Amelia Samson stood at the foot of the concrete steps leading to the entrance of her new school staring in amazement. 'So this is Eden Hall' she thought to her self.
"Anything the matter dear?" her grandmother called from behind her.
"No, it's just, I didn't think it would be this big", she replied.
"Well, it's one of the top schools in the state, they have hundreds of students in attendance", her grandfather said in a matter-of-a-fact tone. Amelia began to feel extremely nervous.
"Don't worry sweetie, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine", her grandmother whispered placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's get inside shall we".
All three walked slowly up the many steps and through the grand entrance way into a wide-open space in the centre of which sat an old wooden reception desk. As they approached the desk the women behind rose to her feet.
"Welcome to Eden Hall, may I be of any assistance", she asked cheerily.
"Oh hello, I'm Mr. Samson I spoke to you on the phone just this morning about my granddaughter here". Amelia's grandfather said draping his arm around her shaking shoulders.
"Ah, of course. You must be ...", she glanced at a piece of paper on the desk in front of her, "Amelia Samson". She nodded her head towards Amelia and smiled. "And today's your first day here at Eden hall".
"Yes that's right", Mr. Samson replied.
The receptionist sat back in her seat and pulled a large brown envelope out of a draw.
"You'll need to take this Amelia", she said handing it to her. "Inside you'll find a map of the school, your dorm key and a class schedule. You're in room B28, your roommate has yet to arrive she's new here too. If you wait here for just a moment I'll go and find some one to help show you around". With that she stood and walked away.
"Do you need us to stay and help carry your bags?" Mrs. Samson asked.
"Erm, no thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine", Amelia answered her voice little more than a whisper.
"Yes, I'm sure you will. Come on dear, we better leave now if we want to make it home before dark", her grandfather said ushering his wife towards the door.
"I want you to phone us, first thing tomorrow, as soon as you get up", her grandmother said enveloping her in a tight hug. "And make sure you get plenty of sleep. Oh, and remember to eat properly, don't go sneaking of campus to McDonalds every night. And ...".
"Oh for heavens sake stop mothering the girl, she's old enough to look after herself", Mr. Samson stated impatiently.
"I know you may find it hard being away from home to begin with but it's for the best. And if you ever need anything we're only a phone call away", Mrs. Samson said finally letting Amelia go.
"Goodbye dear", her grandfather said lightly kissing her cheek.
"We'll see you soon sweet heart. We love you", her grandmother looked like she was close to tears.
"I love you too", Amelia tried her hardest to smile. "Goodbye", she called after them as they left.
The door swung shut behind them and Amelia was left standing alone. She tightened her grip on the suitcase she held for fear that she might drop it she was shaking so much. After what seemed like hours the receptionist reappeared at the far end of the corridor. She headed towards Amelia closely followed by a young girl. As they got nearer Amelia could see that the girl looked roughly her age. She had long dark brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail and wore a green sweater with fitted jeans.
"Have your grandparents gone already?" the receptionist asked as she stopped in front of Amelia.
"Yes, they just left", Amelia nodded politely.
"Oh, well Amelia this is Connie Moreau. She's in your homeroom and her dorm is just next to yours so she'll show you the way and give you a tour of the school grounds. Connie this is Amelia Samson".
"Hi, it's nice to meet you", Connie smiled sweetly and stuck out her hand.
"Yeah you too", Amelia forced a smile quickly shaking her hand.
"I'll leave you girls to it then", the receptionist said returning to her desk.
"You need any help with your things?" Connie asked as Amelia picked up a second suitcase from where her grandfather had left it.
"If you don't mind. Could you carry that box?"
"Sure". Connie stooped to pick up the box. She stopped when a poster inside it caught her eye. "Joshua Jackson huh?"
Amelia looked confused. Connie pulled out the poster and held it up.
"You like him?"
"Uh huh", Amelia mumbled nodding, "Who doesn't?"
"Me", Connie shrugged her shoulders, "but that's mainly 'cause I've got a friend that looks just like him who I do not like in *that* way at all".
"Really?" Amelia asked excitedly.
"Yeah, his names Charlie and he looks so much like him it's scary".
A huge smile spread across Amelia's face for the first time that day. Connie saw this.
"I can score you an introduction if you'd like?" She grinned cheekily. Amelia nodded. "Okay then but first things first, let's go get you un-packed".
As the two girls headed down the corridor chatting comfortably the huge knot that had plagued Amelia's stomach all day began to ease. 'Maybe this won't be so bad after all', she thought happily.
Amelia sat on her new bed re-arranging the pillows and straightening the sheets. Connie had left ten minutes earlier as she had hockey practice but she'd promised to come back later. Since then Amelia had done nothing but pace around the room fiddling with every little thing because, 'it just didn't seem right'. She was fully un-packed and had even placed a few posters on the wall but still it just didn't feel like her room. It didn't feel like home and she was beginning to wonder if it ever would. She sighed in frustration and threw a pillow against the opposite wall.
