A/N: Hi everyone! I'm trying to update more often now. I hope you liked Claire and all. This chapter, you'll get to meet more of Emily's roommates and lots of other characters too! As always, reviews are very welcomed.
Terreis: I'm glad you're back! So, you like Claire, huh? The answer to all your questions is in this chapter! How lucky! :) And it's more like the four marauders instead of the three musketeers! :) Hope you enjoy…
Silliana: Well, Claire and Emily are both kindred spirits. Hope you like this chapter! You'll get to meet the other roommates.
Stella Maynard: Oh my goodness! You should have seen my face when I saw that HUGE review! Firstly, thank you for reviewing, as always. Second, I'm glad you've had so much fun on your vacations. I've always wanted to go up north and see things. I live in Texas, which is quite boring for me. It's too hot and there's pretty much nothing out here. I think it's so cool you have a foreign exchange student with you. I would love to have one in my house or actually be one. Where's your student from? Onto OTH, I'm actually sad that CMM is engaged because that means he's not single, but I'm glad he's engaged to Sophia Bush. I hate her character, but not necessarily her. He's such eye-candy! I'm going to have to disagree about the whole Nathan/Haley marriage, but I can't wait for more drama. I live off of drama. I love Haley because I'm so much like her. But I would never get married or anything that crazy. I liked her before Nathan, who did loosen her up, but I think she's gone a little crazy. Dan had a heart attack in the season finale, and as much as I want him dead, he'll probably live. :( Lucas can't leave! He's the main character. I'm really looking forward to seeing the new plots and stuff. Did you know there's supposed to be some new characters? I'm really excited. My favorite show is actually Gilmore Girls. Do you watch it? The O.C. is pretty awesome. So are Everwood, Alias, Summerland, American Dreams, North Shore, and lots of other shows I can't think of. Now, onto the actual story…Emily is a worrier. That's because I like to put some of myself into her. I stress out way too much, but I can't really stop myself. I know how you feel when you can't sleep. I usually listen to some music or read. Unfortunately, there's not much on TV, except infomercials. Don't fret. I have no intention of changing Claire. I think I explained a little about the Hughes, but I'll add their family to the family tree soon, so you can read that. I think it was one of my better chapters too. Before I knew it, stuff was just flowing out. :) I love your reviews. I'm glad that this one was long, so here is my long response. Keep reviewing. I'll try to update soon. Whew! I'm tired now. :D
The next day was going to be very busy for Emily. She and Claire were planning on making their way towards Queen's for the freshman orientation after waiting to see if anyone else would show up at Summer's Landing, but no one did. So, the two made their way towards the main entrance, where plenty of new students were eagerly waiting the counselors. Older students were scattered around the school grounds and didn't hesitate to make fun of the frightened newcomers. Emily didn't see anybody she knew, but she did catch a glimpse of Melanie sitting in the middle of her circle of friends, of course. Claire sat down on the steps and motioned for Emily to follow.
"Are you nervous? I couldn't sleep at all last night," said Claire, who was extremely fidgety.
"Of course I am. I couldn't sleep either." No one spoke for what seemed like hours until a young woman dressed in Queen's Academy colors walked up to the large group.
"Hello. I am your class counselor, Jenna Moore. You can all address me as Mrs. Moore. Today, I will be showing you around the campus and giving you a brief introduction to life at Queen's Academy. I'll explain rules, give you a map, and allow you time to find your classes, which start on Monday. For those of you who aren't mathematicians, that gives you only today and tomorrow to get settled in. So, listen up." Mrs. Moore was very stern and strict. Emily had heard of her from Matt and Harry, and now Emily realized her brothers were just downsizing her from what she really was. Her grey hair was pulled tightly in a bun, her long coat was shabby, and her face seemed so sour. She looked like she was never young or happy.
Mrs. Moore showed the bunch around the campus, rather quickly, and making crude comments along the way. They passed through the massive Dining Hall, where there was four long tables and one shorter one in front, where the teachers sat. There were many libraries, much to Emily's delight, and the grounds were beautiful. After the hasty orientation, students were given a chance to roam the campus and leave when they pleased. Emily and Claire decided to get some lunch in the Dining Hall and take it back to Summer's Landing, for both girls still had some settling in to do. They chatted merrily on the way back, taking in the breathtaking scenery. But both failed to notice that there was someone following them home.
