Briar Preparatory Academy

Painful Words

Monday August 24, 2014 7:00 am and 21:00

Dear Diary,

My first day at Briar Prep has arrived, and I can honestly say that I feel like shrinking into a hole so I never have to see the light of day again. I'm going into this blindly, as I don't know anyone. My dad simply told me, "You're transferring." So here I am, in the mountains of Wyoming, and I don't even know specifically where. Administration told me it was for our own safety, whatever that means. I moved into my dorm room just now, but I haven't met my roommate yet. I hope she's nice...

The campus is beautiful. I've had my eye on the library for a little while, because it stands out so much. There is so much history here...It's incredible. Now it's the end of my first day, and I've already started my classes. I arrived last night, and they started me in classes this morning (right after my first entry today). I got to meet my classmates and my teachers. The courses are different... They teach us spy stuff in addition to base courses, which are accelerated for everyone. I also got to meet my mentor, her name is Celeste. She seems really sweet and nice. Pretty too. All the other freshmen got these scary older kids as mentors, they all wanted Celeste but I got her. She came and sat with me at dinner so I didn't have to sit alone. I need to go now, lights out, its 9:00. Well, er, 21:00. Military time is going to take some getting used to. They make us study it here... for some reason. I will write later.

Rory Jane

Thursday September 3, 2014 7:00 to 21:00

Dear Diary,

Sorry my journal entries have been getting shorter and shorter every day I'm here at Briar. This week has been good, but I'm really tired. I just woke up and I'm writing on my way to breakfast. I decided to go early today to give me some time to study for my test today. I hope I do good. I have an A- in that class, I need to get it up... I need to go. I promise to write more tonight. I've been doing good so far though, I've been writing every morning and every night. Sorry, will talk more tonight.

I got a 95 on that test by the way. I got the highest grade in my class, (not to brag though). Studying was a great idea. I had my first mentor meeting today with Celeste. All the freshman had one. Celeste and I decided to meet more regularly than the scheduled meeting, which are every month. We are going to meet once a week. She told me about when she first came and how she wished her mentor would have been more helpful. So now she's trying to be the best mentor for me. I think she's doing great.

Monday September 28, 2014 7:00 to 21:00

Dear Diary,

Six weeks into school, and it's eating my lunch. I've managed to maintain good grades (even thought I can't stand the majority of my professors), but I'm under a little stress nonetheless. I haven't been writing lately, it's been hard to keep up with everything. Celeste tells me it'll all start to relax; I just need to have patience.

Celeste. What I would give to be like her. She seems to have it all together, which I was sort of envious of at first, but then I really started to watch her. I look at her and who she hangs out with. Kate, Seth, the twins; all those people. I've noticed that they somehow cling to Celeste as if she a foundation of some sort. I can see why... she's strong, stronger than anyone else I know. She's just so beautiful and confident and smart. She's everything I wish I was.

I really like her too. She helps me with my homework all the time. She invites me to her table during lunch, so I get to talk to Seth. You know how I feel about him. But that'll never happen. Sometimes I think he doesn't even know I exist. He's just so clueless. (But I mean, what can you expect from the average teenage boy.) Still, I like being around him and Celeste and everybody else. It's a nice change than having to hang around my class, who doesn't really care about anything but themselves. Typical.

Anyways, that's all I have time for right now. I have class in a couple minutes. I'll write later.

Rory Jane

Thursday October 22, 2014 7:00 to 21:00

Dear Diary,

Today was a good day. I had two tests, both of which I passed with flying colors. I had my meeting with Celeste, and we had a good talk. She told me about how she met Kate when they were freshmen. It was funny story. For some reason, I can see those two setting something on fire and then simultaneously laughing together. Seems like something they would do. Lunch was good too. I sat with Celeste and her friends again, but that has basically become a usual thing. And when I want to be alone, I just go to the library. It's quiet and comfortable, as I thought it would be.

I also got to talk to Seth. The twins were somewhere off in a study group, and Celeste and Kate said they had to do some research on something. They didn't tell me what, so I didn't bother to ask. One thing I've learned at this school in the few months I've been here is that if someone is keeping a secret, it's for a good reason. But I'm not going to lie... curiosity has been eating me lately.

Anyways, back to what I was saying about Seth. It was sort of awkward at first, considering we rarely talk even though we're always around each other. Then we started getting into a conversation about my classes. He was so nice to me... it sort of took me by surprise at first. He talked about how he couldn't stand any of his freshman classes that it had been the most boring year so far. He's a junior, so he doesn't know what to expect as a senior. He told me that junior year is great, that it's when all the fun classes are. I don't doubt him. Junior year is when you are allowed to start going off campus for certain classes, like Cove Ops. Celeste has told me that Cove Ops was her favorite class. I can't wait till I'm sixteen...

I told Seth that I had to go to the library after a few minutes talking to him. He seemed interested in following me, so I let him. As soon as we walked in, Mrs. Crawley yelled at Seth and told him to take his beanie off his head. Seth becomes a completely different person around her, I've noticed. It's like he can't even function right because he's too scared. Yes, Seth Ashford gets scared... apparently. I mean, whenever I watch him he always seems to oblivious, so happy. I wish I could be that way 24/7.

But back to what I was saying. I mainly went to the library so I could finish up my homework in privacy. But I guess I didn't mind when he followed me. Why would I? We talked for a while and he helped me with some of my work. I need to go now, time for lights out. I will talk more later.

Rory Jane

~~~~~~~~~~

After reading randomly through all her journal entries, I skip all the way to the back of the journal to read the most recent one. I glance at the date and my heart sinks. The most recent date was on January 23, 2015. The day of the fire.

~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, January 23, 2015 7:00 to 21:00

Dear Diary,

I feel like today is going to be a great day. I guess I just woke up on the right side of the bed, or maybe it was the fact that they served waffles at breakfast (my favorite). I don't know why. I'm just in a great mood today, despite the dark clouds that were looming over us. I just remembered!! I have my mentor meeting with Celeste today. I can't wait... I love our meetings. She always asks about me, but I can always tell that there are little things that are bothering her. I try to ask about how she's doing, but she always avoids the answer and asks me how my day is going. I try not to pry... one thing I've learned about Celeste is if she's keeping a secret, it's best not to ask her. Chances are she won't tell you. I have to go now, I will write after our mentor meeting.

Just finished up my mentor meeting and it was good as usual. She helped me with her homework and we talked for a while. She left and I stayed here to study. That's what I'm doing right now. I really don't want to work on this homework, but it needs to be done. It is so hot in here... I just heard a weird bang. I'll go check on it in a few minutes. I really wish I would've told Celeste that I-