Learn to Fly

The Girl by the Bridge

After the incident with Ralf's friends, I was feeling pretty sullen and returned to my bedroom. Since I was alone, I had spent the next couple of hours in my dorm, staring at the ceiling and daydreaming of playing chess with my buddies back in Lake Spring. I thought about what Ralf's friends had said about Lake Spring.

What did they mean by, "We don't need any lake-people around here, reminding us that we aren't as rich as them...."? It didn't make any sense to me. Yes, there are a lot of rich people there, but that doesn't mean everyone is. They didn't need to jump to such conclusions about people.

Another thing: did I say a single mean word, or brag about being much more rich than they are? Nope. It just didn't make any sense, and frustrated me. What did they have against lake-people?

I glanced outside, curious to see if the girls were still there. Surprisingly, they were not. There was only one girl, sitting cross-legged by the water and reading a thick book. She seemed completely at peace by the silence of the world around her, and the book had her completely hooked. As she was reading, her eyes lit up and she laughed. It was as if the girl didn't have a single care in the world. She had brown hair that reached just past her shoulders, and curls that were kinda cute. Her hazel eyes moved like a gazelle running through a field. A smile still played on her lips as she read turned the page.

The door to the dorm opened again, and Ralf entered. I didn't break my gaze, but muttered a hello to him. He came and sat by me, looking out of the window as well.

Another girl came to sit by the brunette, causing the serene moment to die. The brunette closed her book, and the two went back inside without exchanging a single word. I looked away when they disappeared from view, to find that Ralf was looking at me curiously. I broke eye contact with him and stood up.

"So.... what's for dinner tonight?" I asked, trying to keep him from asking me about what just happened. Honestly, I have no idea. I don't want to talk about my strange daydreaming with him, and I can't exactly explain something I have no knowledge of.

"We don't know until we get there," he said, sighing and rubbing his stomach. "I didn't eat much for lunch, so my stomach's yelling at me." I couldn't help but laugh at his joke. He seemed like a pretty cool person, unlike his friends.

"Would you like to sit by me during dinner?" Ralf asked, which surprised me.

Before he could say anything else, I blurted, "Are you sure you'd like to sit by a "lake-person?" I knew that it was a mean thing to say, but what happened earlier frustrated and confused me.

Ralf shook his head and sighed. "I'm sorry about my friends earlier; there's a lot of really judgmental people at this school. You have to get used to it. But that doesn't mean that I don't like you. You seem pretty awesome, from the way you talk and act. So, yes, I'm sure."

Well, I had to be sure. I wasn't expecting a speech, but as long as I had at least one friend, I was happy.

Dinner was ready, and we were having barley soup with bread and cheese. It smelled delicious. I was eager to sit down so I could eat, even though I don't usually eat this much for one meal.

Ralf and I sat near the far corner of the dinner hall, away from his friends. Our food was going to be served to us, according to Ralf. We already had bowls and spoons at each spot, so all we had to do was sit and be served.

A loud dinging sounded from the front of the dinner hall, like a spoon against a glass. We looked to the front of the room. A man in his early thirties stood in front of the room, dressed in what somewhat looked like a school uniform, but it wasn't exactly the same. On his shirt on the left hand side read Mr. Bourdekin, and there was a badge by it with a book on the front. I think he was an English teacher. His hands clasped behind his back, he smiled and said in a voice that was easily projected, "Hello, students. I know that you've been hearing rumors of a field trip coming up soon."

Whispers erupted throughout the room, silenced by a wave of Mr. Bourdekin's hand.

"I also know that you must be very eager to find out where we are going and when. But," he looked at everyone over his glasses, "you must have your school work done to participate." He unclasped his hands from behind his back and adjusted his glasses.

"Which doesn't mean that we are leaving people here. You cannot stay back at the school, unless you are ill." Mr. Bourdekin began pacing the room, keeping his eyes on the boys.

"That means that you will sit out from the activities, while everyone else gets to have fun. One more thing before I tell you the details of this trip. You are not the only ones attending. The girls are coming too. So, that being said, there are guidelines to your trip." Sighs erupted all over the dinner hall, and more whispers were passed from one another.

"We will discuss those guidelines later. For now, you need details." He stopped again and clasped his hands behind his back. "First, we are going to see a play. Now I'm sure you all know of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It's being performed by the Halacre brothers." Cheers erupted around the room. I've heard of the Halacre brothers. Everyone has. I think they grew up in my neighborhood, but nobody here knew that, so I probably wouldn't be known for it. That may be a good thing.... we don't want them stereotyping me as a rich snob again.

"This will occur next week, the day after the football tournament. You will be up at dawn, as usual, and we will spend the morning doing a surprise activity." He rambled on with the details that I could care less about. I was occupied with the idea that this was a way to meet new people and have fun. Maybe even talk to the pretty girl I saw out by the bridge.....

Ralf nudged me out of my daydream and pointed to the spot in front of me. "Aren't you going to eat?" I laughed and shook my head, digging in.