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Chapter 3
"Where are they?" Julie asked, as the two waited outside of Mayberry.
"Haha!" Connie laughed out loud, pointing off into the distance. Lo and behold, Charlie, Guy, Averman, Dwayne, Ken, Portman and Fulton were marching in a single file, laden down with boxes, suitcases, bags, etc. Mr. Moreau and Christopher brought up the rear, carrying something as well. Mrs. Moreau was behind all of them, smiling, carrying a small tote bag.
"I would hug you and say hi, " Charlie quipped, approaching the girls. He had two large boxes in his hold.
"Anyway, where does all this stuff go?" Guy said, behind Charlie.
"Fourth floor- attic, " Connie said, with a tight smile. They both laughed.
All of the boys groaned as they began to file pass them.
"You're lucky that we all like the two of you, " Averman quipped. Connie gave him a punch on the shoulder.
"Lucky for you girls, I spotted Charlie wandering about. The rest of them weren't far behind, " Mrs. Moreau stated.
"Can't escape the requests of Momma Moreau, " Julie said. "Is that everything?"
"Yep, that's everything, " Mr. Moreau said, handing off his stuff to Christopher, who followed the team. "Your girls are lucky to have the hockey team at your disposal."
"Ah, they love doing that kind of stuff for us, " Julie said, the two laughing. They all decided to follow the guys to see Connie and Julie's room.
"This is quite nice, " Mrs. Moreau said, coming into the room. The guys were all hanging out as well, piled on the naked beds, going through the girls' things much to their chagrin. "And you know your neighbors?" she asked, pointing to the hallway.
"Yeah, Denia Scott and Natalie Groton. We have both had classes with them at sometime. They're really nice girls. "
"Ooooh, Denia Scott," Portman said, from his spot on the bed. "That's a pair of legs I wouldn't mind climbing. "
"Pig!" Connie said, throwing a teddy bear at Portman. "Anyway, mom, check this out. " She brought her parents over to the desk with her carved initials. "That's kind of cool, huh? We probably have the same middle name."
"Constance Elizabeth Moreau, " Averman said in a dreamy voice. They all laughed. Connie made a face.
"Ok, honey. I think it's time for us to head out, " Mr. Moreau said. "Looks like you have a lot of work to do with your room. You wouldn't want us all here…right?"
"Oh, Daddy," Connie said. "Julie and I will be fine. I'm a big girl." Mrs. Moreau had a typical 'Concerned Mother' look on her face.
"Come, I'll walk you guys back to the car, " she said.
"Cool, I'll start unpacking, " Julie said. "With these guys…I'm sure there will be plenty left to do once you get back." Ken threw a pillow at Julie at the very end of the statement.
"Allright, " Connie said.
"Take care of the girls!" Mrs. Moreau said, addressing the boys.
"Yes, Mrs. Moreau, " they all said in unison. Christopher exchanged goodbyes with the guys as well, and Julie gave the Moreau family hugs and kisses, promising that she would go with Connie on the first home day they had.
Connie walked back to the car, her parents leading the way and her and Christopher bringing up the rear.
"It's weird, huh?" Christopher said to his little sister.
Connie nodded. "Every year I come here to help Julie move in, then I have to go home, only to come back the next day. I feel like I should be going home with you guys."
"Ahh, you still can, " Mrs. Moreau said, turning around, obviously hearing the last snippet of their conversation. She smiled well-meaningly at her daughter.
"Oh c'mon, " Mr. Moreau said. "You're ready to cut loose here. Just no funny stuff, you hear? You need to keep your grades up, as well as play your best."
"Yes, yes, daddy, " Connie said. "Well, now it won't be too hard. I'll be right here at school. "
"No partying, " Mrs. Moreau said. "No boys in your room, no smoking, no drugs…"
"Mom!" Connie said. "I know all that…c'mon, you two know I don't do that kind of stuff."
"And if she does, I'll tell you two, " Christopher said, pulling his sister into squeeze.
"You better not!" she said, pinching him in the side.
"I won't, " he said, dropping his voice. The parents were a little further away. "You know Cons, that if you need anything and don't want to tell them, you let me know. Don't keep anything to yourself. "
" I know, I know, " Connie said. "Big brother will always be here for me. "
"Yes, you can always come to me if you need any help, " he said. "I know you have Julie and the Ducks, but if you need another ear to hear you out. I told you all my college stories, and as tame as they might sounds now to me, you're not that old just yet…so be careful and let me know if anyone gives you shit. "
"Trust me, Chris, " Connie said. "If anyone gives me shit, they'll have the whole hockey team on them. But thanks, really. I know I'm not in college yet, but still…it's kind of the same thing. More rules though. But yeah, I know I have a good thing here, so I can't ruin it. "
"There ya go, " he said. They all had gotten to the car.
