Chapter 7: Irregular at Jasper High.

Humphrey's POV:

It was around 1:15 in the afternoon by the time I arrived at Jasper High School, rolling my car smoothly into an empty visitor's park near the entrance. My car. I still could scarcely believe it. 'It's a little strange that it wasn't sold like the rest of the belongings but I'm glad someone else understands.' I thought to myself as I got out and looked back at it, smiling to myself, albeit a little sadly. It was a dark green 1970 Ford Mustang with Mach 1 factory upgrades, all original. I knew it was worth a small fortune and I was glad it was already insured until I turned 18 because there's no way I could afford it otherwise. I double checked that it was locked and gave it one last lingering look before heading up the steps into the school.

After walking around for a while in the empty halls I managed to find the office and knocked before heading in. I was fairly nervous since I hadn't been in a school for a few years at least and formally had never attended a school since 6th grade. I slowly entered the office and approached the receptionist, a pretty woman probably in her late 20's, who looked up at me with a stern look that shocked me.

"Err, hi. My name's Humphrey. I called earlier this morning?" As I spoke she suddenly smiled warmly, standing up and offering me her hand. I took it after a moment, slightly thrown off by the sudden mood change. She saw my confusion and laughed lightly.

"Sorry about that, I thought you were one of the students. Which would've meant you were in trouble." She added to clarify.

I smiled and nodded my understanding, "Well not yet but I'd like to be..."As I spoke he looked up at me with a playful smile, raising her eyebrow. "A student, that is." I clarified as she chuckled.

"I'm sure." She said sarcastically as she pressed the intercom button on her desk, "Sir, Humphrey Miller is here to see you."

"Send him in." I heard him respond and headed over to the door labeled 'Principal's Office' as the receptionist nodded at me before returning to her work. I knocked gently before entering the office, looking up as I closed the door behind me to see a fairly buff middle aged man with tan skin, islander tattoos and dreadlocks pulled into a ponytail.

"Ah Humphrey, welcome. I understand you wish to enroll here?" He said, gesturing to one of the seats which I took.

"Yes sir, that's right." I replied, "I heard that this is quite a highly regarded school." I added, since they'd told me that entrance was not guaranteed I figured a compliment couldn't hurt. The principal looked up at that, the look he gave showing he knew exactly what I was doing.

"Is that so? Of course being the only high school in West Jasper can't hurt I'm sure?" He said in a joking tone. "All the better." I replied and he chuckled along with me.

"Alright then," he said, getting serious once more. "I see you haven't gone through the normal schooling process, which is fine, but I assume you've done some form of home schooling? That being said you didn't list a home address either." He continued, frowning a little as he looked up for my answer.

"I've tried to learn what I could, I just hope I'm not too far behind." I said with a little shrug, hoping to play off what was actually one of my biggest fears about enrolling in a school. I don't think it worked though as he seemed to see how nervous I was.

"Hmm well either way there's a test we have transfer students take so you can do that and we'll see where you are at, level wise." He explained. I nodded to show my understanding as he pressed the intercom button, "Sarah could you take Humphrey and get him set up for a..." He paused for a moment, looking up at me. "You turned fifteen this year right?" He asked, to which I nodded once more. "Junior high transfer test?" He finished, directed once more at the intercom.

"Right away sir." Came the reply. Upon hearing that he gestured to the door, "Sarah will set you up and answer any questions. Good luck." He said with a smile.

"Thank you sir." I replied, standing up and heading for the door.

Principal's Office, 85 minutes later.

Principal Marcus Shirley's POV:

"What!?" Charlie practically yelled, at which both Sarah and Marcus made shushing gestures. Humphrey was just inside his office and they didn't want him to overhear since they were discussing his transfer test mark, which was surprising to say the least.

"Are you serious?" Charlie said, thankfully quieter this time as she looked between Marcus and Sarah, unable to believe what she was hearing. Both nodded silently in response. "So you're telling me he got close to acing a test containing questions on every subject, some of which are from high-level senior tests, in three-quarters of the time and he hasn't attended school since the SIXTH GRADE!?" Charlie asked to clarify, whisper-screaming by the end.

"That's right. He must've done some crazy homeschooling." Marcus said, looking down at the mark on the page as though it might've changed from the 3 digit percentage. "And he was worried about being behind." He continued, chuckling a little at how nervous Humphrey had been before. 'And probably still is.' He thought to himself. "What are we going to do with him? He's practically ready for college." He said aloud, looking between Sarah and Charlie for answers.

"Well..." Marcus looked at Charlie to continue, surprised that she was the one to answer, she normally wasn't good with things like this as far as he knew. "He's had a strange life right? At least not normal education wise. Plus he's just lost his family..." Charlie continued, trailing of once more as though debating with herself whether or not her idea was a good one.

"Go on." Sarah prompted her after a moment, to which Charlie nodded before continuing.

"Well I think it might be best for Humphrey to be around people his own age, regardless of his level. He needs to live like other kids a bit, right?" Charlie finished. 'That's actually a good point.' Marcus thought to himself, nodding slowly in approval.

"He seems like an earnest kid too, he probably wouldn't think too much of the work." Marcus offered, considering how humble Humphrey had been. 'Or was it just a complete lack of self awareness? Either way.' He thought to himself as Charlie and Sarah both nodded in agreement.

Humphrey's POV:

I looked up nervously as the Principal entered his office once more. I studied his face trying to glean some insight into how I did but his expression was unreadable as he walked in and sat down as his desk.

"So, Humphrey, about your results." He began, pausing as he looked down at the paper he was holding. 'I hope I did okay, some of those questions were seriously difficult.' I thought to myself as I waited for the news. "You did excellently, well done." He announced suddenly with a warm smile and an offered handshake. I let out a heavy sigh of relief as I shook his hand and smiled.

"Thanks Mr. Shirley, some of those questions were really tough." I replied, having learned his name from the plaque on his desk.

"That's true... Anyway we are happy to accept you as a student, we'll get your timetable set up shortly. Furthermore, we have a possible solution to your current housing problem." He said, before adding in a louder voice, "Come on in Charlie."