All I Have: Chapter: 2

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“Okay, I know that you’ve never been on a plane before so just…don’t let your nerves get the best of you.” Annie said as we walked through the airport and towards my flight.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t nervous. Not about this flight and not about the stupid school. If I felt anything right now it was anger. I still could not believe that I was being sent to this place against my own will. But I was, even though I practically begged Annie and her boss to just let me stay in New York and finish my senior year at the boring public school and let me be at peace. But no, I was only lectured about how hard it was to get me into this school and how many of the teachers and some of the parents didn’t want me there. Apparently rich people didn’t like scholarship cases and Hillsbrook hadn’t had a scholarship student in about 5 years. And if that wasn’t enough, they really didn’t like the fact that I had a criminal record. Not that I killed someone or something, but I did mess up a few times, I didn’t plan on getting caught.

But in the end, Annie and Mr. Drake, Annie’s supervisor, decided to pull the publicity card, that they might be able to help a helpless case. And they finally caved, rich people love publicity. Figures. So they caved and laid down strict rules for me. I would have to keep the standard high GPA there and if I started any trouble for any of the other students or teachers or the school altogether, I would be immediately expelled.

So I figured that’s exactly what I would do to get out of this mess. But no. If I did that, they would charge the tuition fee and it would be under my name. Did I mention this was the second highest-ranking boarding school in the states? Yeah, one semester’s tuition is more than I could make in a year, if I worked two jobs. So I'm stuck finishing my senior year there. With a bunch of rich snobs who were bound to give me a hard time not only for being a scholarship student, but for being me. People just didn’t like me, and these kids…were bound to hate me.

And the worst part was, it was only October. I still had 9 months to go.

“I’m not nervous Annie,” I told her with a roll of my eyes. She just looked at me with sad eyes. She always said that I was like a daughter to her but since she wasn’t legally married and was my social worker she couldn’t adopt me. So I can probably guess what’s about to come.

“Oh Mel, I’m going to miss you so much,” She said as she circled her arms around me and knocked all of the air form my lungs. God she has a death grip.

“Yeah,” I murmured, barely able to breathe as she let go and took a step back, watery eyes now looking at me.

“Well, you have fun Melanie, this is a new start for you.” Annie said and I rolled my eyes. New start my ass, I’ll have to be even more defensive than I usually am, going to a place that doesn’t want me.

“Yeah,” I said as I threw my black backpack that I’ve had since I was 12 on my back. The seams were frayed and the Jansport sign had been ripped off long ago and replaced with a sewed on ‘Unknown’ patch and in some places, phone numbers and sayings were written but they were barely visible against the black material and you had to look extra close to see them. I was surprised that the airport security even let me on with it.

The airplane ride was exactly 2 hours and 34 minutes before we landed. How do I know this? Because I counted. There was nothing to do. I sat in coach, the headphones got boring after a while, and the stewardesses kept glancing at me like I was going to hijack the plane and I couldn’t smoke.

So when we finally landed, I cut in line and hurried through baggage claim, grabbing my single, small suitcase and walking outside, throwing it down and grabbing my cigarettes.

I don’t remember when I started smoking. I think I first tried it when I was about 8, an older kid gave me one and I tried to act cool. I remember choking for a good ten minutes because I had breathed in deeply to try and impress them. I quickly inhaled again though, right after my coughing subsided. I never let something get in my way, even all the way back then. I only coughed a little bit then, and by time I took my third drag, I was doing it like a pro.

It became an loose addiction, but I’m not a chain smoker and I can quit anytime. I don’t get addicted to things easily. But I smoke when I'm stressed or the rare occurrence that I’m nervous. And now that I'm in good old Wisconsin, I think I will be smoking quite a bit.

“Smith, Melanie?” Someone asked and I turned to see an old guy with his hands behind his back, a suit on and a slick black car behind him, looking directly at me.

“Yeah?” I asked, throwing my cigarette down and ignoring the disapproving glances of passerby’s.

“I’m Mr. Trodden, I will be escorting you to Arnold Academy,” he said in a British accent, holding out a hand and I shook it reluctantly, figuring this guy probably couldn’t take a sarcastic comment, he looked too old.

It begins.

“May I take your bags?” He asked, walking towards me.

