Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
I have no beta all mistakes are mine.
Athelstan was nervous. Moving to a new area was not easy and moving to a new school half way through the year was even more difficult. He could see himself now as the new kid sitting alone through everything. Athelstan sighed he wondered what the school was like. He knew it would be completely different from Lindisfarne high which is an all-boys school and believed in strict discipline and rules. And then of course he thought about the students. What must they be like, the thought scared Athelstan even further he just prayed that thorough some sort of miracle he would invisible and people would leave him alone.
His father's car came to a halt in the schools car park, all Athelstan wanted to do was jump in the driver's seat and drive away as fast as he could. But he steeled his nerves and got out instead. His father had locked the car and began to lead Athelstan to the front desk, he explained to the receptionist why there were there.
She checked her computer and asked them to take a seat. As they sat and waited for the vice principle to come and see to them. Athelstan's eyes began to wonder. The reception was clean and quiet he hoped that the whole school was like this but somehow he doubted it. Just then a door opened revelling a woman. She was about average height, had wavy light brown hair and wore a soft but not very trust worthy smile.
"You must be Athelstan" She asked
"Y-Yes ma'am" He stuttered
"Well, well it's not every day I get called ma'am" She said with a smirk
"Ah! I-I'm sorry" Athelstan flushed
She chuckled "Don't be its nice to know you have manners, but please call me Mrs Siggy"
"Yes Mrs Siggy" He said still trying to hid the flush on his face
"Good now then Mr Cross everything appears to be in order I will take Athelstan from here if you would like to leave now"
Athelstan gave his father a pleading look not to leave him but he knew it would be useless, they shared a quick good bye and Athelstan watched his father drive away. He turned his attention to Mrs Siggy who was looking at his with curiosity and amusement.
"Come on then Athelstan I will give you a map of the school now so you don't get lost and as we make our way down to the school cottages you will be staying in I will give you a quick tour of the place." She said handing over a map
"Thank you Ma-Mrs Siggy" Quickly correcting himself
"Right this way then"
She began to walk away and Athelstan followed in haste to keep up with her. She told Athelstan that his belongings had been taken to his room, which he would be sharing. As they went down the various corridors she began to explain some of the basic school rules no running in the corridor, no eating during class and no students outside after dark. She also pointed out some of the rooms and various corridors. He asked why it was so quiet she replied that most of the students are in their cottages for a break. Finally they went outside, Athelstan was grateful for the fresh air it cleared his head. They started to make their way down to the cottages, she explained to him that the cottages could hold twelve students six boys and six girls from various years.
As they went past the various cottages he noted the various animals carved into the doors bear, wolf, vulture, lion he was beginning to notice a pattern they were all predators. Finally they came to the final cottage a large raven was carved on the door. It was not as menacing as the others but its red eye did make it look intimidating. Before they went inside they went around to the back garden.
"This is the free garden space we call it that because you are free to plant and grow anything that you want, as long as it's not illegal drugs" She told him
Athelstan took in the sight before him it was flat a freshly cut and big enough to grow flowers and fruit, he could make some use out of this.
"Well come on lets go inside"
She ushered him back to the front door and unlocked the door. When they went into the living room they found the other occupants in there. Athelstan's heart stopped as he noticed all eyes were on him. He wanted to run but he was frozen on the spot until one of them spoke up.
"Welcome priest" He said with a smug look on his face and playfulness in his voice
He was a tall, muscular, blonde man with piercing blue eyes, who wore his hair in a rope like Mohawk.
"We heard you were coming today and confirmed it when I saw your belongings" He walked up to Athelstan and grabbed his hand for a firm hand shake "I am Ragnar Lothbrok and I am your new roommate"
Athelstan was hypnotised by this man's gaze and only snapped out of his hypnosis when he realised he was still holding his hand. He pulled back and introduced himself quickly.
"H-H-Hello I'm Athelstan Cross" He didn't know what else to say
Next a blonde woman approached him. She was stunning she had braids in hair and looked a fierce fighter he hoped he would never get on her bad side.
She introduced herself "I am Lagertha"
"Hello" Athelstan said and managed not to stutter
"You look tiered why don't you get some rest now and be introduced to everyone else in the morning" She suggested
Athelstan was tiered but he also wanted to use this as an excuse to get away and hide for a while.
"That sounds fine" He said
"Good Ragnar why don't you take Athelstan to your room so he can unpack and rest" She glanced over at Ragnar who gave her an understanding look.
He slung his arm around Athelstan's shoulder and was about to take him to his room when Mrs Siggy stopped them.
"Just a minute Athelstan. Before you go I wanted to make you aware of school activities, What do you know already?"
"I know that there a number sports team, a cooking class and..."
He would have continued but Mrs Siggy interrupted him "Alright! you know about some of the activities but do you know of the drama club?" The was a harsh but excited tone in her voice
"I think so, yes, Why?"
"Because I want to see you audition for a place the first chance you get here is a leaflet with the information on" She handed over the leaflet with a joyful gleam in her eyes.
"Why are you so excited about him being in the drama club Miss?" A new voice piped in
The voice belonged to a man, a huge man, with dirty blond hair and a long beard tied with a leather band.
"Because when I asked your father if there would be any clubs he would join he said the he might join a club that includes singing" She replied
Athelstan's face flushed a hot red again all eyes were on him
"OH! So you're a song bird" Ragnar looked at Athelstan with a child like wonder
"A prize winning song bird Ragnar. Your father told me of your performances your previous school and all of the competitions you've won we could use your talent to help us win at the annual battle of the arts. What do you say will you come and try out."
Athelstan was beginning to hyperventilate, he wanted to be invisible but now he wasn't sure that was possible.
"Prize winning? Then you must join, I'm tired of losing to the other schools even the crap ones" A young girl chimed in
She was a little bit shorter that Athelstan Thankfully he thought at least he was not the shortest person in the room anymore
"Yeah maybe we could stand a chance of winning this year" someone else said
Things were quickly getting heated up "I-I-I will think about it" Athelstan said through ragged breaths
"Alright well I expect to see you as soon as you can audition" Mrs Siggy said either not noticing or not caring about his distressed state and left locking the door behind her
Ragnar however did notice how uncomfortable he was decided to it was time to take him to his room.
"Alright everyone I think that's enough excitement for one day, let's go priest" putting his arm back around Athelstan he led him out the room and up the stairs
The room they entered was spacious enough for his things, not that he brought much just the what he knew he would need. He sat on the bed that would be his for the years he would be here. Ragnar sat next to him smiling Athelstan had a feeling that was Ragnar's default face.
"So priest about you singing, did you really win prizes?" He asked
"I'm not a priest and yes I did. But that does not mean I would win this competition you seem to want me to participate in" He replied with a huff that may have seemed a bit rude
Ragnar laughed "Well I guess we'll just have to find out when you audition then. Well I'll leave you to rest" Ragnar gave him a pat on the back and walked out the door.
Athelstan watched him grateful to finally be alone. He silently cursed Mrs Siggy for what she had done the chance for him to be invisible and left alone was now gone. He sighed and lied down on his bed closed his eyes and tried not to think of what tomorrow would bring.