When they reached Summer's Landing, Claire noticed the pretty girl walking up the steps. She had auburn hair that was braided in two and bright hazel eyes. Emily was immediately reminded of Grandmother Anne when she was a young girl at Green Gables. When Claire looked back, the girl flashed her dazzling smile, which was probably the only thing that was dazzling about her. Her dress looked almost like rags. The print and color were so faded, they looked completely grey. Her bags were also ratty and beat up. Obviously, she hadn't been inside yet. Boys almost certainly wouldn't deem her pretty because of her looks and she seemed very shy. She did follow them all the way home without making a peep. Emily was the one to speak first.
"We hardly noticed you coming at all. I'm Emily Meredith, and this is Claire Gordon. Are you our new boarding partner?" asked Emily, who lately had been very friendly and open. She extended her hand and the new girl shook it. Her hands were shockingly rough, feeling like she had done hard labor with them before.
"I'm Mary Evans from Emery Bay," she said, shyly. Claire and Emily understood why she looked the way she did. Emery Bay was usually compared to Stovepipe Town. Families who lived there were nearly positively poor and worked on farms or the docks. "I—I didn't mean to scare you. This is my boarding house too."
"Oh, it's quite alright, Mary. Emily and I just weren't expecting anyone. Here, let me help you with those. Come inside. It's positively gorgeous," offered Claire, sympathetically. Emily followed by picking up the other baggage.
Inside, Mary looked around in awe. It was obvious she had never had such a beautiful home before. Emily and Claire led her upstairs to an empty room. Emily was the first to notice that one of the two rooms left was already taken. Meaning, someone came in while they were at the orientation, but there was no sign of anyone else in the house. They placed the belongings in the small, cozy room across the hall from Emily's. It was a calming shade of blue with cream trim. The room wasn't as large as Emily's room or Claire's garret, but Mary seemed to love it already. She didn't speak a word and look very frightened by Claire and Emily, but the two decided to stay and get to know her.
"Mary, is this your first year at Queen's? Emily and I are here for our first year too. Do you know anyone here?" asked Claire, as she lightly dusted the furniture for Mary.
"My brothers went here, but they've all graduated. My sister will be coming here next year," replied Mary, quietly. Emily noticed she was pulling out a couple of books. She didn't have as many as Emily, but then again, Emily probably had too many anyway.
"Tennyson? Are you a poet? My cousin Walter writes the loveliest poetry."
"I like to read poetry, but I don't think my poems are worth anything."
"Don't say that. I'm sure your poems are delightful." Mary gave a weak smile at Emily's sincerity. She had never felt so loved by anyone else before. Mary took out a sewing kit and some cooking utensils from her trunk. Claire's eyes glittered, surely because she realized they had a chef now. "Why don't you tell us about your family or yourself? Claire and I would love to know more about you. After all, we will be living together this year."
"My mother died when I was six, during my sister's birth. I am the oldest daughter of eight children. I have three older brothers, three younger sisters, and a younger brother. My father works on our little farm in Emery Bay. My two oldest brothers are at Redmond this year, my other brother is teaching at Shrewsbury High School, and the rest of the family is at home with my father. I want to be a poet, but that doesn't exactly make enough money to help my father," sighed Mary. Her life was tragic compared to anyone else's.
Emily and Claire were quite speechless. They felt so sorry for Mary. Emily walked over and put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Cheer up, darling. You're at Queen's now. And Claire and I will be your friends. Have you eaten yet? We picked up some food from the Dining Hall." The trio went downstairs to eat. They each learned more about each other and it seemed like everyone would get along fine.
After eating, they all resided to their own rooms to unpack and prepare for the start of school. Claire decided to decorate the living area and kitchen, while Mary was quietly unpacking in her room. Emily finished and decided to visit Harry. She offered to take Claire or Mary along, but they both declined. Harry's boarding house was closer to Queen's than Summer's Landing. It was an old home. Not quite as cheery as Summer's Landing, but it had lots of dark wood and was very lovely in its own way. Peter opened the door when Emily got there. Apparently, he arrived from Montreal early this morning.