“I got them,” I told him, picking up my suitcase and walking to the car but his hand stopped me.

“Miss, I really do insist,” he said and I just glared at him.

“Listen, I don’t pay you, I'm not like the obvious rich brats at your school so do me a favor and just let me carry my own shit,” I told him and he looked taken aback for a moment before clearing his throat.

“Whether you believe it or not, it is common decency,” he told me and I faltered slightly at his honestly. “Now may I please take your bags?” he asked again.

I never wanted anyone to do anything for me in my life. I never asked for help. I never wanted help. I always did everything on my own, but now this guy wanted to carry my bags even though I protested and he didn’t give up when I told him off. I sighed and handed him my suitcase, keeping my bag on my shoulder.

“Fine,” I said sarcastically and got in the car as he placed my suitcase in the back and I climbed in the front seat, I hated back seats.

He only glanced at me, surprised briefly, before starting the car and driving off.

The drive was only about a half an hour before we were driving out of the most recent town we had traveled through and driving down a road that was bordered with trees on each side.

A large set of gates waited at the end of the dead end and I looked at the driver incredulously. I figured this place would be nice, really nice. But have it's own street and gates that looked to have the White House beat? I didn’t expect that.

A man was waiting in the booth by the gates and upon seeing the car and looking at me briefly, pressed a button and the two gates, that had to be at least 15 feet tall each at the end and each bar raised a bit higher until they met at the middle, opened.

“Fancy,” I remarked sarcastically and a small smile made it's way to Mr. T’s face.

We drove about a mile before I saw a parking lot filled with cars. Cars that my old buddy Rider would love to see seeing as though he lived to boost cars. Porche’s, Vipers, SUV’s and Hummers crowded the parking lot but we drove right by that, pulling into a large circular dive way that sat in front of the school.

I was actually shocked for the first time in my life. It was literally a castle. A huge stone castle that even had towers at the corners and lush gardens growing around it.

The lawns alone stretched on for acres and I found myself wondering what idiot was actually paid to mow it all.

“Here we are,” My driver said as he turned to car off and opened his door, exiting.

I got out too, taking a look around and taking a deep breath. It was only about 11:00 in the morning and I knew that school was still in session, which is why I didn’t see anyone outside.

“This way miss,” he said as he took my suitcase and walked up to the front doors that had the same massive look as the gates had.

After walking in the school, I was immediately surrounded by portraits and hallways, staircases and large chandeliers.

This place was unbelievable, no wonder why it was the second highest ranking. It made me sick. The people who were out there homeless and this place looked like it could give a home to all of them.

The place radiated money, I could actually feel it.

I was led down four halls and 2 staircases before we reached a door that said ‘Dean Warren’ on the door in a gold plate. My bet was that it was real gold, I wonder how much I would get if I swiped that but then I remembered the threat of expulsion.

We walked into a large office that had a secretary sitting at a desk and the waiting room alone was bigger than any living room I had ever seen. Everything was so picture perfect and expensive looking.

“This the office?” I asked, looking at my driver who was still standing by the door and the secretary looked up.

“No, this is the Dean’s office. The main office is downstairs.” The woman said, giving me a once over and I could actually see the disgust she was trying to hold back.

“Oh.” I said, rolling my eyes. “So…?” I said, not wanting to just stand there all day.

She cleared her throat and averted her gaze from me, turning to the door. “Harry, her room is 345B…is that all she has?” she asked, ignoring the fact that I was even in the room and glancing at my bag with disbelief.

“Yeah, it is.” I said bitterly.

She looked at me briefly before clearing her throat and looking back at ‘Harry’. “345B.” she said again and he nodded, walking over to me and surprisingly putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Good luck miss,” he said before leaving and left me with the secretary who was shooting me a disapproving look.

“Dean Warren will be with you momentarily,” she said as she pressed a button on an intercom and I listened as she told him, in a stiff voice, ‘that the new student was here’.

A moment later she looked up and motioned for me to go in a door on the left and I smiled a fake smile before opening the door and going in.

A man sitting behind the desk who looked to be in is late 40’s and was wearing a black suit with a blue and white tie looked up and straightened.

“We knock around here Miss. Smith,” He said, looking at me in a disapproving way.