'I don't want to be here' she thought bitterly though she knew she had no choice in the matter. Her grandparents simply weren't cut out for modern day parenting. She'd lived with them since her mother's death almost a year earlier. She'd never known her father and her mother was an only child so there had been no one else to take care of her. Unfortunately they just couldn't cope. Amelia and her grandfather refused to get along and her grandmother was un-well. So they decided that the only thing to do was send her away to boarding school.
Suddenly the door swung open breaking Amelia from her thoughts. A small blonde girl appeared in the room carrying two large suitcases a grinning from ear to ear.
"Ah, home sweet home", she sighed throwing her cases to the floor and diving on the empty bed on the other side of the room. It wasn't until she sat up that she became aware of Amelia's presence.
"Oh hi", she chirped, "You must be my roomie?"
"Er, yeah", Amelia said nervously.
"Hey it's so good to meet you at last, I'm Sam", she said darting across the room to shake hands.
"I'm Ameli ..."
"Wait a minute do I know you?" she asked cutting Amelia short.
"I don't think so", Amelia said flatly unsure of how to react to the other girls giddy manner.
"Sure I do, I don't know how but I know you. Ya see I never forget a face, now let me think" Sam said rubbing her chin with the back of her hand. Amelia examined her face closely and began to realise that she did look familiar.
"Ou, ou, I got it", Sam shrieked bouncing on the bed excitedly, "Wood chuck summer camp three years ago, we shared a cabin, remember?" Suddenly Amelia did remember.
"Oh my god, you're right. Samantha Walker".
"That's me", Sam said throwing her arms around Amelia's neck to hug her. "But, don't call me Samantha only my parents do that and I hate it. It's Sam or Sammie, which ever you prefer".
"Okay Sam, Sammie, Sam, argh I can't decide", Amelia threw her hands up in the air and laughed beginning to feel at ease.
"So Amelia Samson, what do I call you?" Sam asked standing up and returning to her side of the room.
"Er, Amelia I guess what else?"
"Gee don't be so boring, I could think of a thousand different things to call you".
"Such as ...?"
"Well, there's Melia, Mel or Melly, Amy, Lia, Samson or hey I got a great one, we could call you Sam too!"
"Maybe not but I quite like Amy, my mum used to call me that sometimes".
"Then it's decided. Amy it is".
Sam knelt down by her suitcases, unzipped them and began to unpack. Amelia laid back on her bed a listened to her new roommate twitter away about anything and everything. It's gonna be okay, she told her self repeatedly, it's all gonna be okay.
"Anything the matter dear?" her grandmother called from behind her.
"No, it's just, I didn't think it would be this big", she replied.
"Well, it's one of the top schools in the state, they have hundreds of students in attendance", her grandfather said in a matter-of-a-fact tone. Amelia began to feel extremely nervous.
"Don't worry sweetie, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine", her grandmother whispered placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's get inside shall we".
All three walked slowly up the many steps and through the grand entrance way into a wide-open space in the centre of which sat an old wooden reception desk. As they approached the desk the women behind rose to her feet.
"Welcome to Eden Hall, may I be of any assistance", she asked cheerily.
"Oh hello, I'm Mr. Samson I spoke to you on the phone just this morning about my granddaughter here". Amelia's grandfather said draping his arm around her shaking shoulders.
"Ah, of course. You must be ...", she glanced at a piece of paper on the desk in front of her, "Amelia Samson". She nodded her head towards Amelia and smiled. "And today's your first day here at Eden hall".
"Yes that's right", Mr. Samson replied.
The receptionist sat back in her seat and pulled a large brown envelope out of a draw.
"You'll need to take this Amelia", she said handing it to her. "Inside you'll find a map of the school, your dorm key and a class schedule. You're in room B28, your roommate has yet to arrive she's new here too. If you wait here for just a moment I'll go and find some one to help show you around". With that she stood and walked away.
"Do you need us to stay and help carry your bags?" Mrs. Samson asked.
"Erm, no thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine", Amelia answered her voice little more than a whisper.
"Yes, I'm sure you will. Come on dear, we better leave now if we want to make it home before dark", her grandfather said ushering his wife towards the door.
"I want you to phone us, first thing tomorrow, as soon as you get up", her grandmother said enveloping her in a tight hug. "And make sure you get plenty of sleep. Oh, and remember to eat properly, don't go sneaking of campus to McDonalds every night. And ...".
"Oh for heavens sake stop mothering the girl, she's old enough to look after herself", Mr. Samson stated impatiently.
"I know you may find it hard being away from home to begin with but it's for the best. And if you ever need anything we're only a phone call away", Mrs. Samson said finally letting Amelia go.
"Goodbye dear", her grandfather said lightly kissing her cheek.
"We'll see you soon sweet heart. We love you", her grandmother looked like she was close to tears.
"I love you too", Amelia tried her hardest to smile. "Goodbye", she called after them as they left.
