The Soulkeepers

Chapter 5: The Lows of Paris High

Chapter 5
The Lows of Paris High

“You’ll be okay,” John said to Jacob’s back. “I went to school here when I was a kid. Good people here.”

Jacob scowled at the carved wooden sign that read Paris High School. The square brick building looked more like a prison than a school. He did not acknowledge John’s comment but stared at the double doors and tried to remain numb.

“So, come to the shop after school. Just walk down Main Street and you can’t miss it.” Jacob could hear the note of frustration creeping into his voice. He didn’t care. John could make him do this but he couldn’t make him like it.

“Remember to check in at the office. I preregistered you but you’ll need to get your class schedule from Betty.”

Jacob nodded toward the school. His neck itched from the wool jacket John had given him to wear. He ignored it and took a slow step forward.

John sighed. “Okay then. See you later.” The old blue pickup whined as he shifted it into gear. Jacob turned only when he saw, out of the corner of his eye, the flash of blue leave the school’s circular drive.

Sure, it was only a matter of time until Jacob had to go back to school. He expected as much. Since it was the end of the holiday break and the beginning of a new semester, it made sense that he started now. But after all that had happened, he just didn’t expect it would be so soon. Going to school felt settled and he didn’t want to feel settled.

He joined a pack of students as they filed into the building, a machine of murmurs and sideways glances that churned to mustard yellow lockers. It wasn’t a large school, maybe two hundred kids, but he had the oddest sensation of being in a fish tank—watched with curious indifference. He ducked through a windowed door under a black plaque with white font that read, “Office.”

The short, mousy woman behind the desk typed vigorously, her square bifocals fixed on the computer screen. Her tight bun shifted slightly as she raised her eyebrows and turned toward him.

“Well hello!” she said in a high-pitched nasal twang. “Are you Jacob?”

“Jacob Lau. This is my first day.”

“Welcome. I’m Mrs. Whestle, the school secretary. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, uh, you too,” he lied.

“Let me just find your paperwork.” She thumbed through a pile of manila folders on her desk. “Here we are, Jacob Laudner.”

“That’s me but Laudner is my uncle’s last name—mine is Lau.”

“Yes, I see your uncle filled out these forms. John Laudner, such a nice man. He’s been a friend of my husband, Herbert, for years. Anyway, here you are, Jacob Laudner.” Mrs. Whestle squared the manila folder in front of him.

“Um, but my last name isn’t Laudner, it’s Lau. Can you change that on the paperwork?”

“But your uncle…” Mrs. Whestle’s mouth pulled into a tight line. A nervous giggle parted her lips. “You are registered as Laudner.”

It was clear to Jacob that Mrs. Whestle thought he was messing with her. Of course it didn’t make any sense why his name was different than his uncle’s. Hell, he didn’t understand completely himself. But he wasn’t going to let the circumstances rob him of his last connection with his real family. John and the social worker could force him from his home, but he was keeping his name.

“My name is Lau,” Jacob said firmly. He could feel his ears getting hot.

“Okay, hon.” Mrs. Whestle looked flustered and more than a little confused. “We can change it. Do you have a copy of your birth certificate?”