Chapter 2

Time seemed to drag for Steven as he sat there waiting for Mrs. Danvers. So, he decided to look around his room and see what it was like. The little closet turned out to be a small bathroom, with a sink and toilet. Meaning that he had to shower somewhere else in the building. Flipping on the TV he found that there was a total of two stations both educational in nature. His chest of drawers, where he figured that his new uniform would be, was still thoroughly empty. Though, his desk was a surprise as he checked it. It was well stocked with notebooks, pencils, his course schedule, and all of his schoolbooks. There was even a pullout drawer with a mounted laptop computer on it. Now he knew that the school must be for the rich, if they had one of these in every room. He also found a supply of computer disks already labeled with his classes on them. Needless to say he was impressed.

When Mrs. Danvers walked in and tapped him on the shoulder he nearly jumped out of his skin. She moved very quietly. A tall woman, six feet at least, with long red hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing what looked like a light blue and pink jumpsuit. She wore a kind smile, and had an air of activity even when standing still.

"Hello Steven, I'm Mrs. Danvers, your athletics director." Quickly she gave him the once over. "Have your things arrived yet."

"No ma'am."

"Well, I guess that we'll just have to make do." Taking him by the shoulder she led him into the hall and towards the main stairs. As she passed a set of open double doors she paused, "This is the shower and bathing facility. As of tomorrow you'll have to take your shower between five and six a.m..."

"Why's that ma'am?" Steven asked genuinely curious. He'd assumed that he'd be able to do those kinds of things at his leisure.

"Well, we've had a little problem with one of the other floors so we're moving all the girls from that floor to this one. They should be moving in some time in the morning." Steven couldn't help paling a bit. Now he was going to be surrounded by girls too. "Don't worry we've already talked to all the girls involved and none of them mind sharing the floor with you."

"Good. I'm glad." Forcing a smile, he tried not to think of who might walk in on him or whom he might walk in on. "They'll know the schedule too won?t they?"

"Oh, of course." Mrs. Danvers smiled. "We don't want any accidents do we?" Putting an arm around his shoulders she led him through the building common room. It was a large comfortable looking room with books and board games stacked on shelves along the walls. A large TV was playing a soap opera and a bunch of girls were lying around or sitting on the couches watching it. As they passed there was a noticeable dip in the conversation, which became a hushed whisper when they were out of sight. "Don't worry. The girls will get used to you. It'll just take a little time." Giving his shoulders a hug she led him out of the building and onto the grounds.

Right outside the building was a park that seemed to be common to three other buildings just like the one he was staying in. It had benches and little gazebos here and there, and even a fountain right in the center. Making it all quite a sight. And of course, there were girls, tons of them; running, playing, studying, you name it, there was a girl somewhere probably doing it. That by itself made it seem sort of surreal. But, the worst part though was the hush that seemed to wash over all the activity as he walked out the door. It would have been amusing if all eyes weren't slowly turning towards him.

Mrs. Danvers didn't even seem to notice as she marched him off down the walkway. "As you can see we have three other dorms and this park is open to all of them. It's always nice to get some fresh air." She said flashing him a quick reassuring smile. "Our first stop is the main building, so I can introduce you to all your new teachers. I'm sure that they're dying to meet you."

"Um... I've already met Mrs. Evans." Steven stuttered out trying to find anything to take his mind off all those following eyes.

"Well that's good. Then, I'm sure you've met the Doctor and Nurse Craft, also." She said barely checking for his nod. "That makes things much easier. Right after you meet the other ladies I'll take you to the gym, so I can tell where to put you."

"Tell where to put me?"

"Here at Raven Wood we feel that everyone should find something physical that they enjoy and are good at. So all the girls are required to join one of the sports teams. We have tennis, soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, swimming,... almost everything except golf; we couldn't find a decent place to put up a course. But maybe next year if the turnouts as good as this one we'll have money to put one in."

"I like swimming." He quickly put in, hoping that he'd finally be able to join a real swim team. Since he and his mother had been moving around a lot, he'd spent most of his time at the college pools, while she was sub-ing or teaching night classes. In fact he was pretty sure that he had gotten quite a bit better with the help of the local swim jocks at each of that last three colleges.

