The Circle Of Rings (#1 in The Circle series)

REWRITE - Chapter 6

Chapter Six

--Olive Locke--

I've been on an airplane before once, but by yourself, it's an entirely different experience. Firstly, since I'm only 13 they appointed a lady to come with me through security and help me find my terminal. She was super nice but couldn't tell that I was sitting in my own self-pity. Actually, I think that she figured all my emotions and nerves were because I had to fly by myself not because my parents were shipping me off to boarding school to get rid of me.

She made sure I got a drink and a snack before getting on the plane. We even stopped so I could get a book to read in the smallest book store I've ever seen. After that, she showed me how the people were going to scan my ticket and told me how to find my seat. 

I got called on first, before everyone else and the chaos that was probably going to happen. One of the flight attendants brought me on board and got me seated with my bag stowed before the other priority passengers got to come on board. I was sitting near the front of the plane in a window seat which was kind of exciting. I watched them put everyone's luggage on board while the people got on. It was truly more entertaining than watching people filled with anxiety try to get comfortable on the plane.

No one sat beside me but there was an older lady in the aisle seat who kept looking at me. she looked like she didn't want to disturb me much but also wanted to ask me questions. Once the plane was up in the air, she finally took her chance.

"I'm sorry dear, but are you flying alone?"

I stared at her and she smiled, "sorry I'm just trying to make conversation. Flying scares me so I find it easier to talk to people. You don't have to answer that question. How about... what is your favourite animal?"

I blinked, "a snake."

She grinned, "mine is a cat."

I scrunched my face, "cats don't like me."

That made her laugh lightly, "I have three at home with my husband. Do you want to see?" She was already taking out her phone to show me.

The rest of the flight was fine. She talked about her cats and her job and her husband a lot. I told her a bit about Clyde and my friends but not a whole lot. When the plane landed and the flight attendant came to let me off first, she said goodbye with a smile on her face and I was kind of glad she helped the time pass quickly and easily by chatting with me.

There was a guy at this airport to help me through the building and find my luggage. He also found the school's supervisor for me which was super nice.

"Miss Olive Locke. Nice to meet you. My name is Mrs. Rosa. I am the school counsellor and I run a few clubs! I like to come and pick up new students who start at different points in the semester. I like to just help out wherever I can!"

I gave her a small smile and the airport guy said goodbye and left me with Mrs. Rosa and my bags. She helped me drag them out to the school bus that was waiting with a bus driver in the 'pick-up' zone. My bags when into the bus and above the seats, and Mrs. Rosa then gestured to all of the empty chairs.

"You can pick any seat and sit to relax if you'd like. I still have to wait for one more student to pick up today as well!"

I nodded, and she left me on the bus with the driver. He gave me a bright smile, "you may not see me much, but I drive everyone on field trips and fun school outings."

I nodded, "oh, cool. Are there a lot?"

He shrugged, "depends on the students. The more kids with high marks, the more times they get to go to museums and camping trips. It's all quite fun, so you better do well in school!"

I gave him a small smile, "I do well in school."

"Then you're sure to see a lot more of me!"

I finally sat down and sighed. I looked out away from the airport. Everyone I met so far has been super nice but I truly wasn't in the mood to pretend I was also having a fun time. I was still upset and it was harder now that I was thousands of miles away from my family.

My family. As far as I'm concerned, they just kicked me out of the family.

The bus driver played some music up at the front, but since my hearing was amazing, it sounded like I was right up there with him. I watched the parking lot while he jammed out and after about 20 minutes Mrs. Rosa came back with another girl and her suitcases.

"Pearl, this is Olive! You two are both brand new, so hopefully, you'll be able to help each other out!"

I gave Pearl a small smile that she returned, but she also looked just as upset as I felt. Pearl took a seat a few rows away from me, and I took that as a sign she didn't want to talk right now either. Fine with me; I wasn't in the mood to talk either.

Mrs. Rosa smiled at both of us and then announced, "time to get this show on the road!" She sat at the front so she could chat with him. I watched as the bus pulled out of the airport and Pearl put headphones over her ears. I considered listening to music, but Pearl's was so loud that I could hear it well enough. I decided to just watch my new environment pass out the window instead.

It didn't look too different. A fewer trees and a few more open spaces, but not that different.

The trip ended up being a little over an hour, and the school was in the thickest part of the forest I had noticed yet. It was also far enough away from the last town we had passed that it felt almost in the middle of nowhere. 

That would be nicer if I was a wolf.

Pearl gets pulled off the bus first, and I follow. We both move so slowly, with our shoulders hunched in what only can be described as disappointment. We haul our bags together up to a building with Mrs. Rosa. She starts up an entire history about the school, leaving no detail out. When this statue was made, this building lost part of its roof, they replanted this piece of grass, created a new pathway, and a newer layer of paint on the window ledges.

I only half paid attention until she brought us into the door room. Pearl and my names were both on the same door in big, bold letters. "You two are sharing a room!" Mrs. Rosa said this like it was the most exciting news of the day.

I figured this was purely because we were late-comers to the school and this was one of the only rooms they had left. That or because we would make no friends and this was so we could be friends instead. Cliques were most likely formed in the first couple weeks of school and we were a month and a half in. There was low probability of joining a group now. Smart faculty.

Mrs. Rosa let us in, gave us our keys, gave us a few instructions and maps, then left us to get settled.

"Which side of the room do you want?" Pearl asked as we both evaluated our new spaced with reluctance.

"Well I'm standing on the right and you're on the left so why not just take those?" I suggested.

Pearl shrugged, "that works for me."

We both split off to our separate sides and got to work unpacking. There was no telling how long I'd be here. Probably until college and that meant it was time to get comfortable. So I was unpacking everything.