Bitter, Sweet, Repeat

1 -- Bitter Beginnings

Sophia’s brown eyes watched the slow rotation of the metal as identical bags came in and out of the plastic flaps. Her arms crossed over her loosely fitted white t-shirt and body-con blue skirt with black flip flops, they felt out of place in the chilly atmosphere. She wrinkled her gently freckle covered nose as she tapped her foot impatiently. A familiar bag tag on two canvas bags made their way closer to her. Quickly, she grabbed hold of them before they rotated out.

Managing to get a taxi, she gave the man the address on an envelope. She looked over with a questioning look, she responded by cocking her brow in question. He shook his head and loaded her things in the trunk. After what felt like and hour in awkward silence, they arrived in front of a large gated entrance. The scruffy man set Sophia’s things out on the dirt road. She paid her fee and thanked him. He only grunted a reply. Looking up at the large stone building, she couldn’t help but give a long sigh. Butterflies rippled in her stomach.

Perhaps standing there longer than she needed to, another taxi had parked beside her. Turning her head around, a petite blonde dressed in a floral summer dress appeared before her. “Why thanks! That’s real sweet of you!” A sweet voice swooned with a southern American accent. The blonde locked eyes with Sophia.

“Why you must be Sophia! I read up on you in the student profiles. You’re the other abroad student from the states, right?” Sophia nodded. “I’m Whitney! It’s a pleasure to meet you!” The two shook hands. “Do you know where we are headed?”

Sophia only smiled, “I know probably know just as much as you do, if not less. I just got here myself.” Whitney took note of Sophia’s luggage.

“Well let’s gets our cute little butts in there!”

Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. Whitney’s bubbly personality was certainly easy to love. The two pulled their suitcases to the front steps of the building where a tall lengthy woman stood. Clipboard in hand, with her crisp rose colored business suit and tight bun.

“I am your school dean’s secretary. He apologizes for not being able to formally be the first to greet you upon your arrival but some things have come up.” The slender woman eyed the two young girls. “I am Ms. Reidmire.” She paused as if for dramatic effect. “Follow me.” As Ms. Reidmire turned around, the two girls gave each other looks to confirm that they were feeling the same way; extremely uncomfortable.

They were brought up to their dorm room on the fifth floor. The room was simple. There were two desks on opposite sides of the room, two beds separated by a large window with a nook, two dressers and one closet.

“ I will give you two a little time to settle in. Lunch is served at noon in the dinning hall, its quite easy to find. Then return back to this building where I will be waiting. Your tour of the campus will begin then."

Sophia and Whitney let out a string of yawns as the dean’s secretary gave them their tour. Two boys about their age joined them, they were also apart of the abroad program. Whitney and Sophia giggled as each one pointed out boys they found attractive and had one another rate him on a one to ten on the “cuteness scale”.

“That one,” Whitney pointed at a tall blond. “Seven,” they both blurted out simultaneously and let out another fit of laughter.

There was a sudden halt.

“Tonight at the evening assembly, the four of you will be introduced. You will not need to wear your uniforms seeing as how none of them are in yet, but please dress semi-formally appropriate.” She paused, which she seemed to be doing a lot. “Nothing revealing or ...” Yet another pause, "...inappropriate. I do not know how you dress in the U.S but we will not tolerate indecency.” Sophia rolled her eyes.