"Emily! What are you doing here? We just finished eating. Have you had lunch, darling?" said Peter, giving Emily a big hug. Emily did love Peter. He was very kind and sweet to her.
"I've eaten with the girls. Has Ally arrived in Montreal? Mother said Uncle Shirley is going to let her stay there." Emily took off her coat and scarf and sat down at the table next to Harry. Robert Blake and Ben Ford were also living at Pennington Place.
"Yes, Ally was getting settled when Paige and I left. How are your roommates? Do you like them? Are they nice to you?"
"Oh, they're lovely. Claire is absolutely darling, and Mary Evans came in this morning. She's such a sweetheart. There's also someone else, but they moved in while we were at orientation. We still haven't actually seen her yet."
"I'm sure she'll turn up. Did you write to Mother? She'll want to hear from you." Harry was naturally, still chomping on his food. Peter and Robert cleaned up or rather just put the dishes in the sink. Emily sat down on the dented sofa and talked to Ben and Harry for awhile. Ben, the oldest Rilla's sons, was very serious about becoming a politician. He had the charm and personality that made ladies swoon and the men proud. He, along with Robert, Peter, and Harry, were the talk of all the girls at Queen's Academy. Some of them continually dropped in on Pennington's Place just to 'be around' them. Sometimes they played along and flirted, but most of the time, they pretended they weren't home. Harry was the least flirtatious and Ben wasn't too bad most of the time, but Robert and Peter loved attention. Anyway, Emily was discussing the matter with the boys.
"So, Ben, Walter was telling me about Becky Weaver. Didn't I meet her when I was staying in Glen St. Mary? Walt was saying you were pretty serious about her. Are you?"
"Relax. Becky likes to come over to pretend like she's Ally's friend. I don't really like her more than a friend. We really ought to call the maintenance from the school to get new locks or something. I'm afraid all the girls will find a way to pound the door down," joked Ben, who was reading the Charlottetown Chronicles.
"Peter, do you have—" The doorbell rang and behind it were soft giggles of teenage girls.
"Oh no, not again. You better go, Emily, before the girls come stampeding in and trample you to death. We'll see you at school on Monday. Go visit Sarah. I heard she came in this morning. Bye, sweetie," said Harry, giving her a kiss. He then ushered her out the back door.
After Emily left, she could almost hear the sighing of the poor boys echo through the streets of Charlottetown. The road towards Sarah's home was a scenic one indeed. Sarah had told Emily she would be boarding with Beth Wright and Kate Cohen at Diamond Loch in a letter. It was awful that Sarah lived further away from Emily. In fact, you had to go past the town square to get to Diamond Loch. Luckily, Emily had been to Charlottetown many times, either visiting Uncle Carl or her brothers or sisters at Queen's. The stores in town were filled with Queen's students, who were probably buying last minute items. Diamond Loch was quite charming. It had beautiful windows and an inviting wood door. Emily let herself in the side door because she knew Sarah and Beth never locked the side door.
"Hello! Is anyone home? Sarah, Beth, Kate? It's Emily," yelled Emily, as she walked around the house. Sarah came running down the stairs to greet her.
"Emily! I didn't know you were coming. Let yourself in the side door, I see. Sit down, sit down. I want to hear everything about your boarding home. Have you met your roommates? How are they? Are they nice?" asked Sarah eagerly.
"Oh yes, they're very sweet girls. I met Claire Gordon on the train last night. She's from Meadowcrest. Really kind and charming. I'm so pleased I have a 'kindred spirit' to live with."
"Meadowcrest? Why, that's near Avonlea. Mother visits her friends there often. Go on."
"Then, this morning after orientation, we were walking home and a new girl followed us the entire way. Claire and I didn't notice because she was so quiet—"
"—she followed you? That's quite odd. Tell me more."
"Yes, well, poor darling was very shy. Her dress was so faded and I've never seen more shabby shoes. Anyway, she's from Emery Bay. Mary Evans. Walter would get along with her so well. She's a poet too! And she seems like a good housekeeper."
