Chapter Two- Two Teacher's, Which one's the Evil One?

Recap: When I finally turn 18 I have a right to all the millions of money my mother has for me. I might even see my old piano or my old house. All I have to do is last this terrible place.

Luckily, I did make it. By the end of the year, I was on my way to Yancey Academy. I was 12 though nobody cared about my birthday, and going into sixth grade. Or that's what I was told. Maybe I was too stupid and had to be held back. But anything was better than those orphanages. I had hope that this place would be better than the other places I've lasted. Hopefully I wouldn't get kicked out. It was a long bus ride on the Greyhound but mostly because I was anticipating how it would be to finally go to school. Then I thought what if I'm not smart enough, I hadn't had much studies. I never paid attention in class when the teacher was talking at the orphanage. That teacher… she could hardly be called a teacher. It wasn't like she cared. She usually walked out in an angry storm yelling 'no wonder your parents abandoned you!' but only my father abandoned me. I tried not to think too much on the fact that I wasn't smart, and couldn't read. I'd make my future the way my mother did; I'd be a musician.

When I got to Yancey, I was so exhausted I didn't even have to time to look around, I was sent straight up to the dorm I'd been assigned to. I put the picture of my mother on the stand, and the few clothes I had next to my bed. My room, my bed, an area I felt I could finally relax in. As soon my head hit that pillow, I fell asleep. If it weren't for the knock on my door, I would've missed my first day of class. I got up slowly since I was still tired. I tripped and fell to the ground harshly, sending a surge of sound waves all over, hurting my ears. When I opened the door, I didn't say anything; and if there were people there, I didn't know. It was too early for my senses to kick in.

"Is anyone there?" I said.

"Oh yea, uhm I'm Percy," said a voice to my right

"And I'm Grover," said the second voice to the left. When they spoke, I saw faintly a boy and his friend taller than him. I assumed that the shorter boy was Percy. "Classes start in 15 minutes and we were sent-,"

"Does it really!" I was alarmed. I closed the door on them, but then quickly opened feeling rude "Sorry, I'll be ready shortly," in ten minutes, I was rushing around brushing my teeth, my unruly hair, and putting on clothes. I fell and ran into a lot of things. By the time I reopened the door, I could tell that there were puzzled faces on the two boys. "Oh wait," I turned back in the room to find my cane. "Where did I… uhm do you see a white cane in this room anywhere, Percy or Grover?" I asked. Percy pointed somewhere.

"Yea over there," I stood up and blinked blankly

"Could you be more specific," he just continued to point. Grover stepped in, picked it up and then held it in front of me.

"Is this it?" he asked. I placed my hands in front of me and felt the slender, smooth surface and smiled at him as I took it from his hands.

"Yes it is. Thank you… Grover?" he nodded but I couldn't see it. "Am I correct?"

"Yes, yes I'm Grover," I smiled and tapped my way outside.

"Then should we go? It's almost been 15 minutes," they nodded and started to walk. I followed behind them, following the puddles of sound waves that met each time their feet made contact with the ground. I noticed something about Grover. How his feet weren't exactly….normal but I didn't think much of it at the time. I didn't think much of anything at the time. When we reached the classroom, Percy opened the door and I stepped in. The classroom that was once at a moderate sound level soon quieted. I didn't want to break the silence, but my cane did it for me. My wrist loosened and the tip at the end made a noticeable tapping noise. It echoed through the room. Everyone eyed me. I could feel myself burning up in embarrassment.

"Class, we have a new student. This is Lorelei. As a few of you may have noticed, she is blind. I'm sure you will all make her feel welcome. You can sit next to Percy," Percy kindly pulled out the chair for me. I felt around a bit and then sat. I rested my cane close to myself on the floor. "Ok now kids, take out your books and turn to page 286. Uhm…Lorelei I'll have to arrange to have brail books ordered, until then you can follow along by listening." I nodded and sat there most of the period daydreaming. I was so tempted to grab a piece of paper and pen and just start writing some sheet music, but I wanted to make a good impression on the first day.

I had a hard time sitting there. I was antsy and kept shifting in my seat. When class was finally over, I stood up happy to stretch my long legs. I reached down for my cane; I had to feel around a bit. It had rolled around while I was shifting in my chair. I told Percy and Grover that I had to ask Mr. Brunner a question. It wasn't really a question, but more of a statement. I nervously stood before the teacher. When I tapped my stick, the waves told me that he was significantly shorter than I was, almost like a child.

"Uhm…Mr. Brunner. You know those brail books,"

"Yes, it might take some time for them to get in,"

"Well…no that's not it I-," I couldn't help but falter in my words.

"Go on child tell me," I looked down, though there was nothing to look at.

"I can't read," I said simply.

"You can't read? Well of course not that's why they have brail for you,"

"No, I can't read brail either… the whole thing looks all messed up to me." I laughed nervously "I've tried but… I don't understand it. It all looks Greek to me!" I said

"Hm… that's something new,"

"I know, the first blind kid to be dyslexic," Mr. Brunner didn't smile at my pun.

"Go on now before you're late for class. I'll think of something on the books," I tapped once and saw the outline for a door; I started to it before the waves died down and I couldn't see anymore.

"Sorry I took so long," I said to a waiting Grover. Apparently, Percy had gone ahead.

"It's alright. I told Percy to go to class since he's already on thin ice." I tapped and walked. I noticed still how Grover's legs where so awkward. "I have to warn you Mrs. Dodds is a little on the strange side," when Grover said that, he was opening a door to the class.

"Late arrivers I see," said a woman. I couldn't sense a heartbeat from her, which made me nervous, but I ignored it. I thought I was just too excited and anxious to notice it.

"Sorry Mrs. Dodds, she's a new student and she's blind and-,"

"Now, now honey. Whether your blind or not gives you no permission to be late in my class," her voice was chilly, and sent shivers down my spine. "Now are you going to tell me your name?"

"I'm Lorelei," I said to her quietly.

"What's your full name?" I didn't want to tell her that I had no last name so I acted like I didn't hear her as Grover pointed me in the direction of my desk. "I asked you a question," I shrugged.

"I don't know. I forgot," the children snickered amongst themselves

"This isn't a place for games, and I do not appreciate smart comments like those. Tell me your full name,"

"I'm being honest with you ma'am, I don't know." her face was flustered with my supposed obstinacy.

"I'm sure where you came from before allowed you to behave rudely because of your blindness, but here I will not tolerate such unscrupulous behavior!" she barked. Come on, I thought to myself. Can't she just believe me? It's only my first day and I'm already in trouble!

"I told you don't know my full name!" I said louder than intended.

"That's it young lady, I'll see you after class," I sighed tapping my fingers on the desk. The students were still giggling between themselves. Grover and Percy where sitting quietly, looking sympathetic towards me. I said nothing the rest of the class, and Mrs. Dodds ignored me. That is she ignored me until the end of class. When I stood up, she quietly and severely said my name. "Lorelei," I walked to where I thought she stood, awaiting the scolding I was so used to. "Now, I don't know why you feel the need to misbehave in my class, but I'm sure it won't happen again will it?" I shook my head

"No ma'am,"

"Good, now to fix this whole mess, just tell me your name,"

"Mrs. Dodds, I'm being serious when I tell you that I don't know," her fists clenched

"Let's not start this again-,"

"I'm an orphan, I don't know my last name." her hands released. And her face went sad, but the sound in her voice sounded almost happy to hear the news.

"Is that so? Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Run along now," I tapped and left a smirking Mrs. Dodds in the classroom.