The Silver Mirror

School

She looked in the mirror one last time before setting out. She wore her favorite grey and black star'd jacket, a maroon t-shirt, skinny jeans, and black converse. Her short brown hair was a little disheveled but nothing a little brushing can't fix. She ran her fingers through her hair to fix it. 

The door opened slightly and it was her mom. "You ready?"

Ellie looked back in the mirror and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

She left the bathroom and got her bag, which was sitting right outside, and headed downstairs for breakfast. Her dad was sitting there reading the morning paper and sipping coffee while Cooper lied down eating his dry food lazily. 

Elie sat down and made a small plate of eggs, rice, and bacon. Her nerves didn't allow her to eat more than that.

She went to wash her dishes when her dad stopped her, "Is that all you're eating?"

"Yeah," she replied, not turning around. "I'm fine." 

"Alright then..."

She washed her dishes fast and went outside, Cooper following right behind. 

"Ellie," her dad started and she turned to look at him. "Cooper can't go to school with you."

The two looked at each other before Ellie replied. "Why?"

"Dog's aren't allowed in school. Besides, look at him! The kids at your school would probably be scared stiff."

"Why?"

"They're, what we would call, sheltered children."

"What's that mean?"

"You'll find out eventually. Now, no more questions before you're late for school. Cooper, come here boy!"

Cooper looked up at Ellie for permission and she nodded. He slumped down and went over to sit back down by his bowl. 

"What's up with you two?" her father said, quietly. "It's like you have your own language."

Ellie closed the door and plugged in her earbuds, walking to school. This town is so small you could walk anywhere. Ellie pulled out her phone and opened up the MAPS app, since she still doesn't know her way around yet. Down the street, right on main, across the street, then another right, and it's the building after the park. Got it. Closing her app, she walked on to the beat of Nikki Manaj. 

~~~~~

As soon as she stepped into the school, she was hit with cologne, perfume, and the smell of anxiety. She might have just smelled the last one on herself. 

A tap on her shoulder startled her. She paused the Taylor Swift song playing and took out her earbuds, turning around. She was met face to face with a smiling black horned glasses wearing boy. He was kinda pale with blonde hair, blue eyes, and stood about five inches taller than her. She was immediately intimidated by him.

"Are you Ellie Riggs?" he asked, making her fear grow.

Ellie only nodded and shyly looked away.

"Hi! My names Keith Taylor. I'm apart of the Welcome Committee here to escort you around campus." He looked at the watch on his wrist and grinned slightly. "We have plenty of time too. Here, this way."

The boy, Keith Taylor, led to the office to pick up her schedule and a map of the campus and escorted her around to where she should go. Ellie marked the hallways and classrooms where she needed to go for future references. Keith Taylor even told her where to buy drugs and alcohol if she ever wanted it, but strongly advised her not to.