The car took me to the high school building, and the driver helped me get my luggage. It was not too heavy, but I was not so strong either. I checked the directions. Right, it's here. I should go to the administration office, it is near the main entrance. I walked down the path and looked around. A typical girls' boarding school, like the one I lived in before, with a similar garden and sports field nearby. I heard girls' voices from the windows. I liked the place.
I climbed the porch, pushed the front door, and almost immediately saw the door with the "School Administration" sign on it. I knocked, entered, and said hello.
"Hello, dear," said the woman in her forties. "I'm Mrs. Palmer. You must be Mary, we got the message about you. Welcome to our school! Give me your papers and we'll show you to your room soon."
I gave her my papers and looked around curiously. Everything was typical for the administration office, except for Ms. Palmer's clothes. She wore a long, loose dress and was barefoot. I couldn't help but stare. Ms. Palmer laughed.
"Why, yes, dear, we prefer to be barefoot in our school. We find it healthier and more comfortable."
I was astonished. Is this some kind of cult or religious school with some strange rules and rituals? I've never been told that I'm going to such a place!
"Sh-should I be barefoot here too?" I asked uncertainly.
"We don't enforce that, dear. But you probably don't want to stand out from your classmates who all like being barefoot."
Maybe... I wasn't convinced yet.
There was a knock at the door and an older girl came in. She was also wearing a long, loose dress and was barefoot.
"Get acquainted," Mrs. Palmer said. "This is Mary, our new student. This is Nancy, she's one of our seniors. She'll take you to your room and show you around."
We smiled at each other and Nancy took my luggage and invited me to follow her.
"How is everything arranged here?" I asked while we walked down the empty corridor. No one came across us, probably everybody were at the classes.
"Well..." Nancy sighed, "It's pretty normal. Classes, homework, tests, sports practice, dances. In the evenings we play some games, read or go outside..."
"You get to go outside?" I was excited. "In my previous school it was forbidden!"
"Why, yes!" Nancy smiled. "We live in a quiet town, it is safe for us to go out. Seniors are even allowed to go to the bars sometimes. We especially like to go to a local park near the lake."
"And what do you do there?" I asked again.
Nancy blinked and smiled mysteriously. "Let it be a surprise for you! I don't want to spoil your fun."
Okay... Why do I think it could be something private or embarrassing?
"Here," Nancy showed me the room with the two bunk beds. "Your place is here, down on the left. Classes end in fifteen minutes, your roommates will be here soon. They will explain everything to you. If you have any problems, come to Mrs. Palmer or literally any senior, we'll help you."
"So..." she smiled and hugged me. "Welcome to our school, and have a good day. The bathroom is down the hall if you need it."
She walked out. I put my bag down and went to the bathroom. I really needed it.
***
I was just starting to unpack my things when I heard voices and three girls of my age came in chatting happily. They were also in long dresses and barefoot, I was getting used to it. Hmm, do I have a matching long dress in my luggage?
They saw me.
"Wow! You must be the new one they told us about!"
"Welcome!"
"I'm Sandra," said the brunette, a little taller than the others.
"I'm Mary," I said, smiling at them. Are they as friendly as they seem?
"You're pretty, Mary!" another, a redhead, cheered. "I'm Liz."
"Name's Gaby," the third, a blonde, said.
"Nice to meet you," I bowed.
"Oh, cut the formalities!" Liz chuckled. "We'll be living together for years to come, you know!"
"Nice!" I smiled. "Um... when's lunch? I skipped breakfast. And, um... maybe I could change into the dress and bare feet, too?"
They nodded.
"Just dress and bare feet, nothing more, yes. Did you bring a dress?" Gaby asked. "We're about the same size, I could give you one of mine if you need it."
"Thanks, I have one of my own..." I chose the dress and started to change. The girls didn't even pretend to be embarrassed. Okay, that makes sense. If we live together, we'll see each other in all aspects.
"As for lunch," Sandra said, "it will be in an hour. Just enough time to go to the medical room."
"Medical room?"
"Yes," Gaby nodded. "A quick routine checkup, and they'll set up the record for you. Come on."
They accompanied me down the stairs, all three of them.
***
The basement was warm, dry, well lit, and smelled funny. A strange, subtle odor, rather pleasant, but unlike anything I had ever smelled before. Every basement has it's own specific smell, I thought.
"Here," Liz pushed the door with the "Medical" sign on it, and we entered, all four of us.
I gasped, my eyes wide open. This was not medical at all!