Dickensen Academy Read online

  I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved to see someone I knew or be weirded out that we had ended up in the same tour group as well. I’d have to come up with some excuse to talk with him later…if I had the guts.

  Josh and I stuck together while our parents stayed closer to the guide. Ben hung in the middle of the pack. I couldn’t tell if he’d noticed me.

  As we walked across the quad from O’Reilly to Rogers Hall—the dormitory on the far side—I said, “This place reminds me of some of the colleges we visited during spring break.”

  “Definitely.” Josh eyed the dorm up and down. “But the ivy and bricks have been replaced by wood and stone. Wonder where I’ll be going next year.”

  I shrugged. “Kind of strange that I’m leaving home first.”

  “I know.” He grinned. “It’s going to be great…no makeup and nail polish all over my bathroom. No one to hog the TV. Some peace and quiet for a change.”

  I laughed. He was going to miss me.

  As we climbed the stairs to the second and third floor classrooms, Dad’s interrogation began. “So Ms. Jenson, can you tell us more about the science lab experiments in the freshman curriculum? Ms. Jenson, which standardized tests are administered? Ms. Jenson, can you elaborate on the math support available? Ms. Jenson…”

  Ugh, shut up, Dad. No one else was asking so many questions. It was bad enough he stood out as the oldest person in our group.

  Mom, on the other hand, remained uncharacteristically quiet and wore a polite smile. Only after our group emerged from the school building to tour the outside did she ask a few questions. About student safety, of course. When Ms. Jenson spent close to ten minutes discussing all the rules and precautions in place, Mom’s smile finally became real. I reached out and squeezed her hand. This would all be easier if she embraced this opportunity more like Dad.

  Sprinkled throughout campus were larger-than-life sculptures made out of random materials. According to our guide, most were student created. Surprisingly, many looked familiar. I must have seen them while researching the academy, but I swore I saw some in my dream too.

  As we trailed Ms. Jenson along one of the cement paths, I made a bet with myself that a large, colored piece of art lay ahead. As we rounded the corner, my heart sped up when it came into view. How did I know that?

  We stopped and our guide spouted off facts about the art classes, so I studied the modern art structure behind her. It was made of metal that glittered in the sun, and colorful rods stuck out at odd angles from its silver cylinder base. The placard said Donated by the Class of 1972. In my memory, a group of students posed beneath it.

  I leaned over to Josh and whispered, “Was this in the brochure or on the website?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “This thing?”

  “Yeah. I’m trying to remember where I’ve seen it.”

  He stroked his throat and grimaced. “I’d have remembered this.”

  A shudder passed through me. Josh had gone through the brochure multiple times. The website too. He was my protector and my friend. When he’d told me Dickensen sounded perfect for me, I believed him.

  After we began moving again, Josh leaned in close. “I don’t know if it’s just me, but this place is like that online building game we always played when we were younger.”

  I screwed up my face. “We? You mean the one you were addicted to?”

  “Seriously, it’s like we’re in this stone-created world, smack in the middle of a forest. You’re just missing the farm animals.” He gave me a twisted smile. “And the zombies.” I swatted him before I remembered Ben and prayed he hadn’t noticed. It was odd to compare a school to a video game, but Josh had a point. Only why did he have to mention zombies?

  Overall the campus was impressive, yet I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling deep in the pit of my stomach I’d been here before. Visions of myself on campus kept popping to mind. They had to simply be memories of their marketing brochure getting mixed up with that vivid dream. Besides, if my parents got a negative vibe today, they’d take me home at once. But they were now all smiles, obviously convinced this place was safe enough for their youngest child.

  As we wound our way back to O’Reilly, our group spread out and Ben approached. My brother must’ve noticed because he conveniently disappeared. Thanks, Josh.

  “Hey, Autumn. Remember me?”

  A warm feeling went through my body. He remembered my name. “Ben, right?”

  He nodded. “Pretty cool we both made it in.”

  I bit my lip. “Yeah. It’s nice to see a familiar face.”

  “Uh-huh.” He shifted his weight from side to side.

  “So…how was your drive up?”

  “Not bad. Yours?”

