School Days Ch. 3
First Day
As the sun rose to start the new day, Penny sat on the railing of the balcony, watching it. She hadn't been able to sleep after she left the table. The little charade of being sleepy helped her get away from the table worked perfectly. She didn't want to sit at the same table as Fredrick anymore than she had to.
After getting to her room, she had been sitting on that railing all night. Midnight and Star fell asleep on her bed, but when the sun rose, the wolf joined her. He yawned but still Penny hadn't said anything since dinner. She had changed back into her Neverland gear. When they had gotten back to the room, there were two sets of uniforms; a girl's and a boy's. After seeing them, Penny went outside and didn't move.
Penny scratched under her glove, Just a couple of hours.
How are you feeling?
I don't wanna go, but if it is only for awhile, I will do it.
It will be fine and I will be with you all the time.
Thanks. Someone knocked lightly on the door and entered. It was Daisy all ready for the day. She noticed that Penny hadn't slept or clearly been in the room at all.
"Penny, are you in here?" Daisy walked to the bathroom.
"Out here Daisy," a voice called outside. Penny and Midnight walked back inside to meet her.
"Oh there you are! Come along, I'm supposed to help you get ready for the Academy."
The girl walked to the bed and saw the boy's uniform, cleaned and pressed. There were many different colored ties next to it with all the statuses of the Protectors. Purple and white; red; red and blue; black and blue, and other combinations.
Daisy held up the shirt for Penny. She slowly started to change into the accursed uniform. The long buttoned down shirt was a little long, especially in the sleeves so she rolled those up to her elbows. She could see the faint scar from the Nyght-creature when her arm was at a certain angle. The dark grey pants buried her feet and were so baggy that it swamped her small figure. As Penny reached for her dagger to shorten them, Daisy stopped her.
"Hold on. I'll hem those for you. Please step up here."
Penny moved to the top step leading to the balcony. Daisy knelt down and started making the pants shorter when Minnie came in.
"Oh Penny don't you look smart in your uniform," she praised.
"Thanks Minnie," Penny murmered.
Daisy finished up with the sewing. The pants now came up to the top of her feet, but still baggy. It was much easier to move about it. The only splash of color came from her green eyes, and her red and blue gloves. She looked at the different colored ties. Wondering which one she will get to wear.
Minnie also looked at the ties, "Which one suits you, Penny?"
"Well, I'm a fighter and I guess a magic user so that would be…" Penny wrinkled her nose, "black and red."
"Yes you're right, so you will wear this one." The queen picked up the mentioned colored striped tie. She looped it around Penny's neck and tied it for her. "There you go. Now why don't you go grab some breakfast? Everyone is waiting for you."
Penny entered the kitchen, since it was a small affair and found her crew sitting around the table. Max had his friends around him, laughing and eating. Penny pulled out a chair at the end, and immediately, food was placed in front of her.
"Penny! Thanks for gracing us with your lovely smile! Eat up! The Academy doesn't have great food like this," Jayden called, sipping his coffee.
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry," Penny played with her food, putting her head in her hand.
"What? Is she sick?" Max asked as Illiana put her hand on the girl's forehead.
"No, she's fine. No fever. Are you feeling sick?" Illiana asked.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it." Penny pushed her hand away.
"Why don't you have an omelet? With extra cheese-ya!" One of Max's friends asked. It was the skinny one with sun glasses. He seemed to be eating cheese from a can.
"Bobby, not now. She's not feeling it."
"Why? Oh right, the torture called school is today. Bad luck, bro."
"Yea, thanks." Penny sat back and watched them all. To think, she could be sleeping in for once or exploring the town. Instead she had to go to this school for her magic.
The door opened and Donald entered, looking for the girl. He waddled over to the table.
"There you are. I was searching everywhere for you. I'm to escort you to the Academy. From there, my nephews will show you around."
"Okay," Penny stood up from the table, without eating anything. Midnight joined her as she shuffled out with Donald. The group called out "Good lucks." She gave them a wave as the door closed.
Penny's bare feet forced her to follow Donald through the castle. They were the only ones walking around the hallways. Too soon for Penny, they reached the outside world.
Don't be so nervous, Midnight said as they walked outside.
How can I not be? What's going to happen while I'm there?
Are you afraid?
No…well, maybe..who knows?
All of a sudden, they left the town and entered a huge space. The building dominated most of the land. The middle building was the largest, practically like a mansion. Exactly in the middle was a clock for everyone to see. Surrounding the middle building were six smaller circular buildings, connected to the bigger one. Each of the smaller buildings had a flag on top, showing which classes of protectors are training there. Trees sprouted in different areas, providing shade to various students.
