Chapter 1

The first chapter to my new novel, "Pearson". Enjoy!

The ride to Valley Academy was quiet.

            Quiet would be an understatement. You could hear a pin drop in the sleek black car; my breathing was like a steady drum in my ear. Every time we hit a bump in the road, it was as if we were struck by an earthquake.

            I didn’t try to start a conversation. Mainly because I was nervous- it felt like there were Mexican jumping beans in my stomach- but also because I was distracted by the beauty. The road we drove down was covered in a thick white blanket of snow, and the elm trees lining every corner had strong, icy branches. I couldn’t stop staring out the window.

            Also, the driver scares me. He reminds me of my creepy Uncle Larry. Uncle Larry had a thick handlebar moustache and beady black eyes, and whenever you asked him a question he would just stare at you. I worried the same thing would happen with the driver, and that would not be a good start to my life in Switzerland.

            Switzerland. Even the name fills my stomach with a thick sludge of dread. It all started three months ago, when my father struck up big in the coal mines and suddenly had about a million dollars to spare. That’s when he started to get crazy ideas about my education and experiences, and that’s when he did some online research on boarding schools.

            That’s when he found Valley Academy. An internationally-recognized boarding school located in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The picturesque setting allows students many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. I had memorized the stupid brochure by now. All summer it had stayed wedged underneath my bed, and I would read it at night, plotting revenge fantasies and voodoo dolls.

            But it didn’t matter now. I was going to Valley Academy whether I liked it or not. The dread in my stomach grows as Creepy Driver turns into a long pathway off the side of the road. He drives for nearly a hundred meters before turning again and pulling up to the school. That’s when I see Valley Academy, and that’s when I start swooning. Seeing it on video was nothing compared to this.

            It’s a castle. A massive, old-fashioned castle, like the ones I read about in history books. The cobblestone covering the entire building is beautiful, and there are two large turrets jutting off the sides covered in vines. The entrance doors are at least seven feet tall, made of fine mahogany, and I can see VALLEY ACADEMY engraved on top.

            “This is our stop,” Creepy Driver tells me.

            I figured that much, I want to say, but I hold my tongue and open the car door instead. The snow crunches underneath my winter boots, and I can feel the frosty wind cutting against my cheeks like a knife.

            “I’ll bring your bag inside,” Creepy Driver says. “Head up through the main doors. A prefect will instruct you to your house common room.”

            “Okay. Thanks.” I know all this already, because of the three-video orientation package they sent to me a few weeks ago. It took me four days to watch that package. Four days of my summer wasted, worrying about the stupid Valley School.

            I struggle to open the entrance doors- they must way fifty pounds a piece- and am slightly out of breath when I finally step inside the school. When I see the boy standing there, though, I go from slightly out of breath to no-longer breathing. Because the boy is beautiful.

            I spend a few moments staring at him, because I have a theory that you can’t have a proper conversation with someone until you know exactly what they look like. Or maybe I just want to keep staring at him. Either way, I take in a few good details during those five seconds: he has curly black hair, the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen, long legs, and a slender frame. He’s wearing a pair of grey trousers, black dress shoes, and a preppy collared shirt with the Valley Academy crest emblazoned onto the chest. It’s Sunday, and I know what that means from the orientation: church day. You have to wear the school’s weekend uniform.

            “Hello,” he says. “My name’s Pearson. On behalf of the Valley Academy community, I would like to welcome you to our school.”

            The first thing I notice is how quickly he talks. Each word practically trips over the next, like he can’t wait to get out what he’s trying to say. He also has a distinct energy, always moving; shaking his arm or clapping his hands or, now, tapping his foot against the carpet.

“Thanks,” I say. We’re standing in an ornate hallway, mahogany tapestries on the walls and a thick maroon rug on the ground. “Um, my driver told me to come in here…”

            Pearson nods. “I’m supposed to show you the dorm. Right.” He says this like I’msupposedtoshowyouthedormright. “I’m new as a prefect. I don’t know if you can tell.”

