Ellie got out of the car after her father, and the soft crunch of gravel met her shoes.
The girl with the sign approached, smiling as she neared.
"Hello, welcome to Westwood". She said brightly, dropping the board and extending a hand. "I am Amy Winslet, captain of Hawthorne House. You must be Elanor Powell."
"Um, Hello." She replied, shaking her hand.
"Don't worry, Mr. Powell, your daughter is in great hands," Amy added, turning to her father, "Hawthrone is home away from home."
"It's Hughes, actually." He corrected gently
"Pardon"
"My last name is Hughes. She follows her mother's last name." He explained.
"Alexander Hughes?" Amy's eyes lit up, jumping as she squealed. "The Alexander Hughes?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Oh my god, I'm the captain of the rugby team…well, women's team, just like you were, my uncle was your vice-captain."
"Duncan is your uncle," her father chuckled. "That lad is always running around. Where is he now?"
Amy shrugged, "His last Facebook post was tagged in Alaska. He might be off climbing a mountain somewhere."
Ellie watched them talk like old friends, discussing rugby tactics and teams. This was the most animated her father had been since her mom died. For a moment, she was transported to the time they spent at the hospital. Her hand wrapped around the locket, rubbing it gently.
"Your uncle has a rugby ball signed by Rory Underwood."
"What?" Amy's scream made Ellie jolt. "He said I was his favorite niece. I am his only niece. How could he hide that from me?"
"I doubt you could make him give it up."
Amy let out an exaggerated groan of frustration before turning to Ellie."My goodness, I almost forgot, this is your ID card," Amy said, handing Ellie a box.
The card badge was pink with flowers drawn on it. In bold lettering on top was Westwood High, with its crest subtly watermarked in the background. Below it:
Eleanor Powell
Hawthorne House | Year 11
442 132 22
On the right side was a small, square photo of her—the same one as her former ID card.
"I picked it myself, the badge." Amy quipped. "You could get a new one at the tuck store if you don't like it."
"It's pretty, thank you," Ellie said, tucking it in her pocket.
"You're American," Amy looked confused.
"My mom," Ellie replied. "I've lived there all my life."
"Oh, I've been on vacation there once. The Grand Canyon is gorgeous."
William and her dad brought her luggage out of the trunk, setting it beside her.
"Your room is in the east wing. I live on the floor above you, so you can come to my room if you need anything." Amy took a box in one hand and picked up the board in the other, leading the way.
They walked through the wooden doors. There was a reception table, with a woman in a blue suit reading a newspaper.
"This is Mrs. Jones. She's our house warden." Amy walked up to the table, dropping the board on it. "I brought our newest member."
Mrs. Jones looked up, dropping the paper. "You must be Elanor. Welcome, dear. Don't be afraid to speak to me anytime."
"Mrs. Jones, you look lovely as ever," Alex said, standing next to Ellie.
"My goodness, Alexander." She stood up, reaching out to hug Him."You are still such a charmer."
"Why are you here, though? You never lived here." Her gaze landed on Alex's hand, which was currently resting on Ellie's shoulder.
"I came with my daughter." He replied, smiling. "Take care of her for me," He added with a wink.
"Of course, son." She reached into a drawer, pulling out a key. "Here is your key, room 34." She handed it over to Ellie.
"Later, Mrs. J," Amy said, walking down the hallway.
She led them up a flight of stairs they passed multiple doors, some were open, and the rest were closed. Muffled voices and music came through the closed door. They also passed multiple girls on the way. Every one of them called out a greeting to Amy, their curious gazes following the group as they passed.
"The common room is on the second floor, there's a reading room on your floor for studying, and the store is next to the garden. We could go check it out after you have settled in."
They stopped in front of a wooden door, a plague reading 'Room 34', Hello Kitty and butterflies stickers surrounded it.
Amy knocked. "Sarah, are you in?"
"I'm asleep, go away," A muffled voice shouted from inside.
She turned around with an awkward chuckle. "She is really friendly."
Ellie didn't reply, tightening her hand on her bag strap.
"Sarah, your new roommate is here."
A thud sounded from the room, then a shriek, more thuds as if multiple things were falling. The door eventually opened to reveal a breathless, grinning girl.
"I'm Sarah, nice to meet you." She gave Ellie a bear hug. "I've been so lonely alone. Everyone else had a roommate except me.
Ellie was surprised by the hug, gently tapping Sarah on the back.
"I bought a lot of snacks to share with you, we could have a sleepover."
Ellie's eyes met Sarah's, who was holding onto her arm, swinging it slowly.
"You are roommates, how would a sleepover work? Amy quipped, rolling her eyes.
"My room, my rules."
A laugh sounded behind them, and all the girls looked up to see Alex standing with the rest of Ellie's luggage.
"Dad," Ellie called.
"Hello, Ellie's dad, I am Sarah, Ellie's roommate." Sarah walked up to him, holding out her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you," He responded.
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The bathroom was near the door, and the rest of the room was divided into 2 sections. The sleeping area and the study area.
There were 2 double beds, each with a cupboard by the side. Sarah's side had plushies and fluffy pillows scattered on its pink velvet blanket, with some on the floor. 2 wardrobes.
One was open, and clothes were spilling out.
The study area had two desks side by side, each equipped with a lamp. The occupied one had an open book on it. It reminded her of her old room, only that it was shared now.
"Amy, I've been looking everywhere for you. There's been an accident in the garden." A girl wearing basketball gear walked into the room. "They're fighting over who gets to keep the gnome this week."
"Why can't they just follow the roaster?" Amy groaned. "Elanor, meet Bella, my roommate, and a star basketball player."
"I haven't gotten a chance with the gnome yet," Sarah said, sitting in her bed.
"Bye, Ellie, bye, Uncle Alex," Amy said, walking out the door. "My room number is 40."
"Bye, Ellie, come by the court sometime," Bella added, going out after Amy.
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With her father's help, Ellie organized her stuff fast. It was time for him to leave.
"Ellie, would you be okay?" He stroked her head. "We could try another school or a day school."
"I think I'll be fine, don't worry, Dad, everyone has been so nice," She assured, smiling.
"Text me often, you can call me, and if I am unreachable, call Johnathan."
"Um, I will, Dad." She nodded
"I…Take care of yourself, Ellie. You can come home whenever you want."
He hugged her. Ellie could feel his shoulder shaking, just a bit. He was crying. She could feel her eyes welling up, too, but no tear dropped.
"I'll miss you dad." She said softly, hugging him tightly. "Take care of yourself, too."
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Ellie watched her father's car drive away, petals floating down the windows as it disappeared down the road. She could still feel the warmth of his hug. Taking a deep breath, she walked back into the dorm.