The Institution

"Oh," Zara muttered, not wanting to engage in any more conversation with him. She rested her head back on the soft and cozy headrest, stealing a peek at Bianca, who was fixated on the other side of the road, her lips pressed into a firm line.

"Bianca's my best friend, so I already know how much trouble you've been," Austen spoke, his tone more serious this time but Zara scoffed and shook her head.

"You haven't seen anything," Zara mumbled to herself, looking back outside. Austen was pulling up in front of a Victorian-style building, one that looked old and almost as dreary as the town itself. People were moving about as Austen drove to a park where Zara saw other cars and bicycles parked.

Austen turned off the engine and slid out of the car, followed by Bianca, and then Zara who reluctantly stepped out of the car. 

She didn't want to be here, and she definitely didn't want to see anyone.

"You're well aware that your outfit calls a lot of attention to yourself, attention I'm suspecting you don't want," Austen said cheekily, and Zara bit her lip, realizing that he had a point.

"No turning back now. Come on," Austen nudged to her, and for some reason Zara followed him, taking note of Bianca's glare at her before they started moving. There was a giant staircase that led to the interior of the building, an interior that she suspected consisted of classrooms, labs and the likes. 

Zara kept her eyes on Austen and Bianca, not wanting to get lost in the sea of people that swarmed around them, chattering and gossiping as they ascended the staircase. Two blonde girls dashed past her and into Austen, the taller one wrapping her arms around him. 

"Austen! You're back," she said and Austen let out a smile, one that clearly wasn't so genuine and looked at Bianca. 

"Help me," he mouthed to Bianca who just shook her head and signaled to Zara to follow her. She was keeping her interactions with Zara to a minimum, as she had cruelly rejected her advances twice. 

Zara walked past Austen and his new girlfriends, and followed Bianca, grateful that Bianca hadn't waited. 

"Is this usually how busy this place is?" Zara asked as they finally ascended the staircase and took a right corner, revealing some more staircases in sight. 

Bianca looked at her before firmly replying,

"Well yes. It could be a lot worse though. Normally there are some students that walk up to people individually to make small talk," she said, stopping and upon seeing Zara's pale reaction, a hearty laugh escaped her lips. 

"I'm kidding Zara! Anti-social much, uhn," she continued, trying to break the tension between them while Zara said nothing in response, following her as they kept walking past loads of people. 

~

"Miss Zara Anderson! It is a pleasure meeting you," a woman who looked to be in her early forties said heartily to Zara as her and Bianca entered her office after knocking. 

She sat behind a giant table littered with papers and adjusted the rim of her glasses, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile before she stood up. Her already graying curls bounced on her shoulders at her movement, and her chestnut eyes twinkled with delight. 

"Charmed," Zara muttered with little to no interest, and her tone was flat, earning a frustrated grunt from Bianca. 

"Zara, this is our principal! Principal Owens, I am so sorry for-" Bianca began but was abruptly interrupted

"No need, miss Green, I can handle this one. Now let's not keep you waiting. Run along to class," Principal Owen smiled at Bianca who then exited the office, leaving Zara alone with the principal. 

Principal Owens slowly walked to Zara, observing her solemnly. Her gaze left Zara feeling a little disturbed, but as usual she masked it with indifference, staring at the principal with equal defiance.

"You're not wondering how I knew your name?" the woman's surprisingly coarse voice came again, and Zara bit her lip. That was true. The principal did seem to have known about her before her arrival.

Regardless Zara kept quiet, not wanting to fan the flames of her curiosity. She didn't want to get involved in this school any more than she was. 

"Hmm, the grief has left you detached and unfeeling? You were a daddy's girl?" Principal Owens said and Zara finally gained some interest and furrowed her eyebrows. How on earth did she know about her father's death?

Before Zara could open her mouth to say a word, the principal held up her hands, signifying silence. 

"There. I've got your attention. You're a first year, so I have gotten a senior to take you on a tour and show you the ropes. Bianca will be given your schedule before the end of today, and I expect you to meet me in my office every Thursday." Principal Owens said, licking her lips before continuing. 

"Try not to draw too much attention to yourself, and I do wish you enjoy your time here. Now get out," she concluded with a harsh tone that sent a cold down Zara's spine. Zara simply nodded her head, and walked out of the principal's office, startled to meet a tall and lean figure resting on the wall, as if he were waiting for someone. 

Their eyes immediately connected and Zara was stunned to notice that he had violet eyes. His temple fade hair was a faded silver and he had two lip rings planted on his lower lip. Protecting him from the somewhat chilly morning air, a black leather jacket and a leather trousers and Zara rolled her eyes at how cliche he looked.

Leather jackets. Only people with a horrible fashion sense thought they looked cool, and he was obviously one of such people. 

She tried to walk past him, but a cold and clammy hand shot out and wrapped itself around her exposed arm, stopping her in her tracks. 

"Now, where do you think you're going?"