Transparent

1~Chestnut High Middle School

Hi! Welcome to my new story, Transparent! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! I hope you enjoy! *Some parts of the story may not be edited, so sorry for any grammatical issues!

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Part one~Chestnut High Middle School

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The burnt red building was growing moss at the bottom of the crumbled bricks. The landscaping wasn't as close as inviting as the two story structure itself. There was a weeping willow in the corner like a ghost haunting the school. Chestnut Pine Middle School was not at all what Holly Collins was thinking that her best friend, Autumn Grant, would transfer to a year and a half ago. She can still hear herself whining at her dad.

"Father! If Autumn's going I am too!" Holly yelled.
"But Holly, honey, we already paid for this year of school, and Chestnut Pine is too expensive," her father replied. "Plus, your brother, Conner, needs to wait a year to go to Faulks Elementary School. Their second grade school is way too far away. Anyway, we'd need to move."
"Okay, but we're going next year. Promise!" Holly was getting annoyed and had to hold back tears. Her best and only friend was five hours away!

Too expensive is a word at the bottom of the list to describe Chestnut Pine. Noise could be heard from inside the school, yelling and shouting. Holly could not bear it, and she shriveled her nose from the sweaty smell that floated like a forcefield around the building. Her flowing light hazel brown hair and her light and fair skin brings out her emerald green eyes. Add a hot pink with white flowers T-shirt and Daisy Dukes, Holly looks like a star absorbing light.
Walking up to the two story building with blue shutters, a hand placed on her shoulder. Looking up, Holly found her dad smiling, his face wrinkling at his cheekbones. Mr. Collins was wearing a formal black suit with a light blue tie, long black silk pants, and freshly polished black shoes that reflected off the bright sunlight.
"Come on, Holly, let's go! Isn't this your dream school? Autumn is waiting inside!" Mr. Collins usurers Holly forward, a cold hand on her T-shirt, warm from the sun. This did not look like the setting Holly expected from Chestnut Pine.
What she did expect, though, was a elegant and bright building with flowers on the windowsills and a fountain to welcome students. A bright white fence that circled the plot and kept out all the unwanted trespassers. Maybe even a horse barn and when Holly came out of her car, the principle welcomes her on a saddle with a banner saying, Welcome to Chestnut Pine Middle School! Have a great year!
But none of that came from the old building, and walking into it now was something Holly wanted very much, but not like this.

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Inside the building, there were yellow floors-that Holly was pretty sure were one day white-and brick walls like the outside, but thankfully no moss or ivy. Mr. Collins leads Holly into a dark blue door where the principle was waiting for them, sitting in a comfy armchair. He was wearing a plain grey suit with a darker tie and brown dress shoes. We're in school, right? Holly thinks as she drags her feet into the room, staying behind her dad.
"Ah, welcome Holly. My name is Mr. Charm," the principle says. Straight away Holly knew something was up with this guy. "I know you'll just love it here." Mr. Collins was clinging on to every word. Holly looked at her dad strangely. Why was he doing that? He looked like Mr. Charm was hypnotizing him.
"Totally, Mr. Charm. I bet it'll be just lovely, isn't that right, sweetie?" Mr. Collins address' Holly. With the same strange look to her dad, and she replies without answering her dad's question.
"Ted, why are you acting so strange?" Holly asks, and Mr. Charm gives her a reply, but not the kind of a reply a normal person would give.
"Well, Holly, maybe the question is why are you not?" Mr. Charm replies, but it seems as if he's trying to convince her. Strange, she thought, strange that their acting this way. Why, though? Why? Holly wanted to say something about it, but nothing came out of her open mouth.
All she could manage was, "Can I see my teacher?"
Mr. Collins stood by her side, a hand on her shoulder. He says, "Yes, I would think we'd be getting on with our tour."
"Of corse, of corse," Mr. Charm mumbles to himself, but then looks up from the dirty navy carpet. "Let's go. Your room is in the back, on the third floor."
They left the tiny room, and headed to the staircase. It was made of white brick, and dark stains of all kind—and some gum that was stepped on for what looked like since the building was made—but, it wasn't like the whole staircase would disappear with one swish from Mr. Charm's hands.
When they reached the third floor, they passed the art room, health room, and many other classrooms before they stopped at a room, all the way in the back right corner, almost going unseen.
"Here you go, Mrs. Benton will be waiting inside," Mr. Charm says, and exiting towards the stairs. They weren't done with their tour, but Holly shrugged the thought off.
Mrs. Benton was a woman in her mid twenties with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, pale skin, a blue and pink infinity scarf, and a layered brown plaid shirt. She reminded Holly of her mom, always outgoing but laid back in the crowd. Mrs. Benton's room was covered in quotes from most people Holly didn't know existed. There were names like, Trevor Brown, John Kilo, Sarah Nimby, Berkley Hennas, and so many others it hurt Holly's head just thinking about it. Mrs. Benton saw their presence and trotted over.
"Hello, you must be Holly," Mrs. Benton says with a bright smile that showed off her pearly white teeth. "Welcome to my classroom in Chestnut Pine Middle School. I'm eager to introduce you to your classmates, and positive you'll fit right in like a parrot in a bird sanctuary."
"Holly's not the one to talk, so parrot isn't really the best word to describe her, but we recommended this classroom because of her best friend, Autumn," Mr. Collins replies, saving Holly from a very awkward moment. "Should they be com-" he was cut off by a loud and long, 'RING!' of the school bell, telling all the eighth graders to come in from recess. "Never mind, but I can stay if you want me too, honey."
"Umm, sure. But not for that long, please," Holly says, thinking of what a laughing stock her dad would make. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, though, since he's always there for her. Just get through ten minutes, Holly repeats in her head, or Autumn would be there for you.