Secret Secrets

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The Lennonwood campus could only be described under one word-magnificent.

The buildings were made out of thick red bricks, and looked like they originated in a child's fairy tale book.

The grounds were cobblestone and lined with antique looking street lamps. The grass was a brilliant green and perfectly cut. There seemed to be millions of trees, all lush and full of life. They acted as canopies hovering over the campus. I couldn't help but take it slow as I wondered around, my hand clutching my schedule and room assignment. I had lost track of Dax at the airport, but it didn't really matter. After we talked briefly of Eliza, we participated in small talk the rest of the flight. Acting as if we didn't still have feelings for each other. But I tried to push him to the back of my head. There had to be more math teachers, right? What were the chances of me getting Dax as a teacher?

My thoughts were jolted backward as someones shoulder rammed into mine. "Watch it." I mumbled, collecting myself.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." The voice I heard was so smooth and enchanting that I just had to look up. The first thing I saw were blank tinted sunglasses and a lightly tanned face with dominant cheekbones. His hair was shaggy; the color of dark chocolate. There was something about him that just pulled me in. I was stuck in place; my heart beating faster than it ever did when Dax was around.

"No. I'm sorry," I said, "I shouldn't have been so rude."

One corner of his lips turned up in a half smile, he was clearly amused. "It's no big deal, it's probably just first day jitters."

"Exactaly." I gave him a quick once over and then jutted out my hand. "I'm Venice Thornbe."

He fitted his warm, rough hand into mine and shook it once. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Gabriel Foxglove."

Gabriel Foxglove. A name as attractive as his face. Though I couldn't help but yearn for his eyes. "I was just heading to my dorm..."

"So was I." Gabriel said. "Which building are you in?"

I glanced down at my sheet. "Fell's House."

"No kidding, me too." He pointed to the words "Fell's House" on his sheet. "Do you need help getting there? I stayed in Fell's House last year, too."

"I'm pretty lost so I guess that's a yes." I answered.

"No worries," Gabriel said. "follow me." I stepped in sync with Gabriel, who was a good four inches taller than me, down the cobblestones. "Where are you from?" He asked me.

"Cleveland Ohio. What about you?"

"I'm from Swizdale, actually. Been here all my life. Public school isn't really my thing, though so I've been here at Lennonwood since freshman year." Gabriel explained, the words rolling off his tongue.

"What grade are you in now?" I asked him as my luggage went over a dramatic bump, causing me to loose my balance momentarily.

Gabriel broke out in smile and helped me steady myself. "Easy there, cowgirl. I'm a junior. You?"

My cheeks suddenly felt warm, meaning a was blushing. "I'm a sophomore. It's my first year here, in case you couldn't tell."

"No, really?" Gabriel exclaimed, the sarcasm ringing in his voice. I began to smile even bigger. I really liked this guy. And I was so lost in him that I hadn't even realized we were standing in front of Fell's House until he pointed it out. "Let's head in."

"Okay," I nodded, following close behind him. Fell's House was a medium sized building that reminded me of an apartment building, but classier. It was a square, plump shape with a grand marble staircase. The siding was brick, no surprise, but it looked more aged, more broken in. Above the entrance, white marble letters spelled out the words "Fell's House Dormitory." This was my new home.

 Gabriel helped me with my suitcase, despite that fact that he held one as well, and we made it up the stairs quite quickly. As we swung the door open, I caught a smell of an air freshner and immediatly saw twiching flourencent lights. The celings were nice and high, and I saw plenty of windows, so the place wasn't a total dump. There were students everywhere, though. I saw more suitcases and backpacks than I'd seen in a lifetime. Everyone was ether unlocking their doors to their dorms or chatting with people in the hallways. I was overwhelmed. I felt Gabriel's hand on my shoulder and turned around.

"What floor is your dorm on?" As he asked me this, I realized he hadn't taken off his sunglasses yet.

"Uh," I paused and took another look at my paper. "I'm here on the main floor."

Gabriel scratched his head. "Well I'm upstairs. Do you think you'll be able to find your room okay?"

"Yeah I think I'll managed." I assured him. "Thank you so much."

Gabriel gave me one last smile. "No problem."

Without Gabriel, I felt strangely vulnerable. The other students there all had someone to cling on to-a friend. I just had myself. It was extremely awkward maneuvering my way around the crowded crowd, but somehow I did it. I found my room-room 1122-tucked sweetly in a corner. Since I didn't have a key, I simply knocked on the door, hoping someone was inside.

"Coming!" I heard a sing song-y voice ring out. Within seconds, the door was open and my room mate stood confidently in front of me. Her skin was pale and freckled all over. She had the biggest hazel eyes ever and long hair in the familiar color of chocolate that was held in place by a chunky hair clip. I stood there, soaking her in...she looked so familiar...my brain suddenly connected the dots-she looked almost exactly like Eliza. "Are you Venice Thornbe?"

"Yes I am." I said, gulping.

She opened the door a little wider. "Well come on in! I'm your room mate, Della Marshal."

I took one step in the room and stopped. "This may seem random, but are you at all related to the Sanders family in Clevland, Ohio? Because you look so much like a friend of mine..."

"Sanders? No, it doesn't ring a bell."There was a small amount of silence until Della spoke again. "What's was her name?"

"Elizabeth. But she went by Eliza."

Della snapped her fingers. "Went by? As in paste tense?"

I nodded. "She died in July."

Della's eyes got wide, and I could swear a bit teary. "Oh. Oh dear, I'm so sorry. But I really didn't know her..."

 "It's not a big deal. Probably just a coincidence." I said. I took advantage of this slightly awkward moment by getting a good look around the room. The walls were blank and boring with the color white, but there was quite a large window with velvet maroon curtains. The beds were not bunk beds, thank goodness, they were separate and one separate parts of the room. Della had already claimed one of them-her colorfully blankets and stuffed animals were strewn across the mattress-so I began to set down my things on the other.

"Well," Della said, breaking the silence. "I have a feeling this is going to be an awesome year."

I patted the surprisingly soft mattress. "Me too."