Alison Harold

Chapter 7

"You're not skipping breakfast again, are you?"

Alison kept her focus on the mirror in front of her as she stared at her reflection, fixing her tie and tucking it in her vest before throwing on her jacket. She hung her bag over her shoulder and then turned to look at Drew.

"You're not keeping tabs on me, are you?" Alison asked back.

Drew stood at the door of the dorm room with a disapproved look on her face. "You didn't visit the dining hall for breakfast for the past two days. And here you are today. Your dorm mates are having their meals and you're what? Taking your time to dress up." Drew smirked. "Who is he?"

Alison stared back at her, praying to God that the girl was actually joking about the last question. "Is there something you'd like to say to me?"

"Yes. Follow me."

"Where?"

"To the matron's office."

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Drew looked her up and down. "You skip your meals and you're awfully skinny. As your head girl, my concern for you couldn't be contained so I had to speak to the matron," Drew said with a sneer.

Alison glowered. "I'll be late for homeroom."

"Even better. Follow me."

The matron's office was just down the hallway in the ground floor. The matron was a tall, plump woman. She appeared to be in her sixties or so with gray hair highlighting a few of the locks on her hair.

Mrs. Cook, the matron, stared at Alison from where she sat behind her desk. "Who is this?" She asked Drew.

Drew cleared her throat. "She's the one I told you about. She's new."

Mrs. Cook's face lit with realization. "Oh, the one with anorexia?"

"What?" Alison said in disbelief. Her eyes darted between the matron and Drew trying to figure out what was going on.

"Yes, Mrs. Cook," Drew said. "I trust you'll take care of her the same way you did Laurel Young."

"What's this about?" Alison asked.

Mrs. Cook gave Drew a questioning look. "She doesn't seem to be aware of the situation here."

"Oh, she is. She just likes to be in denial of it."

"I do not have an eating disorder," Alison told them.

Drew put a hand around her shoulder. "It's okay, you're in safe hands now. You'll be fine."

Alison pulled away from her and scowled. "This isn't funny. Whatever games you're playing, don't drag me into it."

"What's your name?" Mrs. Cook asked.

"Ma'am, I'm fine."

"What is your name?"

Alison sucked in a deep breath, urging herself to stay calm. This was one of those tempting moments where her temper would have flared. "Alison Harold," she said.

The matron looked through the pages of a big book. "Alison Harold. Dormitory thirteen. Grade eleven."

"Ma'am, seriously, I'm okay."

Drew smirked at her. "She's like a sister to me so I feel so relieved knowing she'll get better and eat more. I'll take my leave now."

Alison glared at her as she left with a smug look on her face. Never did she imagine Drew could go as far as attempting to ruin her first week here in Orchid Vale.