Jaded: Chapter 2

“Lizzie, this is Nicole. She’s a sophomore at the academy. Nicole, could you show Lizzie to her room?”

Nicole nods and Belle starts to walk away.

“I’ll go confirm the plans for the weekend. See you at 6:30 for dinner.”

“Ok.”

Nicole leads me out of the foyer.

“Have you lived in Quincy long, Nicole?”

“I was born and raised in Winthrop.”

“I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to school near where I was born.”

“Where were you born?”

“Here. Well, in Plymouth.”

“Wow. So you might not need a tour of the city.”

“I haven’t been here in almost 10 years. It’s probably changed a lot being a metropolitan city.”

“That’s true. Well, your tour guide loves exploring so you’ll see a lot."

I nod and realize we’ve been stopped for a few moments.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at dinner.”

I open the door and pause. It looks exactly like my dorm. The wallpaper, dressers, desks, and beds. It’s like a miniature version of my entire house.

I unpack quickly and go to the phone.

“Hello, Room 501.” Mikalya says.

“Hi, Mikalya. I wanted to let you girls know I landed.”

“Lizzie! I’ll put her on speaker. Calm down, Bianca.”

“Hiya, Lizzie.” Bianca says.

“Lizzie, how was the flight?” Rizalyn asks.

“Hi, everyone. The flight was fine. Finished reading the course guidelines.”

“Of course you did.”

“It’s important, Jenn. It’s our senior year.” Lindsay says.

“Anyway, how’s Ms. Simms? Which Simms are there?” Tess asks.

“Belle Simms is nice. Delilah Simms will be here for dinner soon. I think the brothers live in the north.”

“Well that’s disappointing. I wanted to know if Arthur is as nice as they say and if Caleb is naturally funny or if that’s simply prepared for interviews.”

“Maybe she’ll find out in the months, Tess.” Nascha says.

There’s an awkward silence.

“Some of us have work and others shopping plans so we should go.” Mikalya says.

“Of course. Have a good day.” I reply.

“Thanks.” Rizalyn says.

“Liz, can I talk to you?” Lindsay asks.

“Sure.”

“Bye, Lizzie.”  Bianca says.

I open the window.

“Mistress, I’m alone.”

“Lindsay, you were doing so well.”

“Right, sorry. Lizzie, have you made your decision?”

“What? No. I’ve only been here an hour.”

“That means it’s still in consideration.”

“Yes.”

“Fine. But make sure it actually benefits both of --.”

“No way!” I shout and duck behind the windowsill.

“Mistress?”

“Sorry. I thought a bird was coming in the window. Lindsay, I’ll repeat my promise to decide carefully. But I’m going to hang up to unpack now. Have fun reading on your day off.”

“Thanks. Choose well. And remember us.”

“Love you, too.”

It couldn’t have been. Right? That was a figment of my imagination. I didn’t just see him, did I?

----- ----- -----

Finn.

Apparently I did as he is currently standing in the Simms foyer.

His back is to me. He hasn’t seen me yet.

“Delilah, there you are.” Belle says as her sister comes into the room. “Delilah this is Eliz—Lizzie. Lizzie, this is my busy sister Delilah."

I glance at Delilah and look back at Finn. Who has turned around and is staring at me.

“Hello, Delilah. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I’m late.”

“No need to apologize. I’m late as well.”

“Eliza!” Finn runs up the stairs and picks me up. “Eliza, is it really you?”

I stare at him.

“Come on, Liz. What are you doing here?” A beat. “Did you lose your voice yelling at the girls?”

“No. I was invited. What are you doing here?” I whisper back.

“You two know each other?” A girl asks speaks for the group.

“Yes, Mandy. We do.”

“Finn, why didn’t you say anything?” Belle asks.

“You didn’t say Eliza Gent was the girl. I would have agreed right away.”

“Well, that makes everything easier. Lizzie, Finn will be your tour guide.” Delilah says.

We continue the introductions. Timothy Campbell, Finn’s dad, is in charge of security detail. Nicole and Mandy are sophomores. They are SOS students and work for the Simms.

We sit down to dinner and Delilah asks Finn and me how we met. Finn tells me to relay the story.

“We met when we were 11. I was shopping with the manager of my home. Finn was touring the boys’ school. He was bored because it was the umpteenth time he’d seen it but he had never seen town so he…”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Finn gesturing for me to stop.

“You were bored? You’re the one who asked to go every year after that. I was done too. Wait, was Lizzie going to say you ran off?” Timothy asks and I realize what I had done.

“I wouldn’t say I ran off. I excused myself, without telling you. Anyway Eliza hasn’t said how we meet.” Finn says, knowing he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

He looks at me asking me to continue.

“So he came into the store I was in. It was a thrift store which was fine. But it was an all-girl thrift store, which was strange.” Kala and Mandy laugh at that. “Mrs. Bachchan, the home manager, asked him if he was lost and he replied that he was. Since we were done with our shopping Mrs. Bachchan told me to escort him and to be home by sundown.”

“Which is why I got in trouble but she didn’t.” Finn says.

“Is that the day that Timothy always talks about? The day when they finally found you, you were sitting by the gate?” Belle asks.

“Yeah, well… anyway that’s how we met.” Finn comments and continues eating.

“Someone doesn’t like being made to sound like a child.” Delilah whispers to me and I nod, giggling.

----- ----- -----

“Isn’t it a little weird?” He asks as Mrs. Bachchan walks out the store.

“Isn’t what a little weird?” I ask putting my hands in my pockets.

“That she would leave you with a stranger?”

“No.” I say walking to the door. “The town always looks out for us and everyone says I can handle myself. Plus, you're a kid too.”

I turn around and see the boy standing there.

“Well, are we going to get you back or not?” I ask, impatiently.

“We are.” the boy says, running over.

We exit and start walking down the street. I don’t even know if we’re going the right way as I don’t know where he is supposed to be. I look over and he is walking with his head down.

“Would you feel better if we introduced ourselves?” I ask and the boy looks up at me surprised. He doesn’t say anything so I put out my hand and say, “My name is Liz Gent.”

“Finn Campbell.” He says, shaking my hand.

“Well, Finn where did you need to go?”

“The Boys’ Academy.”

I nod and continue walking in the direction we were going in.

“Liz, do you want to go in there?” Finn suddenly asks.

I turn around and see the coffee shop he’s pointing at. Now it’s my turn to stare at the ground.

“I don’t have any money.” I say turning away.

“I can buy.” Finn says, quickly.

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to. And we have to get you back.” I say, flustered.

“I don’t have to be back immediately. I asked so it’s only right that I’m able to pay for both of us. So why not?”

I am a little thirsty from helping Mrs. Bachchan.

“All right.”

Finn smiles and opens the door.
----- ----- -----

After dinner, the next day was planned. Everyone went home. Belle invited me to watch a movie with Delilah and her. But Delilah said she had to work. Belle fell asleep halfway through so I went to bed.