"Ok, honey, " Mr. Moreau said, the first to give Connie a hug good-bye. "You let us know if you anything. We'll come visit in a couple of weeks?"
"Yes, daddy, " she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Mrs. Moreau held her arms wide open, and Connie gave her a big hug. She would miss her mom indeed as naggy as she sometimes was.
"You're growing up so quickly, " Mrs. Moreau said, holding her daughter's face in her hands. She smoothed out Connie's hair. "Soon, you'll be graduating from here, then going off to college…"
"Oh, mom, calm down, " Connie said, smiling. She gave her mother hug. "I'll see you guys sooner than later."
Christopher was the last person to hug Connie. "Allright, kid, remember what I said. "
"Thanks, Chris, " she said, giving her big brother a hug. He got into his car, and her parents stayed outside theirs watching Connie continue up the path. She turned around, and gave them a face, shooing them away with a smile. She blew a kiss and started back to Mayberry.
Connie returned to the room. The guys were getting ready to leave, as they also had their unpacking to do.
"Hey, " Guy said, the last one out of the room. "Welcome to boarding school life."
"Yeah, " Connie said. "How's your place?"
"It's pretty cool, everyone is on the same dorm except for Goldie, Dwayne, and Russ who got a quad with Jason Melnick. They're in Forrester Hall. It's you guys that are in the middle nowhere."
"Thanks, " Connie said, smirking. "But yeah, it's like we don't even go to Eden Hall, we're so far away."
"Yeah, but your room is pretty sweet," Guy said. He looked down at his watch. "I should get going. Luis is sure to have a fit if all my stuff is still lying around the room. I'll see you two at dinner?"
"Definitely, we'll be there, " Connie said. Guy left, and Connie shut the door behind him.
"Everything ok?" Julie asked.
"Yeah, everything is fine," Connie said, her voice trailing off as she began to look through some boxes.
Connie and Guy, the Ducks' token couple had broken up the middle of sophomore year-last year. It was pretty amicable as the two both realized that they had been 'together' since they were 8 and nothing much was going to happen, nor was the relationship was going to go anywhere. They never expressed the desire to sleep with each other, and other than making-out that was about it. They both agreed that maybe they were just really good friends, and Connie considered him just as much as a best friend as Julie was.
Though Connie wasn't attracted to Guy anymore, she didn't really date for the remainder of last year or have any exciting summer fling. School was really her only outlet to meet guys, and commuting had put a damper on her social life. She had gone on one date with a junior, but it didn't go anywhere. When she was around, she was usually with the Ducks, or a couple of girlfriends she made friends with from classes, otherwise at home in Minneapolis. Back at home, since she didn't go to the school district, she had fallen out of touch with most non-Ducks friends she had up through junior high. Summer was ok, but again she was usually with the Ducks, the couple of Eden Hall friends who lived in the area, or her family. There was the annual family lake trip upstate with several of her cousins who were a little bit older than her, but that also was fruitless.
She had been so use having a boyfriend, and she knew it hadn't been anything extremely serious, so she was looking forward to dating. After all, that's what most girls her age did. That is, if someone asked her out on a date.
"I'm really excited, " Connie said, as she and Julie were unpacking clothes.
"Yeah?" Julie said, looking up from her socks.
"Yeah, "Connie replied, smiling as she folded shirts into a pile. "I mean, I feel like I actually go to Eden Hall now, you know, having the chance to live here now. I'm just looking forward to meeting more people, outside the Ducks- not that I don't love everyone to death- but you know…"
"Of course I know, " Julie said. "I felt the same way, still feel the same way. I do adore the Ducks, and you guys are the best group of people I've ever known in my life. I know we'll all be friends until we're all dead in our graves, but yeah- it wouldn't hurt to have other friends. Other girlfriends…"
"…boyfriends, " Connie chimed in, as she trotted over to her dressed and began to put her clothes in a drawer.
"Connie Moreau…most likely to have boys on the brain. Forever."
"I know, I know, I'm bad. But I can't help it, " Connie said.
"You'll date plenty, " Julie said. "You're gorgeous, and smart, and now that you're on campus, you'll get plenty more face time with the rest of the male student body."
"Mmmm, " Connie hummed. "Male student bodies…I think I'd like that."
Several hours later, the girls had to meet down in the meeting parlor downstairs for the dorm meeting, or "Afternoon Tea" as Miss Davenport had written on the placard outside the parlor. Inside the parlor, six round tables were set up, each adorned with vases of flowers, teapots, six teacups, and plates of cookies.
