Together Again.

Emmalina Rodgue felt a chill run down her spine as she entered the gates of a place she would have to learn to survive from now. The clouds were dark, threatening a heavy downpour. Thunder boomed making her to shiver slightly out of fear. She looked behind her as the gates closed automatically just as the car that had dropped her left, sealing her fate. Her eyes darted frantically around her, searching for an escape, an opening for her to get out of this place she dreaded but to her dismay, none was available. With a sigh of defeat, she turned her back to the high gates, her hope for an escape dwindling as she noticed how the place was firmly guarded.

How am I supposed to get out of this place now.

At the back of her mind, she knew that even if the gates were to be opened at the moment, she would just look at the tarmacked road outside and stay within the school vicinity or she would leave and end up in the dark and lonely streets. She simply had nowhere to go, not even at her own home, not anywhere. She shut her eyes tightly as her mind vividly replayed the image of her father paying her no attention as she said her goodbyes. He had been deeply focused on his books to even give her a glance. The only time he lifted his head was when his wife, seated gracefully at his armchair, told him that the cab had finally arrived to pick his daughter, a smile plastered on her sweet little face. The way she said it had made it sound as if they were finally getting rid of trash and it had taken all of Emma's willpower not to pound on the women and scratch that smile out of her face.

Finally, she had left after realizing that no matter how long she stood at her father's office door, he would not lift his head to look at her. It was like it was his number one goal never to spare her a glance since her mother's untimely demise. As she had walked along the hallway away from her dad's office, she had come across a portrait of her, her stepmom, her stepsister- who was her agemate- and her father. They had all been clad in sparkling white with smiles plastered on their faces. Looking at it, she had not been able to help herself from comparing it with the picture that had initially been in its place. It had been of her, her mom and her father. There were no differences between the two portraits apart from the sincerity of the smiles. Not wanting to waste more time, she had quickened her steps towards the main house door where a cab was awaiting her. After receiving a hand in loading her luggage, she had just been about to step into the car when she had heard a mocking voice behind her.

"Make sure to enjoy your life out there." It had been Anna, her stepsister, with a wide smile on her visage. Coldly, she had returned the smile and entered the car, closing the door with a thud. Now, opening her eyes, her purple suitcase brandished in hand and her baby purple backpack hanging loosely on her back, she walked slowly along the rocky path that headed downwards towards the high school infrastructures that lay there in all their glory. She did not want to think of the past, the present was enough to worry her for a lifetime.

After walking for a while, she reached a second gate immediately it began drizzling. Exhausted from the walk, she knocked weakly and waited as she heard the gate being opened. After a while, a man dressed in a black and white tuxedo appeared from the other side. His hair was neatly done and he stood in an upright posture, about seven feet tall.

"How may I help you miss." He said in a neutral tone. Neither cold nor warm.

"I am a new student here. I'm actually reporting."

"Just wait a minute miss." He said and went back inside, closing the gate behind him and leaving Emma in the rain that seemed to be increasing with every passing second.

By the time he came back, Emma was shivering due to the cold and wetness. "Let me help you with that." He said in a warmer tone, holding an umbrella above her head as he reached for her suitcase. "I'm really sorry for the misunderstanding miss. I wasn't informed that you were coming." He said as he led her along the tarmacked path to what seemed as more of a palace than a school to Emma.

"It's okay. And thank you for giving me a hand with my suitcase." She said when her mom's words echoed at the back of her mind, 'Always be kind no matter what'. And besides, he had just been doing his job.

"You are welcome miss." Was his response.

Within a few minutes, he dropped her at the reception, run her luggage through a machine scan, before saying his goodbye.

"Hi Emmalinah, welcome to High Creek. I apologise for the misunderstanding. We didn't know you were coming, this soon. My name is Sarah and whenever you need anything, you can come to me. Let me check your room number. Just give me a minute."

As the woman did so, Emma took her time observing her surroundings. The place was elegantly furnished with decorative items that were not too much. The high reception desk behind which Sarah sat had an old touch. Apart from a small flag of the school, an ornament of dolphins and a blue telephone, there was nothing else on it. Behind the high desk was another desk from where Sarah was working on her computer and that had files on top. The walls had portrait paintings of men and women who were of age. One in specific caught her attention. It was of a woman with dark hair facing toward what appeared as the sea, a bird in hand. It was during sunrise and the blending colors brought light and life to the serene environment.

