We weren't waiting long when the principal come out of his office and shook our hands, welcoming me to the school, then handed me a class schedule. Of course, the honors classes wouldn't be a problem. I could take any college course, earn any degree, and repeat every line from every textbook that I read verbatim. So, high school honors classes would hardly be a challenge, but we knew that Zachary was in all honors classes. My having an honors schedule increased the chances of our having the same classes.
"Welcome to our school, Lisa," Mr. Hartrell, the principal, said with a smile plastered across his face. "I hope you feel comfortable here, Lisa, and come to think of us as a family, as well."
"Why thank you, Mr. Hartrell," I answered sweetly. "I'm sure I'll find the accommodations here delightful."
Rick gave me a dirty look as if to say, Smart Ass.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist, I replied to Rick in my mind, then I looked at him and shrugged.
He rolled his eyes, without Mr. Hartrell the wiser.
Mr. Hartrell looked at me, puzzled, for the word arrangement I used was not typical of a common teen. "Well, yes, I'm sure you will." He cleared his throat. "If you need anything, you be sure to come see me, okay?"
"Oh, you can count on it," I said, broadening my smile. Oh, you could definitely count on it.
"Well," Rick turned toward me. "I guess you can take it from here. Do you have everything you need, honey?"
When I get home, you just wait ... I was thinking abusive retaliation for Rick when I finally answered, "Sure, Dad. I'll be fine. You just go on home and don't worry." I was really going to kill him. Of course, this show was for Mr. Hartrell.
Rick was suppressing a smile. "Okay, Lisa. I'll be back later to pick you up."
"Great, Dad!" I smiled sweetly. "I'll see you later then." Of course, he wouldn't be back to get me. I could actually run home much faster.
"Aren't you going to give me a hug, honey?" Rick was really pushing it.
"Dad!" I feigned embarrassment. "Not in front of people!"
The principal smiled sympathetically, then replied to Rick, "Don't worry, we'll take good care of her."
"I'm sure you will," Rick said, then departed through the glass front door. Rick didn't tell him that he would most likely be the one needing protection from me.
When Rick left and Mr. Hartrell and I were alone, he said abruptly, his plastic smile gone, "Come on and I'll show you to your homeroom." Oh, so he was one of those! He had a parent face and demeanor, and a student face and demeanor, and the latter was not the best.
We said nothing as we walked, until we arrived in front of a classroom door. "In here. And don't be late tomorrow."
"Why thank you very much for all of your help and professionalism," I said with all the sweetness I could muster, then added, conspiratorially lowering my voice, "especially in front of my father."
Mr. Hartrell turned about five shades of red before turning on his heel, and walked back the way he came without another word.
I quickly looked at my schedule and memorized it instantly. I really only needed it for a prop now. My first class was with Ms. Parks for Government. From the other side of the door, the voice of a kind, but no-nonsense robust, African American woman rang out, "Now, take your seats. The announcements are on!" I looked to the front of the room, where students were smiling and talking animatedly on the morning announcements broadcast across a Smart Board that covered most of the wall within the classroom. Ms. Parks caught my attention. If I was a terrorist, she would have been dead before she even noticed me. "Now, who do we have here? Come over here now, honey. Don't be shy."
Regrettably, I handed Ms. Parks my schedule and walked to the front of the room. Quickly, I scanned the room, but didn't see Zachary. Damn. If this continued, I would have to visit Ms. Sutherland tomorrow, after her mind had a chance to heal itself from Rick's mind control earlier. She would have a slight headache tonight. Too much mind control in one day could damage the synapses within her brain, and it wasn't my intention to fry brains.
"Class, this is Lisa Miller," Ms. Parks announced, reading from my schedule. "Can you tell the class a little bit about yourself?"
"Not really," I said, causing the class to laugh.
"Ahhh, come now!" she persisted, overlooking my sarcasm. "I know how hard it is coming to a new school. Don't be shy! Just tell us something about yourself. Anything that comes to mind. Anything at all." She was way too perky.
Sure, I'm a CIA agent that was sent here to protect one of your fellow classmates from being killed by psychotic vamps. By the way, I'm a vamp, too, and a shape shifter to boot. The class would either think I was a nut or would run out screaming. Tempting. I took the high road. "Hello, everyone," I began. "My name is Lisa Miller and I just moved here from West Palm Beach, Florida, where I attended Lake Worth High School. I love writing and hope to become a journalist one day." Typical canned answer.
"Very good!" Ms. Parks encouraged, unwittingly treating me like an imbecile. She was way too perky and patronizing, but I'm sure with the best intentions. "Now, you can find an empty seat," she said, as her eyes searched mine.
"Thank you, Ms. Parks," I replied and took one of two empty seats toward the back of the room.
The students were typical, average high school students, looking for the approval of their peers, hoping the teacher wouldn't call on them, or were busy texting their friends under the desk.
Every guy in the class watched me as I walked to my seat. Men never change. Although I had perfect recall, once in my seat, I removed a notebook and pencil from my backpack to make it look good, then turned and smiled at the boys who were still gawking. They quickly averted their eyes. That's more like it. A few minutes later, the door opened and who walked in but Zachary Davis. This was my lucky day, after all. Ms. Sutherlands' neurons were safe for another day.
Aksara