Ellie followed Amy through the hallways and stopped in front of a row of lockers. Students hurried past them in groups, some chatting animatedly while others rushed to their lockers for forgotten books.
"132 22, this is yours," Amy said, tapping one.
She brought out a packet of stickers. "Pick one or more, so you'll be able to recognize your locker easily.
The default password is 0000. You should change it, you're expected to leave your phone in there till the end of school."
After Ellie had stored her phone, Amy led her through another set of hallways. Ellie stared, confused, wondering how she was going to find her way back.
"You'll be given a map of the school with the rest of your books," Amy assured her as they stopped in front of a wooden door with a brass nameplate: Ms. Harrow. Arts Track. Year 12. She knocked once before opening it.
Ms. Harrow's office was neatly arranged. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with thick hardcover texts. Two windows let in soft light, illuminating the desk where a woman in her late thirties sat, typing away on a computer.
She had sharp features softened by the gentle curve of her lips, her dark brown hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, with no stray hair in sight, and her eyes were framed by thin-rimmed glasses.
"Aunty" Amy called as they walked in. "I'm here with your newest student."
"Ah, you must be Eleanor," Ms. Harrow said, standing to greet her."Have a seat, please
"Yes, ma," she replied softly.
"Amy, thank you for bringing her," Ms. Harrow said. "You should get to your class."
"Yes, ma'am. Ellie, I'll see you later, yeah? Bye, Aunty Kate," Amy gave her a reassuring nod before slipping out, closing the door behind her.
Ellie suddenly felt small under Ms. Harrow's gaze, but the teacher's voice was warm.
"I know starting at a new school can be overwhelming, but if you ever need anything, my door is open." She reached for a box and placed it on the table.
"These are your books. Your homeroom is 2A. I'll walk you there and introduce you."
Ellie nodded, picking up the box as they stepped back into the hallway.
Students were already settling into their classrooms when they arrived, chattering in the absence of a teacher. Ms. Harrow opened the door, and the quiet hum of conversation ceased.
"Good morning, everyone," Ms. Harrow said, stepping inside. "How was your weekend?"
"Good morning, Ms. Harrow," Grumbles of 'I was fine, too short and more rang out in response.
"Alright, everyone," Ms. Harrow said, quieting down the class, "I'd like to introduce your new classmate."
Ellie stood in the doorway, as all the students in the class turned in her direction, a little afraid, she stepped back.
"This is Eleanor Powell. She transferred here from America and will be your classmate from today. You should all do well to show her the best of British hospitality," Ms. Harrow continued. "Eleanor, why don't you say a little about yourself so your classmates can get to know you?"
Ellie swallowed and stepped fully into the class. "Um... hi," she said. "I'm Eleanor. I like painting."
A few students murmured amongst themselves, someone snickered, but no one said anything outright.
Ms. Harrow gestured to an empty seat. "You can sit next there, next to Stella."
The moment the words left her mouth, a blonde girl sitting by the window stiffened. She turned to Ms. Harrow and stood up, her face twisting in displeasure.
"I'd rather not," Stella said.
Ms. Harrow frowned. "Excuse me?"
Stella lifted her chin. "My father said not to interact with unpresentable people—he wouldn't want me sitting next to an illegitimate child. A bastard."
A hush fell over the classroom.
Ellie felt her stomach drop. What was going on?
Ms. Harrow's lips pressed into a thin line. "Stella, that is highly inappropriate—"
"It's the truth," Stella interrupted. "Why should I pretend otherwise?"
Ms. Harrow exhaled sharply. "Stella Henderson, you were unnecessarily rude. Eleanor is not an illegitimate child. Her parents are legally married, and even if she were, that doesn't make her any less worthy of respect. See me in my office after class."
"Rumor-mongering and ostracization are not permitted at Westwood. You should treat everyone with respect, regardless of their background."
Ellie's fingers clenched around the edges of the box. A lump formed in her throat, but she forced it down, keeping her expression blank.
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, before the sound of a chair scraping against the floor cut through it.
"She can sit here," a boy from the last column, moving his bag off the seat beside him. It was a window seat with a full view of the sprawling landscape outside.
Stella snorted, sitting back down.
Ellie blinked. She shot them a grateful nod and walked over, lowering herself into the chair without another word.
The rest of the class passed in a blur. Ellie focused on her notebook, scribbling mindlessly, avoiding everyone's eyes and whispers.
When the bell rang, signaling the lunch break, Ellie didn't stand up. The girl sitting in front of her asked if she would like anything, but Ellie declined.
Instead, she turned to the window, watching a tree as its branches swayed with the breeze.
After classes ended for the day, she drifted through the corridors, weaving past students who whispered as she passed. The words followed her like shadows.
"Illegitimate child."
"She's only here because her father is rich."
"Can you imagine? What a scandal."
"I heard she's not,t though."
"I heard she was expelled from her old school."
"Really"?
"Why else would she just be resuming?"
Her chest tightened. She quickened her pace, moving past the grand halls and out into the courtyard. The voices faded as she stepped beyond the school grounds, heading toward the trees.
She saw a larger concrete building and heard the neighing of horses. This must be the stable. Curious, she stepped in that direction.
"Have you heard about the new girl?" A voice started.
Already tired of the discussions about her, she turned in another direction.
She spotted a hill, where a lone magnolia tree stood on top. Its branches stretched toward the sky, white blossoms scattered across the grass. She climbed the manmade stairs that led to the top.
Other than the tree and some wild flowers, there was also a stone table and two chairs sat beneath it, flowers and butterflies engraved on it.
Ellie walked under the tree and sat down.