  “Good. Good.” Way to be engaging, Autumn.

  Ben stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I had this funny feeling you might be here today.”

  “Really?”

  His head dipped down. “I had a dream about this place, and you were in it.”

  The blood drained from my face, and I stared at Ben mutely, looking stupid I’m sure. Then worse, my cheeks went hot as the blood rushed back. And if that wasn’t enough, out of the corner of my eye I spied my parents approaching. Could this get any more awkward?

  When I didn’t fill the silence, Ben started rambling. “I mean, it’s probably because I saw you at the testing center or something. But it’s weird, right? I heard only two percent of the applicants were accepted, so what were the odds we’re from the same city and all and…?” He trailed off, his eyes flicking over my face. I smoothed my expression, so he wouldn’t think my unease had anything to do with him.

  I wanted to ask what happened in his dream. But before I could, my parents came up, Mom smiling expectantly like she was waiting for an introduction and Dad scowling ever so slightly at Ben, like he might be lowering my GPA simply by being a boy and breathing the same air as me.

  Ben mumbled, “See you around,” and sped off toward our dorm. I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted right now was to introduce a guy to my family.

  “Well,” Dad said, “seems like this would be a good time for us to head on home. It’s a long drive back, and I have some charting to finish up for tomorrow’s patients.”

  I glanced toward the parking lot then back to my family. This was really happening. They were leaving. Without me. It’s what I wanted, but still. “Oh…well, okay. I guess. I’ll walk you to the car.”

  By the time we reached our SUV, tears had formed in the corners of my eyes, but I refused to allow them to fall. Holding a deep breath, I gave everyone a quick hug goodbye.

  “I just wish you could come home next month,” Mom said.

  “Seriously?” Josh asked. “Do you really want to waste twelve hours driving back and forth twice in the same weekend?”

  Good point, Josh. But no doubt Mom would be more than happy to make the drive.

  “Call tonight.” Mom dabbed a tissue to her eyes. “Or at least text.”

  “I will.”

  “Remember, Autumn.” Dad’s focus traveled toward the buildings then back to me. “Your high school education starts Tuesday. Don’t get distracted by your new independence. Take advantage of this opportunity.”

  “Yes, Dad.” Did you have to say that now when I’m standing here on the verge of tears? Do you care about anything besides my grades?

  But then he surprised me and gave me another hug—a much tighter one. “I’m going to miss you, sweetheart.” I held onto him long enough that I hoped nobody was watching, his sweater vest scratchy against my cheek.

  Thank goodness for Josh who kept it light. “See ya later, sis.” Then he grinned and thrust his face up, pointing to himself. “Chin up!”

  I laughed. Josh, always the optimist.

  I spun around and walked straight to my dorm so I wouldn’t have to see them drive away. I didn’t want to burst into tears in public. Only then, for the first time since arriving, did I glance at something oth
er than the camera app on my phone.

  There was no signal.

  Chapter: 2

  When I opened my door, Aditi was facedown on her bed. I tiptoed in. Maybe I could grab my laptop and find someplace quiet to draft the next chapter of my latest story—my online readers were clamoring to find out how Rose escapes from the magical garden. A new idea had come to me during the car ride. Besides, writing would help me relax.

  Aditi pulled herself up on her elbows and wiped her eyes with the corner of a pillow, leaving a smear of mascara on the lavender fabric. “It’s okay. I’m awake.”

  Her face mirrored everything I’d tried to erase from my own. The only difference, I’d dried my eyes in the bathroom before creeping back to our room.

  I eased onto the edge of my bed. “Do you, um, want to talk about it?”

  “It’s so quiet here. I’ve got a little brother and sister, so things are never like this at home.” Aditi put on a thin smile. “It’ll be nice, right?”

  I returned the smile. I might actually miss Josh’s irritating sports radio broadcasts penetrating my bedroom walls. “Yeah. I’m sure it will. Hey, why don’t I help you unpack your last box?”

  “That’d be great.”

  I pulled out a long orange and purple scarf. “Maybe we can drape this over the window? The colors match our bedspreads.”

  “You’re right. Let’s see how it looks.”

  She nodded her approval when I climbed onto my bed to arrange it.