            I laugh nervously. In comes out sounding like heh-heh-heh, one of those evil laughs you hear on television shows.

            “Well, it’s this way.” He turns off a hallway and we head up a narrow, winding staircase. The stairs are made up of grey stone and the walls have the same cobblestone patterning I saw outside. “You’re in Wilfred. That’s the same house as me. Do you know what houses are?”

            “Yes,” I say. Jesus, how long is this staircase? “I learned about it in the orientation videos.”

            “That must have been a pleasure,” Pearson says. “I swear, they cover everything in those things.”

            I laugh again, this time not so strained-sounding. “It took me four days.”
            “Six for me.” We finally reach the top of the staircase, and Pearson opens up a circular-mahogany door that looks like it belongs in Hagrid’s hut. It creaks open to reveal a cozy-looking common room with stained glass windows and roomy leather armchairs. There’s a roaring fireplace in the middle and lots of kids strewn about, wearing the same uniform that Pearson has on. “This is the Wilfred common room. You’ll be spending most of your free time here.”
            I’m about to say something when he shouts, at what seems like the top of his lungs, “EVERYBODY LISTEN UP!”

            Oh, my God. If he introduces me to everyone, I’m going to melt into a puddle of embarrassment.

            “WE HAVE A NEW STUDENT.”

Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God. This is not happening.

“HER NAME IS- wait, what’s your name again?” He says this part quiet(er), but the few students who still hear him erupt in laughter. I’m sure my face is burning as much as the fireplace.

            “Holly,” I mutter.

            “Right. Sorry, I have a short-term memory.”

            “It’s one of his many charms,” says a girl sitting a few feet away from us, cross-legged on the maroon rug with a big book open up on her lap. “That, and being the worst prefect known to mankind.” The entire room laughs now.

            Pearson looks flustered. “Everyone shut up! I need to introduce Holly.” He takes a deep breath and lets out a string of words in one breath. “She’s new to Valley Academy so we have to welcome her properly to our school community. Everyone please introduce yourself to Holly when you get the chance and don’t hesitate to help her out in the hallways or dorms. THANK YOU.”

            Pearson smiles at me and asks if I need anymore help, but by that point I’m barely listening. I’m taking in the maple-pine scent and the ambers glowing from the fireplace, and the fact that everybody in the room seems to be best friends and I’m the only one left out.

            This school is going to be even worse than I thought.

Author's Note

Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Reviews

[Bailey C. Writing]

The road we drove down was covered in a thick white blanket of snow...
- Comma after thick. :) Typos happen.
I sense that in the future, Pearson and Holly will be..."friends" xD
I think you've done a good job with the beginning. A few parts had me giggling, I think I like Holly's character already. You're doing a good job building up her character. I'm going to read on now, haha :)

[blueseeker]

this sounds like an experience we all face. whether it be facing a new school, job, etc. very well written. many readers will be able to relate and connect.

can't wait to keep reading

[Miranda Richard]

Very interesting with great imagery. However, I think it needs more dialogue.

[Shep]

To be honest which I always am and sometimes blunt. I found no errors and fantastic details. There is nothing I could see so far that needed improvement. Great job I will be back to read more.

[BillyGirl]

Very good start. Reminds me of my first day in high school. Pearson seems like a cool guy so far.

[T. Logan]

This is really good. it actually sounds human, and not just some adult writing from the point of view of a teenager and trying to sound 'hip'. The best writers are the younger ones, and i think you just proved that.

[Harley (arbiter)]

Yeah great beginning keep it up!

[Lindsay T]

Thanks for the input! Holly and Pearson are going to become friends for sure in the next few chapters. I'm looking towards a relationship by the end of the novel.

[Daydreamer54]

Well i didn't see anything wrong with this chapter. great beginning. Maybe she can be friends with pearson. ;)