Nina And Other Stories | ✔

Horror High - A Rather Welcoming Dorm

"Let's just forget the stuff about the dorm, OK? Let's go meet the guys in our dorm. Did I mention we're sharing dorms? Cos we are! How exciting!" she giggled and skipped ahead.

"Am I the only one that was spooked by that story?" Lucas whispered into her ear.

Leigh-Ann shook her head.

"Good. Just checking."

They stopped in front of a large brick house with weathervane on top. Leigh-Ann stared at it wondering how long it'd been on that roof.

"Gerry! Awed by another building? What's with you and buildings today? Move your butt here will you!" her brother stopped at the top of the small steps and stared at her.

She glared at him and walked up the stairs deliberately shoving his shoulder. She got an amused cluck from him before she swung the glass door open.

Inside was enormous. There was a crystal chandelier hanging above expertly posilshed marble floors. The house was tastefully painted in white. There was a living room to the right and a staircase directly in front of her. There was chattering coming from a room a few paces to the left.

She went through a curving arc and was met with the kitchen. Seven teenagers sat around the dining table talking and laughing.

Amanda looked up, saw her and giggled, coming over to stand beside her.

"Everyone," she started. "this is Leigh-Ann and her brother, Lucas. They're completing us."

They all stopped what they were doing and regarded her.

"Hello," she brought her hand up in an awkward wave.

"Hello people. How've you all been?" Lucas exploded from behind her and sat on a vacant seat on the table immediately looking like he belonged there.

"Come. Meet everyone."

Amanda dragged her to the table. "This is Elizabeth." she waved her hand to a brunette with curly hair.

Elizabeth waved. "I'd prefer Betty, really," she said with a shy smile.

Leigh-Ann nodded. "Betty it is."

"Moving on, this is Austin," she waved to a blonde guy that gave her a blinding smile. She smiled back willing her legs not to give way.

"Be mindful of him. He doesn't use deodorant," Amanda whispered.

"I heard that," complained Austin.

Amanda giggled and moved her closer to the rest.

"That's Cole, Emma and Jemima."

The black haired guy gave her a shy smile. Emma was the blonde with straight shiny hair, she spared Leigh-Ann a glance and went back to her laptop.

"Sorry about her," Jemima jerked her thumb towards Emma. "She practically lives on her laptop." she trained her brown eyes on Leigh-Ann as if trying to figure something out. After a while she just folded her chocolate brown hands and smiled.

"Well, well, well. Lookie what we have here," a blonde guy clasped her shoulder and gave her a dazzling smile. "I'm Andrew. Just in case."

Amanda snorted beside her. "Leave her alone, Andy. She's not your type."

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say sis." he winked and left.

"OK people!" Amanda hollered. "It's already 5 o'clock let's get ready for lights out. Where's Tucker?"

"He went to get some snacks," Emma answered from her laptop.

"He's been gone too long," Amanda checked her dainty white watch. "Cole, Austin, Andrew? Can you go find him?"

Cole and Austin nodded and filed out while Andrew groaned.

"Why do I have to go?" he whined.

"Cos I want you out," Amanda snapped and pointed to the door.
"I'm going to tell dad about this," Andrew warned and left.

Amanda rolled her eyes and walked up to Leigh-Ann.

"Come, let me show you around."

She led her around the house and Leigh-Ann was more than convinced she'd chosen the right school. They'd stopped for a while on the balcony and looked out, the sky was alive with hues of gold and red as the sun set and the gentle wind lifted their hair.

"I know I kind of scared you with the whole Anubis House story," started Amanda leaning on the railing. "But you don't have to worry, it's just a myth. It's really not so bad."

Leigh-Ann turned her head to the left and surveyed the imposing building. It was built with bricks and painted in red and black. The whole place screamed haunted and she could see why people avoided it.

"I don't get it." Leigh-Ann shook her head. "If it's haunted, why not just knock it down?"

Amanda swallowed. "They tried, you see. But every single contractor who's been hired by the school mysteriously disappears two days before they're scheduled to come take a look."

"Or that's what I heard," Amanda added when she noticed Leigh-Ann's stricken look. "Come on Leigh-Ann, let's get dinner."

Leigh-Ann took one last look at the building and followed Amanda inside.

She couldn't get out of her head the strange red glow and the shadow that peeked out of the curtain.