  “Any idea where to put this?” Aditi held up a wooden string instrument, which had to be close to four feet long.

  I laughed. “What is that?”

  “A sitar. Helps keep my grandparents off my back. They think I’m too Americanized. I’ve got a flute somewhere around here too.”

  We found a place to store her instruments. Thankfully Aditi didn’t bring any knickknacks, so the stuffed animals I couldn’t bear to leave behind had a whole shelf to themselves. Our belongings fit together like we were destined to be roommates. The more we unpacked, the easier the words flowed, though it was a little tough not to be jealous of how supportive Aditi’s parents were of her creative activities.

  “I write all the time,” I said. “But my dad doesn’t ever read my stories. He says, ‘Do your homework first.’ He doesn’t even care I have a decent online following.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding!”

  I shook my head. “He wants me to focus on math and science, so I can go to med school like him and my mom. He’s only willing to let me go here because of Dickensen’s academic reputation.” I snorted. “He thinks the small class size will improve my grades.”

  “I’m sorry; that sucks. My grandpa was always ragging on my dad to go into a scientific field when he was a kid, so now my parents are all about letting us do our own thing. But why all the pressure? You’re only starting high school.”

  “My dad tells everyone I’m going to be a doctor someday.” I lowered my voice. “Honestly, I think he wants me to have a career in medicine so I don’t end up like my grandma, raising a child alone on minimum wage.”

  She gave an understanding nod.

  “When I was little, I went with it. Even dressed up in scrubs on career days at school. It made him so happy. But in the last few years, I’ve come to realize it’s my life, and I want to make my own decisions. I just can’t seem to tell him.”

  “Why not?” Her expression changed to one of concern. “Oh, Autumn, is he…violent?”

  I laughed, trying to picture Dad hitting me with a belt. “Not at all. He rarely even yells. He’s too sophisticated for that. He’s used to his word being the law.”

  She screwed up her nose and cocked her head.

  “It’s complicated.” I picked at a loose thread on my jeans. “Let’s just say it’s easier to keep the peace.”

  “So how come you wanted to go to Dickensen?”

  “The emphasis on creativity. If this was just some ordinary prep school, I wouldn’t have come.” I shrugged. “But it would be nice to prove I can get good grades like my brother.”

  Aditi gave a sympathetic smile. “Hey, it’s almost six. Want to check out the dining hall?” She grinned. “Maybe the boys too?”

  I nodded, relieved to focus on something else. I could already tell it would be fun rooming with Aditi.

  ****

  The dining hall took up one end of the main floor of our dorm. A short line led to a serving bar. Although I was starving, the smells from the kitchen were a mixture of I-don’t-know-what and not-exactly-enticing. I selected a grilled chicken breast, some vegetables, and a bread roll, which all appeared safe. Then we found a seat at one of the many round tables. The space buzzed with conversations and clanked with dishes as students emptied their trays into the plastic bins behind us. It’d probably get even noisier over the weekend as more students arrived. Only the freshmen had moved in today.

  I perched on the edge of the hard, wooden chair. It was easier when it was just me and Aditi sorting our stuff on the floor, but this room was filled with meandering people sneaking sidelong looks at each other as they chose a group to sit with.

  I’d barely taken one bite of my limp broccoli before Ben entered the dining room with a loaded tray and a shorter guy next to him.

  “Are these seats taken?” Ben asked.

  I looked down for a sec to get a grip on my emotions. Didn’t want to appear too excited.

  Aditi shook her head as she swallowed. Her wide eyes showed she hadn’t expected any boys to join us.

  “I’m Ben. This is my roommate, Ryan.”

  I smoothed my shirt and sat up straighter. Not only did I have my roommate to keep me from sitting alone, but we got to sit with two cute guys. Ryan’s looks contrasted Ben’s. He had pale brown skin and wore his thick, black hair clipped short.

  “Weren’t you on the bus this morning from Sea-Tac?” Ryan asked Aditi.

  “Yeah. I thought we’d never get here.”

  “Same.”

  Aditi shrugged. “But my flight was half the price of one to Wenatchee.”

  “That’s why I flew in there too,” Ryan admitted. “And no transfers.”

