security gate. I refused to look back, knowing whatever I saw there would surely break my heart.
Security was a breeze and I soon sat on the plane ready for takeoff. The lump in my throat apparated as I realized Dad had ordered me the window seat. He knew me too well, that my favorite part of flying was staring out the window during flights. My mind skimmed through all our many adventures in the past.
I was born in Paris, where Dad was currently teaching when Mom had me. We moved to L.A. when I was four months old and after spring boarding all over the U.S. through my early childhood, lived in Berkeley, California, until Mom died when I was eight. After that, I think it was too hard for Dad to live where she died, because, despite having his dream job at the university there, we moved to Denmark soon after Mom’s death. From there, we lived in Texas, Switzerland, Illinois, England, and Portland, spending about two years at each destination. Looking back, I wondered if the zigzag from foreign soil to stateside was intentional. Though, Dad was staying in the U.S. again this time, so probably not.
Later today, Dad was flying to Fairbanks, Alaska. Opposed to the cold, I hadn’t wanted moved to Alaska, though where I was going wasn’t much better. Located on the outskirts of Annandale, Minnesota, a Google search told me Brightman Academy was located about forty-five minutes outside Minneapolis. Annandale had a population of three thousand people and boasted frigid, snow-infested winters. Great! Though, Annandale’s autumn was supposedly amazing, so maybe the breathtaking scenery would help my new home grow on me before it became a winter wonderland.
“Hi, there!” A petite woman with short, fiery red hair and pretty peridot eyes settled into the seat beside me. “I’m Gloria. What’s your name?”
“Sophie. Pleasure to meet you.” I shook Gloria’s hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Sophie,” Gloria beamed, seeming sincere. I instantly liked her. “Headed to Minneapolis?”
“Annandale. I’m on my way to Brightman Academy.”
“Brightman!” She lit up. “That’s my alma mater. I hope you have no aversion to studying.”
“I can be a book worm when I need to be,” I answered, resisting the urge to admit I was an out-and-out nerd.
“Then you’ll do great.” She nodded. “It’s a good, safe place to learn. I attended all four years of high school there, and loved every second of it.” Her face glowed as she talked. “The best part was the friends I made. When everyone is away from family, you tend to get really close to your schoolmates. You’ll see. I bet you’ll form some wonderful friendships during your time there.”
Her high regard for Brightman warmed me to the idea of attending school there, and with a little encouragement, she was soon sharing stories. Talking to her put me at ease, and before I knew it, I had told her all about Dad sending me away and we were landing at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. After filing off the plane, she helped me track down my four suitcases at the baggage claim before giving me a hug.
“I’m so glad we were seated next to each other. I loved talking to you,” she said.
“Me too,” I agreed. “Your stories helped make Brightman seem a little less scary.”
“I’m happy to hear it. Think you can find your way to Brightman okay?”
“Yeah. I’m going to take a cab,” I said.
“A cab? Well, I live in South Haven. Annandale is on my way. I could drive you to Brightman, if you’d like,” Gloria offered.
“Thank you, but I’d hate to impose,” I said, feeling her out.
“It’s no imposition at all,” she smiled. “You’d be doing me a favor. I haven’t been to Brightman in forever and a trip down memory lane would be… kind of nice.”
“Okay then. Thanks,” I said, ignoring the voice in my head telling me Dad would kill me for catching a ride with a stranger.
“Great! My car is this way.” Without
Security was a breeze and I soon sat on the plane ready for takeoff. The lump in my throat apparated as I realized Dad had ordered me the window seat. He knew me too well, that my favorite part of flying was staring out the window during flights. My mind skimmed through all our many adventures in the past.
I was born in Paris, where Dad was currently teaching when Mom had me. We moved to L.A. when I was four months old and after spring boarding all over the U.S. through my early childhood, lived in Berkeley, California, until Mom died when I was eight. After that, I think it was too hard for Dad to live where she died, because, despite having his dream job at the university there, we moved to Denmark soon after Mom’s death. From there, we lived in Texas, Switzerland, Illinois, England, and Portland, spending about two years at each destination. Looking back, I wondered if the zigzag from foreign soil to stateside was intentional. Though, Dad was staying in the U.S. again this time, so probably not.
Later today, Dad was flying to Fairbanks, Alaska. Opposed to the cold, I hadn’t wanted moved to Alaska, though where I was going wasn’t much better. Located on the outskirts of Annandale, Minnesota, a Google search told me Brightman Academy was located about forty-five minutes outside Minneapolis. Annandale had a population of three thousand people and boasted frigid, snow-infested winters. Great! Though, Annandale’s autumn was supposedly amazing, so maybe the breathtaking scenery would help my new home grow on me before it became a winter wonderland.
“Hi, there!” A petite woman with short, fiery red hair and pretty peridot eyes settled into the seat beside me. “I’m Gloria. What’s your name?”
“Sophie. Pleasure to meet you.” I shook Gloria’s hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Sophie,” Gloria beamed, seeming sincere. I instantly liked her. “Headed to Minneapolis?”
“Annandale. I’m on my way to Brightman Academy.”
“Brightman!” She lit up. “That’s my alma mater. I hope you have no aversion to studying.”
“I can be a book worm when I need to be,” I answered, resisting the urge to admit I was an out-and-out nerd.
“Then you’ll do great.” She nodded. “It’s a good, safe place to learn. I attended all four years of high school there, and loved every second of it.” Her face glowed as she talked. “The best part was the friends I made. When everyone is away from family, you tend to get really close to your schoolmates. You’ll see. I bet you’ll form some wonderful friendships during your time there.”
Her high regard for Brightman warmed me to the idea of attending school there, and with a little encouragement, she was soon sharing stories. Talking to her put me at ease, and before I knew it, I had told her all about Dad sending me away and we were landing at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. After filing off the plane, she helped me track down my four suitcases at the baggage claim before giving me a hug.
“I’m so glad we were seated next to each other. I loved talking to you,” she said.
“Me too,” I agreed. “Your stories helped make Brightman seem a little less scary.”
“I’m happy to hear it. Think you can find your way to Brightman okay?”
“Yeah. I’m going to take a cab,” I said.
“A cab? Well, I live in South Haven. Annandale is on my way. I could drive you to Brightman, if you’d like,” Gloria offered.
“Thank you, but I’d hate to impose,” I said, feeling her out.
“It’s no imposition at all,” she smiled. “You’d be doing me a favor. I haven’t been to Brightman in forever and a trip down memory lane would be… kind of nice.”
“Okay then. Thanks,” I said, ignoring the voice in my head telling me Dad would kill me for catching a ride with a stranger.
“Great! My car is this way.” Without
Similar Books
Obsidian Pebble
Rhys Jones
Blackthorn Winter
Kathryn Reiss
A Gentle Hell
Autumn Christian
Inkheart
Cornelia Funke
Lovers in London
Barbara Cartland
Ride Dirty
Remi Fox
Wedding Day of Murder
Vanessa Gray Bartal
The Sleep of the Righteous
Wolfgang Hilbig