Bellworth Boarding School For The Unwanted

Chapter 1

The steak knife went whizzing over my head as I ducked down, the lethal threat sticking itself into the wall plaster. My heart was thundering in my ears as every nerve tensed and I wandered how I kept landing myself in this situation.

“Lenny!” Rebecca screamed with horror.

My foster brother simply giggled, making me wonder exactly how badly he had it out for me. Hadn’t they learned not to let him near the cutlery? That’s the third time this week!

Changing my position, I edged my head above the table just far enough to send a visible glare across the table. Leonard looked at me and half-clapped half-wriggled his hands in amusement.

I stood from my seat and excused myself, “I think I’ve lost my appetite. Again.”

Rebecca tried to send me an apologetic glance but was too busy trying to wrangle the pointed fork out of Lenny’s hand. I rolled my eyes, knowing that it was a lost cause and she was better off letting go and ducking for cover.

As I left the kitchen I brushed past a darkly tanned girl that I had come to know as Naomi. She was looking at my face as she grimaced, knowing that our so-called brother had once again gotten hold of the knives and forks. So instead she turned around, deciding it was for the best to skip breakfast today.

We both headed down the hallway and grabbed our things. If we waited for the others we’d never make it on time. Coming down the stairs a girl with her wispy black hair in a French braid saw us and scooped up her bag and sneakers, trying to catch up.

“Wait for me!” Melanie called, grabbing a jacket and running till she caught up.

In the light morning drizzle, Rebecca yelled at us to wait while we left with our wind breakers and umbrellas. I ignored her.

I had already been given the talk that all children were different and that she didn’t have control of her foster son. I didn’t feel like watching the cat clock as the lecture went in and out with nothing important being said. Talks with Rebecca usually ended that way.

“Anya, are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Naomi asked.

“Try my life flashing before my eyes!” I snapped.

Melanie flinched and Naomi looked a little annoyed at my outburst but I didn’t regret it. I had to let off some steam before getting to school or else I would do something drastic.

Naomi noted a ‘so I see it was a knife this time’ with an amused smile. I was just happy to get out of that stuffy full house at least.

Rebecca and Andy Kirin were nice people. Whenever they could, they took in new children and took care of them. This however meant the house was always cramped and more than likely, you’ll see things being thrown around.

Naomi had been assigned as my roommate because she was the only one who had space. Everyone had to share a room. I didn’t mind, but that didn’t mean I liked living in a four-bedroom town house with nine other people.

Melanie had been the only other girl that went to Sanbay school with us, so she usually tagged along, but never really said much.

I had only settled in last week, but I could already tell that Lenny was going to be a horrendous creature to live with. I sighed, knowing that ranting wasn’t going to stop that devil baby from throwing things.

I didn’t even have to look up to know we had reached Sanbay School up along Millstone St. Even if I had only been there a couple of days, I could already immediately recognize the strange smell of wilted cabbage and pre-adolescent students.