The Boarding School

Yes, There Are Sides

Katelyn Stone

"And so you see, creative writing can be used to explore truths in a reality not immediately available. Sort of like a scientist experiments with chemicals in a lab, a creative writer and thinker can explore consequences and logic through the lab reality in writing, depending on how the writer decides to approach the project." The bell rang. "Class dismissed."

The children stood and filed out of the room, but Luke lingered behind. "Miss Katelyn," he asked, coming up to the desk.

"Yes, Luke?"

"Have you seen Hugh? I haven't seen him since last week."

Katelyn's heart fell, "He didn't talk to you?"

"About what?"

Katelyn hesitated. "He decided he wanted you to finish your education," she said gently, "I told him to tell you he was going, but apparently he didn't listen. He said he had to get back to work to pay for your tuition."

"You mean he's left?"

"I am afraid so," Katelyn reached out and touched his arm, "When you graduate, you can join him again."

"Thank you, Miss Katelyn, I need to go to my next class," Luke stalked out of the room. "Excuse me," he passed Thomas on the way out.

She sighed. That could have gone worse, she decided. "Yes, Thomas?"

"Can I transfer to your class this semester?" he smiled innocently.

"What happened?"

"Why do you think something happened?"

"Thomas." She put her hands on her hips.

"My English teacher says he doesn't want to see me again and he is going to talk to the principle about having me kicked out of class and I need an English credit this semester if I don't want to have to take classes over the summer."

"You'll have to work hard to catch up." Katelyn warned.

"I will!" he promised.

"And if you are thinking you are going to get off easy for tardiness or skipping or terrible work, you're wrong."

"I know. You don't have the reputation for being easy," he grinned.

"Don't I?" He shook his head. "Fine, I will talk to the principal."

"Great." Thomas turned to go.

"Where are you headed?"

He paused, before grinning again, "To class."

"You better be," Katelyn replied, as he disappeared down the hall. She shut the class room door. Something poked her from behind. She whirled around to find a mess of long blonde, curly hair and a broad smile staring at her. "Hey!" The two hugged.

"How are you?" Alyssa asked, a broad smile still painted across her face. It had been over a year since they'd seen each other.

"Great! I'm great! How are you?"

"Fair," Alyssa shrugged, taking Katelyn's arm as they headed to her room. Katelyn unlocked the door and Alyssa plopped onto Katelyn's bed contently. "How are classes?"

"Fine," Katelyn put her books away and took a seat on the bed next to her best friend, "A lot of the kids like it."

"Creative writing," Alyssa remarked thoughtfully, "a way to open one's mind to thinking outside the box." She laughed, swatting Katelyn's arm, but lowering her voice, "Let's admit it, it's your way of trying to counteract the propaganda."