Penny stood there, gaping at the size of it all. It was possibly bigger than the castle. Midnight sniffed everywhere, watching everyone with his icy blue eyes. Some of the students watched the mysterious boy with the wolf next to the magician Donald. Girls whispered behind their books as guys just looked at him, deciding whether or not he was worthy of beating up because he had beads in his head. One look at Midnight though, and the students created a wide berth around them.
Donald watched Penny taking it all in, but at the same time impatiently tapping his foot. The boys were late and classes were to begin soon. Some of the mage students bowed to him, but he only nodded his head, showing now wasn't the time to talk. His only job was to take Penny to the Academy.
"So what do you think?" he asked as Penny still hasn't said a word.
"It's huge! Why is it so big? Where do I have to go? How many students go here?" Penny began listing off a bunch of questions.
"It's big so many students can go here at once. Of course, the training starts at age ten to about eighteen. I don't know how many students go her currently because I don't teach here anymore."
"You teach here?"
"I used to, but haven't had the time. I check up on the mages once in awhile. Jayden was my last student I taught and took into as my apprentice."
"Wow…"
Do you think you will like it here? Midnight asked.
Doubt it, but it should be interesting.
"Hiya, Unca Donald!" three voices yelled as something tackled the magician to the ground.
"Oh, boys! You're late! I told you to be here on time!"
"Sorry, Unca Donald. We forgot," a duck with a red tie said.
"Yea, you haveta remind us these things every day," the blue tie added.
"Wasn't our fault," the green tie piped in.
"Gosh darn boys…" Donald mumbled as Penny tried hard not to laugh. The boys wore grey sweaters with their ties. They had to the same kind of accent as Donald.
"Right, Penny, these are my nephews: Huey, Dewey, and Louie."
Each of the boys bowed as their name was called. Penny placed their names with their different colored ties. Huey was red; Dewey was blue; Louie was green.
"Now, boys, make sure you show Penny around. And be good!" Donald waddled away leaving Penny to her doom.
She sighed as a loud bell rang, drawing students to their classrooms. Nearly everyone was gone, when the boys turned to her.
"So you're the famous Penny we have heard about?" Dewey asked, looking up at her in awe.
"Er…sure I guess…"
"Wow! Is it true you took on a Nyght-creature by yourself?" Huey asked, his tail feathers practically wagging in anticipation.
"Yea, I did. I got this scar from it. Donald healed it though." Penny showed her left arm to them.
"Whoa that's impressive!" Louie traced it.
"What's going on here?" A voice yelled from the entrance of the middle building.
"Uh oh, it's the Dragon!"
Penny looked at the tall woman wearing glasses and a pure white dress. Her hair was pulled back into a silver bun making her face sharp.
"Who is she?" the girl whispered as the lady came over.
"The principal, Mrs. Cartridge," Huey whispered back.
The lady towered over them, her brown eyes flashing at each of the kids. Penny practically slouched down when those eyes turned to her.
"Why am I not surprised to see you boys here and not your classrooms?" she said to the small ducks.
"Sorry ma'am, but we were…" Huey started.
"Showing a new student, Penny here, how things are here because…" Dewey continued.
"Our Unca Donald told us too," Louie finished.
"I see. Yes, I remember now." She looked at Penny. "You boys get to your classroom. The bell rang. Follow me, girl."
The boys gave encouraging thumbs up as they headed to class. Penny smiled at them and followed Mrs. Cartridge to the other side of the building. Midnight walked closely behind until the lady notice.
"Sorry, but no pets allowed."
"But he's not a pet! He's my best friend! He has been ordered to stay by my side." Midnight barked in agreement.
"Listen to me girl. I run this school the same way as the principals before me did. I'm not about to let some King's pet get any special attention. Got it?" The Dragon looked down at her.
Penny rose to her tiptoes, about to unleash a mouthful, when Midnight pulled her back.
Don't bother. It's not worth it. I'll be out here waiting for you.
Are you sure? I can fight this. She knelt down to him. He licked her face.
Don't worry. I won't leave you. He walked back to the entrance, laid down in the grass, waiting patiently.
"Good. Now that's cleared up, you have to get to class." Mrs. Cartridge walked away, briskly, leaving Penny to catch up. Thankfully, she didn't notice Star hiding in Penny's shirt. They entered the back flag building and stood in front of the door, where voices of kids can be heard from.
"This is your magic class. It is your first class so I expect you to get in there on time. Also, you must wear shoes and a girl's uniform tomorrow or there will be trouble. Understand?"
"Yea…" Penny mumbled.
The brown eyes flashed to her green ones, "The students address me as Mrs. Cartridge or ma'am. Got it? I do hope we don't have to meet in my office on your first day."
"Yes…ma'am."
"Very good. Have a good day." Her high heeled boots echoed down the hall as she left Penny.
Penny turned to the door, staring at the handle. Star peeked her head out, giving encouraging words. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.