“Really?” I asked sarcastically and I saw him grip his pen before placing it down. I tended to do that to people. I could make the nicest person turn angry and evil.

“I am Dean Warren,” he said, not bothering to shake my hand. “I will keep this brief since I assume that you have already been told about the rules and guidelines you must follow to attend my school,” he said sternly. I wanted to flip him off but stuck my hands in my pockets again.

I nodded when he didn’t say anything else. “Good. The students and teachers have been told of your arrival and your roommate also. I understand that you have lived a careless life but I will tell you now that we do not allow that at AA. This is a school of high achievement students and if you break the rules in the slightest you will be dismissed immediately.” He said and only made me angrier but I had to hold it in.

“Yes sir,” I said in a menacing voice and he blinked before nodding.

“Your room is ready. Here at AA we believe in freedom of expression so we do not have full uniforms but you will be required to wear the white school shirt with the school crest and the school tie which has the school colors. What you choose to wear with it is your option. We have a set of shirts waiting in your room. Mrs. Fritz will give you a map and your schedule and show you your room. You are to change and be at your first class at noon. You will start toady to prove to us that you are willing to be at AA.” He said and I just stared at him and then smiled forcefully.

“Is that all?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Remember Ms. Smith, I do not allow any foul behavior at my school. You will respect the teachers and students and you will respect yourself. If you need anything, please go to the main office located on the third floor. Have a nice day,” he said and I quickly turned and left.

Mrs. Fritz was waiting for me with a folder full of papers and motioned for me to follow her.

I was here for 10 minutes and already wanted to break. No one ever got away with treating me like I was nothing but I just allowed someone too. I couldn’t stand it here already.

“Here is your room. Your roommate is in classes and you will meet her later. Here is your schedule and map of the school. Your first and last class of today is in 30 minutes. It's down the hall and to the left, you can find it on your map circled. Here is your key to your room and your bag is in there already and your school uniforms are in your closet. If you need anything please go to the main office on the first floor,” she said formally, not meeting my eye before nodding in forced politeness and walking away.

I turned towards the door to see 345 on a gold plate and opened to be met with a huge room. Two beds, two closets one full bathroom and 2 dressers as well as two vanities, a balcony and large desks and rugs. This place was unbelievable.

I saw my suitcase waiting on a bed that was made neatly and glanced at the bed on the other side of the room, not seeing any stuffed animals of fuzzy pillows and prayed that my roommate wasn’t a loser.

I opened my suitcase, pulling out the only clothing I had. 2 pairs of black twill pants, 4 pairs of jeans similar to the ones I had on now. 5 shirts, my undergarments, tank tops and socks and a hoodie that I got from an old buddy when I was 15.

I put them all in the dresser that I assumed was mine and laughed when it only filled up two of the five drawers. I didn’t even need the closet. I walked over and opened the closet door, seeing 5 small white shirts with the school crest on the left breast pocket and a hanger with 2 blue and white ties on them, already tied loosely.

I pulled one out and glanced at it, preferring to wear the black shirt I had on now but changed anyways. I looked in the mirror and already didn’t recognize myself. The shirt was a bit tight and my stomach showed at the bottom a bit and I undid the few top buttons so it didn’t feel like I was suffocating and rolled the sleeves to my elbows. I wrapped the tie around my neck and didn’t even bother to tighten it, there was no way that was happening.

I looked myself over, my hair was down and my black eye makeup was still in place from this morning. The full body mirror on the back of the bathroom door made me smirk. I looked like a slut and I hadn’t even tried. The tight white shirt that was given to me fit me perfectly and my pants were their normal formfitting and low riding style, treading on being against any schools code I have ever been to and the buttons on my shirt being unbuttoned and my loose tie gave me a careless look. I rolled my eyes and walked out to the main room.

“Fuck,” I cursed when I realized it was 12:15 and I was already late. I grabbed a pen and a notebook before grabbing the schedule and map that was given to me and walking to my first class.

983 the classroom door read and I checked my schedule again before opening the door and walking in.

All eyes turned to me instantly but I just rolled mine and stared at the teacher who was looking at me also. I heard a few guys mutter and whistle as I stepped towards the him.

“Melanie Smith?” he asked, his voice low and reluctant and I immediately knew he was one of the teachers that was against me attending here.