"Emmalina! I've called you for quite some time."

"Sorry. I was quite taken by that piece." She said pointing towards the portrait she had just been admiring.

"It's actually my favorite. Caught my attention the first time I came here twenty years ago." Sarah said, her attention drawn to the portrait.

"Twenty years ago!" Emma said in surprise, "You look so young to have been here twenty years!"

"Well thank you for the compliment. So, for your room...it is room number 34. Your roommate is called Rebecca but she probably won't be in at the moment due to the ongoing classes. Here are your keys. Keep them extra safe cause it costs to get extra ones." She said handing her a key with a wooden keychain embedded with two dolphins. "Just go straight along the path and after a while you'll see a hostel sign pointing to your right. Take the turn and enter the building you see ahead. From their you can ask for more direction from the hostel manager. After you freshen up, you'll come back here so that I can direct you towards the principal's office."

"Thank you so much Sarah." Emma said as she took her suitcase, ready to leave.

"You are welcome. Make sure you don't get lost. I'm giving you an hour."

***

Emma took out her key and opened her room door. She entered the not so familiar environment slowly. Hanging her jacket on the door hook, she walked to her bed and sprawled herself on it, her head facing the sealing. She had already freshened up and had just come from the principal's office. Now she needed to unpack her staff and figure out how to arrange them in the space she had. Sitting up, she looked at the other side of the room where her roommates stuff were neatly arranged. Her favorite color was probably pink since most of her staff were of that color. The walls of her side were not bare but were filled with celebrity pictures. The mini-table beside her bed, which had a fluffy pink top cover, mainly contained makeup aesthetics and a small pink microphone.

A singer, huh.

She was exhausted but she knew it was better to get everything done as soon as possible. Opening her extra large suitcase, she removed her home clothes and uniform and hang them in her wardrobe. She neatly arranged her different pairs of shoes in the foldable shoe rack she had carried and placed it in her wardrobe. She then took her purple cotton top cover and put it on her mini-table then moved to spread her sheets. After a few this and that, she was finally done and was ready to relax in the warmth of her purple cotton duvet.

"Oh wait." she said as she noted that something really important was missing. Reaching for her backpack, she frantically searched inside and when she finally found what she had been looking for, relief swept over her. Holding it delicately, she placed it on the mini-table beside her bed, positioning it to face her.

"I miss you so much mom." She said looking at it. It was a framed photo of her and her mom that had been taken when she was young. With a loud yawn, she closed her eyes, her teddy close in her embrace, blocking the world around her.

Emma woke up at the noise around her. Opening an eye, she squinted at the intensity of the light in the room.

"Oh look, she's awake." She heard a voice say. Opening her eyes wider, she slowly adjusted to the room lighting before letting her eyes wander around her. At the bed across her sat three girls, all looking at her as if they expected her to give an introductory session. Paying them no further attention, her gaze shifted to the open window. It was still daytime but the lights in the room were on. Annoyed and still drowsy, she turned to face the wall then pulled the covers above her head.

"What does she think she is doing." One of the girls said and Emma had to stop herself from telling her that if she had proper eyes, she would see that she was trying to get some sleep. Suddenly, she felt her covers being pulled away from her and on turning, she found the three girls standing at the edge of her bed. Looking directly at the one who was holding her duvet, she gave her a cold glare then let her gaze shift slowly to the duvet she was holding, intending to pass a clear message that she wanted it back. But to her dismay, the girl just looked at her then gave her a rather sweet smile.

"Hi, my name is Rebecca, your roommate," she said dropping the duvet on her bed, "and you, what is your name?"

Emma wanted to argue that she was in no mood for small talk but she realised that if she just said her name, the girls would leave her alone.

"I am-" she was cut off by a sudden knock on the door.

"Come in!" Rebecca shouted in annoyance and just immediately, in came a brunette girl carrying a brown bag.

"What took you so long." Rebecca said coldly to the girl before snatching the bag from her and placing it on her bed.

"I'm really sorry. The coffee machine had kind of had an issue and so-"

"Just keep quiet. Now, back to you, what were you saying..."

