Highstorm High

CHAPTER 6

SHALLAN POV

Shallan climbed up the massive stairs that led up to Highstorm High's main entrance. Looking up she saw the imposing tower looming like a chasimfiend on its honches. Jeepers, she thought rubbing her arms as the harsh wind blew her hair into her face, choking her. Shallan clawed at her face, blinded with tears and fell down the steps.

When she got back up the steps for the third time, she opened the heavy school bus yellow stone door, the front door of the school, as it was the first one you would see when approaching the school.

Inside she sat down to wait outside the main office. The clock struck 12. Noon. Dang Shallan was real late to move in day. This definitely wouldn't look good to the Headmaster, and Shallan couldn't afford to get on his 'Rotting Bad Apple' list, her mission was too important.

The doors burst open and the office manager stomped out with a grumpy expression, his clipboard also looked grumpy. The short man grumbled something about hating his job and then snapped at Shallan to get in the office.

Shallan scurried after him and found herself in Headmaster Dalinar's private office. The room was decked out in cross stitch and throw pillows. Shallan made note of the unmade futon in the corner of the room.

"Take a seat, Shallan." A voice said from the window. It was him. The Blackthorn. Headmaster Dalinar. He was turned away, gazing out at the mountains that surrounded the campus.

Shallan looked about the room, but the only available chair was the futon. She remained standing.

"Shallan, Shallan, Shallan. This school, this institution has such deep roots, a vibrant history."

Shallan glanced about, looking for his desk where she knew she would find what she was looking for.

"Uh-huh."

"You know, our past does not define our present, yet I find so many a student whose present is haunted by the future and the past simultaneously." Dalinar's hands were clasped behind his back, still turned away from her. He hadn't moved an inch since she entered his office.

"Uh-huh." Shallan muttered again.

"These days, I find it hard to keep going. Ever since the accident," His voice shook, perhaps, Shallan thought, in thinking of his dead wife, "Since the death of our hero, Usher." Oh so not his wife.

Dalinar breathed out a heavy sigh, steadying himself, his shoulders slumping in resignation. He continued his speech about absolutely nothing, so Shallan got to work.

She moved toward his desk, carefully as to not alert the Headmaster of her schemes. She opened the top drawer, dust flew out into Shallan's face, temporarily blinding her. Shallan stumbled like a drunken goat and flopped on top of Dalinar's desk, knocking over not only a porcelain lamp, but also a framed picture of Usher. Shallan watched in horror as the picture fell to the ground in slo-mo. She dove forward landing on top of the shattered lamp and caught the relic.

That's when Shallan realized the room had gone quiet. She stared at the back of Dalinar who was actually quite built for a 50 year old. Her arm began bleeding from the many cuts she now had.

Dalinar sneezed loudly, the dad scream sneeze, "But I digress. Anyway..."

Shallan breathed out a breath she was slightly aware that she had been holding. She wiped her eyes and there she saw it, the stack of papers she had been looking for.

Roomie assignments.

Shallan swiped the stack and tore through them looking for her name. Once the document was acquired, she promptly made the switch.

Roomies weren't so random anymore.

Shallan stood up and cleared her throat, shaking the Headmaster from his reverie. This man really has selective hearing.

"Excuse me, sir, but I'm just here to pick up my room assignment."

"Oh Shallan, forgot you were here," Dalinar said walking over to his desk and picking up the papers, "Here you are, wow your name was even right on top of all the other papers. Such convenience. Looks like you were assigned to room with my niece, Jasnah."

"Wow what luck." Shallan said with a devious tone. "I'll be going now."

She turned and threw open the doors, hearing an 'ow' come from the hall.

Zoowimama, she thought upon seeing the most immaculately muscular 17 year old her eyes had ever been blessed with. Shallan was really good at guessing ages. His blonde hair, perfectly messy, glistened in the flouresnt light, it's roots darker. Shallan had two words: Hubbie material.

The boy, or should she say, man, young man, stared right back at her.

"Zoowimama," he breathed. Holy Storms, he said the word, too!

"I'm-" he began to say, but was cut off by an equally muscular 16.5 year old who was on the ground.

"What the STORMS!!!" He yelled from the ground.

"Oh whoops," Shallan said dismissively. Shallan wanted to have an air of mystery, so she purposely left out her name. "Well I guess, I'll see you around- uh- alligator."

Shallan was pretty sure she nailed that interaction as she sauntered down the hall, swaying her hips and bobbing her head. She was going the wrong way, but confident steps were way more attractive.

A half hour later, she finally found her dorm room. Swinging open the door, she saw her. Jasnah Kholin, the most powerful and influential kid in school.

"If my hypothesis proves correct, you won't last more than 10 days as my roomie. Welcome to hell, Shallan."

Storms, Shallan thought, this better be worth it.