I made my way up the concrete steps that led to what would hopefully be my future. I gulped nervously as I glanced down at my bag hanging limply at my side. I hoped I remembered to pack everything, but it was too late now. I was here, and there was no turning back.
This was my first time at a boarding school, and not just any boarding school, but The Academy for Aspiring YouTubers. It had been my dream to attend ever since I first discovered the internet site and learned of the schools existence.
I scurried inside just as the first bell rang. I nervously made my way to the admissions office to pick up my packet and fill out my final paper work.
When I opened the door, there was no one sitting at the desk, so I took a seat in one of the big, plush, grey chairs positioned up against the wall. I set my bag at my feet and waited quietly, listening to the sound of copy and fax machines buzzing around me, taking in the sweet scent of coffee wafting in the air.
Suddenly, a middle-aged woman drifted in holding a mug and some paperwork. She seemed startled when she finally noticed me, and then she set everything down on her desk. She took a moment to gather herself before speaking to me.
"Hello," she said, straightening out her jacket and exhaling what seemed to be a long-held breath.
"Hello," I said, standing up and approaching her desk.
"What can I do for you?" She asked, sitting down and taking a sip of her coffee.
"Well, today's smy first day here, so I was just hoping to get the rest of my paperwork filled in and get all of the details finalized," I said, nervously fiddling with my shirt.
"Uh-huh," she said, unamuzed and looking me up and down, "Very well, just one moment."
I thanked her and took a seat while she typed away on her computer. I was nervous and uncomfortable, but I kept telling myself I would be out of here in no time. The seconds ticked by, and I began to think she had forgotten about me until she grabbed a paper off of her printer and waved me over.
"I'll just need you to sign a few forms and justify your information," she said, glancing up at me quickly.
I took the clipboard and filled out the paperwork while she waited at her desk, and then I took it up to her. She read it over and then looked at me again.
"Very good Miss Watterson," she said, setting the papers aside and grabbing a small packet and a schedule. "These will be your classes for the first trimester," she said, circling my name and the class list on my shedule, "And your ID and everything else you'll be needing right now should be found in your packet," she said, pointing at the large yellow envelope she had handed me.
"Thank you," I said, preparing to leave.
"You'll need to wear your ID card everyday, and curfew is at ten. We have hall monitors out, but on the weekend we make exceptions if you schedule your outing with an advisor or administrator so we can keep track of all of our students. Visiting days are every other weekend, and during breaks you are given the option to visit family. Make sure to keep up with your classes, as well as try out the equiptment and develop yur skill set."
I nod and force a smile before packing up and leaving quickly. I slump against the wall and gather everything before going to my room. As I do, I glance back at the office and notice the secretary busily typing away again.
My room is on the fourth floor, and I have to share it with one other person. It appears that she may already have been here, as her bed seems to be claimed, and her stuff has been set out around the room. I notice how there seems to be a firm understanding of boundaries already, as nothing crosses into my side of the room. It is such a perfect boundary, in fact, that it is almost as if there actually is an invisible line keeping her items out of my space.