"I can't wait to meet Mary and Claire."
"There's someone else too, but we don't know who she is. It's quite strange really. Claire and I went to orientation this morning after waiting awhile, and when we came home there was luggage in a room. But no sign of another roommate since."
"Odd. So, did I hear right? Kate told me Madelyn Hughes didn't pass her entrance exams! She's just awful. I'm glad she isn't coming to Queen's this year," said Sarah, as she motioned for Emily to follow her upstairs.
"I know. Speaking of Kate, where is she? And where's Beth?"
"Kate went to the Dining Hall for lunch and she hasn't been back since. Probably fraternizing with some boys or something. And Beth went to the store to buy stationary. She forgot to bring some from home." Sarah started to rummage through her trunk, muttering how she needed to clean more. "Ah! I found it at last. I wanted to give you these for Summer's Landing. Of course, I've painted some pictures for Diamond Loch, but I thought you might want some more cheer. You know, to make it home and all," said Sarah, handing over a parcel to Emily. She also gave Emily two beautiful canvasses. One of the entire family at Ingleside, and another of her family at Clarence House.
Emily opened the packet and looked at the paintings. They were paintings of Ingleside. Sarah had been painting them all along. There were pictures of Rainbow Valley with the family in it. Pictures of the manse, House of Dreams, and various paintings of all her cousins. The Four Winds Lighthouse looked absolutely mystic in one painting. But Emily loved the pictures of Clarence House.
"Oh, Sarah. They're divine, darling. Thank you. I can't wait to hang them around the house. You even drew Walter and me in the study that day. I thought you crumpled it up."
"No. I threw an empty sheet at you. I'm so glad you love them. I kept at few Ingleside ones and I painted a few of Avonlea to keep. I think they just bring home here. Have you visited Belle Grove yet? I'm afraid that Melanie, Madison, Paige, and Audrey are going to cause quite a few scandals this year."
"Of course I haven't visited. I see too much of Melanie and Madison as is. Michelle Hughes is also living with them. I'm going to try to avoid them as long as possible. Alex sent me a letter. He said Will was busy, but he'd write you soon. We make a great matchmaking team, sweetie. All he could talk about was Megan."
Kate Cohen walked into the room at this moment. She was the Hughes's stepsister. (see family tree for details) Kate was sassy. She always knew what was happening, the latest scandals, and what would happen. Emily already knew Kate, for they both lived in Kensington. She was simple-looking with sandy hair and hazel eyes. Kate didn't like her stepsisters, which always gave her a conversation topic with Emily.
"Emily, darling, how are you? I haven't seen you in ages. Isn't it strange that we live in the same town, but we never see each other?" Kate took Emily's hands in hers and kissed each cheek.
"It's awfully strange, Kate," said Emily, sarcastically. Sarah smiled.
"Well, Kate, I was actually about to leave. So, I guess I'll see you later. Bye, Sarah. Come by Summer's Landing if you can."
Summer's Landing was waiting for her with open arms. How beautiful it is to have a nice home to go to after long days. Inside, Claire was reading Madame Bovary on the sofa; while Mary was knitting what looked liked a small sweater, probably for one of her younger siblings. Emily popped herself onto a chair and closed her eyes. It had been such a long day.
"Are you still reading Madame Bovary, Claire? I finished it last night. So, still no sign of the mysterious other?"
"No, not even a glimmer of hope. Where could she possibly be? I went to the store to buy some milk while you were out. Did you see anything, Mary?"
"Nobody came in or out of the house while you two were gone. I was busy cleaning the kitchen and putting food into the pantry, but no one came in, as far as I can recall."
"That's too bad. I'm going to bed, girls. It's been a long day." As Emily made her way towards the stairs, the door opened and someone came in. The 'mystery' was solved. This was their new roommate.
"Hello."
A/N: Who's the new girl? Guess you'll have to read the next chapter to find out. Now, I must congratulate myself on finally finishing those stupid questions that I had to finish for my summer reading assignment! :) Finished the book in June, but I kept procrastinating on the questions! I'm so happy I'm done! Yeah! :-D Please review.