I sat on the couch waiting for my parents to finish the conversation with Dean Higgins. I couldn't believe they were shipping me off to boarding school. I had given them some trouble this year but didn't think I was that bad. I certainly could have been worse. Trying to keep the tears from welling up in my eyes, I looked around the office. Dean Higgins' office was old fashioned, with wood paneling and a desk chair that looked more like a lounge chair. My eyes focused on a framed photograph behind his desk. It was a picture of him shaking hands with an important-looking older man. I couldn't help but notice how good looking the Dean looked. I wasn't typically into older men, but he had nice, tan skin and salt and pepper hair. He was fit too; medals hanging in a frame by the door suggested he was into running. I stood up to take a closer look. Before I got to the door, it opened and Dean Higgins walked in.
"You're all set," he said, looking me up and down. I blushed, thinking he must think I looked like a slut compared to the other seniors being dropped off for admissions. I yanked at the hem of my coral dress. When I picked it out this morning, I was expecting to be dropped off at the movies with friends. I had not expected the 2 hour drive to middle of nowhere. My parents hadn't told me my luggage was in the trunk.
"All I need now is for you to sign some paperwork." Dean Higgins put some papers on his desk and handed me a pen.
"What are these? Schedules and rules?" I asked, glancing down at the huge stack of paperwork.
"Something like that. Since you're 18, you have to sign some of this stuff along with your parents. They will be paying your tuition, but we would like to choose your classes for you based on the best...fit" Dean Higgins looked me up and down again. I pulled my jean jacket tighter around my chest, blushing again.
"Okay, tell me where to sign," I said, picking up the pen.
After fifteen minutes of signing what seemed like hundreds of mindless papers, Dean Higgins pressed the intercom on his phone. "Jasmine, please take Ms. Warren to her room. She needs to become acquainted with the campus before her inspection and pre-test." My eyes widened at the word "test." Already??
A few seconds later, a beautiful African American woman stepped into the office. "Ms. Warren? I'm Jasmine," she said as she crossed the room and took my hand in hers. "I'm pleased you have decided to join our school." I couldn't help but look her up and down. She wore a beautiful navy pencil skirt that hugged her curves without looking slutty. She wore a nearly see-through white blouse that showed off just the tiniest bit of cleavage.
"It's nice to meet you," I said, glancing back at Dean Higgins as I followed Jasmine out of the office.
We walked across the beautiful brick walkway to a building that resembled luxury apartments. "This is where the seniors stay," Jasmine stated as we walked into the lobby. "They get special treatment since more of their academic classes are completed. You'll rarely come across any underclassmen."
"What do you mean the academic classes are completed?" I asked, staring at the beautiful waterfall streaming down the wall behind the front desk.
"Oh, we'll talk about courses tomorrow. Today we just want to get to know you a little bit. We want to find out what you're good at before we put you in any type of work study program." Jasmine pressed the elevator button, and we waited for the car to arrive.
Stepping out onto the fifth floor landing, I was surprised that the hallway resembled a luxury hotel more than a dorm room. "This is amazing," I breathed as we walked down the hallway. "I guess I shouldn't be too angry at my parents for leaving me here after all."
Jasmine laughed a little as she swiped a key card and opened my new room. I walked in behind her and took a quick breath in as I looked around the room. "This is all for me?" I asked, incredulously.
"Yep, we treat our students well!" she replied, walking further into the room to let me have a better look. "You have a single with your own bathroom. We have certain rules about cleanliness that we'll introduce you to tonight. For now, leave your things and come with me. We have to get the inspection over with."
I looked up at her from where I had plopped down on my new king-sized bed. "What is this inspection?"
"Oh, you'll see in a minute. I don't want to ruin the surprise," Jasmine replied as she opened the door again.
We walked back across the brick walkway to the building next door to where I had sat in Dean Higgins' office. This building was a high-rise and more closely resembled typical dorm or classroom buildings at other schools I had visited. I followed Jasmine into the elevator and into a door that led into what looked like a medical office. "We're here to see Dr. Penny," she said to the receptionist. "I have a new student here...Layla Warren."
"Ugh. Do I need a physical or something to be a student here?" I asked, taking a seat in one of the chairs. "I hate doctors."
A minute later, the receptionist called my name and led me and Jasmine into what was definitely an examination room. "This is where I leave you for now," Jasmine said as she stood by the door. "The nurse will be here in a second to give you instructions."
I looked up at her. "Are you sure you have to leave?" I asked. "I don't mind if you stay."
Jasmine pouted a little, "It will be over before you know it. Besides, everybody ends up loving Dr. Penny."
After she left, I sat down gingerly on the exam table. I hadn't been to the doctor in about a year. My mother had taken me to the gynecologist when I was fourteen because she found out I had given a blow-job to my boyfriend at the time. She figured it was better to be safe than sorry, and I guess she had been right. I had had my fair share of sexual encounters in my time at public school. I had even talked a few of my teachers into raising my grades for "favors." I don't know why doctors always made me so nervous, but I couldn't seem to calm my racing heart.
Just then, I heard a small knock on the door, and a short, blonde nurse walked into the room. "Hello," she said with a huge smile on her face. "I'm Ivy. I'm going to get you ready for the doctor. Let me just have you take off your clothes and get comfortable on the exam table."
I looked at her, waiting. "Aren't you going to give me a gown or something? One of those paper things?"