When seated together the girls of Mayberry House amounted to 34 girls. No freshmen (they roomed in the freshmen building), mostly sophomores, and about ten other juniors. Natalie and Denia had saved the two seats at their table, where two other junior girls Connie and Julie were also familiar with sat. Denia, Natalie, and Julie had sat through two 'welcome back' meetings from their underclassmen years, but Connie sat at full attention.
"Good afternoon, ladies. Please feel free to have some tea before it gets cold, " Miss Davenport started, as she passed out packets among the tables. "I want to welcome every one back for another year at Eden Hall. I hope everyone makes this a great year for themselves, as well as here at Mayberry House."
"Now I know when you girls received your letters this summer of your housing assignments, that some of you probably dreaded the fact that you were assigned Mayberry. " There were a couple of snickers spotted about the crowd. "But, I will assure you that your year here will be fun and that the other girls surrounding you will become your second family."
"Let me get the rules out of the way. From Sunday through Thursday, lights out for sophomores, Floors 2 and 3 is 10:30, for Juniors, floors 4 and 5, 11:00. Sign in must occur a half an hour before these times. On Fridays and Saturdays, lights out for sophomores is 11:30, juniors midnight, sign in by 11:30, unless you are off campus with signed permission, " Miss Davenport states, pacing back and fourth in the front, tea cup in hand. She took a sip.
"Some of you may be concerned because Mayberry is a bit further away from the other buildings on campus. Though Eden Hall is a very, very secure and safe campus, it is wise to let your roommate know if you're returning back to the dorm later than usual, and there is a call box outside our building if you do feel you're in danger. And, if you're traveling back to the dorm on your own late at night, you may call campus security to escort you back. "
"Or our Bash Brothers," Julie whispered to Connie, who chuckled softly.
Miss Davenport went over some more basic rules, the mail, maintenance of the bathrooms and study rooms.
"Contrary to popular belief, boys are allowed in Mayberry House, " Miss Davenport said to the giggly relief of the girls. "However, unlike the co-ed dorms, boys are not allowed up into the sleeping quarters, and must keep their presence in the Blue Parlor, where we are now, the Yellow and Pink Parlors and the kitchen also located on the first floor, and the atrium/sunroom- all located on the first floor. Basically…no boys upstairs, ladies, " she said, with a smile. There were a couple of sour faces that could be seen throughout the crowd, as well as the sound of a couple of groans.
Miss Davenport put down her teacup on one of the tables. "Even though you may feel isolated, take pride in living in Mayberry House, as it is one of the oldest buildings on campus with a wonderful history."
Miss Davenport started on the history of Mayberry House. While Eden Hall had been founded in 1885, Westerly Academy was founded in 1910 as an all-girls finishing school slowly introducing academics and athletics such as golf and dance in the 20s. Eden Hall thus adopted the small school in 1928, which only included Mayberry House, known then as the main female dormitory, Rose Manor. Eleanor Mayberry, one of the first females graduates of Eden Hall Academy, came from old money. As a devoted alumna, she poured money into the upkeep of Mayberry Hall, even serving as a junior dorm mother shortly after graduating, before her marriage to the heir of Minnetonka Logging Industries. The house was formally renamed on her fortieth anniversary of her graduation.
A girl's hand shot up after Miss Davenport finished her account.
"Isn't it rumored that…Mayberry House…is haunted?"
"Haunted?" Miss Davenport repeated. She gave a small laugh. "Well, I suppose that would be easy with such an old building, it's quite the fodder for gossip like that. Mayberry, as I'm sure you are all relieve to hear is not haunted." Before any other questions could be asked, Miss Davenport started the task of introductions.
They got to the girls' table. The two other juniors went, Jennifer Rosen and Alexis Caravallo, then Denia, then Natalie.
"Hello, I'm Julie Gaffney, " Julie started, following pretty much the same format as al the other girls, or as Miss Davenport suggested. "My nickname is 'The Cat' because of my position on the school's hockey team- starting goalie. I'm a junior, and I'm hoping to go Pre-Med. My favorite subjects are bio, math, English literature. I'm also on the bio and debate teams. We all, " he motioned to Denia, Natalie, and Connie. "live on the fifth floor, AKA the attic. So…if we see any ghosts, then we'll let you all know." This last remark was met with a couple of laughs and Julie sat down.
Connie got up. "Hi, I'm Constance, err Connie Moreau. I'm also on the hockey team, second string Varsity winger. I'm also a junior, not really sure what I want to do in college. Anyway, I love English literature, this survey I took with Mr. Geller last year on European Literature was pretty cool. I'm not in any extra-curricular activities right now, but I hope to join some now that I'm living on campus…but that's it. I'm looking forward to living here and to um, my junior year. " She finished quickly and sat down. Julie patted her knee.
