Dark Haven Academy

A pretty boy

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character" - Corithians 15:33

I stood gaping like a common fool, staring wide eyed at the array of buildings that seemed to stretch on into infinity. I wasn't sure whether to stand there with my bag by side or to go into the building to check myself in.

Dignity won eventually and I was soon walking up stairs made from stone collage. I strolled through automatic doors and stepped into a world very much different from mine. The reception had a lady sat at the far end of the room behind a counter.

"How can I help you?" she said smiling sweetly showing off her perfectly white teeth. She gave me a look over and jumped as if realising something.

"Wait! Laurel silver right?" she said attacking her keyboard with her rapid typing. I wasn't sure how she was able to recognise me but then I stole a glance at her screen and before her was a database full of information about me including my picture.

These people were thorough.

I pulled out my admission slip and handed it over to her. She reaffirmed my information on the computer and gave me a slip accompanied by a card she referred to as my key to life here. Before I could ask where and how I could reach my accommodation, an incoming figure caught my attention and I turned to see a girl bouncing along with all the liveliness the world had to offer. Her ginger hair created a beautiful contrast against her freckled skin and electric blue eyes.

She was very pretty.

Along the collar hem of her sweater sprawled various collections of badges that seemed to hold authority. She wasn't just pretty, she also held a higher rank.

"Hello, I'm Eleanor and I'll be your guide around the academy." she said outstretching her hand and smiling at me.I was overwhelmed by her good manners, half expecting her to push me down the stairs and tell me freaks like me weren't welcome at their school . I fumbled a little before taking her hand and shaking it firmly reciprocating a weak smile.

"Laurel Silver." I said before letting my eyes wander around the spacious room taking in the organic plants and pristine environment. Everything and everyone seemed to conduct themselves properly with good manners and etiquettes things that I'd be doing too in a couple of months.

"I feel like it's my duty to tell you that I don't bite" she said suddenly

"Huh?" I blurted out confused.

"Honey I'm just saying but you look terrified" she said and I laughed. It was true, I was so tense, I had been stood in the same awkward position for ten minutes. She gave me a tour of the building we were in which were mainly administrative offices and the professional body of the school. No students could be found lurking in the building.

"So how does the school work?" I asked her, genuinely curious.

"Well firstly, I think it's safe to say that every student is chosen because of a certain characteristic the school sees in them. You'll understand this as we meet various girls," she winked at me after she said this and I felt as though I should've been taking notes as she talked.

"Secondly, this is a strictly no boys allowed premises. Visiting days are exceptions of course. If you have a boyfriend or a sweetheart or whatever people say nowadays-" she rolled her eyes as though the word was ridiculous to her.

"Then I suggest you end it now so no one gets hurt" she finished icily. I had never had a boyfriend. I never had time for one to be honest and doubt I even wanted one.

"Lastly, please be nice to everyone. Trust me when I say that you don't know who will end up in a higher rank than you. I honestly wouldn't risk it." she moved on not breaking her stride for anything. She talked about various things that annoyed her and various times in which to go for a troll in the gardens and I knew that I liked her.