The Principal

Chapter 3:The Principal

  A man with slicked-back hair makes his way into the school building. A few students mount posters in the hallways as he makes his way to the front office. He inhales and catches the slight odor of the young woman he encountered yesterday. He was surprised that it was still there. A smile develops on his lips as he adjusts his suit jacket and enters the office. The receptionist is a woman in her mid-forties, with gray hairs sprouting near the forehead of her brownish-red hair. The woman turns her attention from the computer and looks him up and down in surprise with her brown eyes before biting the corner of her bottom lip with her top canine tooth.

"Good morning. My name is Mr. Lowell, and I am here to see Mrs. Evians," he says as he offers a hand to greet her.

"My, my. Do you happen to be the gentleman who will replace Mrs. Evians?" the receptionist asks as she hurries away from the computer to greet him. He gives her a firm handshake, and she almost melts in his hand, "It is going to be nice to have such a handsome face around here."

Mr. Lowell cringes slightly as he removes his hand and wipes it off on the side of his leg, "Ma'am..."

"Ms. Kouma," she interrupts him and leans over the counter, separating them.

"Ms. Kouma, I am here to see Mrs. Evians. Thank you very much."

Nothing more is said, and Ms. Kouma frowns before rushing back to the back offices to retrieve Mrs. Evians. Mr. Lowell surveys the surrounding, taking all of it in, just as his fingers tap nervously on the blue plastic countertop. He hopes that this time everything will go according to the new plan.

A few moments later, a round face elderly woman with more gray hair than brown, tied neatly into a bun, shambles towards him, followed by Ms. Kouma. She smiles sweetly at him and stretches a small, frail hand toward him. Mr. Lowell takes the hand gently, feeling the wrinkles and the saggy skin move in the same direction his touch goes.

It is nice to meet you, Mr. Lowell. I am Mrs. Evians," she greets him, her voice robust and firm, "I am glad you responded. I enjoyed your file. Please follow me, there are some things we need to do before taking a break, and I can give you a tour."

"Paperwork?" Mr. Lowell asks.

Mrs. Evians smiles, "You know it. You got most of it done, but a few more things still need to be done. Don't worry, we have all day, and you can ask as many questions as needed. I will also introduce you to all the staff. I would also love to go around and say my final goodbyes."

Mrs. Evians walks to the front office windows and views the grounds and some students as they walk around, "I've known many of the students and staff for a while now. They feel like my second family. I know I will still be here in town, but it will be different not seeing them in this building anymore."

Mr. Lowell watches as a sad expression forms on Mrs. Evians' face. He turns away from her and tends as the school gradually becomes alive.

"I wouldn't worry about whatever you are worried about."

"How did you know I was worried?"

"I've seen that face you're making multiple times. Many students think they are not good enough, but they prove themselves. It's understandable, especially since we have such a great impact on their future."

Mr. Lowell does not say anything as he turns away from the window to face her.

"Well, slow and steady always wins the race, I say," Mrs. Evians says with a short laugh, "Give the students time. They will get used to the change and warm up to you eventually. There is no need to rush things. Anyways, I'm ready to get through all this to start my vacation."