All attention was back to her but she could not bring herself to speak just after observing what had just happened. Looking at the girl who was now smiling widely at her as if she had just not been insulted. Emma found herself thinking of the many times she had been mistreated by her stepmom and stepsister for the past seven years, all the while being defenseless and helpless. With a slight laugh of hate and bitterness, she looked at Rebecca a sudden feeling of resentment welling up inside her toward her, all dreams of having a bestie roommate dwindling in the process. Taking her duvet, she turned to face the wall once again and pulled it to cover her head.

"She is wierd." One of them said.

"Let's go girls. Maybe she is just shy." She heard Rebecca say and listened as they walked away, the sound of their footsteps receding to the distance. Just when she thought all was clear, she heard someone say to her in a kind tone, "Dinner will be served in a few minutes."

Uncovering her head, she watched as the brunette girl left slowly, closing the door behind her but leaving the lights on. The girl probably expected her to go for dinner but truth be said, she had no appetite. With a sigh, Emma moved to close the window curtains then changed to her sleeping short and jersey. Switching off the light, she returned to bed once again in the familiar warmth of her covers. Holding her teddy close to her, she drifted back to sleep where she had a dream of her childhood bestfriend. And in her dream, she dreamt of the good times they had had together before he had left, never to return.

***

Emma woke up to the loud chiming of the bells. Raising her head slowly, she rubbed her eyes, the dream she had had still vivid in her mind. Slowly, she reached for her clock on the mini-table and noted the time. It was 8:00 am on the dot. 8:00 am! Oh no no no! Classes start strictly at 8:00am. She suddenly recalled the principal's words from the previous day.

" Lessons start strictly at 8:00 am. Any form of lateness will not be tolerated..."

Wasting no time, Emma dodged out of her bed dropping the duvet in the process and ran for the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, she quickly put on her uniform having no time to admire its design. She then put on her shoes, took her backpack and sprinted along the corridors and out of the building. Emma was really grateful for the brief tour she had received the previous day from Sarah when she had left the principal's office that made it easy for her as she ran along the tarmacked path. Left, right, right again... And finally, she found herself standing in front of a door embedded tenth grade at the top. Exhausted from the run, she inhaled and exhaled sharply before finally giving the door a loud knock.

"Come in!" Said a firm ladylike voice from inside. Slowly, she opened the door and stepped in, well aware of all the people looking at her. "You are late."

As if wanting to confirm if what the woman said was true, she looked at her wrist watch that showed she was more than thirty minutes late, looked back at the teacher then with a gentle smile, said, "My apology miss. This shall not be repeated."

"Apology accepted young lady." She said with a gentle smile, "Why don't you introduce yourself to the class."

Looking at her fellow students before her that she had approximated to be twenty in all, she cleared her throat, wanting to be heard clearly. " Good morning. I am Emmalina Rodgue but I prefer being addressed as Emma."

"Welcome to our class. You can have the empty seat." The teacher said pointing towards a seat at the back of the class. Slowly, she walked to the back of the class, doing her best to avoid all the stares she was receiving. Just as she took her seat, the bell went off signaling a short break before the next lesson.

Emma found herself moving from lesson to lesson and by the time it was lunch time, she concluded that so far, her favorite lesson had been music. Sitting on her desk, she put her stationary in her bag then stood up to follow the rest.

"Hi." Someone said from beside her and she turned to see her desk mate.

"Hi." She replied.

"My name is Aria." The girl said offering her a handshake.

Taking it, Emma said lightly, "I bet you still remember my name but if you don't, I am Emma and it's nice meeting you."

"Nice to meet you too."

Together, they walked to the dining hall. Looking around her, Emma told herself that she had to get used to a school of all girls. Taking her plate, she made the queue as the rest. The lunch served consisted of boiled potatoes, rice, some green mash and a watermelon as the vegetable. Taking a glass of water, she and Aria walked to a table that faced the lively trees that surrounded the school. After a few minutes of silence, Aria broke the silence.

"Have you had a chance to walk around?" She asked.

"ummmmm, yes, I have a little."

"Well, from today on, consider me your tour guide. Whenever we have time, I'll show you around. Oh, and remind me to give you a tour of the boy's side on Saturday." She said lastly as a by the way.

