A lady with glasses, a high ponytail, and a blank face sat at the waiting desk. Her attention was occupied on her computer screen abusing the keyboards as we entered the room. I moved closer to Noah, our arms touching as I whispered in his ear:  "Don't you feel sorry for that keyboard?"

"Poor keyboard." 

"Right?" I emphasized. 

A girl sat on one of the chairs wearing a bored expression on her face. As we passed, she couldn't hold back her grin.  "Verona and Noah Bridon?" The lady asked when we reached the desk. And all while still staring at her screen. 

"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 timetables and a map to the school if you can't find your way around. Welcome to Skye-West."

She dialled a number on her phone and in a few seconds, a deep voice answered. 

 "Yes, Sandra?"

"Two students starting today are here to see you." Her voice took on a sweetness that she hadn't with us. "A Noah and Verona Bridon."

It was clear she was hormonal towards him. Noah seemed to think so too as he pressed his lips together resisting a grin.  

Pause. "Ahh... Yes! Send them through."

"As you say, sir."  

The lady hung up finally looking up at us.  "Mr Evan's office is the last one on the right." She pointed to a corridor revealing five doors and we continued on our way.

#######

"So this is your stop here,  Miss Verona."

I peeked 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 table a little kick, she jolted in her seat. Shifting her body in my direction ready to confront me, almond 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 textbook 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 offered,  shaking her hand. 

"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."