Mrs. Evans stopped and put him at arms length and studied him again. "Swimming, hun? That's my sport." Giving him another once over she nodded. "You have the right build, but we'll have to put you in the water to really see, but that's for later. Now, in to meet your teachers." Steven hadn't noticed but they'd walked past all the other smaller buildings and were now in front of a large four-story - the main building. Steven quickly followed Mrs. Danvers inside. The halls were long and made up of shiny brown and copper tiles. Lockers were built into the walls between rooms. "Remember this restroom; this is the only male facility in the main building, so you'll have to come here when you need to go. I'm sure that if you?re a little tardy from time to time most of the teachers will let it pass, since you had to run down four flights of stairs. But, try to make use of it when you're down on the lower floors, between classes." Steven made sure to lock that one away in memory as they walked on. "Here's your class roster. Tomorrow you can take a walk around and find your classes. And this is the teacher's workroom. Students aren't allowed, but I think we can make an exception this time." Mrs. Danvers smiled, at least until she opened the door.

The smell of cigarette smoke poured from the room. Mrs. Evans was sitting on a couch with her feet up smoking and reading a book. When she noticed Mrs. Danvers and Steven she gave them a sick little smile. "Hi Sheila."

"Betty, we've already had this discussion before. There is no smoking in the building!" Sheila sighed.

"I know. I know." Betty crushed out her cigarette. "With everyone else out, I thought I could get a quick smoke in." Sheila raised her eyebrow at that. "Or three." Betty amended.

"Speaking of the others where are they? I thought they'd all be in here."

"The nerd has them down in the new computer room showing something off." Betty said sinking back into the couch with a disgruntled sigh and a look of longing at her deceased cigarette.

"The nerd?" Sheila laughed. "I'm sure that Peggy will be happy to know that you're still calling her that."

"Well she is." Betty shot back then noticed Steven standing there quietly. "But I think that we shouldn't be discussing that in front of a student. Don't you agree?"

"I guess you're right. Ms. Waverly has them down in the computer room, correct?" Betty nodded with a little smirk. "Good. Then I think well head over there. See you Betty." She said leaving the room expecting Steven to follow.

"Bye Sheila." Betty said as she pulled another cigarette from her pocket and started to light it. "Bye Steven." She winked as she lit it up.

"Bye Mrs. Evans." Steven said over his shoulder as he ran to catch up with Mrs. Danvers.

"Did she light up another one?" Sheila asked as he caught up.

"Umm..." Steven tried to think of something diplomatic to say without lying to her.

"I figured." She grinned over at him. "You know you remind me of my son."

"Your son ma'am?" Steven said glad to be let off the hook.

"Yes, he lives with his father in a town about three and half to four hours from here. My husband takes care of him during the school year since I started here."

"Are you divorced?"

"No." She smiled. "Unlike most of the women here I'm still married. My Ralph is a good man and he takes care of Roger while I'm away." Steven couldn't help noticing the far off longing look that she had as she thought of her husband and son. "If it wasn't for the money and the chance to teach such budding young girls I'd be somewhere else, where I could spend all my time with them. In a few years, after I've trained someone to take my place, I'll find another school. Luckily, Roger is still young, only thirteen, so when I leave we'll have enough to send him to a good college."

"That's very noble of you." Steven said impressed by her sacrifice.

"Oh, don't get me wrong." She grinned down at him. "It's not all noble. I chose this school. I'm sure that another one might have paid about the same, but here I can put my heart into it. Luckily, Ralph has always supported my decisions. But, it is hard sometimes, especially now since we were just together." Smirking at him she said, "Shame! I shouldn't be talking to you about this you?re a student."

"I'm sorry!" Steven stammered turning red all over. "I didn't mean to pry."

"It's alright Steven." She said pushing a little tuft of hair from his eyes. "I think it just means that we're going to get along is all. Now let's meet the ladies."

Steven couldn't help but smile a little. It did look like he'd made a friend already. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad here after all.

When they walked in he could see a group of women huddling around one of the computers. They were talking quietly and giggling from time to time like little girls. When Mrs. Danvers cleared her throat they all shot up and looked in their direction. All of them seemed to be a bit embarrassed, but relaxed when they noticed it was only Sheila.

"Sheila, come over and join us." Someone said from behind the computer.

"Hello Peggy." Sheila smiled but didn't move. "I've brought you all a new student I thought you'd like to meet." It seemed to take a second for them to realize what she meant until they noticed Steven standing beside her.

"Oh my!" Peggy said standing up and hurrying over to them. Grabbing Steven's hand she started shaking it. "I'm so sorry! I forgot you were bringing him over today." She said looking up at Sheila.