“It’s Mel,” I corrected.

“You’re late.” He stated.

“Your point?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and heard the hushed murmurs of the class and turned to look at them.

A few girls dressed in small skirts and heels who wore their shirts even smaller than mine sat in the first couple rows and I saw some guys wearing baggy jeans and a few wearing khakis. You could always tell a persons personality by their clothes.

“Do you have a reason for being late?” the teacher asked irritably and I focused my attention back on him.

“Just that fact that I just got here about 45 minutes ago and had to unpack my shit, get dressed and listen to that prick of a Dean lecture me, no…no reason,” I said sarcastically, only getting more whispers and someone to whistle in surprise.

“We do not allow that language Ms. Smith,” He said, his ears turning red.

I smiled at him, “Let me guess, Mr…” I took a glance at his desk, “…Turner, you were one of the people who didn’t want me here. Am I right?” I asked him.

A small smile made it's way to his face, his expression nasty. “Actually yes I am.” He said.

I scoffed, “You should have tried harder,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Are you saying that you don’t want to attend here? Arnold Academy?” he asked in somewhat surprise.

“Yeah,” I said sarcastically and nodded.

“Why would you not want to attend here. If we’d have known that then we would have never given you a scholarship.” He said, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Scholarship, uh.” I heard someone say, disgust in their voice. “Why does a loser like that have to come to our school,” they said and I turned to see a brunette in the front row staring at me with narrowed eyes.

“Loser?” I asked, smirking at her, surprising her apparently because she stopped tapping her pencil on her desk and stared at me warily. “Since we’re into classifying people, what are you? The school slut?” I asked, noting her short skirt that would have had her kicked out of any school I had ever been to before. I heard her and her friends gasp but I just grinned and looked back at the teacher. “Do you need to see my schedule?” I asked, my face serious again but he just shook his head, obviously wary of my attitude also.

“You may take a seat next to Mr. Johnson.” He said, his face slightly red.

I looked at the class and saw an African American boy raising his hand and the empty seat next to him and walked to the back. A few glances from the guys as they looked my over, suggestive looks in their eyes made me roll mine and the glares of the girls made me smirk.

Already I had myself down concrete.

I felt someone’s eyes on me and turned to my right, meeting a pair of dark blue eyes staring directly at me, seated on the far side of the room but in the same row as me. His dirty blonde hair was spiked in all directions and his white school shirt was untucked over his baggy jeans. His tie hung loose also and he was sitting back in his chair, relaxed, staring at me with a look that made it impossible for me read his thoughts.

I broke eye contact and sat next to the boy with his hand raised as he smiled at me, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively and the teacher cleared his throat and started going back to what he was obviously talking about before I came in. Not filling me on it or acknowledging that I was there, making me feel invisible. Just how I liked it.

Halfway through the class, after having everyone keep glancing at me at one time or another I felt eyes on me again and out of instinct turned to the blond haired boy I had seen before. He was staring right at me and didn’t even look away when I caught him. I raised an eyebrow at him, silently asking ‘what the hell his problem was’ but he just laughed silently, surprising me and then smirked.

He just smirked at me. I found myself glaring at him before he turned away, still smirking.

I scoffed. What was his problem?

The bell rang shortly after and the teacher handed me a notebook full of notes, not saying a word, before I left and headed to my room. My roommate would most likely be there and then it would be dinner although I wasn’t hungry.

A couple guys smiled at me and winked as I walked by them and the girls held prissy looks and glared at me on my way out of the class.

‘Welcome to AA Mel, home of bitches and rich playboys.’ I muttered to myself.

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There’s the second chapter, a bit of a start I guess. It wasn’t beta’d so sorry for any spelling/grammar errors. If your interested in being a beta for this story, let me know please.

Reviews: Thank you all so much! I’m happy you liked it! Thanks to: Raining Thunder, AnnikaSummers, Terry S, IceBreakersKiss, Scribbling-Ally, x shadow, Megliz716, Ms. Romantic, asiandork, soi-distant writer, Endowment’s Seraph, Nubbin33, BendyStraw, Kylie1403, ChefSamuraiCelery…Thanks so much…

The real story starts next chapter…

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Kellie