"It's okay, Mother. I'll see you in a few months, at Feast. It's not as long as it seems, I promise." I only had to convince them that I'd be okay in the city. After all, I would be staying in a dormitory connected to the school! "We'll be in dormitories above the school. There will be two housemothers there to look after me."
After a long, ominous pause, Mother replied nervously, "Very well. You may go. I will fill out the paperwork with father tomorrow. You are sure that it will not cost anything?" Money had never been abundant in our town, let alone our family.
"May I go and tell Drew?" I asked anxiously.
"Yes, but please return back within the hour. I need you to help with dinner."
"Okay, mother." I raced off as fast as I could towards Drew's father's field while retaining a form of properness. At 15, I ought not to run, but I was so excited I couldn't help but show it.
"Emma? Is that you?" A deep, hoarse, yet comforting voice from behind me asked.
"Yes. Mother says that I can go to the city. Isn't it wonderful!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, I'll miss you! But you will enjoy it, I'm sure. As long as you are back by the time you are seventeen." He replied.
"Of course! I'll only be gone for the school year, with breaks at Feast, Newtime, and Festival. I have a prolonged break at Newtime because of the Christmas that most people in the City celebrate, and also in Spring, about a month before Festival. Many of the girls, the flier said, will go away to vacation during that time." I said.
"All right. Will you meet me at the river tomorrow? You may bring your sewing, I know you'll have a lot to do. But I wish to talk." He asked.
"Very well, I'll see you then. Good bye." I shook his hand and went back to the house. After awhile, I couldn't help but run. And as my long hair blew in the wind, I knew that going to that school was what I was meant to do.
To prepare for the trip, Mother and I patched all of my dresses, and made a skirt like the styles say is popular in the city. Drew and I practiced from a textbook, ENGLISH III, to help me improve my skills. I was not so good at reading yet, though our languages sound the same.
Finally, the night before my departure arrived. I ate some fruit pie, which, as always, was somniferous, and retired to my bedroom for the last time for months. I awoke after what seemed like just a moment, and dressed in my best outfit. "Here's your bread and honey, dear." Mother said.
"Thanks." I gulped, the knot in my throat growing.
"Just a second, I need to say good bye to-" Drew cut me off as he came in through the back door.
"Just wanted to see you off," He said.
"I was just going to find you!" I exclaimed.
"I'm too good." He said sheepishly. I giggled.
"Well, here's the car." I said. "Bye, Mother. Tell Father and the children good-bye, also. I'll see you at feast." I crawled into the car that had been sent by Bastin School for me.
Five hours and 22 minutes later, the car pulled to a stop in front of a door, with a sign hanging above it that said "Bastin School," on it. A lady opened the car door and asked, "Are you Emma Kahe?"
"Yes, that's me. What is your name?" It was a useless question, but I didn't know what else to say.
" My name is Mrs. Anton. I am one of the housemothers, in charge of all of the girls that attend the School in your grade. Let me show you to your room. You are to share with Jane Boston. She has been at the school for 4 years, and can show you around." We walked into the school, through a door labeled Girls Dormitory, and up a flight of stairs. About halfway down a hallway was a door with the number 7 on it, and I opened the door. "There you are." She said, and left.
"Hello, I'm Jane." The girl said.
"I'm Emma. I said.
"Sorry, but what do you have in there? Don't mean to be intrusive, but I have never met a province girl before." Jane said, looking sheepish.
"Just some clothes and a book. It's- it's on English." I sighed. "I'm not so good yet." I was nervous to tell her that, but I was sure that she would find out anyway, so why not be honest?
"I'll help you with English if you'll teach me some of your language! I have always wanted to speak a province language, but my parents never approved." She looked excited! Who knew?
"Good. Where should I put my dresses? I got them all ready." Jane's face got confused all of a sudden.
"We don't usually wear dresses here, so that is why Mrs. Willit asked for your sizes. There is a whole wardrobe of clothing for you to wear, but you can put your things in that drawer." She pointed to the bottom one. "Why don't we pick a new outfit out for dinner?" As we went through the clothes, I realized how strange I might have looked wearing my simple brown dress and sash. Jane must have seen my expression, because she said, "You know, I really like your outfits better."
"Thanks. I'm hungry. Can we get dinner?" I asked.
"Of course! Oh, and Emma, don't bother trying to cover up your accent. I think it's pretty." She said.
Maybe this school wasn't so bad.