" She asked. Orange tinted eye-brows furrowed in concern.

"Yes." I said, confidently. 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 said. Pushing the key into the ignition and twisting, the Mazda roared to life. Giving her one last wave, she followed the other cars existing and heading back home to change for work.   It had only been three months since they had arrived in Metford, New South Wales. Only seeing her twice when they were little- before loosing contact- I'd come to find out she was a good person in this short time. Aunt Pea was the manager of PetsAreUs, the local animal shelter in Metford. You wouldn't find anyone who was as passionate and invested in the environment and wild life like she was.

Gripping my bag strap for a little courage, I locked eyes with Noah. The same emerald eyes stared back, and we shared 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 slipped his in mine. I squeezed slightly, as if to say: everything will be alright. Walking side by side, we took 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 sat at the waiting desk. All her attention was on the computer as she abused the keyboard. I moved closer to Noah before whispering in his ear: "Don't you feel sorry for that keyboard?"

It only took him a second to notice what I was referring to. "Poor keyboard."

"Right?" I emphasized, humorously. A girl seated to our right wore a bored expression, her face shifting to a grin as we passed. Arriving at the counter, the lady immediately spoke up, all without dropping eye contact with the machine. "Verona and Noah Bridon?" She asked. Everything about her was so non-nonchalant when she addressed us.

"Yes." I replied.

"I'm Sandra." Reaching for the two folders beside her, she extended them to us. We both took one and opened 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 hang up, finally looking up from the computer. "Mr Evan's office is the last one on the right." She advised, pointing to a hallway. There were 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 lent 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 began 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 gave 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 felt some of their eyes on me. One girl especially. Twirling a piece of her ash brown hair  between her fingertips; she assessed 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 text book 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."

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