After their afternoon tea, the girls dispersed. Connie and Julie went back to their room to finish unpacking. Dinner would be at 6pm that evening, a big welcome back dinner for all the campus residents. The biggest thing of dispute was the closet, as it was not nearly big enough to fit all their hockey gear and other clothes and boxes. After careful maneuvering, they were able to get most of their stuff cornered away and left with Denia and Natalie to head to the dining hall.
"Ugh, " Natalie said, as they finally got to the dining hall. "Everything is so far away; we'll have to add an extra ten minutes in the morning to get to breakfast. "
"I know, " Julie remarked. Connie and Julie waved over to the table where most of the Ducks were. Seating arrangements for dinners were by dormitory. "This is weird, not sitting with the guys, " she said as the foursome went towards the tables for the Mayberry Junior girls. The four girls sat at a long table where the ten other junior girls and some of the sophomore girls sat. The dining hall was a flurry of activity, as students scrambled to their seats and teachers and dorm parents were getting their residents in order.
Connie had never been to the resident dining hall, only the school's cafeteria, where lunch was held in the school. The dining hall was a decent-sized dark brick building, located closer to the other dormitories, and convenient to get to before heading off to class. The main dining hall was a large, rectangular room, almost the size of the hockey rink. One long wall held the main buffet line where students could get their hot meals. On either side were drink stations, as well as a stand that would open for breakfast for small things like rolls, bagels, granola bars, boxes of juice, and other small bites designed for students on the run to get to class. There were windows dotting the walls closer to the ceiling, which had exposed beams- hanging from the beams were scarlet and white banners representing the dormitories on campus: Forrester Hall, Founders Hall, Maplewood, Tinsley House, Mortimer Hall, and Mayberry House. The students sat at long tables, with dorm parents and resident teachers sitting at smaller round tables along the walls.
"Do we have to sit with everyone like this all the time?" Connie asked, as they took their seats. There were place settings in front of them. Pitchers of water and lemonade were on the table, as well as a flute of sparkling cider.
"Eh, not really, come to think of it. The first month they're pretty set, but after that it gets pretty lax, " Julie said. "Usually, they'll make us sit together as a dorm maybe once a week, otherwise we just need to check in with Miss Davenport. "
"Yeah, dinner is more casual, too. Usually it's like getting your lunch at the school cafeteria. Until classes start, they'll have these sit-down dinners, " Denia chimed in, who was sitting on the other side of Connie.
At one end of the dining hall, there was a small podium set up. Dean Buckley was approaching it, ready to make his address to the students before dinner was served.
"Settle, students, settle, "he started, as the students turned their attention to the podium. "Welcome students to another year at Eden Hall Academy; I hope that your travels here today and your move-in process went smoothly. This is our first dinner of the year with the entire resident body, as we welcomed the underclassmen yesterday. "
"I'm sure that everyone is awaiting anxiously to start our meal service, so I will make my time here short. Let us raise our glasses to another successful and fun year here, at Eden Hall."
There were a chorus of "Here, here's" and some clinking of glasses. The meal service started, with the kitchen staff bringing out pots of soup and bowls of salad and bread out on the tables, where each section of eight had to help serve each other, family style. After that course the main entrée of chicken potpie or beef wellington was served with vegetables on the side. Dessert was a fruit trifle served with decaffeinated tea. It was all very elegant for a Friday evening dinner.
After dinner, Julie and Connie went to talk to the Ducks for a little bit, until Miss Davenport rounded them up to go back to Mayberry. Once back to the house, Miss Davenport announced that she was holding a pajama-movie night, screening Amelie in the pink parlor. The four girls went upstairs to change into their PJs and joined the rest of their dorm for popcorn and subtitles.
"Don't you worry, " Julie said, as the two girls got into their beds. It was almost time for lights out (midnight) and with all the moving, unpacking, and excitement of the day plus lack of sleep the night before, the two girls were more than ready to turn in. "The rest of the weekend will be event after event…they like to push the idea of bonding here. It's fun, but tiring. "
Connie was standing on her bed to open the large window. She settled back under the covers and picked up a piece of paper on her nightstand. It had come in one of the welcome packets they received. There was a full schedule of events for the next three days until classes started on Tuesday. Most of them were mandatory.
"Well, then, " Connie said. She let out a yawn and pulled the covers over her head. "Goodnight Julie!" she said from undernearth.
"Goodnight Connie!" Julie turned off her lamp.
"Goodnight room!" they both said together. Realizing how corny they were acting, they laughed. Both found sleep easily.