A/N: Dashes by new things.

Michelle Bradley sat in front of a dark, wooden desk in a fairly uncomfortable chair. The chair, the uncomfortable chair, that detail was most significant to her in the stuffy office of the school. Next to her, sat her parents, dressed to the nines, and sitting at the desk, was an older man. Michelle knew very little about the man, but she knew that is name was Mr. Nolan, he was the principal at the boys-only boarding school, Welton Academy, and if all went well today, she would be a student at his school, right along with all the boys.

"Miss Bradley," began Mr. Nolan, in a voice that sounded like he was about to kill her. "As you know, your parents and myself have made a great many sacrifices to get you to this point. And also, as I'm sure you're very well aware, you will be the first woman to attend this school in its entire history."

Michelle nodded slowly. She hated having her hair down in this ridiculous fashion. It hung off of her head like a blanket, and in the heat of August, it wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. She only liked it up in a ponytail, which hopefully, after today, she would be allowed to wear.

"We have made certain arrangements for your stay here at Welton Academy," he continued, straigtening his paper pad on his desk. "And as we've bent certain rules that this school has stood by since the beginning to accomodate you, you will do as you are told."

Michelle nodded again. What did he think she was going to do anyway? Moon everybody?

"You will be given your own room to stay in, which will be situated in the boys hallway. You will also be given permission to shower in the private bathroom down the hall."

Michelle could barely repress a sigh of relief, and a smirk. She couldn't imagine how many boys' heads she'd have to kick into the wall for them to stop peeking under her towel or through the shower curtain.

"However, you will still be expected to perform the same duties, classes and assignments as the other boys, and will be expected to put your best effort forth into all said activites."

Michelle nodded.

"And, I do believe that's it, Miss Bradley," said Mr. Nolan. "Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, it was a pleasure, and I'm sure your daughter will do fine here at Welton."

Michelle then had to suffer through her mother's tears and hugs and her father's admiring smile.

"Mom," she groaned. "This isn't the last time you'll see me...we still have the Greeting Ceremony--"

"I know," moaned Mrs. Bradley. "But you're so young..."

"Mom, I'm seventeen. I can take care of myself."

It took all of Michelle's effort to peel her mother's clinging hands off of herself before she could take the uniform that Mr. Nolan handed her. She was pleased to see that the shirt she was required to wear was very much like the boys'--a button down collared shirt that came halfway down her forearms and a dark blue blazer and skirt to go along with it. There was also a sweater for winter, bearing the letters WA in curly font.

Michelle had been thoroughly suprised that Nolan had allowed her into the school at all... but considering the fact that she had gotten all A's in every class since practically the seventh grade and the undeniably significant fact that her family was a bit wealthier than some of the other families and had donated copious amounts of money to the school, she had been allowed to attend for one year. If her grades and behaviour showed that she was capable of focusing on her studies within a slightly distracting environment (Michelle had smirked at this) than she would be allowed to finish her senior year at Welton, then go off to college with another nice thing to put on her resume.

Michelle had to admit she wasn't exactly confident in her decision to come to Welton Academy. Not only would she be the only girl there, but she wouldn't be allowed to date the other boys, by order of Nolan. Not that she was complaining, she didn't seriously think that she would have time for a boyfriend anyway, but she liked it when she had options. As she stepped out of the stuffy building to embrace the sweet New England breeze, she took a deep breath. She knew why she had come here in the first place. She had come here so she could get a good education. An education exactly like any other boy, which she knew was what she deserved. Even though the days of men being treated superior to women were dying away, Michelle knew that she would enjoy being amongst boys again. She had been at a girls-only school for her entire academic life, and she would often tell her mother jokingly that she barely knew what a boy her age looked like.

But she wasn't about to let those faults get in the way of having a good education. She was going to love every second of this year.

--------------------------------

Michelle stood up with the rest of the church audience as a bagpipe was heard from the back room. The doors opened to reveal a group of boys filing down the isle carrying banners. She watched them all consecutively as they passed her chair. One of the boys winked at her. Her mouth dropped open slightly, and the boy behind him smirked, giving her a "Don't-read-too-much-into-it" look. She smiled back at him. The boys dispersed off into the sides of the church and filed back into their seats.

Mr. Nolan walked to the front of the church.

"One hundred years ago," he began. "In 1859, forty-one boys sat in this room and were asked the same question tha greets you at the start of each semester. Gentlemen, what are the four pillars?"

Michelle looked around as the uniformed boys all throughout the pews rose to their feet and spoke loudly and clearly.

"Tradition, honor, discipline, excellence."

Quickly, the boys returned to their seats.

"In her first year," contined Nolan. "Welton Academy graduated five students. Last year we graduated fifty-one, and more than seventy-five percent of those went on to the Ivy League."

Michelle clapped politely with the rest of the crowd, smiling sweetly and pretending not to think about how Mr. Nolan spoke as though he were a bowl of spoiled ice cream.

"This kind of accomplisment is the result of fervent dedication to the principles taught here. This is why you parents have been sending us your sons. This is why we are the best preparatory school in the United States!"

The church clapped loudly and there were scattered cheers. Mr. Nolan leaned back slightly, soaking in the applause. As soon as the cheering had died down, he began to speak again.

"As you know, our beloved Mr. Portius of the English department retired last term. You will have the opportunity later to meet his replacement, Mr. John Keating, himself a graduate of this school and who, for the past several years, has been teaching at the highly regarded Chester School in London."

Michelle craned her neck to get a glimpse of her English teacher, who had a humble smile on his face and a graduate's robe on. He looked nice enough. Apparently her father's donations had not gone completely to waste-- not that she actually thought they would. She leaned back in her chair, satisfyed for the time being.

"And, as some of you may have heard, we have decided to admit one girl into Welton this year; Miss Michelle Bradley."

All heads turned to look in her direction, and she glowed as red as a cherry. She gave a little wave and tried to sink down in her seat, but her mother pinched her in the side so she sat up straight.

She saw the boy who had given her the sympathetic look who sat two pews in front of her. He must have sensed her embarrassment, and he gave her a small smile. She smiled back.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.