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| A Stranger in the Hall |
A mysterious new teacher arrives at Baylor High School, unaware that Principal Cross has her own reservations about the unexpected appointment. Meanwhile, Zanna's afternoon with her friends takes an uncomfortable turn when Morgan reveals a secret involving Colin Mercer. As more questions surface, Zanna finds herself caught between her friends and a mystery she isn't ready to explain.
The world had changed beyond anything she could have imagined. Strange machines carried people along the streets, voices traveled through small devices held in their hands, and young people dressed in ways that would have been unthinkable in her time.
Yet some things remained familiar.
The students laughed, argued, and gathered in small groups. Others walked alone, their eyes lowered as they passed their classmates.
Isis watched them with growing interest.
A school filled with young minds, each carrying hopes, fears, and secrets. Some would be difficult to influence. Others might welcome someone who promised them power, acceptance, or a place to belong.
Perhaps Baylor High would offer more than an opportunity to find the Chosen Ones.
She adjusted the strap of her handbag and followed a group of students inside.
The building was larger than she expected. Brightly colored posters covered the walls, announcing club meetings, sporting events, and a postponed spring prom.
Students hurried through the corridors, barely noticing the stranger among them.
Isis smiled.
They had no idea who had just entered their world.
She found the main office near the end of the hallway.
A woman seated behind the reception desk looked up as she entered.
"May I help you?"
"I'm here to see Principal Cross. I have an appointment."
"Your name?"
"Isabella Blackwood.”
The receptionist glanced at her computer screen. "Yes, she's expecting you. Have a seat, please."
Isis settled into a chair near the window.
"Miss Blackwood?"
Isis turned toward the woman standing in the office doorway.
"I'm Marilynn Cross, the principal. Come on in."
Isis followed her into the office and took the chair across from her desk.
"Mr. Charles Edwards from the school board told me you would be arriving today," Marilynn said, opening a folder. "Although I must admit, the arrangement came as something of a surprise."
"I hope my arrival hasn't caused any inconvenience."
"Well, that's not exactly the word I'd use."
Marilynn glanced through the documents. "According to your résumé, you have very little classroom experience."
"I've worked with young people for many years."
"That's not quite the same as teaching them."
"No, I suppose it isn't."
Marilynn looked up. "Mr. Edwards seems convinced you're the right person for the position. I'd be interested to know what convinced him."
Isis smiled. "Perhaps he saw something in me that isn't reflected on paper."
Marilynn closed the folder. "Perhaps. But you'll find that running a classroom requires more than a pleasant personality, Miss Blackwood."
"I understand."
"I certainly hope so."
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Marilynn rose from her chair.
"Well, the board has made its decision. I suppose we'd better get you settled."
Isis stood. "Thank you, Principal Cross. I'm looking forward to working here."
Marilynn gave her a measured look. "We'll see how things go."
"Tell me again why we're sitting in the library instead of the cafeteria."
Jessica dropped into a chair across from Zanna Sinclair and set her books on the table.
"Because it's quieter here," Zanna replied.
"That's exactly my problem."
Joni pulled out the chair beside Jessica.
"You complain when it's noisy, and now you're complaining because it's quiet."
"I like a reasonable amount of noise."
Zanna laughed.
Jessica looked pleased with herself as she opened a bag of candy.
"Anyway, has anybody heard anything about the prom?"
"Nothing official," Joni said. "They're trying to find another place to hold it."
"Well, they'd better hurry. Some of us have dresses to buy."
"You haven't bought yours?" Zanna asked.
"I was waiting to find out whether we're having a prom."
"That's probably smart," Joni said.
Jessica gave her a suspicious look.
"Was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it."
Zanna shook her head, smiling. For the first time in several days, it felt good to sit with her friends without worrying about everything happening around them.
Jessica reached for another piece of candy. "So, Zanna, have you heard anything from Laric?"
Zanna looked up. "What?"
"You heard me."
"We talked yesterday."
"Yesterday?" Jessica repeated. "I thought you two were stuck together.”
"Jessica!"
"What? I'm just saying.”
Joni leaned forward. "You guys have been spending a lot of time together.”
"We’re just friends.”
"We're your friends too," Jessica said.
Zanna studied her expression. "I know.”
"Do you?"
"Of course I do."
Jessica leaned back in her chair. “Then why does something always come up when we make plans?"
"That's not fair."
"Isn't it?"
Joni glanced at Jessica.
"She's not saying you can't spend time with Laric. We just miss hanging out with you."
Zanna's smile faded. "I didn't realize you felt that way."
"Well, now you know," Jessica said.
"I'm sorry."
Joni reached across the table and touched her arm. "We're not mad at you."
"Speak for yourself," Jessica said.
Zanna looked at her.
Jessica held the serious expression for another second before grinning. "Oh, please. You know I can't stay mad at you."
Zanna laughed. "You're impossible."
"And yet you love me."
"Unfortunately."
The three girls burst into laughter.
"Shhh!" Peter, the librarian, looked up from behind the circulation desk.
"Sorry, Peter," Joni called.
Jessica lowered her voice. "See? This is why I wanted to go to the cafeteria."
Zanna covered her mouth to keep from laughing again.
"Well, well. Isn't this sweet?" The familiar voice came from behind them.
Morgan Chadwick stood beside the table.
Jessica sighed. "And we were having a good day."
Morgan ignored her.
Zanna closed the notebook in front of her. "Is there something you wanted, Morgan?"
"Just making conversation."
"Then you should try having one with someone who wants to talk to you," Jessica said.
Morgan turned toward her. "Nobody asked you."
"And yet here I am."
Joni lowered her eyes, trying not to smile.
Morgan folded her arms and turned toward Zanna. "I heard you were at the hospital after that fire at Colin Mercer's house."
Zanna shook her head and gave Morgan a warning look.
Jessica turned toward Zanna. "You were at the hospital?"
Morgan smiled. "Oh, you didn't tell your friends? How interesting."
“There’s nothing to tell,” Zanna said.
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
Morgan gave her a smug smile before walking away.
Zanna glanced at her friends, relieved that neither pressed her about the hospital.
"Good riddance," Jessica muttered.
"Leave her alone," Joni said with a wave of her hand.
Jessica folded her arms. "If she comes back, I'm charging admission."
Joni shook her head. "You're going to get us thrown out of here."
"Then we can go to the cafeteria."
The girls laughed again, this time remembering to keep their voices down.
For a while, they talked about ordinary things: classes, assignments, summer plans, and whether the prom would happen at all.
Jessica was in the middle of telling them about an argument she'd overheard in the hallway when Joni suddenly looked past Zanna.
"Well, look who's here."
Zanna turned.
Laric Markel and Allen Spriggs were walking toward their table.
Jessica gave Zanna a sideways glance. "Speak of the devil."
Laric stopped beside Zanna's chair. "Hey."
"Hi," Zanna said. "What are you two doing here?"
Allen glanced at the other girls. "Zanna, we found out something about Colin."
Her expression changed. "What did you find out?"
She looked at Jessica and Joni, then back at the boys.
"Not here," Laric said. "It's important."
Zanna hesitated. "Can it wait?"
Allen shook his head. "I don't think so."
Zanna began gathering her books. "I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Sure," Joni said.
Zanna slipped her notebook into her bag and followed Laric and Allen toward the library doors.
Jessica watched them leave, then turned toward Joni. “What is she not telling us about Colin?”
TO BE CONTINUED…
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