Page 18 of Artifice
His name was Abe Garcia. Olive had already found a picture of him, so she knew who to look for. But she had no way of talking to the boy unless she ran into him at the school, which she hoped might happen.
Somehow, the place looked a little brighter today when she pulled up—brighter than yesterday. Of course, yesterday it had been stormy. But Olive knew that storms were also forecast for later today, so she should enjoy the sunshine while it lasted.
The administration appeared to be waiting for her today because as soon as she pulled up, the gates opened and she was ushered through. Margaret met her at the door, her face not quite as dour today as it had been yesterday. Maybe it was because she wore a pale blue suit instead of all black attire.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said before raising her thin eyebrows. “Although if you were any later you’d be tardy for class.”
Olive stared at the woman a moment before realizing she was joking. Maybe Director Ingrahamdidhave a sense of humor.
Maybe?
Olive let out a little laugh. “I never was one for being on time when I was a student. I liked being social a little bit too much.”
Margaret’s grunt was full of disapproval. Of course, this woman didn’t seem the type who’d have any friends, so she probably didn’t understand.
“I’ve already arranged the first class you’ll sit in on as well as which students you will be speaking with today,” Margaret said. “I want to make sure you make the most of your time while you are here. Are you planning on spending all day with us?”
“I’m planning on staying for as long as I can. I do have some business I need to attend to a little later.”
“Of course. Let me take you to your class. I’ve already informed the students you’ll be there observing.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
As Olive walked down the hallway, she noticed the stares from the students as she passed.
Sure, people were curious about her presence here.
But why did she feel like there was more to these stares than mere curiosity?
Were their stares silent cries for help?
CHAPTER 10
Olive hated to admit it, but only ten minutes into the math class and she was already bored out of her mind.
She’d never liked math in the first place.
The teacher was a woman in her thirties who probably looked closer to sixty because of the dowdy clothing she wore, her drawn expression, and the dullness in her gaze. Something about the woman made Olive feel as if she’d stepped back into the Victorian era. Maybe it was her poofy gray skirt or beige blouse. She wasn’t sure.
What was up with all of the employees here looking so serious and gray all the time?
The woman’s tone had no inflection, and she made no effort whatsoever to make class interesting.
The students seemed to share Olive’s feelings as they sat at their desks. As soon as one of them started acting up, however, Ms. Strickland was on it. She walked to the student’s desk and smacked a ruler on it.
The action seemed so old-fashioned. Yet Olive knew stricter rules were needed at the school since the teens here had mostly found themselves in trouble.
Olive had already observed everyone in the class. Specifically, she’d been looking for Peyton. She wanted to believe she could identify the student just by seeing their eyes.
But she had no such luck. Either Peyton wasn’t in this class or Olive wasn’t as observant as she thought.
Nor did she see Abe.
Which made sitting through this class feel like a huge waste of her time. Yet she couldn’t get up and leave yet either. Instead, she grabbed her cell phone and slipped it under the desk.
She checked her messages and saw that Jason had texted her again.
I miss you.
