Embers. Chapter One. Part Two

Instructions

Chapter One: I entered his office and sat down in the chair in front of his desk. He glanced up at me, sharing the same tired expression as the first office manager. "What is your name?" he asked, his tone resembling a sigh. "Royalty Baker," I replied, my voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and longing for acceptance. "Ah, yes, you're Royalty Baker," he said bitterly, causing a growl to escape my lips. How could he say such things? I watched as he typed on the keyboard, the clickity-clack sound oddly satisfying. Laughter echoed from the other room, further fueling my uneasiness. Laughter seemed to be all I heard when I was around people. I noticed a slight shift in the second office manager's position, indicating his own discomfort. "Mhm, here you go, Royalty," he handed me the second schedule. I took it from him, eager to leave the office. The female office manager remained in her comfortable-looking blue and black office chair. I longed to sit in it, as my legs were aching, weighed down by my heavy book bag. She guided me to an elevator, and together we ascended to the third floor. The hallways were different from Emeric Middle School, wider and more spacious. I found solace in the openness. We stopped in front of the first classroom door, Mrs. Shaya's. The female office manager knocked on the door rather aggressively, making me wonder if I truly was as difficult as they seemed to think. The door swung open, and my heart raced with anticipation. I was so nervous that my hands trembled uncontrollably. Mrs. Shaya looked at me with bright eyes and a smile as wide as the horizon. I nodded in greeting, feeling a sense of accomplishment - my first genuine interaction with someone at this school. My friend attended the same school, but she was in a higher grade, so our encounters were rare. I glanced into the classroom, and my heart skipped a beat. Almost all the students were looking at me, sending a surge of anxiety through my veins. My hands instinctively dove into my pockets, refusing to emerge. I redirected my gaze to Mrs. Shaya, who was still conversing with the office manager. "Okay, thank you!" she exclaimed, concluding their conversation. I placed my elbows on my hips, my gaze fixed on the floor. I couldn't bear to make eye contact with the students in the classroom. They appeared intimidating, as if they could bruise me with a mere poke. However, amidst the crowd, there was one who stood out. He had soft eyes and a welcoming expression on his face. I stared at him for a moment, reminiscing about the times when people had bullied me. Suddenly, a cold hand touched my arm, bringing me back to the present. "Are you ready, Royalty?" Mrs. Shaya asked. I nodded, and she led me inside the classroom.