Checking In

She skidded her bicycle to a stop in front of the gates, her jaw loosening as she took in the large building before her. No one told her it was a castle! Adina pedaled down the driveway, staying off to the side to avoid the cars entering the school grounds as well. 1

There were tons of people standing around in the front of the school. Some running to reunite with friends, others standing off to the side with parents. The latter was where Adina fell into the social crowd at Audalize. She was a transfer student from Venice, though her English was much better than her Italian. The England climate was going to take some getting used to though. Yet she would manage, Adina always had a knack for adapting to the things she needed to.2

Adina dismounted her bike and walked it over to what looked like a check in line. She sighed and bowed her head, letting her backpack settle between her shoulder blades. It was all she had arrived with, all she had actually. It was a little over half full with her clothes and on top of those were her books. Adina had packed her entire room into her backpack, with room to spare at the top and the smaller pockets in front. 3

A giggling and obnoxious squealing went up from a majority of the people around her and her head jolted upwards at the sound. Nearly everyone was facing the other direction, away from the building towards the cars. Curious, Adina turned and watched a shiny black car pull into the front drop off circle. The type of car was lost on her, but it looked nice enough, for a car. The front passenger door opened and out stepped a rather large individual in a nice looking suit; something official like. Adina frowned as he walked over to the back door and pulled it open in front of him. There were people in the back seats, who got out when the door opened. 4

She was a regal thing, her dress wrinkle free and not a hair out of place. Adina watched the girl step gingerly out and turn to receive a shoulder bag made of what looked like silk but Adina couldn’t be sure, having never seen silk before. The giggling turned to cheering and whistles, forcing Adina to cover her ears against the noise. She grimaced as the sound worked around her hands and cringed as a bright flash went off. She glared at the photographer who glared back before moving closer to the newcomer.5

The person behind her lifted his chin to indicate the line had moved and Adina muttered her apologies before moving forward. She glanced back and paused, her eyes watching as a male got out of the car. His black hair and clothes were a total opposite to the girl he had been riding with and he had a more commanding presence as he threw a backpack over his shoulder. Adina tilted her head as she watched him, a habit her mother was constantly trying to stop. He scanned the crowd, their gazes connecting. He raised a brow at her then turned away, headed the opposite direction from the girl he rode with.6

“Honey, hey, you’re turn.” An elderly woman called, jolting Adina from her thoughts.
She turned and rushed up to the table. “Sorry.”7

“Quite alright, every girl does that at least once when that boy shows up. Don’t quite understand the why of it though. Have you had your shots yet, darling?”8

“Shots?” Adina bit her lip, “No…”9

“Well, you need to get a needle in you within the week or we take back your acceptance to Audalize.”10

“Oh no, please, I’ll get it right away. Just don’t kick me out, please! I… need to go here. You don’t understand,” Adina knew she was babbling but she couldn’t help it. 11

The woman’s eyes widened at her sudden outburst, “Honey, honey calm down. I’m not kicking you out just yet. Just get those shots and you’ll be fine. Okay?” Adina nodded and blinked away unshed tears. “Now, what is your name?”12

“Adina Winry,” she answered, adjusting her hold on her bike. 13

“Okay, let’s see.” The woman shuffled through a large folder and pulled out a small stack of papers. “Well now, look at that. You’re in the coed dormitory on the east side. Those are above the history classrooms and are shared with one other person. They’re big enough so no worries. I see you haven’t signed up for the meal plans, are you planning on not eating while you’re here?”14

“Meal plan? The one that costs extra?”15

“Well yes, all of the extra plans cost more than just tuition.”16

“Yeah, I didn’t want it,” Adina looked down at her feet as she said it. In truth, they could barely afford to let her attend Audalize let alone anything else. Her mother had taken on two more jobs to help pay.17

“Well alright. Here you go, and here’s a map of the school. If you get lost, ask someone, the students here are all rather friendly. You’re key is in the envelope as well as your schedule and anything else needed for your classes. You’ll be handed books but the other supplies fall to you. Hope to see you in my class sometime, Miss Winry. Welcome to Audalize.”18

Welcome to Audalize. The words rang in Adina’s ears as she pushed her bicycle out of the line and towards the stairs. A smile spread on her face, Audalize. She just couldn’t believe that she was actually here!