"I thought this school was an all girls school."

"Well, it kind of is. We are only allowed to interact with them after 4:00pm everyday and also during projects- which is very rare. Saturday and Sunday are an exception since the gates separating us are opened from morning. I could have taken you today but the thing is, I have so much assingments piled up."

"No, it's okay, I don't mind." Emma said sincerely. Earlier she had told herself she would have to survive being in an all girls school not that she had missed the boys and so she did not really see the necessity of touring the other side of the school.

"So, my duty starts now by pointing out to you people that are necessary for you to know. So, that over there is Britney. She has been the science champion from when she reported. She's quite a competitor." Aria said pointing towards a girl sitting alone in a table at the far end with glasses.

"Well, she better watch out." Emma commented.

"She better watch out?" Aria asked hilariously.

"Yeah, she better watch out." she said again with a giggle.

"Well, we will soon see who will better watch out." Taking a bite of her watermelon, Aria returned her attention to the surrounding tables. "You see that table over there?" She asked and nodded towards one of the occupied tables.

"That one?" Emma asked referring to a table that had four occupants, all seeming familiar.

"Yeah, that one. That table is popularly known as the "High table' and those girls go by the name 'High Queens'." Aria said, more in a whisper.

"High Queens! What kind of name is that!" She exclaimed hilariously.

"I know! Now, we proceed to personal identities. That over there is Rebecca. She is the team leader- acts as if she owns the whole world. She is also dating Shawn, one of the most popular jocks around. There relationship has been on and off a couple of times, mostly because Shawn was cheating on her. Anyway, he is a playboy and I tend to believe she only dates him for the popularity. The other one is Angel, Rebecca's best friend..."

Emma found herself zoning out, not clearly listening to what Aria was saying. For the first time in years, she had heard his name. Shawn! Could it be... She could still remember the way she used to call his name as they had run around the vast fields. Even after they moved after her mom's death, she had still called out to him in the deepest darkness of her life, hoping that he would appear to somehow take away the pain like he had but he hadn't come, he never did. Emma felt her chest tighten at the memories. It couldn't possibly be him. Besides, there are a thousand Shawns in this world so... it can't be him. She convinced herself.

"...That one over there is Bitter. She is the toughest of them all, just as her name says. Finally, that one is Rachel. She is the kindest of them all. There's not much to say about her."

"There was no need for all that info. I already know them." Emma said.

"You know them!"

"Maybe not all of them but I do knOw the leader. She is my roommate."

"She is your what!" Aria asked, her eyesockets buldging out.

"She is my roommate."

"Well, you better watch out. You don't wanna end up being kicked out like her previous roomie just because she doesn't like you. Trust me, she has a way of getting what she wants, always."

"I'm already watching out. Keeping my distance." Emma said.

"Good luck with that, you'll need it."

After clearing their plates, Emma and Aria walked out of the dining hall together. Before settling for the next class, Emma asked Aria when she would be doing her assingments.

"Today evening after the lessons. I'll be in the library." was her response.

"Can I join you?" she asked, the thought of being in the same room with Rebecca not really appealing.

"Yeah, sure."

***

It was finally Saturday, Emma's fourth day in school. Aria had promised to take her for a tour to the boy's side at noon. Turning lazily, she looked at her time clock. It was 9:00am meaning she had a whole three hours before noon. She looked at the bed opposite her at Rebecca who was sleeping noisily. Apart from the first day when Rebecca had asked for her name, the two had not said a word to each other since, not that she really did mind. She was actually really great-full for the silence. It gave her time and space to adapt to the changes around her. Laying in bed while facing the ceiling, Emma wished she had her phone to scroll through. Letting out a sigh, she reached out for her novel. She flipped through the pages until she reached where she had been.

With a sigh, she closed it and put it down. This morning she was not in the mood for reading a novel. She thought of what else to do and finally decided on taking a shower before going for breakfast which would be served at ten. Taking her towel and mini-bag that contained her skincare and lotion, she put on her slippers then moved to the bathroom. Putting on the shower, the warm water that run through her hair and down to her feet made her feel new and free, as if all her worries and fears had been washed out for just a moment. She let the water flow, enjoying the moment and the feeling of warm water flowing.

