Battle of Fear and Trust

Susan's Turkish Delight

"Alright, girls, that concludes today's lesson. Be sure to look at the reading assignment and have a wonderful weekend!" Mrs. Smith tells us before allowing us to leave.

Finally, I thought that class would never end. Not that I was really paying attention- my mind was mostly on Cindy's party. To think, tonight I'll get to attend one of the most luxurious events of the year. At least that's what Cindy says, and if they're anything like the nightly outing we went on last week then I know it will be a fun time.

Just thinking about how exciting it was to sneak out to that pub and pretend we were old enough to be there on our own, had a flutter of excitement trilling through me. Then of course there were the boys who acted just as mature as Cindy and others. Although, when I told the boys my last name, they didn't have anything nice to say about my brothers. Of course, I don't plan on dance with any of them, but luckily Cindy said there will be other boys at the party.

I smile to myself as I walk into the dormitory, the sooner I get to my room the sooner I can get ready. This night will be so much fun, and I couldn't think of anything that would ruin it.

"Thanks, Ms. Plummer," I heard Nancy say as she left Aunt Polly's office, which is in the dormitory. I stopped a few feet from them. What was Nancy talking to Aunt Polly about?

"There's only one thing she would talk about. After all, you know what your old 'friend' thinks about your new friends." I sighed at Jadis's voice. She has been talking to me more and more, claiming that Nancy and Bonnie will turn on me at any moment. Of course, I've known both well enough to know it's not true.

Nancy turns around and I watch her eyes widen. "Susan, I..." she stopped and looked at the ground.

"I'll take it from here Nancy," Polly told her before turning to me "Susan, may I speak with you for a moment?" I just look at Nancy. She wouldn't have told Polly anything to get me in trouble, right?

"Yes, ma'am," I told her. Although I should go back to my room. Cindy, Jane, and Samantha said they meet me there to do my hair and makeup. I don't have time to talk. "Is there a problem?" I asked once we're seated in her office.

"Well, Susan, it has come to my attention that you've skipped three of your classes and you've failed to turn in two assignments." I felt chills running down my back. Is this what Nancy talked to her about? Did she tell her about the sneaking out too? I stared back at Polly, hiding my fear.

"As I said before, the ones you hold dear won't hesitate to turn on you, for they only want you under their power."

No, you're wrong, Nancy wouldn't betray me!

"Susan? Is something going on?" Polly said.

"No, I guess the workload has been too much for me this term, I let a few assignments go," I tried to smile. Surely this will get me out of this conversation.

"That's understandable, but if I remember right, you had trouble with the workload the last couple of terms, but I never heard a word of you failing to turn in an assignment and your attendance record is nearly perfect." I looked away from her, "Susan if there's something going on you know you can tell me. Be it about School or Narnia."

"I assure you this has nothing to do with that world," I told her harshly, but no I shouldn't be so quick to raise my voice like that, she was only trying to help me. "Aunt Polly, what did Nancy tell you earlier?"

"She shared some of her concerns about your recent behavior and I also have a few concerns of my own."

What? My recent behavior, what's wrong with my behavior?