The New Girl

First Relief, Then Shock

"W-what's wrong w-w-ith me-e?" Ryan's voice trembled.

"Oh God, Ryan. You're in the cafeteria right after the first course, and you are asking me what's wrong with you?" Oliver looked vexed. 

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief, and I did too. "Uh, yea, I was hungry and I met Sharon here and we started talking." Ryan blurted.

"Oh damn!" I spoke aloud, "I'm sorry Ryan, I have to leave, it's my first day and I'm here during my second course. It's almost time for the third course. I'll get going. Bye." I said, waved and walked fast, as I noticed Oliver's suspicious face.

"Bye!" Ryan shouted and waved back, and then Oliver and Ryan indulged in a serious talk.

My next course was History. Our teacher was Miss. Clark. She wasn't much bothered about the students. She just rushed off with the subject as fast as she could. She wore her hair in a bun and her glasses were placed on her nose. She was teaching something about the United States between 1820 to 1877 and Slavery and the states' rights from the Missouri Compromise to Dred Scott and stuff like that. In short, boring topics that probably half the class did not want to listen to. 

We got the lunch break after the third course. I went to the locker to keep my books. I opened it with my heart beating super-fast. Phew. No note or picture this time. Relief. I decided to inform the administrator who was incharge for my admission about my absence at the second course. 

"Excuse me ma'am?" I said, she was standing outside her office. "Oh, yes, Sharon dear, how are things going?" she asked. "Ma'am they're absolutely fine," I lied, "Actually ma'am, I wanted to inform you that I wasn't able to find my class and I didn't attend my second course. I couldn't find your room either so I ended up sitting in the cafeteria. I know it's such a shame as it is my very first day, I'm sorry." I cooked up some excuse. I hope it didn't sound too cheesy. 

"Oh! No dear, you needn't be sorry, it's not a shame. In fact, it's a shame for me, I have failed in providing help to you. I'll hand you a map of this place with all the room numbers, alright?" she smiled, "Umm, Sharon, by the way, I need to have a little private talk with you. Do you mind sitting in my room for a little while?" she asked. What? Did she get to know about the note thing? I was worried.

"No ma'am, I do not mind." I opened the door and went in, she followed. 

"So, Sharon, I have to tell you something about a girl who was here before your arrival," she paused, and continued, "Her name was Grace, and she was not much of an old student, and the strange part is that, er, you resemble her. You look like her, Sharon, you do." she spoke in a thoughtful tone.

As if I didn't know.

"Oh! That is pretty unexpected because I was never informed about any of my twin or anything!" I laughed gently. Now that Grace was gone, I wonder why she was telling me anything.

"And an even stranger thing is that she disappeared right an year after she joined. Even though the word disappeared is not exactly appropriate, I am using it as I don't think there could possibly be another word for what happened to her," she thought for a while, and spoke again, "She just stopped coming to school, and after a week, her family left the country." she became sad.

"So there was no one who knew what happened to her?" I asked curiously.

"No, we checked with her close friends, but they didn't know anything as well." she replied.

"If you do not mind, would you tell me their names, please?" I asked. I admit that was a very strange question to ask.

"Yes, umm, as far as my memory supports me, Ryan Adams and Oliver Green. But why do you ask?" She asked.

"No, just like that, umm, in case I have an encounter with people who mistaken me for Grace," I replied.

"Oh, that reminds me, do carry your enrollment sheet until a week or whenever you start making friends here," she paused, "Because people might mistaken you for Grace, as I said, and question you and stuff like that. Anyway, have you had such an encounter yet?" she asked.

"Yes, but it's fine now. Not much trouble, easy to handle. I smiled.

"Well, that's great!" she exclaimed, "I always thought you were a girl who could handle things perfectly, and I feel I am right," she smiled, "Anyway, thanks for your time Sharon, hope I didn't trouble you."

"No, not at all. Thank you ma'am." I left the room.

There was very little time so I headed to the cafeteria to meet Ryan. 

I looked around for Ryan in the cafeteria but he could be soon nowhere. So I decided to get my books and attend my fourth course. 

Suddenly Oliver came up in front of me out of nowhere, "Hey, Sharon." he seemed upset and annoyed.  

"Umm, hi, Oliver." I smiled, wondering what was he going to say.

"So you and Ryan met up after first course, right?" he asked, more like enquired.

"Yes we did." I replied

"It's weird how you guys just met today and started talking so much!" he said, looking concerned.

"Umm, I know right? I thought the same thing too." Yea, right. Whatever.

"So what were you guys talking about? Did you talk about Grace?" he spoke fast and expected me too answer fast too, the eager look on his face showed that.

I wondered if I should tell him, but I told Ryan I wouldn't. "Yes, but not much, he just told me that she looked like me and that people might confuse me for Grace and he gave me tips about the school." What? I was being ridiculous, but there was no other option, was there?

"Oh, that's great, if you ever need any help, do ask me, or Ryan, we'll be glad to help you." he looked relieved, and generous.

"Okay, so I'll get going. Bye." I said and waved as I walked away.

I attended all my courses today and there was nothing very special. There were encounters with many students who mistakened me for Grace, but I had been carrying me enrollment sheet all the time so it wasn't much of a big deal. 

School is like walking distance from home so I decided to walk home instead of calling my mom. It was a pleasant walk, the weather was fine. Images of Grace, Ryan and Oliver kept flashing in my mind. I wanted to know what happened after what Ryan told me. I wanted to know where Grace was. I wanted to know everything.

"Hey mom." I said as I threw my bag on the sofa. I was so relieved to be back. It felt warm and nice. School has always made me uncomfortable, and today, a little too much.

"Hello Sharon, how was school?" she asked.

"School was fine." I answered. God. How much could I lie?

"Oh, yea and there's a letter for you. I found it in our mailbox," she spoke from the kitchen, "It's pretty weird since it's just your first day." she said.

I was shocked. Now what was this? 

"Hmm, yea it is," I said, "Where's it, mom?" I shouted from my room.

"I kept it on the rack near the door." she said.

"Did you read it?" I asked.

"No." She answered.

I went up to the rack and got the letter. It seemed old and dusty. The ink had faded from few parts.
I read it.

Hey Ryan,
I know you must be wondering why I didn't speak to you for so long. I'm so sorry but I think this isn't the right time for me to provide you with a reason, because it is a very big threat to both of us Ryan. And that's probably why I'm leaving. It is not possible for me to speak to you at the moment. I'm sorry Ryan, I know you must be thinking what could the reason be but I guess it would be better for both of us to forget it. I'm leaving, forever. I won't tell you where and why but all I can tell you is that I'm crying right now because I do not want to leave you Ryan. I'm helpless, I am being forced. I request you not to search for me and that is why I'm writing this letter. You can be very happy without me and so can many others. I'll miss you Ryan but I can't come back. I'm going. I love you and hope you love me too because I can never forget anything about you. I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I'm saying. Take care.
Love,
Grace.

Oh my God. What?

"Who-o s-sent th-his, mom?" I shivered.

AUTHOR'S NOTE :
THE 5TH PART. 200+ READS! THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS! I'M SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY, I WAS VERY BUSY. DO COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SUGGEST. LOVE Y'ALL.