All Must Fall DISCONTINUED

Chapter 2

I followed the receptionist down the corridor and into a dimly lit black room. My brows furrowed, confused as to why the walls and floor were painted the color of the midnight sky, and why hundreds of lights were strung up on a rod across the ceiling. "Don't worry, Darling," the lady said, sensing my tension. "It's only a black box theater."

I relaxed my shoulders, releasing the breath I had held. Of course it was, I thought, and scolded myself for my stupidity. Glenn was a prep school, nothing more. Still shaking slightly from the horrors I had imagine the room to be, I clutched the door handle tightly as I pulled it closed behind me as I fully entered the room.

"Ah, hello." I was greeted by a friendly voice that permeated the room like the sweet smell of spices. While the tone was loud and announcing, it was cool and calm, first burning your throat and your eyes, but relaxing to a soothing sensation paralleled by none.

"Hi."

My reply was much shorter than I had intended,but my vocal cords decided not to work when out of a corner tottered a small woman wearing a bright fuchsia floral dress and a deep lavender headband. Biting back a smart remark, I smiled shyly at her hoping to cover my disdainful expression with a shy overtone.

"You must be Hela, our new student." She continued to make her way through a mess of props and brightly colored costumes until she found a very particular wall. Pressing a slight knob in the black painted wood, a small door slid open, revealing a brightly lit office. "My name is Ms. Levithan," she said, taking seat at the far side of her desk.

"Nice to meet you," I replied courteously. "Do you get new students often?"

She gave me a short, tight lipped smile, and my heart plummeted. They knew about Loki. My breath turned to ice in my lungs and blood raced to my cheeks. "No, not often," she replied, as if deep in thought. "But none ever with as unique of a name."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," I replied sweetly, my cheek still hot and pink. "It's Norse. My father chose it for me after my mom died."

"Beautiful." The reply was genuine, and I let out one of my first real smiles in weeks. Most times people mispronounced my name, or made fun of it because it reminded people (especially immature school children) of one of the bad words they all knew but weren't allowed to say-- hell -- which greatly attributed to why I had never gone to public school for more than a month or two at a time.

"Thank you," I replied, taking the seat opposite of Ms. Levithan. "Most people just think it's weird."

After that icebreaker, we got down to business. I learned the school rules, and was given guidelines and etiquette for different classrooms and parts of the building and grounds. For example, I could run in the school yard, but the courtyard with the fountain was a different matter all together. And if I was to get lunch from the school cafeteria, I would have to tell my homeroom teacher first thing so every person who needed food would get it.

For the most part, Glenn Prep appeared to be a normal preparatory school, way too invested in the well being and education of their students. Most freedoms students would enjoy in a normal public school were prohibited, like wearing your own clothing rather than the hot and scratchy school issued garments that were an insult to all who wore them. And believe me, that was the truth. I had already attempted using magic to make the uniform, and then my appearance, more flattering, but failed miserably with every attempt. Slimming out the blouse and cardigan made me look taller, but any amount of facial difference other than natural beauty made it look as if your whole head was smothered and caked with makeup.

But it seemed everyone at the all girl school had that very same problem. After entering my first block class, I could see girls visibly attempt to fix their hair or smooth out lip gloss as I walked past. Their actions made me cringe. My father, grandmother, uncle, and a multitude of SHIELD agents had always told me I was beautiful, with my long dark hair and sharp emerald eyes. I had always supposed it was because I looked unique from most people, as I was pale, and my green eyes were a rare occurrence, especially so bright and vivid. Nonetheless, people had always told me I was an adorable child, a beautiful baby, and a charming little girl, whether I had believed them or not. But looking around the room at the girls staring placidly ahead at their mahogany desks, I wondered if any of them had ever heard their name and beautiful in the same sentence.

There were two different types of girls in that classroom -- those who tried too hard, and those who didn't care at all. For once, I was proud to say that I was a happy medium, my hair braided back, but my face clean and shining, unlike those who had burried their skin beneath layers of foundation, blush, and concealer. And then there were a few with oversized glasses, their hair tangled in knots so vicious I was afraid to get too close in case a stray hair got too attached to mine.

Gulping, I introduced myself to the teacher and took a seat at the front of the room in an empty chair, staring long and hard at the board, waiting for the bell to ring.