As she enjoyed the moment, her memories carried her away to when she was young, something that had happened more often since she moved to this school. She had been five years old and it had been her first time using the shower. That day she, she had accepted to use the shower after being coaxed by her mom that she would take her to Disneyland if she used the shower. The whole bath had been full of her screams and plea to get out and by the end of the day, her plea had been hidden and she had received a trip to Disneyland. The next time she had used the shower was when she had been seven years old- when she had been too big to fit in her small baby tub.

The memory made her laugh but what followed was deep pain and emptiness. She eventually closed the shower, knowing that no matter how much she let the water ran through her, the feeling of being free of her worries would only last for a moment before the emptiness, hurt and loneliness took its place. She took her towel, wrapped it around her and used another to wrap her hair. Slowly, she walked into the room only to find a fuming Rebecca staring straight at her. Not knowing what to say, she smiled slightly and walked to her bed.

"You've been in that bathroom for too long. Just wondering, how many germs do you have to wash off..." Rebecca said as she walked towards the bathroom to take her bath.

Stretching slightly, Emma sat in a position where she could see har clock watch clearly. It was 9:40am. I've had quite a long shower. Moving slowly to her wardrobe, she picked out a black sweat pant, a lavender crop-top and a black jacket. Being a weekend, they were free to put on home clothes. Once she was done dressing, she put on her ankle socks and her white sport shoes then tide her long black hair into a pony tail. She then added a pink lipstick and a slight blush to her cheeks to finish the touch. Taking her handbag that contained a few necessities, she looked at her wrist watch. It was ten o'clock, she was right on time. Taking one last look at the mirror, she left just as Rebecca was leaving the bathroom.

Slowly, she made her way to the dining-hall. She and Aria had agreed that if they did not meet here, they would meet at the library where they had been sitting in the evenings to do their assingments. She took her tray and was served two slices of bread, a 250ml yoghurt, one sausage and a banana. Tray in hand, she walked to the empty table where she and Aria sat during every meal. If Aria didn't show up by the time she was done, she would go to the library where they would meet later. And she would use the longer route. Taking her yoghurt, she put it in her bag and ate the rest leisurely. With time, her appetite had returned and she saw the food before her merely as an appetizer. When she was done and there was no trace of Aria, she took her tray, placed it on the collection section in the counter then walked out of the dining-hall. She was tempted to buy a snack but thought better not to.

As she neared the library which was quite large and filled with books of all genres that you could think of, she couldn't help but marvel at how it was uniquely structured. Its entrance design was that of a portico and it had a cemented statue at the top of a lion. Taking the few steps to the entrance, she walked to the reception, gave her name and took her card. During the few days of visiting the library, she had noted that apart for the large auditorium hall that was used for various activities, the library was another building that was not occupied by girls only.

As she walked along the rows of shelves filled with neatly arranged books, she finally came across a shelf labelled 'Law' and paused to look at the books there. For as long as she could remember, her desire had been becoming a lawyer partly because her mother had been a lawyer too and also because since, her mom's death, she had wanted to investigate the real cause behind the accident. Having been part of the fatal accident, she believed that there was more to just the accident which was meant to take both her and her mom's lives who were the only ones in the car. Now, as she took one of the books in the section, she felt her determination grow. She would work hard to achieve her dream and do everything within her ability to find out and reveal the truth.

Book in hand, she walked to the place where she and Aria sat every evening doing their assingments but found it occupied. The person's back was facing her and so she couldn't make out his face but something about him made her feel a sense familiarity. Just as she was about to take a seat on the other side of the bench, she noticed something was off. The nearest wall had a poster that had not been there before and the tables and chairs were blue, which were different from the ones she and Aria used that were grey. This is not where we sit.

Slowly, she retraced her steps to the entrance then from there, walked through the familiar path to their sitting spot. Placing her bag on the table, she looked at her watch. It was a few minutes past eleven and she knew that Aria would arrive any minute from then. Taking the yoghurt she had placed in her bag, she drank it slowly as she read the book she had picked out.

Time passed and she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Aria standing next to her dressed exquisitively in a baby blue tank top, a black palazo pant and a white cotton overcoat. Her hair was let out freely and she had done some make up, her perfect eyeliner standing out.