  Ben winked at me. “Sounds like we missed out on all the fun.”

  I smiled, happy to be included in his little joke, not to mention the relief of not having such a long travel day every time I went home.

  Partway through dinner, Aditi said, “I saw there’s a Freshman Welcome on Monday. I wonder what it’s all about.”

  “Maybe they’ll tell us why they put a boarding school way out here in the mountains.” Ben fiddled with his fork. “We don’t even have cell reception. You’d think they would’ve built this school in Seattle or something.”

  “I know, man,” Ryan said. “Our laptops are practically useless. I actually had to hardwire mine to get internet and download music to my phone. It’s like we’re in the Dark Ages.” Oh, no. I hadn’t even booted my computer. “And they’ve locked down a ton of social media sites. Hardly anything gets through the firewall. Seriously, how am I going to keep in touch with everyone?”

  I ran my fingers through my long hair. Julia was going to post a video of her cheerleading routine today. If I didn’t comment, she’d assume I was mad at her.

  “We can’t even text,” Aditi added. “You’d think they’d have mentioned that little fact in the brochure.”

  “Yeah.” Ryan chuckled. “That’d be a sure-fire way to guarantee an acceptance rate of zero percent.”

  I laughed. Ryan was pretty funny. I could use a friend with a sense of humor—I tended to take life too seriously.

  “Maybe some rich graduate from the founding school in Virginia donated some property to build this one?” Aditi ventured.

  I shrugged. “My parents believe fewer distractions help students focus.”

  “Yeah.” Aditi sighed. “There aren’t any shopping malls or concerts or anything else around here. We’ll be forced to study twenty-four seven.”

  �
��But isn’t it a little creepy being this far into the woods? Like the hotel in The Shining,” Ben said. “I even had a dream about this place before I showed up.”

  “Isn’t that how Jack Nicholson went crazy?” Ryan asked. “A bunch of dreams of axing his family?”

  Ben’s gaze darted to me, and he flushed. “I wasn’t axing anybody. I was just roaming around, looking at stuff with my family. And Autumn was there too. I mean, if I were going to have some kind of psychic dream about attending an isolated school, shouldn’t it be about witchcraft or defeating dragons or something?”

  I was about to open my mouth about my dream, but Ryan jumped in. “Ooh, you’re Ben’s dream girl.”

  My cheeks turned to fire.

  Aditi’s mouth fell open. “You dreamed about her before you even met?”

  “No. It wasn’t like that.”

  “Sure, man.” Ryan nodded and smirked. “I know what you dream about.”

  I slumped in my seat. Ugh. Why couldn’t I just disappear?

  “Did you guys have any dreams about this school?” Ben asked hesitantly.

  Both Aditi and Ryan shook their heads. I made a concerted effort to chew my rubbery chicken. No way was I going to mention anything now.

  “Wait!” Ryan said. “I remember. I did have a dream. I slept through my alarm clock and had to go to school naked.”

  Ben clamped his mouth shut and closed his eyes. After a few seconds he muttered, “You’re so funny, Ryan.”

  ****

  I wanted to know about Ben’s dream. Why was I in it? Could it have been similar to mine? But I never had an opportunity to find out because he attracted a small crowd as we participated in ice-breaking events throughout the weekend. Ben and Ryan were girl magnets. Every time we were with them, girls materialized from nowhere. It reminded me of someone else I knew. Ben chatted with all the girls, but Ryan seemed oblivious to the attention and focused more on the sports. But even with all the girls flocking around them, the guys still included Aditi and me.

  On Labor Day, the school held a scavenger hunt for the freshmen. Normally I didn’t enjoy group activities, preferring to hang out with just a friend or two, but getting plucked out of my real life to attend Dickensen gave me a chance to reinvent myself, and I didn’t want to screw it up. I’d walked into kindergarten as a child afraid of my own shadow and in middle school became the invisible sidekick of the outspoken Julia. So I forced myself to not only participate but to work with all seven members of my team to try and win. As we ran around campus taking pictures of the items on our list, I played a vital role in solving the riddles. In fact, I was often the first to match the clue with the correct object on campus.