The door swung shut behind them and Amelia was left standing alone. She tightened her grip on the suitcase she held for fear that she might drop it she was shaking so much. After what seemed like hours the receptionist reappeared at the far end of the corridor. She headed towards Amelia closely followed by a young girl. As they got nearer Amelia could see that the girl looked roughly her age. She had long dark brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail and wore a green sweater with fitted jeans.
"Have your grandparents gone already?" the receptionist asked as she stopped in front of Amelia.
"Yes, they just left", Amelia nodded politely.
"Oh, well Amelia this is Connie Moreau. She's in your homeroom and her dorm is just next to yours so she'll show you the way and give you a tour of the school grounds. Connie this is Amelia Samson".
"Hi, it's nice to meet you", Connie smiled sweetly and stuck out her hand.
"Yeah you too", Amelia forced a smile quickly shaking her hand.
"I'll leave you girls to it then", the receptionist said returning to her desk.
"You need any help with your things?" Connie asked as Amelia picked up a second suitcase from where her grandfather had left it.
"If you don't mind. Could you carry that box?"
"Sure". Connie stooped to pick up the box. She stopped when a poster inside it caught her eye. "Joshua Jackson huh?"
Amelia looked confused. Connie pulled out the poster and held it up.
"You like him?"
"Uh huh", Amelia mumbled nodding, "Who doesn't?"
"Me", Connie shrugged her shoulders, "but that's mainly 'cause I've got a friend that looks just like him who I do not like in *that* way at all".
"Really?" Amelia asked excitedly.
"Yeah, his names Charlie and he looks so much like him it's scary".
A huge smile spread across Amelia's face for the first time that day. Connie saw this.
"I can score you an introduction if you'd like?" She grinned cheekily. Amelia nodded. "Okay then but first things first, let's go get you un-packed".
As the two girls headed down the corridor chatting comfortably the huge knot that had plagued Amelia's stomach all day began to ease. 'Maybe this won't be so bad after all', she thought happily.
Amelia sat on her new bed re-arranging the pillows and straightening the sheets. Connie had left ten minutes earlier as she had hockey practice but she'd promised to come back later. Since then Amelia had done nothing but pace around the room fiddling with every little thing because, 'it just didn't seem right'. She was fully un-packed and had even placed a few posters on the wall but still it just didn't feel like her room. It didn't feel like home and she was beginning to wonder if it ever would. She sighed in frustration and threw a pillow against the opposite wall.
'I don't want to be here' she thought bitterly though she knew she had no choice in the matter. Her grandparents simply weren't cut out for modern day parenting. She'd lived with them since her mother's death almost a year earlier. She'd never known her father and her mother was an only child so there had been no one else to take care of her. Unfortunately they just couldn't cope. Amelia and her grandfather refused to get along and her grandmother was un-well. So they decided that the only thing to do was send her away to boarding school.
Suddenly the door swung open breaking Amelia from her thoughts. A small blonde girl appeared in the room carrying two large suitcases a grinning from ear to ear.
"Ah, home sweet home", she sighed throwing her cases to the floor and diving on the empty bed on the other side of the room. It wasn't until she sat up that she became aware of Amelia's presence.
"Oh hi", she chirped, "You must be my roomie?"
"Er, yeah", Amelia said nervously.
"Hey it's so good to meet you at last, I'm Sam", she said darting across the room to shake hands.
"I'm Ameli ..."
"Wait a minute do I know you?" she asked cutting Amelia short.
"I don't think so", Amelia said flatly unsure of how to react to the other girls giddy manner.
"Sure I do, I don't know how but I know you. Ya see I never forget a face, now let me think" Sam said rubbing her chin with the back of her hand. Amelia examined her face closely and began to realise that she did look familiar.
"Ou, ou, I got it", Sam shrieked bouncing on the bed excitedly, "Wood chuck summer camp three years ago, we shared a cabin, remember?" Suddenly Amelia did remember.
"Oh my god, you're right. Samantha Walker".
"That's me", Sam said throwing her arms around Amelia's neck to hug her. "But, don't call me Samantha only my parents do that and I hate it. It's Sam or Sammie, which ever you prefer".
"Okay Sam, Sammie, Sam, argh I can't decide", Amelia threw her hands up in the air and laughed beginning to feel at ease.
"So Amelia Samson, what do I call you?" Sam asked standing up and returning to her side of the room.
"Er, Amelia I guess what else?"
"Gee don't be so boring, I could think of a thousand different things to call you".
"Such as ...?"
"Well, there's Melia, Mel or Melly, Amy, Lia, Samson or hey I got a great one, we could call you Sam too!"
"Maybe not but I quite like Amy, my mum used to call me that sometimes".
"Then it's decided. Amy it is".
Sam knelt down by her suitcases, unzipped them and began to unpack. Amelia laid back on her bed a listened to her new roommate twitter away about anything and everything. It's gonna be okay, she told her self repeatedly, it's all gonna be okay.