"Why are you staring?" Aria asked pushing strands of her hair over her shoulder.

"You didn't tell me that we are going for a fashion show cause I could have dressed up better than putting on casual pants." Looking at her watch, she noted that it was noon on the dot. "Should we get going?"

"Yeah, we should. And I'm really sorry for keeping you. I kind of overslept then took much time than expected preparing." She said.

"It's okay. Let's go then."

The walk to the other side of the school wasn't that far. Most people were walking around while others sat on the benches put around. Observing all around her, Emma noted that most of the people around were in pairs of a boy and girl, probably in a relationship. Not paying them much attention, she kept on walking beside her friend.

"So this is the basketball pitch." Aria said.

"It's quite big." she couldn't help but exclaim.

"Yeah it is. It is actually the only one in the whole school."

"So, if I may ask, we girl's can't play basketball?"

"You can, but on the girl's team. The boys are quite tough. No girl has ever tried there team. Even when we have a school match, they are usually told to play less tough, as rumors say."

"Well, that's good news. I'll enroll next week." She said. Having played basketball in junior and in her previous school, she had quite an experience.

"Goodluck with that. I tried but gave up on the second week. The coach is such a stiff-necked human being and sooooo tough."

"Tough, huh. Well, I'm sure he's not as tough as my previous teacher."

"You'll see for yourself." They continued along the cemented path and came across a large field. " This is the soccer field. I also tried out, before realizing that sport is not my thing. And that over there is the netball field. It-"

"Wait, did they put all the sport related activities on this side of the school only?" Emma could not help but exclaim aloud.

" Basically, yeah. I also wonder why..." After walking for a while, they decided to buy a snack in the nearest canteen and take a seat on one of the benches.

"Is that your canteen? It looks like a whole mini-market." Emma said considering that her previous school canteen had been a truck, not that many people used it. Most people preferred carrying food from home. As they entered the canteen, Aria moved to pick her favorite snack from the other side while Emma decided to only take a cool soda. As she moved to the fridge, she came across the guy she had seen earlier in the library and again, his back was faced to her. She was just about to say hi when she saw Rebecca come out of nowhere and take the guys hand possessively. Not wanting to be seen by her, Emma turned her back to them and focused on taking her soda. Opening the fridge slowly, she took her favorite, black-current. Just as she was about to walk away to the counter, she heard her name being called by Rebecca. What now! Pretending not to hear her, she continued walking but heard her name being called again.

"Emmalina, come let me introduce you to someone." Rebecca said from behind her annoying Emma even more. Why does she insist on calling me Emmalina. How many times do I have to tell her not to. Maybe she should get her ears fixed. Slowly, she turned, intending to tell her just that. That she should get ears fixed but before she could utter a word, she found her gaze transfixed on the guy beside Rebecca. The guy was clearly handsome, everyone with eyes could see that, but that was not why she was looking at him. His dark hair that had natural streaks of gold and his deep blue eyes made her feel as if she was ten years old again, before her best friend left. She was broken from her stare by a tap on her shoulder and on turning, she came face to face with Aria.

"I know he is handsome but you don't have to look at him like a lost puppy." She said so that only she could hear. Slowly she nodded her head and in her mind, she told herself that that guy could possibly not be the person she was thinking of. He could possibly not be her childhood best friend. Just as she was about to walk away, she heard someone call her using a name she had not been called by for the past seven years by a deep manly voice. Slowly, she turned and looked at the guy and felt tears fill her eyes as recognition hit. It's really him! It's Shawn. He's the only one who has ever called me Lina.

"Lina!" He said again as he moved closer to her. Emma wanted too run to him and give him a long warm hug and tell him that she had missed him so much but just as the desire came, it was pushed back by anger and hurt. He left me when I needed him the most and only contacted me once to tell me that our friendship could not work. As Emma thought this to herself, she could vividly remember that day and how after he had told her that, she had not been able to eat for a week and had ended up admitted in the hospital for another week. Letting the tears fall, she stood still. He had moved closer and just as he extended his hand to touch her face, she took a step backwards thn ran off leaving the soda behind. She didn't want to see him, he only made her feel more hurt.