What They Don't Know

Getting Aquainted

Once I got to the lunch hall, I saw that everyone had their own assigned seats. I had to search for a while before I saw my name and paced over to the small table in the corner.
I was on a table with five other girls.
They all looked around my age. Everyone seemed to know each other, they had been here for a while. In curiosity, I peeked over at their name cards.
The girl sat next to me was called Dawn. I noticed her name from before when I was walking down the girls hall with Harold.
Dawn had dark, long hair which reached her waist. Her skin was light and had a few moles spread across it. She caught me staring and smiled awkwardly. Her big, blue eyes gleamed at me.
"Hey. You're New Here Right?"
I looked down in embarrassment.
"Yeah. I'm Riley. Sorry About Staring"
"That's Okay. I'm Dawn."
She took my hand. I watched as she held up her hand.
"Guys. This Is Riley."
The other girls stopped their conversations to smile and say hello.
The first to talk was a tall, dark girl. Her name was Haley. Haley had short, curly hair which sat comfortably on her shoulder. It bounced as she spoke.
"Hey Riley. Welcome!"
The girl beside her was called Emma. She had ginger hair and tanned skin. Her eyes were bright green and she had light freckles all over her cheeks. She only waved and smiled.
"Hey Sweetie. I'm Lila. This Is My Sister, Taylor."
The twin girls laughed in sync. They each had brown eyes and quite large noses. Their posture was sloppy. None the less they were polite and welcoming.
I felt shy and scared. They all turned away and went back to their previous conversations.
I faced Dawn.
"How Did You Get Here?" She asked.
"I Was Kidnapped" I said.
"What The Hell? Why?"
Dawn reached over to pat my shoulder but I flinched away.
"Mr.Clover Requested Me"
A smile crept across her face.
"Oh So You're His Little Butterfly? He Wouldn't Shut Up About You"
She shovelled more food into her mouth.
"What Are You?"
She reached down her black, thick top and pulled out her necklace.
"I'm His Wolf"
She tucked it back in.
The rest of the girls saw and pulled out their own necklaces.
Haley had a bright, red parrot, Emma had a small piglet, Lila had an all-black cat and her twin, Taylor had a beaver.
Everyone had a necklace. All the animals were different.
"What's So Special About You Riley?"
Emma called from across the table. Lila and Haley nodded in agreement. Everyone leaned in close.
"Honestly, I Have No Idea"
They all shrugged it off.
"Well You're About To Find Out"
Taylor smiled, I caught Lila staring straight at the door. Mr.Clover had entered and was now standing on a podium.
The whole lunch hall turned to face him.
"Hello Children And Friends. I Have An Important Announcement"
Please Don't Say Me. Please Don't Say Me. Please Don't Say Me.
"We Have A New Sister"
Well, Crap.
"Riley? Little Butterfly?"
He called out to me. Everyone's eyes wandered the room.
"Go Riley"
Dawn pushed me out of my seat and forced me away from the table.
"There You Are. Sweetheart."
I resistantly walked to him. A million eyes followed me.
"Darling. Everyone Say Hello To Your New Sister"
I gave a weak smile as I saw people waving and shouting to me.
"Go Wait Outside"
Mr.Clover whispered into my ear. I didn't mind, as long as I got to escape the lunch hall.
I tumbled out the door and backed up against the wall. I shut my eyes and took deep breaths.
I had to get out of this place.
"Riles?"
I fluttered open my eyes.
"Carter?"
Down the hall Carter was making his way towards me. He was wearing jeans too and a dark polo. As he came closer I noticed a small, fresh cut on his neck.
"What Did They Do To You?"
"Riles. We Have To-" he was cut off.
"Carter, You're Up!"
Mr.Clover came bursting out the lunch hall.
"Yes Sir" Carter looked down.
"Oh Please, Call Me Dad."
Carter hesitated.
"Yes.. Dad"
"Good. I'll Leave You Two LoveBirds Alone."
Mr.Clover skipped away and outside to his office.
"I Missed You So Much"
Carter wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me.
"I Missed You Too"
I replied, holding tightly onto his shoulders.
"Carter What Did They Do To Your Neck?"
I repeated, brushing my fingertips across his wound.
"Nothing Riley. I Must Of Got It When The Pushed Me Into That Trunk"
He laughed nervously.
I didn't respond. I could tell he was lying. Instead I pulled out his necklace.
"You're A Butterfly Too?"
I looked at him as he nodded.
"I Thought Two People Couldn't Have The Same Pendant"
He shook his head and shrugged.
"I Don't Know. But Look, I Have.. Uh Class. I'll Speak To You At Dinner?"
He held my face in his hands and stroked my cheek.
"Yeah. Of Course" I smiled.
With that Carter walked away.